Wow, a lot has happened since I posted last. If you've read Joanne's posts you know a lot about what has gone on. The big deal is that we moved back to Colorado after a year in Phoenix. It was a good learning year for us down there and we made some friends that we will have for life, so that's a good thing for sure. But being back in Colorado has been amazing.
The biggest thing is that we are surrounded with Family. Joanne's folks are two miles away. Her sister and her family are another five miles further along. My folks are just down the freeway in Colorado Springs. And then there is the mish-mash of sort-of relatives that live nearby. It's amazing to have so much family so close. We probably see someone from our extended family every day, and it is a treat. The girls are especially loving the time with their grandparents, cousins and Aunt and Uncle. So the family part is great. There is just love and support from family that is special and unique in the world of relationships.
On top of that there are some friendships here that we have fallen back into. It's pretty cool to flip through my contacts list in my phone and to have friends here that I can meet up with for lunch or coffee. Not that I couldn't do that in Phoenix--it's just nice to know that I still have friends here that are great to hang out with. And being back with them makes me realize how much I missed them.
Still weighing the church thing. There are a lot of things we like about our church (Cherry Hills Community) but Audrey hasn't taken to the youth group yet. Of course she has only gone once, but she wasn't blown away. A lot of that probably has to do with how much she loved the Jr. High group at Mission. But we are going to give it a couple more weeks and see if she settles in. Small groups start in September and if we can get her into one of those and get her some connection to a cool youth leader I think she'll be all set. One way or another, youth group is going to be a huge part of her life. Being home-schooled that'll be her primary opportunity to make friends. Of course she still has friends from her days at Denver Christian and she has gotten to hang out with a few of them which is really cool.
Emma is bopping right along. She loves having Gran and Papa nearby. She loves having her swing tied up high in in one of the big trees in our back year. She loves the baby bunnies that live under our deck (she has even gotten close enough to touch one). And she is into cooking--loves to help Joanne out in the kitchen. All in all she is a pretty irrepressible kid. Oh, and she has become addicted to the Cosby Show. Not a bad choice.
After a month with no work I finally landed a great, fun, challenging client that will take up most of my time for the foreseeable future. I really wasn't sure what God was going to provide--a regular office job, an opportunity to continue to consult or something in the fast-food industry. But consulting looks like it'll be the deal for the time being. I'll talk more about my new gig in a future post, but suffice it to say that I couldn't be more excited or blown away by God's providence. I still need to add a few clients to really make ends meet, but I am on the path to seeing that happen and I just have a sense that God is going ahead of me on this one.
We had money set aside that would allow us to make it for a few months, and for some reason I thought God was going to take us up tot he very edge before he provided. I have heard so many stories lately of families that we taken right to the edge before God provided a job and an income. But for whatever reason God didn't wait with us. Not sure why that is and I have been pondering it for the last couple of days.
The great thing about having a month off is that I had a chance to do everything around the house that needed done--touch-up painting, yard work, attacking the honey-do list from Joanne and getting everything put away from our move. I got to be super helpful around the house and now that I am back at work, it is very satisfying to know that everything is done.
On a spiritual note: this whole experience has changed my perception of God to some greater or lesser extent. First of all, God told me to move that family back to Colorado. It wasn't quite an audible voice, but almost. Then he provided for us financially in almost a widows-jar-of-oil sort of way. We just continued to have enough money to make it. Then he provided a great client ahead of what I assumed might be his schedule--he surprised me with that one. All of this has lead me to believe that maybe God cares for me in more tangible ways than I thought he did. Maybe he has a great plan for me and for our family instead of keeping his distance. Maybe he wouldn't have told me to pack us up and move back here if he wasn't also going to provide a job. Maybe he is more involved in my day-to-day life than I realized. Nonetheless it is causing me to reevaluate some of my assumptions.
So I guess that's where I'm at. I feel a peace that I haven't felt in a long time and I have felt it since we moved back. I have had my days where some anxiety and a little mania have crept in but on the whole I have been stable and that feels really good.
And it feels really good to be home.
Nice post. Love it when a plan comes together, especially when we discover God is doing the planning for us. You're a great example of stepping out in faith.
Posted by: Danielacostaaz | 08/07/2010 at 08:27 AM
It is always great to see this so tangibly.
When I moved up here 5 years ago, I heard the same thing - go now, job will be there and family will be there and all will be in the right time. I was starting to feel skeptical - especially that I would fall in love and have children before that became impossible, but I listened, I came and here I am 5 years later. The job came - just at the right time. The husband came - just at the right time. And now we have two beautiful babies. Every day, when I see my kids and my husband, I am so grateful and so in awe. God is good. All the time.
Posted by: Sarahwaves | 08/07/2010 at 09:08 PM
Count your age with friends but not with years. Good luck to you!!
Posted by: Jordan 8 | 08/09/2010 at 01:00 AM
I've also had those moments where I look back and, in retrospect, I can see how God met every, single, concrete need and even some of my needs that I didn't know that I would have or was having at the time. And that's when you can see God's hand on every single thread of your life. Glad to hear that the family is in a good place, next to the proverbial stream and trees.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | 08/09/2010 at 02:52 PM
My first time here and really don't know any history of the marriage or family. One thing that jumped out at me though was that your daughter was not 'blown away' by youth group. Yeah, so?? Who ever said that was the purpose or goal of youth group? Maybe SHE is supposed to be there to blow some other kid away. To blow the youth leader away. To blow God away. We certainly would not change churches based on that. We would probably instruct our child (both homeschooled too, btw) that this might be a trial or just an opportunity for growth.
Just an observation.
Posted by: CeeJay | 08/12/2010 at 10:43 PM
I started reading your blogs when a friend posted a "Pray for Joanne" link on her blog. As I read through these posts here, I cannot help but wonder whether God was preparing you, giving you time to form a nest, a cushion in Denver, whispering to you to put your trust in Him so that He could carry you when the time came as he is carrying you now. Is it OK to say that?
You're all in my prayers.
Posted by: Kim | 02/02/2011 at 05:36 PM
Reading this I think God was moving you back to be near family when you and Joanne need them most. He provided you a job so you would have your nest egg so you can make it when you need to be away from work with Joanne. He is so amazing to put pieces together so well long before anyone knows why or how. What a blessing that you listened to His voice and prompting and moved so that he could take care of you in this way. Praying for you guys and hoping you see his mighty hand in the questions you posted in this post.
Posted by: Kaira | 02/08/2011 at 03:18 PM
Although your post was written some time ago; I read it for the first time today. I wanted you to know that your Blog has been an inspiration to my wife K@therine and I. We are feeling led to work together telling others about our life story. Your Blog is an encouragement!
Posted by: Rory Peebles | 03/31/2011 at 07:05 AM
Me too. I was poking around The Simple Wife, after catching up on the latest news, and ran into the link for this blog. Your post shows God directing and planning for your needs long before you ever knew what king of a situation you would encounter in January. Having family so close is imperative and a job with flexibility, a must. Thank you, God.
Posted by: Azsparkle | 06/02/2011 at 01:35 PM