Finally Settled In

The past 18 months have represented a lot of change.  We moved 4 times and 1,200 miles, changed jobs, sold a house, built a house, and just generally uprooted our lives to be closer to most of our family.  It's something we'd talked about doing for a long time but when it actually came time to do it, it was much harder than we expected.  We had to leave our daughter and her family, really great friends, the church we'd attended for 13 years, and countless other things we enjoyed in our 16 years in Colorado. 

We'd prayed for a long time to get here and God granted our request.  It wasn't exactly how we'd envisioned it but it rarely ever is.  It was grander than we'd asked for and at the same time it was harder than we'd asked for.  I think sometimes we forget that growth is a process and with growth comes pain.  Sometimes a lot of pain and sometimes a little pain but growth rarely comes with no pain.

I won't list all the things God has done for us because some of it is personal and writing about it in a blog like this can come across in a way it's not intended.  I'm more than happy to share it more personally and individually with those that want to hear it.  What I will say is that all the glory goes to God.  He made us be patient and He did it on his timeline not ours.  Prayers aren't always answered or at least the answer isn't always 'Yes', many times it's 'No' and many other times it's 'Not now'.  God is not a genie where we rub the lamp, make our wish, and it's granted.  When we ask for those things that are in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives I believe he grants those things for us. 

We are still struggling some with the adjustment to our new lives but we are also grateful.  We didn't earn any of what's been given to us and that's the way it works with God.  We can't do enough to earn His favor but He does it anyway and many times He does it bigger than what we'd asked for.  I've learned that's the way I like it because when I look back if I got exactly what I asked for I wouldn't be where I am today.

I'm hoping now that things are settled down enough that I can begin to write my thoughts again about the Christian worldview.  I've definitely grown over the last 18 months and I hope to share some of that in my upcoming posts.