This (uncertain) Space In Between
Last Thursday morning my husband said "Seven days of work left!" Naturally I replied with a gaping mouth and a "You mean next week?!…" Saturday night my husband said to me "This is the last Sabbath we will have alone here."
So it is.
For so long this move across country and start to our journey have been a far off hope. Suddenly, and I mean suddenly, it appears to be right in front of us.
We will leave at the end of September and travel literally from the northern end of this country to the southern most region, hopping to a couple of states in between for a visit with family members who we may not see for a very long time.
Right now I feel like I have no roots. The mid-west is the only home I have ever had, save a short stint in the desert of California. This climate… this region… these people are a bit of who I am. My family almost entirely lives in Minnesota and it will be a part of me for as long as I can imagine.
But sometimes you have to give that up in order to make a new life for your own children. Sometimes all you can do is take those places and, more importantly, those people with you. Sometimes you have to start with no connection to a location to find that connection to a people.
And so things are uncertain. How soon will there be a roof over our heads and what will that look like… for this year anyway? Will we be met with drought or flash floods? Will any of what we plan for or expect come to be? What is going to happen?
We don’t know. And I suspect, whether you grow food or stock portfolios, none of us can count on what we think will come next.
I suspect someday I will tell the story of our first year off-grid, but right now our story looks like taking one day at a time and not having answers to all of the questions.
Right now we wait, move forward into uncertainty, and learn from the process.
I would like to learn more about what your plans are. Who did you connect with you help you through this process? I have an interest in this as well, so I am very curious to learn more about what your plans are.
“And I suspect, whether you grow food or stock portfolios, none of us can count on what we think will come next.”
Oh my goodness. Isn’t that the TRUTH?!
Best wishes on this amazing adventure and new chapter in your lives!
Wow! One week!
“Sometimes you have to start with no connection to a location to find that connection to a people.”
So aptly said. Many prayers for you, Shannon, as it’s starting to all come together. 🙂
I admire your courage to follow your dreams and look forward to hearing the continued story.
Are you going to keep blogging? I hope so!
Oh Shannon, and what a journey it is going to be.
Praying that everything begins well and the packing continues…
m.b.
How scary and exciting all at the same time. The unknown, such a step of faith, but isn’t that how our faith grows 🙂
I’m excited for you and pray you will continue to seek HIM each day, each step and for every need. It’s going to be quite a ride and really, succeed or fail, you’ll be walking with HIM who knows all your plans 🙂
~Cinnamon
Here you go! The road ahead is full of questions and adventures. Hold hands, pray and laugh at the crazy things ahead. We made a big move to the country, not off grid, but a big change from suburbia 18 years ago. My family has enjoyed a slower pace of life, growing gardens, having animals and enjoy simple pleasures. We used to read the Little House on the Prairie series when my girls were little, and when we made our move west, we felt a little like Mary, Laura, Ma and Pa as we drove to our new community. New neighbors, jobs, church,friends, doctors,and dentists were ahead. Building a new home with little ones, and creating the life you dreamed of is so exhausting and amazing.
I have been reading your blog off and on the past couple of months but am not remembering where your new community will be? Keep us up to date on your adventure!
I’m sorry to hear you are leaving Minnesota. We almost did that too but decided to go off-grid right here. We haven’t regretted it. You will never regret this adventure either – I’m sure.
Congrats! May God bless you in all your ways.
I can’t wait to “follow along” on your journey 🙂
I am so excited for you and your family!
We’ll be leaving for Vegas in early October. Our new home will be the opposite of yours… we’ll be staying for 6 months in a high-rise condo off the strip. 🙂
Although after that, sometime next year, we’ll be moving into a real home and I’m making plans for solar panels, a solar cooker and dehydrator (they get 6.5+ hours of sun per day there) and hopefully some chickens.
I’ll be sending prayers and well wishes your way.
Best wishes to you & your family as you start this adventure. God bless you!
I hope you can post from time to time to let us know what you’re doing.
Hi Shannon! Very exciting time! Just wanted to let you know you will LOVE the south. Not sure where you are moving but I was born in MN, went to HS in Texas, found a man there, and we moved to the Carolinas. Its mild, not bitter, but summers are fierce. I also have a degree in Chemistry… kind of like twins, huh??
But rest at ease. Moving south is much easier than moving north. Retire the snow tires and be ready for some new adventure!