The Saturday Six

 

I wasn't online much this week, but I did stumble across some really fun trip-related things (probably because everyone seems to be on spring break right now) so I thought I'd share them here today! Never a bad day when you get to think about a vacation, right?

One.

A few years ago, on our anniversary trip, Ryan and I did a drive-through Christmas light display in a cave in Louisville. It was so much fun! I am not great with scary caves, but well-lit, minimal-bat caves are interesting to me. So this kayaking tour in a cave actually sounds pretty fun! And it's in Kentucky, so it's not out of the scope of reality for us! 

Two.

I don't know if I have shared this one before or not. Seems like a while back (months...years?) I ran across this or something similar. But it's okay if it's a repeat. It's still pretty cool! I love trip planning - SO much - but if I did not love it, these surprise vacation packages would be pretty cool! I don't know...could I be okay heading out without EITHER of us knowing where we are going or what we'll be doing? That would be pretty crazy! But I do love the concept. 

Three.

When I was growing up, I had a two story playhouse in our backyard, and it was pretty cool! I never stayed the night out there, and if I had, I would have been TOTALLY off grid. ;) But the idea of spending the night in a modern-day treehouse? Sign me up!! This list is pretty impressive. Would you stay in a treehouse??

Four.

Years ago, I was trying to drive to my friend Jenna's house, but I wanted to go a different direction than the GPS wanted to take me. I ended up setting the GPS for Peoria, Illinois, and then headed north from there. Because I only used Peoria as a destination to get the route I wanted, I missed out on the fact that that there are tons of fun things to do there! I think I might have to move this one up the list of places we might want to go ourselves! 

Five.

Alaska is probably a long shot on travel for us, but THIS looks really fun. I think I'd stay here for the cuteness of the domes alone. But add in the lights?? I think it looks like a really fun adventure. Who knows!? Maybe one day we'll get to go!

Six.

And finally...the grand dream list! I'd need a few years to hit all these, but oh how wonderful it would be to see these places in person! I couldn't pick from the list. I loved them all. 

Puzzle Pieces

Good morning, friends! 

It has been a productive week here in Shafferland 4.0. Yesterday I surveyed the garage, where Ryan had poured hours of hard work into organizing and told him it was hard to believe that just a week ago, it was still piled high with yet-to-be-unpacked boxes. There is still work to do in the garage, to be fair, but at least it's set up in a way that will make it easy to do. 

The inside of the house is coming along quite nicely. I think maybe today we will start hanging things on the walls, and to me, that is always one of the markers of it truly being home. 

The setting up of home has felt a bit like a puzzle this time. Of course, there are some things that were easy to place. You know...like the bed. But all the little pieces and parts of accents and decorations have been like assembling a puzzle. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nita's wooden rocking chair has lived in three rooms in the last week, and I think it has found home at last. (I'm so glad we have that chair. Ryan loves it for sentimental reasons, and I love how perfectly it fits in this home - this home we didn't even know we would have when he brought it from the cabin.)

I've been making a list of little things I hope to find - either at garage sales, thrift stores, or the stores where we have gift cards. Little completer pieces to half-finished vignettes around the house. I think the thrill of the chase will be as much fun as placing the pieces where they will go.

Last night, while Ryan was putting the finishing touches on a garage project, I sat in the dining nook, gazing around at the kitchen and living area. I don't know that I've ever had a home feel like home so quickly. Even with some puzzle pieces still missing, it's fully warm and cozy. There are pieces of our story all around, and they make my heart glad. 

Putting together this puzzle of a home has been the perfect project for my heart, and if I had to guess, I'd say it's been a pretty perfect project for Ryan's heart too. We've both pitched in, piecing it together, trying things one place and then moving them to another if they just don't quite seem to be in the best place. Working with Ryan to make home...home...has been one of my favorite things.

The first week has been full of productivity. I'm excited to see what week #2 brings! Here are some of my hopes:

* I'd love to see at least most of our wall hangings go up. I know there might be some spots that we aren't certain of and don't do just yet, but I think most of them can be done!

