I'm feeling like I can b r e a t h e and at the same time feeling like I'm suffocating in lists, questions and deadlines too. It has been a long 11 months of waiting, trusting and giving it all up to God. Now everything seems to be happening so quickly. We've had this "Colorado dream" softly singing over us for several years actually. Feeling it in our souls (along with prayer and a really nice job that landed into Josh's lap about 6 weeks after my Mom moves out there) a decision was made to go for it. I know that the life we have right now is just the beginning. Many, many more adventures, experiences and opportunities await us. We are ready. It's time to go. It's time to say farewell and we will see you soon, but never bye-bye.
I can't possibly hold all the emotions together. Our walls are getting bare and closets are being organized into boxes. There are big smiles and the easily flowing tears. What I do know is that within the uncertainty this past year my heart has been laced with the most beautiful hope, courage and trust that was being built every single day.
Looking back at the past almost 14 years here overwhelms me such goodness. Josh and I were still freshly married and ready to get out of the town we grew up in Ohio. We went forward, trusted tremendous faith and packed up a tiny U-Haul truck. We knew my folks were down here but we didn't have jobs, a place to live, friends. It was indeed crazy big faith, but we yearned for a fresh new jump in our step and new beginning. It was without question the best decision we had ever made in our love together. We've seen a lot, grew up a ton, worked hard, learned and changed by leaps and bounds in this Texas air. In a nutshell: Josh got a teaching job, we became responsible homeowners, started a precious family, built a house, changed jobs, experienced immense loss, pain, hardship, enjoyed an incredible church, had miraculous love enter into our hearts and made the most amazing friendships that will last a lifetime. Big stuff. Big time "roots" here. Our babies are now heading to 6th grade and 4th grade this year. This part of our journey has indeed been a blink of an eye.
A whisper in this lifetime.
Did I mention that it's all too much for my heart to handle at times? Yep.
We are anxiously looking onto the next chapter. The next 14+ years is about looking forward and always looking back with gratitude and love. All of it is so sweetly drenched in the most special memories. We wouldn't trade these years for anything. We wouldn't be who we are today without them. How and why should I/we be scared or nervous about the brand new unseen path before us?
The Lord took us graciously on this lovely Texas road and what a treasure and blessing the next one will be to take a ride on.
