Final Weekend

Tears flowed as we attended our final Rock service this morning. As our pastors prayed with us I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere around. The Rock has been our home for more than ten years, now. I remember sitting in the congregation in the past, wondering how anyone could ever leave. For us, only the Lord could have prepared our hearts for this transition. We have served and loved our pastors and church family with our whole hearts. We count it such a privilege and honor to have served the Lord here. He has given us many opportunities to grow and learn, be challenged and to challenge others. He has provided wonderful, fulfilling friendships which we will always carry in our hearts.

Over the past week or two, I have been pondering the idea of friendships. God has given us friends on so many levels. I began thinking about cooking, and how spices all have unique flavors and season a dish just right. In the same way, I was thinking of us women as spices (yes, some are more "spicy" than others!) and how each woman in my life has touched my heart in a different way. My friendships are on varying levels, but each relationship impacted me uniquely (being only one of it's kind). They are irreplaceable.

So tonight, as I lay my head on my pillow, I will be thinking of my gracious God, who knew what and who we needed ten years ago, and who knows what and who we need as we enter this new season. To my God, thank you, thank you for allowing us to serve and love your dear people here. And to my friends, thank you for your love and friendship.

Our Last Full Week

Well, it's been a whirlwind of a week around here. Monday our lovely friends threw us a going away party (thanks Krystle & Melissa!). Our family had such a great time visiting with friends and snapping pictures. We are so thankful for the people God has surrounded us with. We are blessed! Bryan built his final tables in California and delivered them to the clients (of course, they loved them). Bryan cleaned up and moved out of his shop (sniff, sniff). We have been visiting with friends and squeezing in final playdates around packing and organizing. It's amazing to find so many items I need to return to people (sorry, friends, If I have something of yours, let me know!). Even in this final week, we are seeing God's hand continue to weave through our circumstances. First, we found out we needed to buy a new cadillidic converter for Bryan's truck $2000, thanks to the CA smog testing, and then the VA DMV said the town we're moving to doesn't have emissions testing, so that's taken care of (thank the Lord!). We were concerned about shipping our truck across the state, then some friends said they would love to take a road trip across the country. It blessed all of us, because they get to have a nice vacation and we know our vehicle is safe. They "just so happened" to have next week off work. Isn't God good, the way He orchestrates things??? Well, I better go pack before my husband comes in here for a fifth time (oops, he just did) to ask me when I'm going to start working :)

Packing, Packing & More Packing!

Well, it's been a busy week around here, good, but busy. We've had friends over helping us pack (thanks, friends!). Kaidan and I packed five boxes of toys from his and Nolan's room today, and I still need another box or two, crazy! How do these kids accumulate so much stuff? Wait, I guess they have good role models, lol.

On Saturday we had a yard sale. Would you believe someone stole my cell phone from my yard? What made it worse was that Bryan brought it to me several times and told me to hold on to it or it would get taken. I told him that he was crazy. I later told him that he was right and I was wrong. Sweet guy didn't even rub it in my face! I bought a new cell phone tonight, yay! The guy at the Verizon store gave me a deal, thank the Lord. I prayed before I went in there, too!

We are so thankful for the kind words we have received from our church friends and family since sharing the news of our move. It's motivating me to make sure I am intentional about spending more quality time with those I love. I don't think we can tell people enough how important they are to us. Hmmmm, that makes me think... if I feel that way, how much more does God feel that way about me? I bet He's just waiting for me to come closer to listen to his heartbeat. And you? Have you let God share His thoughts towards you lately?

We're Moving!!!

In three short weeks, we will leave Southern California for the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains of beautiful Waynesboro, Virgina. This is a step towards the dream the Lord has placed in our hearts to one day own a homestead that welcomes friends and family to relax and enjoy the simplicity of country life. We are excited to begin this new season, yet very emotional about leaving our beloved church family and friends behind.