One year ago this past week we left what we knew as normal and comfortable. What we knew as home. We watched our house be packed and loaded up and drove away in a huge moving truck with our car being towed behind it. We were left with some suitcases to live out of for the next week, one VERY LONG trip across country ahead of us….and a lot of sad good byes to do. My heart aches just thinking of it. That heart ache stayed with me for a long time and still comes back every now and then.  There are things and people that God put in my life that are so unique to Chico that can’t be replaced. Honestly, as much as I miss those things and certain people and places I don’t want to replace them. They are special in that time and place only. I hold on to those memories dearly. Our “Chico life” was finished and we were embarking on a very new and unknown adventure.

And we move forward.

Step by step.

We are slowly but surely building a new life here. And though it has been hard at times. Slower than I would like at times. We are really enjoying it. We have friends. Our kids have friends. We have a routine. I have running routes I like. We have our favorite parks and ice cream store. We have several Chipotles to choose from on Friday nights. We have a house we adore and feel safe and “at home” in. Neighbors that are friendly and helpful. We are finding the local coffee spots. Brian is home for dinner every night. We have family only 5 hours away and a part of our life in a new way. We have a church where people are starting to know us and miss us when we aren’t there. I don’t get majorly lost or confused on the numerous traffic circles I travel on daily and even have short cuts I use to dodge traffic.

So many of our questions one year ago have been answered.

It is good.

We are thankful.

He is faithful.

Our “Carmel life” is taking shape.