Hey everyone, Karen Kirst here to talk about life
changes. I mean BIG changes…like picking
up your family and moving out of state or cross-country or even to another
country. Right now, our belongings are
packed away in boxes. The walls are bare
and the swing set is gone and we’ve eaten enough sandwiches to last a
lifetime. After seven years, we’re
waving goodbye to military life and reentering the civilian world. On the one hand, I’m sad that I’m leaving.
(Having an armed Marine at the gate of our housing complex makes a girl feel
very safe! We like to tell people we
live in a gated community at the beach. lol) On the other hand, I’m excited to be
going home to Tennessee. To be close to
family and friends again and be able to see those gorgeous Smoky Mountains.
Change
can be scary. Intimidating. Painful.
But it can also be good. There
are a lot of unknowns in our future, but I’m trusting God to work it all
out. What about you? Have you experienced any big moves? What did you do to make the best of the
situation? Were there any
surprises? I’d love to hear about it!Like my Smoky Mountain Matches series, my October novella is set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Here’s a description of both mine and Linda Ford’s novellas-
The
Gift of Family
Merry Christmas, Cowboy
by Linda Ford A wild snowstorm strands Colt Johnson in Eden Valley, where the storekeeper's daughter exudes welcome warmth. She's even offered to give the two orphans in his charge a Christmas to remember. An outcast, Colt doesn't dare hope for more-even though Becca's love would be a Christmas wish come true.
Smoky Mountain Christmas by Karen Kirst
Cole Prescott's Gatlinburg visit will be just long enough to free his wife from their mistake of a marriage. Then he meets the daughter he hadn't known he had. Little Abby needs a father, especially at Christmastime. And all Cole wants is a chance to make a life with Rachel and Abby at last....
Posts
Best wishes with the move! It's a huge bonus moving near family and friends. It'll feel like home in no time!
ReplyDeleteMy last move (to a town where I knew no one) happened twenty years ago, when we moved for my husband's job. It was tough at first leaving the place I loved, but I knew deep-down that God was with us. And so many wonderful blessings happened in the following years that confirmed that trust in Him. It's here that I became a librarian and writer. You'll do great. Enjoy the journey!
Hi Christine,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your move resulted in many blessings. :) Sometimes I think when you're in the midst of change its hard to see the possibilities. You are right, though. God's plans are best!
I moved a lot in my late teens and early twenties. Now I've been in one place two decades. If I had it to do over again, I'd have stayed closer to home. I missed so many memories with family because of being so far away.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Pamela. We've been away from family for 7 years. Luckily we were stationed just 500 miles away so we were able to visit a couple of times a year.
DeleteThis post reminded me of many years ago when my husband was in the Army and we were stationed in Germany. We too faced a move as we decided to leave the military and return to PA. Lots of emotions and unknowns at the time. I'll be praying for you and your family as you make this move and transition.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jodie Wolfe
Thank you so much, Jodie! I appreciate your prayers! As my husband is Czech, we've flown on military flights to Germany and driven through it. It's a beautiful place. Did you like living there?
DeleteSounds like a great LIH. Good luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyn!
DeleteGood luck with your move, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eva!
DeleteBlessings on your move, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra!
DeleteKaren, so glad you get to be close to family in your latest move. When I was younger, we moved a lot. I never lived in one place more than 4 years until after I was married. We started out married life by moving twice in the first two years. Then we moved to Atlanta where we lived for 9 years in the same house. Then moved started the moves again--Boston, Dallas, Chicago, then finally Florida, where I thought I'd be until I made my journey to heaven. But now that our grandchildren are in Arizona, we are going to spend half the year there.
ReplyDeleteWow Merrillee, you've lived in a lot of different places! It's great that you can split your time so that you can be with family. :)
DeleteThis morning I bought The Gift of Family. Can't wait to get into it~!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Rhonda! :D
DeleteWhen I was 17, my dad moved us from a little town in Calif. halfway around the world to Saudi Arabia!! I thought I would die! But oh the adventures we had! It was hard at first but the memories were amazing! It prepared me for the rest of my life! Nothing has fazed me since. New situations and new places are just new adventures and I'm grateful for that. I've moved many, many times since then but THAT was the ultimate move! Good luck with yous!
ReplyDeleteValri,
DeleteWhat a huge move that must've been! Lots of new experiences and changes. It sounds like you made the best of it. :) The fact that my move is back home to a familiar place makes it easier.
Congrats on your new book, Karen!!! Whoo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteI'm an Army wife and Army Brat so moving is in my genes! :) Although the actual move is never easy. Sending prayers for your safe transition.
TN isn't far from GA. (Hubby is retired now, and we've settled in the Atlanta area.) You'll have to come South and visit sometime!
Waving to Jodie. I lived in Germany for three years. Love the country and the people. We've been back twice since and are hoping for another visit in the not too distant future.
Hi Debby! Atlanta is only 4 hours from me so that is totally doable. :) thanks for the well wishes. We made it to TN and are slowly settling in.
DeleteHi Karen, congrats on the book and on the retirement. so glad you will be "Home again".
ReplyDeleteMy move at 19 was to leave Ky where I grew up and move to Galveston Tx-lived there couple of yrs met a sailor-got married and moved to his homestate of Ga after his time was up. Been here since 1962 but think I would enjoy moving back to Ky should I ever be on my own again.
Paula O
Hi Paula! I've never been to Kentucky but my mom tells me it's green and lush like East TN. Thanks for stopping by and for the well wishes!
DeleteI have moved 3 times all within 20 miles. the first one was when I was almost 2 dont remember it but it was across borders from Victoria to South Australia. the next into town at 8 and the last one 3 and a half years ago about half a mile if that to this home. the thing about the last move it was like starting fresh. it was a home mum had never lived it so it was my home. its set up my way and its mine. (rented but mine). the old house would always be the family home even if I had bought it, it would never have really been mine where as this one is mine and when family does come they cant just walk in and take it over cos its never been theirs and thats important to me.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on the move. I remember the packing (I found mum hoarded all the wrong things like plastic bags and old cards etc but not the sentimental stuff). When I thought I found all the bags (and there was a lot) i found even more in the shed.
Hi Jenny,
DeleteI totally get what you mean. It's so nice to have a place that's all your own. So glad you have that now!
Blessings! Nothing more beautiful than Tennessee. My dad is from Bristol!
ReplyDeletePrayers for a good transition. And if you take Debby up on her offer, you have a standing invitation to stop midway in NC!
Looking forward to reading your novella!
Peace and prayers, Julie
Julie,
DeleteWe just drove through NC from the coast (Camp Lejeune) on our way to TN last weekend! Thanks for your prayers. I sure do appreciate it. :)