Seek the Peace

Well here we are living it up in Dallas, TX! Yeehaw! We never thought this would be part of God's plan for our married life together, but here we are. Minnesota has been our home. We grew up there, we met there, we married there, and we bought our first home there and in all honestly we had no plans for leaving and moving somewhere else. We imagined starting a family there and, maybe someday move, but had no plans or reasons to. We weren't opposed to it, but why change what's comfortable, right? Well just when things were getting comfortable God knew we were ready for a change. What's life without being uncomfortable? 

Andy loved his job but was feeling like he needed a change, a challenge in his career but wasn't actively looking elsewhere. He waited patiently for something to come to him. When he first told me that he got a call from a company in Dallas, my first reaction was, "Dallas?? as in TEXAS?" I was not thrilled with the idea of moving that far away and neither was Andy, but we both said, "Well it doesn't hurt to interview and see what they have to say, right?" Fast forward a few months after numerous phone interviews, work samples, and even an 8 hour in-person interview, Andy NAILED the job! In all honestly it's a job that he was hoping to get in maybe 10 years, and here God opened the door now! How amazing! I am so incredibly proud of Andy and how hard he works. We were ecstatic!! We were super excited at the idea of moving to a new city....all the adventures to be had! 

As we got closer to moving, feelings from excitement stayed but new feelings like anxiety crept in.  I was nervous for how our new home would be different, foreign, and uncomfortable. Minnesota is comfort is every way with our family, our friends, our first beautiful St. Paul home, our jobs, the food, the woods, the lakes, everything. I've always loved exploring the world, trying new things, and approaching new situations with, "What do I have to lose!" But something about the finality of moving our belongings, selling our house, and saying goodbye to family and friends brought more hardship than I was anticipating. 

Would I find a new job that I liked? Would we find the right place to live in a good neighborhood? Do we rent or buy? Will we make friends? Will I like the people I work with? Will we be bored or lonely?

Lincoln and I have only been down here for about a week and already so many things have changed! Last week I struggled knowing what to do all day. I had been used to a busy work day with lots of friends to catch up with, kids to teach, house to clean, meals to cook, etc. Now I would sit at the computer in our nice but foreign apartment (corporate housing) plugging away at our "to-do list." I researched new doctors in the area, electricity companies to hire, renter's insurance for our new townhouse, and spent countless hours reading vet clinic reviews on Yelp for our dear Lincoln. I would look at the clock and say, "It's only 2! Andy doesn't come to home for five hours! :(" I struggled finding my role and what to do with my time (sorry, sitting at a computer all day is not joyful for me). I was restless, bored, and getting depressed. 

After a lovely phone call with my sister, this week I have taken her advice by storm. She said to me, "You need to find something else to do during your day, besides work, that brings you joy." Now I see the clock and I am excited I have so much more of the day to do things and explore in this beautiful city! I have been working out almost every day, exploring neighborhoods, sitting in the sun on the warmer days (which would bring joy to anyone during this long winter) and planning how we will decorate our new place! :) 

I will eventually find a new job which will fill a different part of my life, but right now I am taking my time to find joy in this big and exciting city with Andy. We have already found some great restaurants with the BEST Mexican food you could every think of and one incredible grocery store called Central Market. We are creating a list of places to explore together on the weekends like the Dallas Farmers Market, the Arboretum, and walking from one outdoor, dog-friendly patio to another to try local brews! Here we are at the Katy Trail Icehouse with Lincoln on there outdoor yard filled with dogs, beer, fire pits, lawn chairs, and yard games. :) 

Andy received a beautiful daily devotional bible from his sister and brother in law for his birthday last fall. This was shortly after breaking the news to our families that we would be moving and we were struggling knowing how to process it. The first verse that he opened to that day was, 
"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city in which I have carried you.....Pray to the Lord for it." - Jeremiah 29:7 

We are slowly finding peace and we will find prosperity here but we know it will take time. Visitors are ALWAYS welcome and we are excited to share our journey with you through this blog. 

Betsy