Feeling at Home

Not only are we pretty much unpacked and settled into our new house, but we are also thoroughly enjoying our new location and assignment. We figured coming back to a place we had been previously assigned would make another cross-country move less traumatic, and it did indeed. But I personally didn't realize it would be just as easy to find the little, life-enriching blessings that have flowed our way in the recent weeks.

Yesterday I was simply overwhelmed with God's goodness. He has answered so many specific prayers, and I can't help but sing His praises! I hope you'll indulge me as I share some of my answered prayers.

* A Christian neighbor--I prayed I would find at least one believing family close to our new home. God planted us just a couple of houses away from Sidra (pronounced See-dra) and her family, and we've already shared some times of deep conversation that let me know we will be good friends. She and her family moved to this neighborhood from another area in Dayton just about 3 months ago, and since their move was basically across town, they are also finding new friends, a new church, etc. She has a 4-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl. Our boys enjoy getting together to play Star Wars, and yesterday I held Lucan and chatted with Sidra while Kenna and Sarah played alongside each other.

* A Christian family with whom our family can share fellowship and encouragement--A few Sundays ago Ted and I attended the 11:00 service, during which we met Andy and Susie. We chatted awhile after church, and Susie was kind enough to invite us to their home for dinner last week. They actually live in our neighborhood, and we have quite a bit in common, including the fact that both the guys are USAFA graduates. They will be moving to CA in April, but I know we'll be good friends in the meantime!

* A running friend--During one of my first runs in the neighborhood, I specifically prayed that God would lead me to a believer who maybe could be a running partner for me. I haven't run with anyone (consistently) since Sarah B. and her family moved from Las Vegas to Texas, and while I've done a pretty good job of getting out the door consistently, I know it would be much easier to go regularly (and farther distances) if I can run with someone. Well, God is good! Susie is a runner also, and last night she introduced me to another lady in the neighborhood who is training for a half marathon! There are actually 3 of them who run together, and I look forward to jumping in with them before too long! (They're doing 10 miles today...I'm not quite ready for that yet!)

* Homeschool friends--Last night Susie picked me up and we went to a scrapbooking night at the home of a sweet Christian lady who is a CM consultant. (And she didn't even mind that I used all Stampin' Up! products on my own project!) No sooner had I sat down and pulled out my supplies than I heard a lady at the end of the table discussing the fact that she had just ordered her first Sonlight core!!! Wow! We started chatting...she has homeschooled several years, but this will be her first with Sonlight. Two other ladies there also homeschool! As it turned out, all of us who were in attendance (6 plus the consultant) are 1) believers and 2) affiliated with the military. Several of us attend FairCreek Church, several of us are runners, and several are homeschoolers! What a blessing! I'm just so thankful God allowed me to meet Susie, who has in turn introduced me to some other wonderful people!