On the Road to Colorado: Why Here?

I get asked “Why Colorado?” a lot. My initial gut answer would be, “Well, have you seen Colorado?” I mean, besides Hawaii, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the country. Okay, maybe I’m a bit biased, but I have to say that when I first visited in 2006, I fell in love with the state. Of course it may have been that my visit was right in the beginning of November, when nature was just straight out showing off! And with fall being my absolute favorite season (which I’m sure I’ve mentioned once or twice, or maybe a gazillion times), how could I not love being right IN IT. Later, on the same trip, we traveled westward and upward in elevation, where I got to experience snowfall for the first time. I was basically sold and a seed nestled itself in a cozy corner of my soul.

But upon returning back to our warm and sunny home, to our beautiful family (of 3 at the time), I realized the timing just wasn’t right as my husband, in the middle of his career as a fire fighter, was not ready to leave the islands. Similarly, I was just starting my teaching career, and was blessed to work in a supportive school, where I was able to grow and learn with wonderful colleagues. Part of me wasn’t ready to leave just yet either.

But as time moves, changes happen, families grow…children grow!…and though Colorado has always remained in my peripheral, God seemed to be nudging it back into plain sight. And I can’t remember what sparked the conversation. Maybe it was my husband’s upcoming retirement, or maybe it was planning for my son’s college endeavor, but whatever the case, we both knew in our hearts that soon, it would be time to fly to a new adventure.

Around the same time, my son was eyeing up the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, so on a whim, I began to look up towns in the area, wondering where might be a good place for our girls to finish up their schooling years. Unbeknownst to me, my husband was doing the same! And as if it were a confirmation that we were meant to make this move, we both approached each other with a hypothetical question, “You know if we were to move to the mainland, where would we go?” And as only God could script, we both named the exact same city in Colorado: Castle Rock.

With the realization that a potential move would happen in our future, I hesitated to really share the news with anyone. After all, it seemed pretty extreme to just pick up our family and move to a brand new area, thousands of miles away from any friends or family, to move from everything we’ve ever known. But that was just it. What we know is such a small portion of this world, and the little seed planted so long ago began to take root and grow. The calling to branch out, explore, learn new things, and make new discoveries became clearer as days and months passed. Even when the world was in turmoil just a couple years ago, we still had so much peace in this decision.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. There are some tough transitions we will need to go through for sure. The thought of being so far from friends and family hurts my heart, and I’m so grateful for modern tech to keep us connected. The familiarity, the routines, the comfort—let’s just say that changes are not the easiest for this enneagram 9!

Since then, our son’s potential college list has grown considerably, and our ideal neighborhood has shifted a bit south, but still remains in the general area between Denver and Colorado Springs. We aren’t sure exactly where we will land just yet, but just as we were guided by God in the past, I have no doubt, that there will be a moment when we get to say, “This is it!”

I wonder if Abram (Abraham) must have felt like this when God told him to get up and move his family. I wonder if this is what the disciples felt when they were called to follow Jesus. Walking into this unknown is the biggest leap of faith we’re taking. But at the same time, I’m walking into the known. I know that God has provided for us, and continues to provide in the present. I know God is always with us—even in the stormiest of seasons. So on this journey, in these big and little moments, I’ll treasure up in my heart what I already know.

God is good!