Of all the things we thought we'd do - the novelty of life must be how plans are changed. And oh how we plan and suggest such paths and courses of action for our lives to take. And how they must amuse God who ultimately knows the what, the where, the when, and the how...We were married in December of 2008. We returned from our honeymoon after the New Year just in time for me to be laid off. So we contemplated our options as I applied to 300+ positions in locations up and down the eastern coast as well as California, Oregon, and even Texas. And we waited. We put Phoenix's Permanent Residency paperwork through and we waited.
I was called back to my job in May after being turned down by more potential employers than I can easily count. We interviewed with the USCIS and were issued the standard 2-year 'Green Card'. Phoenix landed an amazing part-time position with a German company based in West Chester that paid her well and treated her even better. Things were on the up and up.
We lived as frugally as church mice in an apartment adjacent to my parents' house. We paid off debt. We saved everything we could. I wore hand-me-down dress pants and Phoenix became a regular at Ross and TJ Maxx. We would rate the necessity of things in how much gas it would cost to get there and back.
But we had bigger aspirations. I wanted to return to school, knowing that my Bachelors degree in Theatre would never serve me well enough in the Engineering field in which I worked. Phoenix also felt the continuing education bug.
In August of 2009, after discussing it for months, we made the difficult decision to seriously consider a season in New Zealand. School is a quarter of the cost than it is in the States with several government-initiated free student aid contributions. I had never been and therefore never had a chance to see Phoenix's world. If we were going to consider having a child in the next few years, she would need to be close to her Mum. And with many other reasons quickly adding up, we felt that there was no way that we shouldn't spend some time down under.
Without knowing how or even when, we started doing some research on a Work Visa for me as well as looking into several universities. The pieces fell into place rapidly, even though I was becoming more involved at my job, working 60 to 70 hour work weeks on a more consistant basis. But we continued to pray about it and work towards it.
With so many obvious signs being revealed as well as overwhelming support from friends and family, the final confirmation came when I was laid off again in early December 2009. We jumped into action, making reservations and drawing up itineraries. I sold many things that we would never be able to ship, figuring that someone else could get good use from them. My prized drums and other musician's equipment, furniture, electronics, and even our Ford Explorer have all found new homes with good people.
And here we are today. Much of our belongings have been already shipped. We've been making the rounds, saying our goodbyes and farewells. Suitcases and sundries are all that remain. We're excited and cautiously optimistic, knowing that we're walking in the Lord's will."Go in peace. Your journey has the LORD's approval." ~ Judges 18:6
- Nathan
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