A beautiful place

As I was taking a walk yesterday evening, I was really struck by how beautiful my surroundings are. I mean, I always knew they were, but last night I was in awe, and I realized just how much I'm going to miss this place. We are moving in just over 5 weeks, and I've been very excited for the new adventure. I've had some advice to make sure I enjoy the time that I'm here, as it will pass all too quickly. And I've really tried to do that. But it wasn't until last night, in the cool mountain air, all alone, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation, that it really sank in. I'm leaving. These walks will be my last here, for a long time. Yes, I'm sure we'll come back and visit from time to time, but I need to take advantage of every moment here. We have so many memories here. We were married here, in the meadow. I experienced both of my pregnancies here. I have made many wonderful friends here. We have family here. I have walked and jogged hundreds of miles here. Since becoming a family, this is the only place we've ever known. Am I still excited for our new adventures? Yes, very much. Will I cherish every moment here even more than I have in the past? Definitely! I am so thankful for the time that God has allowed us to be here. And in these last 5 weeks I want to make many more happy memories!

Our house (the bottom half, anyway)

Our front yard

My garden

The basketball court across the road from our house, where we often play

Looking toward camp, from our house

Moving

For the past 5 1/2 years my husband and I have lived at a Bible Camp in central Washington, where he works doing maintenance and running the paintball program, among other things. Jared has worked and lived here for 7 years. This is where we have lived since we got married. It is a beautiful place to live and a great ministry. However, my prayer for a while now has been for change. Right now we live in a house with another family. We live downstairs and they live upstairs, and we share a porch, entryway, and laundry room. I am thankful for the house and the neighbors we have, but it's not easy sharing a house. Also, we live about 25 minutes from the nearest town, which is sometimes a little lonely. We have generator power, which often doesn't work real well.

So....when God opened the door for us to move north of Seattle, to another Bible Camp, I was thrilled! We were not looking for another job, but just happened across this one. In every detail, it has felt like this is where God is leading us. We will for sure miss this place, where we started our lives together and started our family. I'm sure we will come back to visit. But we're so excited for this new adventure, and to see what God has in store for us. We will be moving in September. We will be in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house (we are very excited, as right now we're in a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom). We will live only a few short minutes from the nearest town. We will have regular power. And Jared will be working with outdoor ed. groups, which I think he'll really enjoy. It will be a nice break from doing maintenance. We really feel like this will be a wonderful opportunity for our family. I am so thankful for a God who listens to our prayers and who cares so much!