One Year

Saturday night we attended the Troy Draw Down. This is our SECOND time being at the Draw Down. This is our first "SECOND" anything here in Troy.



*The Troy Draw Down in an Athletic Fundraiser where people buy tickets, the tickets are put on a huge board, and then taken down one by one as numbers are drawn. The last ticket on the board wins $10,000. FYI: Our ticket was 11th to last this year...we were close!*


Exactly one year ago, Chuck and I moved to Troy. I don't know that I'll ever forget it...we left Valdosta, our home of only 15 months, in tears. Although it seems hard to believe that roots can be grown in such a short time...it happened! The Carson's put down some roots in Valdosta! (Here's a shout out to our friends in Titletown, USA...we miss you! We love you!) We left jobs we loved, friends we adored, and college kids that were our heart! All this to move to Alabama....Troy, Alabama. We didn't know a soul...not one! That Saturday, Chuck drove our U-Haul and I drove separately in the car. After crossing the GA/AL line, I remember scanning through radio stations (by the way, they're all country here!) and hearing the song "Sweet Home Alabama." I texted Chuck the station and we listened "together" and marveled at the Lord's sweet way of reminding us that He always has a plan. That afternoon, we unloaded our UHaul, took a (cold) shower, and headed to the Troy Draw Down. We knew 2 people and to be honest, I don't even remember the night. I faintly recall fixing a plate of food (my first for the day) and sitting down next to a very old gentleman (the only seat I could find) and then not moving for quite a while (I was quite exhausted).




Fast forward to this past Saturday...Chuck had to go to the Draw Down a little early, so I met some friends and rode with them. When we arrived, we quickly met up with several other couples and spent the evening eating and laughing and talking! When the Draw Down was over, we headed up to one of the 6th floor suites in the football tower and sat around together for another hour or so enjoying more laughs and sweet, sweet fellowship! Later that night, Chuck and I sat and thought about our year here in Troy, Alabama and how different our SECOND Troy Draw Down was.




We are overwhelmed at God's faithfulness in our lives. We are so grateful that He leads us...that He writes our story, guides our adventure, and loves us with a perfect love. Who knew that in one short year, we would have such great friends to enjoy the weekends with? God knew...He's had a plan this whole time. Don't get me wrong...it hasn't been all peaches and cream...we have been stretched this year in ways that we never imagined possible (me commuting, our house being broken into, multiple car issues, a wreck, etc.) but we have been blessed beyond measure. God has met our every need, many of our wants, and answered many prayers. We long for our lives to be a small picture of His saving grace and mighty power! We pray that through our lives, our adventures, our relocations, that He, the Lord of Hosts, our Dream Giver, could be made known and glorified!