Settling into Life

Moving shakes things up. It changes routines, makes you use paper bowls for nearly two weeks because you still can't find the bowls and challenges a family to find a new normal. Well, it does for us anyway.

You know when you move the house is different. Faucets and plumbing have their quirks. The kitchen is different and no one but you (the one who put it all up) know where things are. Even though I completely loathe the actual act of moving and packing, I truly enjoy unpacking. Its a chance to rearrange and put things up differently. Its like a fresh start. I'm nesting. I'm building my home and I love it. Most of the time. (I just wish I could find those crazy bowls!)

There are fewer and fewer boxes everyday and my desire to organize is in full swing. Slowly but surely we are settling into our new house (new to us), with its quirks and sounds and floor plan. The kids have adjusted very well. Daniel has slept in his bed from day one, no tears at all. YAY! That was unexpected but wonderful! Sam is rockin' the potty thing and we don't have accidents anymore (about time right??) and Makiah loves having her own room. There are no children sleeping the same room as Hubs and I! Daniel's crib was in there, but now he and Sam have their own room. No children in our room at all. First time in 10 years a child hasn't had a bed in our room or a place in our bed.

We are settling. Settling into new routines. Settling into a new neighborhood. Settling into everyday life. But with all the new things that lie ahead (starting a Home Missions church), life will be anything but mundane or normal.

I'M BAAAAAAAACCCCKKK!!

YAY!! WE ARE MOVED!!

Now the real work begins. Besides the unpacking, we have a church to get up and running! Very exciting times around here.

I have been a busy bee getting things organized, put away, decorated. I have high priorities people. I mean our clothes are still in various boxes, suitcases and such, but my living room and dining room are getting decorated. I'll send out pictures of the finished product. You all know what boxed walls look like!

The kids are adjusting well. Sam has had a little trouble understanding why special people do not live close anymore, but he doesn't cry about it. He just asks A LOT of questions. I mean really, now that I type that, its really not that different than usual. ~~Smile~~

My very good friend, more like a sister, is coming to visit this weekend. She can't live without us. ~Wink~ And I am looking forward to hanging out with her and entertaining in my new abode!

Well, I know that was not very newsy, but that's all I have today. Back to my boxes!!

Someone Threw Time Into Overdrive

I had no idea it had been this long since I had blogged!! I hope I still have a couple of readers out there. Because I am so, so, so busy today I am going to leave you with a list. Then tomorrow more of a real post. Really.

1. We went to St. Louis four weekends in a row and I can officially say that I am sick of the road!!! I am ready to just be there already. We are still looking for a house to rent, pray saints pray. We move in just 8 very short weeks!!!!

2. Makiah and Hubs had a GREAT time in Boston visiting with family. They had a safe and fun trip, what more could I ask for?!?

3. The plague that has been hanging around for 6 weeks, I think, maybe is thinking about leaving. I am having a hard time shaking the cough and the ear trouble. I am starting to just get used to it. That's what it has come too.

4. I made a decision last week that was really hard for me to decide. Due to the fact that we are moving in May and things are already getting crazy, I decided that we wouldn't walk or run in the heart walk this year. It's just too much to try to fit it all in. I will sponsor someone that is walking and I will definitely be there next year.

5. I am still going to run in a 5K, it will just be a different one. Probably the Komen Race. I am still wanting to run, but due to illness I have had to put off the C25K. It is still my goal, but the C25K can wait till I get moved. Maybe by then I'll be over this cough.

6. We have set our official move date. . . . {drum roll please} MAY 22!!! YAY!! (The heart walk is the Saturday before, see why I'm not participating)

So now that I bullet-pointed my way current, I have to go pack. Be back tomorrow with a fun post with pics!!

90 Days

In a short 90 days we are moving. Moving back to St. Louis. Reality is hitting me square in my face right now.

I am totally excited about moving. I can't wait to get over there and get settled. Its the actual moving part that is just a little daunting! Only 90 days. Wow! When we started this journey, it was seven months. Seven months until we moving day. Now we are down to just a few months and I am thinking of all the stuff I need to get done here and there. Moving across town and across states are two very different things!!

We spent the weekend in St. Louis looking at houses and potential buildings for our church to be planted. We drove all over St. Louis and my love and burden for that city was felt afresh. For the last several months we have felt the burden for St. Louis return to our hearts (hence the moving back) but the weekend it was so strong and the desire to get there quickly was in the forefront of our minds.

My faith was bolstered this weekend and I know and have known that God is guiding our steps and will keep us all the way!! If you are given to prayer a prayer for the Lovelocks is always appreciated. Housing, Hubs a job and a smooth transition are the top three requests!!

Now enough blogging and more working. That to do list is as long as my leg!

This is the One with the BIG News

By the time you are reading this, I will already be in St. Louis. Whatayaknow, I can write posts in advance. It has been so long since I actually finished on in advance, I almost forgot how!?!

My family and I are in St. Louis this weekend. Three lovely days, with lovely people, making plans. Are you ready for my big news that I have been keeping to myself for nearly four months?!?!

In May, the Lovelocks are moving back to St. Louis. {This is good news, but not the news that's BIG}

We are not moving back because of the lovely people that we already know over there. Oh, no, it's for a much bigger reason. A much more daunting and yet exciting reason.

God has yet again laid St. Louis on Hubs and my heart. We feel a deep pressing burden for St. Louis and we know it's time. Time to step into that next role.

We are going back to St. Louis to start a Home Missions church in the inner city. Selah. {Selah: to pause and ponder}

This is huge, scary, exciting and well, thrilling. When we first made the decision, I will admit that my knees were knocking!! There are many reasons for my nervousness, but mostly it was just carnal fear. Fear of the unknown, fear for jobs and housing and money, fear of failure. But over the last several months God has proven to us, well really me Hubs didn't need proof, that we are in the midst of a miracle.

As I stated here, this is my year of faith, the year of miracles. We have already seen God's hand at work, clearing the way before us. So this weekend we will be in meetings, casting our vision, sharing our burden, make lists of the "stuff" we need for a church (like a building, LOL) and all the while we are sure of God's plan.

I have learned, multiple times, that God's plan is higher than mine, His thoughts and intentions higher than mine and if I just follow along and do as I am led, then everything is fine. We never expected to live in St. Louis again. A painful but true thought. We actually assumed our next move would be closer to Hubs family in Bean Town, but there we are again, with God's plans being higher than mine.

Don't be surprised if I testify of God's goodness along the way. I want Him to get all the glory. If you are a person of prayer, I am asking that you would say a prayer for us.

Now, enough typing for tomorrow~~I HAVE TO PACK!