On a Road Trip Adventure of a Lifetime

Peace be with you! It’s been a few months since I last wrote to you. This is a photo of us with our ‘newly married car’ and boy has life been a road trip of adventures since this photo so short a time ago. Today marks Nathan and I’s five months of marriage. Whohoo! It has been a WHIRLWIND to say the least. Last time you heard from me, I was writing about the recent news of my job layoff. I wanted to update you on what the road has been like since that point. To date, I am still not fully-employed anywhere, but I have come to find over these past five months that I am not sure that is still my goal.

Nathan and I are not wealthy by any means, but financially, we are in a position where it is not imperative that I also work a 9-5 along with him. Everyone’s life situations are different, and some prefer different work hours or schedules, but I truly believe that a healthy work-life balance is SO crucial to a strong marriage, good mental health, and just all-around sanity.

And nowadays, part-time, contract work, or freelance positions are becoming more prevalent. I am currently pursuing a freelance position as a Proofreader (reads manuscripts near the end of the editing process, correcting surface-level typos and similar errors) which I can do from the computer in the comfort of my own home. I am also looking for a part-time position outside the home, hopefully in administrative work such as what I was previously employed in. And most exciting, I am gearing up to self-publish my VERY FIRST BOOK in October. I cannot express how happy I am to be so close to seeing my lifelong dream of becoming a published author come true.

For some other life updates: Nathan and I adopted a little Pug puppy named Leo at the end of July. He is adorable and so sweet! Yes, I know, a lot of work, but totally worth it. We love him dearly already. Second, my parents are selling their home (my childhood home of nineteen years!) and are downsizing to a rental. Thus, there has been a lot of packing, throwing out, selling, and cleaning happening lately.

Thirdly, (if all that wasn’t enough!) I have had to say ‘farewell for now’ to some very special Washingtonians in my life. My best friend just moved to Arizona for Med School, and my sister is leaving in a few weeks to North Dakota for Nursing. I do and will miss them both so much, but cannot wait to hear all that they have up in coming for their lives.

Last but not least, newly-married life has had its ups and downs, but I am so thankful to have Nathan as my partner in life; he works hard as an Electrician Apprentice, loves to be funny and grateful about life, and is there for his family and loved ones. We have recently joined a Bible study group and have also been looking to get involved in a marriage enrichment group. We have enjoyed walks in the park, movie nights, shopping trips, cooking and cleaning, and little-day trips around Washington State. I am learning to embrace the vocation and to trust in God’s timing and ways above my own. I am learning to value differences and to train my mind to consider other perspectives. I am learning when to step back and when to step up, when to speak my mind and when to let things go. Marriage isn’t easy, but if you allow it to, it can lead you to holiness and transform you in a depth of understanding about yourself and others that you didn’t think was possible, as long as you are open to seeing the world both with old and new eyes.

Be assured of my prayers,

Semper Fidelis,

-Allison