Day 9

Day 9...It started off with visiting a new church.  The people there could not be more friendly.  It was nice to receive so many hugs and handshakes.  We felt extremely welcome; it was nice.  The only problem is that the church was extremely small, which we didn't know until we got there.  There were no teenagers and only five kids.  Our church in Illinois was very large and my kids grew and learned so much in their youth programs.  Although the people were kind and welcoming, we have to have a church with a thriving youth ministry.
We will try another church next week...not sure which one yet.
We tried another restaurant today.  We ate breakfast there and loved it.  I look forward to taking my family and friends there when they visit.
Tomorrow we are taking a tour of our son's new school.  Then, my son and I bought poster board and we are making a calendar that streches through September.  We are marking down all of the times that we have visitors.  Believe it or not, we have a pretty steady flow from June 25 all the way through September.  Praise the LORD!  I couldn't be happier.  I am happy when I have a house full!

When we pulled into the driveway after church, a large deer was standing right in the middle of our lane leading to our driveway.  I love wildlife; I love enjoying God's creation.  It stood there, as I was only about ten feet away, and let me take lots of pictures of it.  It was beautiful.
I still struggle with not knowing anyone.  I LOVE people.  I miss going into Target, or a restaurant, or the mall, and running into familiar faces.  That doesn't happen here.  I look forward to the day that I go somewhere around town and I actually recognize someone and we can have a conversation.
Today, I was sitting outside talking on the phone to one of my sisters.  The cutest little cat came walking by.  I was sweetly saying, "Here, kitty kitty kitty..."  I was pleading for this cat to come over to me...is this what is has come to?  I beg a cat to come over and see me???  HAHA
The cat kept going!
My son is begging for a dog.  We were in a larger city today and he saw a sign with the word "dog" in it.  He said, "Please let's go in there and buy a dog!"  He didn't realize that it was a spa for dogs.  I was thinking, "a spa for dogs?"  The day I take my dog to a spa is the day pigs fly!  He has been asking every single day for a dog.  He doesn't really even care for dogs.  I think he is just looking for a companion. 
The bottom line is that we haven't even been in this house for a week.  The kids in our town will be in school for one more week, and then they'll be on summer break.  At that point, we will begin meeting more people and seeing more kids out.  His summer camp starts on July 5 and continues every day during the week until August 12...he'll meet plenty of kids there!  I, on the other hand, am a major dog lover, so I am extremely tempted to go to the NYC Humane Society and purchase a dog.  We'll see..
Our first guest from IL will be arriving on June 25.  We have another guest from KY arriving on June 30.  I'm excited!  It gives us a goal; we have to have the house ready by then!!
Every time I get down and discourage, I hear that still, small voice saying, "Trust Me."  The Lord does not lead us to places and then leave us.  He is with us always.  He never, not even for one single second, takes His eyes off of us. 
He sees me when I'm laughing with my daughter, or playing with my son, or talking to my husband.  He knows my thoughts, my fears, my  hopes and my desires.  He LOVES me.  It really doesn't get any better than that.  He adores me and is there for me.  He WILL NOT let me fall.  If I trust and rely on Him, I can't go wrong.  With Him, my family is never alone.  He will NOT leave us or forsake us. 
He know when I lie down, and when I rise, when I come and when I go; he knows when I'm laughing and when my heart aches.  I am His child. He hold my family in the palm of His hand. 
He knew we would be making this move to NY.  He knows who our friends will be; He knows our future church; He knew it all before we did...He can handle this.