A Cali Girl in the South

I'm not sure how to begin, exactly what to say, or even how to direct this post.  As of tomorrow, I have been in Tennessee for exactly 4 weeks, which means a lot has happened and there is much that could be said. 

Things I’ve learned:
-       Pigeon Forge has been dubbed as “the Las Vegas of Tennessee” [confirmed by the giant King Kong and Mount Rushmore right down the street from our hotel]

-       It rains at least a few times a week here, and by “rains” I mean it pours, lightnings, and thunders [“I’m not brining rainboots, it’s not going to rain.” – me packing for this summer]

-       Most of my stereotypes about the south have proved to be true [not necessarily in a bad way though]

-       My spatial awareness of the south is grossly distorted [“Wait, Tennessee touches Mississippi??” – map struggles]

-       I’m not as bad with names as I claim to be – out of 130 ish people here, I think I'm down to not knowing the names of 5? Although let’s be honest, the number who actually know my name in return is probably 5 -__-

-       Sharing my faith is a privilege: something I get to do as opposed to just something I should do

-       Life is messy, but God is good and God is faithful and God is God

-       I love fireflies [aka lightning bugs]

Things I love:

-       Tennessee - one of the greenest places I’ve ever been [not environmentally friendly “green” but actually naturey green] – while I love cities, the beautiful, rolling countryside is a nice change of pace

-       The group of team leaders I serve alongside - it has been a blessing to work alongside a group of women and men who love God and find joy in serving Him and who desperately want to fight for the hearts and souls of those around them

-       The team leader women I serve alongside - there is an incredible beauty in being able to admit that there are times where we have no idea what is going on or what we are doing and have it be ok, remembering we are not here to have all the answers, we are here to serve God

-       My team – LOVE these girls; love getting to share life with them, pray with them, challenge them, learn from them, rejoice with them, adventure with them, and laugh with them

-       Wise women and men – we have an incredible staff teaming serving and leading us this summer; there is so much wisdom and vibrancy in the staff making this summer possible

-       Working at Dollywood – I work in parking, driving the trams and acting as the tram conductor alongside fellow team leaders and coworkers 60+ years in age full of their own puns, sass, and life

Things that have been good but a challenge:

-       Choosing to be outgoing when shy and awkward is doing its best to entice me into my shell

-       Realizing God is working in my heart and bringing up things I have been avoiding [and continuing to fight to avoid]

-       Remembering that God is working to make me complete in Him and that’s not always easy but it is always good

God is good and God is moving and working.  I am blessed to be here.  Excited that Pigeon Forge is slowly but surely being added to my list of homes around the world :)