I'm OK...I'm Just Waiting...

"I have been deprived of peace;
       I have forgotten what prosperity is.
So I say, "My splendor is gone
       and all that I had hoped from the LORD."

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
       the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
       and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind
       and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
       therefore I will wait for him."

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
       to the one who seeks him;

It is good to wait quietly
       for the salvation of the LORD."

Lamentations 3: 17-26 NIV (Italics, mine)

What happens when one who blogs on a daily basis  suddenly drops out of sight for a few months, then returns for a time or two, then disappears again with the exception of a few sporadic reposts?

Said blogger recieves many kind e-mail messages asking her if she is OK.

And then said blogger makes things worse by not responding...I know...Not. Cool.

Here is a snippet into my life right now...I write this snippet not to complain or to vent, but rather to explain the cause of my extended absence.

Since our ten years of marriage, The Professor and I have lived in:

• 10 different homes 
• 8 different cities
• 6 different states

The Professor has been employed in visiting positions in:

• 5 different colleges/universities
• 5 different cities
• 4 different states

Our daughter is six-years-old and she has lived in:

• 6 different homes
• 6 different cities
• 5 different states.

Our son is three-years-old and he has lived in:

• 4 different homes
• 4 different cities
• 4 different states
  

We move...A lot. And through each move we have learned quite a bit about:

• God's faithfulness and provision
• Commitment to marriage and family
• Our physical limitations
• Our emotional limitations
• The kindness of others
• Various cultures
• Creating, building and maintaining friendships
• The consequences of living above our means
• The struggle and joys that come with living within and below our means
• What we truly need
• How to start over...and then over...and then over again...repeat and rinse

There have also been many other valuable lessons along the way. In short, much good has come from the many moves. However, we also long for:

• Stability
• More time with the fabulous people we meet
• A break from the chaos and economic strains of annual moving
• More opportunities to serve the communities where we live
• A hiatus from rejection  

 When we moved to our current city less than ten-months ago, we felt as though we had finally landed in the spot where we would plant our roots and grow for at least a few years. Yet once again we are most likely facing another move to an unknown (to us) destination. That's another aspect of our moves... we rarely know where we will go next until a month or so before we have to move.

In December we learned that the position my husband had here would not turn into a tenure track job and that it would end in May (it has ended). Currently he and I are both on the job market. There is a slight chance we could stay here for another year or so, but it is looking more likely that we will move to either the Washington DC area or to a capital in a state where we have friends and family close by.

Right now there are many unanswered questions and I feel as though I have various full-time jobs. I am:

• A Mother
• Responsible for running my household
• A PTO volunteer
• Conducting a multi-state job search
• Trying to establish an on-line presence, which is vital for my line of work (Public Relations, Writing,Social Media)
• Preparing for a massive yard sale and probable relocation

Again, I write all this just to share my heart and to explain what is going on in my life. I am quite aware of my many blessings and my heart is full of joy...but I am also learning that joy and sadness can mingle...it does not mean that I am a weak or pathetic Christian because my heart is breaking...it means that I know I need comfort that comes only from my Saviour.


Without a doubt I am confident that God will make this good. I am convinced that these experiences will draw me and my family closer to Him. And I am certain that my Father knows best and that His best will prevail.

Am I feeling overwhelmed and frazzled?
Yes

Weary?
You bet

Slightly irritated with the situation?

AB. SO. LOOT. LEE!


Hopeless? 
Not. A. Chance.


Thank you so very much for your love and concerned and for your willingness to keep stopping by this blog even though I rarely have something new to share. Please know that I am OK, but would appreciate your prayers.
I will keep you posted.


Cradled in His Palm,

Angela

This song by John Waller, "While I am Waiting" fills me with gratitude, hope and love.