Southern in the City

So if you have talked to me in the last few weeks you've probably heard me say things like, "I feel like I'm in the movie Body Snatchers (which I haven't seen) or Identity Thief or the sappy tv movie Mistaken Identity that I found on Netflix out of boredom.

You see in May I was living in Manhattan, working full time, living with roommates in a lovely brownstone on the upper west side, going on runs in Central Park. I was planning a MUCH anticipated wedding to the most amazing and let's.face.it handsome, godly man, or as I tell him...the handsomest :).

I am currently wrapping up my job for Redeemer in the coming weeks. I've been working remotely since the wedding in May minus a few weeks spent in NYC in July. I live in Myrtle Beach and not to intentionally offend but on its best day this place is the Redneck Riviera and I could stand not to ever come back. Sorry if you just love this place. I do have this wonderful husband I mentioned above who is working 16 hour days and should be the one writing a blog about how hard things are for him instead of me :). He is most certainly the icing and the cake and loves me and Jesus really well. He is worth my mini-identity crisis. A little side note: I will add that he asked me last week if I would show him how to set up a blog. I fell for this little joke as I started to explain and then he continued and said the name of his blog would be, "My wife: the wimp" and of course I laughed until I cried and then smacked him a little.

You see I'm not writing simply to get your pity....well that may be part of this...I'm only human ;) but more to share what I think I'm learning. I say think because it isn't all clear just yet. I'm realizing all the labels I've carried for so many years. Labels that I grew to like, feel proud of. Whether they be things I didn't even earn like Southerner or Upper West Sider. Or labels I've worn that are more like war wounds like Single. Even the labels that sometimes feel like battle scars I don't think I realized the pride that was just underneath them. Where I've lived, my heritage, my job title & responsibilities have been telling me who I am more than I ever realized.

I know a lot of verses that tell me my true identity. Daughter of the King, co-heir with Christ, new creation, apple of God's eye, free, adopted, in the light, ambassador, made in His image.

I guess what I'm working through right now is how much do I rely on those eternal truths and how often I've held onto the glitz & glamour of my Manhattan address and my role in ministry.

As I lose and gain new labels during this season of incredible transition, I'm trying to press down into my heart the labels that are eternal and from God's Word. My address will continue to change as we make a move to the Charlotte area in the fall. My job with Redeemer will be completed by that point and I hope to be starting another job (pray for that!!).

I honestly cannot complain about where I am. I prayed for Corey for so many years. I cried for him. He's definitely God's best for me and I love doing life with him even if it has been in Myrtle Beach :). The transitions will continue to hit us and you can pray with me that I hold onto the lasting truths and labels more strongly than the temporary ones.

One amazing thing about a wedding is getting to have lots of people you love all in the same room at the same time. It can also be demanding and overwhelming but totally worth it :).

When Corey and I began to talk about the wedding weekend, we really wanted to capitalize on the minimal time we had with our entire families in the same place for a few days. Our parents had met via skype on Thanksgiving 2012 but never in person. Corey's parents live in very far north New Hampshire and had made the trip along with Corey's siblings/wives/children to the Alexander farm.

So, the Thursday before the wedding we all gathered for some snacks and time on the farm to just hang out together. A few friends and other family dropped in as well. I wish I took more pictures of the family together but this at least gives you an idea. People sat around on the porch, played horseshoes and took tours of the farm in the back of the truck.