Going Home

We’re moving home!

After months of thinking about it, the day is almost here!

Maryland will have been home for almost four and a half years by the time we load the truck four weeks from now.  It’s hard to believe it’s been that long, and hard to believe it’s only been that long.

David has loved his work here! He counted it an honor to work alongside so many families.  Their trust, their courage, their faith was a gift.  I’ve seen him thrive in a lot of places so it was no surprise to see him do it well; but I think it surprised me how much he loved working with people on such an intense level full-time.  God has clearly given him a gift and it was beautiful to see that side of him develop as he used it!

But, it’s time to pass the baton to another and we’re excited about moving back to Virginia!

Zara and Bella know nothing other than Maryland and Liam has almost no memories of living there.  So while it feels like moving home to David and I, this is going to mean “new” territory for half our family.  We were down doing a bit of work on the house over Labor Day and Zara talks often about the place we’re moving to.  “Remember dat house dat has NO TOYS.  Den we have to get a big truck and take my toys and my bed and my drawers {dresser}.”

Four years means so much change in a family in our stage.  We moved here, the family with two little boys.  We’re returning with big boys and two little girls.  I cannot believe how different the boys seem when I remember the first days here.  I think back to the transition then and who had the hardest time adjusting, and then I look ahead and wonder what it’s going to be like helping them walk through the move back.  They’ve made a lot of good memories here.  They loved the opportunities for canoeing and fishing and swimming at the aqueduct.  It’s a boy’s world around here and they loved it!

It’s been a home away from home.  We’ve loved walk / bike rides on our waaaaaaay back in quiet road.  I’ve loved watching the hummingbirds and the fun of having a sparrow build its nest in one of the ferns on the front porch.  I’d have been just fine without the snakes or the bear on the porch, but apparently it comes with the territory. 🙂

One of the nicest surprise gifts here was having such exceptional neighbors.  You know how some people go to great lengths to make it look like they’re at home when they’re not?  Well, we told ours because we knew they’d look out for us.  When David was gone on those crazy late nights and I got scared by a strange vehicle going by way too fast (oh the way you notice cars when you only have about eight vehicles on your road per day), I’d call Kiersten to see if anything is up.  When Sherri found out David and the boys were gone overnight again, she came up and hung out for two hours holding Bella and reading stories to Zara so I wouldn’t lose my sanity.  They’re the kind you borrow eggs from and neither of you remembers if you replaced them.  The kind who end up talking at the end of your driveway and you suddenly decide to go walking together and they push your stroller. They are proof that the small town America the old people talk about is still thriving.

Now there are so many lasts to squeeze in-between all the getting ready.  The last shopping day with my friend, Sheryl.  I still can’t believe the gift of being at camp the same time she was! The last night out with friends in Hagerstown.  And hopefully, a last dinner date for David and I at our favorite restaurant in town.

God has taught me so much during my #lifeinthewilderness as I dubbed it on instagram.  I hope someday after we move I’ll get a day just to reminisce, to think, to pray, to see a bigger picture of what all He was speaking.

But for now, it’s purging and boxes and packing tape.  Transition and stability.  Organization and chaos. Goodbyes and see you soons.

And lots of baby kisses in between.

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