My New Attempt at Blogging

Change. Little changes happen in our life every day, so subtly that we barely notice them until we turn around one day and say “When did that happen?”

But when Big Changes happen we are forced to look them in the eye and respond. Such has been the story of my life for the last several months. Starting with the death of my dear Father-in-law in November, to the marriage of my firstborn in april, to now – a relocation due to a great opportunity for Steve, to the heartland of our country – Kansas. Wichita to be exact.

I have been through this process before. We have relocated other times. But somehow this time it is vastly different, more poignant due to the stage of life we are in. In the past, we have found a “good” house in a “good” neighborhood in the “good” school district. And the pattern of our lives has been determined in great measure by the activities and interests of our children. This time we have no children in school. Our children either already have lives of their own, or are transitioning into that, so our lives are no longer patterned by our children. This is good. Not because it was bad having our children at home, but because our job is being completed, and we are satisfied. The Lord has been gracious to us as parents – He has been the guiding hand in our children’s lives. Now we are continuing to trust Him to be the guiding hand in our lives as we begin our new life in Wichita.

I am struck by these weeks of relative anonymity. My responsibilities and commitments in Marietta have come to an end. No one in Wichita knows me. No one (outside of my family) in Wichita cares about me. I will be forced to step outside of my comfort zone and “make myself known” or live in relative loneliness and isolation. This too, is good. For the time being I am content to know and be known by my God and by my sweet husband and daughter. I look forward to this time of being utterly dependant on God to guide my steps – to lead us to a church home, to lead me in the decisions about how I will spend my time, to lead me to my new friends, to shape my new life in Wichita. In the past when we have moved, I have looked forward to the “mulligans” that a move can bring – the opportunities to “do over” the things you have messed up on in the past. I’m not really feeling that this time. I was content in Marietta – perhaps too content.

So now I am looking forward (although I must admit – begrudgingly) to what God has for us in the heartland of the country. Although I don’t really want to be making this move, I am trusting God to show us how He desires us to live this new life. I’ll keep you posted.