Thursday, February 10, 2011

one year ago

One year ago today, we packed up our things and moved away from the only life I had ever known. One year ago. It seems like forever ago, yet only a minute ago. How does that happen? The last year has been tough. So very, very tough. Everything is new. And I mean everything. Target had been in the same location for my entire life. Now I didn’t even know the name of the street it was on. And to add insult to injury, it was laid out backwards. :) We moved three times in the past year. Sold our house. Rented a townhouse. Bought a new house. My hubby started a new job, after being with the same company for almost 15 years. The little man started a new preschool and new sports. I started teaching classes at a new store. We found a new church. In all this newness, there are days when I am so homesick that I could stay in bed and cry all day. We miss our families. We are so sad that our little man will never get to spend the time with his grandparents that he could have, if we could have stayed in Minnesota. I miss Saturday shopping with my mom and sister. I miss seeing people I know out and about. I miss our doctor, my hairdresser, and all those places we went, that we seem to take for granted.

But despite all the sadness and adjusting that we have been going through, God is good! He is the one constant we have in our lives. And I am so grateful! My husband found a job in a tough economy, one with less stress and less hours. We found a wonderful house in a wonderful neighborhood with wonderful schools. The little man is getting to participate in activities that would never have been available. I have a store that I can teach at, with wonderful owners and customers. Those women have no idea how much they have been a help to me!!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

God definitely had plans for our family. Not the plans we made, but His plans. Change is never easy and often painful, but there is a plan. I need to remind myself of this some days. We will make it. We will adjust. And today I am looking ahead, with anticipation, to see what He has planned for us! But know that this is said with tears of sadness. And He will take care of those too.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Kimberly, I love your positive attitude! I could not imagine going through life without knowing that God has already gone before me and is leading the way. I can relate to moving away from family and starting over, it is very hard. I love where we are now and it has been so exciting seeing God's plan for our lives unfold. God is so good!

Angela Fehr said...

Thanks for sharing this, Kim. I used to relish change, (I moved a lot as a kid), but now as I get older, we have gone through many HARD changes and it is so good to be able to teach my kids that God never changes, and how to cling to that constant in our lives.

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

Amen--God is GOOD! And His plans are so much better than ours! May God continue to provide for your family--and comfort you when you are sad and homesick. Praying that your family would continue to lean on Him and TRUST His mighty word when you are uncertain, lost, etc. Praise God for His timing and for saving us:)

Thanks for sharing Kim!!

Carol (HB) said...

Your words resonate with me more than I can say. We live in a new place (rented) while we wait for my husband to find that ever-ellusive job. Thankfully God has provided for us with my job so we are warm and happy and loved by many. Thank you SO MUCH for reminding me to trust in Him and His guidance.

Seongsook Duncan said...

Kimberly, thanks for sharing this and for the inspiration. Since I am from Korea less than five years ago, I have experienced a hugh change in my life, too. God is Good when you believe in yourself!

Mary Friederichsen said...

Hi Kimberly,
Here is a cyber hug for you. I read something yesterday in my daily guidepost that made me think quite a bit about trusting the Lord,I don't know if it will help but (and I am paraphrasing this) "We each have a cup,and the Lord has the pitcher, he has given us the cup,but it is up to us to raise the cup so that He can fill it". You are raising your cup with your belief and trust and I am sure that He will fill it with many Blessings!
Remember He has placed you "right where you should be to fulfill His plan".

Blessings and Hugs,

Mary

Unknown said...

Oh my. I so hear you...we moved away from MN 15 years ago and I went through a couple of years cryin daily it seemed. I thought about the kids not growing up knowing their grandparents also. And me missing my parents oh so much... BUT now when we do spend time with them, they and the kids appreciate each other so much more. It seems so hard now, but have faith

Kristie Larsen said...

oh, I do know how you feel! But time does move on and things get easier and then pretty soon you will have built such a solid life in your new town (and new target ; ) I think the thing I still miss most is not being close to my parents. I wish my kids could get to know their grandparents the way their cousins do, but not everything is meant to be. Its the trials that help us grow and rely on God the most. And that is what we are on earth for! you have your hubby and son and wonderful talents and a great attitude! you will go far!! hang in there and enjoy!

Carolyn King said...

Been there so many times. It IS hard, it IS sad...but just know how many people love you and are thinking of you. It is so great that your husband gets to work less and be around you more! You WILL get through this, be stronger for it. HUGS and if you ever need to talk, vent or cry...I am here.
xoxo

Carolyn King said...

and dang...why can't target make all of their stores the same.

(That made me smile...as one of the hardest things i deal with is getting used to a new grocery store layout!)

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Kim,
Thanks for your heartfelt sharing - you are very wise to recognize both the loss and to know that there is good yet to come. Your heart is right and God will take care of you.

That's a lot of change for anyone! It's your faith that has made it possible at all and that will reward your family with many new blessings!

Hugs!

Gloria Stengel said...

This made me cry! We have moved a number of times for dh's job and every time is HARD. We went from OH to MN to NC to PA to CA in the last 23 years. Talk about culture and weather shock when we moved to southern California! But God is indeed good. I always say Proverbs 3:5-6 to myself, over and over and over. Big hugs to you, and you WILL get used to the new Target!

Cindy Groh said...

I have tears in my eyes. Wow! Fabulous statement. Can I use that verse on my blog? Things are rough here and I needed to read this and pray thanks to the Lord for all of that he has blessed me with. With an uncertain future this really hit home for me. I'm sorry that you have been struggling this year. I hope and pray for you and your family for good things to continue to come your way. God is Good.
Cindy

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