Fall and New Beginings

 

When I was out for my walk this morning I came upon these two leaves lying on the road. I thought it was just a perfect picture so I took one. I am sure I got a few looks for standing in the middle of the street taking a picture of the ground. Oh well! ~smile~

The changing leaves got me thinking about how things pass on and then in the spring life bursts forth again. It reminded me of what is going on in our lives right now. The life we have known for the past 20 years is coming to an end. 

We have sold the home we raised our son in, where so many memories were made, where the great tree house war took place between my son and the neighbour girls. Where Andy learned to skate board with only 2 hospital visits, where our family jokes were started. It is where we cared for my mother in law for many years until she went to be with Jesus. It is where I got saved, where I started ladies ministry and my ladies weekly Bible study. It was filled with many children though my childcare work and many friends of my son's who we watched grow from young boys to men. Where loud band practices took place and teens flowed freely in and out of our home. Where my annual Christmas cookie party took place with upwards of 30 ladies and plate upon plate of wonderful cookies and squares. Where we had family holidays every year. Where Mark and I became empty nesters. So many wonderful memories were made and so many good times had, and yes some sorrows shared as well.

Now my hubby has applied for an early exit package from his work. It is a buy out. He has been there for 20 years this month. He enjoys his job and it pays very well and has awesome benefits. So it is  a scary thing to do for sure!

We have lived in our town for 25 years, everyone knows us and we know them. We are greeted by name at the bank and are friends with the ladies at the local grocery store. When we would go for a walk we would meet others and chat and share a moment together. We had had the same neighbours for all 20 of our years there and we felt more like family than neighbours.We were very, very happy in this little town.

We have been in the same church for many, many years Mark got baptized there on a mother's day long ago (the very best mother's day gift I have ever received), we renewed our wedding vows after a Sunday service in the Pastor's office with just the Pastor, his wife and Andy and his girlfriend. We did it for our 20th anniversary and call that our "real wedding" since neither of us were Christians when we got married and the vows before God took on a whole new and deeper meaning when He is truly in our life. It was so special. My mother in law's funeral took place there and so did my Dad's. The people there are our family and we love them greatly. We just got a new pastor too who is an amazing blessings to us all and his wife is such a sweet lady. I have taught Sunday school and children's church and led VBS crafts there seeing the changes in the children from little children to youth to college age and now adulthood. We have attended the weddings and funerals of our church family rejoicing with those who rejoice and crying with those who cried. We have served where we are needed and loved every minute of it.

 So this is like our fall, things here are passing on and it is sometimes hard and bittersweet but we need to keep our eyes on God and know that good things are coming. That there is a purpose in all this. We really believe God wants us up North and pray He will use us however He sees fit to share the joy of knowing Him with others. It is an exciting time - there are so many plans I hope to bring to life. It is also exciting because of course our son is already there and we so love the little town that is our new home. God is so good and has opened doors for us and made ways when we could not imagine it working out and so we trust him with what ever comes next.

Our prayer is always Lord please open the door if this is your will and slam it shut if it is not. Praise the Lord we serve our God Who hears and answers prayers! 

We are now at the waiting stage as we wait to see when Mark's last day of work might be, then we will move ahead onto the next adventure in this journey God leads us on!

 Just some thoughts a few colorful leaves brought to mind on this warm and sunny fall day. 

Happy Wednesday!

Blessings,

Liisa