AND WE'RE OFF

This morning, we are loading up the last of our stuff and hitting the road to Southern California.

This past week, we spent a lot of time reflecting on the life we have experienced and loved in Washington. Many years of memories for Chris and a very VERY full four and a half years for me.

God has been so, so good to us.

I came to Seattle on a sudden urge to start over and start school. I found Alderwood on the recommendation of a couple good friends. I met some of the most amazing people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I was challenged to dig deeper into God's Word. I was cared for and loved. I finally figured out that the sweet guy I met with a shoe string tied around his head and a contagious laugh was going to be my husband and that would be the best decision I'd ever make. I got involved at church. I spent time with the best of friends. I can not tell you how life changing these years have been for me, in so many ways. 

It's a funny thing, how God directs us and changes our plans.

It's also funny how distorted our perspective often is and how little we understand of God and His better plans for us. 

I don't know all the things He has in mind for us as we leave Washington today, but I know they will be great as long as we continue to pursue Him in all we do. And that is our only plan. To pursue Him and follow His lead.

So here's to the most INCREDIBLE four and a half years I could have ever asked for. And all the years to come.

We are saying farewell to Washington, but Southern California is really not that far (and as I've said a million times to ease the goodbyes, I'm coming back to take photographs of all your babies and weddings, so keep 'em coming!!")

Thank you, thank you to each one of you that have played a part in our lives here. Our bonds are rooted deeply in our everlasting Savior and we are incredibly blessed to call you friends. 

xoxo

CRAZY THANKFUL

Life is CRAZY sometimes.

Example? Flip a switch and go from 'let's make this house into our home' to 'let's make this house look like someone else should live here.' It's weird.

Chris and I tackled a long list of projects to get the house 'buyer-ready' and let out a huge sigh of relief as we crossed off the last task. Caulking, mulching, re-organizing, re-placing, re-painting. Lots of ing's we don't normally think about. Many of you know I've been doing real estate photography for a couple years now, so it was fun to photograph our own house this time. We will be going live by the end of the week!

Anyone want to move to Bothell?

We are THANKFUL.

We thought Washington would be home. But we are realizing that home is wherever we are together. It may sound cliche, but it is truth. And ultimately, no place we could ever travel to will truly be our home. We are just here for a short while, to serve God with everything we have and give Him the glory. That is the goal. Eternity with Him is home.

MARRIAGE + MOVING

Two years ago, we got married at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Washington.

One year ago, we got our first house in Washington.

6 months ago, we got a CRAZY opportunity.

A few days ago, after many prayers, we decided to pull the trigger.

Today, we get to celebrate all that the Lord has done in our lives over the past two years as husband and wife as we begin to prepare for our transition to California.

Wait, what? California?

We still have A LOT of details to figure out, but in the coming months we will be moving to Southern California where Chris has accepted a position at Juice (an audio post production studio owned by my parents). The whole thing is a big deal and it was not without a lot of prayer and consideration that we made the decision to go.

We are so excited that this job will allow us to better support the church and missionaries. After getting a first-hand look at the work our missionary friends are doing in Albania, we have felt so encouraged and called to support them and others as much as we can! We may not be missionaries in another country, but we want to be missionaries from our home, at our church, and by helping to send those who are called to go.

We will miss Washington. We love the rain and the grey skies. We have an incredible community of family and friends and church here.

It is bitter, but sweet.

We want to use this blog (finally) to document this insane transition. We want to use it to keep in touch with all the folks we won't see at church every week; all the friends we will see mostly over Skype; all the family who will stay in beautiful Washington.

Today, we are praising God for the past two years and for all the years to come.