The Gosnells Move to Boston: We Made It!

1600 miles, 3 travelers, and 2 days: we made it! After a long and anxious wait, we are officially living in South Hamilton, MA. We were blessed with wonderful driving weather, only 15 minutes of stopped traffic, and only one "travel incident" to speak of when I was separated from the boys. Overall, the drive wasn't nearly as bad as we feared. Between having Ryan to help us and running on adrenaline, everything went beautifully! Don't get me wrong, we were (and maybe still are) completely exhausted! But we are safe and our things suffered very little damage. We are so thankful!

Since arriving, people here have been so thoughtful and kind. Our resident life coordinator (basically the apartment manager) and his wife brought us groceries the day we arrived. Several people helped us unload the truck and someone brought us dinner that night! We were overwhelmed by their kindness and service.

We've spent most of our time unpacking and rearranging furniture. Our apartment is 1.5 times the size of our previous apartment and in addition to that we have space to store things in the attic. We love it! I have counter space and a shower that stays clean for longer than 24 hours - it's the little things in life ;)

Other happenings:

--We found a grocery store. There are two less than 5 minutes from our apartment, but Market Basket is supposed to be the cheapest, so we drove a little further to go there.

--We attended a cookout on July 4th with other seminary couples. Lots of new faces, but everyone was very friendly.

--Adam has already started his reading. He will be taking a Summer class during G-C's Summer 3 session.

--It's hot!!! The temperatures have been in the high 80s and low 90s, which we've heard is very unusual for this area in July. The sun is extremely intense though, so it feels like home - without the intense humidity :) We have had one overcast day and the temperature dropped 20-25 degrees and it's cool in the evenings, so I think most of their heat comes from direct sunlight. Someone mentioned that it has something to do with the angle of the sunlight here.

--I have job leads!!!! 1) I had a phone interview with financial services here on campus. I should hear back from them next week. 2) I've been asked to come in for an interview at Sylvan Learning - a tutoring program about 15-20 minutes away. 3) I have a meeting with Staffing Now, an administrative staffing agency, on Tuesday. Keep praying!!!

The Gosnells Move to Boston: Part 3

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has asked, "So are you ready?!" We could probably pay for our move! Or at least a candy bar ;) My response is always the same, "Well, ready or not..." For almost a month now, we feel like we've been waiting on something to happen. We've enjoyed the time spent with our families, but we are anxious for what's to come as moving day nears.

Here's the plan... We'll load up the U-haul and secure one of our vehicles to tow at the back on Thursday evening, June 27. On Friday we'll head out for the first part of our journey. Adam's brother, Ryan, will be traveling with us to help drive and also unload when we arrive (that gives us 3 drivers for 2 vehicles). We plan to stay in East TN with a family member on Friday night. We hope to finish our journey on Saturday and unload/move-in on Sunday! It sounds so simple when you see it in black and white :)

How can you pray for us? We're so glad you asked!

--God's peace and assurance, both for us and our families.

--Safety and strength as we load, drive, and then unload. Also, Ryan will be flying back to AR on Monday.

--Confidence and extroversion as we meet new people and get to know our new surroundings.

--Jobs! (I had a phone interview last week and hope to hear a response by July 8.)

--Classes for Adam. (He will take a Summer Patristics class 7/22 - 8/16 and then the Fall semester will begin 9/9.)

Wishes

Following Rachel's lead, if I had a genie, these are my wishes...

1) To find a Summer sleep schedule that I won't feel guilty about.

2) To learn to relax without being completely lazy.

3) To have a job in South Hamilton.

The Gosnells Move to Boston: Part 2

   

The first stage of #gosnellsepicmove2013 is officially complete! After Adam's graduation, I had two weeks left of work at Ouachita High School. Those two weeks were bitter-sweet for me. I absolutely love Ouachita High School, my students there, and the wonderful support system that surrounded me. They were so sweet and encouraging as we said our goodbyes. Saying goodbye is always difficult, but we know that God has big plans - both for me and my students. While I was finishing, Adam slept in, read things not assigned to him (two of his most favorite things!), and packed most of our apartment. When I came home in the afternoons, he would say "Alright, X is packed, Y is ready to be packed, and I need to know what you want me to do with Z." I pretty much only answered questions; it was great! I'm so thankful for a serving husband.

We needed to be out of our apartment on June 1, so last Friday Ryan (Adam's brother) came to help us load up. We worked hard to fit as much of our things as we could into three vehicles and two trailers. It was exhausting, but productive! Adam's parents helped us make one last trip on Saturday and we turned in our keys Saturday night. Literally everything we own is now stored in half of the Gosnells' garage!

For the month of June, Adam and I are spending time with our families. We're planning to begin "the trek" up to MA on June 28. I can't believe that's less than a month away!

Please continue to pray for my job search. Because obtaining a MA teaching license is a much longer process than I anticipated, I have expanded my job search to school secretarial positions as well as substitute positions. However, I also believe that God is bigger than a teaching license or state department, so I'm still hoping and praying that I'll be able to teach in the Fall!

(Thanks to Brittany Green for taking the pictures you see of Adam and me in our very first apartment together!)

Between Bitter and Sweet: Looking Back

Going back isn’t an option.
The past is set in stone.
Fear, at first, seems our only emotion,
As the chimes ring a new tone.

Hours that passed so slowly during their existence,
Seem like decades ago.
Moments came when I took a depression stance,
When change I would have chosen to forgo.

But I awake with renewed strength and understanding.
God was there all along.
Always comforting, always leading.
I know now where I truly belong.

The present, although shadowed at times, is beautiful.
His grace and perfect peace are daily constants.
I am satisfied and hopeful!
I leave my questions behind, trusting his guidance.

I don’t want to turn around,
I look now only to the future.
His love will abound,
And my faith will daily grow stronger.

I wrote this poem in 2009 and stumbled across it today. I started writing it after my first semester of college. The first semester of college was difficult for me. There were many nights spent crying myself to sleep and many days spent trying to figure out why in the world God would send me to a place that would make me so unhappy! The most important lesson that I learned through that time was this: Being unhappy does NOT mean that you are outside of God's will.

Those experiences grew me spiritually, emotionally, and physically. And as most of you know, I fell in love with where God had placed me. Ouachita will hold a piece of my heart forever. I cherish the memories I have and the friendships that grew there. I look back and I understand more fully God's timing and His perfect plan for my life - it's always different and always better than I could have ever imagined.

Congratulations, Husband!

I'm a little late with this post, but I am SO proud of my husband!!! On May 11 he graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Ouachita Baptist University. His majors were in Christian Studies (w/ an emphasis in Theology) and Biblical Languages. It's a mouthful, for sure, but it's official!

We are so thankful for the love and support from each of our families and we enjoyed having both sets of parents in town for this special event! Adam's grandparents and several other family members came into town as well. Our sweet friends, Trevor and Marissa, surprised us by coming all the way from Texas! We are so loved and so blessed!

Reasons I Love Arkadelphia

--Ouachita Baptist University. I love my alma mater!!! Besides my emotional ties to the school, living in a college town mean plays, concerts, lectures, etc. And it's usually free or relatively cheap!

--Safety. I try not to be naive', but we feel very safe here. I don't mind going to Walmart in the evenings by myself. I don't mind being in the apartment alone. Etc.

--Small town. Perhaps it's because I grew up in a bigger city and I enjoy the contrast, but the small town feel is homey and comforting.

--Convenience. In Arkadelphia, you can get just about anywhere in 10 minutes or less.

--Ouachita High School. I love my job!!! The small school, close knit community, wonderful co-workers, etc, etc. I wish I didn't have to leave...

--Simplicity.