Okay sorry I’m commenting a million times lol but we are also moving away from Colorado and I am IN MY FEELS about it. It’s where I grew up and I have such deep devotion to this high plains desert and all its beauty. I am leaving in two weeks and in deep denial… all that to say, we face disappointment God calling us to new places in our lives so often. He has met me on each season and while I’m devastated to leave the place I’ve called home, I’m excited to see what’s in store for us. Two things can be true at once - we can be devastated and excited at the same time and I love the advice of Courtney to really seek out beauty in new spaces. It may not be what we envisioned, but how much more does He have for us when we trust his vision over our own? I’m gonna live there (and cry and rage as needed!) but continue to trust in his goodness!
Phew, finally downloaded the app. I feel like I've accomplished all I'm going to accomplish today. Really proud of myself.
I dont have home buying advice...but I just wanted to send a note that I'm a pastor's wife too. We lived in Wyoming for three years and I'm from the east coast. We moved there with our infant in 2020 and were over 24 hours away from family, friends and pretty much anything familiar. It honestly felt like a different country to me, which was exciting and interesting in a lot of ways, but after a while became really difficult. Especially the extreme weather and lack of green spaces and trees. The yard was so sharp that my daughter couldn't play outside without coming in with scratches all over her legs, arms and face from the ground cover. I struggled between trusting that God brought us there for a reason, including my daughter, and wishing I could give her the nature based childhood I saw for her in my mind's eye. I prayed a lot for contentment, community and joy during that time.
Some encouragement for hard days:
This book is an allegory and such a beautiful reminder that the Lord cares for us in our journey, in whatever moment we're living. It challenged me to trust in him even when things were incredibly difficult. The chapters are short and easy to read and the story is something my mind often returns to in hard moments.
Hinds' Feet on High Places: An Engaging Visual Journey (Visual Journey Series) https://a.co/d/btB1zyz
I made these playlists and listened to them often, one when things felt too heavy and I just needed Jesus' strength and one when I was having a hard time choosing joy.
I found a secluded park that had calm green grass and a beautiful stream and tall trees, and even though it was about 40 minutes away, I made an effort to drive there about every two weeks and have a picnic with my family. We also found a free nature class for little ones that met close to our home. They taught us about the local flora and fauna and helped me to stop and take a moment to notice the beauty that I was having a hard time finding on my own.
Honestly, it was still a difficult season, even with the kindness and hospitality of the people in our church, but I will say that the Lord has been faithful in helping me to see his goodness and provision during that time even though I didn't always see it while I was living it. I definitely don't have all the answers, but, if you would like to someone to talk to who has lived a similar season, I would love to connect!
I'm going to out myself as the heartbroken homebuyer here to say that this is genuinely so kind and I would love to connect to another pastor's wife! This ministry season can be so isolating and hard in ways it's hard to articulate at times. I'm so encouraged by this sweet comment that you clearly put time and effort into writing. So thank you so much for that!
Soooooo a little update on the home situation. Less than 2 weeks after our rejection, we got accepted for another house that we love WAY more. And now of course we are feeling so grateful that thr Lord closed the door on the first property. We'll be in escrow for the next month or so, but are already so excited to move it. This feels like the perfect place for our little family and we literally never thought we would be able to buy a place like this at our price point. Thank you all for your sweet comments. It almost feels silly having submitted that now that things have changes so quickly, but I am so grateful for this little corner of the internet and can't wait for what you share next, Addi.
Okay sorry I’m commenting a million times lol but we are also moving away from Colorado and I am IN MY FEELS about it. It’s where I grew up and I have such deep devotion to this high plains desert and all its beauty. I am leaving in two weeks and in deep denial… all that to say, we face disappointment God calling us to new places in our lives so often. He has met me on each season and while I’m devastated to leave the place I’ve called home, I’m excited to see what’s in store for us. Two things can be true at once - we can be devastated and excited at the same time and I love the advice of Courtney to really seek out beauty in new spaces. It may not be what we envisioned, but how much more does He have for us when we trust his vision over our own? I’m gonna live there (and cry and rage as needed!) but continue to trust in his goodness!
