3 Russell Moose

It's funny when and how old hurts pop up.

We went house shopping today.

We came home excited about a particular house. More than any house we have lived in this house fits our interests, personalities, and our family. And it's a whole lot of house for a great price.

Yet, for whatever reason I looked up our old house that we sold a little over a year ago. That was a home we loved. It was beautiful, and being home was a treat for us. When we took vacation time, we stayed home because our house was that relaxing.

This house has at least as much possibility of being that kind of retreat. It also has everything we need to entertain, hold small group meetings, and homeschool.

And yet, as I looked at the pictures of the built in Daniel custom built to hold the kids' toys, books, and puzzles, at the flowers we planted, at the tile Daniel and I put in on the floor and around the fireplace, at the paint colors, the kitchen counters, and the pool where so many family memories were made, I had a hint of sadness.

But God is good, and the overwhelming thought we have is gratitude to Him. The character we developed in our time of hurt and hardship is priceless.

And so is the place we have come to call home.

This church, this valley, these friends...this is home. And this is so good.

So we are praying about putting an offer on the next house to call ours. We are excited to be here, in this place, for a long, long time if the Lord should allow. We are thrilled to be a part of a healthy, thriving, loving church. And we are forever thankful for the hard times and the good times. In fact, the hard times make the good times ever better.

Our Future Home?