I just wanted to thank everyone for their input on living away vs. in your hometown! It really is helpful to know what other people have chosen when faced with the same decision and how your choice has worked out for you. From reading the comments as a whole, I really got the feeling that no matter where we end up we will be happy. No matter what we decide, there are great options & wonderful upsides! I love what Emily said: "In the end, what really matters is that you are glorifying God wherever you are, whatever you're doing. So rest in the peace that God will use you for His purposes wherever you decide to go." Well put! I also want to address each of the comments individually though, as I really did take something valuable from each of them:
Page - I love that coming back to P.C. was the best career move for you guys! I really think in the long run (especially if our goal is to raise our children around family in the long-run), it could be for us as well, but we tend to lose sight of that fact because of opportunities that would be more beneficial in the short run.
Holly - I had never thought about the spirit of adventure as being a gift and appreciate you sharing that perspective. A lot of times that spirit feels more like restlessness and I must admit it can seem more like a curse always chasing away contentment than something God intended to be a part of who I am. But I think you're right, that desire and willingness to experience new things is an important part of both Chris & me and something that is just as valid to consider as any other factor in making this decision.
Anonymous (Dad) - Thank you for your strangely familiar perspective =). Family is so very important and as many different things as there are pulling us in other directions, it is the steady force drawing us home (and consequently making this decision so difficult)! When we look back on this decision 25 years from now, if mine & Chris's life is half the testimony to God's power and faithfulness as yours & Mom's, I will consider us to have been blessed beyond measure.
Emily - I appreciate so much your 50 cents! Children definitely are one of the major variables in this whole situation. If I knew for sure they were 5-7 years out, I would be much more confident in not coming home right away. Sometimes it feels like it will be that long, but at other times, I think it will be more like 2-3 years. So, who knows!? But I definitely agree with you that there is no replacement for living close to grandparents. My life was so incredibly enriched by the sacrifices my parents made so that we could be close to our grandparents and I just can't imagine not doing the same for my kids! Similarly, I can't imagine not having someone to hand them off to when I need a break! P.S. Thank you for your prayer that God will make the way clear for us. That is my prayer as well - God knock me down with the right choice!
Kristy - thank you for the invitation song! You hit the nail on the head - the $1 Million question is, "What are our dreams?". Like everyone else, we have a lot of dreams, most of which are inconsistent with the others. Oprah always says, "You can have everything, just not at all at once." So I guess the decision is, what are we willing to sacrifice currently? That's a tough one!
Mom - I appreciate your reassurance that there is no wrong decision. I my head I believe that, but my heart is having a hard time with that one! Chris & I definitely are prayerful over this decision and know that God will use us as He sees fit. As far as relaxing - you know that's never been my strong suit!
As far as keeping you updated, our next move is that I am meeting with a firm in Panama City on Sunday night. I really feel like God will use that meeting to make it clear whether we are meant to move home right away. That is really our biggest decision. I feel like once that decision has been made, everything else will be much easier! If it comes down to it, deciding between Charlotte, LA, New York, or whatever else comes our way won't be nearly as difficult as it will all be based on facts, opportunities, and preferences instead of emotional pulls! That said, I do have to give Charlotte a decision by Nov. 30th & will definitely let you know what we decide. However, after that, my blogging will most likely be pretty sparse as I am entering into exam season =(. But, I promise at some point to post Christmas in NYC pictures - storefront windows on 5th Ave., the tree at Rockefeller Center, holiday decorations around town, the Rockettes, and the NYC Ballet Nutcracker are among our holiday plans. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you again for your advice & prayers!
1 comments:
Wow Katy! You have been so blessed to have ALL of these opportunities and decisions to choose from - I know it can also be seen as stressful but truly - it is such a blessing to have options! Sounds as if you got some great advice from all your loved ones and I'll just add a bit of my own story.
We moved 15 hours from ALL of my family and friends...ALL of them. We now live 10 minutes from ALL of Chad's family so thankfully our kids have their grandparents - greatgrandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins at their beck-n-call! :) That my friend is a priceless gift...it truly is! Having said ALL that - ya'll don't have children yet - and I think if I were in your shoes, I would want to just go and live the adventurous life...make your careers, see new places, have nice hair days and meet new people!! BUT, don't rule out your home town! It was very important to Chad that we move to Jax and make a name for our family in his hometown...his career (business) is now booming and we are building connections all throughout the city for our children! We feel as if we are giving them a gift! Sorry, once again, you don't have kids yet so that doesn't apply to you! :) Well....the advice I gave may not be applicable to ya'll grow your family - but till then, I'll be praying that whatever decisions ya'll come to, that you will feel complete peace and know that you've been lead by the holy spirit!
Post a Comment