The house is quiet with my family still sweetly sleeping. I should have been leaving for the first day of school of my 12th year of teaching. But God has other plans for me.
Opening the farewell cards from last night's going away party might not have been such a good idea. Tears are bubbling up again.
The cards, filled with their encouraging words, are another reminder of God's hand in orchestrating this move from Henderson to Spokane. I'm overwhelmed with the friends from work that came to say goodbye on Saturday and our church friends that came last night. God placed these beautiful people in our lives and as much as they have impacted us-- I see now how much God has used us to impact them. Funny you don't see that living in the moments of day to day life, but at pivotal moments like a move across country it becomes very clear. I am so humbled and truly in awe.
Today the journey, the new adventure is starting to feel real--probably for the first time. Until now it has been my heart's desire--shared with very few-- my prayer, my hope, my dream. I don't hate living in Las Vegas as many who move away do. (Ok, maybe the 115 degrees in summer are on my very-strong-dislike list.) However, I do not like being so far from our family. God has kept me here 11 years, Wes for 8 years, and in that time He gave us friends that became our family. We shared holidays, life events, and daily stories. Only God could orchestrate this move home and all the things that fell into place to show us He was opening this door for us. From big ways (see Wes' post on Summer 2013 recap) to tiny, seemingly unimportant needs (a backpack for Colton's airplane trip, a bag of snacks for the flight, gift cards for gas, meals brought over, a new diaper/camera bag for me...the list goes on).
It's time. Two little boys need to know their grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins beyond 2 visits a year. It's a gift to them that we've been allowed to give.
Let the first day of our new adventure begin!
