On the Other Side

We've finally made it! The next chapter has begun, and we're caught in the suspense of the Story!

The past week or so has been a whirlwind of activities, from packing to cleaning to traveling to unpacking. Sleep has been sacrificed, but outlooks have remained optimistic, even during the more stressful moments.

Today--the first day after moving in--Michelle is already out following God's leading through her Thirty-One Gifts business. A local church is hosting a children's consignment sale, and Michelle was able to rent one of only a few vendor tables for the event. It's actually a three-day event, running from 10:00-6:00 Thursday and Friday and from 9:00-2:00 on Saturday. We don't know what God will do through this event, but Michelle is being faithful to do her part, trusting God to write the Story from there.

I (Matt) will continue to put the finishing touches on things around here, unpacking what will become our living room area in the basement. (Perhaps it should be called our "retreat." That sounds fancier. And it might be more accurate.)

Before closing this post, there are a handful of people I'd love to thank by name. We are indebted to these people for their kindness and their help through this transition.

Shane Gainey: Thank you so much for keeping an eye out on things at our house in Florence. You're a life-saver, and I pray that we will have neighbors half as good as you have been whenever we buy a house here.

Courtney Gainey: Thank you for coming to see us before we left Florence. It probably doesn't seem like much to you, but that meant a lot to us (Charis included).

Lindsey Springs (for now, that is): Thank you for coming over on packing day to help us touch up paint and to say goodbye in person. We are already looking forward to seeing you and Joel when you two are on your way to Montana in the future. (Also, I want to thank you for coming to our wedding, now five years ago tomorrow, and I only wish we could witness yours as well.)

David, Nicole, and Anabelle (Boy, I hope that's spelled correctly!) Carleton: Thank you both for coming over to help us unpack and for keeping Charis occupied. I don't know if she learned anything about sharing, but she definitely enjoyed the company. We look forward to seeing a lot of you guys in the future. Seriously. You may have to tell us to go away.

Steve Shippy: Thanks for all of your help unpacking. I am still amazed, thinking back, at how quickly everything got unloaded and sorted.

Jeremy Shuler: Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to come and visit with us. It may have seemed like a simple gesture, but simple gestures of kindness often have great impacts. We'll see you Sunday.