Everyone needs it, but I find it hard to allow myself to do it.
I'm the type to always be going. Always doing something. I have an addiction to my planner and in 2015 it was jammed packed full of color-coded events.
2016 has looked drastically different. Here's our 2016 story so far:
Starting December 27th, 2015, we left our home in Georgia at 6:40AM. We wanted to leave earlier but none of us had slept decent enough to start the drive any sooner.
Our friends Sarah and Colin drove with us in shifts so we could make the drive straight through. They were nothing short of lifesavers and so was the cargo van the we rented last minute. We ended up not being able to fit all of our stuff in the Penske truck and had the dogs and the rest of our belongings packed in the cargo van.
The drive at first was a blast for Sarah and I. For years, we have talked about doing a road trip and this was it. Bieber and Destiny's Child kept us company for most of the drive. Once we hit Louisana, we were exhausted and were so over driving.
Then we got the Texas state line. I believe I said something like "YES. We're almost there!!!!"
.... No. No were not Lindsey. Not at all. We still had five hours left and we had a massive storm cell stretching across the full state of Texas to drive through. It was pouring down snow in north Texas and south Texas was getting tornados. I hear Houston is an amazing city, but we could barely see ten feet in front of us to see its beauty. If we weren't over it by this point, we really were at this point. Just about the time I was going to call Tyler and Colin to see if we could pull over, it all stopped. The last five hours were brutal.
We pulled into our destination on December 28th at 3:30AM (Atlanta time). 21 hours.
The next morning we had to wake up early to unload the cargo van and Penske truck so we could return them. We were now on the brink of crazy drinking coffee like it was our job. We unloaded that truck so fast, it was unbelievable.
The next few days we all took a break and made sure that Colin and Sarah were able to make this somewhat of a vacation. We took them downtown to eat at one of our favorite restaurants and see the Alamo and the Menger hotel, had a girls day shopping, celebrated New Years here at home, and they eventually headed back to Atlanta on the 2nd and Tyler headed back to work on the 4th.
After Tyler went back to work, it was just me and the dogs at home. We haven't found a car nor a job for me yet so I am sitting at home reading the Harry Potter series for the first time (I know. It's a shame.) or watching a marathon of Fixer Upper trying to find ways to persuade Joanna to come fix up our future home.
When we first got here, we were surrounded by so many beautiful people excited for us to be here. To celebrate us and new years. And then slowly everyone went back to their lives. To be honest, I struggled a lot the first few days of our new life here. I wanted our home back. I miss my family and I wanted to be able to see them and hug their necks. But I had to hold onto the promises of Jesus and knew that moving here was in obedience to His calling. The first few hours of being here, there were many times through tears I had to whisper out "Jesus I trust You. This hurts but I trust You." These
moments have been the most tough, yet the sweetest.
The last few weeks I've had a lot of rest. This was (and still is) one of the hardest parts of this transition. I've taken at least one nap a day, read three books in the HP series so far, and spent hours in silence. The Lord is teaching me what it truely means to let your soul rest, what true, unquinchable thirst for Him is like, that He IS enough for me, and that fully trusting Him is the best yes for my heart.
I still have days where I feel like I am going to go crazy if I don't leave the house, but mostly I am finding so much sweetness in the silence and the mundane. There may never be a point in my life where I get to experience this again.
So I'll keep taking trips out to Tractor Supply and for Chinese takeout the same as a trip to Disney World. I'll keep learning how to find happiness and joy in the small things in life like a husband coming home with suprise Starbucks because you've been missing your white mocha, an extra snuggly snoring pup, or watching sun rises and sunsets everyday.
We are so grateful for our friends who have stepped in the gap for us and helped us as we get back on our feet.
For our family, who never once questioned us in our decision to follow our dreams, for supporting us in the middle of their own heartbreaks, and for helping us pack our home and load it in a truck when we know that's the last thing you want to watch. We love and miss you all so much.
For Sarah and Colin, who took off work to help us drive and who were up for anything while they were here. Thank you for being so flexible with whatever was thrown our way and riding this roller coaster with us.
For our friend Zack who graciously opened his home up to us and our crazy pups until we can find a more permanent home.
For others who are helping me find job openings, offering me their cars are loners, and those who are continuously following our story and lifting up our family. We are so thankful for each of you. We feel your prayers. You are a such a huge part of this story. Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment