In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
And in the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm
[ryan stevenson :: eye of the storm]
Those words could have not have rang more true in the last ten days as our family braced for a Category 5 Hurricane Irma that was heading directly towards us at one point in the predictions.
I felt a sense of panic, worry but also peace and protection, I had to protect our family and protect our house as much as possible. So Matthew and I started to prep the house: hurricane windows were the best investment ever but we still had to board up 3 doors, bring in all patio furniture, secure the fence gates, the swing set, purchase gasoline for the generator, water, water, water, non-perishables, diapers, wipes, propane, batteries....all while battling the lines and people who were also trying to protect their families and their homes.
On the Thursday before Hurricane Irma was meant to hit, we packed up our car with the necessities we needed to live for a few weeks and made our way north.
Traffic was heavy. The state was in a state of emergency and panic. We drove 10 hours before we even made it to Gainesville (a trip that should have taken us about 4 hours) and from what other moms were telling me....we had another solid 10+ hours until we hit our destination of Atlanta, a trip that should have totaled 8-9 hours.
We made the decision to drive west to Panama City Beach and rented a cute little condo near the beach. But it was during the trip, the 14 hour drive to Panama City Beach that for the first time in weeks, Matthew and I could actually discuss this new baby coming and my strong desire to move to Michigan to be with family.
I had been home sick for months, which resulted in an impromptu 3 week trip to Michigan in August. One day after a return, I found out about baby #4 and my desire to move home to by family, to experience family, to celebrate holidays, birthday, recitals, with cousins, aunts & uncles.
But this required my husband to get a new job....and we weren't sure what that quite looked like. Until he took a leap of faith and asked his company about a position in Michigan.
God is good. He will always provide and He will provide you the desires of your heart.
"Well actually, the Michigan rep is quitting and we will have an opening in November, are you interested?"
WOW!! Not what we had expected. Our timelline was to stay down in Florida, have the baby, let the kids finish school, adjust to the idea of moving and take some time but God doesn't work on our time lines, He works on his and they are ALWAYS so much better.
I have learned over the last 2 years, that when we say YES to God no matter where God is calling you or when He's asking you to go. If you say YES, He will provide, He will show up.
Although this is QUICK, SUDDEN, and CHANGE for our whole family and definitely not on our timing, this puts us home for the holidays, to celebrate twins fifth birthday WITH FAMILY.