Bittersweet

Have you ever finished reading a book to find that you where sad to see the story come to an end?  You didn't want to say goodbye to your "new friends", and you really wanted to know what the next part of their life would be like.  Then you found out the author was writing a sequel to the story that you loved so much and you just couldn't wait until it was published!

Well, that is how I feel about my own life. I know that the Author and Finisher of our faith has a wonderful story to complete in us, but I am ready to start the new book! 

Let me start at the beginning...My husband lost his contract this past November.  He found work locally with a long time friend who is building a training company.  We have struggled financially for the past several months.  We believe this training company is an awesome opportunity that will grow into a fantastic company, but with the size of our family and our bills we are unable to wait until that happens.  The Lord has opened up a job with TVA that has been Michael's dream job since he first joined the Navy over 24 years ago.  We are so thankful for this opportunity.  His 12 years of Navy service time will count towards his retirement.  We are excited about the pay as well as the benefits that this will provide for our family.  Michael is thrilled about the work that he will be doing.  He will love his job, and that means a lot to anyone who works.  This is the oh so sweet part of our news.

The bitter part is that this new job requires a move for our family.  Our farm has just been put up for sale by a local real estate agent.  All of the work that we have put into our home and our farm will be enjoyed by some other family.  We are still in the process of finishing up the inside of our house.  (This will explain why I haven't been cooking such nice meals the last few weeks.  My hands have been full with paint brushes and various other tools)!  We will be leaving the community that we have grown to love over the past 9 years.  We let our roots go down deep because we never expected to be transplanted again.  Our oldest son will not be moving with us.  He will move up to his college and finish out his degree there.  I never dreamed that he would be leaving our home so soon.  I can't imagine Friday nights without him at our dinner table.  Our second son also leaves my heart aching.  He will come with us, but we are asking him to give so much at such a crucial age in his life.  He will be starting his Junior year of high school in August.  He will be leaving his friends and his comfort zone behind when we move.  He has worked so hard at football these past few years.  He says he won't be playing for the new school.  We no longer will be hosting his football friends for Friday night dinners.  My heart is so heavy for this child, but we really have no other choice in the decision.  He understands, and he is quick to let us know that.  There isn't any anger on his part about the situation although we know it is something that he wishes didn't have to happen.  Our third son is not happy about the move, but he is alright with it.  He is still at an easy age, and for that I am very thankful.  Our daughter is not thrilled, but she too will adjust to a new place easily.   She too is young enough to transplant without much root damage.


As much as I love this farm, my heart is heaviest over the fact that my family will not be together on a daily basis.  My kids are so close with one another.  Our youngest child will be devastated when he realizes that his oldest brother will not be with us.  This is the oh so bitter part of our news. 

Time will tell what the new book will be like for our family.  I am ready to see what the Lord has in store for us.  I am ready to say goodbye to the life we have known here for the last 9 years, and to start the next chapter of our life.  I wish it could be different, but it is what it is.  I am thankful that we have this opportunity.  The next few months are going to be full of lots of work.  I can't even imagine keeping our house in show ready condition with the English Mastiff living in our home!  I am sure that there will be stories to tell and laughs to be had during this transition time.  I hope you stick with us as we journey into this new life. 

grace and peace,
julie