New beginnings...

May 2012, I was asked to apply for a new position as  HR Director. I had been very happy in the job I had but a new opportunity seemed promising. I talked with my wife, family, pastor and after much thought and prayer decided to apply.

October 2012, I started in the new position. A few weeks into the new job it was apparent that commuting from our home in Valdosta was not going to be good for our family and so we decided to start looking in the Tifton area for a home. We soon realized that the housing market was not the best and chose to go to an apartment. My wife and I had not lived in an apartment since we were both in graduate school. Knowing that we needed to move made this choice for us.

February, 2013, my family and I moved from Valdosta to Tifton. I moved to Valdosta when I began Graduate School. I lived there through many milestones of life. I was married there. I became a father there. I also found who I was in Christ and developed a relationship with Him. I didn't go to church because my parents encouraged it. Beliefs and convictions were developed not because of what I was told but because after much prayer and evaluation they were  who I was and not who I was told to be. The biblical verse about seeking out my soul salvation came to fruition during those formative years in Valdosta. My family and I moved away from a very comfortable place. We were loved there and it was one of the hardest decisions my wife and I had to make as a family.

Easter, 2013 was one of the last services my family and I had at Azalea City Church of God in Valdosta. It's so hard to let go of what is comfortable. Change is inevitable but doesn't make it easy. We started attending Journey Church in Tifton soon after. Church has always been such a huge part of my life and to make a decision on where to go was a major decision.

During this time my wife and I came to a very important decision. We wanted more children and we had been trying to get pregnant for a while but it didn't happen. After much disappointment and many doctors visits we decided to attempt going through adoption. Ultimately we chose to go the route of foster care to adopt as there are many children in the state system who need families.

December 2013 we were called about a couple of sisters who were looking for placement and would ultimate be adopted. We were brought a 1 year old and a 2 year old on December 13, 2013. The  next year and a few months has been one of the most trying, rewarding and amazing experiences. As we near the completion of this experience and an ultimate adoption we are so very blessed to have three beautiful girls. 

April 2014 we put a binder down on a new home. When we first started looking for homes in Tifton my wife always wanted a home in one particular neighborhood. There were several times where it looked as if we would make that dream a reality only to be disappointed. God had such bigger plans! We talked with the construction company of this neighborhood and told them what we were thinking and they drew up plans. These plans included all the amenities we could hope for and the best thing was it was within reason of our budget. We are now on track to be in our dream home by Thanksgiving of this year. Ordered and Blessed are the words of the day.

I can truly state that when we allow God to lead no matter the current disappointment all things work toward the Good! God truly has good things in store. I can't wait for the next chapter in the life of our family.

jamie

 
    new home site, April, 2015

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