Well... today I am packing to move to Iowa City. My life has been full of transitions (jobs and moving) for too long now... I'm excited to settle down and "start over".
I am starting a new job tomorrow morning. I keep catching myself feeling butterflies and that all too familiar homesick feeling I have felt every time I was packing to start a new job. The feeling of fear... anxiousness.. the unknown. However, directly following that thought is an overwhelming sense of security and peace and excitement. I remember that I am only moving to Iowa City. Not Las Vegas. Not Connecticut. Not 1300 miles away. But Iowa City. 90 minutes from home, Des Moines, Tim.. only 3 1/2 hours from Heidi. Ahhh.. and that, my friends, is so awesome.
I still have a little bit of anxiousness- the normal "starting a new job kind of anxiousness"- hoping I can meet friends quickly, find a good church home, and transition into a new life in Iowa City. The job I'll be doing gives me anxiety- but I know with 6 months of training and classes I'll be ready when I'm on my own picking up little ones in the helicopter!! :-)
Throughout this whole job hunting process I knew wherever I ended up (unless I took another travel assignment), I would have to find a place to live and of course pay rent. Becuase of my mortgage in Pleasant Hill, I was anxious about how this would work out. However God has taught me, once again, to trust Him- and more importantly not to worry. Doors have opepened up and it worked out for me to stay with my great aunt, Verla. Verla lives on an acreage in a big old farm house just north of Iowa City. I will be putting my house up for sale soon (know anyone who wants to buy a house?), and until the house sells I have been invited to stay with her. I am very grateful for her and to her for allowing me to live with her for a little while- and I think she is a little excited, too! I can see many nights of playing cards in my future.... :-)
I said at the beginning of this post how my life has been so full of transitions. I know change is inevitable in my life and I know many "transitions" are yet to come, but I'm excited about having a regular full time job again. I'm excited to have the stability that comes with a full time job- and not moving every three months. I'm excited about the future! ;-) I want to give the glory to the Lord, the One who deserves it. The One who carried me a couple years ago... when I so broken and too weak to stand on my own. 2-3 years ago I never, ever, would have thought I would be packing my bags to start a job as a transport nurse at the University of Iowa. I never thought I would have the opportunities I did to travel and experience this beautiful country over the last year. But HE has pulled me through and blessed me way beyond what I deserve. And I am so thankful.
So tomorrow as I start this new job- this new chapter in my life- I will be remembering that HE is in control of everything- of my house selling- my job- my fears- my relationships- everything. And I will be praising Him. Praising Him for bringing me to this place- where I can hopefully effect the lives of many more families and bless those around me. Where I can use my nursing skills and do what I love to do. Where I will be challenged to learn and be stretched to know so much more than I know right now.
I would challenge anyone reading this- anyone going through a transition or difficult change in your life- trust the Lord. Let Him carry you when you feel weak. Trust Him- to guide you where you're meant to be. I have no doubt that I am where I was meant to be. God has a perfect plan for my life and I feel like this is just the beginning!!
"My sould finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken!"
Psalm 62: 1-2
