As many of you know our family has taken off onto a new journey, off to Alaska! We have traded the Arizona desert for the Alaskan tundra. Even though this may seem like a sudden unexpected change, in reality it was a process in the making. We all embark on different journeys some are far, some are short and some can be very long. But we all embark on our unique journeys in one way or the other.
We wouldn't be where we are today if it had not been for our son Bowen. He has forever changed our lives and set our journey towards a new path. Our path that has led us here, may have been a tortuous one, but it is one that we embrace, and has set into motion a new beginning.
So how did we end up in Alaska? I will have to start from the beginning. In 2012, after our son died, we bought a plot of land in Arizona, built our dream house and moved in. About a year and half after living there, one day Mac came home to tell me, "Honey I want to join the Airforce." One would think I would be shocked by this news, my response, "That is awesome, Go for it!" At the time we didn't know that there was a perfect storm occuring. God was working in Mac's heart, creating a desire for a different kind of more in life, not one that meant maintaining a big house, making more money and driving a fancy car. It was the kind of more that had more purpose and meaning besides going to work everyday and trying to make the most money possible. It was the kind of purpose to serve and do something bigger than oneself. Our happiness wasn't determined by all the things we had accumulated, the house we had built, or the more money we made. Our happiness was building relationships with each other. When Mac broke the news, honestly, I was relieved.
We had a nice life, a life that everyone dreams about, but yet I wanted out. I wanted less, to have more time with my family, not taking care of all our stuff. It seemed the more things we accumulated the less time we had for each other, because we were busy taking care of all the stuff. The kids even had too much stuff. So once the decision was made to apply, it was about a 6 month process of applications, waivers, physicals, and then some.
On September 11, 2014 we were informed after all the paperwork, that Mac was officially accepted into the United States Airforce as an Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgeon at the age of 42. The day we found out, there were American Flags lining the street because it was 9/11. Once we received his orders to go directly to Alaska, we put the house up for sale. The house sold in 4 days. Once the house sold, the moving company came, boxed everything up to go on a shipping cargo to Alaska.
Our life has been a whirlwind, since receiving his orders. A lot had to happen in a short amount of time. Even though everything happened so fast, I don't regret one second. There is something so freeing, in getting rid of stuff and living with less. Our time has been freed up to just be together and live our life not take care of all our stuff! There is nothing wrong in having a nice house, and having stuff. This is something that convicted Mac and I. We felt that living in the big house, etc. was distracting our focus of what was really important to us, each other. We felt that we couldn't live both a lavish life and have a close relationship with each other. We wanted a richness in life that wasn't from making money but being with each other. The true riches in life aren't bought at a store, they are the things closest to your heart. "For where your treasure is there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:20).
We may be on a road that is less traveled, but it is where our journey is taking us. And we are loving it. Where is your journey taking you? What determines your happiness? Is it your circumstances? the things you buy? There is nothing wrong with more, as long as it is the kind of more that fills you with more of what God intended for you, more happiness, more peace, and more joy. Our more is Less of the things of this world and more of what builds relationships, time with each other. Don't let the ways of this world set your path towards a more that will only be filled with temporary things, set your eyes on the things that are eternal, that will bring eternal happiness. What more are you filling your life with and is it bringing you happiness?
Leave your comments below. Make sure to subscribe to the blog to get up to date posts and events! Stay tuned for more blog posts about our new Alaskan life.
We wouldn't be where we are today if it had not been for our son Bowen. He has forever changed our lives and set our journey towards a new path. Our path that has led us here, may have been a tortuous one, but it is one that we embrace, and has set into motion a new beginning.
So how did we end up in Alaska? I will have to start from the beginning. In 2012, after our son died, we bought a plot of land in Arizona, built our dream house and moved in. About a year and half after living there, one day Mac came home to tell me, "Honey I want to join the Airforce." One would think I would be shocked by this news, my response, "That is awesome, Go for it!" At the time we didn't know that there was a perfect storm occuring. God was working in Mac's heart, creating a desire for a different kind of more in life, not one that meant maintaining a big house, making more money and driving a fancy car. It was the kind of more that had more purpose and meaning besides going to work everyday and trying to make the most money possible. It was the kind of purpose to serve and do something bigger than oneself. Our happiness wasn't determined by all the things we had accumulated, the house we had built, or the more money we made. Our happiness was building relationships with each other. When Mac broke the news, honestly, I was relieved.
We had a nice life, a life that everyone dreams about, but yet I wanted out. I wanted less, to have more time with my family, not taking care of all our stuff. It seemed the more things we accumulated the less time we had for each other, because we were busy taking care of all the stuff. The kids even had too much stuff. So once the decision was made to apply, it was about a 6 month process of applications, waivers, physicals, and then some.
On September 11, 2014 we were informed after all the paperwork, that Mac was officially accepted into the United States Airforce as an Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgeon at the age of 42. The day we found out, there were American Flags lining the street because it was 9/11. Once we received his orders to go directly to Alaska, we put the house up for sale. The house sold in 4 days. Once the house sold, the moving company came, boxed everything up to go on a shipping cargo to Alaska.
Our life has been a whirlwind, since receiving his orders. A lot had to happen in a short amount of time. Even though everything happened so fast, I don't regret one second. There is something so freeing, in getting rid of stuff and living with less. Our time has been freed up to just be together and live our life not take care of all our stuff! There is nothing wrong in having a nice house, and having stuff. This is something that convicted Mac and I. We felt that living in the big house, etc. was distracting our focus of what was really important to us, each other. We felt that we couldn't live both a lavish life and have a close relationship with each other. We wanted a richness in life that wasn't from making money but being with each other. The true riches in life aren't bought at a store, they are the things closest to your heart. "For where your treasure is there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:20).
We may be on a road that is less traveled, but it is where our journey is taking us. And we are loving it. Where is your journey taking you? What determines your happiness? Is it your circumstances? the things you buy? There is nothing wrong with more, as long as it is the kind of more that fills you with more of what God intended for you, more happiness, more peace, and more joy. Our more is Less of the things of this world and more of what builds relationships, time with each other. Don't let the ways of this world set your path towards a more that will only be filled with temporary things, set your eyes on the things that are eternal, that will bring eternal happiness. What more are you filling your life with and is it bringing you happiness?
Leave your comments below. Make sure to subscribe to the blog to get up to date posts and events! Stay tuned for more blog posts about our new Alaskan life.
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