Summer Decisions

Hello there! Thanks for taking the time to read this blog post. Most of you know, but to make it clear to those that don't, I write these blogs to help me explain different big life things happening in one place, to avoid having to explain the same thing to many people. Please don't ever think it's because I'm impersonal or important enough to have a platform to express myself. This truly gives me the ability to get my message to the many people in our lives, in an efficient way. We welcome you to reach out individually to connect, and typically already do!

Thanks for accepting me in this way as I express myself through this means.

I'm writing to inform everyone about our upcoming change of address.

Many of you have been tracking with us, asking how it's going, and as of late, what our next steps are!

Thank you! We feel loved and supported:)

The South has had a special place in my heart since going to Grad school in Virginia where I spent a couple awesome years studying, making friends, and growing through the ups and downs life brought my way.

Although it's a beautiful place to be, we don't feel peace about staying here long-term. Since arriving it's been a time of reflection and adjustment, but nonetheless, an adventure Neil and I are on together, and will never forget.

Our next steps will include heading back to NY at the end of the month, but we're planning to settle down in the New England area (this has always been our second choice re: places to relocate) while hoping to come South for part of the winter in future years to soak up the sun, and Lord-willing, continue to work remotely.

With my adrenal fatigue diagnosis the humidity has not agreed with me. It has truly exacerbated my symptoms and is too much to bare as I attempt to get well.

As much as we love the sunshine and warmer weather -- we need it with less humidity, and look forward to hopefully coming back in March and April!!

Has God led us astray? We don't believe so! We believe there's reasons we already see whereas this trip has been fruitful, and believe there's reasons we don't know, but Trust God for leading us here. And we Trust Him in our next steps too.

One of the things I've been telling clients a lot over the past couple years is a brilliant statement I heard an author and pastor say in years past:

"It's typically not as important to reach our destination when we're looking for a fullfilling, worthwhile life experience. It's of more importance as to who we are becoming in the process of the journey."

Profound right?!

Well, I can honestly say that is where we're currently living.

Choosing to believe it's more about that process (who we're becoming) right now than where we end up residing. After all, we tell stories and reflect of who we were and what we've done in the past, and with the next breath we speak of the future as we mark down upcoming scheduled appointments and plans.

What about right here and now? I've been feeling God challenging me with that question more times than I can count over the past couple months.

Well, that is here where I am as I type this and prepare to share it with all of you...in this moment; becoming.

Of course this isnt always easy, and truthfully it's been difficult to meditate on during the days my adrenal fatigue keeps in me in bed 12+hrs a night...

AND forces me to move slowly during the hrs I'm awake.

BUT it's during times like these, as I write this blog, sit and talk with God, or my husband, and/or a trusted friend that I recalibrate my focus.

This is not something I've mastered yet, but I'm thinking that an Associates degree is rightfully earned by now.

Georgians, we love you...peace out!!!

New Englanders, here we come!

Sending Love to you from the South,

Maribeth & Neil ;)

mbavandenbergh@gmail.com

ndvandenbergh@gmail.com

PS The good news is, we only brought a fraction of our stuff with us since this was intended to be a trial-run, so it's totally doable without having to hire movers !! Thank God!!!!