Goodbye Colorado

WE ARE MOVING BACK TO CALIFORNIA!

This was not an easy decision. This time last year we talked about moving back because we felt like things were not working out the way we thought. We decided to give it more time and see if Patrick could pursue his career as a Firefighter in Colorado. After applying for 3 Fire Departments and not making it to the oral interviews we started to think maybe our time here is done. Maybe our purpose for being here has been served. Doors have been closing and opportunities have been shutting down. When we looked at the options for Patrick to pursue Fire in California, things looked a little better. The main problem is Patrick being at a job that pays what we need and is flexible with his schedule to allow him to go to Paramedic school. We thought the job he is at now would provide that for us but, it's not. After talking to Patricks old manager at In N Out, he can have his job back and work his way back into management and they will accommodate his schedule allowing him to go to Paramedic school. Not to mention, I can go back to do hair for the wedding industry and also bring in some income for our family.

Aside from the career/job/income struggles, we have had a REALLY hard time creating a community out in Colorado and making connections. I mean, anywhere we go it will be hard to really dive into a community with a husband who works 60-70 hours a week and a stay at home mom with 2 little ones and only having 1 car. We have tried multiple churches and have not found one that we feel like we really fit into. We became disappointed with the Church we were going to and were small group leaders with because the community of the church was not what we expected. The church announced that they were in need to Small Group Leaders so we offered. The process to become leaders was no more then an email asking what type of group we wanted to lead and them saying okay, we will let you know if anyone signs up........ That was a big deal for us! To not have ANY kind of conversation with the Pastors for them to get to know us and see if we are a right fit for the church was a red flag to us. We don't believe that a church should say "Okay, your willing, your leaders". The next red flag is the accountability as leaders. Its been almost 3 months since Small Groups started and no one reached out to us asking if we wanted to join another small group in the mean time that way we still had that community around us. There were a few other small things as well, but the big things are what really discouraged us from continuing to serve with the Church.

We need community around us and we need men and women to walk beside us in life. Doing life with people you care about and love and trust makes all the difference. We could have a great job offer out here that pays great and puts Patrick on the track to becoming a Firefighter, but that does nothing for our walk with God if we don't have community around us. To us, life isn't all about making money and doing what you love to do. It's also about doing life with others to encourage and strengthen each other. We know that we have a community waiting to welcome us back with big open arms and a solid foundation to plant our feet.

I love being out here with my parents. The daily life of going to the grocery store, getting our nails done, going to church together cooking meals together and having bbq's.. the list goes on. Its what I craved for YEARS. I love that we have had this experience out here with them and had a chance to grow a closer realationship with them. They have been a HUGE part of our healing. I know for me being able to have my mom literally in the same house as I struggled with how to handle being a stay at home mom with a newborn and toddler was all that I needed in that moment. For her to encourage me, guide me, cry with me, comfort me and sharpen me as a woman of God. Now that I am able to stand on my own two feet, it's time to be the mother to my kids that my mother is to me. To teach them that life is about experiences and exploring. Don't give up on something because it is hard and don't ever stop striving to learn and grow. This is the hardest part about leaving Colorado. I am confident that the seeds my mom planted in me will grow and come to fruition wherever I go in life. The seeds she planted into my children since we have been here will continue to be planted by her wether we live 2 miles away or 1,500 miles away. The things we have learned from being here with my parents will NEVER leave us. It has grown us to be stronger and wiser.

Our new adventure begins today as we turn in the paper giving our apartment complex a 60 day notice that we are moving. As of June 1st we will be residents of California again. A place we call home. Yesterday morning in the middle of worship I felt God telling me, "You are free to to. Go home. Your purpose here has been served." That was what I needed to know that it was time for us to leave.

Excuse me will I ball my eyes out grieving the fact that I am leaving my parents to go back home to California.