We Got Our Keys!!!

We got our keys today.  Our new house.  A place of our own.  Home.  Neighbors to greet us.  Our son playing in the street with the neighbor boys for hours.  Dinner brought to our doorstep.  New and old friends lending a hand to move.  We. Are. Grateful.


We've been in transition since March, seven months, and time has shown me a few things that have been lessons for our whole family.  Here's my top seven (in no particular order):


1) Moving with children (elementary-aged) is hard, really hard (e.g. you feel everything they do and want to protect them as much as you can from it being hard), but rewarding.
2) Put yourself out there when meeting people, or you become isolated and lonely. 
3) Wait and wait and wait...it will be worth it in the long run.
4) When plans seem to divert you, enjoy the scenery in the meantime. The landscape before you may be more than a drive-by; it may be where you end up. 
5) Find a balance between what you left behind and what you're embracing in the now.  Both are sacred.  Both are special.  Invest in the important of today. 
6) Be grateful for those friends who you've said goodbye to that have checked in, stayed in touch, written letters and have cared.  Be grateful for those new friends who have welcomed you with open arms into this unknown land.  Both mean more than most will ever know.   
7) Take a risk!  Trust the Lord's hand to carry you to safety in His arms even when life is hairy and chaotic. 


My eyes are now open more than ever before to those going through major life transitions, and I understand the simple gestures that speak volumes to the soul. 


Some of the best parts of the past seven months have been spending quality time under the roof of my in-laws and experiencing their generosity, and showing the children that instant gratification is not what life is about.  Waiting.  Gaining perspective.  Experiencing life's simple joys.  Patience.  Family's love.  God's provision and care. That's what life is about. 

Autumn: An Old Friend Who Has Come Home

"What is your favorite season?"

This question was our Question of the Day at a staff meeting nearly a year ago. 
My answer was autumn.  Growing up as a Washingtonian, the never-ending summer days reigned supreme, but as I became a Californian my blood flowed for fall.   
Now as an Oregonian, autumn is a treasured friend that has been reunited with my heart.  We've been apart for 18 years, and it's so good to see her again.  Radiant.  Refreshing.  Unpredictable.  Lovely.  Stunning.  
Sometimes you don't know what you've missed until you see that friend again, and it all comes back.  All the memories.  All the joy. 
Like the warm October day when my brother and I drove to high school with the windows down and Journey blasting on the radio.  Meridian Ave was filled with fluttering red, yellow and orange as the leaves danced in the wind on the street from the naked trees above.
Or running around the muddy pumpkin patch hoping to pick the perfect orange plump beauty to take home and carve. 
My kids get to see the colors of fall and experience the seasons.  Finally!  It's new to them. 
And it warms my heart when they say, "Mom, did you see that?", pointing to a marvelously painted red maple tree.
Yes, I sure saw it.  Along with them, I'm not missing anything!   
And in my own life no matter the season, I don't want to miss anything.