Magic of New Beginnings in Jacksonville, FL

    Sometimes an opportunity arises in our path that we cannot ignore. That opportunity can be a side adventure, or a step that will catapult wherever you are physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally to the next level and completely rock your world. Some people hate change. They hate how their comfortable, circumstantial situation becomes uncharted territory. Others embrace the unknown, taking the road less traveled. They thrive in these situations of newness and adventures.

    I believe we were put on this Earth to not be comfortable. I believe that we are called to greater things, opportunities, relationships, and experiences. We may have to seek out those greater things, other times they are put in our path. I don't know about you, but when an opportunity lands at my feet that I wasn't expecting, it becomes one of the most uncertain, scariest moments of my life. I think this is because I don't want to be part of an opportunity that does not benefit myself or others around me. Another part of me loves a new change, or opportunity because it has made me a better woman.

    The last two years I started evaluating my current situation. While I loved my job, my home, and having majority of my friends and family within a ten minute drive, I felt a longing to be somewhere else. I felt like I should be somewhere else, experiencing something outside of this small town. Point blank: I wasn't happy. I didn't make this a public announcement, but my closest friends could see that I was burnt out of this town. I started praying about it, and seeking some guidance from my closest friends and family. After several nights on Mer's couch debating this idea, and making false wishes, I knew I had to make a decision.

    This past Christmas I was able to travel to South America with my family and spend it in Colombia. The momentum building up to seeing my family that I used to spend my summers with became overwhelming and unbearable- I just had to hug their necks and share stories over a glass of wine and empanadas. When our time came to an end, I was literally depressed leaving my grandparents and my cousins. My BFF coworker Robin sent me a message and said, "You looked so happy while you were down there! I loved seeing you smile! I can tell you had a blast." While on FaceTime with my cousins Christina and Jen (whom I have always felt like they were my little sisters), Jen broke the news that she was moving back to Florida to help out and I should join her in this adventure. I told her she was crazy and I couldn't just leave. Jen said, "Why can't you?" Being the smartest of us three, Jen kept stumping me. Why couldn't I move? Why should I stay in Spartanburg? There wasn't logical reason.

    Spring Break, I went back to Florida to visit my grandparents and feel out the area. I prayed that after a week down there, I would either leave with affirmation of my move or I would leave with a discomfort of knowing that wasn't the right choice. While I was there, Lauren sent me a text that said, "I don't know what organization you are helping with, the people you are meeting, or what exactly you are doing in Florida, but you look so happy there. Keep doing whatever you are doing." One night I was able to spend the evening out at our beach house. I sat there at 3 AM, in the pitch dark on the deck, listening to the waves crash, I felt a peace that I have only felt once before in my life. This is it. As I said goodbye to my grandparents at the end of the week, Papi was hugging my neck and Pila  was saying, "WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK??" I knew I had to move to Florida.

    Telling my family, friends, and school has been the absolute hardest thing I have ever had to do. I'm not going to go into the emotional, details of the tears, the wailing, and the gnashing of teeth (just kidding) of telling everyone I was moving. But at the end of the day, my true friends have told me how proud they are of me, how they don't blame for wanting to experience something new, and that I should go be with my family. Any uneasiness I had about my decision of my move has been quieted by the most amazing, supportive group of friends.

    My friend Tina asked me "who the boy was." My other friend Susan asked me if I was in love and if that's why I was moving. I replied, "Yes. I am in love. I am in love with my grandparents and the beach."

    Things are moving fast. I have had a few moments of "Oh, crap. What have I decided to do?" Tonight I ran into my Aunt Fran at Twisty's, a frozen yogurt place near my house (I had gone to eat my emotions of nonfat peanut butter chocolate, strawberries, and coconut). She moved from Florida to South Carolina after meeting my uncle online. As I was talking to her, she reassured me I was doing the right thing. That these moments of uncertainty are normal, but the end it's worth the journey.

    Here's to looking at you, Spartanburg. I'll be back. However, it's time for me to experience bigger and better things--time to see how this Roebuck girl does in a big ole city world called Jacksonville.

In the words of my cousin Christina: "DUDDDEEEE, YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE IN FREAKING FLORIDA! "

“As I look back on my own life, I recognize this simple truth: The greatest opportunities were the scariest lions. Part of me has wanted to play it safe, but I’ve learned that taking no risks is the greatest risk of all.” -Mark Batterson,"In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day"