We're Staying in OK

Over the last 6 or 7 months, Korey had been battling the idea of moving to Louisville to go to Southern Seminary and if that's what we were suppose to be doing. I didn't know he had been battling this or that it was up for question until the beginning of September. Since I had known it was an option that we could stay, my mind started racing the possibilities for our lives, our church family, and my teaching career here in Oklahoma. Then I was confronted by Korey with the idea that I just needed to stay in prayer about it. I needed to stop focusing on OK and keep my heart open to the possibility of both. We decided to stop discussing either option for a few weeks and both stay in prayer and then we'd revisit the ideas later.
Ten days went by and we hadn't spoken about anything really farther than 2 months out and kept the topic of moving completely silenced. Those 10 days included a lot of prayer and only by God's grace did I have the ability to be patient. Then Korey mentions on that 10th day that he has something he wants to tell me, but didn't want me to be too happy. Then he said, "You can start planning on staying in Oklahoma." I tried my best to not show my "too much happiness" but I was excited!! To test the realness of the situation, I asked if I could tell my Mom (who didn't know we'd been battling the idea for a month or so). When Korey said I could, I knew this was a decision he did feel strongly about.

I am trying to contain my joy. However, the possibilities and relationships that get to grow because we are staying are almost uncountable. Here are a few in no particular order:

• Our Church Family at University Fellowship is amazing and we have been growing closer to couples and members so much lately.
• Korey has been building strong relationships with some great men and as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. They have truly been learning from each other in their search for Christ's truth and understanding. 
• There are many girls in my life that I had started to distance myself from this summer with the idea that we'd be moving the next year. However, since August, many of those relationships have blossomed and grown into things that God has created and made so precious and helpful in my life.
• Capitol Hill Elementary - this school and it's hurting community has relit a desire in my heart to work with the unloved, unwanted, hurting, and broken. (Watching the documentary on America's failing school system "Waiting for Superman" last night only fired up my heart and encouraged me to work in those districts that need the good teachers. It also made me HATE the idea of tenure more than ever before! My reflection statement after the movie was: No child should ever hear "Not Accepted" or "Wait-listed"when it comes to their Primary Education. That was heart-breaking.
• I will be applying to work at Capitol Hill and other "inner city" schools of OKC. 
• Staying close to family is just very comforting to me. It may allow us to have children sooner than we thought, but we're still a couple years away from that. 

Well, just wanted to make that announcement and explain some of it to you all!

We will glorify Christ in our plans to stay here.