Kyera and I were flown to Nashville from our humble apartment in Orlando. It was the fruit of a back and forth correspondence with a potential new/old employer that started with a message on Multiply from one of my former bosses that greeted me in my Inbox on New Year’s Day 2009: “We might have an opening for you in Nashville. Hope it works out.”
I was so ecstatic at the possibility that I cried as I read the message on my phone. A flurry of emails, direct messaged tweets, and a few phone calls later, Kyera and I boarded a plane the third weekend of February last year and headed out on an adventure with the hope that life would change for us.
(If you’ve read my other blog, Exits and Entrances, you’ll see how sad and unhappy we both were in Orlando on so many levels. And how faithfully and fiercely God loved us despite our whining. The prospect of moving to Nashville to do what I’m passionate about — communications — as opposed to being a concierge was just incomprehensible. I had reached the end of my hope quotient after my hours and my paycheck at the hotel were cut from 40 to 24 hours per week. I was desperate, depressed, dejected. Was Nashville going to be another carrot dangled in my face like the nearly 100 job openings in Orlando that received my resumes?)
Unaware of the time change from Eastern to Central, we landed at 930AM. A full hour earlier than expected and three hours earlier than the rental car reservation. We had $ 100 between us so renting the compact sooner would mean we would not eat over the weekend. My new potential boss came to our rescue and whisked us away to tour the city, have lunch, and return to pick up our rental.
We met Filipinos, went to our potential new church, took in a volleyball game, and Monday came with an interview and a Meet and Greet with the staff over lunch.
Four weeks later, we packed up our apartment and drove almost 800 miles north to our new city, new home, new life.
Almost a year later to the date, God has surprised us yet again with something we had never imagined happening to us: buying our own home.
I’m still pinching myself that the wheels have been set in motion. I’m learning very quickly about grown up terms like, “escrow”, “closing costs”, “amortization”, and dreaming, dreaming, dreaming, pinching, pinching, pinching myself that life is changing again.
Thank you, Father, for yet another new adventure.
Our first home.
Nashville is a great city. I hope you enjoy your time there.
Thanks so much! And thanks for stopping by!
Wow-o-wow-o-wow! God is really good. Amazing!
Grabe talaga! As in, sweet and totally unexpected surprise!
TITA!
I am so so happy for Kyera and youuuu! I miss you two very much! I can see God is doing even more greater things and HE WILL NOT STOP for sure! Enjoy your new lovely home! love you two so much! xxx praying to visit friends in the US soon soon soon, but as of now, college firsttt. mwah!
Thank you sooo much, Yela!
We’re so excited and ultimately, so humbled by God’s faithfulness and goodness! I just know that someday, we’ll see each other again. Study hard, hunny, then come for a visit when you graduate!
Happy for you and kyera Tita T! You’re so persevering! It’s really inspiring
Take care over there
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Happy for you…
One of these, bisita ka ha! Let’s plan it so Kyera and I can take off from work.
thelma im soooo happy for you! =] yey! u re such an inspiration. God is soooo faithful!
praying & hoping that one day God will bless this single mama with her own home too!
Thanks soooo much! He IS! It’s gonna happen to you too! God’s just getting your perfect place ready.
Such wonderful news! Congratulations Thelma and Kyera!
Now you two have another place to stay in Nashville! I miss you both heaps!
Wow thelma, i remember you calling me up in 2007 so depressed in the US and look now! God is truly wonderful! So happy for you and Kyera. We’re also praying for our own home. Btw, youre house is beautiful! Invite mo kami ha?
That was one of the most difficult times in my life and being able to call you and Afa, May, and Lowell made such a huge difference. I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked you all enough for being my lifelines during such a dark season! Will be praying for YOUR house to come along soon. And if you ever find yourselves in Nashville, come on over!
wait u both know each other??? HOW COOL IS THAT??? me and g3 go to the same church here in LA. thelma i think ur supposed to be here in LA! HA!