We spent the bulk of last year facing a huge possibility that we would be packing up, moving across the U.S. and vastly north to Anchorage, Alaska for the next four years. Chris moved up there last January and worked a detail leadership position until the end of May. He came home every four weeks for just the weekend, then returned back up to work. It was hard, but we did it. We weren't sure of the timeline and we were constantly halting decisions from extracurricular activities for the kids, to vacations because we were so uncertain of the details of if and when we were gonna move. This uncertain way of life lasted until the end of September and it was stressful.
It wasn't a forced job change, it was an opportunity and an open door, so we went with it. We had a few naysayers along the way who said we were crazy for even entertaining the idea of such a move, that we had no business moving there, that it would be a bad move for us and we couldn't handle it, the darkness, the extreme cold, or the distance. While we didn't welcome or even appreciate the negative comments, we just simply took them straight to God. We desperately wanted to do the right thing and we didn't want to tell God "no"! We had already learned by this huge move to Michigan from Louisiana, now almost 7 years ago, that God's ways are not our ways, He's in control, and He totally blesses obedience!
So, we pressed on and prayed...a lot. I went back and forth in my prayers from clinging to my wants to surrendering to His will. When the job was finally posted, Chris applied. We just knew the job was his and we prepared ourselves. It was not ideal. We knew with the timing we would be moving in December to relocate before Christmas. The kids would be in new schools and I was not excited about pulling out my kindergartner and sixth grader in their transitional years. One thing we did do, was involve the kids. We wanted them to know. We wanted them to pray. We wanted them to learn how to do life by following where God leads even when you are unsure. So, when Chris applied, we all...all five of us had a peace about it.
The fact that Chris did NOT get the job was so totally God. A person out of the blue, who couldn't NOT get the job, applied. In the end, she was our sacrificial lamb. We took a step of faith, up the mountain, with our poles and snow shoes ready for this new venture, and God sent this person bleating in the bushes in our place!! It was a fabulous God display! In the end, we knew it was not about the job at all. It was a lesson about faith and I am so glad our kids got to experience it with us! Yes, Chris was disappointed and the kids were disappointed for him, but we also knew as we had said all along, that if God had really wanted our family in Anchorage, we would be there. It would be an adjustment as it was here, but all things work for good and we believe that!
It amazes me how people whom I look to as so "spiritual" can be such negative and unencouraging voices! All they saw were the bad things about the situation and they didn't hesitate to let us know about them! What's even crazier, is the same negative people had never even been to Alaska, but they sure KNEW we couldn't handle it! (Frankly, it was insulting). Then, thankfully, there were MANY others who prayed with us, encouraged us, sent us encouraging messages and texts, and prayed for God's will for us! There were hardships and blessings through out the entire process, but we learned so much!! We are thankful for all of it, and thankful that it's over!! :)
So, when I saw the temp for Anchorage, Alaska today and saw that it was colder here in Michigan, I had to smile. You never know what God has in store for you. We have absolutes and variables in our heads about the way our lives should go whether we admit it or not, but they can change in an instant and make us realize that there are no absolutes this side of heaven. We not only must be open and ready to God's command to step out of the boat, but also willing no matter the cost and no matter what our feelings are at the time!
So, today, I sit snuggled with a puppy on my blanketed lap and three kids sprawled out watching a movie preparing for another day off from school, in Michigan, where God has us at this present time. Until He stands outside of our motor boat and asks us to get out and come with Him somewhere else....
