Jan 31, 2010

Adapting!



What a crazy week of adapting! We've officially spent a whole week in our new city and Stephen and I are still trying to get used to all of the changes. Especially after never living anywhere other than Omaha. We got through quite a bit of highs and low already though...

Our lowest points were seeing family on Skype and knowing we can't just drive over and hang out with them. For me it was knowing I won't be able to see the little nieces and nephews for awhile (i actually cried lol I'm such a classic emotional pregnant lady). Stephen's biggest struggle has been coming home very overwhelmed each day with so much work to do because we are literally building our ministry up from ground zero.

I honestly feel like the hardest part is over (besides missing family and friends because I'm sure that will always be hard). And our blessings just keep adding up! Here are a few...

*Amazing new house! It's so nice and easy to keep clean and organized with all the space. We are excited to now have room to invite people over for gamenights, superbowl parties, bible studies, etc. The best part is we have a DISHWASHER!! I'm in heaven.

*Body of Christ! It's funny how we are experiencing the love of Christ through His people. It's almost like He is wrapping his arms around us by the actions of others. Everyone has been so welcoming and giving. We keep getting little surprises like a shoveled driveway, meals delivered (we're talking breakfasts, lunches, and dinners), and money gifts. We were feeling pretty lonely one night and the family who was supposed to bring us dinner instead invited us over to their house. It was so nice to hang out in a warm environment with great people and really get to know a few of the youth group kids. We loved it!

*Nice weather! Okay we may have gotten a little snow, but this weather is nothing like Omaha's bitterly cold temperatures. The sun has been out almost all week and there were two days where I didn't even need a coat. And even on the day that it snowed, we were surprised to find it was still easy to get around because there are no hills here:)

*Our house sold! This just makes me laugh because it was only on the market for two weeks in this economy, we didn't even have pictures up, and it was at our asking price. How awesome is our God who listens to all our prayers:)

*Internet! Even though we are so far away I love that I can actually see how everyone is doing. And Skype is pretty awesome even though it makes me cry hehe. Plus I can finally blog again;)

Tonight's our first night of youth group so I'm sure that will really get us excited for living here and getting to know the students. Keep us in your prayers!
Laurie

Jan 29, 2010

Goodbye House!

Stephen and I signed away our house in Omaha today! It is both a sad and happy day since we are leaving behind lots of hard work and so many memories. On the other hand, we are so excited to follow God and see the big plans he has for us here in Great Bend! We have only been here a week, but we have seen God's hand all over the place. (More pictures and details to come about that!) Our last week in the house, Jenny my amazingly talented photographer sister-in-law grabbed a couple pics of us saying goodbye to the bathroom remodel Stephen did. It was pretty amazing to see him transform it from that old spidery fruit cellar.
Before:



After: