Well, that was was an interesting summer.

My summer began like most of yours. I was running on fumes and just waiting for a few months off to relax and enjoy having my babies at home. I was caught in a whirlwind of piano recitals, dance recitals, pre-school graduations, parties and all the other fun activities that go along with the end of the school year.

I was excited about the summer. I was also excited about the Fall because there was an opportunity for me to become the Creative Arts Director at a local private school. I was brainstorming ideas in my head constantly and I couldn't wait to get stated. I was ready for beach trips and lazy days riding bikes and running through sprinklers. I couldn't wait to see my family a lot and enjoy a summer with us all together in the same state.

I knew that there was a really far off possibility that we may look into a job in the Dallas area. A  good friend of Rob's is the pastor of a wonderful church and I knew they had talked about working together. I even kind of knew that we were flying to Texas to look into the job, but I didn't really think we would take it. In fact, I barely even thought about the trip to check out the church because it was sandwiched between Bennett's Spring Fling event at school and a program I was directing at our church. Besides, why would we move to Texas? Hadn't we just left a home and church we loved to move back to Alabama? Hadn't we prayed and struggled and decided that we wanted to be closer to my family and that we loved living in the southeast?

But we went to Texas. And Rob loved it. And I did too in my heart of hearts, but I did not want to move. So we came back home and I ignored it for a few weeks. I came up with every single reason in the world why we shouldn't go. But you know what's funny about our reasons? They aren't the Lord's reasons. 

Have you ever read James 4:13-15? Well, don't. Unless you want your heart to be moved. 

It says, "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'"

Ugh. That felt like a punch in the gut. So, I wrestled. And I begged. And I pleaded. And God told me to trust Him. 

I didn't want to leave my daughter's wonderful magnet school. I didn't want to leave my beautiful neighborhood with the parks and gorgeous front porches. I didn't want to leave my friends. I didn't want to leave the beach. I didn't want to leave my new job or the jobs I already had. I certainly didn't want to leave my family. 

But God was making it so clear that this is where He wanted Rob. This is where He wanted our family. And when God shows you where you need to go, saying no is harder than saying yes.

And I searched the Bible and tried with all of my might to find a verse that supported my desire to stay. But I couldn't find anywhere where God told us we would be comfortable. Instead I found passage after passage calling us to be obedient. Comfort vs. obedience. Yikes. And it came down to where Rob would be used for His kingdom the most. Where could our family best do what God has called us to do? The answer was clear.

And so in about 6 weeks time, we moved to Dallas. We sure did. I spent my summer making a million phone calls. I'll spare you all of those details. You know how that goes. Calls to schools, realtors, mortgage companies, doctors offices, utility companies, etc...

Oh, and in the 6 weeks between our accepting the job and the actual move, we drove to Texas on a house hunting trip, celebrated Will's birthday, threw him a party, kept my nieces for 2 weeks and I helped out with VBS at our church in Dothan. 

And I packed a lot.

So, that was my summer. I truly didn't think at the end of May that I would be writing this blog post from my new home in Texas. That I would be getting ready for my kids to start school at brand new schools. That I would leave Alabama (again!!!) to start all over for what seems like the hundredth time in my life.

But somehow when you are in the center of God's will, you have such a peace. And I do. I truly have a peace (sometimes). And I know that is God showing me that He has placed our family exactly where He wants us for now.

We love our new church and Rob absolutely loves his new job. The kids have handled the move like champs and they have already made tons of friends. I will confess that I am still struggling. Adults don't make friends as easily and I selfishly miss mine. I miss my house. I miss my family. I wish my nieces could come for the weekend. I hate that my parents won't see Lainey until October.

But I try not to question. God never says, "You've got this." Instead He says, "I've got this." 

And he does. So, here we go. Webster adventure #2097- Life in the Big D. Stay tuned. I know I will. I can't wait to see what is in store for us next.