Moving to LA from Miami, on a Whim of Faith - glow & grow by FindingKeren

Last August, 2023, I moved to LA from Miami. It was a move purely based on faith, in the pursuit to chase my dreams. I had always wanted to fully pursue a career in modeling, and in the latter years, acting. After much prayer and consideration, I did the move alone, cross-country. Just me, my green car, and God.

I packed up my green car and left on August 24th. I planned to arrive on the 27th, and do the drive over the course of four days. It worked out perfectly, and never did I have to stress over time, granted, the time difference helped. I left on a Wednesday morning and arrived on a Saturday afternoon, which allowed for less traffic, and smooth travels.

How it Came to Be:

During covid, back in April 2020, I was on a trip and the Lord spoke strongly to me about moving to Los Angeles. I was very opposed to it for many reasons, and I didn’t think it was something I wanted to do. Funny enough, the same happened with my move to New York. I got revelation that I was going to be moving there, and I didn’t want anything to do with it. It took two years for me to move to the city. The first year for Him to change my heart posture, and the second year to equip me.

During the second year, all of the right doors opened and I got a job promotion allowing me to move. With the move to LA, it was the same concept; one year of changing my heart posture, and one year of preparing me. LA was a bit more rigorous if you ask me, because I needed to be strengthened mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I knew going into the industry full time it would require of me to be sharpened on all angles.

Shortly after this revelation, I got connected with my now agent, who represents me for modeling. I am a print model, hence my height, for those curious. We set up a meeting and before I knew it he sent me a contract. I wasn’t required to move to Los Angeles because covid made it possible to do self-tapes and be anywhere in the world. If I booked a job, I would then be flown out for the gig. I got signed the year that God was changing my heart posture on wanting to move to LA. Shortly after being signed, I couldn’t wait to move.

Nine months after being signed, I reached out to my agent and notified him that I was moving to LA. They were thrilled, and from that moment on it was all a waiting game on when I would arrive. See, God first moved my heart posture, and then opened the right doors.

It didn’t only happen career-wise, but in other areas as well. It was all about being patient, and allowing Him to equip me. When God sends you, He doesn’t just send you on a whim, He prepares you, whether you realize it in that moment or not.

Preface:

I packed for weeks and when the days got closer, my best friends all came over, one by one, to pack and get my move all together. The night before, my family and one of my best friends packed my car strategically so that every single thing I wanted to bring with me would fit. It was astounding that it all fit, they worked wonders. I packed Esmeralda, (my car- cringey naming it), I know, and I was ready to go. I got rest and left a little later than I wanted, but I got everything done.

Days before leaving, I was a MESS. I was crying, and highly emotional at the thought of leaving my family and my childhood home, and saying goodbye once and for all. I knew after making this move, I wouldn’t be coming back to this home to stay. It was so sad and life changing, but growth requires you to step into new spaces.

I moved out of my family home when I made the move to New York in 2018, and then came back in 2020 due to the pandemic. Now I was leaving, once and for all. I tried to keep it together to not make my parents more sad than they already were, and took in all the last moments I had at home. It’s crazy how you can realize this is the last time you’re having an experience, knowing things will never be the same again.

The Journey:

Come Wednesday, I got into my little green car and started the journey. I had a few pit stops to make before getting on the freeway. On my first stop I got gas, and on my second stop, I met with my friend to give me a parting gift. It was very thoughtful and kind of her, and I was in awe of the gesture. My third stop was to grab pastries before hitting the road. Ironically, I had a Yelp Elite event at this one bakery I had been wanting to go to, so I grabbed my free pastry and stocked up on others for the drive. When in Rome!

My fourth stop was at my friend’s film lab, Bellow’s Film Lab, to drop off my disposables from all going away festivities and months prior. I seriously love going there because the shop is so well curated and it’s always such a good vibe! It’s like going to a toy store as a kid and knowing you’re leaving with a toy… but in this case, you get it within 24 hours! I was thrilled knowing I would have something to look forward to on my journey.

Finally, at 11:10 a.m. I was on my way and I had about 11 hours and 15 minutes ahead of me before stopping for the night. For the first night, I stayed at a friend’s friend’s house in New Orleans and the drive there was LONG, especially the last few hours because, there was flooding and it made the drive longer.

