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Movin' on Up. Literally.

God has such a mysterious way about Him.  If you would have told me 2 months ago that we would be moving to Pennsylvania this summer, I would have had a panic attack and fallen into a heap on the floor bawling.  But as soon as Husby took off on an airplane on Halloween to interview at this program that he basically knew nothing about and we had no intentions on going to ... I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I knew he would fall in love with it.  I knew they would love him.  I just had a feeling that I can't even explain.  But it was one of absolute peace.

I wasn't surprised when he called telling me what a great program it was.  Not one single bit.  He had me praying, I had my whole prayer team praying ... and still, peace.  When he came back from his interview he brought back a whole packet about the town of Erie, Pennsylvania for me to look over.  I knew right then he was serious about the program.  The first thing I did was flip through to find the local churches and even though the thought of actually going there seemed nothing like a reality and he still had several other interviews set up in other states ... still, a feeling in my stomach and a calming peace.

Would God REALLY move us to practically CANADA?! (Seriously, we will be a couple hours from Toronto. Way. Way. WAY north.)

The next few weeks were a blur.  He told me Pennsylvania had two spots for fellows and that they would be offering them before Thanksgiving. This is where the stress and panic struck.  He wouldn't even be interviewing at the program we assumed we would go to (much closer to home) until December! And when you're offered a spot at one program, it's basically you take it or leave it.  And if you leave it, you pray you're even offered another spot!  There's no saying yes to everyone and then choosing when you're ready.  It just doesn't work like that.  STRESS CITY!

There were so many strong applicants, and Husby had these other interviews set up, so we prayed that if we were supposed to be in Pennsylvania, he would be offered a spot.  And that if we weren't, they would pass him up and we would keep praying, interviewing and deciding where He wanted us.

Ten days after interviewing in PA he was offered the spot .... while he was on the plane to Virginia headed to another interview!

Incredible.

He knew one day in to his VA interview that wasn't where God wanted us. Though it was absolutely GORGEOUS, he knew it wasn't a fit.  He flew home that Saturday and we took the weekend to pray over the decision, making sure we knew that we knew that Erie is where we need to be next year and we both kept coming to the exact conclusion - peace.

The next Monday he accepted the spot and the contract is signed.  It is official!

We are praising God for this opportunity Husby was offered because getting into a Sports Med program is NOT an easy task!  There are VERY few programs in the country and each program only offers 2 spots, some just one.  So we knew that God would need to open the doors He wanted open and close the ones he wanted closed.  And we left it all in His hands.  I could not be more proud of my husband!  He seriously blows me away with his diligence, faithfulness and his incredible accomplishments.  God has poured blessing upon blessing over my husband.  Over our family. And we praise Him!

We have a lot on our plates over the next 6 months as we try to sell our house, find a house to rent in PA, and all of those fun (er, stressful) things.  We know that God is going before us just as He has this entire time, and that everything will work out beautifully.  It's just so bizarre to me that next year at this time we will be sitting in a different home in a new state in gobs and gobs of snow!

No, seriously.  Erie is 13th city in the entire US for most snowfall.  Time to invest in some serious snow gear!

It's going to be a crazy year, a hard year (I will miss my family desperately, but trying not to think about it until I absolutely have to - I have already had my fair share of melt downs!!), a different year - but definitely a fun adventure.  I mean, how many opportunities in our life do we have to move to somewhere completely different and new for a year (or twelve months as my Mom and I refer to it, hehe)?  Never again, I'm sure.  I've been checking out all the things we'll be close to and goodness the list goes on and on -

Weekend trips to NYC (!!!!!), Niagra Falls, Canada, Pittsburg, Columbus, OH ... we will be an hour away from a ski resort in Buffalo, NY and just a drive away from all the New England states ... so much to do in so little time!

Not to mention, it's on one of the Great Lakes! Maybe this whole adventure will make me an outdoors-women yet! :)

Stay tuned...!

And, um ... any blog friends in Pennsylvania?  I'LL NEED A FRIEND!!!

:)


I am a modern day homemaker with a passion for family, cooking, celebrating, decorating, travel, and memory making! The Lord has blessed me with the desires of my heart in my husband and our two sons. We recently built our dream home and cultivating a loving and happy haven for my family is where I find so much joy.

Comments

  1. So excited for this great opportunity for your family. I know it will be hard to be so far away from family but you are going to have such an adventure with your own little family! We have been to that area on a big road trip from Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, and visiting friends in a little town between Buffalo and Erie. Such a beautiful area with so much to explore! If you can, make the trek up to Quebec City while you're there. You'd LOVE it!

