A Taste of Being a Nomad

A nomad can be described as, "a member of a group who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons." By this definition, I would consider myself a nomad. Here are the places that I've called "home."

I was born in Farmington, NM and lived there until I was 5.

I lived in Denver, CO from age 5-13.
I lived in Colorado Springs, CO from age 13-17.
I lived in Divide, CO for the summer I was 17.

I lived in Grand Junction, CO from age 17-18.
I lived in Divide, CO for 3 summers from 18-20.

I went to college in Nampa, ID from age 18-22.
I lived in Ward, CO for the summer I was 21.

I lived in Seattle, WA from age 22-23.

I went back to Nampa, ID from age 23-24.

I've been in Nashville, TN from age 24-29.

Now I'm moving to Houston at age 29.

Now, don't feel sorry for me and don't think I'm crazy and unsatisfied. I have LOVED LOVED LOVED each of these places that I've lived. Each time that I have moved, I have felt clear that this is what God had for me and looking back on all of my experiences in each different place, I am BEYOND POSITIVE that God was in each move. Now it's not that I didn't have challenges or feel lonely at times, but I believe God used those times as well as all of the fun and happy times to form me into who I am and to teach me to rely on Him and the Church. The community of believers that I found in each place really made each place so special.

In each place I have dear friends who impacted my life and who are still so important to me even if we don't speak regularly. They helped shape who I am so I consider them a part of me. So many of them I can not see or talk to for a while and when we get together, we just pick up from where we ended. That shows to me that we have a true friendship. I have NO IDEA how I will decide who will be my bridesmaids in my wedding. . . .you think it would be awkward to have 20?

Going back to the definition, it says someone with "no permanent home" and "moves according to the seasons." I really like that part about the moving according to the seasons. Some people talk about different times in our lives as different "seasons" of life. I very much look at each place I've lived as a different "season" of my life. Some seasons were seasons of growth, while others were seasons of learning, seasons of struggle, seasons of joy, seasons of sadness, and seasons of friendship. Usually the seasons blended together and could be one way one day and another on a different day. Each of those seasons though were important and necessary.

So, I'm by no means saying that everybody needs to move to get new perspectives, or to grow, or to experience different seasons of life, but maybe you just need a change. Or need to be open to something new that God is trying to show you. Or a new way to minister to someone. Or a new job. It could be any number of things. But I would encourage you, stepping out and doing something new is not always easy, and I don't think that God always makes His will super clear in the beginning. I think sometimes God gives us choices and will bless our decisions when we are trying to follow Him. I think He gives us desires and may provide opportunities to fulfill those desires. I pray that each one of you will ask God to help you be sensitive to what He may have for you! I can attest that He is a faithful God and will bless you for your obedience!

Nomad pic: Google Images