Carolina In My Mind

My husband, Nate, and I recently moved to North Carolina as part of an adventure we quite literally signed up for. Nate received a job offer that would require us to move around for two years, and as a newly married couple, we jumped at the opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and make new memories.

For the years we lived in State College, Pennsylvania, we were the ones saying goodbye to those leaving town to pursue the next part of their story. While we knew that moving would mean leaving behind familiarity and comfort, we both felt strongly that it was our turn to pursue the next part of our story.

Moving meant different things for both of us. For Nate, he would transition from life as a student to life as a full-time engineer. He would leave behind his closest friends and the premier fly-fishing streams of central Pennsylvania. For me, I would transition from working my first full-time job to a part-time job that would allow me to take charge of managing my own time by working from home. I would leave behind a beloved community of women and the town that became more to me than simply “where I went to college.”

I honestly didn’t know how I was going to react to moving to another state. Historically, I have not dealt with transition well because I found change to be synonymous with instability. And since we moved, I have definitely had my down days. Tears have been shed, my heart has ached, and sometimes lying depressed in bed felt like the only possible thing to do. I miss my friends. I miss knowing how to get anywhere without using a GPS. I miss the ease of just knowing a place and having people.

But.

Over time, with growth and the Lord’s diligent work in my heart, I think He is teaching me to face new things with fervor and intention. And this was happening long before we moved. He was preparing me and strengthening me for the next chapter through each prior circumstance leading up to this one and through encouragement from close friends and family members. He was telling me: Why hide behind closed doors when there is so much joy to find on the other side of them?

Maya Angelou once said,

I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.

The concept seems so simple, but it is a piece of truth that points to something much bigger. The longing we feel for home, for comfort, for familiarity can feel lost in the chaos of learning a new place, a new circumstance. But it’s not lost as long as we look toward our ultimate home in heaven. Someday we won’t ache for that feeling of home.

Jesus said:

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:2-4

Knowing this promise, it frees us to live intentionally in this world instead of living constantly on guard. As humans, we will have times in the dark when we will need to cry out to Our Father. And by His mercy, He hears us. Nate and I have been blown away by the prayers He has answered and humbled by His timing in our lives through this transition.

Our time in North Carolina is limited (for now – who knows where we will end up?). Nate and I agreed that we would take this time seriously, and I think, so far, we’re doing well.

For instance, what better way to feel at home than add a pet into the mix?! Say hello to Watson!He’s pretty awesome. And a little crazy. But that’s why we love him.

We also…

…visited Tanglewood Park – they have horses!

…discovered Krispy Kreme was founded here.
We may or may not have downloaded the Hot Light app and gone on more than one occasion to buy a dozen hot & ready glazed donuts. :)

…attended the ACC Tournament semifinals where UNC beat Virginia and Notre Dame beat Duke.

…got creative and started painting furniture.
Chalk paint works wonders, you guys. The photo of the chairs is a sort of before/after shot. I finished all four chairs, which are white with a “distressed” look. Nate helped tremendously with the dresser-now-TV stand. We have a kitchen table and a bookshelf left to paint!

And there are other things we plan to do. We even have a little bucket list started. We got bikes, so we plan to explore the NC biking trails. At some point we hope to visit a winery, attend an outdoor concert, buy a piece of art to commemorate our time here, see other parts of the state, among other things.

So, overall, what I’m learning through this transition is that God is our stability, and He is watching over us through each and every adventure and every bump along the way. All He asks us to do is trust and follow, and our eyes will open to see each unique part of His creation.

Until next time!