13 August 2013

Finding Joy in Today

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

"Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them." -Lucy Maud Montgomery


Today, I am a little overwhelmed with all the details and happenings of our move. So, I'm going to take a break and a look back at this last week and fill you in.

This past weekend was a fun one. It rained. That's a pretty decent synopsis of this summer in the panhandle. Rain. While it feels like it always rains here, the storms are usually scattered. We've learned to check the radar and watch for the rain clouds because, when you find yourself in between or right after the rain, you are in for at least a few breathtaking beach moments. We literally watched storms roll in and waited them out in the car. Then we would head back down to the water and play in the crashing waves.
{This is what you get when you wait out the rain: cool temps, abandoned beach, and beautiful view.}

Jessie had an exciting weekend as well. Her best friend, Rosie, came to have a sleepover. We barricaded them in the kitchen for a weekend of wrestling, fetch, and naps.
{Blondes do have more fun, I guess.}

We put one of our cars up for sale and, after several somewhat comical showings, found a match. One guy was super excited about the car and ready to buy, only to find out he didn't know what a clutch was when he went to drive it away. Another stood us up a couple of times. One guy offered us half our asking price. Anyways, I couldn't be happier that our buyer was a sweet, appreciative old man purchasing a first car for his grandson. It was a wonderful ride, and she will be missed.
{Farewell}

We did very little organizing and packing for our move this past weekend. Instead we watched a couple of movies and seasons 1 & 2 of Arrested Development. We got with both moms to work out a family schedule for our upcoming trip to Nashville. We also made a few tough decisions about my school plan and paid for the fall semester. Monday, we had an appointment on base for new ID cards and engraved Jessie a new name tag and began getting serious about packing.

Today, we have been organizing and cleaning for the property management company to show our house in the midst of the move. We are praying for pretty weather tomorrow so we can have one last beach day. Thursday, Jessie has her last vet appointment and the packers will be here all day. Friday, the movers come set our stuff en route to Anchorage. Saturday and Sunday is a short trip to New Orleans. Monday, we drop off keys and drive to Tennessee. I'm so ready to get through all these boring to-dos and get this adventure started! But I know God is teaching me patience and discipline in the daily tasks. We've been working on this for quite some time now. Times like this really challenge my resolve to learn joy in all circumstances and my instinct is to complain rather than rejoice. But God is a personal God. He lets us participate in life, in learning and growing, in working to reach our potential. I want to be thankful in today and the next days of our move, in the daily difficulties and accomplishments, for the opportunities and the obstacles. 

I am still in this moment for today, and I will be glad in it. 

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