June 16th, 2020: Prayer and Thanks

What comes with moving to a new city, state or country is uncertainty, sometimes anxiousness, and excitement. Maybe that's just for me. There's something about getting a new start that inspires me to be better; as if I'm recreating myself, or maybe returning to who I once was. When I first moved to Los Angeles back in September 2017 I felt all of those emotions and although most would think fear would be the most consuming it was not. Fast forward, June 2020, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Three years older but this time anxiety was at the forefront of my thoughts. I suppose it's justifiable. I moved when there's a pandemic and riots in the streets. 

Tonight though, I feel a sense of peace, confidence and hope. In the short amount of time that I've been here I've connected with kind, joyful individuals. I think more people here want genuine relationships. They're not just looking to network and move up in their industry all alone. 

God led me here and I'm glad I didn't fight it or stay in LA out of fear. He did this not only for me but for my brother, Andrew. He was planning on moving to Los Angeles, partially for me, so I wouldn't move back to Texas and give up on my dreams (as if that was an option) and partially for him to get a new start. 

Little did we know that we would both be getting new beginnings. Andrew decided to make an athletic tape for baseball and sent it to different colleges in hopes that he would be able to use his talent and eligibility to get a scholarship and finish his college education. To our surprise(not because of his athletic ability but age) he had great feedback and it looks like he will be attending a school in Phoenix, AZ this coming Fall. 

God does some amazing things if you let Him. He takes what you think you want and replaces it with something you could have never imagined. I am eternally grateful to be living with Mel again. I didn't realize how much I desperately needed to be surrounded with a friend like her; genuine, kind, God-fearing, inspiring, spontaneous, encouraging, and fun. God put her into my life when I was in college at a time when I was so low I didn't know if I could get out. It wasn't because of Mel that I got out of my depressive state but she did help whether she knew it or not. When Mel suggested I move to Atlanta with her I knew it was not luck. It was God. When she came around last time I was saved and I don't think it's a coincidence it happened again when I wasn't even aware that once again I needed saving. 

Thank you God for paving my path and throwing me a lifejacket each time I fell off course. Thank you Mel for being a true friend who inspires me to be a good person and to chase God in all that I do. Thank you Andrew for believing in my dreams so much so that you were going to move with me to make sure I kept going.  I will always support your dreams no matter how crazy or unorthodox they may seem because I truly believe in you!  And thank you mom and dad for supporting my decisions and my goals no matter how big they seem or how far they may take me. 

Sincerely, 

V.