the rest of the story

So the last week of April we contacted our realtor in Michigan about the coming season and the plan for getting our property and cottage back on the market. Since this would be the fourth summer on the market, I had a heavy spirit over more showings, low offers and disappointments. I was sick of the whole thing, especially since we'd doubled the driving distance by moving to North Carolina.

Well. On Monday, May 2, I received a text from our realtor Katie. She started out talking about the listing documents we needed to send, but also: " a family spent most of the weekend looking around your place which I just found out. They called this morning and asked for the survey, listing, and want to make an offer!!"

We'd had three years of dashed hopes and promises of offers which never materialized. But as the day progressed and the texts kept coming, we began to have hope. And so it was .... a real, CASH offer by the end of the day. The next morning we countered which they accepted immediately. And they wanted to close by June 1.

June 1. About a month prior, I decided to pray for an OFFER by June 1, but God upped it and brought a CLOSING by June 1. In fact two weeks later we were on the road to Michigan: about 900 miles one way, to wrap it all up. We closed on May 20, just 18 days after the offer.

 

 

We loved the cabin these 14 years. She was our respite, our place to connect as a family, so rustic and charming and had a spectacular view of Grand Lake. But life changed. All our kids left Ohio. My dream of the grandkids bunking in the boat house wasn't practical. And keeping her was too costly.

 

We're glad a family with young children now owns the cabin. We trust they'll love and enjoy her as we did. While we won't miss the massive amount of upkeep she required, we'll miss how she welcomed and sheltered us each summer.

 

I drew closer to God through this long process. He taught me that prayer isn't solely about "getting what I want." It's about strengthening my relationship with Him and trusting His will for my life. It's about knowing He will always be with me and love me no matter what.

travel and more travel

We've done a crazy volume of travel since moving to North Carolina.

January: move and settle in (?) month.

February: visited Mark, Jill and kids in Virginia.

 

Those got blogged about; but then, like I said, it got crazy ...

 

 

In March we visited Katie and several old friends on the

east coast of Florida.

We spent our last glorious day winding up the coast and climbed

the beautiful Jupiter lighthouse.

 

April took us back to Florida, this time on the west coast

to visit newlyweds David and Chelsea in St. Petersburg.

We played a little shuffleboard at the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club,

site of David and Chelsea's wedding last July. Fun!

The Cleveland Indians were in town playing the Tampa Bay Rays

so we took in all three games.

 

 

En route to Florida we stopped for a night in the Beaufort, S.C. area

to visit my brother Pat and his wife Jan.

We worshiped with them at the Old Sheldon Church ruins, circa 1750.

Absolutely amazing!

 

 



 

Soon after that trip we ran down to Greenville, S.C. for a night

to see my nephew Robby perform in Lion King Jr. Excellent production!

 

In between all this we were finding our way around Charlotte, I applied for a couple of

jobs that didn't work out, and helping with four sweet, energetic grandchildren.

 

At the end of April we contacted our realtor in northern Michigan

about getting our property sold this summer.

Little did we know what would unfold the following week ...

 



easy, breezy fun

Oh, I have a blog? I nearly plum forgot! Gee this moving thing requires so many changes, adjustments, accepting-of-what-is-different, and lots of mental and emotional energy. We are in a city; we weren't before. Kroger still isn't here. It's felt like spring most of the last four months. Lots of southern drawl which I love: it reminds me of my mother. Inchworms hatched and invaded in early April, super gross. We have a big front porch where I read and drink iced tea. Well what else? It's the South!

I keep trying to just "do the next thing" as my hero, Oswald Chambers, wrote. Some days it's easy and others it's a huge, hard effort.

We live about 20 minutes from Dan (son) and Jenny and their four spirited kids. It's fun! I help when I can and this week took the two older girls on separate "dates." When I asked Ashlyn, who's closing in on five, what she'd like to do on our date she answered with bright eyes, "go to the dollar store!"

And so we did. Dollar store, a park (my one here favorite so far), and finished with frozen yogurt. Our two hours can be described as easy breezy fun. We talked about food, gluten, smoking, how clean my car is "because no kids ride in it," what to put on the frozen yogurt, naturally what to select at the dollar store, and we romped in the "enchanted forest" at the park. A nearly five-year-old is the easiest to please!

So glad I grabbed my camera: she's a natural!

Leaving Ohio wasn't easy, but I know God knew to bring us here. Blessed!

new life in North Carolina!

We've been here in North Carolina for seven weeks. It seems long not because I don't like it here, but I guess because the adjustments are big. The first time Bill and I went to a grocery store, I dissolved into tears IN THE PRODUCE SECTION. He tried to be understanding but probably wondered why the heck his wife would get weepy in a grocery store. I just didn't know what to look for nor where to find it and of course was exhausted. And it hit me that this was my new life, the life I'd prayed for. I just didn't realize it would be so .... new! Ha ha.

Things are better now but am I "all settled?" Well ... I know where to find most things in our house.  And I can get to Dan and Jenny's without getting lost. But my spirit is only beginning to settle. It had been 26 years since we'd moved, and we're older and at a different place in life. Moving is hard, plain and simple.

