The Tapestry

I believe there is a pattern to life.   Our own tapestry being woven that someday after our last breath we will get to look back and see the big picture.  But we have to say yes.  We have to move forward and weave it.   

I think there are a million threads that create our tapestry.  And our tapestry changes with the choices we make.  But it is ours nonetheless.

I hope when I die my tapestry reflects one of joy, beauty, and a Great and Merciful God.

I believe it will be a tapestry with flaws.  But God can turn those flaws into a turning point in the tapestry.  A change to something that is even more beautiful than the beginning of the tapestry if we are seeking Him.

My tapestry is turning out to take some unexpected and bold moves.

Aaron is headed to seminary at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, New York to pursue a Master’s in Divinity, a stepping stone to the priesthood.

That means we are all headed to Yonkers, New York in August.

I’ve known about this since the beginning.  Since my husband was was my friend from church camp who shared my birthday.   How many 17 year old boys do you know that spend a chunk of their summer on a mountain with no girls and a majority of the men that are there are pretty quiet and/or silent? (Mt. Athos…2000).   

I always said I would follow him if he wanted to go to seminary.  I kind of thought we were past the point where it would be a reality… but it’s time to follow through.

This is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to process.  But not the worst.   (Losing my father as a young adult wins the prize for the worst.)  Just because you know something is the right thing to do doesn’t make it easy.

We’ve lived in our home for 20 years.  Moved in a week before we got married and have always said we would renovate but never move.  The beautiful and painful memories here are precious.

I shut down my classroom this week after 18 years as an educator.  For the first time since I was 4 years old… I won’t set foot into a school building in August.  Instead, I will be using all of the tools I have gathered as a teacher to educate my own children for at least the first year.       Since last July, we have been pondering schooling options.  For the moment, we all agree this is what we want to do.  I spend all day every day crafting individualized experiences for my students.  Now I will have a chance to do that for my own children.   Homeschooling done well is complicated.  You can follow this blog to watch us give it all we’ve got.

Our kiddos are doing okay right now.  Being their mom is my full-time job now.  There are definitely hard days and school farewells were difficult.  They are excited for a change of pace and to see the east coast.  There will be more challenges ahead.  We have been open with them during the whole process.  Our family unit can only get stronger as we support each other and Aaron as he pursues his vocation.   

Change is uncomfortable, but we can do hard things.  And we can do them with great love for others and gratitude in our hearts for all that we’ve been given.

Time to keep weaving.

Pray for us.