East TN again...?

 A very upfront, vocal woman approached me yesterday at the handicraft fair and cautioned me about moving to North Idaho. Her sister lives there, and she explained to me that if I had no family, it could feel really remote. It is also cold & dreary, and the church scene is questionable. I have hesitations too. The "unfriendly" vibe, the cold people, the hunting culture being too intense, the white supremacy..., the tough girl scene. Perhaps it was meant to be that she approached me, and prayed for me. Perhaps it was God's warning sign, a protection for our family. (Guns concern me as our family continues to struggle with mental health.)

Tennessee came up again when we ran into Shaun in the evening. "I kept thinking of you, Julie," he repeated over and over. He cautioned us to reconsider, for the kids' sake. I had also longed for East TN when I sipped on the beautiful stone-made mug, when I thought of the kindness I experienced there, and the beautiful smokey mountains.... 

Then I thought about my WHY's again. Those have changed over time, but they are:

- Roots (where can I settle down, and grow old)? The climate is more mild there, and it seems to be more comfortable for us to grow old eventually. My children also have family out in that direction, so they would feel a sense of belonging.
- My children could eventually buy homes out in that direction because of affordability. 
- Years ago, I felt God call us to North Carolina. He also gave me a sign of mountains. Perhaps I was considering the wrong mountains. Perhaps He is leading us to the Smokey Mountains.  I remember as we were leaving the area, I saw the remnants of Hurricane Helene. I had felt God say he wanted us to build this year, but to build our home and our family in ruins? 
- Nature, trees to climb...
- Homestead, gardening, raising animals
- Homeschooling is strong
- Family values
- Walkability, ability to exercise and stay healthy and active.

I remember how I felt at Grace Meadow Farms - the warmth of the people there. I also met a woman who was recently widowed from her late pastor husband. Moved from NY to E TN and she said she felt safe as ever.