New adventures

New adventures

As many of you already know, Justin and I will be moving to Virginia in August.  He has been hired as the youth pastor at a church in a suburb of D.C.  Even just saying those words still doesn't feel real.  Many emotions (at least on my end) have come from the process of making this decision, and I just wanted to take an opportunity to be honest and share them with you.  Prior to March 2013, living anywhere other than Texas seemed like something I would be okay with for maybe a year max, just to say we did it.  That began to change when we went to visit friends in Georgia over spring break.  Over the course of our stay, my mindset of "Texas is the greatest place ever!" began to turn into "I could do this!"  At the airport waiting for our flight home, we began talking about the potential for moving out of state.  Flashback:  About a month or so before that, Justin had received requests from 3 different churches in Texas to apply to be their youth pastor.  We weren't sure what that meant, but decided to follow these leads, trusting God to shut any doors he didn't want us going through.  Fast forward back to the airport.  We remembered a church in Virginia that had found him last summer before we got married.  We had gone pretty far in the process but ultimately we knew it wasn't God's timing and decided to call it off.  Skeptically, I suggested contacting them again and seeing if they were still searching.  Turns out they had been looking ever since talking to them last year, and were very excited that Justin was contacting them again.  They offered to pick up the process where they left off last year.  A few Skype interviews later, we found ourselves on a flight to Virginia to visit.  At that point it still didn't feel real.  Things went well and we were invited back for a second visit and a congregational vote. Still, not happening. On July 1st, while preparing to leave for Spain, Justin tells me we're in. We're moving. I was excited, but at the same time, terrified. We came up with the word excerrified.  Here's where I share my emotions, so if all you wanted was the story, feel free to stop reading.  There were many points during this process where my fear told me this was not what God wanted.  What about my friends? What about my family? No God. I'm not leaving them.  There were many times where I found myself pushing away his hand of comfort in order to justify my feelings of doubt.  I didn't want to be comforted. I wanted to stay. My biggest fear was and still is missing out on the lives of the people I care about.  Missing weddings, graduations, birthdays, and family reunions, all because we are too far away and can't afford the plane ride back every time.  Although I knew deep down this was what God was calling us to do, I couldn't help but be angry about it.  I have learned that "where You go, we will follow" is easier said than done, especially when it's referring to picking up your entire life and starting over with no timeframe or clue how long He wants you there.  However, He is still good, and it's not about me.  He has provided a job for me, the potential for new friends, more opportunities for ministry, and Target (why am I complaining..). Over the past few days of filling boxes, meeting with moving companies, and making tough announcements to church families, I have seen his hand moving.  He is softening my heart to focus on the ways that I can be joyful there.  I will miss everything about my home state, but I am putting my trust in Him to someday make Virginia feel like home.