An Open Door

 

There have been many emotions swirling around these past few months as the possibility for change was laid before us.  It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least, as the “Maybe this or that’s”, and the “What if’s” became a prominent topic of conversation between my husband and I.  Life is about change.  A lesson I have grown to have a love/hate relationship with at times.  My personality thrives on structure and a schedule.  It has been this way as long as I can remember.  But I can also say as the years pass by, that I have learned to appreciate new things and experiences as well.

Change has been a prayer of ours for several years now.  Change of weather.  Change of environment.  Change of a career path.  All with some ideas of our own in mind, and yet other parts of it with effort to keep incomplete in the hands of our Father.  I very much believe that our Lord has a plan and purpose for all of His children.  But God’s word also says that He wants us to have dreams and make decisions in the context of our own free will as well.  (Of course there are boundaries in that- where we are expected to pray through life’s decisions and honor God in all we say and do.)  As we have lifted up these prayers for change, we always ended them with the request for God to “open a door” should He have a plan other than the one we were currently living.

My husband was recently offered an opportunity for change within his company, as modification and restructuring are common in the business world…. An Open Door.  With many prayers we have sought wisdom and asked for discernment from our Father, to show us His way for us in this opportunity for immense change.  A move across the country- almost as far as it can get.  Leaving a lifetime of familiar behind for my husband, who has known no other than to live in Arizona.  Almost the same for myself, as I too have lived most of my life here as well.  A sacrifice of time spent with family and friends as we have known it.  New job.  New schools.  New church.  New friends.  The list of “New’s” feels overwhelming!  Yet through it all, we have felt the hand of our Father and the peace that comes only from Him- as we are positive we are within the confines of His will for our lives.  He has gifted us with so many little signs along the way that have confirmed that this “open door” is from Him!

As we embark on this new journey, we are filled with so many different emotions!! But the continual peace we feel is allowing us to move forward with great excitement for the new journey that lies ahead for our family.  We look forward to discovering a new part of our Maker’s creation, experiencing 4 seasons for the first time, and learning to live a life we believe will be a lot slower paced in an area with a population that is miniscule in comparison to where we are now! Most importantly we are excited to live out the plans the Lord has for our family- that we know are for our good, and for His glory.

North Carolina- get ready for the Ayers family!!

With Love-    April

Jeremiah 29:11    “For I know the plans I have for you”,  declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”