From Here….

 

 

To Here

November 15th has become my Memorial Day. Two years ago today, we left our home of 8 years in Oklahoma City for the last time. To some this may seem no big thing. People move all the time, right? But for me it was everything.

Jeremy and I had lived in Oklahoma City for 8 1/2 years, over twice what I’ve lived anywhere else. We came to The City right out of college and became adults there. We bought our first house, started our careers, had our two babies, built friendships that will last a life time, and came to think of our church at Quail Springs like family. I learned and grew so much in my faith there in an environment that encourages and fosters growth and leadership in its members.

Despite saying for years that we were going to move to Tulsa, I did not really want to go. I don’t think either of us were ready for it. So much so, that we looked for another house in Oklahoma City for 6 months after returning from Hawaii…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

You can read the whole story of how our house in Oklahoma City sold: here. Without the help of friends and family it would never have happened.

I remember the Hopkins walking through our house with us in May 2011 helping us figure out what would need to be done so we could sell it.

I remember the Hayworths coming over one Saturday to help us paint the house inside and out.

I remember my three brothers-in-law and Father-in-law showing up the Saturday before we moved to help us pack the entire garage and move everything that remained into our storage units.

I remember our small group who had a goodbye party for us before we left, and the sweet prayers they prayed over us.

Then we shot off on our two year journey through 3 states, 4apartments/houses, and 4 cities. Crazy!!!
It sounds exhausting and it was. There were many days when we had more questions than answers. Most of the time, we didn’t know what God had planned for us next. But along the way we were blessed and could see His hand in it all.

In Hawaii…

I remember how welcoming Grace Bible Church Kapolei was when we walked back through the doors. Even though we had been gone for a year, they remembered us and welcomed us back with open arms.

I remember meeting Crystal our second Sunday back and being invited to their playgroup that was just beginning. What a blessing!

I remember finding all kinds of new things to see and do with our playgroup.

I remember praying with those ladies and seeing their hearts and sharing mine.

I remember drives around the island to North Shore Tacos and finally being able to have those Nachos I’d been craving!

I remember the beautiful beaches and botanical gardens that were a balm to my soul after months of hard work on our house.

I remember celebrating our tenth anniversary on Waikiki Beach.

I remember getting to share my favorite island with Grammy when she came for a visit and eating lots of Dole Whip. Yum!

On March 1, 2012, we flew back to the mainland expecting to buy a house in Oklahoma City and settle back in again. God had other plans. After 6 months of searching, we found out Jeremy was going to be working on the Dallas airport and it would be wisest for us to go there as a family.

Though the apartment we lived in while in Oklahoma City was like a dark cave compared to our one in Hawaii, God was with us there, too…

I remember Ladies lunches with friends, coffee, and hearing the boys run around Natalie’s house.

I remember lots of park and zoo dates with Marianne and Miss Emily.

I remember Melanie remembering my birthday and having cupcakes waiting for me at church.

I remember Wednesday morning ladies classes where I continued to learn and grow.

I remember Brent’s patience as he showed me house after house in Oklahoma City that weren’t just right, and the one’s that were just right and flew off the market.

God obviously didn’t want us in Oklahoma City anymore, so off we headed to Dallas on Sept. 1, 2012. I was not thrilled. It is in Texas, you know. But over the months I came to enjoy the Grapevine area. This time our apartment was bigger, but still not enough to contain two energetic boys, so we left the house Every. Single. Day. In Dallas…

I remember walking into The Branch that first Sunday and hearing the singing pouring out the doors. I swear the worship there must be a glimpse of heaven!

I remember how welcoming Jennifer was that first Sunday showing us where to take the boys and then inviting us to the Small Group lunch after church.

I remember meeting former Quail members that first Sunday and God quickly confirming that there was where he wanted us.

I remember meeting our small group for the first time and through Ethan and Aiden’s friendship seeing that where we were also supposed to be.

I remember play dates with Rebecca and Emma and how much I enjoyed them!

I remember Allison hooking us up with GLEPTA (an early childhood PTA) early on and all the blessings that came from the outings we went on.

I remember visiting the Pumpkin Patch with Lori. So much fun!

I remember our Chick-fil-a dates with Jenna and Caleb and still wishing we’d become friends while we lived in OKC.

I remember lunch dates and hospital visits with Lisa, and how nice it was to live close again.

I remember our small group and how they loved on us not knowing how long we’d be there and then let us go when the time came.

Finally, on June 1, 2013 we moved back to Oklahoma. You can read the whole story of our God lead homing buying here.

Already I can see God’s hand in us being here. It is so nice to know family is not far away, and it is so nice to already be settling in with a church family and friends whom I’m excited to get to know better.

Though I didn’t want to leave the comfortable spot we’d made for ourselves in Oklahoma City, when God said, “Go!” we went. Though I don’t know what our future holds in this new place, looking back over the last two years shows me that no matter what, God will be there. He will take care of our family and bless us in the hard times and the good times. He is faithful, and I can trust Him with my future.