Begins and ends with books: a photo essay and announcement
When we left on our trip, someone asked me if we were coming back. I grinned, “Of course, our books are here.”
We returned to Texas after our three week trip exhausted and road weary from trying to accomplish a bit too much.
The first day back from camp, my husband drove the kids to Shoshone Falls. Bug took photo after photo. He even made videos of the water tumbling over the rocks. His exclamations barely heard over the roar.
My brother lives in the valley below Mt. Borah, the tallest peak in Idaho. I enjoyed the drive so much I didn’t take a single photo until we were coming back down the pass.
While visiting a farm, we picked a few cherries and ate every one.
Dylan learned about a full-time job “just down the road,” so he drove through the twisted canyon to meet a man who might have work for him.
I plopped down on a floral sofa and discussed possibilities with my best friend’s mom. When a van drove up, I realized it was more friends. I was delighted they happened by while we were there. Words spilled out as we tried to catch up. It didn’t take long for more questions to begin. They are moving out of their house.
Driving from Southern Idaho to the Washington peninsula gave Dylan and I plenty of time to speculate about our future. Would he get the job? Is it time to move back? We gnashed and prayed and hoped.
Visiting family made us pine even more to be near them. Introducing the girls to mountains, canyons, and ocean made us crave more memorable moments. We want to take them to the places we traveled, the places we enjoyed as children.
Yes, we did come back, and I immediately started culling the bookshelves in anticipation of the call that came on Friday. Dylan got the job! We are moving back to Southern Idaho! It is happening so fast, but in some ways it is years in the making.
We are going home with a purpose and a vision and a copy of Heroes of the Alamo and Goliad.
God works in His perfect time. I know this new season will be full of joy and peace and a new sense of purpose.
I think it’s interesting how you said you’d come back for your books. Your heart is not in Texas at all. How exciting and wonderful. I have nothing but good thoughts on your big move.
Anna-Marie,
We do have wonderful friends here, but it helps that another family is moving back to Idaho at the same time. Our decade here has been blessed in so many ways, but we know that this is of the Lord. I can’t wait to see what he does!
If I admit I’ve never fallen in love with Texas, I might be run out of town tomorrow, so I better keep that quiet. ;)
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us. :)
Now I know why I haven’t heard back from you…you’ve been so busy! : ) Those books take up more time in our lives…even if we’re not reading them but instead culling or packing them! I am very happy for you; and just an itsy bitsy jealous that we’re not making a similar move (not to Idaho but to a place we’ve been praying about). Patience, patience; it took approximately 10 years for your answer to come…right? What a clear answer to prayer for you and your husband…a practical job and a spiritual mission!
It’s amazing how God works! I hope your move goes well. Lovely pictures! I’ve actually been to Idaho, twice even!
Congrats on the job and the move.
I forgot to put that I love the pictures too!
So happy for you. May the Lord bless this new chapter in your family’s life.
P.S. Beautiful photos…I’d want to move back too. :)
Congratulations!! God is good. I look forward to seeing you!!
Wow! beautiful pictures and you get to move back! Yahoo!! or is that Yippee!!
Texas to Idaho!
Thanks again for your help with Twitter.
I think I get it now. jejeje
Hi, Renae, it sounds as if the move is bringing you peace and joy–that’s great. Congratulations. I wanted to thank you for your comments on my “Conventional Wisdom” post for HOTM. It sounds as if you’ll get to go WITH the flow for a brief moment this time, huh? May God bless you.
beautiful pictures!
What fun! The area you are moving too looks awesome. I’ll have to put it on my list for “one day”, if that ever comes! Enjoy!
Jenn
That is so exciting!
Wonderful! We just returned from two weeks in WA state and had some of those same longings. God has us in CA for now though (and for the last 12 years). Blessings on your move.
Oh Renae, I’m both excited and torn at this news. I know we don’t see each other as much I’d like but it’s so nice to have you so close. I’m so very excited for you. I know this will be such a blessing for your family. Please know that you WILL be missed so much. Especially at homeschool conference time!!!
Congratulations to you both on the new job and your move back home :)
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