6 months out

We have now been living in Amarillo for 6 months. On July 13th, 6 months ago, we closed on our house in Lubbock. Last night I was thinking about that day and remembering how gloomy and even surreal it seemed. I still can “feel” what it felt like to close on our house, drive down 82nd, and then drive up I-27. I remember reminding myself that this was it, we were leaving, and some what saying my good byes to the scenery, buildings, exits that I had passed for the last nine years.
As gloomy as that day was, our transition to life in Amarillo honestly has not been gloomy. I know that God has blessed us and taken care of us and kept us under His wing. Of course life is not perfect, and a new place has new problems of its own, but it has been okay…actually I almost typed good but then hesitated because I don’t want to admit that Amarillo is good, but the truth IS that it is good and we are good.
I also wanted to reflect on the good things that have come out of this move. One of the best things is how often we get to see Brandon. I love being this close to my brother and so enjoy watching him build a relationship with Mali. You would never have known he was in another country for the first two years of her life. Mali loves to call him dude and use him as jungle gym. Brandon especially loves to spend time with Mali after she has eaten a whole container of mini M&M’s. I never want to be too far away from him again! Not only are we closer to Brandon, but almost all of our family members (except for my Mom, Grandma and sister, Zina, but even they are closer). Mali also enjoys spending time with Aunt Megan and taking trips to see Megan at work since I still have to have blood drawn and we live right behind her work. It has been fun to have a grandparent call and spontaneously take us to eat at Chik Fil A or La Fiesta. We have frequented Chik Fil A much more since our move here, I think it is because we are fairly close to this one. This aspect hasn’t been nearly as difficult or “bad” as I imagined it would be. It is different, but certainly not bad.
Another “good” thing is Mali taking ballet at Amarillo College. She really enjoys it (she started again today for the spring semester), although she does get in trouble for tuning out the teacher and being in her own world. I’ve met a mom through that, but also, it is really affordable. I love having Mali in a physical activity where I don’t have to stress each month about how to pay for it. AC cost for a semester what most places cost per month.
BSF-Bible study fellowship (www.bsfinternational.org) is also on my list of “good things” about Amarillo. BSF is offered around the world, literally, but moving to Amarillo gave me the opportunity to give it a try. I absolutely love it. I love being in God’s word so much and going over the same scripture about 3 times. It allows me to really know that passage and to glean God’s teachings for me from it. I also love it for Mali. It is a fairly strict program, but that is good for the kids, and gives me comfort to know Mali isn’t just being babysat, but is being taught God’s Truth for 2 hours every week! On top of the spiritual benefits, I have made two friends and several acquaintances through my small group. I am amazed at how many young moms are in my group, how many of them live close to me, have the same issues I have, etc., etc. It is all God’s hand in my life! My leader has also been a real encouragement to me and has provided me an outlet to talk and to get advice.
Another good thing is that we do have a church we are attending, EXP is what it is called and it is Paramount Baptist’s Saturday night service. We feel like we are were God wants us right now. They also have a great indoor play area that Mali has enjoyed going to. We look forward to bringing friends with us.
Our house and neighborhood are also a really good thing. I can look back and see how God really just laid this house in our lap as such a provision. We are so blessed and thankful to all those people that helped make it possible to purchase this house. We were also immensely blessed by the help of our family members in moving in and painting the house. We were loved through service very well. Another plus is that there is a large parking lot that is virtually unused behind our house. Sometimes our friends and family can park there, but more beneficial is that on nice days Mali can ride her tricycle back there and have all the room she needs to have fun (and burn energy). I have enjoyed running with Asa in our neighborhood and around our park. Okay, I’ll be honest, I haven’t been running since it got cold, but it will be a plus again when it warms up!:)
Doctors are another good thing. I have a wonderful doctor and was so blessed for her to see me and care for me with the miscarriage and molar pregnancy. Her staff is also wonderful and the nurses always call me back (that is pretty new for my experience at least). My oncologist was also wonderful and I’m so thankful. We finally have a pediatrician that we seem to like and she was very pro-active about caring for Mali when she swallowed the penny last week. I had a great experience working with the nurses and office staff. Under this too is that Megan works for an orthopedic surgeon. She is always willing to answer any orthopedic or x-ray questions we may have! Thanks Megan!
Places to eat! Yes I just had to include that. We live in extremely close proximity to good restaurants, that can be a problem too. Last night Eric commented that he thinks we’ve eaten out more since we moved to Amarillo then any time in our married lives. I think that is true.
Finally, I’m think that we have a lot of great activities for Mali here. We live close to Jump N Jive, although I’m sure we don’t frequent it enough for Mali’s liking. We go to a free program at the library called Laugh N Learn that Mali loves. Ballet at AC. The Discovery Center (my mom gave us a membership for Christmas, thanks Mom!). Palo Duro Canyon. Hockey games that Eric gets free tickets too. Football and baseball games galore!
So my list appears to be very extensive, so I must admit that Amarillo is good. God has really shaped my perspective about this move. The most important thing I think I will take from this move and how it has motivated me, is to be a seed sown on good soil. When we first moved here, I was or was close to being seed sown among the thorns. I had heard God’s word but “the worry of the world” was tempting me to become unfruitful. A move is a chance to start over, and a chance to be sown in new soil! I’m hopeful that I can hear God’s word, understand it, and bear fruit!

“And the one whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” Matthew 13:22-23