Seattle

I'm having trouble writing this post.  Not sure how to write it.  Guess I'll just jump in.


I always had a vision of what my life would be like.  Probably...mostly...from my growing up.  I thought my marriage and children experience would be much like my mom and dad's.  Not sure why I thought this.  I've always been pretty independent--not sure why following in my parent's EXACT shoes was such a desire of mine.  Something's happened to help me realize that I'm going to need to cut out my own path in life, instead of treading one that is already worn by someone else.  Start over with Nick, and create our own future together.

This is made more and more clear with Nick's job situation.  He doesn't like his job.  I mean, it's okay.  He really likes having a job, but the one he has isn't fulfilling for him.  It's not what he wants to do forever, and so the more he does it, the more he feels like it's taking him away from what he really wants to do.

So, he's been applying for jobs.  This isn't new to me.  I've known about this for about a year or so.  What I didn't know (up until 3 months ago) was WHERE he was applying for jobs.  There's been a couple of really great opportunities that have opened up in the Microsoft Corporation.  They have a few offices here in Ohio--Cincinnati and Findlay areas.  But the job that he wants is in Seattle.

WHOA.

Talk about a shocker!  When Nick first mentioned it to me, I didn't have any idea what to say!

With everything that has been going on with my mom's health, I knew that starting a family was more and more imperative--and that she would be an integral part of helping me through the process.  I think of my friend's moms, who took them clothes shopping, and gave advice, and helped with the whole having-a-baby process.  And I started to think about what that might look like if I'm living across the country.  And I started to freak out a bit.

Granted, Nick doesn't have the job.  He has done a screening interview online, and then done another screening interview over the phone.  But it really got me thinking about what our lives would be like if we lived across the country from our family.  From those people that would be our support system.  From our friends and jobs, and comfort.  And this is where the conversation within myself really started.  I was terrified.

After a few days of really thinking about it (and not really discussing anything about it with Nick), I started to get excited.  Still terrified, but also excited.  I mean, how amazing would it be?  First, Seattle is supposed to be fabulous.  Second, Nick would TOTALLY and completely adore his job.  He's as giddy as a schoolboy just mentioning  the possibility.

But I really got to thinking about what it would do for Nick and I.  We've kind of been in an auto-pilot relationship.  Everything pre-planned.  Our route already set.  Boundaries and limits and expectations already set out for us.  Not in a negative way, but also not in a positive way.  If we were to move away from everything comfortable, then what would we have left to rely on?  Ourselves, and Christ.  And honestly--could that BE any better for us?

So, I pray.  Every day I pray.  I pray that God opens doors for us to live off auto-pilot.  I pray He opens doors for Nick to be as fulfilled and appreciated in his work as much as he desires and deserves.  I pray that He grants us opportunities to truly rely on Him and His will for us.  There are so many unknowns about this, but I rest safely in the arms of the One who DOES know about tomorrow and what it holds.