One way ticket

It's done, I have reserved a one way ticket for myself and my daughter.  One way, as in, not to return to the original location.  One way, as in, staying in the place where we land.  As I made the reservation (thanks mom for letting me use yet one more of your frequent flyer passes!), and the realization swept over me that there would be no return flight, my hand started shaking a bit.  I walked into the living room, looked at Andy and said, "We're moving.  When the girl and I fly out, we aren't coming back.  Oh my."  Being ever so compassionate, he retorted, "You probably won't ever come back.  I mean, why would you?"  Ok, that's a little bit dramatic, and not quite the response I was wanting, but we will give him a pass on that ridiculous statement (I did tell him I would come back, without him or the girl so I could have some fun!  HA!).

As of today, I have 17 days remaining here.  Oh.my.wow.  Some days the emotions tied to leaving this place that has been home for 6 years wash over me, some days I am so thrilled to finally be living near family I am just elated.  Some days, the two emotions clash and my head starts spinning ever so slightly.  As I have stated before, the ebb and flow of life sometimes has heartache and joy walking hand in hand.  Each day, memories wander in my mind of moments shared with friends, of getting married, of struggling to figure out my role as a wife, as a mom, moments spent in worship, rejoicing for what God has done and is continuing to do, moments of despair spent crying out to God with fellow believers. 

Every beautiful moment sweeps through leaving imprints on my heart and mind.  A majority of those moments involve our church, the family God saw fit to have us be a part of.  In the next few weeks, I will write expound on just how precious that place, those people have been, will forever be, to us.  Right now, I find myself swept up in the beauty that is around me, in the colors, the smells, the sounds.  It is good, and I'm thankful I've been given the eyes to see, to notice, and to appreciate every bit of it.