MN to TN: All Happy Things!

Ok, so I kind of thought I’d have this hum dinger of a blog about how many times I broke down crying this past week.

See, we’d been planning for quite a while that Ryan would go south with Derek when he went down to look for work and housing. I had it all planned out as such a bonding experience for them and an easier week of packing for me with only two little guys underfoot…. that is until Ryan started these weird croup like symptoms, needed nightly nebulizer treatments and thusly had to stay home with mom when dad headed south to TN. (Thank God, he’s all better now!) Anywho, Derek left on a Saturday and I knew we were moving out the next Saturday, the morning after he got home. Was it hard? YES. Did I handle it perfectly? Ummm… not at all. Truth be told, I had a pretty pathetic pity party some days. But let’s just say, I learned that life isn’t always fair, but it doesn’t give you the right to have a grumpy, bitter attitude. Lot’s of prayer and extra hands helped me through the week, and I’m grateful!

That being said, this shall be a happy blog. So many beautiful things have happened in the past week that I absolutely must share my amazement and gratitude!

Blessing #1

Derek made it home and I made it through the week. Score! I somehow managed to get everything packed in all the crazy and we had many helping hands on Saturday to heave-ho the heavy stuff! It’s bitter sweet to leave our little house but such a relief to finally have it done! It’s been a crazy month of sorting, packing, organizing, and cleaning and to complete the task is a relief.

Blessing #2

We headed to our realtors office yesterday to sign the final paper work on the sale of our house! It was such a blessing to seal the deal that will enable us to make this huge transition! I won’t lie… my brain is so fried that I had to think REALLY hard just to write my own name… but it’s done, and we are thankful! We got to work with the same realtor we used when buying our house, and that was an added blessing! Working with someone you trust and have built a friendship with is such a relief in the midst of the stress. (Side note: If anyone needs a realtor in the St. Cloud area, you need to talk with Nora at Edina Realty… she’s AMAZING!)

Blessing #3

On that note, when Derek went south, after looking at some 20 houses as they went flying off the market, we’ve found a home on three beautiful acres in the foothills of the Appalachians on which we are now (Lord willing!) waiting to close! It’s a smaller starter home that has so much potential and room to enjoy the outdoors and we are excited to see what God might do there! It’s vital that we remember:

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain… Psalm 127:1

Blessing #4

Not only did Derek find us a house on his trip but he was also successful in landing a job! He was interviewed and hired on the spot! (Not that I’m surprised. I mean… I’d hire him! But maybe I’m biased.) We are so blessed to have a peace of mind in that area and are so thankful to see God providing as we keep taking steps even when the path isn’t super clear!

Blessing #5

I cannot begin to explain how overwhelmed we’ve been by the love and support shown to us by our church family. They’ve made it clear that they’d rather we stayed but have gone above and beyond to help in any way they can just as they’ve done the entire time we’ve been a part the church. They even took an evening to send us off with great words of encouragement, prayer, and, of course, cake!

It has been such a learning experience for me. As the church, we are meant to do life TOGETHER! We are meant to bless one another, to help one another, to be there through the ups and downs.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

There’s not been a moment where we’ve felt we were doing this alone. Churches often purpose to send off those who are pursuing a specific mission or ministry, but for our church to send us off simply to live missional lives in our day to day work, interactions, relationships, and responsibilities was such an amazing and refreshing idea! I’d love to see such a thing implemented in more churches. Y’all… when I say we are leaving an incredible church, I mean that with all my heart.

Blessing #6

The lessons this phase of life is teaching me… y’all, it’s crazy. I’m faltering in many ways, but I’m also seeing that I falter when I’m trying to go this journey alone. There are moments I feel like I’m walking a tight rope while juggling torches in the midst of all the craziness (I doubt I’m alone there!)

But God is so faithful as he offers His word, the lamp to my feet and a light to my path… (Psalm 119:105) and as he answers my fervent and frequent whispered prayers, because this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14).

My mom told me recently that God tends to allow each new step of faith take just a little more faith than the last one, and I think that’s certainly true. It’s called growth. It’s not easy, but it’s best and it’s beautiful.

More To Come…

Just wanted to count my blessings today… it’s a balm to my anxious heart as we journey on.