the move - part 4

So the day we'd been dreading came.  I know that sounds just awful, but it was not fun saying goodbye to loved ones although we knew this was God's plan for our family and trusted Him.

When I say many came out to help, I mean MANY came out to help.  Thank you one and all for your service to us that day.  My favorite part of the whole day...if there could even be such a category for that day, was circling around after the truck was packed, holding hands and praying with all of our friends and neighbors.  My heart was overflowing with love that God put in our hearts for all of the people and places represented there.  When I say that we left our hearts in Wake Forest, I mean it.  I'm praying that he will pour out His love to us again and work through us to love and care for the people in Harrisburg, PA.  (I know that He will be faithful - He has already begun to do so.)

 Dr. Wayne McDill stopped by to encourage and wish us well.  He has been instrumental in our church plant venture.  We are blessed to have access to his knowledge and experience.

 Precious neighbors - Marie, Laurie, Beth and Nicholas and of course, Papa Sam.

 Stan!  How on earth will I maintain the boys' Tootsie Pop supply without you??  We love you Stan and you, Wilbur and Other Dog will forever be in our hearts and memories.

 None of us were thrilled with the site of the truck in our driveway.  It made it so real.

 Just look at all these cars!  The represent willing servants.  Thank you again.

 Finished

 Norberto has helped out on big jobs for Shawn over the past couple of years.  A few nights before we moved, he and his girls brought over a delicious spread of Mexican food for dinner.  They came by to say goodbye on our last day.

 The boys really struggled with all of this (well, honestly, we all did).

Many tears were shed throughout the day.

 Our last family pose in front of 712 Naxos Drive.

There were many more friends who stopped by throughout the day to say "see ya laters" and express their love.  I didn't capture it all with my camera.  There was so much going on and quite frankly, I was an emotional wreck and couldn't focus on the camera.  But please know that we are so grateful that you all took time out of your day to come wish us well.  We love you.

Courtney and Taylor hung around to the very end.  None of us wanting to say that last goodbye.  Finally, we had to.  So very hard.  Roberts Family - your love for us is immeasurable and we always felt it.  Right.back.at.ya'll.  Fer real.  Mwah!

After everyone had gone and the sun had set.  Shawn took our little family back into our home one last time.  We went through each room and took turns sharing a memory from that room.  Then we'd flip off the light switch and shut the door.  Over and over again, we repeated this process until we ended in the living room.  The we huddled together cried and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for all that He had done in and through our family in that sweet little southern house.  As we prayerfully recounted ministry opportunity and opportunity and the fact that two of boys accepted Jesus within those walls, we were overwhelmed with blessing and goodness from above.  So hard, but yet so good to hold one another and know that we always have our little family unit.  So off we go on another unknown adventure!

We spent the night at the Mitchells and headed out early the next morning to our new homeland of Harrisburg, PA.  Walter and Stephanie Strickland drove the church van and Titus.  Shawn drove the big rental truck with Elijah riding shotgun.  Mitch drove Shawn's work van (hope your tetanus shot was current.) with Joseph, Andrea drove her van with the girlies and then Steph joined later to help out with baby, Macie.  I had Mikayla with me and we had a wonderful time!

We stopped for lunch at Five Guys - yum!  No traffic or vehicle troubles - praise the Lord!  We made great time and pulled up just before 5pm.

 Here's our exit.  Getting close to finally seeing our new house!