When Isaac and I were nearing the end of our orders to Virginia Beach, it became very apparent that we had no plan. Well, we had a plan, but as plans tend to do, it fell apart. Let me explain.
Since I was 12, I dreamed of studying and forecasting the weather. At 24 I lived that dream. By 28 when my orders were coming to a close the only path ahead in that career was clear: attend the Naval Post Graduate school, earn a Masters in Meteorology and Oceanography and before you know it I would have served 12 years and might as well work until retirement. Not only would my degree be in the field I loved, I would get to do it in beautiful Monterey, California. Another dream come true.
But with all things in the Navy, that sweet deal came at a high price. It would cost me a 3 year commitment after graduating with a 99% chance of deploying on a sea tour. A fork in the road. We knew we were ready to start a family, and tons of people had their babies in Monterey however, I didn't want to have a baby and then a year and a half later leave on sea duty. (aka 9 month deployment and over a year of in and out to sea resulting in Isaac becoming a single parent.)
I chose to turn in my resignation as well and start the new dream. Mom.
So there we were, in our late 20's, owning a home and searching for jobs while trying to get pregnant. Isaac had a great job lined up in Nashville. He was supposed to come down for a walk through in late May while he was transitioning out of the Navy...that was postponed. And then it was postponed again. We realized this postponing might never end so Isaac told them thanks, but he was going to start looking elsewhere. About 2 weeks before I said goodbye to my Chief, he walked in and said, "wow. You are really doing this aren't you?" "Doing what?" "Leaving everything. Where are you going to live?" "I don't know." "What are you going to do for a job?" "I don't know, we'll figure it out." "So what is your plan?" "God will take care of it. I know it." "See, there, I am just amazed, you are really doing this! I don't think I ever had the guts nor will I."
I never once thought what we were doing was brave. Crazy, yes. Brave? no. But I also knew that I was letting go of everything that I once thought was the life for me. I found myself belting out the lyrics to my favorite song, "I'm letting go" every day on my way home. Haven't heard it? Here is the chorus:
I'm letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
So I'm letting go
On June 30th I said goodbye to all of my coworkers, packed up my office and headed home. A month later I was officially out of the Navy and the only job I had known in my adult life.
And then, there was the test. The best test I had ever taken up to that point in my life. The test that told us that 3 days after our final pay check, we were going to be parents. Isaac and I enjoyed the following weeks more than many in our lives. We had no job. We had no plan. I do not advise this to everyone, but if you find yourself at a crossroads and know you are supposed to turn instead of keep going straight, TURN!! Turn and don't look back. When your soul finds peace that baffles others, know that is what Paul means when he writes of the "Peace that surpasses all understanding." (paraphrased, Philippians 4:7)
2 weeks later we found ourselves in Cincinnati and Isaac accepting a job offer with a great company. We made the decision that I would not work during the months leading to our baby boy arriving and settled into our new home. Our Lord provided more to us in Cincinnati than I ever thought possible. I also found myself saying something I have since repeated several times, "well, I never thought I would live in (fill in the blank) but it has been a wonderful experience and I don't want to leave."
Everything wasn't smooth after that, but we have always been able to look back to the summer of 2010 and know that our God provided for us. He loves us. He will always take care of His children as long as we trust, believe and follow Him.
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