Nashville: The Revised Story

So, I know quite a few of you have been wondering about the "what's next" for me regarding the story of Nashville. Really, I like to look at it as a progressive novel. 

Full of ups and full of downs, and lots of in betweens, I don't knows and maybes. 

Alas, here is the scoop.

     Once upon a time, there was a girl named Rachel. She had woken up one spring morning with a thought; a thought that filled her with joy, and a great sense of motivation. The thought was, "I am moving to Nashville." And yes, that was it. It caught her by surprise and every other living being around her. But, she was ready. Something had to be done. She had to get going. Make a move. Get things set up; like when she would make the move. August 2014, she said. August, 2014. No turning back. So, really, it was time for "everyone around me, prepare yourselves. I am moving quickly and there is nothing you can do about it." Here are her thoughts today:

Hey everyone, a couple of weeks ago I made another turn on this crazy path called life that I believe was the right one and has brought a lot of peace to me and I hope to those around me. Deep within all of the deep motivation and spinning out of control searching, planning, emailing, texting, resume writing, meetings and phone calls, there was me, a stressed out, confused, yet excited, but terrified, a little bit sad but confident 21 year old woman. So many emotions, I know. About a month after I broke the news, and the more time I had started spending with people after the crazy tour season, I began to think. Is what I am doing right? Yes, I know that we all wonder that with everything in our lives. And sometimes, I firmly believe that you do not know until you try. Which is exactly the wall that I ran into, and soon, the bridge that I crossed. 

I have a confession: I tried so hard to figure this all out MYSELF. I tried planning everything, calling everyone, forcing a moving date: literally saying "Okay, God. You have no choice but to get me at least one roommate and one job by the beginning of August. And...go." It was stressing me out. And I knew that is not what He wanted for me. But I kept at it. Relentlessly. Until one day, I woke up. It was like my brain was detached from my skull and my eyes sewn shut and my feet magnetized to the direction and the speed that I wanted to go, and suddenly, it was all brought back together. 

He woke me up. Abruptly. 

Friends, I was trying too hard to rush a good thing. I know that He has placed a call on my life to go to Nashville, but at some point. Not my own. He has also placed many other calls on my life. And each one will work out in His own time. Not mine. In reality, I have been fighting this whole idea of "His timing" since August. I was always trying so hard to get away from the norm, whatever that means. I was blessed with Dare2Share, and the growing relationship that we still have and will have for a very long time. This was a ministry I never dreamed of working for. And yet, He knew it was time. 

His providence and His timing is so good and always victorious. It doesn't matter how hard I try. 

It always is. 

When I had told the first person about a week-ish ago about not feeling the call or seeing the fruit of moving to Nashville in August, a great sense of relief washed over her. And, I mean profound relief.

It hit me like a boulder when she reacted this way; I couldn't believe it. It was in that moment that I knew that August 2014 was NOT the right time. The right time, I believe, is not for a while now. And I am okay with that. 

Now, I want to make a brief apology to those who I shocked deeply and profoundly hurt in my process of: "I am moving there in August no matter what. So y'all better get of me what you can." That was selfish and quite honestly, mindless. I realize that He is not finished with me here. He is not.

As for school, the plan is to continue and finish my degree online with GCU, but I will keep you updated. :)

 I am ready to see what He has for me next. We are going to have so much fun and I am so excited to see what He does for all of us and for me as we continue on this wild journey. 

To close, this season has been a process. Where I am right now is better than I have ever been. 

Complete and sole reliance on Him alone. He has given me such a beautiful life. Lots of hopes & dreams, friends, family, experiences, jobs, and love. Since He has awakened my soul again, I have not been stressed out. I am at peace. He is the one that guides me. He is the one that provides for me. He is the one that I need. He is so good. I am convinced that to be sensitive to Him is one of the most beautiful things on this planet.

So with that, let's enjoy life together! There are some crazy good things coming...

Dancing in His joy, 

Yours, 

Rachel Yvonne

NOB//Opening Thoughts

So, coming up in a short few months, I will be moving to Nashville, TN. Yes, I am scared out of my mind, but I also cannot contain the JOY that has overcome my very soul. Often, when I think about it, I can't help but think how crazy this seems. A new state. A new city. A new culture. New sights. New experiences. New dreams. New people. This is a season of "new" that is coming. To be able to know that my love for people, ministry, travel, my God and my heartbeat for music and writing is taking an all new leap is thrilling! I know that my life was not built for anything less.

I am a dreamer. 

I am a singer. 

I am a writer. 

I am a lover. 

I am an adventurer. 

I am a wanderer. 

I am social. 

Beauty is my life. 

Not the material or artificial stuff.

Beauty is what I do with my life. 

To better myself, to follow my dreams, to love Him, other people;

and yes, it is crazy. 

A great quote that I found from Mark Twain today says this:

"Twenty years from now,you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."//M.T.

These words have given me a lot of inspiration today. 

The things that I am going to do with my life will be big.

My life has been successful so far because of Him. 

I cannot wait to see what He does next.

One day, I hope to:

Fall in love.

Get married. 

Put out some music. 

Write a book.

Start/be actively involved in an organization.

Speak to girls/women. 

Speak to those with disabilities. 

Create more strong relationships.

Meet more of some of the most incredible people.

Travel more.

Tour. 

Encourage more. 

Love more.

Adopt a child.

Dream even bigger.

Lead those I am closest to and strangers to Him.

& most of all...

Remember where I came from. 

My roots. 

They have made me who I am. 

And I couldn't be more thankful.

So as I journey towards this move, I ask for your thoughts and prayers. If you would like, I would love your help and support in any way you deem well. And lastly, that you would enjoy this crazy ride of life into this new unknown season as much as I am. I will be posting somewhat frequently, so keep your keen eye  out for a new post here soon!

Much, much love.

Nash or Bust. 

Rachel Yvonne Kuhl