* I want to sort through the last few piles/boxes of home stuff that's in the garage. Some of it may need to be pitched. Some of it just needs to be put away somewhere. But I would love to see that section of the garage sorted through and cleaned.

* I hope we can visit one or two of the local places we were given a gift card to - so we can begin to learn our community even more! 

* Internet!! We're still without it. The gentleman came to do the outside work yesterday, but it will be next week before we have it fully connected on the inside. I am so grateful for Ryan's hot spot. It's limited, and I'm about two weeks behind on reading ANY blogs, most emails, and much of what has happened on Facebook, but I've been able to keep up with writing here, and for that I'm thankful. I have many projects for the house that I will be able to complete once we have internet.

* I hope we can put up our curtains, too! We were able to bring all our curtains from WillowBridge, and I'm so ready to have them up at the windows. Much like wall art, curtains are one of those "it's home" moments for both of us. 

Slow and steady wins the race, right? We'll piece together this house one little bit at a time!

Happy Mail

 

Yesterday evening, Ryan came in with the mail and said to me, "Someone got fun mail!!" I promptly became puppy-level excited and then said, "Wait. Are you for real or is this a bill that you're pretending is fun?" 

Not that he would ever do that. 

Wait. He probably wouldn't. 

I would. 

Actually, I did. Do you have time for a quick fun side-story from the days of WillowBridge?

We had one tenant who would ask every single day, "Did I get any mail?" He loved mail and we all knew it, but he hardly ever got any. But every time, when we told him he hadn't gotten anything, he said, "Thank God. Could have been a bill." 

Mmm hmmmmmmm.

So one day, he got mail. It was nothing fun or remotely personal. Probably a bill or junk mail. But when he came in that day, before he had a chance to ask me, I put on my most concerned face and said, "Hey, I have some bad news. Like really bad."

He immediately started rapid-fire guessing all the things it could be and I just sat, all forlorn, shaking my head. Finally, he said, "WHAT IS IT???"

I said, "Turns out you got mail today. I'm so sorry." 

I believe he called me a turd. :) I had the best time with it. 

So you can see why I don't believe people about the mail. I'm people, after all. 

But back to yesterday's story...it turns out it really was fun mail! 

Ryan handed me a thick envelope with a local return address on it, and I ripped it open and promptly cried. 

Some of you already know what I'm about to say because your names were attached to it!

Inside I found a stack of gift cards to local shops and restaurants and a note that simply said, "Bekah - you are welcome here." And then it was signed from a whole group of you that I first interacted with back in my WBCL days, and then that continued in the Gateway days. Some of you I have met in person and some I have not, but the mere fact that you would bless me/us in this way was completely overwhelming in the most wonderful way. 

Instantly, I was reminded of how God goes before us and orders our steps. All those many years ago, when I worked at WBCL, He allowed our paths to cross. You've been following our story and we've followed many of yours. None of us had any idea then we would live in the same town, but here we are! And I couldn't feel more like I belong. Truly.

The tangible gift was overwhelming. But the intangible gift of welcome and belonging was the part I needed most. Thank you for loving us so well. 

We are humbled and grateful. 

All the Little Stories

Yesterday marked one week since we made our official move. We'd brought a few loads at a time prior to that day, but on that day, we left behind an empty apartment and brought our mostly-bedraggled selves into our new home. I feel like we've done a good job of unpacking and setting up in just a week's time. I think all the furniture has been brought in and placed, except maybe an accent table or two. And yesterday I started adding touches of decorations. Now it's starting to feel more like home.

In the days to come, I'll probably blog about this more specifically on different occasions, but one of the things that is really important to me/us as we settle into this home is to have every single thing in this home matter. I love following people on social media who curate beautiful homes. I love seeing all their perfectly coordinating and arranged living spaces. I find it inspirational. But even more than that, I love following people who live in homes of story. I love it when they post a photo and then explain the entire story behind something in that photo. 

That's the kind of home we want to live in. We do love to be tidy and organized, but I highly doubt we will ever qualify for magazine level living - and that is okay with me! Story matters more to me than magazine level. 

As I've been unpacking the decorations, I have relived in my mind the stories behind the pieces that make up our home. It has been such a joy for my heart. 

