"Why do you have to move again?"
That was the question asked by Maddie's best friend when she told her we were moving...again.
My response was swift, simple, and true. "We don't have to move again...we get to move again.''
So many times when we've moved, Aaron has worked toward a certain angle or position. In the early days of our marriage I worried that we were simply making our own plans, rather than waiting patiently on God. With this particular move, though, I feel like God dropped it in our laps and shouted, "Surprise!" This time, we didn't make the plans. If anything, we had planned on staying here longer. I planted a garden for Pete's sake! When we got the call that the international arm of Aaron's work wanted him in Dallas for a role in a totally new function, we were thrown but excited. We prayed, asking that if this truly was from God, things would move swiftly and easily. Two weeks later, our house was on the market.
When we moved back to Kentucky almost 2 years ago, I thought we'd be staying for a good long time. We bought a home with a large, finished basement (in case grandparents might need to move in one day). We settled in school district that had a very good elementary, middle, and high school. I think a part of me thought, This is it. We're home. However, it didn't take long for the itch to move to hit us again. Part of it was simply the shock of being back in the States - culture shock is no joke, friends. Part of it was just the nature of our nomadic family culture.
Moving breathes life and adventure into our family. It tightens our bonds as we move to new places and only have each other at first. It forces us from our comfort zones to step out and meet new people and try new things. Our whole family loves it. Earlier this year, Caleb asked almost impatiently, "Mom, when are we moving to a new country?"
I know that sounds weird to most people reading this. I know we are the oddballs of society. I'm okay with that. It's taken me a long time to embrace being different. I love our nomadic lifestyle. I realize the thought of moving every 18 months to 3 years sounds like torture to some. To me, the thought of maintaining a home for 30 years and dealing with the accumulation of stuff sounds frightening. As it turns out, the world is full of oddballs like us...They are called expatriates. (More on that some other time.)
Are there drawbacks to this move? Of course! Leaving the comfort zone of Kentucky is always challenging. Though we've done it twice now (2000 and 2013), and it doesn't get easier. Life here is comfortable. We know the weather, the roads, the service providers, the neighborhoods, the churches, and most importantly, the people. Our kids can be involved in a million things because there is always a grandparent or friend able to help with transportation.
Speaking of grandparents, they are all right here. Let me give you just a smidgeon of the benefits of being surrounded by our awesome family: Want to go on a date night? Grandma and Grandpa (Karen and Bob) will take the kids for the whole weekend. Need a cheerleader at any sports event? Pappy (Mark) will be there and bring the child home if you have to leave early. Something broken? Give Papaw (Benny) a call...from handmade leather goods to small engine repair, he is Johnny on the spot. Have an emergency? Grammy (Susie) will always answer her phone. Not only will she pick a child up from school, she'll take him/her out to eat and on a shopping spree while she's at it.
As if leaving family weren't hard enough, I'm also leaving two amazing organizations, Up! and Hand in Hand. Thanks to the connections made by an incredible woman at our church, Caleb and I have been able to spend some time serving at these places for the last few months. I found that my sense of dread about sending my little sidekick to kindergarten all day next year had vanished, as I anticipated it would give me more time to serve at these awesome organizations. This move means I will have to pivot, but God has at least given me a taste of what is possible. I trust He has great plans for me in Texas.
He has plans for all of us, for our family, and for the family and friends who will remain here. We are excited about our new adventure but of course find it hard to leave our "home" in Kentucky, populated with old friends, extended family, and amazing grandparents. To all of you, thank you for making the last two years so wonderful! You will be missed!
That was the question asked by Maddie's best friend when she told her we were moving...again.
My response was swift, simple, and true. "We don't have to move again...we get to move again.''
So many times when we've moved, Aaron has worked toward a certain angle or position. In the early days of our marriage I worried that we were simply making our own plans, rather than waiting patiently on God. With this particular move, though, I feel like God dropped it in our laps and shouted, "Surprise!" This time, we didn't make the plans. If anything, we had planned on staying here longer. I planted a garden for Pete's sake! When we got the call that the international arm of Aaron's work wanted him in Dallas for a role in a totally new function, we were thrown but excited. We prayed, asking that if this truly was from God, things would move swiftly and easily. Two weeks later, our house was on the market.
When we moved back to Kentucky almost 2 years ago, I thought we'd be staying for a good long time. We bought a home with a large, finished basement (in case grandparents might need to move in one day). We settled in school district that had a very good elementary, middle, and high school. I think a part of me thought, This is it. We're home. However, it didn't take long for the itch to move to hit us again. Part of it was simply the shock of being back in the States - culture shock is no joke, friends. Part of it was just the nature of our nomadic family culture.
Moving breathes life and adventure into our family. It tightens our bonds as we move to new places and only have each other at first. It forces us from our comfort zones to step out and meet new people and try new things. Our whole family loves it. Earlier this year, Caleb asked almost impatiently, "Mom, when are we moving to a new country?"
I know that sounds weird to most people reading this. I know we are the oddballs of society. I'm okay with that. It's taken me a long time to embrace being different. I love our nomadic lifestyle. I realize the thought of moving every 18 months to 3 years sounds like torture to some. To me, the thought of maintaining a home for 30 years and dealing with the accumulation of stuff sounds frightening. As it turns out, the world is full of oddballs like us...They are called expatriates. (More on that some other time.)
Are there drawbacks to this move? Of course! Leaving the comfort zone of Kentucky is always challenging. Though we've done it twice now (2000 and 2013), and it doesn't get easier. Life here is comfortable. We know the weather, the roads, the service providers, the neighborhoods, the churches, and most importantly, the people. Our kids can be involved in a million things because there is always a grandparent or friend able to help with transportation.
Speaking of grandparents, they are all right here. Let me give you just a smidgeon of the benefits of being surrounded by our awesome family: Want to go on a date night? Grandma and Grandpa (Karen and Bob) will take the kids for the whole weekend. Need a cheerleader at any sports event? Pappy (Mark) will be there and bring the child home if you have to leave early. Something broken? Give Papaw (Benny) a call...from handmade leather goods to small engine repair, he is Johnny on the spot. Have an emergency? Grammy (Susie) will always answer her phone. Not only will she pick a child up from school, she'll take him/her out to eat and on a shopping spree while she's at it.
As if leaving family weren't hard enough, I'm also leaving two amazing organizations, Up! and Hand in Hand. Thanks to the connections made by an incredible woman at our church, Caleb and I have been able to spend some time serving at these places for the last few months. I found that my sense of dread about sending my little sidekick to kindergarten all day next year had vanished, as I anticipated it would give me more time to serve at these awesome organizations. This move means I will have to pivot, but God has at least given me a taste of what is possible. I trust He has great plans for me in Texas.
He has plans for all of us, for our family, and for the family and friends who will remain here. We are excited about our new adventure but of course find it hard to leave our "home" in Kentucky, populated with old friends, extended family, and amazing grandparents. To all of you, thank you for making the last two years so wonderful! You will be missed!
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