On September 14th we pulled a large moving truck into our driveway and began to load the boxes that we had spent weeks packing. We prepared to say a very hard "good bye" to the home that we loved. We also had to say many hard "good byes" to friends so dear...who had actually become like our family away from home. The process of moving brings so many emotions. It's an exciting time...we were (and are) excited for something new...but our hearts are definitely with the people in Michigan who we grew to love over the 8 1/2 years that we lived there. One day through my tears, I realized that I could even be thankful for the tears...I am thankful that it was so hard to say good bye. The sadness in my heart to leave our church and our home, and friends shows how abundantly God had blessed us in our time there.
My husband was so wonderful through the whole process. He packed many boxes and helped so much with the kids. Here he is packing the boxes into the truck.
Somewhere along the way, Dave took over the packing duty (I'm sure Seth was needed elsewhere)...he did a great job. Here he is pulling the door closed with not another inch to spare. We weren't planning on this happening, but we left our garage full of more of our belongings that didn't fit in the truck. Seth made another trip this past Monday to bring a 16ft. truck back with the rest of our belongings.
As things started to wind down, our dear friend Rick gathered everyone in our front yard. We circled up, sang a few songs, and Pastor Marian prayed. It was a precious moment that I'll never forget. Each one of the people in the picture below have blessed our lives in a special way. We thank God for the help they offered on our moving day and already miss them. Oh..and our little 3 bedroom ranch..what a precious place...so many wonderful memories in our first home. God has been so good.
My best friend Amber was even there just 6 days after delivering a baby. Here is sweet Eloise sleeping peacefully without a care in the world.
Most of the packing crew left...but some of our former teens (and younger adult friends :)) stayed to help with final details. They helped with cleaning, moving boxes, and getting the straggling items into the garage. By this point of the day I was emotionally and physically exhausted...which made it hard to even think straight. Melanie was such a help to me...she stood by my side and walked me room to room helping me figure out what to do with each item that was left. When that was all done, we stood around in the kitchen sharing laughs and memories...another precious time. It's amazing to look at these young people and think about how far they have come...they have grown into godly men and women...we thank God for the chance to watch Him work in their lives.
The joke of the day was that we were going to pack Hannah in a box to get her to her new house. She kept teasing that she was going to sleep in this one. And although she fit perfectly...
...she spent one last night in her purple room.
Good bye house, good bye friends...we will hold you in our hearts and thank God for the wonderful time and wonderful blessings! Now we move forward eager to see what God has in store for us. We are stepping into a new chapter of our lives..a new adventure. Serving the Lord in a new place. How I thank God for the work that He has done in all of our lives and for bringing us to this place. He has demonstrated much grace and mercy. We love Him most and are eager to serve Him with our lives no matter where that may be!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Changes in life tend to help me to re-evaluate and think about where I am and where I want to be as a child of God walking with Him in this world. I just read a wonderful book with my friend Amber, "Calm My Anxious Heart". In her book, Linda Dillow, challenged us to think about the purpose of our lives. To use scripture and the example of other godly people to help us write a "purpose statement". It took me a while, but I finally did come up with a purpose statement for my life. I also chose from life verses to live by. I've never been one to have one life verse...God usually uses certain verses to see me through certain times of life, but I went ahead an settled on a few (couldn't pick just one). I wrote my purpose statement (in the form of a prayer) and my life verses in my journal, but also want to share them here. I want to remind myself of them often to keep myself focused on doing what I believe God has called me to do...I want to be a woman of purpose. I'm thankful for Linda Dillow's challenge to do this! 
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