Today I am looking at some fears I have about moving to Hawaii. Do I want to move there? "Yes!" Am I willing to take big risks? "Yep!" Am I scared? "More than I really want to admit..." -But I will. I will look them in the eye and take them on. Some will have to be crushed and others will remain to keep me humble or to keep me focused on this dream. Others will become a tool for strengthening me spiritually.
So here are my top 10 fears
(in no particular order):
(in no particular order):
- Learning the Hawaiian language (just reading street signs will be a challenge)
- Cost of living
- Racism
- Island Fever
- No change in seasons
- The critters of the islands
- Not seeing family and friends often
- Failure
- Our photography business
- We won't be on vacation if we live there
For now I will say this in regards to my fears:
2 Timothy 1:7: "God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control."
Philippians 4:13: "Christ gives me the strength to face anything."
(both verses from the Contemporary English Version)
Your last one would be my biggest fear - what happens when the vacation ends?? that sorta lingering doom. That and you would be further from family...however it would be nice to have more reason to visit Hawaii finally :)
ReplyDeleteAlison, for sure! I put it down because it's like marrying someone you love, but have never spent a lot of time with. Every time you spent time with them it was exciting, full of activities, fun stuff and extra special (since you only saw them once and a while). But to marry that person -to be with them nearly 24/7 during all the mundane and anti-exciting times of life is a whole-other ball-game.
ReplyDeleteIf you love the person you will still marry them -despite the unknown of how it will be to know them daily and in the light of the "daily." But because you love them, you fear that marrying them may lead to you not loving them. What if you find that you don't like them? What if the dream crumbles?
What comes to mind is that 1) This is not a marriage -and if I find that I don't like Hawaii, in the non-vacationing sort of way, I can JUST MOVE BACK! and 2) I know that like a couple committing in marriage (not really knowing each other yet on a daily basis) they won't be able to say they really love their spouse-to-be outside of such a commitment. To love just a few aspects of that person in an area of their life isn't the same as to fully love someone, for better or for worse!
As of today, I am willing to commit to exploring Hawaii in the light of every-day life. Not just from a hotel with a maid and nothing to do but to swim and eat delicious food. I am ready to get to know Hawaii (and her people) on a deeper level.
As far as family and friends go -it's going to be super tough!!! This one will be one that will make me really examine what this is worth, how much I am willing to "give up" or "risk" for this dream. It will likely serve to grow me in faith and to keep me humble. Physically distancing ourselves from all our family and friends will mean we will only have each other and God. (Thankfully, the Internet and phones make it easy to stay so connected.)
But you're right -it will make family and friends want to come out to visit us. Think about it! Hawaii + Us = the best vacation ever!!! LOL