an update of the crazy

We're here! We have actually been in North Carolina since last Wednesday but we have been shuffling through the boxes, emotions, school work, family, meeting new friends and getting to know the area. There was also some sleeping, although I am not sure I will ever feel that it is enough.

First off I want to say Oakland has been so kind and supportive through this process! We were overwhelmed with all of the hugs, prayers and gifts before we left. It was so encouraging to hear we will be missed but they wanted what was best for us. We will definitely miss our church family, and are grateful we are only a couple hours away. We also got several promises to come visit so I'm holding them to it!!

Moving is new to me. I've moved houses many times, but never my hometown (besides college of course). It is definitely going to be an adjustment, and sad at times, but we are so excited to see how God is going to use us here. We have seen Him working in so many ways through this transitional time that we can't wait to see what he has for us!

We have not met a stranger yet. Everyone at Highland Park Baptist is so friendly and wanting to help make this an easy transitional time for us. Even though we have only visited twice prior to moving here, we already felt like we were part of their family. Sunday night we had a Thanksgiving service where we had food and people shared what they were thankful for. I loved seeing this part of the church. They were praising God for all sorts of things but I kept seeing the common theme of being thankful for what God is doing - not what they are doing. Highland Park is growing. They are seeing many salvations, but they acknowledge it is nothing they are doing but what God is doing through them. THAT is exciting. Drew and I are excited to be apart of it.

We also got 'pounded' on Sunday night - where people brought us household goods to stock our pantry. Wow did they!! I think we could make it a year on all the corn and toilet paper we received. :)

A couple in the church is allowing us to stay in their basement apartment until we found our new home. It has been so kind of them and is a great cozy space. :) We are so grateful for this, although are looking for an apartment of our own. I think we will feel less in transition when we set up our house somewhere. We are actually looking at a couple places this evening and then will probably have a decision made by tomorrow.

Peyton is adjusting fairly well. It was a rough couple days but he has slept through the night the past two nights so we are hopeful. He is a huge reason we want to get our own place on the earlier end. Boxes and new places have been way too 'normal' for him lately and we want him settled at home. He of course has a smile through all the crazy... except when he doesn't. HA

So all in all things have gone well. We have been trying to get school done (we are in week 5 of 8) and spend some time together, just breathing. It sure has been a whirlwind of a month but God is right beside us so we can get through anything!

ruff ruff

Our Peyton was a puppy dog on Sunday and Wednesday nights for both Oakland and Lakeside's fall festivals. :) He played  about 3 games and won candy for mama and daddy. :) He only did well in the games were you picked up duckies or balls because he just wanted to stick the balls in his mouth for the toss games. It was a lot of fun to catch up with friends and eat yummy foods!

leaping into a new adventure

It is official. We are moving to North Carolina. Soon. As in, we will be living in North Carolina by Thanksgiving. 

It has been whirlwind of a couple months, but it has been amazing to see our Jesus walking beside us saying "walk through that door" "I know you are comfortable where you are at, which is why it's time to leap into a new circumstance and trust me" and "I will give you ____ and ____ and ____ as confirmation that this decision is of Me. "

Loss is hard.

We will miss all of our family that is here. All of the places that we call home. The places where we dated, places we shared with our baby. The people we've known for a few days, and the ones we have known our whole lives.
We will miss the church we have called home for 4 years. It is the first 'job' that Drew has had and we can honestly call the people there our family. They love us. They love our baby. We have been blessed to have lived life with them these years. They have also reacted wonderfully to this new move. They know we are following God's leading for the next part of our lives and they say they will pray for us - I believe them. We will be praying for them as well.
We will miss friends, and being able to call them up at any time and go to their house.

But in her blog, Ann says it wonderfully,"Nothing is a given — everything’s a gift.
Who am I to complain in losses when what I lost wasn’t mine to begin with?"

I know we aren't really loosing those things. Not really. In reality we will still visit, and share with Peyton all the places that we love here. It's only 2 hours away from here...

We are gaining and that is good.

We are gaining more friends. Ones that will challenge us spiritually and ones we can laugh and grow with. We are gaining new experiences through a new church with new people and new challenges. Ones that I pray will bring us closer to our Jesus so we can be more like Him.

We are also gaining miles closer to my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. For that I am ever so thankful to God! :) 

Drew, Peyton and I want to live to bring God glory. We want our lives to be about seeking Him and loving Him. If moving away from all we know into a new adventure - will bring Him glory - who are we to argue with Him.

It will be tough but I am thrilled to be able to walk behind my Jesus and KNOW that He will lead me in the best possible path for our lives.

So with that said... yay for boxes and selling/or renting our house and messy houses and finding new housing and doctors and all the emotional roller coasters that changes include...

enter sarcasm here. :)

He is the Lord's

Since Drew and I saw that pregnancy test stating we were pregnant with our dear Peyton, we knew he wasn't ours. We are fully aware that God gives us every precious gift, without Him we are nothing. Because of that, we are amazed that God chose us to take care of Peyton, for however long or short he chooses. Mother's Day (one week shy of a year from when we found out we were pregnant last year) we publicly shared that mindset that Peyton is not ours but rather God's with our church family. We dedicated Him to the Lord, praying that he will follow Him all the days of His life, and praying that Drew and I will train Peyton exactly how God wants Him to be. We sure are glad that Peyton is in His hands, and not ours!

That alone was the perfect first Mother's Day. We also spent the afternoon with our dear friends the Kings and Hayes'. As a result, Drew, Peyton and I had dinner together on Tuesday night and Drew rented a girly movie for us to watch. He also gave me an upgrade for a massage gift card I already had, which mean twice the amount of time for a wonderful Swedish massage next week.