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Changing More Than My Address

We are somewhat settled into our new home in Houston. We are getting to be quite the professionals when it comes to unpacking and getting things put into place. The biggest project for me is my own personal space. It used to be my craft and sewing room in previous houses. Now I use it more for a study and keep my crafts and sewing stuff in the closet of that room. I can't even say I sew. I have a sewing machine and I have sewn some things. But don't ask me to make you anything that won't look like a kindergartner made it. 

I used to scrapbook, so a lot of my stuff is boxes. Boxes of photos and unfinished projects. I keep it because "someday" I might finish it. Of course the photos are memories we have made along the way in our journey so far and I get lost revisiting those. I spent more time than I should have putting that room together. I'd be putting a box on the shelf and take a peek at an old photo and then smile thinking about that memory. 

Pretty soon I was sitting on the floor and going back in time. I used to get sad looking at the kids when they were little. Time goes by so fast and how much I would have done differently or wish I would have enjoyed those moments more. But thanks be to God, they have become pretty amazing adults and I am enjoying those time immensely. I look back at the past and am so grateful that God in His amazing grace saved us all. He changed us. 

I was challenged on Facebook to post pictures of my husband and I in celebration of love and marriage. I had just been going through old photos and it was not only fun but amazing to journey once again through a glimpse of our past. We celebrated 32 years of marriage this past June. We spent it house hunting in Houston. Some might think that's not much of a celebration. But I have to say it was a great way to spend our day, we had a blast, purchased the house we are now in and ended with a fantastic Mexican dinner to celebrate. 

We have moved more than ten times in our married life. Each time was unexpected. Even when we knew it was a possibility we would get transferred again it was always at an unexpected time and while I was willing (most of the time), it was never easy. Moving is stressful, often painful and mostly just a lot of work. Although not easy, each move has changed us through experiences in new places with new people. We have been challenged in many ways and that typically grew us in a way that we wouldn't have grown otherwise. Maybe I should speak for myself. But I was looking at this whole thing on marriage and how we've come to be where we are today. 

First of all, God period. God heard me cry years ago and I believe that is why He moved us to Arizona. It was an answer to prayer even though I didn't see it that way at the time. It is there that we all met Jesus. That changed us. He changed us. From there on out I have chosen to say ok to God wherever He wants to take us. 

As I was looking back on those photos all those years ago, I saw a few that reminded me of when times were tough. Like most marriages we had some difficult years. I remember not wanting to go to Arizona at all. Had I not gone, things could have turned out very different for our family. I'm forever grateful that God lead me to the desert to draw me near to Him. It was there that He taught me about true love and commitment. That love is an action word and that love serves others, beginning with my spouse. I'm not perfect and I still get a lot of things wrong but I have learned that God can do great things when we give our lives and even our marriages to Him. 

So, in looking at all those photos and digging into our past I was once again reminded of God's goodness. He knows what is best for me and has a perfect plan of how He wants to use me in this life. My job is to take one step at a time, in faith and watch Him do amazing things. So with another new address, with a new company I trust Texas will have its purpose. I anxiously wait to see how God will use this move to challenge and change me even more. All for His glory. 

-Pressing On 


“Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.”
Psalm 28:6 NIV

“Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.””
Matthew 8:19 NIV

“for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”
Luke 1:49 NIV


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