WARNING.....this is a long one!
Over the past few months, Rich, Lucy Jane, and I have spent the majority of our time in Springdale. Rich has offices both in Fort Smith and Springdale. His Springdale office has really taken off and been super busy which is a huge blessing. He started out commuting back and forth from home (Fort Smith) to Springdale and coming home each night. By the time he would get home at night, Lucy Jane would already be asleep, so the amount of family time we had was very minimal. Having your own business and starting a new office takes a lot of your time. I can't say that I was the most supportive wife during the transition of Rich opening his new office.
Rich decided that he would get a furnished apartment for us in Springdale so that we could spend more time together. Since I wasn't working, this was very possible. I FOUGHT the idea of staying in an apartment. I have already done my apartment time...in college....and wasn't ready to be back in one anytime soon. I asked many times why we couldn't just move here instead of having a home and apartment. I spent a couple months driving back and forth every couple days so that I could carry on our normal life in Fort Smith. The stress of 2 homes was NOT FUN!
Rich was very hesitant to even think about moving to NW AR because it would be such a huge decision for us. Both of our families live in Fort Smith and our whole life is there. It was such a big decision for him to think about all the details that come along with packing up and starting a whole new life somewhere else. He said we should spend some time DATING Springdale. Long story short...after 5 months of dating (in this lovely one bedroom apartment) we are moving and both have complete peace about this decision. We are loving it up here! It is so neat how God has worked every little detail out and started opening doors even before we knew we would be moving here!
I enrolled Lucy Jane in Kids Day Out at CrossChurch. She is such a social butterfly and I didn't want to take that away from her. This happened before we ever decided to move. All the ladies there have been wonderful to both of us! I started seriously praying that God would provide friends for me or open doors so that I could meet people. Little by little, I have met a few people in the church. We found a house in an amazing neighborhood. We quickly found out about atleast 2 young families with little one's Lucy Jane's age...which is something that was very important to us! I went to my first day of MOP'S at the church today and met some really neat ladies that I am looking forward to getting to know better! We have a Sunday School class that we are visiting and going on a get together with them this Friday night. I am so encouraged and excited about this journey!
So awesome how God gives peace, opens all the right doors, and makes your heart and attitude open to his will when you are willing to follow. Why do we try to take control and continue to stay in the driver’s seat when we know God's plan is so much bigger and better than we could imagine. I am so looking forward to seeing what is to come!
A few verses that were encouraging to me throughout this whole process.....(about finding friends, being away from my family, the unknown about starting a new church), and everything in general.
"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 (no need to be afraid about being in a new place, God is with me"
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16 (Pray fervently for friendships and a church home)
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days, when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (Duh, he already has my life mapped out...why am I fretting)
"Peace i leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27 (God gives peace)
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be THANKFUL." Colossians 3:15 (Thankful that he gave me peace about the move)
