Lessons from Our Move: Part 1

Letting Go and Trusting God

A couple of months ago, our family of seven made a big leap—we left New Jersey and moved to South Carolina. Almost everything has changed. The kids went from public school to a private Christian school, we traded maples for palm trees, and we now live in a home four times the size of our old one (for less money!). Even the little things feel new—people say “yes ma’am” and “yes sir,” chat at the grocery store, and teens drive at fifteen (my son gets his permit soon!).

Leaving New Jersey wasn’t easy. We had deep roots—family, lifelong friends, and a church home of 21 years. But after months of prayer, we felt God nudging us forward. One picture I held onto was of Jesus asking a little girl to give up her small teddy bear while holding a bigger one behind His back. That image captured how this move felt: surrendering something precious in faith, trusting that God had something greater ahead.

Already, I can see blessings unfolding. My oldest daughter was welcomed into a kind group of friends, joined the worship team, and was invited into the National Art Honor Society. My son is being mentored by older teammates and is growing in maturity and respect. My middle daughter is enjoying being twelve again, instead of feeling rushed into “grown-up” things. All five kids are settling in faster than we dared to hope.

South Carolina has surprised us with hospitality and warmth. And while it’s only been two months, I can see God’s fingerprints all over this transition.

Lesson #1: When we release what we’re holding onto in faith, God often replaces it with blessings we never expected.