Two years ago on Nov 10 Aaron and I went to Jeff and Meagan's apartment. We went to have our "last evening" if you will with some of our best friends. I remember having fun that night and then I remember it was time for Aaron and I to leave. I remember watching as my husband hugged his two best friends and as three grown men cried as they would soon be parting. That was a rough night!! Aaron and I would soon be facing 4 of the 5 biggest changes in a person's life in a matter of 6 months (graduation, new jobs, moving, and marriage. The 5th is a baby and we did not have that yet! (or now :))
Two years ago today Aaron and I woke up about 6 am. We got our the last of our things together as we spent the night at my sister's house since ours was empty. I remember my sister getting ready for work as we were getting ready to leave. Then it was time for her to leave for work. I remember sobbing holding my sister as she was sobbing as we were saying goodbye. I would move from 45 seconds away from her to about 7 1/2 hours. SInce we had never lived our adult lives near each other this was especially hard because we had only lived by each other for about 3 months. I remember waking my nephew up for school because we were about to leave. I remember squatting down to his eye level and telling him how much I would love and miss him. He didnt understand that he wouldnt see me everyday anymore. Aaron and I said goodbye to Chris and Preston and set out for our adventure. Before we got in our cars Aaron and I hugged through tear stained eyes as we were leaving everything we knew and loved to follow the call of Jesus.
I remember that long trip. It was especially long because Aaron was driving a UHaul with a trailer with his car on it. We got into Katy about 6 or 7 I cant really remember - we got lost a few times :). I remember people already waiting at our house ready to help us unload our trailer. We got it done in about 1 hour. We already felt so much love and support from the people here! Aaron and I fell asleep on the couch our first night in Katy because we were so tired.
And then our adventure in houston began. I began looking for a job right away and couldnt find one. I put in so many applications. We knew we were where we were supposed to be but we didnt know why I couldnt find a job. We later learned. Because I didnt have a job I was able to get the house in order. Because I didnt have a job I was able to spend a week with my sister when she had a baby. Because I didnt have a job I was able to help Aaron a lot at the beginning of his job here in Houston. Because I didnt have job I got to know Nicole very well and got to spend time with the students. Then, I interviewed for a job at Woodcreek Junior High in July I think. Sometime around then. I really liked the school and really wanted the job but I didnt get it. Because I didnt get that job I was able to spend a week and half with Aaron and his family when his grandfather died. Had I gotten the job this would not have been able to happen. Literally on the way home from the funeral I got a call from Woodcreek asking if I would come back for an interview. Of course! And, I got the job. God's timing was written all over that! He knew I needed to be with Aaron during that time and provided a way for me to do that.
Then I started my new job at Woodcreek. I got home from my first day of work and Aaron called me telling me he had been in a wreck. God's timing again. His car was totalled and had I not had a job we would not have been able to get a new one. Isnt it just neat how God planned that? I think so! I mean my first day of work and Aaron gets in a wreck. It was like God saying - I am going to take care of you - SEE??!?!!
The youth group we work with is amazing. We love the kids and Aaron loves his job! We have grown and changed a lot since we first got here. The Lord has changed the hearts of our youth and us. We have made some very close friends as well. Some of our closest friends are Shane and Nicole, Kim and Chan, Jack and Glenda, Scott and Jenni, Pat and Vanessa, and Dan and Suzanne. They have encouraged us, strengthened us, made us laugh, and brought us so much joy! We are so thankful for them. We have been in houston bascially our whole marriage (besides 3 months) and these people have watched Aaron and I grow in our marriage and been with us along the way.
Although we had to leave everything we loved and knew, the Lord has blessed us tremendously here in Houston. We are thankful for Him and what He has done. We are thankful for our jobs and so happy with them. We are thankful for the people the Lord has brought into our lives. We love them dearly and are so blessed to have them and call them friends. The church has been so wonderful to us. We have really enjoyed our time here in Houston so far. We are thankful for these 2 years in Houston that we have had!
To our friends and family in Oklahoma and Texas - we miss you dearly and love you. We are so thankful for you and wish we could see you more often!!! To our Houstonians - thank you for making us feel so welcomed and loved! We are so thankful for each one of you and we love living here with you!
Here's to 2 years!!
