Tacoma!!!

It is a warm, sunshiny Monday afternoon in February, and I am sitting in Starbucks thinking about how much my life has changed in the last two months. If you read my previous posts, you know that God called me to Capetown and worked mightily in me there. Just as He promised, He has continued that work since I have returned home. I wrote previously about how God grounded me for a day in Capetown and clearly spoke to me about where He wanted me to go. As most of you know by now, God spoke to me and told me to move to Tacoma, Washington. I had heard about Newsong, a church in Tacoma that has strong ties to Christ Church in Capetown, while I was staying with the Stewarts, and I met Jaime and Melisa, members of Newsong, as well. When I sought God on where He wanted me in the coming months, He told me He wanted me in Tacoma. He said it so clearly that I questioned Him and asked if that was His voice or mine so loud in my head. He said, "you asked, and I answered." I then prayed for confirmation. As I prayed throughout the following days, God told me that He had settled this with me and led me to pray over other things. When I got back to the states, I was waiting in the Chicago airport for my flight to Memphis, and nursing recruiters called. I told them that whoever could get me to Tacoma could hire me. Over the next several days, recruiters called me saying there were no positions open in Tacoma and recommended other areas. I insisted on Tacoma, and began to question God on it. God said, "sit back and watch me work".. those very words. :) On February 5, a devastating tornado hit my community and destroyed Union University's dorms. My brother was in the dorms at the time, and that night was crazy and terrible. The next day, after a sleepless night, I was getting ready to go to bed around noon as I worked that evening. Just as I laid down, my recruiter called me asking if she could send my profile to a hospital in Olympia, just 30 minutes outside of Tacoma. She warned me not to get my hopes up as my start date was too late to be appealing to most managers. At 3pm, I awoke to take a phone call from the manager in Olympia. I was groggy and fumbled through the interview, but she offered me the job on the spot. My recruiter was astonished and said she had never heard of it happening that fast. I was overwhelmed, and I logged onto facebook to ask Rene and Melisa, women I met in Capetown, about a living situation in Tacoma. As I waited for the computer to log on, I prayed, "God, if this is what you want me to do, please scream confirmation to me because I have to give an answer tonight." Facebook logged on, and I had a message waiting for me from Rene. It basically said, "Chelsea, no pressure but just in case you're interested, two girls in Tacoma are looking for a roommate for the end of February." There is no doubt in mind that God screamed at me through that message. God has given me an absolute peace about my move and has taken care of so many details already... right down to my furniture. He is so thoughtful! :) I am going to be living with Bryan and Erika, two women I heard so much about in Capetown who have reputations of walking so closely with God. While I was in Capetown, Rene and Melisa had even mentioned how wonderful it would be if I could somehow live with these ladies. I am admittedly nervous about the 5-day cross-country road trip I am taking alone, and I am sad and overwhelmed about leaving my family, friends, and everything I know. At the same time, I am so excited to be walking into such a strong community of believers, and I am even more excited to be holding God's hand as He leads me where He wants me to go. I am going to try to continue this blog throughout my travels if you are at all interested in my somewhat long-winded reflections. :) Praise the Lord for His mercy and loving attention, those who know me well certainly know I don't deserve it. I'll write from the road.... :)~