Moving always brings weird emotions. You’re excited about what’s ahead, but melancholy about what you’re leaving behind. Change is strange.
I’m going to miss our little life here. Our tiny apartment where our family began. The easy walk to everywhere – work, church, the store, the pharmacy, transit, the park. The nostalgia down at the hospital complex where Bun was born and our life changed forever in the best.way.literally.possible. Gluten-free donuts. The familiarity and knowledge of our neighborhood, where the good coffee shop is, the three places I can eat, which paths get you to the zoo the fastest, the skyline and the sunset behind the skyscrapers. The roadmap of the grocery stored. The street noise – sentimental, yeah, but it’s been the background track of my life for a long time.
I’m going to miss our church family, dearly. It’s incredibly comforting to have a place where you know just about everybody. You know where the classrooms are for Sunday School, and you know all the teachers. You know where “your spot” is (yes, we are those people), and you know what to expect and who is preaching and their teaching style and all the songs are familiar and…ultimately, it feels like home. Because you are loved there.
I’m really going to miss being at work. The office was my dream job, honestly, out of college. I love what I do. And it’s only gotten better the longer I’ve been there. I love the team now, and I have so much experience. It feels like home too.
My routines have shifted tremendously, so I’m not there as much, and my new colleague is taking over the bulk of my stuff. I’m feeling a little redundant at the moment, which makes me sad, and seeing how the tide is rolling on without me makes me feel melancholy, like I got off at my station and everyone keeps going. But I’m so happy, too, and relieved to have a wonderful replacement for my position as well as seeing the mission keep going onward for the Lord. A weird mix.
Moving from this place marks the end of a beautiful chapter in my life. A season that lasted surprisingly long, yet I can see why. God has used this city, this geographical location, these trees and cement and sirens and people to create in me something good. I can confidently say that He has used this place to make me more like Him, and to change me for the better. I have
a deeper heart for the lost, for the nations, and the Gospel
a greater love for the local church
more compassion for those in need
a more grounded, sharpened theology and understanding of the Word
a deeper, truer sense of my own sin
more dependence on Jesus and love for Him
more faithfulness in and burden for prayer
greater acceptance of the Lord’s sovereignty
more conviction about who He is and how that actually affects my life
a deeper understanding of what it means to be a godly wife, mom, sister, friend, employee, neighbor, and citizen
Plus all the skills and experiences I’ve gathered along the way. But the ones above are most important (although let me boast about my words-per-minute here, just for a sec!)
I will miss this place. The Lord is faithful. And He is always good.