This was the first area I officially decorated. I actually did this one a few days ago, because all these pieces were tucked into kitchen boxes. 

It's just a little spot in the corner of our kitchen, but it brings my heart joy. 

* The pitcher on the left is a perfect treasure I found in a garage sale pile at church a few years ago. I'd been looking for a picture just like this one and hadn't found the perfect one yet. I never dreamed it would be in the best of all places: a garage sale! I don't know who it belonged to before me, but I loved the price!

* It holds a mix of wooden utensils. A couple of them were handmade by someone I never met, but he was a friend of a dear friend of mine who was part of my women's ministry group at our Kokomo church. She gave them to me for Christmas and told me how he made them. I love them so much because they came with a story and always make me think of Nancy!

* The purple Ball jar with the "Welcome Home" sign on it was a gift to us from our friend Amber several years ago. We had gone on vacation, and she kept an eye on the house and on Braeya for us, and when we arrived home, she had left it next to our pile of mail. Purple is one of her favorite colors, and she made the sign (artist extraordinaire). She'd filled it with homemade scotcharoos. Though she doesn't particularly love to cook, she does make the best scotcharoos I've ever had, and Ryan LOVES THEM. He calls them smoochies. (Unfortunate name mix-up that stuck.) I am not sure what treat I'll put in the jar, but I love the story behind it.

* The little mug was a gift from our friend Shari (HI, SHARI!!) and I think of her and Wayne every single time I see it. 

* The white pitcher on the right holds our coffee filters. Ryan and I had been trying to find something to hold the filters and could not find the right thing. During a leisurely stroll through Hobby Lobby on a date night, we found that, and it was perfect. 

* The rose was my gift from Ryan the day he proposed to me. It's sitting in a bed of coffee beans - marking two of my favorite things: roses and coffee. I love it so very much and it reminds me of one of my most favorite days in life. 

* I'm not sure who owned the white cake plate originally, but it came to me from Mom, and I love it. It doesn't have a dome, so I don't use it for food, but I love it for decorating and it's perfect for this corner.

* The rolling pin was my grandma's. She made a lot of good food with that rolling pin - and I'm thankful I was privileged to make meals in her kitchen for sixteen years. I actually do use her rolling pin sometimes, even though I have a more modern, plastic version. There's just something about a good, old-fashioned rolling pin, with all its quirks.

* The salt and pepper shakers were another Hobby Lobby find of ours - and they perfectly fit what we were looking for to complete our kitchen. 

This whole corner is laden with stories of family and friends. Date nights and gifts. Storied history and fresh starts. 

May it represent our whole home and all the pieces that comprise it! 

Exploring the Great Outdoors!

First things first! I was able to transfer a few pictures for the sake of posting, so I have updated yesterday's monthiversary post to include the pictures I described! Check them out! :) 

I don't know what the weather has been like where you live, but this hasn't been the sunniest spring on record here in Indiana. So when the sun does show up - with any measure of warmth - we celebrate and participate!

Sunday was just such a day. After church (and lunch, and a genuine afternoon nap for Ryan) we decided to take Lexi to the walkway by the river and get some fresh air. 

It was amazing. We weren't able to get out too much for walks in the winter, because it was just too cold for Lexi (and probably too cold for humans too) to be out for extended periods of time most of the time. And then we were knee deep in packing and such, so we have not properly been outside on the regular since the fall, and we MISSED IT.

It was great to see the water running down the river, the buds on the trees, the grass greening up, and people out and about with giant smiles, probably enjoying the great outdoors as much as we were!

I love photo opp spots!

Ryan was sending a Marco Polo whilst walking. Multi-tasking at its finest!

Isn't it so pretty????

Just imagine it when the leaves show up!

Date day!! :) 

Lexi was SO EXCITED to see every single person she encountered on the trail, and they were all so kind to stop and talk to her. 

Sweet girl is getting SO BIG!! 19 weeks old now! She was a complete champ and did almost every step of four miles on that trail. She rested well after that, let me tell you!

112 Months

UPDATE!!! I was able to get pictures loaded! :) See below!