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  2. Congrats! What an exciting / scary / nerve wracking /amazing journey for you all.... I think the hardest thing would be moving from family, but you are all so close, you will make it work. Canada rocks! You'll love visiting ;)

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  3. Oh my goodness! Congrats to hubs for this opportunity! This will be a great adventure for your family! Y'all will get to do so many new things you wouldn't otherwise! How fun! Sad I'm sure leaving family, but like you said it's only 12 months! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. I'm so happy your prayers have been answered and you feel at peace. That is the most important. Best wishes to you in the upcoming months. I'm excited to read about your journey! And I'm in Columbus is you're ever in town. I'd love to meet you!!

    Ps. Are you still working on the chapters of your love story? I've been reading from ray one and love it!

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  5. Welcome to PA! I live in south central PA (near Hershey), but I went to college in Grove City, about an hour south of Erie. It really such a lovely place to live. PLUS, there is an amazing outlet mall there. :) I know you all will enjoy this adventure, and make great memories over the next year. If you want to chat, email me at jilliankleis at yahoo dot com. And, it's kind of a hike, but if you're doing road trips, head down this way! Hershey, PA Dutch Country, it's a great weekend trip for kiddos!

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    1. Oh, and the snow is no. joke. Buy some long underwear!

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  6. Welcome to PA! I live in Amish Country in South Central PA but the entire state is gorgeous! And yes, get that snow gear! LL Bean makes some great parkas that are perfect for the kids, that is what I outfit my kids in. There is so much to do here please please please just DON'T root for the Steelers, lol.

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  7. Oooh, what a beautiful area! And Toronto is an amazing vibrant city that is great for weekend trips! Get your passports now, if you don't already have them. It will probably be easier to prove residency now than during or after the move, and if you order them now you can make sure they are sent to your current address in plenty of time (since I don't think passports can be forwarded in the mail). I hope you continue to find peace through the rest of this moving process, and that you get plugged into a great church and support system in Erie!

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  8. I'm seriously crying over here, thinking about you moving away from your mom. What a wonderful perspective you've settled on, you are so inspiring, I just adore you. He knows exactly where he wants you and your open heart will be the perfect fit for finding happiness anywhere. Plus with all the adventures you spoke of, you have me sold, this is going to be amazing! Sending hugs on the hard days. We are all still right here for you, no matter where you go, as is your family.

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  9. What a fantastic opportunity and an exciting (and scary!) time for your family. All those wonderful adventures you and your gorgeous little boys will have during that twelve months! The wonderful memories you will make will last a lifetime. I was lucky enough to be able to visit Toronto and Niagara Falls a few years ago (before I was married) and I just fell in love with Canada (I'm English, so a visit to North America as part of my PhD work was a huge opportunity for me!). Those few days have stayed in my memory as something very special. Imagine a year's worth of memories!

    "Where God guides, He provides". I'm sure everything will work out exactly the way it is supposed to. God Bless xx

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  10. I usually don't read mommy blogs because I'm in the gramma stage, but I find myself reading your blog constantly. Guess what - I work in Erie, and I have an idea where your husband may be working. I also know of some excellent churches. Feel free to contact me.

    Erie is known as 'dreary Erie' or 'the mistake by the lake' - unfortunately! There are many wonderful things about the city as well as the towns around it. Not far from Erie is North East where I grew up. It's well known around here for grape farming and wine production. I could go on and on.

    Please contact me if you feel like it. I have three daughters about the age of you and grandchildren as well. We've all read your blog, and I'm laughing because you will be moving to our area.

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  11. hello,

    great post ! To be peaceful means to have thoughts filled with peace and power.

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  12. Congratulations to your husband! And you too! Praying for y'all as you make this transition. How reassuring to know it's temporary too. =) Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  13. I am so excited for y'all, friend! What a fun time. It will be an incredible adventure!

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  14. I live in Michigan, on the west coast side, so about 6 hours from where you will live. It's absolutely gorgeous! Take advantage of the 12 months you'll have to enjoy this part of God's creation! Take lots of trips (as you have planned), but COME to Lake Michigan. You will never regret it! When you're here in May 2015, you have to come to Holland, MI for Tulip Time. And buy your boys Dutch costumes!

    Congrats to your husband, by the way! I know that he has worked SO hard, and I'm so happy for you all!

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  15. I live in Pittsburgh!!!!! :) Erie is beautiful. You will love it. And you're right....brace yourself for some SERIOUS snow!! NYC is a about 5-6 hours, and the New England states really are further than you think, but they are much closer than they are to you now! PA is a beautiful state (and I think the only one where people refer to their state by its abbreviation - "P-A"). But western PA is its own little world. I think you will really enjoy it though!

