august goals

We have some BIG news in our little family- something that I have been dreaming about for a few years, that is finally happening (no, not a baby yet).  Seth and I have decided after months of planning, talking, praying, and dreaming, that it is finally time for us to move back to our home state of PA!!!

I accepted a position at a small hospital last week and we are making our grand move in about a month, give or take a few days. 

Since officially accepting the job offer last week, telling my boss here, and getting some specifics on the calendar, my mind is racing with the "what-ifs", both good and bad, and the fears that come with such a major life decision.  And honestly, I can barely wrap my head around the idea still, let alone write anything that makes much sense.

So, what I want to do tonight, besides enjoying a quiet empty house to myself, is write a few goals for the next month, my one remaining month in Winston, and my last four weeks at my job.  

1.  Be present- take one day at a time and don't continually think about what I have to do next. (I bought a planner so I could make sure to keep all my ducks in a row).

2.  I can't express the emotion I feel when I imagine leaving the people here. Relationships and community here are the greatest gift we have had and I don't want to waste my last month being stressed and not present in my relationships. I want to savor every morsel of time spent with these amazing friends.

3.  Plan 1 day off with no packing and no plans- just to spend it how I spent life before we were planning such a huge life changing experience (i.e. putz around the house in my pajamas til noon, doing something crafty while catching up on my latest Netflix show, take the dogs to the park, etc.)

4. Continue making reading a priority.  One of my goals this year is to read 1 book/month for fun.  I am in book #7 in the 8th month, which is ok, because I think I may have a good habit going here!

5. Seth.  My marriage.  In times like these it is so easy to be business only. "Hey, did you call so-and-so?", "Did that bill get paid?", "Should we really pack this?", etc.  This "business mode" is what Seth and I drown in and before we know it a week goes by and we haven't had any creative, thought-provoking conversation or connection.  In a transition like this, we are going to NEED one another and each others support. With that said, I'd like to make a point to do something everyday that is giving to our marriage, however small it may be.  

6.  Lastly, I believe that we are moving to a place that we have been called to.  Something in my gut is saying that this is right and there is a peace within me when I listen to that voice.  So, my goal is remember that over this next month when my anxiety runs off the charts, I want to remember to listen to this inner voice that is telling me this is right.  I believe God is that voice, and I will choose to listen. 

Well, that may be waaaaay too ambitious, but hopefully this list will be a good list to come back to in those times when I need a little grounding.

And if anyone has any words of encouragement or advice about moving inter-state, I would be more than happy to hear it.