it's all good

today is day number thirteen in brooklyn, and it's day number thirteen of loving the city. each day we have grown more aware of why God would bring us here, and we continue to be thankful for the change even though it's been...well, change.

i've always silently preached at the stereotypical older person who can't bear even the most minute sign of change in life, and now i am humbled to realize that i fit somewhat into that category at the ripe age of twenty-seven. after living in one place for five and a half years, we grew so very comfortable and attached to the habits we lived and the comforts of familiar people around us. at the same time, we kept telling ourselves that our suburban life was over soon and we couldn't wait to get to the city.

and now it's day thirteen, and we're finding out what change means. 'round about day three or four, change was feeling quite odd. but day thirteen has brought about the true ease of change in all its splendor and glory. nothing has been unbearable about our move; our wonderful friends and city comforts have made the transition flawless, and we thank God for them. it only takes a small amount of time for new to become old, and because of the prayers and love of people i think that time frame was made smaller.

we are still without job and home, but we're trusting that he will give them to us in the right time. it's been deliciously cold for the past 13 days, and coupled with the decaf americanos and zucchini raspberry chocolate chip muffins, the move has been made easy. we're so thankful that God has helped us over the last thirteen days and that he's given us peace, comfort, help, and strength. we've needed it all!

saturday is jed's birthday, so we'll be heading out to see family in eastern pennsylvania for the next week to job hunt from outside the city and turn the celebrating into a week-long event. even though we've been here for just under two weeks, we've already mentioned this morning how it's going to be weird not being in the city we love.

thank you everyone for your prayers and love. keep praying! jobs are right around the corner...

craziness is good for the soul

i was hoping to get the next post done right away with pictures and all kinds of entertainment, but our laptop hasn't arrived yet so maybe next time. life since last wednesday has been so incredibly different than what our comfort zone has defined for us for the past 5.5 years! that's a good thing, considering that we really believe this is where we are supposed to be; but for habitual human beings that continually seek the most comfort, it's an odd time for us. we're learning that comfort isn't exactly the nirvana of life. although, we have so many family members and good friends who are attempting to make life as settled as it can be right now through their prayers and tangible gifts and love for us. what an awesome manifestation of God's grace to us so specifically! 

my last day at emediagroup was on wednesday, the 11th. thursday and friday were filled with packing up our home and readying all our belongings for the truck. financially and situationally, we decided it was best to keep all our things in our sc apartment until we can find work and an apartment up here. jed's dad has kindly offered to drive the truck up with our stuff, and many friends have offered to help pack the truck for us in our absence. what a blessing!

we arrived in brooklyn on valentine's day with way more luggage than many airlines allow (it took 8 bins for us to get through security) but without any extra fees. i'm sure we raised a small amount of suspicion, if not just providing a bit of jolly in some people's unhappy airport lives. we just tried to laugh as much as possible and soak in as much of the moment as we could. i'm not always one to live in the moment, and i wish i would more. i know that one day we'll look back on this time of unemployment and homelessness as a really neat time of change and grace in our lives. going through it though, it's best to take one moment at a time. 

we are staying with our dear urbanite friends dailey and michelle crafton until we can find jobs and an apartment. hopefully, that will only be a couple of weeks, but if not, others have offered to house us until we need it so we might be quite experienced vagabonds before long. jed has the final phase of an interview with sanford-brown institute today at 3pm. we're praying that this will be a great fit for him and that the interview process will soon be over, but we're resting in the fact that God's timing and wisdom is perfect for our situation. 

in reading over this, i realize that we may sound like the most insane people to step out on this tight rope without any tangible net under us, but let me reassure you. in the midst of craziness, we continually are looking back at all the events of the last 5.5 years of our marriage and we see each event as a direct arrow to this specific step. God has paved the way, he has given us strength for the moment, he has prepared not only us but those around us, and he has filled in where our hearts lack faith and strength and hope. the peace that he gives in each moment of doubt is strong, and the comfort he brings during this humanly crazy time is warm. we're praising him and our confidence is in his hand that will not let us go. 

on a lighter side, here are just a few observations in closing. 

 

*you're not cool unless you only shower about once every five days 

*car horns, car alarms, or sirens at all hours of the day or night should not actually be alarming

*public transportation rocks!

*whatever you can find to wear is fine to wear

*long johns are a must

*city life is so rad!

thanks for all your support, prayers, and love!

post-surgery, pre-move

much is floating through our minds these days. sadness in leaving all our greenville family and our first apartment. exhilaration for the new adventure ahead! uncertainty about what is next. security in God's protective and loving hand.


jed's surgery went well as far as the doctors accomplishing what they set out to accomplish in surgery. he ended up getting about four different procedures done on his back by the second best surgeon (out of several surgeons and doctors) at laser spine institute. we were amazed over and again at God's provision throughout the week with financial help, extremely useful education about jed's condition, comfortable accommodations, and even beautiful weather. we didn't realize this before we got there, but apparently there are only four facilities in the world that perform what was done on jed's back! we felt quite privileged to have had the opportunity to even go for this operation. God is so good! below is a post-op picture of a much-relieved wife and a significantly high husband. please continue to pray for jed's back. they won't know the total effectiveness of the surgery for about another 4-8 weeks while the nerves and discs take time to heal. it's crucial for him to rest and take it easy, but hello we're moving our lives in approximately 11 days! we just want to rest in God's great timing and continual love for us as his children. it's so remarkable!






we were able to relax a little bit in between trips to lsi and a regimen of ice, rest, sleep, walks, etc. it was a beautiful time of year to be there with clear blue skies and awesome sunsets. we made it to the sand once while we were there, and it was beautiful!





saturday afternoon was a bit monumental for us as well. after having grown out his "unemployment beard and hair" since right before thanksgiving, jed received his interview haircut and beard trim. he now looks more employable. one comment he recieved last week from his niece ellie was "uncle jed, you're very hairy" while she proceeded to brush his beard with a barbie brush. hopefully the next thing he hears is "you're hired!" thanks for praying with us.





thank you again to all of you who so lovingly pray and care for us. it's hard to swallow the amazement at how good he is to us through each of you.