It's hard not to think back to last year at this time.
June 1, 2009 we packed up the U-haul and headed east and south to a different life in Tennessee. The 20 hour drive gave us many conversations about how life would change for us, how life would be both easy and hard. The anticipation of change that has been fulfilled is equal to those things we couldn't anticipate coming to fruition. There have been moments of frustration, tears, laughter and pure undefined joy!
Yet embedded deep within our journey to June 1, 2010, we have not regretted nor desired to go back to the life we once lived. Please don't misunderstand me on this point, we loved the life we lived and it felt that at times, we were kicking and screaming as we tore ourselves from friends, families and loves. A topic of much debate, as we transitioned, was the desire to make our life enjoyable, not dependent on where we lived, but to enjoy the relationship we establish, to enjoy the places we go and, in a sense, to make our grass greener.
In many was we have accomplished these things and, like so many other things in life, in many was we have failed.
The overarching lesson learned this past year - the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.
The only manner in which I can begin to describe the fruits of our journey this past year is the word 'deep'...
-Establishing deeper roots with old and new
-Discovering joys deep within life hidden or masked by distraction
-Internal depth of conversation with self and God in maturing
-Enjoyment and confidence in depth of marriage
This past year and this next one, I believe, will be forever linked together in some magical way, anticipating the fun and interesting way in which the 'the ebb and flow of life' will constantly change depending on the season.
A recent enjoyable aspect of life has been hiking in Tennessee. It's completely different from hiking in Colorado. Tennessee is thick with trees, bushes and shrubs. So as you hike your way along the trail, it seems out of no where, you open up to vast expanse of valleys which are layered with rock, waterfalls, rivers and a blanket of green.
The beauty is breathtaking and frightening in equal portions.
I know it's somewhat comical, considering I live in the south, but as I hike through the beauty of Tennessee, the question lingers deep within "Can God be here? Can God be anywhere but here?"
The rivers I discover hiking in Tennessee, are and always will be a gentle reminder of the ebb and flow of life. Sometimes rushing with vengeance, sometimes calm and refreshing, sometimes an obstacle forever changing the journey and sometimes an oasis during thirst.
Not to jinx or in some way merit God's unfavor on this next year, but I hope it will be as enjoyable as the previous.
its SO good to read this and know you two are exactly where you should be. even if we're all still crying because that doesn't happen to be here. here's to another beautiful year for you and leah.
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