So...we're gonna be TEXANS! At this point I guess you could call us world travelers.
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Here is a bit of transparency for you...California has been terrible to us. It's crazy to think that we have basically lived here our entire marriage...all but one year. California isn't the easiest state to live in that's for sure...especially when you are from the Midwest. In the almost 4 years that Nick and I have lived here we have lived in 5 different homes and 5 different towns. We have both had 4 different jobs...this doesn't include the woodworking and VIPKID that we would do on the side. The both of us had to do what we had to do to make ends meet. In our last blog posts we have shared some struggles and have kept you guys in the loop through social media, texts and phone calls BUT California has brought heartache, non-genuine friendships, a struggling bank account, family health issues, spiritual battles, emotional struggles, mental and physical breakdowns..the list goes on.
Now don't get us wrong it hasn't been all bad. The connections we have been able to make with friends has been amazing. This place has opened our eyes into what genuine people really look like. Nick has discovered many things about himself like, his love for woodworking, love for smoking/grilling...he has been able to discover hisself more. It has helped us both realize what freedom feels like...freedom from religion and truly understand what a relationship looks like rather than what religion looks like. Nick and I are less judgmental, more open minded, more receptive of all cultures and individualities.
So I guess I should say California has been 70% terrible.
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The past year and a half...
We have been working for an Academy for youth in the foster system...at first things were AMAZING. It was a breath of fresh air for Nick and myself. We love what we do! Nick and I work with 6-8 students in a home as houseparents... kind of like our last place..but this place is so much better. Nick and I felt a shift at the home...no need to go into too much detail here...but it was getting worse. As many know our brother in law battled many health problems this past year. We are so thankful that we were here for him and Kendra's sister. Thankfully we all work for the same academy and could be there for them when needed. Those months were difficult! Not only was that hard to go through but there were many things taking place at the academy. The lack of vision really started to play into Nick and I looking for another place to serve. So we started looking other places...at the same time our brother-in-law (Al) and Kendra's sister Brittany started looking for other places to serve. All four of us knew that this decision could take us away from each other. This was scary to us but we all knew that we needed to pursue it for ourself. We needed something more...we all felt stuck. Things weren't changing for the better at the academy. In Kendra's words...we are fighting a battle that can't be won and the sad thing is there shouldn't even be a battle because we should all be on the same team.
We all decided that we would put in our resume at a children's home in TX. Well through a number of phone calls they discovered that the four of us were related. The decision was made by the children's home that they wanted to bring all four of us out for an interview. This interview took place in February. It was AMAZING...we ALL felt valued, needed, loved...the children's home was so great...the staff, the kids...everything about it! I wish I had time to share everything here about it...or that you could hear it first hand from me how amazing this place is. The best part...its a faith based home...something we have missed. We have missed community, a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. We aren't even there yet and we feel all of these!
During the interview there we were all nervous...because Al still needed to have one more surgery done...and it was probably going to happen in May or June...that was 4 months away from when we interviewed. We all thought there would be no way that they would wait for us. Amazingly enough...they were willing to wait...whats even better... they offered us the job while we were there. God is so good..he loves us so much and is gifting us with this amazing opportunity... all FOUR of us. The four of us aren't ones that HAVE to be together...like I said...we pursued other places...knowing that it could take us a part... Obviously God thinks that we are better together.
So on June 5th the four of us...along with Kendra's mom and her new husband Bill (they are helping us move) will head out for our next chapter in Amarillo, TX. The children's home is called Cal Farley's Boys Ranch.
Nick and I are going to desperately miss our girls and the students on our campus. We ask that you please pray for us...and for them during this time of transition.
As always thanks for keeping up with us!
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