I consider myself an open book. I can tell you just about anything and everything about my life with opinions and observations- the whole shubang. I like it that way. But I am also a bit superstitious and for a handful of upcoming events I try and keep a tight lip. I waited almost 20 weeks to reveal when I was pregnant and with our possible move looming I only told a handful of people that Jon was even interviewing.
I've lived in Florida my whole life minus the first 5 years of my beginning. My family immigrated to Miami, FL where I spent 7 awesome years with the best tan of my life! We then moved to Orlando, FL where I lived for 10 years in what I call a beautiful bubble. I loved how peaceful and fun that time was. When I married Jon we almost moved to Baltimore but were promised a lovely home in Gainesville which was divine! Do you see a pattern here? I keep slowly moving further north!! I was the first of my siblings to declare, "the moment I graduate from high school I am out of here!" And as ironic as life is all of my siblings ventured out of Florida at one point or another except me! (although I had the best reason to stay....love of course!)
While in Gainesville I kept thinking "only 4 more years and I'm outta here!" But then my ambitious husband decided to pick up an MBA which meant an extra year of Florida. Ho Hum!
I thought, ok, 1 more year and we are outta here! But then an incredible thing happened and the FDA started a program at UF which was exactly the kind of career path my husband had been aiming for. The program would be for 2 years and when my husband was, very hesitantly, telling me about it I almost lost my mind!! I was so angry. But then I prayed about it and was OK. Because I started to realize that my true home is where my husband is. I love him so much that I meant what I said, "Jon, my dear, I would follow you to the ends of the earth."
When the program lost it's funding back in March 2011 due to Congress cutbacks we were devastated. I was finally feeling comfortable with the idea of 2 more years in Florids. So while Jon continued to work for Premier,Inc. I was preoccupied giving birth.
Jon then decided to interview out West for the Indian Health Services. He first told me about IHS the first year we were married. I wasn't completely out of the loop when he began to take that option seriously. My husbands passion for service was one of the reasons I became attracted to him. I remember while dating him he told me he had a real love for charity. I then thought, "but you don't belong to any denomination so what's your purpose in doing something kind for others?" His simple reply to me was, "because that's the way my mother raised me."
When Jon interviewed at several sites he kept telling me to look up each of the six areas. I was sort of in disbelief because it seems the universe wants to keep me in Florida so I simply shrugged my shoulders until he got the call that we would be moving to Arizona.
So folks here I am out of Florida after 22 years and I can guarantee you I will be homesick in the very near future. I won't be longing for Gainesville because I never ever not even once cared for that city but I will be longing for my home which resides in the hearts of my mother, father, sisters and brothers and one super adorable baby nephew (plus another on the way!).
I am grateful that I got to learn that very important principle since I firmly believe in Heaven and no matter what Heaven looks like or where it is, as long as I have my family it will be total bliss!
