Beginnings...

 

We awaken today to a fresh chapter. 

To be fair, we all awaken to a fresh chapter today. This isn't unique to our little family. Even if nothing is changing in the landscape of your own story, you still have the chance to start a new chapter today. That choice is yours to make.

But for us, today begins a new season of seeking God's direction, planting our roots in a new community, and seeking refreshment for our souls.

It's a strange feeling. 

Yesterday I sat in the WillowBridge office with my morning coffee for the final time. I did the office chores for the final time. I went to the Grabill post office for the final time. Ryan and I had our last conversations with our tenants while serving as their official advocates.

Last night we shared our final team meal with Sean and Sarah. We reminisced, laughed, and answered questions. We came back to our apartment, which resembles something of a sitcom set after shooting the final episode. We listened to our words bounce off the floors and walls while one last load of laundry tumbled around in the dryer. 

This morning we'll grab our coffee at the coffee shop, pack up the vehicles with the last of the last, and then we'll make the drive as a family (one parent and one pet per vehicle) to our new home for keeps.

And so will begin the firsts. 

Our first real meal in our new home. (The leftovers we had during a speakerphone conversation last week don't count as the first real meal.)

Introducing Braeya and Lexi to their new bedrooms. 

Washing our bedding in our new laundry room so we can make up our bed in its new space.

Working our way through potential configurations of furniture layouts to see what will be coziest and most comfortable in this new space. 

Maybe not tomorrow (hello, Indiana weather) but soon...our first walk to explore our new neighborhood. 

Our first time attending our new church. 

And on and on it will go.

It will be familiar to have our days together for a while longer. We've done that with much joy for the last two years. But it will be strange to figure out a new rhythm to our days. Still, I welcome it.

We don't know what all these beginnings hold, but we welcome them.