Year Three: The Return

July 16th has become a significant date for our family. In 2010 we moved to Louisville, following God's leading for Jim to attend Southern Seminary. Seven years later, July 16, 2017, we returned to Smyrna, following God back to our home church, Smyrna First Baptist, to be a part of what God was doing there as active members.

It's been three years since we have returned to Smyrna/Mableton, and this third year back has been a wonderful year. This year has been stabilizing. This entire year Jim has worked the same job with the same hours and schedule. We have lived in the same house. We have had a consistent schedule at home, allowing us to grow together and learn together in amazing ways. God has blessed us with a thriving church family where we serve with the missions team and have worshiped together. We have found our current family rhythm and it's a blessing.

It's rare that I find myself at a loss for words since I started this yearly updates our first year in Louisville, but I really don't have much to say other than the above. In some respects it is weird being "stable," as every 4-6 months there has been a major shift of some kind since we started our journey in Louisville ten years ago. And yet, it feels normal, for lack of a better word. We're not at all where we thought we would be when went made the leap of faith to move to Louisville, but we know we are exactly where God has called us to be. And that is what truly matters.

While at this exact moment, we are adjusting to being a family of 12 and all that goes along with children expressing themselves when their world is suddenly different, even in a good way, our life is still stable. We are thriving in this season, even in transition. Our children are doing well on the whole. They are delving into their creativity as well as helping around the house and loving on their new sister. Jim and I are learning to parent even more intentionally together and growing in our marriage. Our family vision is becoming stronger as we seek God as a family. Our children are seeking faith in Christ alone, desiring to follow Him in all areas of life and we're seeing tremendous growth, especially in the oldest four. It's been a year of great blessing and we are so grateful.

Even though it's not what we expected, we're so thankful to be where we are. God is moving. God is being glorified. We are growing in Him and seeking His Kingdom. And that is where our life is found.