How We Got Here (Beth's Story)

About a year and a half ago Jon and I were sitting on the couch in his apartment making a budget. It was part of our premarital counseling. After seeing all the figures on paper I felt secure, as if we had everything under control. We had plans to start looking for a house the following summer, we even talked about each of us buying a motorcycle (to save on gas money). I was certain my career would take off within a year and Jon would find an even better job with less stress. Yes, we had it all planned out. But I'm no fool, I knew even then that life rarely agrees to stick to your plans.

In January of 2009 Jon and I met at the front of a small church, read the vows we wrote, had our first kiss and walked away happy as we've ever been. Except for our flower girl being carried down the isle by my brother half asleep with a nook in her mouth the day was perfect. And all the minor imperfection make it a better story.

We spent our honeymoon in sunny San Diego, enjoying a few days away from the snow. The morning after we got home we had plans to go furniture shopping with some of the wedding money. I went to make pancakes and Jon hopped on the computer. I'll never forget the sound of his voice or the feeling of my heart dropping as he walked into the kitchen and told me the bad news. Circuit City went under and he was out of a job. Just like that, in a fraction of a second the all our grand plans came crashing to the floor.

A few months later in was June, we had decided to go on a trip with Oak Haven church to Grand Portage, Minnesota. The morning before we boarded the bus for our six hour drive north I sat in the sanctuary for Sunday morning service. I was sitting there surrounded by a sea of red shirts. I listened to the speaker up from with intense interest. She was talking about her mission work at an orphanage in the Philippians. She didn't look much older or wiser then me. As I sat there I kept thinking to myself. Why don't we do that? The only difference between her and us was the fact that she was there and we were here...jobless.

I thought to myself, if this is really a good idea, then God, put it in Jon's head too. After that I got on the bus headed up north for an amazing week and didn't think about it again. Until about a week later when Jon brought it up. Not the Philippians, but he did bring up the fact that there are often more jobs in Grand Portage then there are people to fill them. We were relaxing on our bed, sunlight was streaming in, and we were talking about this and that. That conversation changed everything.

Since then plans have changed every other day. Nothing is yet set in stone and probably won't be for a long time. We've been back to Portage about four times since our decision was made, and every time we are there it feels more and more like home. I feel my heart pulling every time I think of the kids up there who I fell in love with back last June, and I can't wait to see their smiling faces again.

It's exciting to think about what our future there will hold, but it is still sad to think of all the things we will be missing here in the cities. I think in a way my heart will always be torn between two homes that I love....at least they're only six hour apart, right?