Transitions

Well, we moved to Dothan, Alabama about 6 weeks ago so it is probably time to update my blog. Plus, as my Mom put it, I finally got a new laptop so I don't have an excuse anymore. Shoot.

What can I say? Transitions are hard. Especially when you leave somewhere you loved. I miss my friends very much. I miss our home. I miss our life. But at the same time, I know God brought us here for a reason and we are thoroughly enjoying our new community and Rob is loving his new job. Plus we have gotten to see my family quite a bit, so that has been extremely nice.

You know, one of these days I will learn to stop moving during the hardest periods in my life. Maybe our next move (if there even is one) will come at a time of relative stability. I was thinking that one of the hardest transitions in your life is when your first baby comes. I loved working full time when Bennett was born. I loved my job, but I had just gotten the hang of working part time and having a baby when we moved to Kansas City.

All of a sudden I went from working part time to not working at all. I had no friends and now I was pregnant again. It was extremely hard at first. You can go back and read my old posts during that time and see how much I struggled. But in time I learned how to be a Mom of 2 very small children 14 hours away from home. I made amazing friends. I figured out life there. We got into a routine. I started working just a few hours a week again. Life got into a cozy and scheduled pattern.

And now here we are. I've gone back to being in a new community where I don't know many people. I had to quit my part time job. And I'm pregnant again.

Transitions are hard. Especially hard once you've gotten settled.

But I am learning. I keep asking God every day to reveal things to me. To teach me and I must confess, I haven't always liked what He has shown me. I know He is growing me, but it is painful at times. Our house in Kansas City had a contract on it when we moved, but sadly it fell apart 7 days into the inspection. Our church here has provided a house here for us in the meantime which we are so grateful for, but it isn't home. So, we wait. Maybe not as patiently as we should. But God keeps whispering, "Do you trust me still?"

The baby girl is coming in 8 weeks and this feeling of not being settled, of not being at home, is hard. I'm not going to lie. This past month has been a struggle for me, but I struggled when we first moved to KC and it ended up being one of the greatest blessings of my life.

My human nature is to want it all settled. I want a home with a nursery ready and painted. I want a close knit group of friends. I want my kids to be in school and on a schedule. I want life to continue seamlessly, and moving doesn't allow that. Moving requires transition. Patience. Time to figure things out. Time to get settled. And I am learning to be okay with God's timing, and not mine.

I think this move has been especially difficult because our last move occurred when Bennett was 10 months old. She wasn't too upset about it. But I moved a 3 and a 4 year old away from their friends. And they had very close ones. They miss their school, their Sunday school class, their favorite places to go, and so much more. And it's not like we can pop back up to Kansas City for a weekend. Every lesson I am learning, I am trying to share with my kids. But they are resilient. And so am I. And when you know you are in the center of God's will, all doubts and fears tend to be swept aside.

One of my favorite Bible verses has always been Isaiah 40:31. In waiting for our home in Kansas City to sell, I have had to quote it to myself nearly every single day. 

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

And fittingly we sang one of my favorite songs in church this morning, Everlasting God. My ipod almost broke from playing this song when we first moved to Kansas City and I have remembered how much I love it this past month while waiting to set settled here. 

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/chris_tomlin/everlasting_god.html ]
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary


You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

So, here's to new adventures. New opportunities to minister. A chance to be involved in a wonderful church and to use our gifts and talents to the best of our abilities. A chance to learn, to listen, and to be patient.  A time of transition.