In a huge turn of events in our lives we're moving 1,500 miles east to the great state of North Carolina. God has done amazing things and opened doors our family has only ever dreamed. We have been amazed by the huge outpouring of support and encouragement as we have taken this new direction in our lives. This is a massive undertaking for us as we leave all of our family and pioneer our way into new territory. We fell in love as we vacationed there two years ago, mountains and ocean, within easy reach. Opportunity abounds that does not exist where we are. Income is stifled and we have found it impossible to make any progress here. Our hearts long...they ache....for rain, ocean, mountains, fertile pastures, a better income, all 4 seasons, and relationships for both Brad and myself and all of our children. A move was on the someday list. I think we both just woke up oneday and realized how short life is. The children are only little for so long. The time we have left with Grayson under our roof is short. And we desperately need to make the most of what we have left and pursue the dream. So, we began to pray and we began knocking on doors. As we knocked, one by one, they begin to be thrown open in ways we never imagined possible.
This move consists of us selling out...everything we have ever acquired, minus the children's beds and clothes. I look back over the course of the last few months and am amazed by the preparatory work God was doing in our lives, so unknowingly to us, as we have paired down on absolutely everything that does not serve a purpose in our lives. It has made the move easy...or easier....and the burden light.
So, we go to a better income and a farmer's market that overflows with the abundance of the land....strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, mangoes, pecans, raw honey and plants that actually grow. Wild dogwoods, crepe myrtles, cherry trees, rivers that run, and lakes that are filled. Pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall, trees that turn every shade of autumn, snow that falls in the winter, springs that burst with life and summers that are filled with swimming and beaches and hiking into wooded forests boasting waterfalls. Thunderstorms that pour forth rain, thunder that rolls across skies, and lighteneing that rivals the most extravagant 4th of July celebrations.
We go to relationships that flourish, children whose hearts ache to be near closest friends, and a church where drumming husband can play. We go to a job where the government will not determine what your maximum income will be and husband will be encouraged as the provider of our home. He can crossfit and jiu jitsu and be fulfilled in areas that his heart has longed for.
We are not naive enough to think the transition will be flawless or without it's share of bumps. And we are fully aware it will take sacrifice and work on both of our parts but the end result is worth it all. It truly is about living the dream and being blessed. "Every man dies but not every man lives." We want to use these years with our children and live and experience all of life....because we only have so long. So, we prayed and we knocked and we are moving forward with abundant blessings being poured out upon our family. There is excitement unlike ever before and we wait with anticipation to see what the Lord has planned for our family. Moving date is set for Oct 1st but could be as soon as mid September.
"There is more to your life than you ever imagined. There is more to your story than what you have read." Max Lucado
16 comments:
How very exciting! You sound like you are ready to leave Texas!
Nikki,
When I get home from work, I often like to sit in my recliner, get my laptop & read encouraging words. So I read your blog to see what the Lord is doing in your family.
I am so excited for you & I hope your move goes smoothly.
Right away my main thought was of your free spirited one. I think you will see her blossom like never before in your new place. She just tugs at my heart even though I have never met her & it is not likely I ever will. But, like Grandmas everywhere, I can pray for her & that she realizes God's best in her life.
I LOVE the very obvious love you & your husband have for each other and all of your children. That in itself is a ministry to others.
I join many others in praying blessings for you & yours :)
Welcome to our home!! Or I should say our second home. Oh I'm so excited for y'all, you're just going to love it here. All of you. What area are you moving to? Mountains, Beach, or somewhere in between? I've lived all over the state, there are few places that I didn't enjoy. I can't wait to read of your upcoming family adventures, and please, let me know if you need any information I can assist with regarding the local area. Blessings and lots and lots of prayers for all of you!!
I live in South Carolina and absolutely love it. I am so happy for your family as you relocate to the Carolinas, and I assure you that they are an incredible place to live and raise a family. I could not have had a better childhood! There are fantastic education co-ops and places of higher education (colleges, universities, and trade schools) with excellent scholarship programs.
MAy God continue to bless you,
Brookie
I think you are so brave! It must be so exciting to move to a place that is so very different in climate! It sounds like you already know people there, that is great for you. Best wishes for a smooth move:)
Welcome to NC....we love it here ! We're in the Monroe area and would love to meet you sometime. Will be praying for you in the upcoming days and hope the move goes as smoothly as possible.
Marie
Oh my goodness Nikki! How exciting! We just did the very same thing in June :) from Oregon. We are buying a house mid sept in Havelock, NC. Will you be anywhere near us? NC was a big transition for us because there is pretty much no humidity in OR- just rain. But I am positive you will love it. We haven't been to the mountains yet, but have been eating up the beach and warm water. As the Lord wills, it would be awesome to meet your family. Hope you are feeling better.. can't wait to hear more updates! :)
A blogger friend;)
I have mapquested those of you there and all are within a reasonable meeting distance! Texas takes days to get from one side to the other so little day trips in NC are completely possible. I will miss no humidity. We moved from the DFW area 5 years ago, which usually has quite a bit of humidity. Located in west Texas now, there is usually around 0% humidity at all times throughout the year. So, NC will be a definite change in that regard.
