When I started this blog, my goal was to blog once a week. My hope is that I can be a weekly resource for you as you grow your influence and potential as a leader.
Over the last couple of weeks you may have noticed I have been silent. For that I am sorry.
Recently I shared about my family’s Unexpected Detour. As we have been planning our move to Portland, OR, things have taken a few extra turns.
Over the past several weeks I have dealt with a whirlwind of emotions ranging from excitement to somewhat depressing. The knowledge of living apart from my family for an extended amount of time has been an emotional roller coaster.
Here is where we are at:
On Tuesday I said goodbye to my wife and kids in Toronto as they boarded their flight to Portland, OR.
Our youngest Jace was sick that day. He threw up in the car on the way to the airport and on the plane (multiple times) while sitting on Laurie’s lap. Laurie had to handle traveling with both children by herself, with a layover in between Toronto and Portland. Anyone who has travelled with children knows this is no easy feat!
They arrived safely late Tuesday night.
On Wednesday our daughter Jaslyn was sick with the same stomach bug Jace had the day before. After my wife stayed up all night tending to Jaslyn as she was sick every half hour, the next day Laurie also became sick. Not the best 3 days I would say!
After saying goodbye to them on Tuesday I packed up our apartment in Toronto.
On Thursday I woke up with the same stomach bug (I guess we shared one last thing before we said good bye).
That was the same day the shipping container was packed. We finally got it packed and ready to be shipped.
On Saturday I held a garage sale to get rid of everything that didn’t fit in the shipping container.
Needless to say, it’s been a long week. We were all sick during this transition time (Thankfully we are all feeling better now!) My wife and kids moved across the continent. We packed up all our earthly belongings (selling or giving away at least half).
Through all of this, I am continually reminded of my need for community. We couldn’t do this without our family and those from our church community.
I have to continue to remind myself that I will see my family again. I’ll get to kiss my wife, hold my son and hug my daughter. I have to remind myself that this is only temporary.
You don’t always get to choose your adventure or how your story unfolds. Sometimes you make a decision and the process takes you to places you never thought possible.
When I married my wife, we knew we would live an adventure, only as we have lived life together has that adventure taken shape.
This time in our lives is just a chapter of the book that we call our story.
Our challenge is to make every moment count. We can’t always choose the circumstances, but we can choose how we allow them to mold us.
Here is to another day, living the story of your life!
