Monday, May 14, 2012

BIG NEWS!! - A Moving Post

A.W.O.L.

Absent without leaving...

That's been me lately - here and there, but a little MIA in Blog Land.

There's a good reason for that.

I've been hinting at some BIG NEWS on my blog in the last few months. Well, I'm ready to make the big announcement.  (No, I am NOT pregnant...58, really?!)

I'm moving!

Yup, after living in my current home for 28 years, "The Hub" and I are *getting out of Dodge*!

Can I tell you my journey?

(You’re all saying yes, right?!)

My husband is an original mountain man.  He was living in the mountains when we met 10 years ago.  I owned a home, he was renting, so when we got married, he moved down to me.

With one condition – well, actually two.  One, never cut your hair.  Two, don't let us get stuck in the city - (to my husband, the suburbs might as well be the inner city ghetto - just sayin'...)

So, we have spent the last 7 years in Suburbia, dreaming about moving to the mountains.  "The Hub" was thinking Montana or Colorado.  I was thinking…well, I was thinking, "But my whole family and all my friends are here."

Finally, we decided that a lovely little mountain town about two hours away might just be our perfect compromise place.

So, we played "Lookee-Loos" last summer.  Getting our feet wet.  Trying it on for size.

And then, we sorta put everything on the back shelf.

Then, around the end of the year, I felt like God was telling me to seriously re-visit the thought of moving.

And this time, it felt not so much like a random idea, but like an actual call from God.

As I began my 2012 yearly Bible reading plan using the Chronological Bible, I found it interesting, in that not-so-subtle, but oh-so-sublime way God has of making coincidences happenthat I was reading all about Abraham.

This verse stood out:

"The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you.'" (Genesis 12:1)

So, we looked – and within a month – lo and behold, we bought a house!

Then began the rather interesting process that my brother likes to call the "E" word – escrow.   I have never seen so much paperwork in my life. Except maybe when my house got T-P'd once.  Actually, endless escrow paperwork is kinda like toilet paperbut I digress.

We faced many snags and difficulties.

There were unforeseen problems with heating and septic systems.


Some mouse challenges.


It took us almost a month to find homeowner's insurance because of our proximity to the forest.


I was beginning to face the prospect of moving away from my family – my aging parents, my sons – away from everyone, really – and it wasn't easy.

It was a time of terrible turmoil –

I was unable to find peace, until I told God, "I'm going to do what I feel You're calling me to do – and I trust that You're going with me."

And I can remember the day when He told me He was right there, every step of the way.

"The Hub" and I were driving home one night after visiting up there, and I sat down to do my devotions.  The title of that day's selection was "Surveying a Great Mountain."  

And this was the verse for the day:

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD…
There he will teach us his ways,
      and we will walk in his paths." (Isaiah 2:3)


And, of course, my Bible reading was all about Joshua taking possession of the Promised Land.

A verse from those days?

"'Then, just as the LORD our God commanded us, we left…and traveled through the great and terrifying wilderness…and headed toward the hill country…Look!  He has placed the land in front of you.  Go and occupy it as the LORD…has promised you.  Don't be afraid!  Don't be discouraged!'" (Deuteronomy 1:19, 21)


That's how the journey started.

And I'd just love to tell you more about what's been going on.

Wanna come along?

I promise the stories will *move* you...(oh, c'mon - it was just too easy!!)


Has God ever called you to do something that you absolutely knew you could not do on your own?


Linked today with Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

20 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon

    I needed to read this today, especially the scriptures you shared. Enough about me, though will leave my thoughts today with the Lord, where they belong.

    I hope after all your doubts, fears, misgivings, you will truly experience the joy of that "mountain top" experience, Our Lord has prepared for you.

    God Bless and thank you for your visit and kind comments on my blog.

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  2. I'm happy for you. I love the mountains...would love to live in them. Interesting that (well, it's just God) that when you need a Bible passage or scripture it is always relevant for the moment.

    I've missed you in Blog land!

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  3. Congratulations!!! That *is* big news. I'm sorry there have been obstacles, but glad your focus has been in the Right Place throughout them all! Can't wait to hear even more about it! This is really exciting! Hope you had a wonderful, wonderful Mother's Day!

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  4. Oh congratulations....may the adventure begin and you enjoy each step of the journey...it sounds wonderful!!

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  5. I have little tears in my eyes reading this. It's not that it was a surprise because I feel I have been with you every step of the way. I'm kind of cool like that, remember.

    God is so good.
    Sometimes, when I say that, I feel like the world hears something so trite. It's NOT trite. The magnitude of His gracious GOODNESS never, ever ceases to amaze me and overwhelm me.

    I'm here for the rest of the journey stories. Let's give them a name, shall we?

    And what He has asked me to do lately that I CAN NOT and COULD NOT do alone is the obvious one. He asked me to hand that daughter of mine to Him and actually let go and believe that goodness of His to be a real and tangible thing.

    The pinky finger was the last to go...

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  6. So excited for you and the hubs, Sharon!! I love how you got confirmation of decisions with verses from the Bible; that's how our God works!! So much of my life is knowing I can't or couldn't do it without God right by myself.

