Hey purpose peeps,

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures from Geordan and my wedding day. Not just because everyone is GLOWING but because it captures the essence of what the love of family and friends represents to me. At any given time these women can act as protectors from what’s going on around me, they provide support when I feel like I’m sinking and most importantly they pray for me – taking my burdens on as their own and bringing them before God’s throne in moments when I may not even be able to speak.

I’m in a unique situation because I haven’t lived in the same place as my family for 8 years. I was gone four years for college in Missouri (where I met some of the ladies pictured in this photo) and I moved from Missouri to New Orleans the summer after I graduated. This was a tough decision. Especially because before college I had grown to make family my everything. I felt as if I had them, I didn’t need anyone else with me. While that loyalty and love for them still grows with each passing day, I’ve come to realize something. We all have the families we’re born into, but there sometimes comes a time in our lives, where we choose our family.

This past August, Geordan and I changed churches and in the 8 months since we’ve made that change, we’ve come to gain a whole new slew of relatives, ones that already are claiming to be aunts and uncles for our new baby. Having that type of support means everything but it’s also a little scary. When I first got pregnant, I immediately started thinking of ways I could get back to Texas but as I’ve continued to pray and spend time at God’s feet, I’ve felt the Holy Spirit lead tell me “Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend. Do not go to a relative’s home when you are in trouble. A neighbor living nearby is better than a relative far away.” Proverbs 27:10 Now of course, a baby does not signify times of trouble, but I know the times ahead will be challenging. So in my mind this community was cute and what not but they were still not my mommy!

Despite my initial reflex, God continues to open up doors for both Geordan and I here in New Orleans and in those actions, He’s made it clear that our season in this city is not done yet – a fact that I’ve had to make peace with.. You see, pursuing a purposeful life does not guarantee that we’ll end up where we think we’re supposed to be. And even if we do, it’s usually not in our timing. You may say, Brie, you get free will I’m sure God wouldn’t be upset with you for moving closer to family, but I decided  when I got pregnant, in this life, I want to always choose the God thing, not just the good thing.

This means, I will patiently wait until God makes it clear that Texas is where we need to be. Until then, I’m happy growing and contributing to our new adopted family – the people who at any given time  act as protectors from what’s going on around me, provide support when I feel like I’m sinking and most importantly they pray for me – taking my burdens on as their own and bringing them before God’s throne in moments when I may not even be able to speak. People who do it all, for the love of family.

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