a year ago today i was trying out my updating the world on my 6th week of pregnancy and waiting for a job that didn’t happen.  we still had no clue that we’d be leaving our little community of close-knittedness to go it alone.  we had already registered our first for public schools.  we were meeting weekly with our small group that we were leading in our house. 

since then we have… moved away from a house that was 2500 square feet to a duplex.  left all of our friends behind.  changed jobs.  gave up my church job that i loved.  searched for a new church.  put our kindergartener in public schools.  pulled him out and started homeschooling.  bought a house.  got rid of the beloved corolla.  bought a van.  had a baby.  joined a new church. 

we have seen our world, through these circumstances, change dramatically.  and yet some things haven’t changed.  we’re still the parkers - crazy as ever, still waiting for another job, still laughing at all of my honey’s silliness, still loving all these babies, still trying to follow Christ’s lead.

what started all this looking back?  we went to our first small group meeting last night.  we’ll make new friends, have new fun,  and start yet another new chapter.  and i’m excited.  and saddened.  i don’t think i gave myself the time to fully grieve what we left behind.  and i will allow it - for just a little while - then it’s time to get up and get over it.  and to focus on all the exciting things that i can’t see yet, that God will surprise us with this year. 

and i am thankful for all that is new.  for there have been many new mornings in the last year that He has surprised us with His mercies.  may they continue to fall around me…