I, the nomad, had never lived anywhere in my life for more than 6 years at a stretch: 6 years in Chicago, 6 years in Glendale, 6 years in La Crescenta, 6 years in La Mirada, 6 years in Nepal, 6 years in Oklahoma, 6 years in Kentucky, 6 years in Alabama (two stays of three years each). Yet this place called Athens was going to take the prize.
But what happened before Athens and after the time with the smartest kid in the world? And where was the million dollars? Well, royalty money doesn't happen until after the book is published ... and sold. That took a couple years of writing, editing, and then getting into production. By then it was time for the second edition work. But the book took off and was a huge success, becoming a national leader in special education.
But before the nomad moved on, I must tell you about one special gift during the years in Mobile. I had the joy of teaching a group of junior high school girls what the Bible says about being a woman of God. We got together for Sunday School as well as doing other fun things. Once we had a "come as you are" breakfast. We went around early one Saturday morning and collected the girls in their PJs (parents had been warned beforehand!) and brought them to our home for breakfast and fun. We did service activities to help older people we loved as well. Often we just got together to hang out and talk about life. These gals are still close to my heart and many of you are now Facebook friends.....and more.
We also made trips back to see family and friends in Lexington. When there, I often tried to get my former students together, these the Lord has written on my heart for all eternity. They were growing up so fast. And now they have kids of their own. The Lord is so good!
But what was next? After three years in Mobile we knew another move was coming. Bill and I had been praying and asking God what He had next for us. Bill wanted to pursue a PhD program in computer science and we agreed that I needed a good university setting where I could put down roots while he went to school (we always seemed to take turns putting each other through school!).
Our hearts felt drawn for job and school options to the northeast part of the US and to places that had well respected PhD programs in computer science as well as excellent colleges of education. So I applied to three universities that had both (one in North Carolina, one in West Virginia and one in Ohio), interviewed in the three, and was eventually offered positions at all three.
Even before offers came in, the Lord put a peace in my heart for OU. I wrote on April 2, 1994: "Ohio University called to offer me the job. It wasn't a surprise when they called, for there is a joy and sense of purpose in this job, His provision." So, yes, the only one I accepted was Ohio University where Bill could then attend Ohio State University in computer science.This was the beginning of another whole HUGE adventure. It also meant our kids could continue their education -- with free tuition for kids of faculty. How cool is that? And here we wouldn't be too far from friends and family in Lexington, KY. Both our kids seemed settled for now, with Jonathan accepting a new job for the Edmund Evening Sun and Jenny negotiating a job in Chattanooga while living with her college friend Laura.
So, we said good by to our Mobile friends, including Lawlers, Rannells, Thomsons, Robinsons, Kearneys, and so many other heart friends. We had finished packing and were waiting for the Bekins moving van to do their part and arrive in the morning. We waited ... and waited ... and waited. By noon the van had still not shown up. Eventually they called and said they wouldn't make it that day. They wouldn't guarantee when or anything. We said we had to get out of the house as the new owners were moving in. They then said they would pick up and store the things there in Mobile until August and then move it. That was about when the house rental in Athens would be available, so we did what we could only do ... agreed to wait. Sound familiar?
But while waiting we took a wonderful, much needed rest in New Hampshire at what we now call our "home away from home" named Ledgedge. (I look back and marvel at all the car travel we did and how much energy that now takes!) Our good friends Brian and Kathy Emmet were co-owners and have offered this place of rest to us year after year. We are SO grateful for this place where we really do rest and are refreshed year after year. We found it restful even without indoor plumbing. The "john" was on a hill that we climbed to as needed. Later indoor plumbing was added.
This place of refuge became our annual pilgrimage and our true "home away from home." It's a place of peace where the Lord has restored our souls year after year, much like Psalm 23:1-2 where He leads us by still waters. Here are just a few photos of this resting place, our "green pastures."
I wrote of our rental home on Clarks Chapel Road, "It is so beautiful here. We're surrounded by trees, grass, wildflowers, mountains--all green and spacious. I'm so very grateful for this provision." So our next season of life, in Athens, Ohio, and my new placement at OU had begun, with deep joy and gratefulness that the Lord of our Journey had gone before and prepared the way.
