"Arkansas, Arkansas, I just love my Arkansas..." That song has been in my head every time I've thought of Arkansas since Middle School thanks to a friend of mine. Well, now I am here in Arkansas. It's been a month since I've updated this blog, despite my time in the Word. It's all just been a whirlwind of packing, moving, unpacking and getting situated. I tell myself I'm half Arkansas since my mom is from Arkansas. Sure, I like the Hawgs as my team in the West as well. I'll always be a Dawg though. All of my previous experiences in Arkansas have been in the Ozark Mountains, so being here in Russellville is new to me. Let me begin at the beginning:
The original plan was to have the moving company pick up my stuff in Athens the Friday before the New Year. They would keep my stuff on the truck and go do other jobs until that next Wednesday when they would meet me in Arkansas to offload. My mother was in Montana with my sister and amazing nephew (PEYTON!) for that whole month, so it was just us men. I enjoyed my time at home, and had a lot of plans for the New Year weekend. Well the Wednesday night before New Years I get a call from the moving truck saying they would be in Athens to pick up my stuff that Thursday. Due to that, they would be able to be in Arkansas that Friday. I knew there was a slim chance I would be able to make it to Arkansas, sign the lease, get the key, offload, etc. that Friday since it would take me a full day to drive to Arkansas. So, I frantically packed my truck that night much to the dismay of my father and brother. I was not ready to leave. I had no idea when the moving truck would get to Athens, so I woke up at 6:30am and drove straight to Athens. I proceeded to wait, and nap, until about 4:30pm when the moving truck finally showed up. Before they started loading, I had a talk with the driver about scheduling. After about half an hour of debate, we decided that he would put my stuff in a storage unit near Russellville, and give me the information. So, I had to pay for extra storage that I didn't plan for. This arrangement allowed me to go back home for the weekend though, and carry out my original plans. I had prayed about it, but I realized that God's timing is not my own. I was able to leave early, and I was willing to leave early. God had told me months before that when my exodus came, it would come fast, and so it had. I call it my "unleavened bread" scenario. For some reason, God allowed me to step back from alert readiness and spend a few extra days with my family. I am very thankful for that.
However, Wednesday did come, and I had to get into my truck and drive to Arkansas. The drive was long, but scenic and uneventful. I wish I didn't have to do it alone, but I had good God time. Jeremy Camp's "Desire" from his "Restored" album was on repeat in my truck. I stopped for the night in Conway, Arkansas, which was apparently the wrong side of town, but I had no issues. The girl at the front desk and I have a mutual friend. Random, I know. Small world. I saw 5 states in one day. I enjoyed a steak for dinner, and slept well. I had a very nice room, but no time to play in it. Early that next morning I drove the remaining 50 miles or so to Russellville, and Spring Lake Apartments. The apartment complex is massive, and right next to I-40. My apartment is at the very back corner of the complex. I signed the lease, got my keys, and unpacked my truck. The apartment that I rent is furnished with a washer/dryer. It's also 2-bedroom/1-bathroom. It is massive. I always said that my little apartment in Athens was more than I needed, but this apartment is much more than I need LoL. I am thoroughly enjoying living in it so far. After 2 weeks, all is well. My neighbors are nice, and the landlord is very nice. That's the thing about Arkansas, everyone here is nice! A lot of times in Georgia it was hard to be nice to people, or people were mean for no apparent reason. If someone was nice, they had an ulterior motive. I'm still wary here in Arkansas, but it's a lot lighter.
Russellville is a bit more industrial than I imagined, but it's still a nice town. They got a Chick-fil-A last October, and it's nowhere near the same as the ones in GA (different chicken), but it's nice to know God has a presence here (j/k). The reason I came here is the Great American Conference. It's Division 2 and just started last year. It includes 9 schools so far: Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, East Central, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southern Arkansas, and Southwestern Oklahoma State. There are 3 full-time staffers and myself representing the GAC. I know it will be different here than at UGA, but so far so good. I have a lot to look forward to. Last week I took my first ever road trip for basketball. The SID and I went to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to watch Southern Arkansas play at Ouachita Baptist. It was a great trip, and I met some good people. Arkansas Tech is right here in Russellville, so I'll be more able to attend their home games and see conference play. I'm here until at least May 11, when I graduate from UGA with my Masters Degree. Between now and then, I have the Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Golf, Men's and Women's Tennis, Softball, and Baseball conference tournaments. I finally get to see sports through event management eyes. I had a good relationship with the EM crew at UGA, but my only exposure was Ticket Sales, which was a different branch altogether.
As far as spiritual growth goes, I'm seeking a place to get plugged in. I think I've found a church that I can really sink my teeth into, so that's good. I truly miss WFBC, and my friends there. I know the harvest is abundant, with few workers, and I desperately want to be one of those workers. It's the only thing that matters eternally. I hope I can do my best here in the GAC, for the glory of God, but I know God brought me out here to do things for Him in my spare time. Two weeks in I am a weird combination of apprehensive and optimistic. We'll see how it goes. All prayers appreciated :)
For the Kingdom-
Stuart L. Kingsley
