Transition Checklist

My dear husband passed this list on to me and I've found it helpful as I begin this journey of transitioning to a new season of life. I realize that there are a number changes that are going on -- living in a new town (Pettisville/Archbold), going from working full-time to being at home, living closer to parents, being a pastor's family.  I also recognize that there are a lot of things still the same -- being a family of five, baking bread, playing with Jessie (our dog), preparing to garden...the list goes on.

Transition Checklist
1.  Take your Time
2. Arrange temporary structures (temporary arrangements to bridge)
3. Don't act for the sake of action (resist the temptation to "do something-anything", to get out of temporary situation)
4.  Recognize why you are uncomfortable (expect times of anxiety, expect old fears to be awakened)
5. Take care of yourself in little ways (maintain familiar habits)
6. Explore the other side  of the change (the good & the bad)
7. Get someone to talk to
8. Find out what is waiting in the wings of your life (what new growth is waiting to germinate?)
9. Use this transition as the impetus to a new kind of learning
10. Recognize that transition has a characteristic shape

I have commented a number of times that it just feels like we are on vacation.  I know that feeling will change next week when the girls start school and Jeff starts work.  I anticipate doing some soul searching as I continue to unpack and provide some stability for the girls.  We'll see what emerges.