Friday, February 6, 2009

Returning

After a lot of discussions, thoughts and prayer about my job situation, we've decided to return to Atlanta and finish my residency at Emory. This has been a difficult decision for many obvious reasons, but having finally made it, we are relieved and excited to be moving forward. I have spoken with my program director there, who has been unbelievably supportive and helpful throughout the past year, and told her that we were ready to come back. So we're still working out all the details, but it looks like we'll be moving back sometime in the May/June range. We are so thankful to the Emory program who have been so flexible and understanding with everything.


So we're coming back. And we're excited to see all of our friends there. We are apprehensive about moving back to all the memories and places associated with Joseph. And I'm anxious about returning to work at the hospital where he was diagnosed and had the first surgery. So there are some things to be praying for if you think of it.


We are so thankful for our friends and family who have supported us throughout this year and especially in the months after Joseph's death. We feel so blessed to have so many around us encouraging and helping us. We're excited for the future for the first time in a long time and are ready to get going.

26 comments:

ErinM said...

We're excited to see you again, and hope that being here helps you remember even more of the fun times with Joseph.

Jason said...

So praying for you guys. We love you.

Ashley said...

There is a good chance that Ryan and I might be moving to Atlanta in August for him to do hospital rotations. I'm more excited about the possibility now that I will have family there. :)

courtney said...

Glad to hear you feel peace with this decision! Praying for you guys always....

Anonymous said...

We're gonna miss you guys so much. And when I told Grey the other day he said, 'But Mommy, I'm gonna miss Holly every day." We'll have to make plans to visit soon...

Jean Joiner said...

I know this was a really tough decision for you guys. We'll be praying for your transition. Please let us know if we can help at all.

Anonymous said...

Praying,praying,praying. I once lost everything I held dear...I desperately wanted to go home to my old life. A wise man said to me, your home is with Jesus, here you're just passing through. I will pray that your next stop is "new" enough to not torment with pain, and familiar enough to bring you some comfort. Jesus said, "I make all things new."
God bless.

Buddy Buds and Friends! said...

Praying for all of you! So glad that you have decided to come back to Emory! You are going to be an incredible pediatrician, and I'm glad that I had a chance to work with you when you were here before. Keeping you in my prayers, Kelly

Orlagh said...

I am praying for you guys! You guys are so strong, love you!! XOXO

Anonymous said...

I love what the anonymous blogger said about Jesus making all things new again!! I hope that comment helped you today as much as it helped me... I am so gald you are continuing to follow your dream and go back....May you continue to have peace in your decision..a friend in Texas....

Anonymous said...

We will definetely be praying for y'all as you prepare to come back to Atlanta. I know it will be so hard to leave Nashville. Selfishly, of course, I am thrilled that you'll be back in Atlanta soon, and I can't wait to see y'all... but I know that it is going to be a tough move. We're praying. Please let me know if there is any way we can support you.

Love,
Sara Wade

Anonymous said...

We're very happy for you three. I wish you all the best in this residency, Allen. I know it's a bitter-sweet thing to head back to Atlanta after all that happened since then, and I will continue to pray for you three and for God's tender love to be revealed to you everyday. Love you all very much. -scott cunningham

Anonymous said...

Being an 'Atlanta' friend I am SOO excited you all coming back here. I know will be hard and am praying for you all. I am sure not easy decision, but as a parent I thank Allen for returning to the medical arena since he had a calling. Future kids will be blessed by your return.

We are here always and look forward to making many new memories with you and your family in the years to come. I think of Joseph always (have a picture of him and Abigail on my desk) and of you, Allen, Holly. Always sending you hugs and love and look forward to being able to talk and hug in person when you return. If need anything to 'prepare', research, etc....you know I am around and happy to assist.

LOVE YOU ALL. Jody

Anonymous said...

Peace be with your family as you continue making all of these major transitions in your lives.

Randi said...

Hi,
Just here to listen. The boys and I have been praying about this matter for you guys for a little while.
We are glad you are at peace.
Love,
Randi

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see you for a moms night out?!

Melissa (and Kayla)

Sarah-Jane said...

Allen, I think you will be an AMAZING pediatrician. I can only imagine that there will be so many painful things and I hope and pray they will not be painful always. I am so thankful for your flexible director at Emory. Thanks for being such a great husband to Gillian. I love watching you guys interact and have been truly Blessed watching you guys go through this year. I feel like I just got to watch true friendship and love.
YOu are a great Dad, Uncle and Husband. I know you will make so many little kids and parents laugh.
we love you guys!

Amanda said...

Hello Peabody Family,
Please know I will be praying for you for this next adventure that you are about to embark on. It sounds like it will be a very positive thing, and now you will be able to move along with doing your residency. The memories you have of Joeseph will live forever in your hearts and he will be watching out for you from heaven! Take care and God Bless!
Amanda

Brea said...

Wow, this is big news! I admire you guys for making a decision to follow a path that will surely not be easy, but on which God is surely going to use you mightily. We will be praying that He will grant you daily strength as you look toward the future and move forward.

Gillian, we will have a knit night in honor of your return! Ya'll have been missed here!

Chloë said...

Hello! Your post made me smile.

So here's the makings of a smile in return..

The Donkey

I had a Donkey, that was all right,
But he always wanted to fly my Kite;
Every time I let him, the String would bust.
Your Donkey is better behaved, I trust.

The Ceiling

Suppose the Ceiling went Outside
And then caught Cold and Up and Died?
The only Thing we'd have for Proof
That he was Gone, would be the Roof;
I think it would be Most Revealing
To find out how the Ceiling's Feeling.

The Chair

A funny thing about a Chair:
You hardly ever think it's there.
To know a Chair is really it,
You sometimes have to go and sit.

The Hippo

A Head or Tail--which does he lack?
I think his Forward's coming back!
He lives on Carrots, Leeks and Hay;
He starts to yawn--it takes All Day--

Some time I think I'll live that way.

The Lizard

The Time to Tickle a Lizard,
Is Before, or Right After, a Blizzard.
Now the place to begin
Is just under his Chin,--
And here's more Advice:
Don't Poke more than Twice
At an Intimate Place like his Gizzard.

Anonymous said...

See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Ex 23:20. We are praying that all the many details of this move...home, neighbors, friends, work, emotions, church, activities, etc...will be prepared for you. I am sure it will be so difficult to leave family, friends, church, and that great house and yard in Tenn. We are thrilled you are returning and you will be welcomed with so many smiles and open arms and hearts. I know your families will miss you terribly..they are super special.

Anonymous said...

I'm excited for you. That last sentence of your post was so encouraging. We'll be praying for the transition & will look forward to seeing you before too long.
I'm so grateful that you've experienced so much understanding/care from the residency program at Emory. What a huge blessing!

Courtney said...

I'm praying for you all! Allen, I know you are and will continue to be an amazing doctor!

—Courtney S.

joann said...

will be praying for all of you~ the rosenbaums

The Loeffels said...

Praying for you guys, and we will continue to do so. I can imagine that this decision was a difficult one to make. We will do anything you need to help with this transition... anything. Jaime and William

Anonymous said...

Allen, Gill & Holly...you are in my constant thoughts & prayers. Peace be with you as you prepare for the move back to Atlanta.

Love always, Céire