Wordless Wednesday {Mostly}

I think I'm going to start participating in the oh-so-popular blog trend of "Wordless Wednesday." If you're not a big blog reader and aren't aware of this, let me catch you up to speed. It's very complicated.
I'll post pics on Wednesdays, caption free. Just some pics proving that a picture can capture 1000 words. I feel like it's a good place to post all my crazy phone pics. :)
So here we go with the "wordless" part. :)





















































Happy Wednesday!!!
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One Day at a Time

Apparently we've been here over a week now ... but, I'm kinda counting it from how many days my mom has been gone. I don't really think I noticed I was in a new town until she left.

We're adjusting ... it's a process. And it's fine. It truly, truly is. I honestly believe God is using this as a refining process, and refinement never feels good. I know that if I just started spouting off negatives about my new surroundings that would be all I would notice and I would quickly become depressed, therefore I'm not going to do that. So, I'll just leave it at that. ;)

The weather here hasn't been much different than Arkansas. We have had a couple snowy days, but MOST have been extremely mild. The last couple days have been high 60's and today we even bumped into the 70's ... which is starting to concern me. First because I got the kids lots of fun snow-wear and duhhhh we need to wear the cuteness. And secondly because they don't have air conditioning in these parts and this southern girl turns the air on once it reaches 68 degrees. Sooooooooo, I'll be hunting down some window units or SOMETHING lovely in the very near future.

I feel the need to just say loud and clear that WE'RE FINE. We really, really are. I have gotten SO many kind emails and calls and messages from people on facebook or blog readers I've never met that I'm pretty sure think I am looking down over the cliff or something. I KNEW we were supposed to do this with my whole, whole heart. I think that's why I originally threw such a big fit. As soon as Aaron said, "there's a job opportunity in Pennsylvania," I just felt my heart IMMEDIATELY preparing to go.

I've told this story to my small group and even at large group at Bloom
a couple weeks ago, but I thought I'd share it on here too. I'm pretty sure it would be incredibly hard to forget .... but just in case...

Right after Aaron started telling me about how much he wanted to do this job in Pennsylvania I was extremely shut off to it. I would just throw my hands up at the mention of it and all but stamp my foot ... okay, I did that too.
Anyway, I was on a rampage of manipulation to make SURE that if I had anything to do with it we chased down every lead of a new job for AB. I sent him monster.com leads, I questioned him at least 476 times a day if he'd called on this person or this person and I was driving myself into a nervous frenzy that may have required medication ... just keepin' it real.
One morning I was fixing Sawyer breakfast and I was at the stove as he kept going back to the trash can. I had chunked some goldfish earlier in the morning and now they were covered up by coffee grounds, boogie wipes, and other forms of general yuckiness that finds its way to the trash can. I kept going over to explain to him about how I was fixing him his breakfast and he just needed to chill the heck out. However, his fourteen month old self didn't really care what I said and kept going back to the trash. I told him at least three more times to quit that, that I had something better ON THE WAY ... still he was digging for growdy goldfish.
Finally, I went over there, got in his little face, and said, "Sawyer, quit digging through the trash, your breakfast is almost ready." At the moment I felt the Holy Spirit literally lift my head up and tell me, "Rebekah, you stop digging through the trash, quit thinking you know better than I do. I have something for you RIGHT here ... and it's good, and it's prepared especially for you."
That was the moment EVERYTHING changed. I changed my tune and was quickly filled with a peace over the whole situation. I've had a breakdown or two, but mainly I've been filled with the Spirit in a new way. I love that God has started showing me verses that I've read a hundred times in new light. Verses like Jeremiah 29:11 have totally refreshed my soul in a brand new way: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

A new verse he very clearly gave me was Isaiah 43:19 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Sometimes I just read them over and over and over again. Another way He has been ministering to my heart is through song ... I have ALWAYS felt like music is a way to feel very close to the Presence of the Lord, but in times of "trouble" (and I use that term very lightly, I know that this is not a season of trouble, but it is a bit of an "uprooting" and a time where I'm seeking God with a new vengeance to say the least). However, I just have to jot down the lyrics of this song that Addison Road has out right now ... It is one I walk around my house singing all day long ... its ahhhh-mazing.

What Do I Know of Holy
Addison Road

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Do yourself a favor and go watch the You Tube video or download it from iTunes... it's so good.

Sunday we were supposed to go try out a new church, but with a late night, plus the time change we didn't make it. ;/
HOWEVER, that meant I got to log into the Online Campus at FBC and watch Brandon's amazing sermon. I could barely take notes I was so enthralled with the message. It was in finding contentment regardless of circumstances. One quote I took away was "it's all about location: IN the Lord, IN God."

I'm thankful He's there to supply every need. I'm thankful He's enough.

Taking it one day at a time ...






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Location:Hillcrest Dr,Sayre,United States

Almost Home Sweet Home

Well, we've arrived in Pennsylvania. It was an exciting trip up to say the least with tornadoes at every turn (one of the very few things I'll miss about the south) helping us to lose several hours of travel time, but we still made it safe and sound. Which if you were watching the weather that day you'll know that was NO small thing.








