jena meyerpeter

We’re seizing an opportunity to head up to Vancouver, British Columbia for a season (If you’re not brushed up on your Canadian geography, it’s on the far west coast). It’s 1,982 miles from our door step here in Kansas City to our place in Vancouver, if you’re wondering. We have more unanswered questions than answered ones. We don’t know how long our stay will be (2 months or years). Doubts and fears lurk around every unknown when you’re uprooting three kids from their predictable, comfortable routines, but we’re confident in one thing; life is a voyage and God is steering this ship.

There’s a song by Hillsong United that sums up willingness to step away from a full life we love called “Captain”. Here’s a portion of the lyrics below but click HERE to hear the entire song.

Through waters uncharted my soul will embark

I’ll follow Your voice straight into the dark
And if from the course You intend I depart
Speak to the sails of my wandering heart

Like the wind
You’ll guide
Clear the skies before me
And I’ll glide this open sea
Like the stars
Your Word
Will align my voyage
And remind me where I’ve been
And where I am going

Beautiful, right? Well, turns out it’s not only beautiful but true. Our voyage is aligned by God’s eternally lit vision even when we can’t see through the dark. Our wandering hearts aren’t left to drift without purpose or plan, but are called to new places and new people for a reason even if only for a season. I know where I’ve been and I know ultimately where I’m headed. I trust our Captain to carry us through uncharted waters whether that’s in run down house off Paseo Blvd, an upstairs apartment in the middle of Missouri, a newly finished house on wide open prairie, a quaint townhouse blocks from Lake Ontario, a suburban Kansas City cul-de-sac with neighbors we love, or a place we’ve yet to lay eyes on in Vancouver, British Columbia. We do not have to leave home in order to live a life of adventure, but you do have to be willing.

In January I wrote about my word for 2016, ‘willing’. I prayerfully choose a word each year and this year ‘willing’ is definitely a theme of my life. Am I willing to tell my story to whoever God places before me? Am I willing to align my plans to God’s? Am I willing to home school for a season (hello, geometry with my 8th grader?!) so we can travel as a family? Am I willing to trust when fear pounds on my heart? Am I willing to say ‘see you later’ to people I LOVE and a life I am so comfortable in to see what God has for us elsewhere? Yes…here I am, send me.

However, My word for 2017 is going to be ‘lottery winner’ –choose your words wisely, is all I’m saying 😉

Here’s my invitation for you: journey with us! I’ll be writing about our travels and what it looks like to find a “new normal” away from home. I’ll do my best to share the hard and best parts of our adventures. I’ll try and take photos that stir your heart at home and give you glimpses into our craziness (join me over on Instagram, @jena_unravelgrace). Our phones and emails will remain the same or feel free to comment below and I’ll be sure to get back with you.

Until then, I leave you with a couple of Kansas City proud ‘see you later’ gifts from some amazing friends. They know me well, and I cannot wait to see you all again soon.