it's been one year...
one year ago, my boys and I boarded a plane and flew to our new home in Washington.
one year ago, I had only lived in South Carolina and was excited and a little nervous about this west coast adventure.
one year ago, God was already working to provide all that we would need to settle in to a new place, with new community, and new blessings, and new challenges.
I have been thinking a lot about the year behind us and what I have learned in a new place and my favorite things about being here, etc.
here are some conclusions (in absolutely no particular order):
1. good people are everywhere. we were immensely blessed to be around some great people in Charleston. my family is there, our church community was awesome. we had wonderful neighbors. not perfect people, but people who we knew and knew us. since before even stepping foot in Washington, we had been praying for months about our new community. God quickly answered that prayer and has shown us that His people are everywhere. I have been amazed by the love that many have shown us in welcoming us into their lives, loving our family, and showing us Christ in new ways.
2. it takes time and effort. settling into a house takes time. making real friends takes time. learning your way around a new place takes time (I still use my iphone map!). when you move, you are eager and excited. you want to feel at home and want everything to be settled and established for you and your kids. but it takes time. it takes effort to get to know people, to find a church, to become a part of a community of people. sometimes you have to be the one willing to extend the invitation, offer hospitality, ask the questions. the time and effort are so worth it.
3. the pacific northwest is beautiful. we moved here as spring was setting in, the rain was drying up, flowers were in bloom everywhere. I almost couldn't believe my eyes. I still tell my husband, "this is vacation pretty, not 'I live here' pretty!". we moved from a very charming city, full of history and character. now we live in a place where an amazing view of Puget Sound is only a block away, our neighborhood is full of cuteness, with every house having its own charm, a huge mountain looming in the distance (and visible on a clear day). not a bad trade-off!
4. having friends here ahead of us made a HUGE difference. our experience in moving out here cannot be told without sharing that two families of friends moved here within the year prior to our arrival. this made such a difference! while we still have had to take the time and effort mentioned above to get involved, it was a tremendous blessing to know there were good friends down the road who we could hang out with and not have to "explain" ourselves (the get-to-know-you stuff). we could just show up and be. I admit this has spoiled me in the military moving process. we will probably know people at each place we go from here, but this factor made all the difference in this first (for me) move.
5. home is more than an address. duh, right? in the military, there are times we are all over the place. literally. while it is nice to have a home, a haven, where our family can enjoy life together, this is an ever-changing variable in life. home is us. and I really love our family. I am thankful for the way God has used this move and this last year to grow and change us to His likeness, and to bless our family beyond measure.
one year ago, I had only lived in South Carolina and was excited and a little nervous about this west coast adventure.
one year ago, God was already working to provide all that we would need to settle in to a new place, with new community, and new blessings, and new challenges.
I have been thinking a lot about the year behind us and what I have learned in a new place and my favorite things about being here, etc.
here are some conclusions (in absolutely no particular order):
1. good people are everywhere. we were immensely blessed to be around some great people in Charleston. my family is there, our church community was awesome. we had wonderful neighbors. not perfect people, but people who we knew and knew us. since before even stepping foot in Washington, we had been praying for months about our new community. God quickly answered that prayer and has shown us that His people are everywhere. I have been amazed by the love that many have shown us in welcoming us into their lives, loving our family, and showing us Christ in new ways.
2. it takes time and effort. settling into a house takes time. making real friends takes time. learning your way around a new place takes time (I still use my iphone map!). when you move, you are eager and excited. you want to feel at home and want everything to be settled and established for you and your kids. but it takes time. it takes effort to get to know people, to find a church, to become a part of a community of people. sometimes you have to be the one willing to extend the invitation, offer hospitality, ask the questions. the time and effort are so worth it.
3. the pacific northwest is beautiful. we moved here as spring was setting in, the rain was drying up, flowers were in bloom everywhere. I almost couldn't believe my eyes. I still tell my husband, "this is vacation pretty, not 'I live here' pretty!". we moved from a very charming city, full of history and character. now we live in a place where an amazing view of Puget Sound is only a block away, our neighborhood is full of cuteness, with every house having its own charm, a huge mountain looming in the distance (and visible on a clear day). not a bad trade-off!
4. having friends here ahead of us made a HUGE difference. our experience in moving out here cannot be told without sharing that two families of friends moved here within the year prior to our arrival. this made such a difference! while we still have had to take the time and effort mentioned above to get involved, it was a tremendous blessing to know there were good friends down the road who we could hang out with and not have to "explain" ourselves (the get-to-know-you stuff). we could just show up and be. I admit this has spoiled me in the military moving process. we will probably know people at each place we go from here, but this factor made all the difference in this first (for me) move.
5. home is more than an address. duh, right? in the military, there are times we are all over the place. literally. while it is nice to have a home, a haven, where our family can enjoy life together, this is an ever-changing variable in life. home is us. and I really love our family. I am thankful for the way God has used this move and this last year to grow and change us to His likeness, and to bless our family beyond measure.
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