MOVED in Unexpected Ways

Some of the biggest life changes that top many lists of life stressors include events such as having a baby, moving, buying a house, and starting a new job.  Many people would not recommend doing these all at the same time...

But when God calls you to make big changes, He is in the details. Even when he moves you out of your comfort zone, literally.

Only three months ago, we were living happily in North Carolina and preparing our home for the arrival of our firstborn. We, like many parents-to-be, were designing our nursery, researching daycare options, and saving our vacation hours at work so that we could take plenty of time off following the delivery of our baby girl.  We were making arrangements with our families in Oklahoma so that they could make the trip out to visit their future niece/granddaughter.  We loved our church family, friends, and neighbors and looked forward to sharing in this new season of parenthood with them.

Life was comfortable. 

Then, one day, I was contacted about a new pediatric clinical specialist position in Oklahoma City by a former colleague who reached out "just in case" we ever considered moving back home.  The job sounded interesting, so I decided to look into it a little further. The more I learned about it, the more it seemed to align with my career goals, so I applied.  On the same day I was offered an interview, Dad also called to tell me he had been offered a job promotion that would relocate he and Mom...to Oklahoma City! This was an answered prayer for them, as they had always wanted to live closer to my sister's family.

That same week I was offered the interview, the woman we had lined up for in home daycare called to tell me she wasn't sure she would still have a spot for our daughter, as she recently had several other babies join the waiting list. She had been dreading calling to tell me this, as we had thought this would be a perfect fit for both of us. On the phone, she said "maybe this is God closing a door because He has something else for you..."

She couldn't have spoken truer words.

I interviewed for the job and was offered the position the same week. Of course, I accepted! This was so clearly God's perfect timing, and we were astonished at the way He was bringing the details together. 

In the meantime, my mother had recently decided to retire from a long and fulfilling career as a teacher. She wasn't sure what retirement life would look like for her, but she felt strongly that this should be her last year of teaching...Now she has a new "job," caring for her granddaughter!    

What unfolded in a matter of weeks has now lead to planning a cross-country move, starting a new/dream job, and settling into a new home, all while preparing for the arrival of a baby!  What looks on paper like a list of major life stressors and unplanned timing is instead a testimony of God's goodness and perfect timing.

Life was comfortable. It was good. But sometimes you have to give up the good and comfortable to make room for the unexpected and great...

In theory, our list of things "To-Do" should invoke much more stress or anxiety in a girl who is 7 months pregnant...and sure, I definitely have my days where I look at this crazy adventure and feel overwhelmed; However, when God has so clearly been in the details all along, who are we to doubt/stress/question Him now?!

We welcome this new adventure, even though it is extremely bittersweet to leave people and a place we love in North Carolina.  We are thankful to have called this place home for the past 5 years, but we look forward to returning to our families and the place we first called "home."

Heads Carolina, Tails Oklahoma...

-L