Well folks, it's time to spill the beans. The crazy, unexpected, smack-you-in-the-face beans. I'm sure, given our track record, even though it's super surprising, it's not really that surprising. We.are.moving.again. This time to Chicago. I'll just go ahead and address the thoughts I'm sure you are having...
No, this is not a joke!
Yes, we did JUST buy a house one year ago!
Yes, we thought this move to Atlanta would be much more long term!
No, we weren't looking for a new job!
Yes, we are crazy to be moving back to the land of frozen tundra!
Yes, we were just starting to LOVE living here!
No, we haven't even unpacked every box!
Yes, the Lord loves to teach our family flexibility!
Yes, it is truly bittersweet!
So, the story goes like this... Justin wasn't looking for a new job but was approached by one of the directors at his company about a month ago. The conversation went something like this, "Hey, Justin.. do you and Annie have any desire to move back to the Midwest? The district manger of the Chicago territory just resigned, so if you want the job, it's yours!"
When Justin came home from work that day and told me, we both decided - no way! We just bought our house, we like it here, and if we can't get back to Iowa, why bother? Fast forward a few days to the next conversation that went something like this, "Hey Justin, you do realize that the company would pay realtor fees on the sale of your house and relocate you, right?"
When Justin came home from work and told me THAT, we were both like... whoa! How can we pass this up? Even though I am sickened at the thought of starting life over once again (it's like a sick joke), we just couldn't say no. The chance for Justin to take this promotion, the fact that moving expenses are covered, and the chance to be close to family again... impossible to pass that up! And, to be honest, we really feel like this is God's next step for our family. Why He keeps uprooting us over and over again after we work so hard developing relationships and attempting to put roots down, I just don't understand. He's doing something, I know that. But, y'all, it's painful. It is so painful to keep investing investing investing only to be torn away. I love our home and I adore our sweet little neighborhood. I have made the most amazing friends. I have put so much energy into putting roots down here. It really pains me to dig those up. But the truth is, we need to go where He is calling. Despite how painful it is. My friend reminded me yesterday that God's kingdom is everywhere and moving will not take us away from God's work... it will just bring us into a different area of the Kingdom where He is already at work. I'm excited to find out what this next season will look like. But that doesn't make it any less painful. The good news is these two years in Atlanta are PROOF that God provides. I never thought I would grow to love Atlanta. But I do. I never thought we would find 'our' people here. But we did. I never thought we could find genuine community in such a huge area. But we have. And, even though it's painful to leave that, it's just evidence of God's faithfulness to provide.
So, our house is going on the market today, Justin has officially accepted the offer, and soon we'll be packing up our life and embarking on our next adventure. It's so insane. You can't make this stuff up.
2 comments:
I LOVE this:):):) You are all amazing and God will continue to provide and do amazing things with your sweet family. And guess who may be joining you next year---yes, the other never-ending moving family, us! Chicago is one of our options but we will find out in a year for us too!! SO many thoughts and prayers for you and make sure to take advantage of all the help you can get!
yes, god's work is truly in this. is it ever NOT? :) what i love is your always willingness to go where you're called, no matter the pain. and the fact that you're that much closer to us is no small matter either!
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