It wasn't the coolest city when we were growing up. Crime engulfed the downtown area, and the few attractions included the zoo, Krispy Kreme [still magical], and a few historic places we visited on field trips. Thankfully, Montgomery started improving the downtown area while we were in high school. The Biscuits minor league baseball team came to Riverwalk Stadium, the Alley Station brought several restaurants, and the crime became almost non-existent downtown. An outdoor hangout area was built by the river, with an amphitheater to host concerts and ballet performances, a water pad for kids, and the Sandbar restaurant/bar for young people and adults. So much better than it was 10 years ago! Still, we weren't sure about living in Montgomery when making decisions last spring. We contemplated Birmingham, Costa Rica, and even Kansas before we landed on two job openings [together!!] at EAT South in Montgomery.
Then it happened.
After a couple months of culture shock [our beloved Auburn is a fairy tale world full of amazing schools and the best Kroger], we got to know the neat people involved in revamping the city. We went to the Montgomery Curb Market, Southern Makers, and the cutest restaurants in Cloverdale. We rode our bikes downtown, where the police don't care if you run red lights because they're just happy people are spending time downtown again. We explored old cemeteries, abandoned schools, and historic neighborhoods. After visiting 12 local Bodies, we found one to join and begin serving Him in. And we formed a community of really great people from all different walks of life: all encouraging friends who helped our hearts make room for this city we LOVE and get to call home for a little while longer.
      
P.S. This week, we'll be finding out what city we'll be working in when we move to China! Please keep lifting up our sending organization and its many hard-working staff members who are helping us get to China seamlessly, from living situations to school placement to details like insurance and Visa paperwork. We're thankful they're experienced in doing this because we would be a little overwhelmed if we were doing the paperwork and communication part alone. Only 2 more months until we're leaving for training in Colorado and then off to China two weeks later!
~Jesse & Sara
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