Its been a little over a year since Mike and I moved to Lebanon. I was sitting here thinking about the last year and wanted to share somethings I’ve learned or experienced in that time.
- I can honestly say my marriage has never been better. Its funny to think that something as simple as a move can make such a huge difference in a marriage but it did. I’m not saying our marriage was horrible or even bad before but there is something about being exactly where God wants you to be that seems to make things click. There is more laughter, happiness, love and prayer in my home. Things that use to take so much work just seem easier somehow. Of course this could also just be time. Mike and I have been married for 8 years now, there is very little left to “figure out” about each other. He knows pretty much everything about me and still loves me. Now, things aren’t perfect of course. There are still arguments and disagreements. There are things we may never see eye to eye on but we’re learning not to let little things become big things.
- My kids are doing amazing. We’ve moved 10 times in the last 7 years. Every year Madie has gone to a different school. They never really seem to be able to put roots down. But since we’ve moved here they seem more at home than ever before. They have friends, play sports, have sleepovers and live next to their Nana, Papa, aunts, uncles and cousins. They don’t ask questions about moving all the time like they did before. They are home.
- God has mended some broken relationships in my life. Relationships that I thought were beyond repair are now healing.
- But I guess when I look back over the last year the people I am struck by most are Tommy and Sarah. Over a year ago they opened their home to us. We were desperate, sad and need of a place to stay. They didn’t even think twice about it. They shoved my family of four into their tiny little home and never once made me feel guilty. We stayed with them for over a month and I am sure it was hard on them but they never showed it. They did nothing but love on us and make us feel welcome. The relationships we built during that month didn’t die when we found our own beautiful home. It has been kind of weird to sit back and watch my husband and brother become best friends but I think they needed each other. And as far as Sarah is concerned, I don’t know how we went so long without being friends. I know I can always count on her and I hope she feels the same about me. She understands my strange sense of humor, listens to my ranting and has my back no matter what. I’m incredibly grateful to have her in my life.
I am so thankful that on that cold summer night, sitting out on our deck in Pleasant Hill, Mike and I decided to listen to the Lord. We made a decision to stop ignoring what he was telling us to do because it seemed too difficult or uncomfortable. We chose to jump out in faith and in return God was so faithful to us.
The Newcomers 