We moved out of the old blue house one week ago. After building to this moment for months now, it feels really strange to write from this side of the move. I thought I would grieve more for things left behind. Instead, I’ve found myself smiling far more often over fond memories we gained while living there.
I counted the blessings related to this move, and found myself blessed indeed.
A move is difficult… emotionally, physically, mentally. Having the support and help of those we love was a blessing to me and my family. There were hands that spent many long hours cleaning, the donated boxes, the multiple trips to the storage unit, the offers of help, the kind inquiries about the progress of the move. What a blessing to have so much love and support!
We lived 13.5 years in the old blue house… Years filled with memories and blessings, laughter and tears, joy and love. The house itself was just walls, but it sheltered all the invisible things we called home. How blessed were we to have 13.5 very full years in that place!
My aunt and uncle have welcomed me into their home for the two months between moving out of the old house, and moving into the still-being-built new house. Their hospitality has been a constant blessing as I adjust to new routines!
As an added bonus, living with my aunt and uncle means living with my two cousins, and of course that means nerf gun battles. ; )
While sometimes my heart looks back to what used to be our home, more and more it looks forward to new things discovered around Anne’s bend. There’s a new house being built that we’ll fill with new memories of love and laughter, turning it into our new home. There are new trails to explore, new paths to become well acquainted with. A fresh beginning, and it’s exciting. So many things new and bright.
A while back, I watched children romp through our front yard. They belonged to the first family to visit the house for a showing. In that moment, watching them, I saw hearts that would love this place as much as my family and I had. They did not see a big house, as some prospective buyers did. No, they saw a place they could call home. And my heart wanted them to roam here, to explore the wonders of that yard, to make memories here, to call this place home.
Those very kids live at the old blue house today. And while I miss our old home and the big yard, there is joy in my heart to think of the many adventures awaiting them. What a blessing to know that our old house is well looked after. : )
The weather forecast for our final week in the house was disappointing. Clouds and rain. I felt a pang to think that my camera and I wouldn’t wander down our sunlit trails again. And then the amazing happened… The sun made lasting appearances on each of our last three days there. It was incredible. God’s creation was always on high display in our old yard, and especially on sunny days. The leaves, the remaining flowers, all positively glowed.
My heart did too.
At the beginning of the long moving process, when I confessed to a dear friend how little I looked forward to the upcoming changes, she reminded me that while there are places on this earth we come to love and call home, there really is only one true and lasting Home. And come what may on this earth, “anywhere with Jesus, I can safely go.” This life is filled with changes, but anything that happens here – including moves – are so very temporary. There are things that are far more important. This move and her thought-provoking words reminded me to turn my soul to higher things. While we plan to make the new house a temporary home on this earth, am I living in preparation for my true Home?
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This first week out of the old house has passed by quickly, and the seven blessings mentioned above are not the only ones that could be counted. My family and I have been very blessed.
things which are little 