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Sunday, July 14, 2013

a little more clear


I remember the day had been long.  It was July 3rd, two and a half months after first learning my husband was selected to teach at the Naval Academy.  We lay in bed, quiet words passing back and forth between us.  We were still waiting for Naval orders making the move official, allowing us to schedule movers and plan a move date.  Since April, we had come up with enough scenarios and what ifs to fill a book.  That night it felt like we stood at the dark end of a long road, with no knowledge of what would happen next or which way to go.

When you are completely at the end of yourself, in that dark place of not seeing, not knowing, what then?

Fingers intertwined, we prayed together, acknowledging that no matter what happened, we loved God and wanted His best, wanted His glory and His good in our lives.  Our sleep that night was more peaceful than it had been in a long time.

The next day dawned sunny and bright, our favorite holiday, July 4th.  I was in the kitchen peeling peaches to add to the homemade ice cream.  My husband is the ice cream maker around here, so when I finished, I went to find him to tell him all was ready.  He met my eyes over his laptop, saying, “Just got my orders!  Ice cream is going to have to wait a bit.”

I literally fell to my knees in gratitude.  “Yes!” I exclaimed.  “Thank you, oh, thank you, God!

So, a week from tomorrow movers will come, pack our things, load them up and ship them off to the East Coast.  We have been preparing in literally a million different ways, but today after church things are going to get serious.  I am going to tackle the kids rooms’…and my closet.  Though we don’t have to do the actual packing, we want to make sure that the things that are packed are worth moving. 

It feels as though the things we are going through right now are searing something into the marrow of my bones, deep and precious things about God and His character, a clearer understanding of living by faith, trusting God moment by moment, not putting my faith and hope in scenarios I construct about my future, but like a trusting child, slipping my hand into God’s strong one, being content right there.

12 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for you all Amy! And this is just beautifully expressed. I'm going to print your last paragraph for my journal to refresh my memory in those deeply uncertain times. Bless you all and huge congratulations to Liam!

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    1. Tricia, how fun that you are reading here..makes me smile! I am deeply honored that you would put my words in your journal. We are excited too, but as one who has made a huge move with your family, there are details spawning details day after day...crazy is all I can say!! I hope our paths cross again one day...

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  2. And that's why I think we can "consider it joy!" So relieved for you and can't wait to hug you in person after all these years!

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    1. Can't wait to hug you too!!! Your family being close is one of those "more than I could have asked or imagined" things for me in this move.

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  3. Wow... big news! So excited for your move and for your family... and Annapolis is the coolest town ever (once dated a Naval Academy guy ;)

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! I have heard great things about Annapolis, and am looking forward to exploring it with my family. Now back to sorting...

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  4. I am excited for all of you, Amy! I'm also looking forward to reading/hearing how God continues to lead you there in Annapolis and beyond!

    ~ Carole

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    1. Thanks so much, Carole! I will sure miss you and your family, but I know our friendship will remain over the miles and years. I am excited about what God is doing in your family as well!!

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  5. Catching up. Wow! A cross-country move! Praying for you all. I lived in Frederick, MD for 3 years and I LOVED it. Maryland is one of my favorite places to live. It's FULL of history and charm. There are the foothills to the appalachian and allegheny mountains to the West, the ocean to the east (and assateague and chincoteague parks!), Baltimore, Washington DC, Annapolis, the bay...it's all so wonderful. Please, please, please get out and see and experience stuff there. And eat lots of crabcakes for me.

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    1. Amy, thank you for all this great encouragement about living in Maryland! You make it sound so wonderful!!! It is hard for me to imagine loving anywhere as much as I loved living in Madison, but I am open to having my mind changed :). I hope if you and Bob come out East, you will come visit!!!

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