One year ago, in April, we crossed the threshold into triple digit monthiversaries. Looks like if we cross over into 4 digits, we'll have to be married a little over 83 years, which will make me 117 years old. Something tells me that may not happen. 

But anyway!!

For that special 100th monthiversary, Ryan and I took the day off work, had breakfast at one of our favorite places, went to the botanical garden in Fort Wayne, walked around the downtown park areas, had dessert and coffee at a shop I loved when I worked at the station, and ended our day at our friends' church, worshiping with them at their Good Friday service.

We had no idea that exactly one year later, we would have just moved to become part of that church community, but that's how it happened.

This past Saturday was our 112th monthiversary, and we started the day all leisurely, sleeping in as long as we could. (Lexi and Braeya both sleep better here, so we also sleep better!)

We ventured forth to try out the coffee shop in town. Fun fact: When we toured Wells County back in 2014, we went to the local coffee shop in this very town. It was owned by different people, called by a different name, and located in a different building, but we still went! So we had to try the updated version, and it turns out that 95% of town had the same idea. I wasn't sure we'd find a table!

But we did! We found the cutest little table right in the window where we could savor our coffee and breakfast and enjoy people watching. We had great conversation about our dreams and some of our favorite things about being married. (For the last couple of years, it seems like all our conversations were about work, so this was a nice change!)

We took some pictures - took a while to find the angle that didn't make Ryan squint and make funny faces, but we got there. It was the grandest, most delightful little date. 

We had a brief window of nice weather in the afternoon, so we took Lexi for a walk and explored the neighborhood a bit. (We also got to meet another of our neighbors!) 

We ended the day with our friends Jonathan and Julie - at their house - for a Seder meal. They had some other friends there for it as well, and everyone was incredibly welcoming. It was a very moving and worship-filled evening, and I was so grateful to be part of it. 

I'm also grateful for these 112 months and a chance to date my husband!

Sunday Sentiments

 

We are still without the internet, and I'm so sad...I have so many pictures I want to share with you, but I can't get them uploaded yet. 

Meanwhile, we are wrapping up our first week in our new home. We paused to look at each other yesterday and neither of us could believe that just one week ago yesterday, Ryan and our friend Tim were carrying a load of heavy furniture to the new house. And now, a week later, we're here and the place has crossed the threshold from house to home. 

Last night, we were invited to join a small group made of friends and (hopefully!) new friends to participate in a Seder meal. It was the most wonderful evening together, and we felt fully welcomed and embraced. We returned home with full hearts! 

We ate the meal by candlelight, and as the overcast day slid into dusk and darkness, I soaked in the beautiful simplicity of it all. Delicious food shared with friends who shared their stories and asked for ours. Soft light, a fire in the fireplace, acapella singing around the table...it was sweet in every single way.

We are still so grateful for this time of rest and rejuvenation. If I could document every single moment, I would. If I could make notes of all the things that make this season precious to my heart, I would. But some of the things can only be lived and felt deeply. 

So I inhale the goodness: of walks around our new neighborhood, with Lexi exploring every inch of the path. Of late starts to the morning, followed by deep stretches to work out all the kinks that stress and moving have given me. Of journaling without falling asleep. Of cooking recipes I haven't had time to make in a long, long time. Of working on talks for upcoming speaking. Of visiting a new-to-us coffee shop and having a leisurely morning date. 

These are the simple things for which my heart is grateful today. I hope your heart has been able to find some simple goodness too. 

And hopefully soon, I'll be able to share pictures of our adventures! 

The Saturday Six

 

Easter is in JUST a couple of weeks. How is this possible? This week I thought I'd take a look at a few ideas for your Easter season. A couple of these may not be first time mentions on the blog, but that makes them no less meaningful! 

One.

I know I have posted about this before on the blog - probably on the Saturday Six in a previous year! But it's worth mentioning in this Easter-themed list, so I will mention it again. Lindsay Sherbondy, of Lindsay Letters has this really beautiful and meaningful piece of art that we own. (I probably won't be able to find it in time to display it this year, but I am looking forward to it next year!) I'm not typically into the more abstract kind of art, but this one was so meaningful to me that I had to get it a few years ago. The piece is called It is Finished, and it's one that I treasure - both the piece and what it represents! (You can get it in either a canvas or an art print. We have the print.)

