Fields of Harvest

There are cotton fields along the road that I take to work every day. I noticed them a few weeks ago and it made me feel at home. When I moved to Tennessee, 18 years ago, my family lived in a pretty rural town (population 1000). I had always been accustomed to seeing farmland because my grandparents owned a farm. Living in East Tennessee these last five years, I had to exchange the site of farmland for mountains. While the mountains were beautiful, there is something about farmland that reminded me of home. When I would drive home to visit my parents, I always got excited when I pulled off the interstate for the last leg of the journey because I knew I would see fields of cotton, corn, soy beans, wheat, etc.

Not only do the fields remind me of home and my family, but they also remind me of the basics of our survival. We need cotton to make clothes and other essential items. Soy beans are used to produce so many things. Modern technology is great, but there are still essential items that are necessary to live that come from the ground and not some manufacturing facility.

On Saturday, the cotton fields were full of cotton- ready to be harvested. This morning, coming into work, I noticed that the cotton was gone and was stacked in a big square on the side of the field, ready to take to market. Overnight, the fields had changed. The farmers will take that field, plow up the cotton plants and plant winter wheat or let the ground rest for the winter so it can be planted in the spring.

Isn't it amazing how our lives are like those cotton fields. God will plant us, as a seed, in a location (whether it is a new city, a new circumstance, etc.). He will provide the sustinence that we need to grow and flourish (His Word). He also provides the Son to give us warmth and love and care as we grow. It is up to us to extend our roots deep into the soil through prayer, reading God's Word, and living our lives for Him. In the end, we become that plant that He has desired us to be.

He may harvest us from an area (as I feel like I have been harvested from Knoxville) and will send us to another stage in our live to be replanted and to grow some more. But as long as we look to Him for nourishment and warmth, He will be our master gardner and will make sure that we grow according to his plan.

What were you doing???

10 years ago (1995)- I was a sophomore in college. I had just pledged Alpha Delta Pi and was enjoying meeting new girls and participating in sorority/campus activities- Homecoming, initiation, sisterhood retreat, etc.

5 years ago (2000)- I had moved to Knoxville earlier that year and had gone through my thyroid surgery. We had just formed the 20 Something's SS class in August and I was enjoying the new class. I was hanging out with Janna, Megan, Kim, and Kelly. We were getting ready for the Living Christmas Tree- its last year at the Tennessee Theater.

1 year ago (2004)- I visited my brother in Tupelo, MS and we went to Oxford for the UT-Ole Miss game. We partied in the grove with Joseph's fraternity brothers.

Yesterday- I facilitated a loan structuring seminar in Nashville. I had traveled up to Nashville earlier on Sunday in order to see my friends Leslie, Carrie, and Kim. It was fun catching up with them and seeing their kids. I was also able to hang out with Jimmy and we watched the Cardinals (my favorite b-ball team) beat the Astros in game 5 of the NL playoffs.

What were you doing 10 years, 5 years, 1 year, yesterday? Isn't it amazing how things change?

Homecoming

This week has been a week of homecoming for me. First, I moved 300 miles from the hills of East Tennessee (Knoxville) to the flatlands of West Tennessee (Memphis). In just a few short days, I have been able to reconnect with several of my close friends in Memphis. This weekend, is also Homecoming at UTMartin. I have been attending UTM Homecoming for over 15 years (even before I was even in college).

Homecoming, whether it is at a college or an actual move, is always a great time to go back to your old stomping grounds, seek out old friends, and reconnect with them. It is a time to remember the fun times that were had and to make new memories. I love UTMartin and all the fun memories that I have from my years at school. I will always go back for Homecoming and other activities and will always see friends and acquaintances from my era.

I also love Memphis and am excited to begin a new chapter in my life there. I have a lot of friends in Memphis, but I also am excited about making new friends. What the future holds for me here, only God knows.

Homecomings are great, aren't they?!?

Silver and Gold

"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold." I remember singing that song in Brownies when I lived in St. Louis. I never really thought about that song until now. Four days ago, I moved from Knoxville to Memphis, Tennessee. I really feel that this is God's will and He has confirmed it in so many ways. This week, He confirmed it with a very smooth move and with an easy transition into my new job. Thanks God!!!

The hardest part about making the decision to leave Knoxville was the decision to leave many, godly friends that have become my "urban family" (that was for you, Janna). To go from moving to Knoxville and not knowing a soul to making some of the closest and dearest friends in my life, I have truly been blessed. God sent me to Knoxville for many reason(s), one of which was to show me the value of godly, Christian friends- people you can worship with, pray with, have fun with, and just spend time with. We all share a common bond- our relationship with our Lord.

I will never forget those friends and plan to stay in constant contact with them!! I love them dearly and have so many great memories with them. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life!!!