Good Night, and Good Luck -- and God Bless

As some may know, this is my last week at The Fort Scott Tribune and Nevada Daily Mail, and this is my last blog.

I have made the difficult, yet exciting, decision to leave my career and stay home with son.

I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with The Fort Scott Tribune and Nevada Daily Mail. To say I learned a lot would be an understatement.

I also appreciate the opportunity to work with the communities.

Now, it is time to focus on my family and give myself some time to develop my own writing and photography, all things God has been calling me to do for a while now.

I am excited about this change, but it has been a bittersweet mix of emotions. I worked hard for this career. I am excited about the adventure ahead of me, but sad to let everything I have worked so hard for go. Yet, God is gently reminding me that it is time to move on.

This decision has been nagging at me for some time. I struggle greatly with stepping out in faith, being obedient and letting fear of the unknown rule my life. I was being convicted about leaving my son at daycare, although we have a great daycare. I was being convicted about not having time for the writing God was trying to create through me. After my husband went on the road full time, I was convicted about not doing anything to ease the separation and the needs of our family. I was always putting them last.

Lately our pastor has been preaching about the importance of obedience to God. He recently stated that instant obedience to God equals instant results in your life. I confided in my husband one night that I did not want to be the reason we were not being obedient to God's calling. After much prayer, discussion and number crunching -- and a great leap of faith - my husband and I decided I should leave my job.

It was with a heavy heart that I gave my notice at work, but after I did, God moved things. Josh got a raise and living expenses for all of us. We were able to find a homey living situation so we wouldn't be living out of a motel. Another family is going with us, with a mom who left her job a few years ago to stay home with her son, who is close to my son's age. We had the finances to purchase a computer and resources so I could write. God has met every one of our needs. And I wonder why I ever doubted. ("But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing." Psalm 34:10; Bible.com)

God is now making the transition easier for me as I wind down from career life and move into full-time mommy-hood. He has surrounded me with great friends and co-workers who have reinforced the decision and encouraged me in future endeavors.

Just yesterday I was speaking with a friend with whom I attend church. She was so excited about the God-directed changes happening in our lives. She told me that while some people refer to these changes as steppingstones, she liked to refer to them as chapters. Steppingstones make her feel like you are moving on to the bigger, better thing. It's hard to compare things in life this way. However, chapters open, turn and close, and sometimes, are revisited, just like the events in our lives.

God also reminds me of an article I read about a woman who moved from a career to stay at home with her child. When she was younger, she attended a woman's college with a female professor who was famous for saying, "Women can have it all, just not all at once." That hits the nail right on the head for me. I will have plenty of time, God willing, to do all the things I want. Just not all at once. This move is what I want at this time. It's hard, but God puts us in hard situations to help us grow into the people He wants us to be. I trust that.

Thank you to everyone! My prayer is that you all open your hearts and ears to God's calling to you!