We'll be somewhere on the outskirts of Raleigh. We've looked in Wendell, Sanford, Smithfield, and all of the smaller towns around that area, as neither of us want to locate to the center of Raleigh. We will be renting for a long while so have looked for a place to spread out a little, with at least an acre. House will probably be smaller but as long as the children have outdoor room we can make it work, as they live outside most of the time. We live in a 3 bdrm/3 bath 1800 sq ft home now on 3 acres. Giving up very small rural town life will be very different, as our tiny town has a pop of 220, and the bigger one 40 miles away only has a pop of 90,000. But, we're excited about the change and, though it may be uncomfortable for awhile as we get used to a city again and somewhere so far away from home, we know that we cannot make progress until we sacrifice also. Eventually we hope to be able to build on some acreage in NC.
We moved 3 hrs away from all family 5 years ago so are used to family still being somewhat accessible, but not 2 days and 2 nights away. My mom moved down here a year ago to be near us. It's been emotional to leave her in Texas. It is our hope she can eventually transition into life up there with us. Brad was raised in southeastern New Mexico and I was born and raised in Texas. But there is hope that exists in NC that does not exist here anymore. It is an act of courage in every way for us, as husband will be completely leaving the only profession he has ever known and taking on something very new to us. We are excited. The amazing things the Lord has done on our behalf, and continues to do, to get us there confirm to the heart we are doing the right thing. It's been an emotional experience to leave familiarity and all family, but both huband and I love exploring and embracing a challenge. We embrace change and are forever in love with the new.
We have very close friends up there...a friend that has become closer than a sister that attended the birth of our little twins. She is due with her 10th 5 days before I am due. Our children are the same ages and have become like cousins....or siblings! This move is a good thing...despite all we are leaving behind.
Nikki how awesome so happy for you and your wonderful family!!!! We are also thinking and planning a move ourselves. we live in P.A. not much to do around here. We are so ready for a move we had picked three areas of interest texas south carolina and north carolina. As I read your post on facebook and your blog we already took texas off the list it was already a toss up because of the taxes alone would put us under!!! so the carolinas is where we are planning to start over with life and live just a simple happy life soo over the moon happy for you all!!!!
Spoken so true Nikki :) You will face all kinds of challenges but your family will grow even closer in the process. We have only lived here 3 months and I can see the fruit in our lives. (Not that I have been perfectly happy in the process!) How awesome you do have a friend you are close too in the area. My husband is in a new line of work also, but it has been emotional healthy for him. I pray your adjustment goes smooth as you prepare for all the traveling details and new life ahead! I will be thinking of you. It would be perfect if you head to the beach to meet up. We live only 30 minutes from Atlantic Beach/Fort Macon.. not that you are thinking/planning such things right now! :) OK, I have said a enough! Blessings to you and your lovely family!
If you are on Facebook soon, please add me has a friend :) (JuRita Buckout.) I obviously can't search for you because I don't know your last name. :)
I'd love to stay connected this way too.. not that that use it a ton.;)
I am from Texas and am currently living in South Carolina. We love the trees and green areas. We just got back from a vacation in Bryson City, NC and the scenery and activities were great. Good luck on your move.
Wishing you the very best in your new home. Come tell the rest of FoM what you're up to - we miss you!
I am so EXCITED!!!!! WAHOO!!! We live near Asheville. If ever you come to Lake Lure/ Chimney Rock, you have to visit our church, BatCave Baptist! We have LOTS of homeschooling families, and several "large" families. We have six ourselves, and another family has 8, Brad can "guest drum" lol!!! Our church is a smaller church, we just have many kids:)
You will love NC, but better to get the idea of kids being outside year round out of your head now, Raleigh DOES get cold, and it does snow:)
Awww. How exciting! this is great news. Also, congrats on that little beating heart!
Nikki, I know you through TS and had followed you somewhat regularly, I thought, except that I missed your pregnancy and big move. I'm in ENC (Greenville, to be exact) but I have friends and family in Raleigh, Sanford, Fuquay-Varina, Cary, and other 'burbs. I might be able to help your move if you let me know what you're looking for. I have a very dear friend in Sanford who owns several properties, but I don't know the specifics of size or acreage. I'll find out. Email me at stephaniewphillips at gmail dot come. Or facebook me, Stephanie Phillips, Greenville is my location (and twins are my photo). Exciting news!
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