A lot is going on in my world right now. We are in the process of moving from Louisiana back to Albuquerque, NM, where my husband and I grew up and married. There are a few other minor events going on: waiting to sell one house, trying to buy another, wrapping up my boys’ school year, and, in a few days, receiving my first edits. No pressure!
Dan and I have always loved our hometown, but realistically never thought there would be the opportunity to go back. Until now. He’s been asked to start a new Presbyterian church. From scratch. (That means the four of us, to begin with).
And another thing: we need to come up with half the money to sustain a little church for three years.
We’ve put offers on two lovely houses, only to be turned down. In this market, sellers are cautious when it comes to buyers who haven’t yet sold their own homes.
In some ways, this process is terrifying. We’ve stepped out onto the edge of a cliff, trusting a safety net to be there when we jump, when we return to this beauty:
Albuquerque is nestled between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande (Sandia is Spanish for watermelon; the mountains glow pink at sunset).
Albuquerque is tamales, dirt, turquoise skies,
adobe, high desert, road runner country,
scientists, the homeless, artists, skeptics,
Hispanics, Native Americans, Anglos.
I understand this city down to my bones, and it understands me.
Like my decision to walk away from teaching (without a book contract or even an agent), our decision might strike some as odd, some as foolhardy. But Dan and I are convinced this is exactly what we need to be doing and exactly where we need to be.
Vivian at HipWriterMama posted a wonderful clip about failure and success. It ended with this simple phrase: risk = life
In the weeks and months ahead, I will try to keep to a regular posting schedule, though I’m sure there will be breaks (anyone who’s moved across country will two little boys will know why!).
For those of you interested in hearing more about this adventure, please stop by my husband’s blog, The Duke City Project.
What risks have you taken in your life journey?
Good luck with your adventure, because that’s what it is. It’s always hard juggling selling & buying a house, but even more so with this economy. You’re right, sometimes you have to take a risk to get what you really want. Good for you for doing it. Don’t feel bad when you don’t have time to post while you’re going through all this. We’re your friends and we understand.
Sometimes the best rewards are when you take the biggest risks.
All the best to you and your family, and continued success in your writing career. Going “home” can only mean good things.
It’s amazing to me you even have time to post at all! Wow. So happy you are moving to where you feel you should be. It can be hard to hear ourselves over the din of life. You a bold warrior woman.
Caroline, you do have many changes ahead but remember that change can move us to greater things. It will all work out.
I have had to take a few risks in the past. My husband and I decided to move our three little ones back to our home town at the same time he was asked to start a new business. Our older home didn’t sell for two years and we ended up having a nightmare tenant. Ugh.
But, it eventually all worked out and we are better for it today.
Best of luck with the house sales and the edits. Don’t forget to take a breather and care for yourself.
Wow, that is risky! I wish you the best. If God wants it, then everything’s going to be just fine. 🙂 Looks like a beautiful place to live!
I’m probably not the riskiest person. I can’t even think of something recent that I’ve done, other than tubing down an alligator-inhabited river. 🙂
good luck to you and your family as your enter into this new phase of your lives! i’m sure everything will end up lovely.
🙂
Good Luck! And that is an amazing leap. Good job living!
WOW–I attend a PCA church plant, too! We’re in year 4 and getting closer to being self-sustaining. I’ll be praying that the pieces fall into place for you all to get started in your new work.
Exciting times ahead!
Despite some of the uncertainty, it sounds like a wonderful adventure! Going home is ALWAYS a good thing. I’ll be praying for your move, your husband’s church, and your edits! 🙂
Good question.I think I’m about to take one very soon. Good luck to you:)
Wow, it sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate!
Hope you find a house that you love enough to make into a home. Good luck.
Good for you, Caroline! This reminds me of something right out of the Experiencing God study. Stepping out a limb and watching him provide for you. We were in a similar boat a year ago when we moved back to my husband’s hometown from China. It was amazing how everything worked out.
Blessings on you! Nobody will blame you if you don’t blog regularly. 🙂
Amy
Sounds exciting!! And those pictures are beautiful! I hear NM is a very inspiring state… 😀
I really relate to what you’re going through. It reminds me of a saying by one of my favorite artist/poets. Brian Andreas does these little poems with funky paintings and one of them says:
“There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other’s cooking & say it was good.”
Best luck for all that’s up in the air! I’m sure it will all work out in wonderful, surprising ways.
http://www.storypeople.com/storypeople/WebStory.do?action=Show&storyID=1441
I totally commend you for embarking on this adventure. I hope it works out just as wonderfully as your leap of faith into writing did 🙂
From one Presbyterian pastor’s wife to another, I’ll be praying that all goes well and that the Lord blesses this step of faith.
WOW! You are a brave woman. And I’m excited that you’ll be closer. I’ll be ALB a lot this summer!
I have a feeling God will take care of you four and your new adventure.
My biggest risks were: going off to college in a town where I didn’t know a soul, getting married to my husband at an age I thought was too young (22), and quitting a PhD project to pursue this writing dream. So far two of the three have been the right choice. :o)
Good luck on your move!
I did a similar thing, making a huge move to the midwest. It was very scary, and very worth it!
一時的錯誤不算什麼，錯而不改才是一生中永遠且最大的錯誤...............................................................
All the best with your adventures!
I risked facing my parents over an abusive passed. The risk of showing up in life and doing what is right for you is ALWAYS worth it. 🙂
Great presentations!!!
I applaud your willingness to follow your heart and take chances. We moved our whole family (four young kids) to Germany once and stayed for two years, and then about five years later another trek to Boston area that only lasted 1year. Both adventures were something we’ll never forget and never regret and doors in Germany still open up for us even over a decade later.
All the best and blessings to you and your family as you church plant.
We moved back to my home town about 5 years ago. It has been wonderful. I am excited for you. I hope this new adventure goes well for you and your family.
We’re actually taking a risk by staying where we are at the moment. We moved back to my hometown almost seven years ago. The economy is horrible here, but we love our community and don’t want to move.
The scariest risk I ever took was getting married, but I’m so very glad that I did.
Good luck with everything, especially your move.
I think it’s fantastic that you’re taking such a huge leap of faith! How else should we live our lives, you know?
I think it’s important to do what you love and love what you do — I really wish you all the best and Albuquerque is beautiful — I only spent one night there, but it’s definitely somewhere I wouldn’t mind living.