Jim and Amy Hoping to Adopt: Friends are Friends Forever

Jim and Amy Hoping to Adopt: Friends are Friends Forever:     I am dating myself a bit, but as we travel across the country toward our new home, I have had a 90's song running through my mind......

Friends are Friends Forever

    I am dating myself a bit, but as we travel across the country toward our new home, I have had a 90's song running through my mind..."Friends are Friends Forever" by Michael W. Smith.  We have turned the page and are beginning a new chapter in life...new state, new home, new church, new job, new adoption opportunities, new friends.  With all the new, I am so happy that we don't have to leave everything behind.  We can't pack the mountains of California in our suitcases.  There was not room on the moving truck for Primo Deli (although I'm craving one of Tammi's sandwiches right now).  But we can carry friendships with us all 2200 miles across the country. 
     Friendships are not limited by geographical distance.  We have friends that we met the week after we were married (now over 18 years ago).  They have definitely endured the test of time and distance and remained friends with us through eight moves and four states- even driving across the country to help us move to California six years ago.  While Jim was in Seminary we were part of a close knit group of friends.  We sang together on a worship team and ministered together at a mission church on a weekly basis.  Although we all live in different parts of the country (and world) now, whenever we do get to see each other or even talk on the phone, it's as if we just pick up right where we left off the last time.  Earlier this week I received an email from one of those friends.  She was writing to let us know that she was fasting and praying for us during lent about our desire for a child.  Even though we rarely get to talk and only see each other every couple of years, she always seems to write just what I need to hear, when I need to hear it:)  I could go on with so many more examples.  As I sit here and write this blog, I am truly grateful for the friends God has blessed us with.
     And California is no exception.  We have dear friends that we will miss, but I am glad that we don't have to say goodbye.  They can join our group of "forever friends", our hearts forever mended together. 

 

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

    
    
    

Jim and Amy Hoping to Adopt: Saying Goodbye

Jim and Amy Hoping to Adopt: Saying Goodbye:      A week from tomorrow we say goodbye to California.  We are very excited about our move to Indiana-there are days I feel almost ready to...

Saying Goodbye

     A week from tomorrow we say goodbye to California.  We are very excited about our move to Indiana-there are days I feel almost ready to burst at the seams with anticipation, but our goodbye is also a little bittersweet.  California has been our home for the past six years.  While here, we have experienced some very high highs and some very low lows.  We have made friends that we will hold close to our heart and cherish forever.  We have laughed...we have cried...we have worked... we have played... we have loved...we have LIVED!  California will always be a part of our journey-a part of our adoption journey and a part of our life's journey. 
     Today I am thankful.  Thankful for God's faithfulness through this season of our life.  Thankful for the precious friends He has put in our lives- friends who have impacted our lives forever and who journey with us.  Thankful that He always has a plan and we can put our full trust in Him! 

     Here are some pictures of our time in California-  Lots of great memories!!!  I'll add more if I get the chance.  These are some already saved to my computer. 

New Beginnings

     There is a lot of new in our lives right now.  We are moving to a new state- Indiana!  Jim was selected for a transfer with his job as a Prison Chaplain.  Two weeks from today, we will hit the road with our kitten, Melody to begin our roadtrip to our new state.  We are going to be new homeowners!  This will be our first time buying a house and not only that, it is our dream house.  We totally expected to buy a starter house...something we could fix up and transform into our dream house.  God had other plans and we are overwhelmed with gratitude at His provision.  We will be going to a new church!  I love my Grace family and it is sad to leave after six years.  It's always a little scary to move to a new place and try to find a church family.  But, while we were on our house hunting trip, we visited an awesome church that welcomed us with open arms!  We will have new opportunities with adoption!  Our agency is in Indiana, so that part won't change, but we are working on a new letter.  I am really excited about it...it feels more like us.  We are also thinking about fos-adopt- which would be a brand new adventure for us.  Lots and lots and lots of new!
     With that in mind, I decided it was time for a new beginning with my blog.  I really lost the motivation to write last year.  I felt like there wasn't really anything important to write about with our adoption journey.  It's so easy to get stuck sometimes, but the slower seasons are just as much a part of our story as the "big events."  Jim and I read a book this fall about looking for God's grace in the everyday (I'll write more about that later).  So I am making a new committment to journaling our journey!   All of our story is important!  I want to keep my eyes open for everyday graces!  So I am making a new goal to write at least once a week...whether I "feel" like it or not:) 

      "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning, new every morning.  Great is thy faithfulness oh God!  Great is thy faithfulness."