Reality

In the course of our marriage, Mitch and I have moved seven times. If you count our 2005 Netherlands sabbatical, it would be eight. The process of moving, never dull, does allow one to purge, but it also overwhelms at times. In this particular move, we are moving but also making sure that we leave items behind for our college age kids, who probably will be in the house periodically. The strangest item is the toaster. They love the 4 slicer, so I need to purchase another one. Sometimes, I just want to close the door to avoid all the planning!

The reality of this decision hits me at times. I actually start thinking, “This is the craziest decision we have ever made.” I left my teaching position and don’t have a new one, my husband will be traveling back and forth because of the late planting season, we now have two houses to maintain even though one is a rental, and this could be a very expensive year. You might ask, “Didn’t you think about this when you made this decision back in December? ” Of course! However, following through with a decision is very different than planning it.

In 2005, while living in Kansas, we decided to take a sabbatical in the Netherlands. A sabbatical, one of the perks of a professor, is a time of renewal and learning. Traveling overseas with three young children requires a fair bit of planning! I experienced many feelings of homesickness for American ways and often questioned our decision. Through it all, God showed himself in amazing ways! I learned to depend on Him more and experienced His goodness in more ways than one.

When I start analyzing this decision to head to the mitten state, I remember Esther 4:14. “And who knows but that you have come to MI for such a time as this?” God provided for us when living in the Netherlands and He will again during this Michigan adventure. He revealed Himself while living in the Netherlands. He will reveal Himself in Michigan. He will because He is the faithful one, the great conductor of our lives.