One year plus 5 days

So, I wanted to do a post on our one year anniversary of living here...but we were still on the island so I will do the post today. :)

One year ago on July 6th we left everything we knew as "normal" and "stable" and "comfortable" to start a new journey. A journey I never anticipated. A journey that was never on my radar screen, in my hopes or dreams, or even something I thought would happen to me. This year has been a roller coaster ride...and let's just say I am NOT a fan of roller coasters. :) We often tell people that we have felt a full range of emotions. We have felt the highest highs and the lowest lows. We have depended on the Lord and each other in ways we never have before. Our marriage has grown ten fold! Our parenting skills have been tested and sharpened. Our family has united and bonded through this change. We have seen God provide for us financially and emotionally. As we step out in faith and trust He continues to show His faithfulness to us. The very thing I did not want to do, leave "home", has turned out to be the very thing that I am SO glad I did! Not because I don't miss my dear family and friends...all of you...but because of the growth that it has caused in each of us.

Some of the blessings of this past year...

1. A strengthened faith

2. A deeper more intimate marriage

3. Our kiddos bond with one another is stronger

4. An amazing church and a pastor who challenges the congregation

5. Money to pay the bills and then some

6. Friends, Friends, Friends (SWIM group, SF group, Baileys, Sawyers, Riggins, Morris')

7. A cultural experience: We have Mexican friends, Chinese friends, Indian friends, Puerto Rican and African American friends)

8. Personal growth

9. I finally did the whole "leave and cleave" thing :)

10. Serving opportunities

11. Sweetest Kindergarten teacher and friend for my lil miss

12. A bigger picture of the world

Those are just a few...I could go on and on