the city that never sleeps

Years ago, when my mom traveled A LOT for her job, New York City was one of her favorite places. As a little girl, I wasn't too happy that my mom had to go on these business trips, but always LOVED seeing all the pictures and presents she brought back. I soon began using my little girl imagination and putting on my scarf, gloves, and grabbed my sparkly purse and would play "New York".

 I would pretend I was on the plane, walking the streets with my coffee, running late for all of my super important business meetings...I went the whole nine yards.

 

Flash forward ten years and what am I doing?

I am getting on a plane, I am walking the streets with my coffee, I am not running late for my super important business meetings, but I am falling in love with the city that never sleeps.

 

When it came time for my dream trip to end, I was not ready to go back to Small Town Alabama. I wanted to stay with all of the tall, detailed, beautiful buildings. I wanted to stay with the solace that comes from where the North and South Tower stood. I especially wanted to stay where I had a Starbucks on every corner!!

 

On this trip, not only did I fall completely in love with such a magical city, but I was reminded how much I love the South. I LOVE ALABAMA. But I am also learning that there is more than Alabama out there for me. So what if I will probably never be qualified for a job in the freedom tower? So what if I can't find an apartment in lower Manhattan for less that $2,500 a month?

 

Out of everything, I am learning that maybe my dreams are a little big, but my God is so much bigger. And His will is my way.

 

Maybe I'll end up in my NYC apartment and a big time career. Maybe I'll find my life in Sweet Home Alabama. For right now, I'm just going to find my way with a whole lot of help from Jesus. 

 

 

New York City...you have my heart.

 



I was called to love.

God does not do love - He IS love.
We are called to love...I was called to love.

     Along with my mom, I teach a 3 and 4 year old Sunday School class. I took on this task thinking, "How hard could this REALLY be?" Well, that was probably the dumbest question I could have ever asked. Some people don't really believe that God has a sense of humor, but boy oh boy does he! Me. Allison. Trying to teach 3 and 4 year olds is the funniest thing He has ever done. I do not practice patience well (unlike my mother who has the patience of Job). Bless my soul, I have my daddy's temper and my momma's wit. But the strangest thing happened...

     While attempting to teach these young hearts and minds about Noah and the "big boat", Jonah getting ate up by "the big fish", David taking a nap with a bunch of lions (that one was a doozy), and baby Jesus dying for us (because to a classroom full of 3-4 year olds, Jesus is always referred to as "baby" Jesus)...I have fallen in love.

     I now love sassy, little girls more than I ever could have imagined. I love sweet boys who will think the world is ending if they get the red play-doh and not the green. I no longer see snotty noses, "missing" when we think we can handle the big bathroom all by our self, and purple kool aid on the floor. My heart flutters when I hear little feet running down the tile hallway ready to see Ms. Kim and Allison. My heart grows a mile every time I'm asked to read the story about Christmas in the middle of summer, when I get the question "How can Jesus be in our hearts when He lives in Heaven on a big, fluffy cloud?" And I LOVE when all one of my little buddies wants to do is sit in my lap, and when I feel that precious hug around my legs.
    
     Yes, I fell in love. I fell in love with the joy that comes when one of those little minds remembers our lesson from last week, or when we have multiple volunteers for the blessing before a snack. I fell in love with the love that is in that little classroom. I fell in love with wanting learn the depths of Christ's love, again. I fell in love with every smile, giggle, prayer, veggie tale movie, and sticky hand. I have been reminded how much I am loved. I have been taught not only how to love, but how to be love.

I was called to love.