It Is Well With My Soul: 3 Reflections on Moving To A New State

We have been in Colorado for just over 1 week and it has felt like a whirlwind and we sure have done our best to get settled in the middle of a huge season of transition. Before we moved, and part of the planning and decision, I did a ton of research about the area and what Colorado Springs had to offer. Can I say, “WOW” when I began to overturn stones with every single option that I could find. Never have I felt so overwhelmed with decision fatigue! As a homeschool mom of 6, I am constantly looking for places to explore and ways to enhance their learning out of the classroom. As I pray for and desire to shepherd their emotional, physical, and spiritual lives I want to give them roots and wings. As my kids grow I want to strengthen their areas of weakness and bolster their natural God given skills and teach them how to observe and live in this world that God made filled with incredible nature and all kinds of people.

Before we moved we knew where we would be living (with my in-laws), where we would be going to church (Cross & Crown), the kids were signed up for the Homeschool Sports league playing Soccer and Flag Football, 2 of the kids were enrolled in an Equine Assisted Learning program, enrolled in the Pikes Peak Homeschool Band, and AWANA and youth group at our church. Needless to say, I did a little research. Last week was the first week to jump in and it felt good for all of us to have something to do together most days of the week (we still have Tuesday and Thursday wide open and our afternoons) but it has been a helpful step in getting us settled.

I can do everything I can to plan and prepare for the physical needs of my kids and I wanted to be sure to do my very best to have that “bucket” tended too. My motivation for that was knowing that their Emotional and Spiritual buckets are out of my control and unknown in this time. During our days we have the normal habits of bible reading, hymn singing, and prayer and fellowship with church but I also know that the Lord is using this time to grow each of the kids individually. My prayer is that it makes them softer towards the Lord as they see Him answer prayer and provide for their needs. My hope is that being around kids their age and being active will help them begin to feel settled and have a routine. Both of those things have rung true and being in familiar activities has been helpful.

Needless to say, the emotional bucket has been up and down. Rightfully so. This is a huge change for everyone and we all know how it feels to have the comfort of friendship and the closeness of relationship, so we definitely feel the deficit. Some of the newness of moving has worn off and the reality has set it that this is our home. Our church has a hymn of the month, this month it is “It Is Well With My Soul” and last night when we were singing, it was hard for some of them to get the words out. When the dust settles at the end of the day, the emotional highs and lows. We are seeing the kids learn to pray for each other, look out for each other and encourage one another. If I can sum up the past 11 days it boils down to

We are in a season of waiting

We are living at my in-laws which is a total blessing and we are thankful to have a place to land. Their hospitality has been very sweet and we know this time won’t last forever. Our house in California hasn’t sold. We haven’t bought a house. Gavin has some prospects at work that are taking time. The kids are on a wait-list for a homeschool program. We are meeting people and deep relationships will take time. All I can do is wait and be faithful in my waiting. It is surprising how easy it is for doubt to creep in my mind when I am waiting and the waters are unknown. Each day I can exercise my disciplines of grace and be faithful with what comes up during the day. I can’t speed up any of these things that we are waiting for or make any of these decisions happen any faster. I was telling a friend that these things are so far out of my control that there really isn’t much to even be anxious about I’m just in LaLa Land enjoying the time. All of these things will be resolved and worrying about it, toiling and spinning, playing out the options in my mind are all futile. The comfort of God’s Word, the clarity of prayer, the consistency of our routines, the closeness of family relationship are the tracks that we are driving on as we wait.

We are thankful for the Church

Knowing the church we were going to attend when we arrived in Colorado has made a huge difference. We can jump into programs and classes expecting to be here for the long haul, pretty certain that this is where we will be. People have been gracious and welcoming and so kind as we arrive. It is a good reminder about how it feels to be welcomed as an outsider and receive the hospitality of the Church. While there is still so much “newness” we have all commented how familiar it feels to be in an environment of likeminded believers. Sitting in a Sunday School class expositing God’s Word, hearing a testimony, listening to the sermon, singing familiar songs are all balm to an unsettled heart. Gavin attended this church 20 years ago as a cadet and it is shocking how many people have remembered him. We did have some familiarity from those relationships and even having the kids attend VBS this summer all provided an air of familiar.

In addition, the support and encouragement from our previous church has been so comforting and kind. Sweet friends offering prayer, asking for updates, sending notes, excited for us as we get settled, encouraging us in ways that only deep friendships can has been a healing balm to us. It has been a great reminder that when people move away, they are still people that you care about and relationships that can be maintained even if it looks different. I am thankful that our friends are willing to figure this whole new thing out that we kind of blew up by moving. Truly Truly, the friendships that were strengthened and cultivated in my 30s are definitely here to stay and I am so thankful. Involvement in the local church is unlike anything else.

We are seeing the Lord answer prayer

As I shared previously the Lord has answered so many prayers in our preparation to move. Now that we are here and even in our drive out we are doing our best to remember all the answered prayer. One unexpected blessing was that Cole’s soccer coach actually goes to our church and has a son Cole’s age who seems like a really nice kid. It reminded everyone that there are relationships here waiting for all of us. The Jr High girls asked Madeline to sit with them and were really sweet. Additionally we have started school and the kids are adjusting well. I was at church and I met a gal who moved her family from San Diego for similar reasons and from similar circumstances and her perspective was so comforting and brought so much hope. Familiar faces have greeted Gavin and I. We have friends in California that reached out to friends here to look us up and find us. So many people have told us stories and anecdotes about what they love about Colorado Springs which has given us fun things to look forward to. Little reminders of God’s care for us are motivating us to press-on and continue to commit things to prayer and walk in faith

All things considered we are happy to be here. We are feeling settled and things are looking familiar. The kids are happy and excited about the future and things to come. Gavin is working hard and enjoying having the calls an hour later because of the time change. Thank you for your encouragement and care for us we are so thankful.