Two.

I don't have a Cricut, but if I did (and if I was hosting Easter this year) I think these placemats and napkin rings would be an adorable way to add to the tablescape. Simple - and yet meaningful. If you're crafty (in a good way) and hosting this year, check it out!

Three.

This one isn't new AT ALL, but it's one of my favorites. There are a million Christmas music collections, but not nearly as many Easter options! Years ago, the Gaithers did two projects in the Holy Land, and I love them both. And I think they're great to listen to (or watch!) around Easter time. The Israel Homecoming has songs like The Easter Song, I Have Returned, Hallelyah, Have You Had a Gethsemane?, I've Just Seen Jesus, I Call Him Lord, The Holy City, and Because He Lives. The Jerusalem Homecoming has songs like Jerusalem, Resurrection, El Shaddai, Walkin' in Jerusalem, I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked, and Holy Ground. The music is amazing, and to see so many of the beautiful places in Israel is a bonus!

Four.

Whether you need some activities for a family get-together or for kiddos at church, here is an Easter scavenger hunt that will have participants looking to Scripture for the answers to the scavenger hunt questions! 

Five.

The Marion Easter Pageant was something I participated in for about the first 25 years of my life. If you're local to the Marion area, I hear they're doing the newer version of the Pageant this year, so you can check it out if you want! My heart will always be partial to the original, and I'm so glad it's on YouTube now so we can enjoy it anytime! Here is the link if you'd like to watch it. 

Six.

And finally for today - a list of activities for the week leading up to Easter. Whether you choose to do these with your family or with a group of friends, they could include some incredibly meaningful demonstrations of Holy Week! 

New Month, New Routines

 

It is April on the calendar, but Indiana has completely missed the memo! I think we're in for more cold and rain. Fortunately, our plans today are largely centered around...wait for it...unpacking. We can easily do that on a cold, rainy day.

Today also officially begins our new adventure. The last three days were technically our last weekend at WillowBridge, even though we were not there in person. It was strange, last night, to end our weekend without reading notes, picking up the work phone, and restarting all the chores at 8:30. In fact, at 8:30, we were visiting the friends who had been hanging onto our refrigerated food for us. (Our refrigerator finally arrived yesterday!)

I have thought long and hard about how I hope to spend my April days, since they will look so different from previous days.

* I'm looking forward to having more time each day for Bible study. I was so excited to find my missing box of study books a couple of days ago!

* I'm also looking forward to increasing my water intake again (moving really messed up my careful intake) and having time to exercise again. Those are both high on Ryan's list, too. He has missed his gym time!

* I'm looking forward to having the boxes unpacked fully (so we can see that beautiful garage again) and the house settled to be like home. We have done a lot in the few days we've been here, but there is still much work to do - especially in the details!

* I'm looking forward to going on dates with Ryan and exploring our new hometown. We've heard about many places we think we're going to like, and I'm eager to check them out!

* I'm looking forward to cooking again. We haven't done much of that in the last two or three weeks. I guess maybe first I need to look forward to going to the store to stock up on the things we've depleted.

* I'm looking forward to scrapbooking. I had been keeping up pretty well, but I definitely got behind and need to catch back up!

* I'm looking forward to enjoying spring. I thought maybe if I wrote about it here, the Indiana weather would be inspired to cooperate! :) 

What are your April hopes??

Things I've Learned in This Move

Thank you all for your very kind words yesterday. We felt quite loved. :)

The good news? I found our silverware, which NEARLY put us back in business. The bad news? Our refrigerator did not arrive. They called the day before to confirm delivery yesterday between 12-4, and 30 minutes before the end of the window, they called to cancel. I was quite sad. We pretty much have to eat out until they bring it, because many of our ingredients are refrigerated. And then we can't store leftovers. Hopefully they'll make it here today.

