today is the one year anniversary of our move from Goldendale to the Vancouver area. It seems like the year has flown past, but it was also one of the hardest years of my life, (so far. :).
(a View from the river about 23 minutes from my house in Goldendale)
Moving was so hard for me; leaving the familiar life I had always known, the home I had lived in since I was six, friends and mentors, my incredibly talented bestie, and especially my beloved horse, Princess. I can't even begin to explain how much I miss her. I miss hearing her nicker a greeting every time I step out the back door, crying into her shoulder after a hard day, the goats bleating in protest as I led her into the woods for a long, peaceful walk, I even miss the smell of horses.
But looking back I can see that even though moving was really hard and painful , and it will continue to be hard at times, it really was a good thing for my family and I. I can see where God's will has been at work, and while it was hard, (and it's still hard, there are moments/days when I want nothing else than to just go home to Goldendale.) but there are brand new opportunities for us all here, new friendships God has in store for us, and so many unrevealed things. Dad is finally able to live at home seven days a week, instead of only being able to come home for the weekends, and all the kids have more friendships blossoming then they had before. And a major plus is that we now live only 50 minuets from my big brother and his wife. ;)
(we had gorgeous sunsets almost every night!)
All this is to say, that looking back a year ago, I was so upset and heartbroken, but I realize now that the move was really and truly God's will, and it was best for us. I am starting to feel settled here, and it's begining to feel okay. (I still haven't adjusted to the traffic, (Goldendale had three blinking red stoplights... it was pretty tiny.) or the fact that people think it is weird to wave at people when driving. Everybody does that back home! It's weird if you don't wave!)
(My absolute favorite mountain!!)
I remember distinctly one particular moment last year today... Dad sent me to fill up the van with gas. It was only the second time I had pumped gas in my life, and it ended up being really traumatic. The gas pump didn't shut off properly, and it started to overflow, and I was already upset. It just ended up making the day that much worse. I actually still get nervous every time I have to pump gas. :)
I think it's really cool that even though it was/is sad and upsetting for you, you still choose to see God's hand in all of it :) I wish we got to see each other more though! Remember that time you came to math class with me? And the time we randomly saw each other at Adonai's (I think that was only a few months before your move)? That was fun. :)
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I know, I wish we didn't live three hours apart, (or two and a half if we speed. ;) I do remember the math class, (I felt a little weird sitting in a college... :) But I don't remember Adonai's. Did we hang out afterwards? I wish we could randomly bump into each other today. ;) That is one of the major things I miss, going to run errands and seeing like eight people you know. Can't get away with anything in Goldendale. ;)
DeleteBecca, this was really encouraging to read. I moved a little over a year ago for the first time in fifteen years. There are still a lot of things that I miss in my hometown, a lot of people I wish I could see more often and I lot of things I miss doing. But ultimately I know that moving helped me grow in ways I couldn't possibly have otherwise. It helped me trust God and be more proactive about loving other people.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read the book "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell? It's a story about a young woman, Margaret Hale, who moves with her parents from the home where she's grown up in and the small country town in the south of England to the industrial bustling city of Milton. The book has some beautiful spiritual application and part of Margaret's journey is learning how to trust God even in the midst of uncertainty.
Dani from a vapor in the wind
Those are some pretty pictures!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can imagine how hard it must be to live without your horse...I'm sorry! :(
Ya'll should come over sometime and visit our horses. I don't think they would mind having visitors. ;)
Hope you have a great week! :)
Oh, by the way, we missed the boys at Engage school at the Fort on Saturday...hope you all are in good health!