Storms

Texas weather is crazy!

Ok, but seriously...CRAZY!

Last night we had a mega storm roll through. Living in SoCal my entire life, I now feel that I have been very sheltered to say the least. Sunny, warm, and almost always 80. Occasional Santa Ana winds, and very rarely wet stuff fell from the sky.

Now to Texas. Yesterday started off as a warm and windy in the high 80's. Ok, kinda like home, just more humid. I can handle that. But all day yesterday, the weather forecast told us the storm was coming. The tornado warnings had been issued. The hail warning, flood warning, and high wind warnings were all in the forecast. And then we waited. ALL DAY I waited. 

I must say the weather man do a great job at telling you where the storm is, and when it is going to hit. Finally about 10:00 last night the winds really kicked up and the rain came. Thankfully we didn't get a tornado, but we did have really high winds and rain. The thunder and lighting is a different story. Like you will see it, with your eyes closed, sleeping, curtains closed, see the bolts in your eye lids. I have never experienced anything like this before. And neither have the kids. Everyone was up last night. I am quite certain that one bolt stuck close, maybe even the water tower last night. To put it in perspective, the news reported 2,000 lighting strikes. 

One thing that is very different from the storms out here verses home, the Texas storms literally blow through. They don't stick around, they don't last very long. I think one the heavy part of the storm came it only lasted about an hour. The lighting and thunder maybe 3 hours, max. 

I don't know if this is something that I can get used to. But the weather doesn't seem to phase the locals. They go on business as usual. Everyone still goes to work, school and activities. They did have some schools close an hour early or sent people home early to prepare for the storm (at least that is what the news said). 

As for today, I am going to be thriving on coffee and extra snuggles from Noah. We have more severe weather in the forecast so maybe one day we will get used to it.... or maybe not.

Texas

So. Here we are in Texas. I never thought I would move out of state. Away from our family, our friends, our comfort zone. But we took the leap on this grand adventure of life and here we are, Texas.

I couldn't say I would pick Texas as my first choice of places to live, but God had other plans. I was comfortable in CA. The weather was nice and the people, were my people, the places familiar. Three months ago Jacob applied for a new position in his company. God had his hand upon him and the door literally opened, one after another. He was offered the job, and we bought our first house. Which is a miracle. Over the last 11 years of marriage we have looked to buy a house together, many times, and God has closed the door for us, many times. I know that we have been called out here, to this small town that we are living in. But it is not without heart ache.

I do miss "home". I miss the familiar. I miss the playdates, the coffee dates and walks around the lake. I miss the bumping into a friend or familiar face at Target. I miss the kids playing outside with all the neighbor kids. I miss my church.

Moving out of my comfort has been difficult. People don't usually seek out change. I want to grow and be stretched beyond what I think I can handle. I want to go deeper. No. Most people just want to float on by. Stay in the stagnate. Stay in the comfort, even if it is a mess.

I don't know if I was really stagnate. But I was close. I can say, moving has brought new perspective to me. I do have a new appreciation for my family. For my children, and our time together. I know I need to continue to grow and get out there and make some new friends. It is kinda weird at this season in life to make friends. I wonder if I will find any as good as the ones I left behind.

It is really the little things that are hard, the things that I didn't prepare for. The first Sunday we were here we tried out a new church. As soon as I walked into the service I started instantly balling. Like a little baby. I was totally not expecting that. It was just not our home church, with the people that have poured into our lives for the last 12 years. The people who at seasons are closer than family. It was new faces all around, and not our family. It was good to visit, but it wasn't our home church. But you know a couple days later I received a phone call from that pastor. And let me tell you, it was a total blessing. He prayed over our family, and prayed for a home church for us. He even confirmed, its never the job that moves you, but God. His plans are greater.

And that is what I am holding onto. It is Gods plans for us. I find my peace in that. I have hope that he is going to use Jacob and me, our family here in Texas. And that we are on the adventure, for the better. That it is for His glory.

I know the relationships will be built. He has called us to build. He has been discipling us for this. He has been bringing people to us that will cheer us on. He is in this, he is for this. I know this is the hard part of the new. The part where it is lonely at times. The part where we invest in our family. The part where we dive a little deeper in our relationships. Where we build.

The easy part is coming. I know. It will. His promises are good, and he is a good, good Father.