No, you didn’t read that wrong. The Robbins’ clan is relocating. But don’t worry, we’re not going too far. We’ll just be the people on the OTHER side of the river, you know, the Kentucky side. I posted briefly about this on FB, but have neglected to write more to explain everything.
Here is the back story of attending seminary:
(If you only want to know about how this affects Leah Robbins Photography, then you can skip this and scroll down the post for that answer)
We are headed to the great city of Louisville (pronounced “lulvul” by the natives) for my husband to start school at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Well, he actually started a couple weeks ago and commutes down for the time being, until the house sells. But once our home is not our own anymore, we are headed south. That could be next week or next year. Only the Lord really knows. We are very excited and scared about this new season in our lives. For one, it’s a big adventure for our family. Cincinnati has been our home (mine for all my life, minus the four glorious years in Knoxville), and will always be our home. We are leaving behind most of our family, lots of friends, & our church. It’s a hard move, but we are thankful it’s only two hours away. We are not out of reach, so Cincy will still see plenty of us.
So what brought us to seminary? Matthew has a heart for the Lord that I truly admire and respect. He has a deep desire and need to study, learn, digest God’s Word that I feel few christians (sadly, and myself included) lack. He first brought up the idea of attending seminary years ago, when I was pregnant with Seth, our first. While I saw seminary as a perfect fit for him (he’s a brilliant student and then to be a study of the Bible? Come on, no one can deny that’s perfect), I did not see it as a perfect fit for our family. So I said no, and he graciously backed off. For a time. Over the last three years, the discussion will come up, I will sheepishly smile, say I’ll think about it, then shoot down his hopes and dreams the next day. That method was working out great for me. I still had my life and it was perfect. But I knew something had to change. It wasn’t perfect for Matthew.
In May (I think it was May – it’s all kind of a blur), Matthew brought up seminary again. There was nothing unusual about this. At this point, I had been used to Matthew talking about going back to school or entering ministry in some fashion. So I was ready to shoot it down once again, but out of respect for him, gave it some time so I could think and pray about it. And this time, the answer was different. I started getting really weepy for a few days before I even gave him the ok for us to do this because I knew in my heart, seminary was where the Lord was leading us. I couldn’t deny it anymore. I couldn’t fight it. It was the perfect fit for our family.
So, over the next couple of months, Matthew and I talked and prayed about it, meanwhile pursuing the opportunity for him to start in the fall (applying, doing a campus visit, putting the house on the market, etc). None of this meant we were officially going, but we had to get the process rolling in order for it to even be an option for us. I was still dragging my feet some, but it was more out of selfishness, fear, and lack of trust in the Lord. It was not because we were doing the wrong thing. Once we made the official “Yes, we’re going to seminary” announcement, it could not be more clear this is the path the Lord has for our family. Things have really fallen into place, between scholarships (I was terrified about the finances of this whole thing) and his job (Ward let him go part time! Yay, Ward Group!!), we have just seen the Lord work and affirm our decision. The last piece of the puzzle is the house, and we know that’s not outside his hands as well. We trust the house will sell (or rent) at the right time, whatever that time might be.
So how am I feeling about all this? Excited, actually. I know, I’m surprised by that reaction as well. I’m excited about the things that Matthew is going to get to do and learn and where this will lead us into ministry. I’m excited about our new adventure as a family, learning to rely on each other more now that we won’t have the immediate support of our friends and family. I’m actually kind of excited about the idea of downgrading and living on less ‘stuff’. I feel like our lives get so bogged down with crud and consumerism, etc (and I am a fierce victim of that), that it will be nice to step back, slow down, and live with less and on less. But what I’m most excited about is how this is going to teach us to trust in the Lord. That is such a simple phrase that is used soooo often and thrown around so much. It’s very easy to say, “Yes, I trust in the Lord”, but daily living it out? Let’s face it, many of us don’t actually give things over to Him daily like we should. Ok, well maybe you do, but I don’t. I’ve had a good life. I have a loving family who has always provided for me. A successful husband who loves me, cares for me, is a great father to our children. I have two beautiful children who are just perfect. I have a successful business that I built and is still growing. Life is good. Why do I need to trust? WHO do you think gave me all that? God. Who do I give the credit to? Me. I had a panic moment one day after we made the decision to move, thinking about how we’re going to pay for everything, how am I going to move my business to Louisville, etc. Then I remembered – “Oh, this is what it means to trust in the Lord, to cast all your cares upon him? This is what I was supposed to be doing all those years when I said the words ‘I trust God in all things’. I get it now!”
I’m not saying I’m going to be perfect in trusting when we move to Louisville. And I know a 2 hr move isn’t much in the grand scheme of things either. But I am thankful for the things that the Lord has already taught me in this decision and will continue to teach me as we go on with life.
So what is going on with Leah Robbins Photography?
Yes, my business is moving south. I will be trying to build a client base in Louisville and the surrounding areas (if you are from there or know of anyone, please send them my info!!). BUT, I will still keep my clients in Cincinnati. Louisville is only TWO HOURS away. I know it won’t be the most convenient thing ever, but I’m willing to make that drive for my clients. I have many near and dear clients around here that I don’t want lose or miss out on. I AM still booking weddings for 2012 and beyond in Cincinnati. I’m booking for everything as if I will still be here next year (and with this housing market, there’s a good chance I’ll actually be here). But even if we move down soon, I will come home to shoot weddings, portraits, etc. I have family and friends in town that I will want to see, so it will be a nice excuse to come home. Besides, with Matthew going down to part time, my business is that much more beneficial to our family!
SO, please still refer me if you are in the Cincinnati area, and START referring me if you are in the Louisville area 🙂 Don’t worry, you’re not getting rid of me that easily!!
Thanks so much for reading all my ramblings!!
