Winds of Change

It's been a few months since I last wrote. What else is new, right? I think some things will never change. ;o)

Well, since I last wrote, I feel like so much has changed. I used to write you from the warmth of southern Utah, but one month ago today, we left Utah for North Dakota. NORTH DAKOTA!?!?!?! You might ask with a stunned high screech to your voice? Yes...you heard me right. North Dakota.

I know Josh Duhamel, the actor and of course husband to Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie, is from here, but other than that, and I apologize to anyone who may have grown-up or lived or still lives in North Dakota for what I'm about to say, but I truly never really thought of North Dakota.

I knew it was part of the United States of America. I knew it was above South Dakota. But honestly, having driven through the dreaded long roads of Nebraska and Wyoming, more times than I care to admit, I just never thought to think above those state lines. It never in my wildest dreams occurred to me that I could actually live here. And to top it off, we aren't that far from Canada! I hate cold weather! But here we are. The scary thing about it all, is that I'm actually growing to like it here! Quick! Someone take my temperature! I swear I'm getting sick! Sick in the head, right? ;o)

So, why are we here? My dear husband was able to get a really great job here. It was not planned, nor even thought about. He saw an ad for a job online one day and after some heavy duty praying, POOF! Six weeks later we moved and have been here about a month.

Don't even get me started on the actual move. That's a whole other story that I won't get into. Let's just say, from all the moves I've ever made, and I've made A LOT, this was one of the most adventurous and stressful moves I think I have ever experienced. I guess that's one thing about our family...we always have some interesting adventures in our lives! ;o)

I titled this entry "Winds of Change". That phrase has been on my mind forever. Sometimes there is a calm breeze that feels so relaxing, especially in the hot sun. Then there can be a cooler breeze that blows around the fallen leaves. Sometimes the wind gusts can get pretty high and you can barely hang on to your umbrella or your coat. Then of course there are hurricane force winds or tornadoes that rip through everything in its paths and nothing is ever the same again. You can rebuild, but nothing will ever be the way it once was.

To me, that is life. I've had my fair share of  joys and trials throughout my life. As well as many changes and this move is no exception. In a way, this move was kind of like the calm before the storm. Everything was going well. Not perfect, but we were living our lives as usual. The week before we found out about John's job, we had just talked about how we weren't moving and how good it felt and then out of the blue, everything changed. And with that change came an array of emotions.

Excitement because we knew it was right. We knew we were being blessed with a good job. Sadness because we were leaving many friends and the comfort zone we created. Apprehension because of the unknown. As well as many other emotions. Not to mention the emotions we experienced once we got here. John had already been here over a month before the rest of us came, so he was familiar with everything, but the kids and I weren't. We worked through all that and although we are still adjusting, I'm happy to report that all is well.

Winds of change, you just never know when they will come. Whether it's a new job and a new location; a death in the family or a new baby born; a marriage or even just growing up...over time, you learn to expect the unexpected. Plans change. People change. Life happens. Some changes can be good. Some bad. Some sad. You never know.

I just know from my experience, that how you react to change can greatly affect your life. In some situations, certain emotions are completely understandable and expected, but my hope is that our overall reactions to things will be good. That our hearts can be lightened and the beauty of our surroundings evident. That we'll be able to see things through clearer eyes. That whatever winds of change are hoped for, that the possibilities might be endless.

Love Always,
Cheryl