Much of our married life has been spent moving.
We married between our freshman and sophomore years in college and had to rent a tiny apartment for the few months between the wedding and moving back to college. The door of the apartment had a 6 inch gap between it and the carpet through which the smell of Indian food from a neighboring apartment came wafting. Although I have since learned to appreciate those distinct smells, at the time it was something I was unaccustomed to and totally repulsed by. The refrigerator and oven of that apartment were made to be used by Keebler elves. I once baked cookies (since every new and adoring wife bakes cookies) with the door partially ajar because I could not get my cookie sheet all the way in. We ate off a card table and every stick of furniture (and I use that term literally) had been given to us, except the dresser in our bedroom, which had been purchased at a local thrift store and then promptly dropped on the street outside our apartment as it was making its way inside. It is rather difficult to make a once dropped dresser whole again.
A few short months later, we moved back to college and into an upstairs apartment that was fully furnished (and I use that term loosely). The couch was itchy and red and the gas stove was leaky. During the 5 months we lived there I learned to cook one mean meal in the microwave! We even hosted some friends of ours for a spaghetti supper there. They didn’t mind one bit that the meal came out in bits and pieces!
Next was a pit stop in our home town while we waited for our new apartment atop a Bed & Breakfast to come open. We became night managers of that B&B courtesy of my husband’s college football coach. We lived there 10 months until we decided that ringing doorbells in the middle of the night and a newborn would be a less than ideal situation.
So, we moved across town to a 2 bedroom apartment in a complex where several of our friends also lived. I have fond memories of living there despite the pink mold that grew in our window sills. The mama who lived downstairs would come up to chit chat with me until her husband beckoned her home by banging a broom handle on the ceiling.
After living there about a year and a half (the longest we’d lived anywhere in case you are keeping track!), college was over for my husband and we moved to a country home we called The Ranch. The house came with his job and I was able to commute for my final semester of college. This house was pretty yuck when we first arrived on the scene. We redid a lot of it and made it a fairly pleasant home for our growing family. However, the house had only a swamp cooler to keep us cool in the summer, which made opening the kitchen cabinet doors a challenge (turned my painted cabinet doors to sludge!). A fellow Christian brother had pity on my pregnant self and took time off work to install an air conditioner he had on hand. What a blessing!
When baby #2 was a few months old, my husband decided it was time to put his degree to work and changed jobs. If you’ll remember, The Ranch came with the job. Time to find a new abode.
We lived there longer than we have lived anywhere. I believe that was due, in part, to my husband being deployed for two of the years we lived there. Upon returning from his last deployment in 2004, he decided he needed a change of scenery. He left his previous profession to take on a much more family-friendly career path, and we moved yet again. This time to a ranch style home that doubled our rent. It was so hard for me to love this house after leaving my beloved Talbot Street home, but what ended up making the most memories for me there was meeting my friend, Sarah. When we moved 2 and a half years later, I cried over having to leave Sarah, but gladly left the house behind.
That brings us to our current home (which doubled the previous rent!). It was the only choice we had when moving here because we had very little time to work with from promotion to move-date. The move brought us closer to our extended family and that was a blessing, especially when Emily got sick.
But, the time has come again for us to move. The owner wishes to sell and we do not wish to buy.
In My Father€™s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2
Nutty Mom says
Moving so many times must be hard. Especially leaving behind a home with so many memories. But as you move on I’m sure those special moments will be etched deeper in your heart!
Sally-Ann says
I loved your post. Each home with its memories.
"Lolli" says
Amy, this post is absolutely beautiful and very moving. I do not like change, so moving so often would have been very difficult for me. I believe you have done each one with flying colors, with integrity, with love and humility…and your life has obviously been laden with some horribly difficult trials and loss. Thank-you for reminding me that this house is not my home…Heaven is my home, and how glorious it will be when we are there, brothers and sisters forever, and with those we deeply love who await us. You will be in my thoughts and prayers often, and I plan to become a follower of your site. I invite you to visit my site when you can, and I pray you will receive blessings each time you stop by.
blessings,
Lolli (aka Lisa)
Linda says
Amy, I suspect the Lord has new adventures in store for you in your new home.
You will always carry with you the memories of your sweet baby girl in your heart,…no matter where you go.
Take heart,…the Lord is near and will never let you forget the special memories.
Linda
Lilyofthevalley - Tanya says
It has been interesting to read about all the places you have lived. Sad you will be “leaving” precious memories behind, but yet you will be bring them with you. How comforting Heaven is and the many mansions the Lord has prepared for us. How true we are just pilgrims here…
Holly says
It was interesting to hear of all the different places you lived! It’s sad that you are moving to a place where you won’t have those memories but it’s true that our real home, our mansion, is yet to come!
The Pauls' Family says
Praying that you will find a home that will suit you and your families needs just right and that you will feel God’s overwhelming love in this emotional time.
Anonymous says
Amy,
It would be very hard to leave that house…you are in my thoughts and prayers. Pray your way through!
Sincerely,
Nicki Bourgeois
Zimmerman, MN
Lynnette Kraft says
Well Amy…look at it as another adventure! 🙂 I know that you’ll find the perfect house. I know what you mean about not wanting to the leave the house with all of your Emily memories – but she’ll be with you wherever you go.
Fruitful Harvest says
What great memories!
Your such a awesome writter…it flows like a good novel!
I could just picture it all…the indian food….the small oven built for elves!
The house next to the old guy would have been my favorite too!
It sounded very charming!
I will pray that your heart will settle about your upcoming move….God has something in mind for you! He CAN see around the corner! 20/20 is always hindsight…you will see there is nothing to fear but fear itself!
Blessings,
Georgiann
Joyeful says
I just popped over from a comment you left at Lynette’s. (I liked the name “Raising Arrows”–that is such a great verse!)
It’s so hard to move when you finally feel like you’ve accepted where you are!
I pray God will give you grace and strength and bless your heart in your new home.
HappyascanB says
Wow, you’ve lived everywhere! I remember the heartache and anxiety I felt before leaving the house where my Daddy had lived before he died. It was really overwhelming to think of how life really does go on. But you are so right, dear sister! Our mansion is yet to come, and it’s better than we can imagine! God bless you!
Sarah Robbins says
What a sweet post. Thank you for the reminder of our home in heaven. . . We planted our roses in pots because we knew we weren’t going to live here long, but the idea of moving is so hard. This was our first house together and it is so preciously full of memories.
Kristy says
Once again, I am moved to tears by reading your blog.
Oh, how my heart hurts for you.
I pray that the memories of Emily stay fresh in your mind – even though you will be in a new home.
I pray that you love the next house and have great neighbors. Perhaps great trees to sit under as well.
And less rent!