I also found my Bible study book, and that made me SO happy. Ryan found a cord he looked for forever. (He told me he knew when he stuck it somewhere last minute, it was a bad idea, because he was likely to forget his hiding place. Know where he found it? Basket of the paper shredder!!)

But here are some thoughts from our move so far:

* I told myself that my non-organized packing this time would be no big deal. I told myself it was probably overkill anyway and that things would move just as smoothly without my spreadsheets. I was wrong about that. I stopped counting the number of times I wished I could look something up on that silly spreadsheet! Though I do not plan to move again for about 100 years, if we do move again, I'm definitely going back to the spreadsheet, thankyouverymuch.

* So far, the only casualties have been things that weren't packed properly. (Meaning they were tossed in boxes without lids, etc.) And so far, we've only found three things that have been broken. One was a window candle (not one you gave me, Mom!) and the other two were dollar store plastic bins.

* I am so thankful to have a handy husband! Ryan skillfully hooked up our washer and dryer, and they work beautifully. He's also hooked up the stove, and I'm most eager to cook a meal on it! I'm really thankful for all the things he knows how to do!

* It's both fun and frustrating to find new homes for things. We've been scooting little side tables around all over the place, trying to figure out which spot will be the best home for them. And we're trying to figure out which things just don't fit in this space. We know it's possible that not everything can stay. 

* It's also fun to shop the house and put things in new places. We've had some lamps in our bedroom for about the last six years, and I just moved them into the living room. Why did I not do this sooner??

* Braeya and Lexi both act like this has always been home. They do not seem confused or anxious in the least. Both have easily adapted to their new litter box and food dish locations. They're sleeping well. They're playing well. They're eating well. 

* And finally, for today, I have to tell you about this. Our doorbell rang yesterday, and it was our new neighbors coming over to say hi. In all the homes I've/we've ever lived in, I don't remember ever having neighbors come over to ring the bell and say hi. We have had a lot of great neighbors that we met while out in the yard, but I think this was an intentionality first! They were super nice and told us a little about the neighborhood. It was a fantastic start to our time here!

So here's hoping we'll have a refrigerator by tonight and that we uncover a few more treasures today. I can't wait to show you all some pictures. As soon as we have internet, I will! :) 

Home

Friends! Thank you so much for all your kind messages over the last few days. I told someone yesterday that I was pretty sure I would look back on all this and wonder how in the world we did it. That day has arrived. 

HOW DID WE DO IT??? 

God's grace. 

We left WillowBridge a little before noon yesterday, after putting the last of the last of the last of the last in the trailer. Ryan had Braeya with him and I had Lexi with me. Both of them protested for most of the drive, but I am thrilled to report that once we arrived, they were complete CHAMPS. 

We brought Braeya in first, and for the first time ever in a move, she wanted to explore the entire house, and she did! We put the baby gate up at our bedroom door so she could have some privacy from Lexi if she wanted, but she chose to come out and socialize for a big chunk of the day. Lexi, who has no issues with exploration whatsoever, also ran all over the house, checking out every nook and cranny. Both of them were super thrilled about the windows and had a great time looking all around inside and out!

Ryan spent the bulk of the afternoon hooking up the washer and dryer so we could wash our bedding. (We set up our bed at our new house last week on one of our days off, but we couldn't finish making it since we needed to wash all the bedding.) We have missed our bed for this last week; we've been sleeping on the guest bed mattress on our floor.

While Ryan did that, I started unpacking the kitchen supplies. I am not sure I have everything in the best possible place, but I do have most of it IN a place, so I'm excited for that. I still haven't unearthed the silverware, but other than that, I think I have most of the things we need for now. 

The last thing we did last night was start setting up the living room. Ryan and Tim brought the couch over this past weekend, but it wasn't all hooked together, so we did that. We put the rug down and I decided I wanted to switch the lamps we've always had in our bedroom and put them in the living room instead. It's my first big switch of room items, and I really like it. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it before, actually. 

Our coffee table and entertainment center were pretty much made to match the plank floors in here, so I'm really excited about that! 

We don't have internet yet, so we can't watch anything on TV, and I'm trying to quickly write blogs using limited hotspot time. (Might have to hit up the coffee shop for blog writing until we have internet.)

