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God, The Plan Changer

It's been quite a while since I have posted anything to the blog. Since Joshua was born our life has been turned upside down and all around. Our lives have changed so much since my last post, I am still trying to process all of it. So where do I begin?

In September, my husband and I celebrated our 10 year Anniversary. We decided to throw a party at a local Thai restaurant with family and friends. It was amazing-- Great food with great people.  It truly was an unforgettable night. But while we were enjoying the company of our friends, in the back of my mind I knew that things were about to change. For me, the party felt like a farewell. I tried not to think about it, but I knew it was coming. See a couple of days from that night, Jason was scheduled to have an interview with a company in another state. And I knew…before they even talked…I knew within myself, our lives were about to change again.

Sure enough, within a few weeks, an offer had been made to my husband. It was too good to pass up. We had been in this place before. As a matter of fact, just a year earlier, this same company made Jason an offer. But we turned it down. It just wasn't the right time and our work was not yet finished in Knoxville. However, this time was different. This time we had peace about the decision to accept. My heart was breaking at the thought of leaving our friends but it was also jumping with excitement about what God had in store for us in the next city. So it became official--the Crowes were moving to Huntsville, AL.

Huntsville, Alabama. Let me just interject this side story here as a testament to how God works. A few years ago, we were heading home from church and a random hypothetical question came to mind. For whatever reason, I decided to ask my husband. I asked him "If you were offered a job in, let's say, Huntsville, AL, for more money than what you are making now, would you take it?" Of course, he answered that he didn't know and we went home like business as usual. But I never forgot asking that question. Little did I know God was speaking even then. I am a witness that sometimes God will reveal little glimpses of his plan for you if you just keep listening.

Now back to the story…. We knew the move would be a lot of work and we wanted to get the kids transitioned as smoothly as possible. We had to get the house ready to put on the market (which thankfully we packed up quite a bit the previous year when we tried to sell the house). A few trips were made to the Huntsville area to look at homes and schools. The company was gracious enough to give us to the end of the year to move to Alabama. My husband just had to go down one week a month to work and the rest of the time he worked remotely from Knoxville. So we were pretty sure we would be there until the end of the year. I mean, our house didn't sell in the 5 months it was on the market the previous year so it definitely was not going to be sold before the end of December, right?

WRONG!!! We put our house on the market at the end of October and we got an offer on it in 8 DAYS!!! When we got the text that someone wanted to purchase the house we jumped around for joy. Then reality set in. We had to be packed and out of the house by the end of the month, not to mention we had not found a place to stay in Alabama. Thank God for my mother. She came and stayed with us our last two weeks in Knoxville and our first week in Alabama. She helped me get my life together!

After that everything just began to happen so fast. But the hardest part of it all was saying goodbye to all the people that had become our family. It was so hard to say goodbye. I had so many farewell lunches, dinners, parties, it was hard to keep up. But I cherished each and every one of them. I shed quite a few tears, but I knew God was working in the midst of it all and He had a reason for sending us to the Huntsville area.
Farewell gift from our Knoxville family

We have been here five months now. And it really has been quite an adjustment-- physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are temporarily living in a small apartment with three busy boys and you can imagine what that has been like. If all goes well, however, our new house should be finished within the next few weeks. Joshua got very sick in December and had to be hospitalized. But God healed his little body and he was back to himself in a matter of days. Jay is enjoying his new school and seems to be doing well.  As far as adjusting emotionally goes, most everyone seems to be doing pretty good. I think Trent and I both struggled the most early on. Leaving our friends was very hard for both of us.

We are in the process of finding a church home.  I don't think we expected it to be as tough as it has been. But we want to make sure we decide on a place that benefits our whole family and a place where we can serve the people and worship God freely. No doubt, wherever God puts us it's going to be exactly where he needs us to be. 

I have used the scripture Proverbs 19:21 in a previous post before and many times throughout my life, but I cannot escape it.  If there was a "theme" for my life, this scripture would be it. It says:

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (NLT)


More than ever, I know this to be true. We are looking forward to finding out His purpose for us here in Alabama. Stay tuned!!

Moving Day
Jay and Trent keeping me company on the porch of our apartment.

Comments

  1. Daughter, I always enjoy the stories you share. That was a very busy time in our lives, we thank God that He enabled us to be with you all at that time. As God strengthens you, continue to minister through your writings. Walk with God, for we know He will continue to led and guide you and your life. Love always yourmamma

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