A Different Kind of Move by Shanna Dietz

Our second moving experience was completely different from our first.

We had been happily serving at our church in Dalhart for almost a year and a half when, on a camping trip with our friends, Zach got a voicemail from a number we didn't recognize. The message was from a pastor at a church in Oklahoma and he said that he worked with Phil, Zach's uncle. He also said that they were currently looking for a worship pastor and wanted to know if Zach would send his resume. When we heard the message, we actually laughed. We were in no way looking for a new job and definitely weren't looking to move out of state. It seemed very random and we didn't even have a serious conversation about it until a few days later. I think we remembered that it happened on our way home from camping and casually discussed what we should do. I think Zach called his parents to hear their thoughts and even Phil to find out more about the church. We decided that it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and send a resume. It was also helpful that the pastor at our church in Dalhart had told us before that any time an opportunity presents itself, he looks into it and encourages the same for others. So, Zach sent his resume and the next day told our pastor what had happened to be sure to keep him in the loop.

This time around it felt so different. We were in a different season and really quite content where we were. We just told ourselves that we would walk toward the open door and if God wanted us to go through it we would, but if He closed it we would be ok with that too. We didn't need a job like we had needed one the first time. I had really sweet friendships in Dalhart. In fact, one of my friends I made while I was in town trying to find a place to live. We hit it off so well that we were getting together 3-4 times a week within the first few months of living there. We had several reasons to just stay where we were.

The nice thing about not needing a job was that we weren't too worried if it was going to work out or not. We didn't feel a lot of pressure to try to impress the people Zach was in contact with.  But this time, we also didn't have a list of things for God to confirm for us. When we would talk about it and pray about it, we didn't feel like anything was really being said to us. We knew that if we were going to move, we wanted to go to a healthy church, full of life, but that was about it.

The interview process was really long and drawn out. It was so unusual because every time there was a milestone in the process (like a phone call coming or an in-person interview), we would say, "After this we'll probably know." But every time, we always were still pretty on the fence about what God was wanting us to do. Something that was pretty cool, that kept drawing us toward this new church was their heart for orphans. Zach and I have always felt a strong call to adopt eventually and during our interview lunch with the pastor and associate pastor, they were telling us about the large number of adoptions in the church. That was before we opened up about our desires to do that. Another thing they told us about is the huge heart for mission work. Zach and I have been on mission trips and really love to be apart of a body that makes that a priority. We felt like God was stirring in our hearts the things that we've been passionate about and giving us a vision for how that would look at Evergreen.

I remember well how much I loved that God would speak to us so specifically about going to Dalhart. And I would ask Him why He wasn't making it quite as obvious with the new opportunity. We weren't feeling a strong call to move but we also hadn't seen any red flags! He began to show me that He was drawing me to a place in my walk with Him that required more seeking to hear His small, quiet voice and more faith in my ability to hear Him. He was still so faithful to speak to us and direct our steps, but this time it was almost like I had to be a little more mature and willing to trust Him, even when He wasn't writing it in the sky.

Zach was offered the job in September 2014 and by that point we were certain it was what God was calling us to do. Our pastor in Dalhart was so kind and gracious to walk with us every step of the way. We cried when we told our friends we were moving. And I have done quite a bit of crying but have had incredible peace about our move. It was so bittersweet to leave Dalhart--sad to leave our friends/church but excited that God must have a good plan to be taking us somewhere else.

We've been in Oklahoma for just over 4 months and have settled in. I haven't made close, intimate friendships quite as quickly as I did in Dalhart and that's okay. Our church is full of people who genuinely love God and are just plain nice. We have felt so welcomed and loved since we moved here and we are working on investing in our new relationships.

 Shanna has the joy of staying home full time with her two young boys. Her husband is the worship pastor at Evergreen Church in Tulsa, OK. She loves chocolate, coffee and connecting with other women. Her days are usually spent playing cars, singing silly songs, and baking sweets.