The chapter of our lives titled, “Sammamish, WA,” closed yesterday. I returned briefly from Cerritos, CA, where we have been staying with Carol’s folks to oversee the loading of the moving van and the car transport. I flew in Monday evening, stayed with a good friend, Richard Styles, oversaw the loading yesterday, and flew back to L.A. last night. Tomorrow we start the drive to Chicopee, MA. I have no idea if or when we will return to Seattle.
While waiting for the movers to arrive, I reflected on God’s goodness to us over our 22 years in the Pacific Northwest. I wrote the following in my journal.
We raised our family here and saw our children grow to maturity. We were tested and stretched. We saw fruitful times and ones that taught us to be faithful. We learned success is not always measured by numbers. We endured hardship and criticism. We learned to trust a just judge to settle accounts in his time. We learned to distinguish between acquaintances and friends. We developed a small number of deep, lasting, sustaining, encouraging friendships. We discovered our gifts and learned how and where to use them effectively. We came here broken and God helped us heal. We repeated that cycle many times over, all the while discovering the process was part of God’s plan to grow us up. We experienced his grace and discovered his character in ways we never would have otherwise.
Because of what God did in and through us here, because we believe he has called and led us to Chicopee, MA, we look forward with confidence to what he will do there. He who began a good work will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
Thank you, Lord, for your many good gifts. Continue to shape us and grow us. Help us to learn the new lessons you have for us. May the next phase of our lives be even more fruitful.