Church & Unpacking

Great day today. We all went to Sojourn this morning. What a wonderful time of worshiping our Lord. We had lunch at Red Lobster, which is always delicious. We enjoyed our last few minutes with Anna and Winston as they had to head back to Atlanta today. They have been such a great help to us as we have moved into our apartment here and leading up to this day. We are so grateful that they were able to take some vacation time to come with us on this part of the adventure.

I am thankful for Sabbaths. We have worked on a few things here and there but have mostly been able to rest this afternoon. We will have to work on several things this week but it will be good as we get settled. I am thankful that I have most of the things I need and want close to the apartment. Great stuff.

Day2

Hi From Louisville!

Well we are here. Bright and early Friday morning Mom, Dad, Anna, Winston and we loaded up and made the trek. We arrived around 6:30pm and unloaded enough to sleep. Thankfully the kids traveled well with very little fussing. I have the best children. Today the guys finished unloading the truck and we have some semblance of order but a long way to go. We are so thankful that the apartment is much bigger than anticipated with lots of closet space. I am so thankful for wonderful surprises. Currently I am writing from the Starbucks by the apartment until we can get stuff hooked up so I will update as able. Prayers are still coveted as we settle in and get acquainted with our new home. We have some really great neighbors including other seminary students and some refugees. Great ministry opportunities surround us. Praise the Lord for what He is going to do in and through us.

Day 1

Friends, Miracles & Bible Study

Last night of Women's Bible study last night with some fabulous ladies. How special it is to be able to meet with our sisters in Christ to share our joys, struggles, concerns and blessings. I had a great evening with Julie, Bonnie, Tamara and Tiffany.

I was able to meet my dear friend Julie for dinner and ran into my neighbor whom I have been praying for opportunities to talk to and hope to witness or minister. She sat at a table across from us and was able to observe Christian friendship including prayer over a meal. I also was able to talk to her and tell her we were praying for their current situations. She looked at me strange but hopefully some seeds are getting planted from these little encounters.

We also saw Jennifer and Brenna during our dinner, which was a wonderful surprise. I am so thankful for these little things that God does. I have run into so many people the past month that I rarely see. Last opportunities to share with some of these people what God is doing in our lives.

I also was able to talk to sweet Kelli who I have not been able to see but share a few moments on the phone with her.

I will miss my friends but I am thankful to know that no matter what happens down here we will one day see each other again.

We are now preparing to load up the truck. Can't believe it is here.

1 more day!

Packing

Wow! Many hands really do make light work. I am so thankful for the wonderful ladies from church who came along with my family and got almost our whole house packed by noon! What an amazing feat! Special thanks to Carole Fouts, Joy Reeves, Doris Belflower, Harmina Caird, Donna Clippard, Anna Murdock, Dianne Sudduth and Dale Kimmel for their hands in making the light work. The beautiful thing is that after all of this wonderful packing we had someone come look at the house! God is good! Please pray for this prospective buyer/renter. Hoping for a more low key day tomorrow before loading the truck on Thursday.

3 days!

Almost Time

by: Emily Elizabeth Manor

Packing up the house

It's almost time to move on

Looking all around

Where life has taken me

This is my life, my home

I've known no other place

But now it's almost time

Time to move on

Memories Flood

It's almost time to move on

These are the last days

I call this house my home

Sorrow, joy and relief

All flood my very soul

Now it's almost time

Time to move on

God takes us down so many roads

Not knowing what lies ahead

I will plunge forth

Knowing only that His hand is guiding me

And it's almost time to move on

Bittersweet heartache

It's almost time to move on

Leaving family and friends

And the comforts of home

The church where I was riased

The love and the support

And now it's almost time

Time to move on

God takes us down so many roads

Not knowing what lies ahead

I will plunge forth

Knowing only that His hand is guiding me

And it's almost time to move on

I am ready

I've waited so long for this time

I know

God has a great plan for me

He will show me step by step

Until I reach my final day

Still it's hard to say good-bye

God takes us down so many roads

Not knowing what lies ahead

I will plunge forth

Knowing only that His hand is guiding me

And it's almost time to move on

Oh, it's almost time

Just a matter of days

It's time to move on

Farewell Party

What a fabulous time with family and friends. Some wonderful people threw a farewell party for our family Sunday afternoon. We got to see friends we do not get to see often as well as talk to our church family about what our next step is. Thanks so much to Carole Fouts, Joy Reeves, Charlotte Winkles, Mary Durueke, Harmina Caird and Anna Murdock for the fabulous celebration. We are so blessed to have a church family that cares about our lives and has invested so much in us. Not long at all now.

4 days

Family Time

This post is, unfortunately, late as our internet has decided not to cooperate the last couple of days.

It was wonderful to spend some time with Kyle, Britney and Brendon before we move. We already see them only about once a month as they are stationed in South Georgia, but now it will be even less. Sunday we had a fabulous lunch at Olive Garden. The best part was meeting our waitress who is from Moldova! I had a feeling when I saw her she was at least from Eastern Europe, but to meet someone from Moldova was amazing! Got to practice some of my Romanian. It caused me to miss Moldova that much more. Our family is wanting to return very badly. I pray God will allow us to return soon. We spent the afternoon together and took pictures of our whole family last time together for a while. More of those bittersweet moments that I will treasure. It was so cute watching Jamey and Brendon play and swing. Brendon is such a fun big cousin!

After our fun afternoon and we were settled at home Jamey went to the family Bible and tried to pick it up. So, Jim asked him "do you want to read the Bible?" Jamey said, "Please!" and crawled up on the sofa next to Jim and watched him intently as he read out of Psalm. Such a sweet moment. It's amazing how early they learn these things and I am so thankful.

1 week 2 days

Sewing

Something I never thought I would be interested in: Sewing. But not too long ago I made my first skirt and it was quite a success. Today I almost completed a pair of shorts for my sister, however we ran out of thread and so Melissa must finish them hem for me. I need to check out my grandmother's sewing machine and see if I can take it with me to practice and make additional clothing as well as hem up some cloth wipes. I am hoping it will still be a couple years before making clothes for all of us is a necessity but as modest clothing, particularly for girls, is getting more difficult to find, I may be making clothes, at least for my baby girl, sooner than I think. I will miss having Melissa as a near by resource but there are some good things about modern technology. :) I will also miss her awesome sewing machine.

Jim is on his last two nights of work. He has told me people are upset about his leaving as, thankfully, he is well liked. I hope our transition will be a testimony to the importance of following God's call on your life, no matter what the cost. We know his application is under review at one place so prayer is needed as there is not much time until we move.

2 weeks!