Last June (10 months ago) Chuck and I thought we had it all figured out just in time for our baby to be born in July. God had a different path set for us. He provided Chuck with a job we had only dreamed about, but the new job came with a move away from a life we had come to love so dearly.
Chuck and I have lived in Atlanta for 4 years now, but it was not until about 2 years ago that we finally felt "at home" here. We attended a big church in Atlanta for a while, but it just never clicked for us. Then we found Vinings Lake Church. What a ride it has been being a part of this church. We have found friends that my heart needed and longed for. We have a community that is so important with our immediate families living in other states. I sing with the band and Chuck parks cars. Vinings Lake has been such a blessing to us and it is probably going to be the most difficult thing to leave as we start out new journey in Columbus, GA.
For 10 months Chuck has stayed in Columbus a few days / nights during the week to work, coming home on Thursdays only to head of for the weekend to go to the races (he manages the AFLAC Racing Program and goes to the races on the weekends). Most days I pretend it is no big deal that our little family isn't together all that often, but in reality it has been really hard. The easiest part, shockingly, is taking care of little man. He is so easy and I think God knew I couldn't handle a cranky baby with Chuck being gone so much. The hard part is not having my best friend to fall asleep beside every night. Don't get me wrong...the days we are together are great, but it puts lots of strain on a marriage to be apart so much with no end in sight.
So what does all of this explaining add up to? We got good news and bad news this week. We found renters for our house! And their timing and our timing work great together. However, now the reality of moving is setting in. This morning at church a flood of emotions came over me as we starting worshipping this morning. All I could think of was how blessed I have been here and how nervous I am to move? Who am I to doubt that God would provide a sense of belonging in Columbus? I mean, he provided when we lived here and prayed for a church and a group of friends!!! The emotions were also joy and anticipation of being together as a family! I can't wait for Chuck to come home every night at 5:15 (perks of small town right), to meet for lunch at the park, to get involved in the community! AND....to live in this amazing house...
Yep - after lots of hunting and worry we found not just a house...to me - it is a home! As much as it stinks to move, I am GIDDY about our new place and actually was ready to move into it yesterday. I think God knew the kind of house I wanted to live in...and I had to wait 10 months for it (or at least thats what I sometimes think;)
Will you pray for me and my family and I start this new journey? All the newness will be worth it because life is better together.
Do you have any advice for moving to a new place? It is like I have never done it before and I often forget that I just picked up and moved my life from Texas / Arkansas to move out to Georgia after we got married!
I you have a great week...and find the small joys in life - I know I'm looking for them this week!
6 comments:
Girl...I know how scary change is especially when it means you have to leave any kind of comfort you once knew and step into unknown territory but the good news is...our Lord knows that this move is what's best for His Kingdom and whats best for you precious little family! Im praying for you friend:)
Even though I recently moved my whole life to a new city, I think that my perception of what advice to give may be a bit skewed since I don't have any children. So, I asked my friend (liz) who moved to DC in August with a newborn and this is her advice:
1)pick up a new hobby (b/c for a while it will feel like it is just you and your baby while your husband is working (even moreso than you feel it now), which is great, but you may need some me time)[Liz starting knitting. She now has her own little internet company selling her goods because she knitted so/too much for her daughter.] 2)start researching churches now (you can even contact the pastor, etc via e-mail and see if there any families that have a child Knox's age and see if you can have their contact info just to see what their experience with the church is like. Plus, you could have built in friends when you visit churches). 3)Look on Craigslist/Baby Forums/Etc for play groups. [My friend said that once she knew her daughter had a place and friends to be social, it helped her to feel more comfortable.] 4)Remember that it takes time to establish yourself. 5)Utilize your husband's work network. See if any of them recently moved, have children, know the ins and outs of the city.--Liz
So, that's what she e-mailed me, but if you need more helpful hints she said she would try to come up with more. Good luck with it all. I know that y'all are so relieved to be back together full time again. We are praying for your transition to go great.
oh honey - praying for you. i don't know how you do it. i'd be a mess, you are ONE STRONG MOMMA!!! you will be great and LOVE starting over in a new place :) i cant wait to see all sorts of pictures!!!
Terri - so excited for you!
I would be scared to death to move but you will do great! I will pray you make friends FAST! And I know you will be SO glad to be with Chuck! That has to have been so hard!
Girl I feel you! being apart is so hard and I know what it is like to be overwhelmed with a move and have to do most of it by yourself! Now, for the getting settled part... make sure your tv and internet are set up before you move or on the same day... that way if you need to get away from boxes, you have the internet. Second, scope out the town via the internet before you move, check the paper online, google search restaurants, boutiques, etc in town. Third, give yourself a timeline. Say I will be settled here in x months. then stick with it. make a list of those places you want firmed up in your life, church, fav pizza place, favorite parks to take knox, sunday school/friends, find the movie theatre, etc... all the important things must be found and frequented by that date you set! lastly, make sure you have fun unpacking and setting up house. think of new projects to keep you busy whether it is painting or new sewed accents for your bedroom or living room!
And most important that it should be number one, focus on Jesus daily.... get something to remind you of him like a flip calendar with verses that is by the kitchen or bathroom sink so you know you will look at it, join a bible study at a local church... they usually have child care, and make Him the focus and all else will feel like a breeze!
SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
ya'll are awesome!!
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