every mile a memory

Life has been happening fast for me and mine. I feel like I'm on an endless trip. I want to safely come to a complete stop, climb out, and run home! But, I am trying hard to hang on, trusting God who knows all ... and cherish the moments together.

With the real estate markets suffering most in our nation's current economic situation, builders have fallen in line behind realtors as fewer houses are being sold, and fewer are being built. With little work in our area, Chris has taken advantage of an opportunity with friends in North Carolina, constructing storage buildings for Graceland Portable Buildings (http://gracelandportablebuildings.com/).

I have returned to work. I am teaching kindergarten at a small Christian school in Virginia, while Chris and I live on-campus in a furnished apartment there. I only have four students and I am enjoying it. I also work with a wonderful group of teachers. This keeps me busy and occupies my time so that I don't think about missing home so much.

I've enjoyed making our little apartment cozy and feel like home. We've definitely learned that we can live with a lot less "stuff" since we chose not to move everything. (in hopes that this move is only temporary) We found that all we need is a few sentimental items, our blankets and pillows, clothes, food, and many pictures of all our friends and family ... of course most importantly, we have each other.

While being so far away from home is not ideal, nor our primary choice, but we are thankful for the many friends and church family that have reached out to us with open arms here in Virginia. It's been wonderful to make new friends, renew old acquaintances, and spend more time with friends whom distance hindered previously.

Please keep us in your prayers as we make the best of this journey and every mile a memory.

beauty in the unexpected

Life consists of expected and not-so-expected happenings.

And although God is in the normalcy of our life,

so often He chooses to show up in the unsuspected surprises.

I like surprises. Especially the sweet ones.

But when I've been placed in a challenging spot;

I want the how-hum boring days to return.
Where all that happens is the "expected."

However, I have found the tests teach me.
The tough spots have a way of changing me.

And facing the unexpected challenges "beautify" me.

So I am trying to look for the unexpected.

Like finding this moth out of the blue.

Totally out of place. Not in the right spot.

In the middle of the day.

Or finding this red tulip in the midst of purple irises.

Especially having not planted a tulip bulb.

Yes, I've found by looking closely,

there is beauty in the unexpected.

why blog?

1. Everyone else is doing it.

2. Blogging is "cool". (ha! ha!)

3. I surrendered to friendly peer pressure.

4. To keep in touch with my family and friends.

5. It is healthy. Friends say it's therapeutic to process thoughts/feelings on their blogs. I could use less stress.

6. To journal our life. I don't have a lot of spare time; so scrapbooking has become a hobby of my past. Although blogging takes time, it is quicker than cutting and gluing.



So here I am: blogging.

progress

I am working at this thing called a blog.
It's a tough task.
I want it to be good.
I want every detail to be correct.
And I lack time to do it all.
Slowly, but surely, it will get there.
A little at a time.

(Thanks to my sweet cousin, D. She worked on it for me today)