Thursday, January 5, 2012

#400 and A Big Change

This blog has been around for almost two years and this part marks a monumental 400 posts.  We’ve come along way, baby! ;) Thank you so much for tagging along for our ride.

Now for the big change…We’re moving, like…NOW. No, not to Ethiopia yet. This probably seems abrupt and it has felt that way a bit to me as well, but we are so thankful for how God has orchestrated details.

We have been living about 20 minutes north of our church community and 45 minutes north of my family.  This arrangement has worked great for us and we LOVE our neighborhood and our neighbors.  They have become our friends and are a big part of why pulling up in front of our little, red house seems like home. For that reason, this is bittersweet. We knew the move was coming but we anticipated it being more towards next fall.

However, now that Jon has started working on the family farm (45 minutes south), we quickly realized that we should consider moving closer, for less time and expense with commute and so the girls and I have an opportunity to interact with him during the days. 

Enter God’s orchestrating…my dad’s parents live about 2 miles away from the farm.  Grandma lost my Grandpa this fall. They have a very large house with lots of outdoor space and a full basement with it’s own kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.  Over Thanksgiving weekend, Grandma had an accident and broke her femur, right below the hip.  She has been in the hospital and then rehab/continuing care.  I won’t go into all the details here, but basically, we are going to move in with her and we feel so blessed that she would let us move in and blessed that we can help her as well.

We move in about a week and then Grandma will return home too, but our move is going to be a bit of a gradual process.  I can’t get a house ready to sell in a week!  With this move also comes lots of purging.  I have known before the move to Ethiopia we would need to minimize, but I am also not quite ready emotionally for that either.  I know, so weird, I am emotionally attached to a town, a house and it’s contents (even our landscape.  Jon has made it look amazing, I just want to be able to see it when those million tulips pop this spring!).

We will be about 30 minutes south of our church community and are so thankful to be able to continue to worship there.

Much to do! Anyone know where I can find boxes? ;)

One quick vacation picture to break things up…

IMG_8772_2

12 comments:

leah said...

oh wow! this is exciting!

thinking of you guys as you transition!

(by the way....i still have that book for you...hopefully we will cross paths one of these days!)

Klint & Sarah said...

SO awesome!! And stressful, and emotional, and....

I'm sure you'll feel right at home. It reminds me of piano lessons :)

Unknown said...

we would love to help you move! I don't have boxes, but I have an Element that can hold LOTS.

smw said...

i would be feeling all those same emotions in your shoes. i don't think it's one speck weird. i'll pray for you guys.

as for boxes, i've called grocery stores before and asked about good times to get some, and they usually have specific times to get a bunch.

that is such a sweet family picture. and i had no idea nick was so tall!

Rachel said...

So glad this is working out for you to live with your grandma! We will pray for you--I know it is hard to part with things...love you guys:)

Jill said...

Wow...big change, but it sounds like God worked it out perfectly! How awesome that you can help your Grandma and be able to see your hubby during the days. God is good. Praying for you!

Sandra said...

wow...I love seeing how God works!! Sounds a bit stressful to move so quickly, but you will get thru it, I have no doubt. I, like sharlin, had NO CLUE nick was so tall either!!! He towers above everyone in that picture:).
Boxes....I have literally hundreds of them in my attic all broken down and flattened...wish you lived closer cause we would gladly lend them to you!! With 8 moves under our belts we learned to save boxes and reuse them. And with moving companies doing all our moves I tell you what...they are some NICE boxes!! Even mirror boxes, wardrobe boxes(so you don't have to remove them from the hanger), etc.....you are free to use them if you care to....in the area anytime soon????

emilykate said...

I have always enjoyed following your blog. Keep it up. :) Hope the move goes well!

Jane E said...

So exciting to see God's hand in all of the details, big and small. Please let us know if we can help with the move in anyway. I love to organize, clean, sort, etc. Also, once you get a little more settled, we would love to have your family over for dinner. Michael enjoyed visiting with Jon a couple Sundays ago;) And maybe now that you will be closer, will you consider taking the Perspectives class? ;) Prayers, Jane

T and M said...

what a transition in so many ways...we will pray for you guys.

I usually get boxes from big box stores aka WM or Meijer. Call first, & ask the produce section especially.

Kara said...

Ask for egg carton boxes at grocery stores... they have handles! They had small ones and large ones at Kroger. Diaper boxes are super helpful too-- ask friends!

Jane said...

So glad I stumbled across this today! I will be praying for you. Love you all sssssssoooooooooo much!