I am the Anti-Hoarder

Lately, I've found myself doing a lot of laundry.  And dish washing.  And other remedial tasks.  Familiar tasks.

Because moving has made my world unfamiliar.  I find myself almost paralyzed with the amount of work that needs to be done.  

 (This is my desk -- from whence I am attempting to blog...)

Don't get me wrong.  I am not afraid to work.  To work hard.  I enjoy sorting and organizing.  I actually think I have the absolute opposite of whatever disorder effects people with the desire to hoard things.  "A place for everything and everything in its place,"  and all that.  Usually.  

I'm not sure why this moving/unpacking/settling in has been so hard.  Because we haven't done this in almost 8 years?  Because we now have two little people, with all their stuff, and all their emotions, running around?  Because I miss my friends?  Because?  Because?  Because?

I'm not sure.  I just know that I have to start on one box.  And then move on to the next.  And the next.  And the next.

And when that becomes too much, we take a break...

... we keep doing this...

...and head to the beach, the park, or the pool...

We're here...

We've landed at our new duty station.  To say that we're exhausted, overwhelmed, sad, excited, and a whole host of other feelings would be an understatement. 

Most days, one or more of us is crying.  Tears of sadness?  Tears of joy?  I don't think any of us know exactly why.  

Well, maybe this is why...

We asked the movers to unpack the boxes they delivered.  It's the first time in 7 moves that we've ever had them unpack.

Little did we know that "unpack" actually means: "to open boxes, dump contents on nearest floor, counter, or pile of other stuff, then pull out all packaging material.  This is done with no regard for the outcome of the items which are being unpacked."

I'm sure that definition is in Webster's.  Check for it.  I know I didn't before the move.  Maybe I wouldn't have had the movers "unpack." 

No, you don't need to run right out to the eye doctor and request an eye test.  The pictures are blurry.  I know the pictures are bad.  Apparently the lens on my camera is not focusing.  Auto focus would not work and so I tried Manual focus.  I obviously need more work on that skill.  I'll get right on that after I'm done digging us out of all the piles of stuff...

Bye, Bye Beaufort...

Photo Credit:  EyeGotcha Photography

"...for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God..."   Ruth 1:16b (KJV)

Pack Out

This

Is

Really

Happening!

Farewell

Leaving the town of Beaufort will not be difficult.

Well, not too difficult.

 Photos in this collage courtesy of A. Hernandez of  AH Graphics

We won't miss the humidity or the bugs, nor the fungi or the green critters.

However, leaving Beaufort's PEOPLE will be difficult.

It will be very, very difficult.

Photo Credit:  A. Hernandez

We have had many friends here.  Friends who have shared the gift of themselves, offered guidance, and provided many, many giggles.

I have girlfriends who have seen me through the birth of two children, through buying and selling two houses, through too many deployments, and the everyday ups and downs that come with this adventure called life. 

I have friends who have loved me just where I was at, helped me learn to walk with God, and thrive in the joy that comes from serving the Lord.  

In Beaufort we found a church that feels like home.  The people there took care of us when my best beloved was deployed, and have walked beside us constantly.  Leaving them is truly one of the hardest things we've done.  I think we will always call Tidal Creek Fellowship our church home, because that is the first place our family came home to God.   Our pastor is genuine and real, and his messages are relevant and scriptural.  As my best beloved said when referring to our pastor, "He has been, for me, the linchpin to finding and accepting Christ."  Finding another church and pastor to fill these shoes will not be easy!

We now know, and truly believe, that God sent us to Beaufort for a reason.  Whether it was to meet these people, or to really see and enjoy His creation, I don't know.  What I do know is that being in Beaufort has changed us.  It has brought us to God.

This area is called The Lowcountry, and many jokingly call it The Slowcountry.  It's true.  People seem to move slower here.  Time seems to move slower here.  But I can now see that allows for southern hospitality to spill out of the blessed souls who call Beaufort home.  The slowness seems to allow more time to enjoy and savor the beauty of creation all around you and those who live among it. 

And while it's very sad to leave, I also know that if we found Beaufort to be this great after God called us here, then our next duty station must have something great for us too.  Because I know that God has called us there, too.

I am excited to meet Him there and see how He works in our lives.

Won't you follow along?

Heaven Sent

Sometimes I think

that God gave us children

because He knew

that there would be days

when we needed a laugh.

Maybe He knew that 

there would be days

that, no matter how bad the circumstance,

these little blessings would bring us great joy.

And to Him,

for that,

I am 

grateful!

Oh, Happy Day!

July Fourth is a special day around our home.   I'm sure you're thinking, "It's a special day in every home."  I know, I know.  Cookouts, boating, cake, fireworks, blah, blah, blah...

However, this day holds much more meaning for us...

Twelve years ago, I married an amazing man.  I thought I knew that then, but the depth and breadth of my love for this man seems to have grown by leaps and bounds, and continues to grow.  Our marriage, and our love, is truly of God.

As I look back over our courtship, engagement, and our marriage, I can see God's hand all over our relationship.  Things that I would have written off before as coincidence are anything but.   There is just too much about our relationship that had to have been coordinated by God in order for us to succeed.  We are truly suited for each other.

I knew on the day that I married this man that I would love him, honor him, and cherish him all of my days.  What I didn't know what that each one of those days would be such a joy.  I truly believe that I was created to love this man.  He is an amazing man:  honest, full of integrity, funny, constant, and so selfless.  He would do anything for me, and for our kiddos.

I love you today and always, Smoochie.  My heart to yours on this day, our twelfth anniversary!


And if that isn't enough to celebrate, then take a gander at this:


On our fifth anniversary, MotorMan and I were blessed with our firstborn.

That's right:  On July 4th, 2003 our daughter was born.  (No, we didn't plan it that way!)

After about 7 years of training, I think we're finally getting into the mode of being this beautiful girl's parents.

CraftyGirl is an amazing spirit.  Gentle, wicked smart, loving, super hug-able, funny, generous, and truly a light.  I look forward to watching her grow into a godly woman.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!!  We love you more than you will ever know!

So, while many people celebrate Independence on the 4th of July, for us it is a day of Interdependence -- on God, and on each other.  It was the day our family began, and the day it began to grow.

And I can't think of two better reasons to eat cake and watch fireworks than to celebrate our marriage and the birth of our daughter!