This video is a song that the Lord has really been using to speak to me in this season. Let it wash over you today.
Have I got an unexpected update for y’all! I am moving to Georgia and believe me nobody is more shocked than me. Let me back up and bring you into the journey that has led to this decision. Back in November of last year I was scrolling through Instagram, and I saw a post on Corey Russell’s page, and he had tagged the Bridal Glory ministry. I had never heard of it before, and I was intrigued so I clicked on the tag and started scrolling through the ministry’s page. I found the teachings and started listening to them and I was instantly drawn in. It’s kind of like the normal IHOPKC messaging that I’m used to, but somehow this is even deeper and more tender. In researching the ministry, I discovered it was a church in the Atlanta area called Ascend Atlanta and they have a ministry school. I watched the promo for the school, and I instantly thought that looks amazing. It has an in person and online option so I thought about doing the online one, but when I looked at the price, I discovered it was not much cheaper for the online version than in person and if I was going to spend that amount, I would want to do it in person. So, I basically dismissed the idea. I’m here in Kansas City, planted for the long haul and I love my life and I’m not planning on going anywhere. Looking back, it had a very similar feeling to the first time I saw the promo video for fire in the night at Onething 2006. I had the thought, wow that is the coolest thing I have ever seen. If God could ever make a way, I would do that in a heartbeat. Then I looked at the dates and since I was teaching public school at the time none of the tracks worked with my schedule so I just dismissed it thinking it would never happen. 3 years later God opened a door for me to come and this has that same feel of God opening a door to do something that was in my heart, but I thought was impossible.
I have been asking God for several years to visit a church besides IHOP where He is moving. He’s moving all over so I didn’t have any set ideas but when I discovered this ministry, I decided this was the church I wanted to visit. The only time I could get away of course was spring break, so I thought about going to visit a Sunday service. But for the price of tickets, Air B&B, etc. just for a Sunday service I couldn’t really justify spending the money. A couple days later they announced they were going to have a conference of sorts called Glory Nights and it was the last weekend of my spring break! Now I could actually justify a trip. So, I did something I had never done before. I took a trip all by myself to a city I’d never been to before and didn’t know anyone in and visited a church where I knew absolutely nobody. It was a leap of faith, and I am so glad I took it! I went with no expectations just excitement to see the Lord move and experience Him in a new way. The 2nd night of the gathering, the leadership team and some of the academy students got up on stage and they were giving different prophetic words that they got while praying for the people attending the services. When they were done, the pastor said he had one too and began to share. He said I saw a vision of a yellow brick road. Instantly I was alerted because of a prophetic word I received back during IHOPU in November of 2012 from a dear friend. It was one of the most precious and impacting words that I have ever received, both because of what it said as well as who it came from, and I often go back to it when I need to re-cast vision for my life and for what God is doing. That part of her word was this:
“I got another picture of a street paved with gold bricks in the New Jerusalem. It was called "Amy's Road" and was put there in memory of the time you spent clearing the path. I believe that this either represents the fact that Jesus will reward and honor you publicly for the time you spend clearing the road, or it is actually the real reward He is going to put in the New Jerusalem for you. He sees the time you spend clearing the path for the next generation and it’s as precious as pure gold to Him."
So, when he said yellow brick road I instantly thought, oh my gosh I think this is a word for me. And then he said he heard the phrase, “we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Then he saw Dorothy’s red heels click 3 times and he said watch the next 3 months, a shift is coming. He also said he saw another picture of a moving box right after where the tape was going from left to right. He said they may be connected. That night I went home and texted a friend and shared the word and said I thought it was for me at first but now I’m not sure. So, she suggested that we ask the Lord to confirm it if it was my word. I thought that was a great idea so before I went to bed, I prayed that he would do that. The next morning, I went to the last service which was a Sunday morning. I got there early to get a spot in line and get a good seat and I chatted with the lady who was behind me in line. Her name was Susan, and she was an Academy student. When we were done, she introduced me to the lady who was in front of me, a lady named Minnie who was also a student. Susan introduced me and said Amy’s from Kansas City and after she said that Minnie goes super matter of factly, oh you got a word last night. I said, excuse me? She said yeah, the Kansas word that was for you. I still wasn’t sure if that was confirmation because I didn’t know this lady at all. She kept looking at me like she had more and then she launched into this beautiful prophetic word. It was one of those where after you wish you had grabbed your phone to record it, but I wrote down as much of it as I could remember. After the accuracy of that word, I realized her gifting and I said OK God, You confirmed the word. I’m claiming it as mine. I think I’m moving to Georgia.