Ummmmmm .... I can't even talk about these. We were bunkered down in the bottom of Gander mountain in Franklin, KY with about 30 other people while these were 5 miles away. I mean, shut-up.
Thank GOODNESS my mom and sister were there to ride with me and help me drive, not sure what I would have done without them. Well, I wouldn't have done it- that's what.

We arrived late Saturday afternoon and were greeted with new friends and helping hands to unload the entire 26 foot uHaul.







These are a couple of the guys that came to help and who work with Aaron- Chris and Danny.

We really got most of the house set up before bedtime- which was huge. Then the next couple days we piddled in the house with accessories and finally went to "town," which is Elmira, NY that has a lot of my favorite stores and we were able to start to get settled. A MAJOR fav was the new grocery store, Wegmans, it's a Fresh Market/Whole Foods on sterroids. Even all the men kept saying, "you gotta go to Wegman's." I think I could spend hours and hours in there.

Rach left yesterday morning and Mom leaves tomorrow ... I could just about fall into a catatonic fit thinking about it. So I won't.

I am actually liking it more every day ... The people have been SO sweet. So far new friends have brought dinners every night, we had a park play day today Avery even already has a new BFF.
I'm thankful for GPS for taking me all over Pennsylvania and New York. We do live in PA, but since NY is less than two miles away we pretty much do everything there ... Weird. So weird. I honestly can't believe I'm really here.

Getting back into a new routine in a new place has really been a
breeze. I think we are all so happy to have Aaron back that we have barely noticed we're
so far from home. Not to mention, if I didn't know any better I would think I was in NW Arkansas ... It is full of beautiful countryside here, rolling hills and just seriously gorgeous views everywhere.
















We went and looked at some pre schools and tomorrow I WOULD start my new bible study, but I'll be taking my sweet momma to the airport. (Boooo Hoooo!!!) So, it looks like every Thursday we'll have something: either MOPS or Bible Study- each will be every other week. They're talking about which study to do tomorrow and I'm pulling for the study that goes alongside Linda Dillow's book, "Calm My Anxious Heart," it seems appropriate. :)

One thing you won't see here is brick houses ... As Rachel said, "every house looks like it's off of James and the Giant Peach." I'm still laughing about that. It's just a VERY old town with very cute, but old, houses. It's very charming. Aaron found a super cute street (that carries a big Little Rock connection in the name, which is fun and a little reminder of home) and a cute house to rent during our PA stay that we are very thankful for!















Here are some outside pics ... Our new cozy cottage, view of the street and Avery's play house out back.

Walking in the house, you walk into the living room- so I'm sure this is where I'll be spending most of my time reading, praying, and Facebook-stalking, of course.








Here's the eat-in kitchen ...
































I feel so organized. :)

I like that it is kinda country/cottagey ... Reminds me of home. Actually a lot of things remind me of our Boone Rd house here- love.

Here is Sawyer's little room. He still needs a little rug and I am having little burlap cornice boards made for above his windows with big brown monograms and a cute little burlap pillow made with his name on it ... So picture that. :)
Sawyer is generously sharing half of his closet with me ... So sweet of him.



















He likes it. :)

Next is Avery and Dalton's room. The prideful part of me makes me have to tell you I had nothing to do with that border and did request the owner let us take it down ... But she was very attached. Soooo ... We're ignoring it. Which is difficult.

























Their room is coming along, but Aaron's mom is making them some some darling quilts and shams. D still needs a bed skirt and a little rug. I'm also getting another little cornice board made for their room in fun yellow chevron and a funky "A&D" monogram ... I know it's so interesting to all those reading. I'm getting excited about little things these days.

Here's the little cute guest/kid bath:




I love that it says "Lavatory," just in case you got confused in this large estate.








I'm waiting on my super fun burlap ruffled shower curtain Rachel found on etsy to come in for the bathroom- typing that out makes me realize I may be overdoing the burlap. But I love it!

I'll show you the Master, but it's in some major need of attention!
Hopefully next week I'll find some fun side tables and lamps. I'm on the lookout for some fabric for some shades/drapes, as well.
But, it's coming along. The master bath is prettyyyy small and way outdated. So, I'm just gonna omit that. :)

Laundry nook ...




So glad my washer and dryer fit!
Last but not least is the high point of the house for the kids ... The basement. :) It's definitely a Multi purpose space ...




Guest room (and there is a full bath down there which is super nice.) We're ready for guests! Come visit!




This was practically Avery's setup at home, but it worked better at home. It's crazy moving into a house you've never laid eyes on! I had planned on all our upstairs furniture being down here and getting some new things, but NOTHING fits down the stairs! So it may be futons and bean bag territory! I wish I had taken a pic of all those men's faces when I told them the sectional and armoire were headed downstairs ... It wasn't good.



Toys, toys, toys. That aren't allowed upstairs- it's a beautiful thing.








Avery playing Cabela's Big Game Hunter. By herself. Hilarious.

I guess that about wraps it up. It's been a long day after sitting in the after-hours clinic with my mom and Sawyer all afternoon. Apparently a tube fell out and he has a double ear infection. He's been miserable for two days. :(
Also, when they asked me about my emergency contact info at the doctor I had a mini-breakdown crying, "I don't have any family here." that poor man.
I laughed about 5 minutes later, but in the moment it was sad, ha!

That's all for now! More soon!!


P.S. if you read this whole thing you're a champ. :)


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Location:Sayre, PA