None of this will be news to people who know me well nor maybe even to careful readers of this blog. I blogged about this earlier in the year but forgot that: a) My husband didn't want to tell his employer so early about our impending move and b) That my husband works for a computer company so blogging about the move wasn't necessarily the wisest thing to do on my part. Nor was posting on Facebook. 'Nuff said.
Anyway, it's now 'safe' to start blogging about the move again. It's actually be safe to do so for some weeks but, after having pulled previous blog posts on the subject, I didn't feel up to writing about it again. Anyway....
On the 8th of August - God willing - Wonderful Husband and I will be moving to Ohio in order to be closer to my parents who are now both not terribly mobile. We're moving to a lovely small town just south of Cleveland where my parents are now living and, in April, we were actually able to go there and put in an offer on a house. The offer has been accepted and we expect to close on the 12th of June.
We are still waiting for an appointment with the US immigration authorities so that my British husband can get the necessary papers and neither one of us has a job lined up yet! Although my husband's (American) company doesn't do transfers, he is going to be recommended to the shop near where we will live, so he should have a job lined up when we move.
I'm sure I'll reflect more on the move as events progress, so I wanted to lay out the facts.
Moving to Ohio still feels extremely bizarre although I'm starting to get my head around it. The town to which we are moving is just under 40 miles from where I grew up. I left Northeast Ohio for university in 1975 and I've not been back there since. And I've been in the UK for 20 years and never expected to go back to the US at all; to almost go back to the place where I was raised seems very strange indeed.
Both my husband and I have a sense of peace about what we are doing and we are certain that this is the right thing to do. One of the big things I've learned is that we humans really are not in control of the events of our lives. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that God micro-manages our lives and I don't think God makes people ill; in the case of my parents, that's a consequence of the aging process and their own biology.
But our culture does give us the false impression sometimes that we can be in control of everything we do and that's simply not true. I think that both of us have found peace in the idea of doing what we believe to be the right thing rather than worrying that our life plans have radically altered. My new mantra is 'If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.'
About Me
- PamBG
- I am Pam Berardinelli Garrud (PamBG), a 54 year old wife, daughter and beloved child of God. Ordained as a minister (pastor) in the Methodist Church of Great Britain, in 2009 I re-immigrated back to Northeast Ohio with my London-born husband after 20 years residence in the UK. I am seeking to serve God by loving God and my neighbor in the ministry of hospital chaplaincy. Prior to becoming a minister, I worked in the pensions industry. The views expressed in this Blog are purely my own and do not represent the official views of any denomination, group or organization.
9 comments:
Good luck with the move. We just celebrated a year in a new town here in NE Wisconsin. We moved about an hour and a half north. I can't imagine moving across the ocean! I'm sure it will all work out well.
I agree with the sentiments--God laughs when we make plans. I'm just getting the hang of the idea that I'm not totally in control. I used to think I was and God had a chuckle!
Much peace to you and your husband. Cheers!
I'm glad to hear that you've found a house in Ohio and that everything is beginning to fall into place. It will be good if your husban's firm can re-locate him, I hope all his necessary paperwork allows him smooth entry to the US, and I like to think that God's prevenient grace is at work to find the right slot for you. It will be quite an upheaval, so i will keep you in my prayers.
God be with you in all the ups and downs that lie ahead.
My favorite line is your last one - "Make God laugh - tell Her your plans!" My life has gone so far out of my control, especially these last few years. Yet, some things remain constant and what remains is that which is most important. Did I meet my goals? Not the way I thought I would, but this way is pretty good too. I have learned so much about letting go, but I hang on to that which sustains me.
Moving back to Ohio and childhood memories can be difficult. There is a lot of fiction written about it, so I guess it's a pretty universal experience. Of course, you aren't right where you grew up, so that helps. You do remember that we do not have universal health care, right?
My niece is moving to Ohio this summer as well, and so I will be going there from time to time. I know it is a big place, but that is why there are roads and gas guzzling cars.
Thanks, Judy. I'm sure you have a lot of wisdom and love to share with those around you.
Yes - Hah! - I do remember that there isn't universal health care in the US!
It would be great to see you again and I hope we can make arrangements for meeting up. We have a lovely guest room in our new house with it's own bathroom and you and Mike are welcome at any time.
You'll keep blogging though?
Oh yes, I'll keep blogging.
WOW - good luck to you and your husband on your move.
Never been to the States, would love to one day, health permitting.
My prayers and God Bless to you and your family. I'm sure your folks will be pleased you're there to be near them.
Bless xx
hope the move goes well Pam, as no stranger to Trans-Atlantic moving I have an idea how big the move is. God does not bring illnesses of that I am sure, but I do believe the peace you sense if a movement of grace going before you.
Post a Comment