As many of you know, Richie and I are moving back to Southern California in May. Moving to Tarboro, NC has definitely been an eye opening experience to say the least. For those of you who did not know why we moved to North Carolina in the first place let me fill you in. Back in 2006, shortly after Richie and I got married, we prayed for a way for him to be able to go back to school. While he was in California he was always working two jobs and it would have been almost impossible for him to finish his education there. An opportunity came up the beginning of 2007 and we realized that there was only one answer to our predicament. We began looking at a way for us to relocate to Eastern North Carolina. That was where Richie's family was or at least on his Mom's side. It just so happened that his Mom had a house available for us to move into and that was a huge answer to our prayers moving that far away. We made the arrangements and ended up moving in April of 2007. Richie and I were not sure how long we would be in Eastern Carolina but soon realized that this was not the place we wanted to stay long-term. We knew that once Richie finished his schooling we would be looking to relocate but had no clue where that might be. We just continued to work, go to school and kept on praying that God would lead us to where we were supposed to go after school was completed. After several visits back to Southern California, Richie and I began praying harder if this was where we were supposed to be. We both felt lead and began looking around for opportunities that could allow us to relocate back to So Cal. Now that Richie had completed his education, there were so many opportunities that were available out there. Another answer to prayer was the housing market out west. Due to California's housing market taking a dive, that could possibly allow us to be able to purchase our first home together. We still don't know if we will be able to buy a home but the chances are definitely huge and we are asking for God's guidance and wisdom with this huge decision.
Okay so now that brings me to our move date. Richie and I have deliberated and changed our move date a couple of times because well, that is just how life is...but we finally have a definite move date and it is marked on our calendar and we feel it will work out just grand for everyone involved. Alright so our move date is......drum roll please..... Friday May 21st. We hope to be in California by Tuesday May 25th at the latest. We will be living with my Mom in the Beaumont/Banning area for a few months while we look to purchase our first house and begin our next step of home ownership. Richie and I are both excited but also nervous as to be expected. We are ready for what the next chapter in our lives is and we just want to honor God in all of our decisions. If you could also pray with us that would mean the world to both Richie and I. We pray that God will lead us and guide us and show us where He wants us to go next.....jobs, home of course, home church, as well as new Doctors and contacts in Southern California.
I will post updates about our move plans, goals, obstacles, and also some feelings that may go along with this ultimately huge decision that lies ahead of us. This is a bittersweet move as we will be leaving some of our family behind only to join other parts of our family that lie ahead. No move is easy and there is much planning left to do. Again we ask that you would keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Jesus take the wheel......
In His Grip,
Lori Fender