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The international movers have come and gone. In three and a half hours they packed up all 737 pounds of our belongings and stamped them with barcode labels and numbers. I guess this means we have to go to Aberdeen if we ever want to see our stuff again. It is a strange feeling seeing everything finally go out the door. As I walked through the house last night gathering up any last minute items we would need in the suitcases I thought, “I guess this really is happening.” For months now we have talked about the opportunity, talked about the waiting period, talked about finally knowing we would go, and now, after all, that talk has become real.

Amazingly enough I am not stressed…ok, as stressed as I have been in the past about major life changes. Realizing that I truly feel less stress then even just a year a go helps me see how much God really has done in the past year. I think it is so easy to forget where you came from or forget where God has shown His faithfulness. Usually I just move on and start thinking about whatever is to come instead of thinking about what has already been done. Sander told me about this passage he read in Hebrews chapter 9 yesterday:

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover, But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

He said that at first he was pretty bored with the day’s passage. Where was the resounding statement of faith/repentance/justification? Where was the soul-piercing statement that made you say, “Oh - that is so true?” I mean, a passage about the rooms of the tabernacle is ok and all, but where is the good stuff? Then it hit him. This is a passage about where God’s presence chose to dwell. This is where the high priest, and only the high priest, was allowed to actually come in and interact with God. And so, in this place where God meets with man, what items are found? The jar of manna - an example of God’s past provision. Aaron’s staff - an example of God’s power. The stone tablets - an example of God’s communication. All of the items are there are examples of what God has done in the past. So, could the same be true for us? Could the place where God could meet most closely with us be in a heart that has set up remembrances to His past faithfulness, power, and communication?

I’ve been thinking about that today as I start to look ahead at the year in front of us. I have forgotten so many amazing things God has done in just the past year because I have been so caught up in thinking about what amazing things He might do in the coming year. That is not how I want to live. So, today I am going to sit back and make a list of everything God has done to show more of Himself to me and those around me. I want to celebrate what He has done so I can believe that He can do so much more.

As I am remembering amazing things God has done, I want to remember the small group that has encouraged and helped Sander and I along the road to marriage probably 100X more than we can even grasp at this moment. What better way to spend the first year of marriage then with other couples going through the same struggles, emotions, and joys. I loved coming to class and seeing couples holding hands and working so hard to love the other and Christ with their whole heart. Just being in the room, where people remembered your name, encouraged us and made us realize we weren’t alone in figuring out this whole strange “leaving and cleaving” business. I think I feel like our marriage has gone from being like a newborn baby to a 1 year old who is just learning to toddle along. We don’t know everything yet, but we sure have come a long way from a year ago. Thanks for all that you guys did to help us get to this place! We will be praying for you all while we are gone.