Well, I got a job. We’re moving to Austin in a couple weeks!
These last ~two years in Houston have been some of the hardest and best years of my adult life. It’s hard to describe what it’s like to enter a career/ministry that is so demanding and yet so rich. Two sides of the same coin, really.
I was on a two-year contract here in Houston, and it was inevitable that I would need to leave my position. But it’s certainly not easy to leave.
This time has been marked by transition, illness (I had Covid three times and Daniel recovered from a serious hospitalization), and painful discernment. But it has also brought delight, rootedness, and rapid skills development. I am deeply grateful for the community we found here, and relieved that a lot of our relationships will be able to endure since we’re staying in Texas.
As for staying in Texas, I imagine some of you are surprised. I certainly was. But I’ve come to love the people here and I can’t give up on them. There is work to be done and there are people committing their lives to making things better. I never question whether my advocacy and ministry matter here. They unquestioningly do.
Daniel and I will miss the delicious and varied food, and the cultural, racial, and religious diversity of Houston. But we won’t miss the terrible infrastructure! I’m looking forward to a more walkable neighborhood, proximity to nature, and a more eco-conscious community.
But don’t worry, Houstonians. I’ll still celebrate 713 Day from afar.
I’ll (probably) share more about my new position after the move. In the meantime, any Austin recs?
2 Comments
Hi Leah! Long time reader (who just moved out of Austin last fall after 11 years) though I infrequently comment. Just a few fun Austin things I’d recommend:
Walkable neighborhoods:
– Clarksville (78703)
– Far West (78731) – probably my favorite neighborhood for mix of walking, a neighborhood trail, and easy driving though bus service is limited
– South Austin (78745) – the part of Austin I lived in the longest (almost 5 years) and where I spent a whole yera without a car. Great transit options (bus), convenient coffee shops, Sprouts groceries, etc.
I miss it there very much and especially miss HEB (I left TX altogether), Barton Springs, Auditorium Shores for walks/off leash time with my dog, Captain Quackenbush’s Coffee Shops, La Mancha Tex Mex, Rockstar Bagels (though I did move somewhere with better bagels!), any of the Farmer’s Markets, The 04 Center for concerts, Radio Coffee and Beer, etc etc. Oh and one niche thing I’ll recommend is the Kerrville Folk Festival! It has a special place in my heart, as does the hill country (Kerrville, Comfort, Boerne, Johnson City are all great places to check out for the day). If you like the bike there’s the Veloway! Oh and in Wimberley, a very special concert series called Blue Rock.
Best of luck with your move!
Hi, Grace! Thanks so much for the recommendations. This all sounds great. I am already enjoying the quick access to nature trails and all the great coffee shops. Looking forward to exploring the music scene. We love bluegrass and roots music, so I am particularly excited about discovering places for that.