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People have asked how I’m doing and if I’m lonely. Sometimes, but the truth is, I was lonelier during the few weeks before we moved than I am now. It seemed like all of the people I called “friends” at our last church reacted so badly to the news we were leaving that they shut us out of their lives. It hurt. In some ways, though, it made it easier to not be missing them now. Granted, so much of our lives and routines have changed anyway that I haven’t noticed missing people from my life as much yet.
What I do miss are the things that didn’t change with our last two moves. We moved to a new house in our old town over a year ago, and before that, when we moved to that town, it was from the same general area. So the newscasters were the same with each move. I know that seems like a small thing, but it’s more than that. I knew how to recognize where we were on the map during the weather. I had a general idea of which network was the most reliable for covering stories, weather, etc., and which ones were pure fluff. I knew what time my favorite shows came on during the day (those syndicated shows that are on at different times in different markets). Now, all of that has changed, so the only familiar thing is Matt Lauer & company in the mornings. And even that is different – the Today show moved to having four hours in the last couple of years, but here they do three hours together, stick in an hour of local stuff, then come back with a delayed broadcast of Kathy Lee & Hoda. Now, none of this is that big of a deal, but it strikes me as the real sign that we have left all that is familiar. I can’t imagine what it’s like to move to a foreign country, where everything changes, from the money to the language (even when you go to an English-speaking country, the lingo changes) to the types of stores and restaurants gets turned upside down. I’m still dealing with learning my way around the grocery stores and feeling frustrated that I don’t know where I’m going. I need to thank God that He is with me in the midst of these silly frustrations. And I know I will look back a year from now thinking, “that really wasn’t a big deal.”
Blooming Joy! 
I’m sorry to hear that your friends reacted badly to the news that you were leaving, and acted hurtful. That is really too bad. I am sure it was a defense mechanism on their part, but that doesn’t excuse it.
I know exactly what you mean about having to get used to everything being new. One of the coolest things about moving back to San Diego—indeed, to the same neighborhood and the same STREET where we lived 13 years ago—has been that we already know where everything is. We know where the grocery stores are, the good restaurants, the post office (some of the same postal clerks are still there!), the local churches and schools. We don’t have to look at a map every time we want to go to the mall or grab a bite to eat. You can imagine what a giddy, novel feeling that is after 13 years of moving all over the country!
Please believe me when I tell you, it WILL get easier. One morning you’ll wake up and realize you know all those things—weather map, channels, grocery stores—without even thinking about it. Eventually, you will come to feel proud that you are “at home” in many different areas. I love that I feel a connection to such various places as Southern CA, Arizona, Nebraska, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and even Ottawa, ON, Canada.
I’ll keep praying for you! 🙂
It’s kind of like breaking up with a girlfriend before dinner is served at the restaurant. If both of you stay there and eat, more power to you!
I haven’t thought about all of that moving stuff now for 8-1/2 years, which is like an incredibly long time for me. I have had different jobs but we have always managed to stay in the Des Moines location. I think about relocating to Nevada to avoid my 45 mile (one way) drive, but would rather stay planted and kind of enjoy the drive. I know the channels, the newspeople, the weather maps – everything, like you say, Stephanie.
How does Travis like his new congregation? How do they like him?
Jim
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