We soon won't be "Strolling in Seattle"

I started this blog to keep our family and friends up to date when we were leaving the south almost 7 years ago. It was a way to help stay connected. It has documented a lot over the years and Im sure left out many things too. It has held its name as we have still been strolling around Seattle with Levi almost outgrowing the stroller!  As most of you probably know, we need to change the name of the blog. In June, we will no longer be Strolling in Seattle but rather "The Moores in the The Land" or "Coming to Cleveland" or "Living in the Mistake on the Lake" or "MooreLand"?  I am not sure what to go with yet... suggestions are welcomed. Below is the email I sent to our friends in Seattle. I think it conveys where are hearts have been and are....

So our family has been wrestling for a while about how much longer we were going to be able to stay in Seattle. Due to cost of living/housing prices with a growing family we began praying for wisdom and discernment for several years now if the Lord would have us stay in Seattle or move. Wes applied for a few jobs but they didn't work out or  we knew it wasn't right time/opportunity. Casey began actively looking for jobs in other cities beginning in January. A job opportunity came up at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland OH as the Pediatric Medication Safety Pharmacist (In December she had started a Medication Safety program through ISMP and only ever worked at pediatric hospital so that is why this intrigued her). Casey applied and received in onsite interview in February. We both went to Cleveland to check out the city and continue to pray over the process. Last week, Casey was offered the job. We have continued to pray and seek wisdom. We have decided to accept the job offer and relocate to Cleveland this summer by July (leaving June 11th). It is such a bitter sweet decision as we know the Lord is faithful to provide and His hand will hold us up in a new city. And at the same time we are mourning the loss of leaving a beautiful part of the country that is filled with many friends and where we have called home for the last 6 years. We came to "help" The Hallows but the Hallows helped disciple us and grow our love to Christ and our neighbors more. We will forever cherish The Hallows and how it is the Church God has called us to be. All the support and love over the years is irreplaceable. All five us are so thankful we had that opportunity to come to Seattle and serve amongst you all. We will continue to pray for your relationships, endurance, strength as you continue to labor for the Lord in Seattle. 

We ask that you pray for our family through the transition. Leighton was quite tearful as she is sad about missing friends. Everywhere I look there is a memory, history, nostalgia, etc. Prayers for a faith family in Cleveland as we don't know anyone there and to make much of Christ. Cleveland is an under reached area with only about 7% evangelical Christian present so we are going to be looking to get involved in another church plant hopefully as it was such a gracious gift to be a part of The Hallows in Seattle. This aspect of the move excites us. It is closer to our family but I think not being where we are from will keep us unsettled enough to remember this world is not our home and to find comfort in Christ. 

Where are we now? A week after telling friends and my job....We are still getting nostalgic with people or places. It is hard to think I won't see some people again. It is a weird feeling because we have lived here the longest in our married life. Brought babies home to our little apartment. Everywhere I look, a sweet memory comes up. Even difficult memories still make me emotional because of the way we were cared for and loved. Seeing our kids with their friends is now hard. So many feels!

Leighton and Delaney. They have been friends since 6 months of age and enjoyed being in the same first grade class this year at SCCS. 

Levi and our good friends daughter, Ila, who lives at the end of the street! only 1 week apart. 

But we are happy to have over 2 months to frequent some of our favorite things in the area and do our normal Fremont routines a little longer. We are looking forward to making more memories with friends over the coming weeks and I am hoping they can backfill my position at work so I can transfer my projects to someone else :) I don't like leaving work unfinished even if I am taking a new job. Can't do it.

Pictures of our neighborhood coffee shop (closest one to our house... there are 6+ in walking distance), playground at the Space Needle, and around our worn out apartment!

So that is how we feel about Seattle. A time of mourning. How do we feel about Cleveland? Based on  our one visit to Cleveland it is still hard to picture what living there will be like. When we moved to Seattle we could envision our life here for some reason. It is likely I am having a hard time visualizing because of the media. Its always the medias fault right? I mean the national news about Cleveland is job loss, abandoned houses, bodies in basements, poor school, and more. And if there is a positive word dropped it is usually "its not as bad here as we thought it would be." Maybe that is how our family will feel? Coming from a city where everyone wants to move or live (hence the problem) does put up some steep competition for Cleveland. But I don't think it will be fair to continually compare it to the pretty landscape of snowcapped mountains and boats across the sound. I am praying for excitement for the transition, a heart for the city and the people. Wherever we go that is key right? Because let's be honest, over half the year in Seattle I don't see the mountains or water due to the clouds/rain so if it wasn't a love for our local church, neighbors, friends and coworkers we would have left years ago! We are definitely excited to be "drivable" to our parents (or a short flight from Nashville) and only 5-6 hours from our siblings! Michael and his family are only 5 hours from Cleveland in Louisville and the Austins are moving to D.C. which is about 6 hours! Road trips!

(pictures from Wes and I trip to Cleveland in February) 

Big changes for our family. I am not sure exactly what to pray for... I guess community, faith family, friends for all of us, new job, a place to live,  low stress and love for Cleveland. Thank you!