My season of working with Adventures in Missions is coming to an end. 

My last day is July 3, 2020. 

A little background: I’ve loved my time at Adventures in Missions. The Lord has given me a more relaxed work environment to grow my personal walk with Him and also grow in new career skill sets. I’ve continued to love advising participants through the application and preparation process for their mission trips. Then adding on Operations Manager, I gained another level of experience in balancing accountability of my team and personal workload. All the while though, I’ve asked the Lord to open the door for teaching again. And patiently, I’ve waited for His lead. 

When I traveled to Spain in August 2019, I had time to process with the Lord some desires of my heart and pieces of my current life that were missing. I knew that I had a desire to be more active in my job (instead of at a desk all day) and I wanted to engage more in my senses (I love experiencing the world with my senses, not just observing but actually feeling, seeing, hearing...you get the idea). I missed engaging directly with people on a daily basis (besides my coworkers in my department). I missed new experiences, and daily challenges. 

Since September, my friend told me that I’ve been restless. Knowing the season at Adventures was coming to a close. But I didn’t know what that meant and how to go about ending it. 

Then COVID came in March. It caused Adventures to make some big decisions and changes. Within a week we brought all racers home, and cancelled spring trips. We weren’t even sure what to do with future trips or how it all would impact our future. All of this led to restructuring the organization, asking only certain employees to stay due to financial strains. 

I was invited to stay on, but my heart wasn’t a yes. I knew my heart wanted something else. But sometimes, when new doors are opened, you get a little scared and like the idea of comfort. I asked a lot of questions. I was overwhelmed by the decisions. 

But the Lord quietly reminded me that for that moment, I only needed to know the answer to one question, “Are you staying at Adventures?” 

And in my heart, I knew my yes wasn’t there. I shared with leadership my decision, and that afternoon, I felt the Lord say, “All I wanted you to do was say YES to a new invitation I have for you.” I envisioned myself sitting in a field of rolling hills, full of green grass blowing in the air, expectant of what was ahead but fully trusting in the Lord’s plan. Think of Psalm 23:2.

I had made my decision and I was at peace. 

However….then the reality of losing my job, with an end date set for July 3. And knowing I don’t have a game plan was hard for me. All of this happened right before my birthday. What a weird way to start my birthday - essentially ending my current career for the unknown, not sure of what my next job would be, and having to let go of expectations I had for my 31 year old self. 

Over the last few weeks, I’ve journeyed a lot with the Lord. Feeling a variety of emotions and feelings. Not sure how to end my season in Georgia, especially with no church services, no more English classes, no gathering in office with my coworkers, living in Alabama with my family, figuring out where I will live in July. It’s been such a different few months than I ever saw coming. 

I want closure to my season in Georgia. I want a game plan. I want a job...and really I mean I want insurance. I want to know where the Lord wants me. 

In the ride of the last few weeks, I’ve sifted through decisions and possibilities. 

And here are two things I know:

I’ve landed on moving to North Carolina (in faith). 

I’ve landed on wanting a teaching job in the Asheville area. 

My life currently looks like splitting time between Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. Working remotely for Adventures, packing my apartment up in GA, unpacking my belongings in NC, applying for jobs, attending interviews in person or over Zoom, pinteresting all sorts of things from kitchen remodels to classroom organization to science standards to carpet shampoo formulas. 

But what I love is seeing my heart and mind get excited for each day again. Being able to research and learn and educate myself on so many different things. I’ve watched so many teaching videos to help prepare me for interviews to organize classrooms to science labs to first grade reading lessons. I’ve reviewed and studied the curriculum for North Carolina. I’ve dreamed of how to teach certain lessons. I’ve thought about ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. I have created a dream board for my personal life. I have seen a dormant part of my heart reawaken, which gives me expectant hope for the future.

What can I ask of you? 

I ask that you continue to pray for me over the coming few weeks as I transition out of Adventures and my season in Georgia, and for the Lord to provide a job for me where He wants me. I want to be obedient and follow Him. So please pray. 

I trust the Lord has the school, grade, leadership that is right for me. I trust in His timing. I believe in His provision (He has been an amazing provider all of my days, so I know Him to be faithful). I am excited about the new invitation He has for me, and I am grateful He walks diligently with me every day as I navigate the path into that invitation. 

If you want to know more or connect, my personal email is: wrbethcrenshaw@gmail.com