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  16. I used to read a blog that I found on a childhood's friend's blogroll (got that?), and she & her family lived in Erie a few years back (while HER husband was doing something doctor-related)! I believe they have since moved (I think to Texas!), but I bet her blog would be a great resource, as she has three small boys. (She also seems super nice, so I'm sure she could answer a lot of your questions, but I didn't want to recommend someone I have never actually talked to, lol)

    http://thejenningssecede.blogspot.com/

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  17. What an adventure. I know there will be hard and scary times throughout the whole process, but God brought you this far and He'll see you through!

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  18. I am a Pennsylvanian now, too. Our leap of faith took us south (to Mississippi) for my husband to go to vet school, but now we are back in his home state, the great state of PA. It will be a big change for you, but I love it here! We are in central PA, north of Harrisburg. :)

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  19. Congratulations!!! I was hoping when I read PA, you'd be near Philly (I'm right outside), but I'm sure you'll love Erie! I laughed when you said "practically to Canada"- I feel like Canada's SO far away - LOL! It's all relative I guess!

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  20. My grandparents lived about 2.5 hours south of Erie and I must say PA is a beautiful state. :) Gorgeous in the fall and this may be weird but they have the BEST maple syrup there. Seriously. Also if you like German food, yummy its delicious up there. It's true - very close by to fun spots and the people of PA are so very nice! Best of luck to y'all with the logistics and move - I know it will be hard for you to leave your family! What an adventure the Lord is taking you on! :)

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  21. Ohhh, it made me so sad to realise you'd be away from your family! But, your little one will be so happy in the new place since that's where you're meant to be.

    You'll hear a lot about how your husband is such a hardworking and intelligent man, but don't forget that he couldn't be so amazing without two brilliant boys to motivate him, and a wonderful wife to ease his troubles.

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  22. I am a long time reader, and I knew as soon as you said he was interviewing in PA for sports med that it was Erie!! I am here with my third year med school hubby, and we also moved from Oklahoma! We went to OSU for undergrad and me for grad school. Please email me at parkey.allison@gmail.com! I would love to help with any answers! Also the blog listed above is my friend Camille! You will love Erie! It's a definitely a change but it will be fun for a year! Sooo much to do here with kids! We have two little girls! Okay email me! Sorry for the novel I'm just so happy to help!!!

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  23. I used to live in PA and live in NY right now--hopefully, since you know it's a short time you will be able to enjoy it and not be too homesick. If you have any NYC questions, please let me know!

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  24. So happy for you Whitney! This is going to be such a great adventure for you and your family. So glad you guys have found such peace in this decision.

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  25. How exciting! As someone who loves to move around, I'm so excited for you and the adventure that your family will be embarking on.

    Just a note, make sure that everyone has a passport for traveling to Canada - you will need them.

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  26. Aww, Brittany, this is wonderful news!! PA is a wonderful state (lived there 38 yrs) Erie is a nice city with lots of lake activites. You might want to check out Presque Isle State Park for some beautiful lake swimming, nice for littles. Also, a nice small amusement park nearby. We live in the Finger Lakes now (Livonia, NY just south of Rochester) just a short 3 hours drive away. We would love to meet you and even host you if you would like to come stay. I have been reading your blog for years now.
    I am sure you will enjoy PA, you always seem to make the best of life. God has been so faithful all this time for you guys-so glad you have that peace that passes understanding!

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  27. Yay! PA has a lot to offer. I live near Hershey. Like others have said, if you get a chance there's enough to do here for a day trip. You and your mom would love Hotel Hershey! :)

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  28. What, no mention of Hershey?! :) I would hate to be so far from family too, but you will do great! Please please PLEASE keep us up to date as the process goes along! And more posts about homeschooling please :)

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  29. I live about 2 hours south of you, right outside Pittsburgh! I moved here in July from South Florida for my boyfriend's medical school, and he almost went to Erie! I've heard it is AMAZING during the summer...a perfect little lake town! But oh boy that lake effect snow is crazy. It will be so fun for the boys to play in!

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  30. Hi Whitney :) My husband is from Erie! His family still lives there and we go almost every summer or fall. Email me if you want any neighborhood tips :) the4morans@aol.com

    Melissa

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  31. We are right outside of Lancaster, PA in Lititz -- another great destination for you to visit while you are in our lovely PA for the year. My husband is a radiologist, so we too have been through all of this. :0) Best of luck to you!
    Karen
    Karen

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  32. This morning I was thinking about starting a blog with the name "The Glamorous Life of a Housewife". I typed it into the googler to see if it was taken and of course, it is. I'm not sure why God led me here, but reading this story about your's husband's interview(s) and how you both held steadfast to your faith throughout the whole ordeal really touched me. (I almost shed a tear, literally). God bless you in your new adventures. *subscribes*

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