I don’t always throw it back on Thursdays, but when I do…
It was one year ago today that I landed in Florida. Jill and I had just crossed the boarder from Georgia to Florida. It was
raining. Because in September, in Florida, it rains. All the time. We had tried
to stop at the actual boarder, which was in fact a bridge. According to the
sign, there was no stopping on the bridge. A few miles down we stopped at the
visit center instead. It had briefly stopped raining. Cloudy. We pulled our jackets
from the back of the car (because in California when it's cloudy you grab your jacket), zipped up, open the doors and….
Humidity. We quickly lost our jackets and became instantly
sticky. A true Florida welcome. After grabbing a few pictures we hopped back in the car to continue
driving to Orlando and finally to Tampa.
My sweet Jill, I could not have done that trip without you.
Could not have done the transition without you. We go together in the way that friends go together...
As much as I loved that road trip, the real adventure took
place after I said goodbye to my co-pilot and embarked on doing life in
Florida. It has been everything but easy, but so worth every moment.
a true throwback, when we may have broke some laws...
A few weeks ago, I was visiting with my new Pastor and his
wife in the hospital (she had given birth to their 2nd baby girl and
I was on my lunch break). We chatted about my move and what brought me to
Florida. He commented on my fitting in well with the church, and making
friends. I agreed and said, “Well it’s hard not to love me.”
No, I didn’t actually say that.
This sweet girl is going to have a lot of little baby boys to fight off.
In real life, I briefly explained some tactics, learned from Cru,
initiation, finding a church and keeping in touch with close friends to keep me accountable to explain my fitting in so well. But it really is by the grace of
God that Florida has become home.
Pastor Aaron said he was glad I chose Florida. So am I. Here’s a recap of how
I came to that conclusion. #sorryimnotsorry for the length.
*This is not a complete list. If I could name all the things
and all the people, well, we’d be here for days.
**It should be noted, that I could do without the bugs in Florida, but if they must stay, then I will suck it up and keep swatting away.
Clouds. Yes, the clouds are spectacular. I don’t know what
it is but I love the rain clouds, the see-through clouds, the ones that look
like you can nap on them, and the ones that are kind of just there. And I love
when you can see all of them at once.
one of many examples of sweet clouds
Church. Is awesome. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to and a
part of some pretty awesome churches, but Radiant is awe.some. I can’t really
describe being apart of a group of people that are truly... well, radiant… see what I did there? That’s a really good
place to clap.
Chunky-monkey (and other little ones). These little ones
have been so fun to be around. I’m still working on being the cool-fun aunt.
We’ll get there. But for now I just love squeezing my baby nephew, taking my
niece for Irish Mint frozen yogurt and playing with my little red headed
nephew, when he lets me.
kaden, mackenzie, bryson <3
Companions. Honestly, finding new friends in Florida was one
of my greatest fears: what if my California friends forget about me and what if the people in Florida don't like me?... Well, the verdict is in and my fears have been
silenced. And I’m pretty sure at least some of them like me…
cara and i... our better side
patty, cara, hannah, me, and shannon. so many connections. so many colliding worlds.
girls night out. so long insecurity! Jamie, Michelle (almost roomie), Shantel, Cara, me, Elissa, Amy
couldn't find a good picture with the Ley family, so this one of Kinlee will have to do for now.
**again, couldn't fit everyone, but stay tuned for more
Career. Next to finding friends, this was probably the
hardest part about moving to a new place. Well, maybe they tied for first. I really
do love my job. It was a rough 6 months at first, figuring out the company,
policies, co-workers, but it has been such a great learning experience... “USF
Health, Department of Neurosugery, This is Erin… Oh you want to schedule
surgery?... What’s your date of birth… yeah lemme place you on hold for just a
moment…" (this is when the cute resident walks by, I smile and say hi) "…Thank
you for holding, let me check with Dr. Smith about dates and I’ll give you a
call back... Okay, thank you, have a great day, bu-bye”
Okay, okay… aside from answering phones all day and saying
hi to the residents that walk by, my job has been great. I learned to say cool words like "spondylolisthesis," and schedule things like MRIs and surgeries that include "Deep Brain Stimulator Placement & Internalization". I literally work with brain surgeons. Yes, most of them fit the stereotype. Sure can do brain surgery, but doesn't know how to work the fax. It's fun, and I kinda like being the hero of the saving the day, to show them how to properly fax something. And it doesn’t hurt to
have a decent paycheck with decent benefits and to be able to go out for drinks
every now and then after work with fun co-workers. Whoa… it’s like I’m a grown
up or something.
this picture has not been altered in anyway. i turned around from my computer and found this mess. please note, that papers that fell inside that slightly cracked drawer are not shown. this has happened more than once.
Castle. Well not completely, but it feels like that sometimes. I moved out of my sisters and found a gorgeous room for rent in a
home that overlooks the river, with a pool (that I have yet to swim in) and the
best part is, I have pretty incredible roommates. And I know incredible
roommates, from experience. My room is not yet ready to be revealed publicly, but please enjoy this view from my kitchen sink instead.
am i spoiled or what?
Consanguinity. Found that one in the dictionary. Boom… My
sister has been nothing short of a blessing. But when we argue, a blessing in
disguise. She is my financial advisor, my life coach, my sister and my
friend. I don’t think I would have made
it, if someone weren’t yelling at me to get off the couch. You’re the best. And
Chance too. He helped.
none of us know where to look when taking a selfie.
Christ, lastly and most importantly. To be honest, I left Florida on a
“hunch”. Not really sure what I was doing, I decided to go anyways. And looking
back, I’m not sure that I would describe the hunch as the voice of God, but maybe it was. And if it was, well then, I
think God knows what he’s doing. I’m so thankful I can’t run from him, no
matter how many times, or how hard I try. All in all, I'm thankful for Christ,
because without him, all of the above wouldn’t exist, or maybe they would, but
they wouldn’t be so great. He makes them beautiful. He makes them beautiful out of rages, dust and hunches, and that is something to be so so so so thankful for.
Here's to more adventure as a Floridian.
one more from our road-trip, because i just couldn't resist. a kentucky sunrise.