By two p.m. my fear of leaving and embarking on this journey was gone. I had fear of what would happen if I went all in, and lived the life I know I’ve been called to live, and what I would have to let go of and surrender, but if not now, then when? The fear left because it was time, and having fear of reaching your full potential, while valid, is still silly. The tests and obstacles you’ll reach will only come because you’re fully prepared. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t get the tests. I knew moving here and saying “yes” would be one wild ride, and I was ready.

The whole drive over, I wanted to be alone in peace, just praying, having singing-alongs, and being with my thoughts. While I talked to my friends and family, I did prioritize my alone time to truly cherish it and prepare for what lied ahead. I started my one caffeinated drink a day rule then, so I stopped for a matcha and a pit stop. It’s funny how the time difference helped and made it easier to reach each destination at the appointed time.

I reached my first overnight stop nearly around 10 p.m. and I found it hard to rest, but luckily I got sleep. I was up bright and early and in the car by 7:55 a.m. I stopped by Perks, a drive in breakfast spot, and got a bacon egg and cheese english muffin. I drove over to Lake Pontchartrain and ate my breakfast overlooking the lake. I made facetime calls to my family and thanked God for a safe drive so far. I felt utterly blessed to be making this trip alone. The time alone allowed me to further develop a spirit of gratitude. I had a nice drive over to Texas, and my second night stop was in Austin.

On the drive, I ate the snacks I bought the day prior and drank a matcha. I didn’t stop unless it was to get gas or use the restroom. I arrived in Austin and got to my friend’s place around 7:30 p.m. I was blessed enough that my friend let me stay at his house while he was out of town on a work trip. It was refreshing to basically have the place basically to myself after staying with people the night prior.

I also gained a lot of perspective while staying at my friend’s place. It might sound weird, but it inspired me to stay on my path. The very precise interests that I have for myself, and what I want in my future husband, while so simple and yet exact, are values and details that are very important to me. They’re interests and desires that have been rooted in me for a reason.

See, I’m very big on having a clean lifestyle, what I put on my body, what I intake, all rooted around holistic and natural practices. I’m big on skincare, clean beauty and products, clean coffee, non-toxic things, and my friend’s place represented just that.

Also, the dynamic of a big, airy space, very simple and minimalistic, filled with it artistic details like a guitar, faith-centered books, those minor details were just what I needed. I settled down, showered and just meditated for a while, taking it all in. It was a feeling of overwhelming joy, gratitude, and direction. God was revealing to me that those desires will come to pass, those goals will be reached, and as I follow Him, I will walk into the lifestyle that He has for me. After taking it all in, my heart was so content.

That night I got much needed rest, so much so, that sometime in my sleep I must have unplugged my phone from the charger, and I naturally woke up, without my alarm because it had died. I set my alarm for around six thirty a.m., and ended up waking up around seven thirty, well rested, and ready to conquer the drive.

Before starting the day, I meditated and tried to grasp the feeling I felt the night before, but I couldn’t. All I could do was be present in that exact moment and journal. I felt every moment I encountered on this trip was a God send, because it was what I needed at the very moment, and it spoke to me. Not only to my soul, but to my journey. See, I took the time to ground myself and hear from the Lord, and that was the last boost I needed before arriving to Los Angeles. Shortly after, I got ready, sent my friend a message thanking him for letting me stay, and I was on the road again.

Since I was in Austin, and they’re known for having great food, I had to stop somewhere well-recommended. I yelp’d and came across a place called Ovenbird. Best decision I made, food-wise, because it was heavenly. It was a cute breakfast spot with unique options. I opted for the breakfast sandwich, which was on a Bavarian croissant, thick-cut bacon, egg, and cheese. They had so many pastries and there was no way I was refusing, so I also ordered a peach habanero hand pie, and a cortado. Hands down, one of the best coffee’s I’ve had in my life; it definitely made the list. I wanted to leave and not linger so I ate it in the car and I was on my way.

Texas is huge, so it took me most of the day to drive from Austin to the end of Texas. I stopped merely before leaving the border, going into New Mexico, and refueled. When you’re making that drive, there aren’t many food options, it’s all rest stops and gas stations so I settled for a grilled cheese and a snack, and kept driving. I drove as far as I could before I got too tired, and ended up in the entrance of Arizona, at a rest stop for the night. I had opted out on staying with anyone for the last night of the drive because I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone, nor make the trip any longer. Day three of driving, while fun, was getting to be very tiresome.

