The Move to Nashvegas

NOTE: If the information below is too much for you to read in one sitting, then take it in slowly. Allow yourself breaks and come back to it later.

So, leaving Sugar Land was a little harder than I thought it would be. I can't believe I only lived there one year and one month. It feels like so much more time was spent in that part of Texas. But having looked back and reviewed how life has been over the past year, I realized that God orchestrated some amazing things in my life...

I met some incredible people that quickly became my family and whom I will miss with every fiber of my being:

Stephanie Click (and Piper, Avery, and Don)
My closest confidant, my kindred spirit, and beautiful mother of the two most precious kids I've ever encountered. Stephanie became like a sister to me—making it so much more pleasurable in Houston away from family and friends;

The Comm Team (Dustin, Fones, Hector, Jason, H.R., Steph, Rusty [even during the short three months he was with us])
My family away from my family. I can't imagine working with a better group of people. Even now, I miss the community we shared as Christians and co-workers. They are and forever will be some of the most creative, godly individuals I've ever met;

Adam Ellis & Will Colbert
Truly two amazing friends to me while I lived in Houston. I would have been a very lonely girl had it not been for these two;

Stephen and Amanda Miller
My spiritual mentors, hangout buddies, and great friends that counseled, encouraged, and lifted me up through some confusing times;

Pat Conner
Whether she knew it or not, she was a spiritual mentor/counselor to me and is one of the godliest ladies I know.

Nancy Curtis
Like a mother to me, she always made me feel like I was valued and loved. She prayed for me often, listened when things were rough, and showered me with love and attention when life was good;

Diann Hamilton
It didn't take long before I found out that I had a friend, encourager, mother, etc. all wrapped up in this wonderful lady. I love her with my whole heart and will miss her dearly!

Melissa Tirey
Women's Minister at Sugar Creek, she didn't just do her job as a staff member of the church because I'm a woman. We truly connected on a deeper level and I now feel as though I've made an amazing friend in her.

I got to be a part of the praise and worship team at church (thanks to Stephen Miller)--something I've always wanted to do, even if for just a short amount of time.

I gained valuable experience in communications--more specifically a crash-course in being a writer, editor, project manager, and director of communications all wrapped up in one and topped off with a not-so-confusing title--Communications Specialist. Makes sense, right?

I also learned what kind of leader I want to be in the future—very important to know.

And most importantly, I learned what it means to be completely broken and dependent upon the Lord. I think I could even probably be smashed and crumbled a little more, but before I moved to Houston, I was no where near the place where God has brought me today.

Before my move to Houston, my only satisfaction and joy came from my family and friends. I couldn't do anything apart from them. But I knew God was calling me to Houston.

For months, I fought and cried and begged and pleaded with Him to open up an amazing position in Dallas so that I could remain close to those I loved. But God said, "Kaylan, you've got to obey me. And I'm telling you to go to Sugar Land."

I remember wailing to my mom in the hotel room after my second interview. I begged her to talk to God for me and convince Him that I needed to stay back home in Dallas. But, my family and friends knew just as well as I did that I had to make this move.

After the move, I can remember reaching the most lonely state in my life. There were nights when I would lie on my living room floor and ball my eyes out asking God why He brought me to that awful place. But soon, I realized that those nights featuring the wailing and gnashing of teeth were becoming a blessing.

I found myself praising the Lord instead of screaming out my frustrations at Him. And it was in those times that I knew I'd never felt the presence of the Lord closer.I can now see why God did what He did.

If He hadn't called me to Houston, then I never would've experienced any of these people or things—even though some of the issues I faced were very tough to handle. God had to take me though that process of brokenness.

He is all-knowing and ever-present and worthy to be praised!

Last night, I went to Kairos--a mid-week worship service/Bible study for around 800+ young adults (mostly single), ages 23-35 (with a few others mixed in). It was amazing. The music was amazing. The teaching was amazing. The fellowship was amazing. Today is only day two, but I'm feeling good and I'm seeing God's abundant blessings being poured out all around me.

I'm very excited to be here. I love the people. I love the music. I love the area. I love it all. And I know that God is going to do great things in this new chapter of my life. I have a really good feeling about this place. I think I'm gonna like it here—ALOT.