There's good though! I get to see four of my grandchildren often and best of all, I'm really getting to know them. I spend most Wednesday mornings with 2-year-old Noah who is so boy and so two.

And Jenny and I are getting to know each other better, too. I love to see how she's growing as a mother.

 

 

Two weeks ago we were with Mark, Jill, Lily, Ethan and Peter for a few days. It is wonderful to be closer to them, too. We had a taste of Ohio when 4" of snow arrived during our visit!

 

We went bowling ... always interesting with little ones!

Our other two kids and daughter-in-love are in Florida, now a one day drive rather than two. It's strange to think we can hop down there in a day! That's on the horizon soon.

Just wanted to check in with you ... I know I've been out of touch for awhile. I'm very thankful to everyone who's texted, emailed, sent notes and called to check on us: it means so much!

Now awaiting spring ... and because we spent two springs here years ago, we know it's the season that North Carolina knows how to do up right, and on time!

And beyond that, I'm trusting God with my future because I know only He holds it!

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19



So long Delaware and 2015!

                                            "So long, 2015. You kind of wore me out."
                                                                 - Donna Boucher

Oh boy, is this the truth. What a year! Two grandchildren arrived 3 days apart in late May. David and Chelsea got married in July. Bill's mom Elizabeth had a slow decline until her death in December. And we packed up our house and life of 26 years in just 10 weeks and moved to North Carolina this week. I am exhausted in every way and I don't have a favorite grocery store yet. It's hard not knowing your way around!

Christmas 2015



We have been in Charlotte for three days, house in utter disarray, Whew that shakes you up! But we're faithful God brought us here and will open doors and bring new relationships. But how we will miss dear Delaware friends and neighbors! They blessed us so.

A neighbor named Guy, age 81, just knocked on the back door. We chatted for awhile. Thankful for a friendly face, letting me know that tomorrow is trash day!

Elizabeth

Last week we lost Bill's mom, Grandma, "GG", my mother-in-law Elizabeth, at 99.

I knew her for 40 years and not once did she criticize me.

She looked for the best and extended grace to everyone. 

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren adored her.

She wasn't especially social, but

Elizabeth's sense of humor and winsome spirit endeared her to all, including the angels at

Sarah Moore Home who cared for her until the very end.

Elizabeth complained little and laughed much and while we will miss her, 

her spirit was ready to meet Jesus.

 

I hope to embrace life with a smile for many years, as she did, 

though I'm not sure about riding a motorcycle at age 92: such spunk!

 

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, December 26, 2015, 1:00 p.m.

at Delaware Christian Church, Delaware, Ohio.

All are welcome.

 

Elizabeth Muriel Thayer Haller

September 20, 1916 ~ December 2, 2015

 

 

trust. trust. trust.

The writing has been on the wall for a couple of years: we've prayed about leaving Ohio to live closer to our kids and grandkids. And it's funny, my thoughts and emotions have run the gamut. I've had teary days of missing my grandbabies so much that it hurts. Then I've had days of contentment that this is where God wants us for now. And of course there's this house, our home of almost 26 years. It's nothing super special, but then again it most certainly is. And the thought of leaving it, leaving our little street, an enclave of the most amazing neighbors you could ever be blessed to know, is wrenching.

And so for a couple years: years of my dad's death, my mother-in-law Elizabeth's slow decline, four new grandchildren, waiting for our Michigan cabin to sell, Katie moving to Florida, and David's wedding, I guess we just kind of let the idea of moving simmer on the back burner. 

Until now. And I'm terrified, thrilled, and overwhelmed. Less than a month ago I made a passing comment in a women's class at church. My friend Susie immediately asked if we are selling our house soon. "Um, well, sometime soon-ish." And how. Susie and her family came over to look the next week, basically selling it to themselves in two hours, and serious talk began. They listed their house this past Sunday and had an offer 24 hours later.

We are moving. Despite our dragging and lagging and wondering, we are moving. My journal is filled with prayers and pleadings that God would make the way clear. And now, we sell our house without even trying, not even a sign in the yard?? That's a powerful and clear word from God if you ask me.

Some time ago we decided, at least for now, on Charlotte, NC. Dan and Jenny are there and the other kids/babies are north and south of there. It'll be more central and greatly reduce the burden of so much travel to gather our big family. It's looking like we'll need to be packed and headed out in early January. We have no idea where we'll live. Though we're working on it, it honestly terrifies me.

But my God is faithful and good! And what I continue to learn is that prayer isn't asking/getting things from God. Rather, it's a chance to grow in closer "fellowship and oneness with God," says Oswald Chambers. I now see how weak my faith has been at times. Chambers also says "faith must be tested to become my intimate possession," as affirmed in the book of James: "the testing of your faith develops perseverance." I could go on and on about this faith journey!

The world says to trust our feelings, our heart. No, says my beloved Elisabeth Elliot, they are so unreliable. Trust God. 

I'll try to update here. But it's going to get crazy! (Feel free to comment, too.)

Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul.

Psalm 143:8

 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1