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Written on August 13, 2010 by emily

Eight months just flew right by. I think I blinked maybe three times. We sailed away from Los Angeles a smidge before Christmas, and here we are almost to September. So much has happened, and if only for myself, I feel the need to chronicle it here, whether you know all of the story or none of it.

Moving in to our Seattle home was nothing short of an amazing experience. With twice the space of our Los Angeles apartment, none of us really knew what to do with ourselves when we got here. We were greeted with an outpouring of love by our Seattle friends, and in a few hours’ time, we were totally unpacked in all the common areas of the house. Of course the bedrooms and downstairs took a bit longer, but overall the move-in was truly a fluid transition. I think during the first weeks, we all felt kind of lonely only because the house is so big and we were so spread out from each other. When I put the kids down to bed, it felt strange to leave them downstairs…more than 20 feet away from myself and my computer workstation. It took me weeks…no…I think months, to realize that if one of them cried, I really would be able to hear them from the office. I have this secret fear that one of my children could be hurt or in danger of some kind, and I would be completely unaware or unable to help. In the enlargement of our space there needed to also be an enlargement of my faith, my trust in God, and my desire for a life that is far from ordinary.

God has been growing me. Most obviously, He has grown my family, and my circle of friends. He has grown my heart and perspective. He is growing the little bitty seeds I call my dreams into things that already, even still at the beginning stages, have my knees knocking and heart a’leaping with excitement and jittery expectation. He’s been growing my understanding of His character and mission in the world. He’s been growing my longing to live fully alive and unashamed of who He’s created me to be. He’s laying a spiritual foundation in our family on which He will build our house and from which He will send us to bless the world with every tool we’ve got. I’m scared out of my mind, and yet, I’m ready. I’m smiling too. From ear to ear.

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