Sunday service was good and when it was over, I was just going to leave. But my flight didn’t leave until 10 pm that night and I basically had all day to kill. My plan was to go visit the Atlanta House of Prayer, which is also 24/7, and just spend the day there until I had to leave for the airport. It was about an hour from Ascend. Since I wasn’t in a hurry, I just decided to linger a bit. I’m so happy I did! The girl that was sitting next to me struck up a conversation with me. She was also a student there. Then she introduced me to the lady sitting next to her who was an online student visiting for Glory Nights. Then that lady introduced us to the girl that was sitting next to her who was an online student and was in process of moving to Georgia to be in person. We all began to chat together and then prayed together. When we were done one of the girls asked if we had lunch plans and if not if we would all like to grab lunch. I was like well I was just going to eat somewhere by myself so sure. So, I ended up going out to lunch with 3 ladies who I had only met like 10 minutes before. Crazy! I don’t do that kind of stuff! It was clearly orchestrated by the Lord. So, we were just sharing stories and hearts and I shared that I was in a whirlwind because I thought the Kansas word from last night was for me. One of the girls said, I don’t know who this is for, but I feel led to say something about the number 14 and how in the Bible every time there was a significant transition between generations it was always 14 years. There’s something about the number 14. And then I had the thought, well that’s interesting because now that I think about it my 14-year anniversary of being at IHOP is July 1st and that will be 3 months from now. We exchanged contacts and have kept in touch over the past few months.
So, the last 3 months have been a wrestle and honestly this is really bittersweet. I love the nightwatch and I truly love my job and my life here. I really thought I was nightwatch for life. If I had stayed, my school was going to move me to the 4-year-old class and I was going to have all of my same babies for another year, which was a really exciting prospect because I love my babies! I shared my journey with my principal and said since July 1st was my anniversary, I would let her know for sure if I was coming back on July 2nd.
When I was home for Christmas a dear sorority sister gave me a precious gift- a mustard seed necklace. I have been wearing that every day as a reminder of trusting the Lord with my little mustard seed of faith. I think God knew I would need a practical, physical thing to hold on to in this season and I am grateful He choose to do it that way and through her. (Thanks Brittany!)
I’m always careful about “signs” because when you want something, you can make anything a sign, but there have been moments along the way that have felt like signs/confirmations. In my 14 years here, this is the first time I saw something and thought that looked better than what I was already doing. I think that’s important to pay attention to. Last week I had pretty much decided but gave the Lord 1 more opportunity to close the door and say no if I was misinterpreting what I heard. I was going to apply to the academy, and I wanted Him to close the door and tell me no if I was wrong, otherwise I was moving forward. I applied on Monday and received my acceptance on Wednesday, and I said OK. I am doing it! I’m packing up and moving to Georgia!
I told my principal I’m not coming back, and I’ve shared with the “bosses” I serve under in various capacities. Now that the decision has been made, there are tons of practicals that the Lord is going to have to work out. I am going to need a job and/or more monthly partners and I’m going to need a place to live. The school is 2 years so I know I will be gone at least that long, but if I’m honest this feels like more than just a temporary move. Who knows what the Lord might do with my weak yes? So, prayer for all the logistics and practicals is appreciated. This truly has shocked me, and I cannot believe it’s happening, but I am so excited at the prospect of getting out of my comfort zone and going on an adventure with the Lord. The main prayer request is finances and provision. I am good through the summer but after that I’m not sure how He’s going to do it- but I’m trusting that He is. I figure he’s going to use a combination of partners and another job like he has done here all these years, so I am also looking at jobs in Atlanta. If you know of anything, or even something remote I can do from home, let me know! I have been saving every month to put towards a new car, but that fund will now go towards moving expenses. I’m still praying for a car, but at the very least I will need a new set of tires before winter comes.
As I look back, I can’t help but reflect on His faithfulness to me for the past 14 years. Wow! His leadership truly is perfect, and He already knows what’s coming next.
If you are stirred to sew into me and my new adventure, you can go to the Partner with Amy tab.
