A change of plans...

A few weeks ago Matt and I purchased a new shelf for our living room. And with that furniture purchase, the first floor of our house was complete. Everything had a place; the first floor of our home was in order. The next plans were to re-finish a dresser for Gabe's bedroom and renovate our bathroom.

But then the plans changed.

Everyone has heard the adage "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans." And I am becoming God's poster board for it.

My plans were to live in our comfortable house on Oxford Avenue waiting to bring our baby home from Ethiopia. Spending the summer enjoying our front porch, grilling in the back yard and fundraising to earn the funds needed to bring LaGorga baby #2 home.

Insert laugh here....

After graduating with his MBA in December Matt had begun looking for a new job opportunity. It was a needed change for him and our family. He applied and interviewed at many places in Northeast Ohio (all over Ohio actually) and for one reason or another, God closed those doors.

Unbeknown st to us, God was opening a door somewhere else, somewhere far away.... some place I never considered moving. A few weeks ago, a company contacted Matt out of the blue and after a few phone interviews and a skype interview, he was asked to fly out for a personal interview.

Yes, I said fly out.

And the interview went so well that Matt had an offer in his inbox before he returned home. After lots of prayers, conversation and tears (from me), Matt accepted the offer.

I am so proud of my husband. He works so hard and deserves this job. It will provide our family with many new opportunities, and I intellectually I know God will use this time to grow us, stretch us and strengthen our faith.

Emotionally though, I'm not there yet. I'm actually a complete wreck about the prospect of moving almost 1,300 miles away. 1,300 miles away from our family, friends, church, community and Gabe's medical services. Leaving my family (and my friends that are like family) in Ohio will be like leaving my left arm; they are so much a part of me, my heart aches at the thought of not physically being with them.

In the next couple of weeks we will be boxing up our belongings, saying "see you later" and moving south to Houston. This is the most abrupt change of plans I could possibly imagine but God knew it was coming.

And that is the only place I can find any comfort; knowing that God knew we would be moving to Texas and that God is in Houston right now, preparing our way.

Proverbs 16:9 "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord guides their steps."

If you think about it, will you please keep our family in your prayers. Wisdom, safety, peace of mind, a smooth transition for Gabe, our hearts as we miss the people we have to leave behind, good and quick connections to the medical facilities and doctors/therapists Gabe needs... those are just a few of my concerns.

One thing is certain, although we'll physically be in Texas, my heart will be in Ohio.