“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.'” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. Genesis 37:17
Did the title of this blog post get your attention? I certainly hope that it did and before you think that I have totally flipped my lid let me explain. Just like Lucy I’ve got a lot of explaining to do.
Many of you who have followed me for awhile know the story of my husband Chris and his “restructuring” from his position a year ago. Just because you have a great education and are good at your job does not mean that you are guaranteed a job in life and he along with many others were on the receiving end of the company needing to trim back. He found a position at a aerospace firm in the Dallas Fort Worth area and began that job in July 2014. I wrote about my first day jitters for him here.
Chris had an apartment in Texas and we would alternate flying to see each other every few weeks. It is not ideal but it is life when you are unwilling to take on a second mortgage while you wait for the primary house to sell. If I have learned anything in my 54 years of living it is that God’s timing is perfect. My timing, on the other hand, not always quite so perfect. That is why I need to really rely on God for ALL things.
Then it happened. THE call. Would he be interested in interviewing for another job?
Why yes, yes he would and he did and today is his first day at a new job that I think is going to be the perfect fit for him. I am so happy for him and have such a peace about this new company, the work he will be doing and how it is all going to fit into God’s plan for our lives. I am grateful for the job he had in Texas and even if he did not spend years there he accomplished a lot in a short time and left the place in better shape than it was when he started so that to me is a win.
Now our lives will shift yet again and I am thrilled that my next home will be in Dothan, Alabama. Often referred to as The Peanut Capital of the World (home of the fabulous National Peanut Festival), The Circle City (due to the Ring Road around the city), and The Hub of the Wiregrass (a region named for the native plant that resides in the area). Dothan offers a lot to the area in terms of shopping and activities and you can bet that once I get there to live permanently there will be a great deal of Alabama love being shared on It’s Just Life. Actually I think HyVee here in Mason City must have known something because this is what I saw as I shopped after I returned home from Dothan.
Chris’s new company, Dunbarton, manufactures doors and entry systems and Chris will be able to use his knowledge and expertise to help their business in good ways. The welcome that we have received has been beyond words—-I feel like a part of a family already and that is rare these days within corporations so I am relishing every moment. I would be so grateful if any of you who are on Facebook would click here to go quickly like their Facebook page. I promise they won’t mess up your newsfeed with a lot of things you don’t want to see—they just need some Facebook love. Thanks!
So my absence and erratic behavior on social media the past month and a half are explained. I have been here, there and everywhere and all in anticipation of today—the first day of a great new chapter of our lives and this one will be lived out in the South. Did I mention we will be a mere 90 minutes from beaches? Beautiful beaches. I can not wait. So the time to sell the house is now and we will be re-listing and getting things ready to go as soon as it sells. I feel like spring is the time and things are going to happen.
You can bet I will be sharing all things Alabama with you over the next few months as I learn more about this state and what it has to offer. I am probably the most excited about the 60 + 4 foot peanut statues that are located all over Dothan. I mean seriously. Does that not scream Beth Ann? I managed to capture a few on the two times I have been there but that is just the start. Maybe I will have to start Peanut Thursday or something. Who knows.
40 Comments
Leave a commentGood luck to you both! Sounds like such an exciting time in your life with many great adventures to come!
Thanks, Joy! I am thrilled. I already love Alabama and know that we are going to be so happy there.
I am so happy for you and your new location! Now, excuse me but I need to go and see how close you are to Orange Park!!
That was one of the first things Chris said—You will be closer to Virginia!!!!! I am VERY excited!
Four hours away!! not bad!!
YAY!!!! That is doable, right????
Good things happening for you! Wonderful! My oldest daughter lived in Alabama – Birmingham – for several years and enjoyed her time there. When you get a chance to explore, go to O’Carr’s in the Homewood section of Birmingham and have the best chicken salad you’ve ever eaten. http://ocarrs.com/ Delish! 🙂
Oh wonderful! I am looking forward to all the tips that my friends are going to be able to offer me. I am so excited and can not wait to actually move there. Thanks so much for the good wishes.
Wow! I love the enthusiasm with which you embrace BIG changes. I would not be as enthusiastic, I fear! I am assuming there will surely be a peanut tea pot, too?! Many well wishes to you both and I look forward to reading all about this new adventure.
I am on the lookout for a peanut teapot already but have not found one yet that I liked! I am sure my readers can help me, right? Thanks for the well wishes. I am thrilled. Now to sell this house!