But what happened before Athens and after the time with the smartest kid in the world? And where was the million dollars? Well, royalty money doesn't happen until after the book is published ... and sold. That took a couple years of writing, editing, and then getting into production. By then it was time for the second edition work. But the book took off and was a huge success, becoming a national leader in special education.
But before the nomad moved on, I must tell you about one special gift during the years in Mobile. I had the joy of teaching a group of junior high school girls what the Bible says about being a woman of God. We got together for Sunday School as well as doing other fun things. Once we had a "come as you are" breakfast. We went around early one Saturday morning and collected the girls in their PJs (parents had been warned beforehand!) and brought them to our home for breakfast and fun. We did service activities to help older people we loved as well. Often we just got together to hang out and talk about life. These gals are still close to my heart and many of you are now Facebook friends.....and more.
We also made trips back to see family and friends in Lexington. When there, I often tried to get my former students together, these the Lord has written on my heart for all eternity. They were growing up so fast. And now they have kids of their own. The Lord is so good!
But what was next? After three years in Mobile we knew another move was coming. Bill and I had been praying and asking God what He had next for us. Bill wanted to pursue a PhD program in computer science and we agreed that I needed a good university setting where I could put down roots while he went to school (we always seemed to take turns putting each other through school!).
Our hearts felt drawn for job and school options to the northeast part of the US and to places that had well respected PhD programs in computer science as well as excellent colleges of education. So I applied to three universities that had both (one in North Carolina, one in West Virginia and one in Ohio), interviewed in the three, and was eventually offered positions at all three.
Even before offers came in, the Lord put a peace in my heart for OU. I wrote on April 2, 1994: "Ohio University called to offer me the job. It wasn't a surprise when they called, for there is a joy and sense of purpose in this job, His provision." So, yes, the only one I accepted was Ohio University where Bill could then attend Ohio State University in computer science.This was the beginning of another whole HUGE adventure. It also meant our kids could continue their education -- with free tuition for kids of faculty. How cool is that? And here we wouldn't be too far from friends and family in Lexington, KY. Both our kids seemed settled for now, with Jonathan accepting a new job for the Edmund Evening Sun and Jenny negotiating a job in Chattanooga while living with her college friend Laura.
So, we said good by to our Mobile friends, including Lawlers, Rannells, Thomsons, Robinsons, Kearneys, and so many other heart friends. We had finished packing and were waiting for the Bekins moving van to do their part and arrive in the morning. We waited ... and waited ... and waited. By noon the van had still not shown up. Eventually they called and said they wouldn't make it that day. They wouldn't guarantee when or anything. We said we had to get out of the house as the new owners were moving in. They then said they would pick up and store the things there in Mobile until August and then move it. That was about when the house rental in Athens would be available, so we did what we could only do ... agreed to wait. Sound familiar?
But while waiting we took a wonderful, much needed rest in New Hampshire at what we now call our "home away from home" named Ledgedge. (I look back and marvel at all the car travel we did and how much energy that now takes!) Our good friends Brian and Kathy Emmet were co-owners and have offered this place of rest to us year after year. We are SO grateful for this place where we really do rest and are refreshed year after year. We found it restful even without indoor plumbing. The "john" was on a hill that we climbed to as needed. Later indoor plumbing was added.
This place of refuge became our annual pilgrimage and our true "home away from home." It's a place of peace where the Lord has restored our souls year after year, much like Psalm 23:1-2 where He leads us by still waters. Here are just a few photos of this resting place, our "green pastures."
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
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| Scenes of Ledge Edge |
OK, so the moving truck really DID come and move-in day finally arrived, as it almost certainly does. Bekins finally arrived with all our "stuff" that had been moved in and out of storage. In Athens, first they moved our things into our home and then the remaining boxes into my office in McCracken Hall at OU. I remember climbing three flights of stairs up to the third floor as the elevator wasn't working and they had to carry my boxes of books! They delivered all as promised, but with many things missing and pieces of furniture broken. Another chance to forgive and let go of earthly belongings.
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| Ohio University |
Enjoyed reading of God's faithfulness in your life through this part of your story!
ReplyDeleteYes, and this is when He brought us to you and Darlene and Good Works, and so much more!The best is always yet to come. :)
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