Time for a change?

Last year I was stuck in a rut. I was focused on myself and involved in a constant pity party. I hated the weather, the landscape, felt like I was stagnating and my relationship with God was at best sporadic. My vacation to Colorado seemed to be an escape, and I looked forward to the adventure eagerly. Shortly before I left however, God challenged my selfish, stubborn, willful heart and broke me. I realized instead of complaining about my circumstances, and viewing my time in Iowa as temporary, I needed to learn contentment and look for opportunities to serve others. God promises when we cry out to Him that He will answer our cries of desperation. So I did. I confessed the sin that was keeping me from God, asked for forgiveness and had a drastic attitude adjustment. Immediately I began seeing prayers answered and had opportunities to share Christ's love a plenty. My perspective changed and I surrendered my will to my loving Father. I looked for ways to build relationships instead of avoiding them, determined that with God's help I would use my time to serve Him rather than myself and peace and joy followed. Now I could truly say that I was content, but there were still temptations. But God provided me with an opportunity to have a little break from the mundane.

So, I took a much-needed vacation and went to visit my good friend Regina in Colorado. I've always loved the mountains and have entertained thoughts of living near them for the past four years. At that time, I felt a 'tug' but dismissed it as my own selfish desire to be removed from my present circumstances. Fast forward ten months or so...and I've prayed, sought godly counsel, saved, planned, budgeted and started filling out applications and submitting my resume. Lord willing I am relocating to the mountains in the very near future!

Ever since I can remember my family has taken vacations in Colorado, specifically the Rocky Mountains, so that place holds many sweet memories for me. For the past four years I've thought/prayed about a possible move, but the timing never quite worked out for it to come to fruition. I can't explain exactly how it happened, only that God put a desire in my heart and through the course of the past several months has orchestrated everything and plans are finally falling into place.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my sovereign Father will show me exactly where He wants me to serve. Although I dread goodbyes and will miss my friends and church family dearly, I want to be faithful to follow where God is leading. And right now, it seems He is calling me Westward...