Awww! sending prayers and good vibes your way for the move + the adjustment. Where are you headed?
Portland, OR!
Phew, finally downloaded the app. I feel like I've accomplished all I'm going to accomplish today. Really proud of myself.
I dont have home buying advice...but I just wanted to send a note that I'm a pastor's wife too. We lived in Wyoming for three years and I'm from the east coast. We moved there with our infant in 2020 and were over 24 hours away from family, friends and pretty much anything familiar. It honestly felt like a different country to me, which was exciting and interesting in a lot of ways, but after a while became really difficult. Especially the extreme weather and lack of green spaces and trees. The yard was so sharp that my daughter couldn't play outside without coming in with scratches all over her legs, arms and face from the ground cover. I struggled between trusting that God brought us there for a reason, including my daughter, and wishing I could give her the nature based childhood I saw for her in my mind's eye. I prayed a lot for contentment, community and joy during that time.
Some encouragement for hard days:
This book is an allegory and such a beautiful reminder that the Lord cares for us in our journey, in whatever moment we're living. It challenged me to trust in him even when things were incredibly difficult. The chapters are short and easy to read and the story is something my mind often returns to in hard moments.
Hinds' Feet on High Places: An Engaging Visual Journey (Visual Journey Series) https://a.co/d/btB1zyz
I made these playlists and listened to them often, one when things felt too heavy and I just needed Jesus' strength and one when I was having a hard time choosing joy.
Prayer
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0XYvu757PaOYxeOHLXycek?si=7U6ToT4aRJKoj7XTQJUpGg&pi=2HjdJsuAQCusX
Joy
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oyQKTLFE7eD6m6DNTTvHB?si=OA5-dvfASvKC8_w3hA47Lw&pt=f106377848c59489d0c91f3d592e34ff
I found a secluded park that had calm green grass and a beautiful stream and tall trees, and even though it was about 40 minutes away, I made an effort to drive there about every two weeks and have a picnic with my family. We also found a free nature class for little ones that met close to our home. They taught us about the local flora and fauna and helped me to stop and take a moment to notice the beauty that I was having a hard time finding on my own.
Honestly, it was still a difficult season, even with the kindness and hospitality of the people in our church, but I will say that the Lord has been faithful in helping me to see his goodness and provision during that time even though I didn't always see it while I was living it. I definitely don't have all the answers, but, if you would like to someone to talk to who has lived a similar season, I would love to connect!
I'm going to out myself as the heartbroken homebuyer here to say that this is genuinely so kind and I would love to connect to another pastor's wife! This ministry season can be so isolating and hard in ways it's hard to articulate at times. I'm so encouraged by this sweet comment that you clearly put time and effort into writing. So thank you so much for that!
This is so good! We really can find beauty in the disappointment of our lives. It just takes some effort to look. This is so encouraging ♥️
Soooooo a little update on the home situation. Less than 2 weeks after our rejection, we got accepted for another house that we love WAY more. And now of course we are feeling so grateful that thr Lord closed the door on the first property. We'll be in escrow for the next month or so, but are already so excited to move it. This feels like the perfect place for our little family and we literally never thought we would be able to buy a place like this at our price point. Thank you all for your sweet comments. It almost feels silly having submitted that now that things have changes so quickly, but I am so grateful for this little corner of the internet and can't wait for what you share next, Addi.
Oh John, why 🫣
Okay John Mayer WTF. Celebrities are just the weirdest people on the planet. Imagine if a normal dude did that. STRAIGHT TO JAIL. My goodness.
right?! ridiculous.
Look forward to reading through this each week! 🫶🤍
& Donkey from Shrek, hahaah. Parfaits may be the most delicious thing on the whole damn planet!
YASSSSS, ding ding ding! What’s your venmo?!
You're so sweet! It’s @embryfam