As you know, we’ve been in a bit of a transition lately. And with moving 500 miles come a few hiccups, a few tears, and a lot of boxes. Fortunately, we’re through with the 500 mile treks, mostly through with the boxes, and hopefully through with the tears. It has been a journey. It feels like it has been happening for so long and to be sitting here now, in a house in South Carolina, feels surreal to me. And so, before my blogging gets back to its old, routine ways, please allow me a few moments to just catch my breath and organize a few of my in transition thoughts. =)

First, the church is an amazing thing. 1 Corinthians 12-13 speak of individual members working together, loving each other, and fulfilling the purpose of Christ’s kingdom. It is a family. A family that loves and protects and encourages and strengthens and laughs and cries and rejoices. It is a body of imperfect people who are continually perfected through Jesus Christ and bear with each other on a regular basis. I am privileged and thankful to God to be a part of such a body. And not just the body here or the body there. But THE body – the collective one meeting all over the globe. From Pulaski to North Charleston and everywhere in between, I have been encouraged and uplifted and prayed for by my brothers and sisters, and it has made this transition easy and joyous and filled to the brim with blessings that I know my God is showering down (James 1:17).

Second, the devil hates good works. To say that there hasn’t been some discouragement thrown into the mix throughout this process would be a lie. But, I know where those seeds of discouragement came from. It has definitely been a trial, this moving thing. You see, the weekend we tried out for the job, my mom got really sick. The last month we were in Pulaski getting ready to move, she was in the hospital, going back and forth between ICU, a normal room, and now dialysis. It was hard. It is hard. Moving away from a parent that’s sick isn’t easy–and now I know that first hand. But I was also reminded of it quite frequently from well-meaning people. However, on the hardest days, I knew that we’d made the right decision and that the work in North Charleston was a good work, because if it weren’t, Satan wouldn’t be working quite so hard to steal my excitement and enthusiasm. Thanks be to God, though, because He is a powerful and mighty God, a healing God and a listening God (Psalm 34:17), and the day before we left my mom was moved out of the hospital and into rehab, and now she’s home and my mind can be eased =)

Third, I am married to an amazing man. We lived out of a suitcase for two weeks, going back and forth between Huntsville and Pulaski, and he spoke like 29840 times during that period (ok, slight exaggeration). My mind was completely consumed with moving and sick mom and where’s this and did that break and he was calm and collected and spiritually minded, as always. To say that he is a rock in my life is an understatement. He has always helped me so very much, but this move has only solidified that in my mind even more. He loves what he does, and it’s so evident to me every single day. I am so thankful to be married to such a godly, passionate man, who is so much different than I am and can calm me down and cheer me up whenever I need it.

God is the most wonderful designer. He spoke everything we know (and even things we don’t) into existence. He created the beautiful palm trees in my front yard and the spanish moss hanging in the back. He created the gorgeous oceans and rivers, my sweetest puppy, and my amazing husband. He created the church, which helps me make it through this life. And He created marriage, and wow, what a tremendous blessing that is to my every day!

I am beyond blessed. In every moment of the last month that thought has entered and reentered my brain. I cannot express to God how grateful I am, and I can’t even express it to you how thankful I am for YOU and for how much you have helped us throughout this process. Thanks for your patience, your understanding, your generosity, and your prayers. We are so grateful to be in South Carolina, but no matter where we go or what we do, our citizenship remains the same (Phil. 3:20).