Yep, we're moving!! We put our house up for sale the weekend after New Year's. It was really official back in September when Scotty signed his contract with Baptist, but even still it seems like something that will happen in the distant future; not in 5 months!! (Kellie, you can scream out loud here!!) For some reason putting the house up for sale makes it real!! Now we're just waiting for God to send us a buyer!!
I do hafta say that this time in our lives is so bittersweet. It's always exciting when you've got something big coming up (Scotty's graduation, new job, moving) and we can't wait to be back with our families, for sure. But all that great stuff means leaving the place we've called home for the last 3 years. The place our family began.
I must admit, I wasn't so sure about Tupelo when I first knew we would move here. Keep in mind, me and Scotty had only been married for 6 months!! We'd bought a house in Brandon because we were positive we would stay in Jackson for residency!! Tupelo was our "back up" plan so I wouldn't get stuck in Idaho or something!! Then we interviewed here and fell in love with this town. We prayed about it, talked to our families who encouraged us to go, and Tupelo became our only option. I can say that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord led us here. We put our house up for sale and sold it in 2 hours - I'm not really sure God could be any clearer!!
Don't get me wrong. Just because we were smack dab in the middle of God's will doesn't mean it's been easy. I'll never forget the first time my family came to visit and balling uncontrollably for hours after they left!! We both have been taught so many life lessons that couldn't have been learned anywhere but here and for that I'm forever thankful. We've learned how to be a family and a couple and how to rely on each other in tough times. It helps when you're all each other's got!! Being here alone, just the 3 of us, has taught us to turn to each other, savor each moment, and live with no regrets. If there is any regret at all since being in Tupelo, I would hafta say it's that we never found a church home here. Even though we attended church when we went home and visited around at different churches here, it's not the same as being at a place where people notice if you're not there and being encouraged by other believers. However, we serve a God that is bigger than a church building and he never once held out on us. He has always met us right where we were and has kept his hand on our family. Our Christian walk has deepened and matured over the last 3 years in a way that is unimaginable. We fully intend to join Wynndale when we go back to Jackson, but God has more than kept his end of the deal and given us more grace, mercy and love than we ever deserved.
To my husband I would just like to say thank you for listening to God's call and leading us to Tupelo. It's been the best decision ever made for our family. You have worked so hard to provide us with a home that's full of love, support and understanding. It's so good to know that you've got my back no matter what. Thank you for being my person and the rock of our family. You're such an awesome role model to Tanner. He's so blessed to have you for a Dad.
To Tanner - Thank you for being the heartbeat of our family. You've made this experience in Tupelo so special. I'll never be able to put into words what it's meant to be your Mom. Each time I've rocked you to sleep, gotten up with you in the night, read you books, watched the same episode of Little Einsteins 11 times in a row, each sweet kiss you've given me, each time you run to me with your arms above your head wanting to be picked up and each time I've run my fingers through that head full of hair....these are the things that make my life complete.
To our families - Thank you so much for your love, support, encouragement and prayers. You let us go and welcomed us back with open arms. You held us up even when you couldn't reach us. We can't wait to be together with you again.
To our neighbors and friends- Thank you for making life here so memorable and enjoyable. We are so blessed to have each of you in our lives and will always treasure our times together and look forward to memories that will be made in the future. Each one of you has been such a blessing and answer to prayer.
To our playgroup pals- Thank you for meeting with us every week for such great fun. We always look forward to our Mondays with ya'll. It means so much that Tanner is learning at an early age what it's like to have good friendships with people that have such great families and values. This has been an amazing foundation for Tanner and hopefully he'll grow up to chose friends as special as all your wonderful children.
God has made it abundantly clear that he is calling us back home. And when he all be speaks to you in an audible voice, you go where he leads you!! No questions asked!! We've enjoyed Tupelo so much and will always treasure the memories we've made here. This town and the people in it will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this new chapter in our lives.
"You're roots in Tupelo aren't deep, but you've got 'em." -Bobbie Sellers (my aunt)
