A Look Into Our New Nest

This past week has been full of organizing and settling in, thus our new nest certainly is feeling more and more like “home” everyday. When we were first moving from a three bedroom house to a two bedroom apartment, we were wondering how everything was going to fit. It’s been neat to see how each item has found its new spot. The first night that we were in our apartment, it was hot and we were on the third floor and really missing our one story home back in Nashville - and that’s when Brandon mentioned that he felt like the Lord was breaking us. He went on to say that this is something he had been praying for. He then challenged us to think of someone to pray for each time we climb the stairs to our third floor apartment and felt like complaining -- someone who may not have a home or just lost their home in one of the recent storms. That was such a cool challenge and it’s blessed me anytime I have felt a bit out of breath carrying groceries or something to the top floor. It’s amazing how much you grow when you take your eyes off yourself and onto the Lord and the people all around us. 

Moving from a home that we adored (...that still is for sale - so please continue to pray for the right buyer! As of this week, it’s officially listed with an agent now so we are hopeful that the buyer is right around the corner!!) to an apartment in a new city (that we really are liking a lot!), has been a great reminder that this world is not our home. Whether we are in a house or an apartment, this world is simply our “temporary home”. 2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

A dear friend asked me recently what one of the hardest things about this move has been and what one of the most exciting things has been and the long and the short of it was this: It was hard to leave the place we had grown to be so comfortable in (home, jobs, church, friends, routine) but it’s been exciting to know that the Lord has carved out this new adventure just for us. It’s a new day and a new time and this move has already brought Brandon and I so much closer together. It’s been neat to experience this new place, new city, new job, new apartment together - as husband and wife. We thank you so much for cheering us on and supporting us through each step. We’re constantly reminded that the Lord is with us wherever He go - whether it’s in Nashville, Birmingham, a home, or an apartment. That’s simply the outer “shell” and He is dwelling in our hearts and is our PEACE that nothing else in this world can bring us. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled..."

Closing statement from the man of the house: "When Whit and I were talking about being ‘broken’ the other night, it reminded me of a time that I heard John Piper say to ask the Lord to do whatever it takes to bring you back to Him - for He is the only thing in this world that matters. Since our surroundings, routines and usual comforts look different now - we are reminded that the one thing that’s not going to change is the Lord by our side wherever we go.”

**We’ll leave you today with a few snapshots from a look into our new nest!!