Living in the Future

I am a planner. It is just built into by DNA that as soon as I have an idea about a trip, or know the smallest tidbit of information about something, I start looking into it and planning.

Whatever part of me that houses this desire/need to plan has been going in panic mode the past few weeks and at this rate will not be letting up anytime soon. Justin is entering his final year of the PhD program and this is the time of year that jobs are being posted for the next academic year (2015 - 2016). That planner part of me is feeling very unsettled as we enter into this season of job searching and uncertainty for our future.

Because of this, I feel as though I have been living in the future. I am so consumed by questions...

Will Justin be able to find a job?  Will I be able to find a job?
Where will we be next year? Are we leaving Waco?
Will we be able to buy a house? Will we even be able to afford a house?





The list goes on and on...

I feel as though the last few weeks have been absorbed in these thoughts and fears. Though I have enjoyed my last few weeks of summer, these fears have been a constant cloud over every conversation and experience.I do not want to waste away this last year here in Waco (if it is our last year) with fears of the future. I want to enjoy this time with friends and family.

Justin and I experienced a similar time of uncertainty when he was applying for PhD programs. Before Baylor called with an offer we though we were moving to Europe, to the point where we were selling our furniture and preparing Darcy to travel to England (which is a 6 month process). During that time, I spent a lot of time in prayer. It did not hurt that I spend a good amount of time each afternoon in silence, rocking a baby (I was a nanny at the time) to sleep with a bottle. My faith walk is quite a bit different today than it was 4 years ago, and possibly not for the better to be quite honest, but one verse I hold to during these times of uncertainty and fear is Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  

It feels cliche to quote this well known verse, but it truly gives me a sense of peace about what is to come. 

Hannah

Life Update

So it has been nearly a year since my last post.... I bet no one is reading this, so if you stumble upon these ramblings, I am sorry! I want to start blogging more regularly as a type of journal of our life. I have never been good at this sort of thing, so we will see if this sticks...

This past year has gone by so quickly. It is hard to believe that this time last year I was in Ndola, Zambia with the MBA program. That was an incredible, life changing trip for me. The relationship that Baylor is building with Northrise University is so incredible and unique, I certainly hope that I can contribute to fostering a continued relationship in the future.

As for this past year in the King household, a lot of things have happened. Here is quick rundown of life for us:
 - I completed the 4th and 5th semesters of the 9 semester long MBA program (currently working on my 6th). Which means only 1 more year to go!!!
- Justin's dissertation prospectus was passed back in November and he has been working on the dissertation ever since.
- I became a certified REFIT instructor back in February and have been a permanent sub at the REFIT studio since, and LOVING IT! (If you have not heard of REFIT you really need to check them out! It is a fitness program started by 3 incredible ladies here in Waco who saw a need for clean, (both in music content and moves) friendly dance fitness program. You should check them out at www.refitrev.com.)
- Our pups are doing well. Darcy is nearly 7 and Cooper is 4 1/2 (wow, that is hard to believe!). Darcy is starting to slow down a little bit, and started limping recently but she is already getting better. (Sorry for the poor picture quality. The lighting in our house is pretty bad!)

Darcy (L) & Cooper (R)

- Justin is entering his 5th and final year of the PhD program and will be teaching one into Religion class each semester this academic year.
- That also means that he has started looking for a job, since positions for the 2015-2016 academic year are being posted now. It feels weird to be back in this situation, where we expect a big move to be pending, but have no idea where it could possibly lead!

Well, that is a lot of information in one post, so thanks for reading!

Hope to be back on here soon!

Hannah