We were living a blessed and beautiful life. It wasn't perfect but better than most. We lived in our dream neighborhood, in our dream home, had wonderful friends, great jobs, great schools and more to do than we knew what to do with on a daily basis. Something was missing, something big that was pulling at my heart strings. Quite simply, it was our family. We were about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Tony's family and about a 2 1/2 hour flight away from my family. Close, but not close enough.
Tony and I had spoken off and on about packing up our city life and moving down to "the farm." We considered it seriously after Emily was born but rethought the idea as we became settled in Indianapolis and created a life of our own. 5 years later, God blessed us with twin boys and thus the whirlwind of life truly began. Shortly after the birth of our boys, we lost Tony's sister to breast cancer. More family illnesses occurred that put stress on us because we were not there to help and support our loved ones. This past summer, Tony's dad was in a serious accident when his tractor was hit by a semi driver. We almost lost Jerry. I remember sitting in the hospital praying to God why was this happening. First Tony's sister and now Jerry. I found myself really digging deep inside my soul for answers. What are you trying to tell me God? I knew the answer, but wasn't ready to face it. God was calling me, God was calling our family home.
In August, Emily started kindergarten and a huge hole filled my heart. She was gone from 7:50 in the morning until 4 everyday and I missed her, really missed her. I never expected to feel the way that I did but I was sad, really sad. It had been the two of us for 5 years and now I spent only about 2 hours with her everyday. With twins at home, I couldn't get out much and really started to lose touch with friends. I was lonely, so lonely. I needed help and support. I felt so disconnected from everyone. Prayer and running were my refuge. Running gave me energy and perspective, prayer connected me with the one person who was always there, no matter what. Again, God was calling me, "go home my child." Again, I ignored his words.
In October, Tony had a wonderful new career opportunity. Three days after he told his current employer that he was leaving was the day that I told him that I wanted to move "to the farm." I remember the look on his face. Had I told him just a few days earlier, he would have kept his current job which paid more and had better benefits until we decided when we wanted to move. He wasn't mad or upset but smiled and said, "really, ok well we better start talking to my family about farming opportunities."
From that point on, we never looked back. Tony will be leaving the tech world full time to be a farmer with his brothers and dad. We are leaving our great city life and all the amenities to move to a small town that is anything but city. We are CRAZY, yes we are CRAZY. But there is no price tag that can be put on family.
So this city girl is packing up everything she knows to go country. Yes, this city girl is scared, overwhelmed, and nervous but there is a peace deep within her soul that is reminding her that she has made the right decision. This is what God meant and I am finally listening. So CITY GIRL Leigh, grab your boots because it is time to meet that COUNTRY GIRL in you (Of course, I need to get some cowboy boots first).
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