I love that you and Chris are both so happy about this position and move! I know God holds the best for both of you! (I had to put my big-girl panties on to write those comments because you know I’ll miss you being here in N.Iowa desperately!!) 😉
I will miss you guys more than I can say but the great thing is that we are only a text or call or Facebook message away. My life has been a series of moves and adventures and I have gotten to meet so many great people like YOU! Thanks for the sweet words. Love ya mean it!
Those boiled peanuts are a real treat. I have family near Fort Payne. I’ll friend suggest you on FB. Peanuts, Pretzels, Roo’s girl you sure get around. It’s going to be a wonderful new home and adventure.
Thank you for the friend suggestion! I am still wanting to get a face to face with you before I leave the great state of Iowa….
I am so happy things are working out better. I can’t wait for posts on your new adventures!!
Thanks, Kim! I am really excited about the new adventure—so much new territory to explore!
WOW. Love your adventures. So happy for you and Chris. You’ll be closer to the beach AND to North Caroilina!
It is always something, right? But you know what? It is a good thing and I am embracing it with full force. God is good. I am thrilled to be closer to NC—I will get back eventually!
Boiled peanuts are Alabama gourmet! CH and I never passed up a boiled peanuts stand and when we travel we still stop and get them! I am excited for you both! We enjoyed our time there, it was interesting. CH was in flight school at Ft. Rucker and I worked for a chiropractor. All those beautiful beautiful pine trees and the nice drives to the beaches AND holy smokes… the watermelons! I am excited to see how much the area has changed since 1976! CH says he is jealous that you are going to be able to hear helicoptors ALL THE TIME… he thinks that is the sweetest sound 🙂 Congratulations to Chris and you Beth Ann!
I honestly have not had any yet but I will! I am very excited and I think we will probably hear those helicopters a lot. I will listen for CH!
Congrats to Chris and I hope he has a great first day of work.
I love your, as always, positive attitude.
And, yes, the peanut thing does seem quite Beth Ann.
Thanks, Audrey. I think you are right–the peanut thing is going to be so much fun! I already have a jump start on those posts, right?
Oh, wow…I lived for several years in Montgomery, and we went through Dothan many, many times! I’m sad you’re not gonna be an Iowa girl with me any longer, but we share Alabama too! Best wishes for everything live brings you and your family!
Thanks, Jeanne—we are really looking forward to southern winters instead of midwestern winters. 🙂
We don’t want you to leave, but certainly understand that you and Chris need to live in the same state, as well as the same house!! So happy that Chris has found a “better fit” in this new position.
Thanks, Roxann! It is going to be difficult to leave the friendships behind that I have made here in North Iowa but the good thing is that we always can stay in touch! Looking forward to catching up tomorrow at coffee!
God always has a plan that is better than any we can come up with! Blessing to you both on this new adventure. Bama is a beautiful state…spent a few summers in B’Ham and loved it there.
Thanks, Renea! I agree. God’s plan is always so much better than anything I could even think up—I don’t know why I just can’t ever seem to remember that! Thanks for stopping by—I am already in love with Bama!
What an incredible adventure you two have had this year! We’ll miss you a lot, but are so happy you received this opportunity, too. I love the photo of the peanut sculpture.
Congratulations and all the best to you and Chris! Thanks for your friendship, Beth Ann, and your great work on KCMR Radio!
[…] need? A teapot of course and if it is my home it needs multiple teapots. Yesterday I told you our big news of our move to Alabama. There have been a few crazy weeks of house hunting and figuring things out […]
Wonderful news. Best of luck!!
Awesome news, Beth Ann! Gulfport is only about an hour west of Mobile, so now maybe we can get together and meet in real life one day!! Best wishes for much success!
I am so excited for you! I can’t wait to come visit you!!
Congrats! I’m very happy for you both. You’ll soon be together again. 🙂 I don’t know how I missed this post.
I hope it will be sooner rather than later. Small detail of selling a house. 🙂
Yes! Here’s hoping it does sell soon!
Ahhhh that explains things!!! How freaking exciting! 🙂 I can not wait (well I will wait) until God starts moving me to where I AM supposed to be
It is very exciting. 🙂 I am confident that you will find where you are supposed to be one of these days.
[…] 4 foot tall painted peanuts around town. You might remember the Golden Peanut that I shared when I announced that we were going to Alabama. Dothan is host to the National Peanut Festival every year so yes—painted peanuts make total […]