When God Calls You to Move: My Journey to Becoming a Temporary Resident in Mexico

I still remember the day I walked out of the Mexican Consulate with that little piece of paper that said approved. My hands were shaking, and I was trying to keep my composure, but inside I was a mix of nerves, disbelief, and deep gratitude. I had just been pre-approved for temporary residency in Mexico.

Now, if someone had told me a few years ago that I would be living in another country, walking through cobblestone streets, hearing church bells ring, and learning Spanish from scratch, I would have smiled and politely said, “Not me.” I never saw this coming. But isn’t that just like God? He will shift your life in ways that stretch your faith and grow your heart.

The Process: From Pre-Approval to Residency

If you are thinking about moving to Mexico, let me tell you a little about the process, because it can be confusing at first. You have to begin in your home country, at the Mexican consulate. That is where you apply for pre-approval. It’s the first big step in the process.

You’ll need certain documents—proof of income or savings, a valid passport, and other supporting paperwork that shows you are financially stable and serious about establishing residency. The consulate staff reviews everything, asks questions, and stamps your passport with a pre-approval visa. Once that happens, you have about six months to actually go to Mexico and complete the process.

That’s when the next part begins—canje, the exchange. Once you arrive in Mexico, you go to the immigration office (INM) to turn in your paperwork, fingerprints, photos, and documents. After a little waiting and a few visits, they hand you your residency card. It’s the moment everything becomes real. You’re officially a temporary resident of Mexico.

The Moment It Hit Me

When I finally held that card in my hand, I could barely breathe. I stared at my picture, at my name, and the words “Residente Temporal,” and I whispered, “God, You really did this.”

It’s not about a card—it’s about the calling. For me, it represented obedience. It represented a new chapter that I didn’t plan but that God had clearly written long before I caught up to it. It was one of those moments when you realize you’ve crossed over into something bigger than yourself.

I was nervous, of course. This was all new territory. New language. New culture. New systems. Even grocery shopping felt different. But deep down, I knew I was where I was supposed to be.

The Culture Shock and the Beauty of Adjusting

Let’s talk about culture shock for a moment. Because yes, it’s real.

In Mexico, things move differently. You learn to slow down. You learn to wait your turn. You learn that people value connection over convenience. If the cashier at the store stops to have a full conversation with the customer ahead of you, it’s not rudeness—it’s relationship.

And the beauty of that has been humbling. It reminded me that life isn’t meant to be rushed through. Transition teaches you that. Whether you’re moving to another country or shifting into a new season of your life, transition will always demand that you adjust your pace.

You have to release the old rhythm to embrace the new one. And that’s not easy, especially for women like us who have spent years running households, careers, and everything in between. But change will stretch you in all the right ways.

When Life Slows Down on Purpose

One thing I noticed early on was that life here forces you to be present. You hear birds instead of traffic. You notice colors—the bright blue doors, the pink bougainvillea climbing up the walls, the sound of laughter echoing down a side street.

And I realized, maybe slowing down wasn’t a punishment. Maybe it was God’s way of reintroducing me to myself.

When we’re constantly in motion, we forget to feel. We forget to breathe. We forget to notice the small, sacred moments. But Mexico—this transition—has been God’s gentle reminder that peace is found in presence, not perfection.

What Transition Really Means

Transition doesn’t always mean relocation. Maybe you’re not packing suitcases or saying goodbye to coworkers. Maybe your transition is emotional. Maybe it’s spiritual. Maybe it’s learning to live after loss, rediscovering your purpose, or stepping into a new version of yourself after years of putting everyone else first.

Transition means God is shifting you from what was to what will be. It’s not comfortable, but it’s necessary.

I’ve learned that when God calls you to move—whether physically, mentally, or spiritually—He already has provision waiting for you. But you won’t find it until you step out.

When Fear Shows Up

I wish I could tell you I walked into this move without fear, but that would be a lie. I was terrified. There were nights I questioned everything. Did we hear God right? What if this doesn’t work out? What if I can’t adjust?

And yet, every time fear started to take over, I heard that still small voice remind me: “You are not alone. I am with you.”

That’s what I want to remind you of today. Whatever transition you’re in—whether it’s career, motherhood, menopause, marriage, or something brand new—you are not alone. God hasn’t brought you this far to abandon you now.

A Coach’s Heart in the Middle of It All

As a coach, I know what it feels like to be stuck. To feel that tension between the life you’ve known and the one that’s waiting for you. And that’s why I created my coaching space—to help women like you navigate these transitions with clarity, courage, and grace.

Because let’s be honest—change doesn’t come with a map. It comes with lessons. It comes with unexpected turns. And it comes with moments that make you question your strength. But I’ve learned that inside those moments is where growth happens.

If you’ve been feeling that nudge—that pull to move, to change, to let go, to begin again—I want to help you walk it out. Not just survive it, but thrive through it. You can visit my coaching site at CoachAntoinette.com to learn more about how we can work together. Whether through one-on-one sessions, blogs, or the Hot Flashes & Cold Truths podcast, everything I do is designed to help you move forward.

What I’ve Learned So Far

Here are a few things this move—and this process of becoming a temporary resident—has taught me:

1. Obedience is greater than comfort.
   Sometimes God will ask you to do things that don’t make sense to anyone else. Do it anyway.
2. Preparation is spiritual.
   Getting your paperwork together, showing up to appointments, and waiting for approval—all of it builds endurance.
3. Transition reveals what you trust.
   When everything is uncertain, you find out what and who your faith is really in.
4. Community matters.
   Even in a new country, God will place the right people around you. Stay open to connection.
5. Your journey will inspire someone else.
   You may not even realize it, but your obedience gives others courage to do the same.
6. Let yourself be a beginner again.
   Learning Spanish, adjusting to new customs, figuring out directions—it’s humbling, but it reminds you that growth happens when you’re willing to learn.
7. Don’t rush the becoming.
   God’s timing is perfect, and sometimes He’ll slow things down so that your character can catch up with your calling.

Faith and Focus: A Gentle Practice

If you’re in a season of transition, I want to leave you with something practical. Grab your journal, or even just a piece of paper, and ask yourself these three questions:

1. What season am I in right now?
2. What is God asking me to release?
3. What is He asking me to embrace?

Write freely. Don’t overthink it. You might be surprised at what comes up.

Then, take a moment to breathe. Pray. Or simply sit in silence and say, “Lord, I trust You with this season.”

Transition can be messy, but it’s holy work. It’s the soil where new things are planted.

Final Thoughts

Standing here now, in the heart of Chapala, I can tell you—change is worth it. The fear, the adjustments, the waiting, all of it. Because on the other side of transition is transformation.

If you’re in that space right now—between where you were and where you’re going—breathe. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take the next step.

And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why I’m here.

Let’s walk through your transition together—with faith, humor, and a whole lot of grace.

You’ve got this, sis. And when you don’t, God’s got you.

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