House Closing

Photo from 1961

We closed on our house today in Grand Rapids, with mixed feelings. We are grateful to be able to sell the home, located in one of the top 10 worst housing markets in the nation. But, thanks to its great curb appeal, attractive back yard, and generous friend and Realtor,we were able to sell it in just two months. As much as we know that this transition was in God's hands, it has been hard to let go of the place we made so many memories as a new family.

A thoughtful friend and Elder from our former church gave me two articles she ran across for me to read. The first, "Moving Day," about leaving a home full of memories, and the second, "After the Move," written by a pastor's spouse who refers to herself as the "queen of the forwarding address," after moving ten times in fifteen years of ministry. I don't think we plan on moving that often, but her advice on how to flourish in "unfamiliar soil" relates to anyone who feels like a newcomer in and old-timer's neighborhood.