We know that as the next few days arrive, it will start to hit us in new ways that this really is happening, but for now, we are enjoying home. 

Oh! And some of you asked where we landed. We relocated about 40 minutes south of where we were and are now in the town of Bluffton! 

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.

Endings...

Today is our last day on duty at WillowBridge. What a strange feeling it is. I've wondered, multiple times, how strange it will be to transition back to a schedule that isn't as all-encompassing. 

Already, on our days off, we phantom-hear the work phone. I'll reach for it, 100% certain I heard its ring tone, and then I remember we're off duty and I don't even have the phone. I imagine that is a mere example of what MUCH of life will feel like when we finish our last shift today.

Last week, our coworkers threw a farewell party for us, and it was so sweet. Literally. Check out the cupcakes!

There was also this snack mix, which was EXCELLENT.

We didn't get pictures with everyone, but we did get a few!

And they gifted us this beautiful wreath, which our coworker Sarah actually made. I can't wait to hang it in our new home!

Sarah got a couple of pictures of Ryan and me during gifts...wanna see?

(That last one is a funny story...Rob got us the first season of Little House, and as you can see, Ryan is SUPER EXCITED FOR IT!)

Goodbyes are hard. Yesterday we said goodbye to our church home and our small group. Today we say goodbye to the tenants we've served and the coworkers who have been our extended family these last almost two years. 

Hellos are a gift, and we are excited for the ones to come in our new home, new town, and new church. But for today, I hold a needed place for these goodbyes. I hold a grateful heart for the goodness that has come from our time in this place.

When we were married, our final song of our wedding was Find Us Faithful. And that is my prayer for always, especially on this final day. For all of the things we didn't do perfectly, and for all of the things we perhaps would have done differently, may we close this chapter knowing we were faithful with what was entrusted to us and we gave it our very best and our all. 

Sunday Sentiments

 

My thoughts are everywhere today, but they mostly come back to this: gratitude.

The past two months have been a mental whirlwind for us. It was right around two months ago that we felt the Lord releasing us to a new season and began putting one foot in front of the other into this faith walk He has called us to. 

We have experienced more emotions in the last two months than probably the last two years combined. (Both the number of emotions and the intensity of each one.) We have prayed. We have waited. We have walked. We have run. 

The number of doors the Lord has opened that "shouldn't have" opened astounds us. The fact that we were able to find a home in this market is a miracle. The fact that it was exactly where it was in the process of being ready for us was a miracle. The fact that the company made good on some things that needed fixed was a miracle. The fact that our offer was accepted was a miracle. The fact that we were able to close on time (literally without a day to spare) before delays caused fees was a miracle. 

The fact that we were able to pack an entire home while working full time and taking turns with Lexi (who eats boxes) has been a miracle. It hasn't been pretty packing. I've lamented not using my beautiful organizational system this time, but the packing has gotten done. The fact that we have had enough boxes that "just happened" to show up from friends with extra has been a miracle. 

Ryan was able to borrow a truck from his dad and a trailer from his sister, and that has allowed us to move as we've had time. Originally the truck needed to be back in just a few days, but his dad said he had made other arrangements for his own needs and we could keep it as long as we needed it. This relieved massive amounts of stress from us.

The fact that God gave us (really, me) enough strength to do heavy lifting is a miracle, as we've done the bulk of the moving on our own - just the two of us. And for the things I literally couldn't lift, God sent a friend to help Ryan. The fact that their schedules worked out was also a miracle.

We have two other friends coming to do the final cleaning on our apartment to relieve that bit of the load from our shoulders, and that is a blessing beyond words. 

Oh! And though unrelated to moving, the fact that my dentist was able to get me in for that crown during our last month here was a miracle. I wasn't sure it would all get done while we still had that insurance coverage, but it did, and even though it was not a fun experience, it is done, and I'm so grateful. 

Miracle.

Miracle.

Miracle.

This is how I know God has the rest of it covered. The final goodbyes. The final reach for supernatural strength to complete our race here in this work. The next steps in the next place. He has it all. 

I'm so very, very grateful.