    I look forward to reading more of your adventures as you begin this new chapter of your life!

    betty

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  7. I think that is so wonderful - a new adventure for you and a new beginning. sandie

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  8. Love, love, love, the mountains and would head there in a minute if we could. And yes, God has called me many times to make changes, many of which have required far more of me than I imagined. I've recently been in a season of loose ends, and I'm finally starting to cycle out of them (but not without a lot of struggle and head-scratchin' days!).

    God bless you and keep you as you move to the mountain with him... always with him! Oh, and some pictures would be nice:)

    peace`elaine

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  9. Congratulations on hearing and heeding His voice Sharon. May you & your husband enjoy many happy years relishing the beauty of the mountains.

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  10. Congrats, yes, I wanna come along dear friend.

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  11. Oh I'm so excited for you!! What a great adventure! It sure sounds like God led you to the place He wants you to be...congratulations! I can't wait to hear more! When is the move? Also, I love how God spoke to you through the scriptures! What a blessing!

    Love, Joan

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  12. Congratulations! Don't you love how God makes following Him possible? He always moves us at a pace we can handle.

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  13. This post truly testifies to God's leading. I can understand the need to always be in God's will...that's where the benefits are. Hope it gets easier for you each and every day. I love the mountains.

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  14. The mountains...*sigh*...love 'em, love 'em!

    Keep the updates coming...I just know, the best is yet to come!

    Oh, and thanks for the sweet Mother's Day wishes on my blog!

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  15. It sounds so beautiful...I'm so very happy for you..."moved" to tears. Seriously. I would love to live in the mountains. Sounds like God was making this decision clear to you. Looking forward to your stories...is the wooden Indian going to make the trip too? (o:

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  16. Oh, WOW! This is big news and very exciting!! Ed would love a mountain log cabin - but, alas - we have not the hardiness of mountain men - just fantasies . . .

    However, we do the historical re-enacting - as I see your hubs does, too in his period sheriff attire. Very fun! This week I'm gearing up for our big historical event - so I'll probably be AWOL for a bit, too. Just can't do a tea post today and know I'll miss Pink Saturday - the two posting challenges I have tried to stick to each week. May need to catch up next week sometime - with lots of photos.

    Speaking of photos - will there be some of those forthcoming? You usually don't do photos in your posts - but I'm agog to see your new digs! How soon? Will either of you be working still? What about a new church fellowship? Soooo many questions!!!

    Hoping to be fully caught up in Blogland sometime in June - and will be looking forward to your moving posts . . .

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  17. Sharon:

    I am right on the same page with you today! I also just love what the Lord gave to your heart, that wherever you and 'the mountain man' move... He is there and occupies your home already, just waiting for you. :)

    My hubby just returned from a show in Grass Valley that your hubby would love, it's all antiques, cowboy, western, and the whole thing. He had so much fun.

    I can't wait to see where you end up in this move. It's going to be good Sharon, despite misgivings and concerns, there is so much ahead!

    xo

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  18. My dearest Sharon, ...and to think I almost missed out on this GREAT MOVE of God or mountains! I'm so happy for you and your hubs!
    Through all the ups and downs and TP... I'm so thankful that you have a peace about this and even more: Scripture to back you up, not your feelings (good or sad)... you are following your heart and movin' on up. I'm so glad everything is working out, mountains are being moved, etc. and I will continue to pray for strength and wisdom. After all, you are in His hands and soon you will see more of God's plan and all in His hands. Keep documenting this move... and I am so privileged to be moved and hear all of your moves... that touch and warm my heart from yours. Thank you for letting me know so I continue to watch for more AWOL and ALL God is doing in you, for you and him (and HIM)... Glad it's only 2 hours! Safe moving and
    many, many blessings and adventures to come! ohhh and
    Has God ever called you to do something that you absolutely knew you could not do on your own?
    of course, that's why I am here!

    I did not realize you were selling or had sold your home... WOW! That went fast! Nor did I know that you had found your mountain recluse.
    So, where are the photos of old and new???

    Love, BIG hug and prayers - thanks for returning and leaving me a special message on Faith Focus... you knew Mother's Day wasn't easy for me! Karen, Denise and Cathy also blessed me so I felt much better...Alice, too!
    That seems to be my little family for right now... Que Dios te bendiga y vaya con Dios!
    Peggy

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  19. Oh Sharon Congratulations!
    What exciting news! (it's easy for me to say that all nice and perky since I don't have anything to do with it). But seriously - I LOVE hearing about God picking people up and shifting their lives around, and what's a bigger shift than packing up and moving to a new home!

    It's funny - I just riding home from my women's group and in the car a friend and I were talking about when God told Abraham to get up and get out. It's funny to think that Abram, the future father of faith, delayed that move until after his father had died. It can be so easy to get stuck sometimes by the things that anchor us - we tend to forget how much better it is to let go and fly after the will of God.

    I'll be praying for you as you go through the moving process. I can't wait to hear what wonderful things God has in store for you next!

    God bless,
    Paula

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)