Luckily, the rest stop was safe, however, I was in the desert, and there were these scorpion-looking bugs went I got out of the car. I dislike bugs, so that was very frightening to see. I got little sleep that night, because I forgot that I couldn’t recline my seat due to the car being packed, and also because I was alone in a rest stop, miles and miles away from anyone I know. As soon as I woke up, I got out of there. I drove to a different pit stop and freshened up before stopping for breakfast. I stopped at a spot in Arizona that was ironically famous for their burritos, and boy was I thrilled! The line was long, but I didn’t mind. I needed a proper breakfast after not eating well the day before, and I also wanted caffeine to finish the last leg of the trip.

I didn’t realize how well-known the spot was, Barista del Barrio. There was a long time that went by quickly, and it was nice being there, observing, and taking it all in. I was very excited because breakfast burritos are one my favorite things to eat, and these were incredible, they definitely lived up to the hype. I didn’t know what size they would be so I ordered two, and figured I would eat the rest for lunch. My order was two burritos, one bacon, one chorizo, a large horchata latte, and a few spicy salsa’s. You can’t have a burrito without spicy salsa, it should be a sin. Also, the fact that they had horchata latte’s made it even better! That is a West Coast thing; I was pumped. The coffee was bigger than my face, which I didn’t realize upon ordering, but it definitely helped me finish the drive.

Upon leaving, I got gas and drove all the way to LA, without stopping. When I crossed the state border into California, I couldn’t help but cry. I did it!!! Majority of my trip was completed, and I felt such a rush of joy, peace, gratitude, and this feeling of the unknown wash over me. I was in literal tears for at least five minutes. The joy was overflowing, and I was faced with the reality of what it feels like to follow your dreams and take a leap of faith, all in, no restraints.

I also believe that the drive prepared me even more to be here in Los Angeles. It solidified certain things, and gave me an extra boost of courage that I needed, just me, alone with God, for four days. There’s something special about being in the presence of the Lord with no distractions, while walking into something big. I couldn’t believe that in just a couple of hours I would be where I needed to be. It was scary, but it was a good kind of scary, knowing that no matter what, I was giving it my all.

I made it to where I was staying in LA around 4:25 p.m. and I was EXHAUSTED, to say the least. I unpacked the bare minimum, hence, my suitcase that I packed, filled with only the most essential outfits, and a bag or two. I prayed, showered, and took the quickest nap of my life.

Before I knew it, I was heading down to Zoe’s HQ for a Saturday evening prayer group, hence why I drove in on a Saturday. They knew I was coming in from Florida, and I couldn’t wait to meet the group and get connected. Zoe is a church in Los Angeles, which affiliates itself with my home church back home, Vous. I met Pastor Chad back in Miami during conference, just two months prior. When I arrived I got to chat with him and I immediately got plugged in.

Reflecting back, I didn’t know why God had me leave on the 24th and arrive on the 27th, but it made all the sense. Traveling for four days gave me ample time to make it to LA safely, without rush or stress, but it also allowed me to arrive for the prayer gathering, where I would in turn, get connected in the manner that I did. Because I arrived on that day, and made it to that gathering, I am where I am in my church community, and met one of my girl friend’s that evening. I started serving on team the next day because of that. It was an immediate connection that allowed me to meet everyone and jump right in. I never encountered the need to sit alone and meet people slowly, and then start serving, which is something I prayed I wouldn’t have to do. Funny how God works, isn’t it?

After leaving church, I went to Santa Monica beach and I spent some time alone, just enjoying and letting it sink in. It didn’t feel real, it felt like a dream. It took some time before I could put my finger on it, and still, it’s a feeling I can’t grasp. I want to hold on to this moment of where I am now, what I’m feeling, and everything that I am experiencing, but I can’t.

Takeaway:

If I’ve learned something, it’s that life moves fast, and you have to cherish the moments and be present in the very second you’re living in. You only get one life, and if you’re not careful, before you know it, it’s gone. I absolutely love my life and this crazy adventure that mine is. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am seriously am so content that I made this move in faith, and I know in my soul that there’s nowhere else I’m meant to be than here. Although it’s hard being away from my family, and I miss them with my whole heart, I am chasing my dreams, and seeing a difference in my community, right before my very own eyes. Sometimes life is about making a sacrifice that you won’t regret.