getting settled

My life is settling down a bit. Finally. Its hard to believe that I have been home for almost 2 months already because less than a week ago I was still keeping most of my possessions in my trunk. What it comes down to was the last night in our old house. My mom, Kerry, Kalli and I all laying on a king size mattress in the middle of the living room. Each remembering moments that will never leave us. My mom and Kalli couldn't resist the urge to walk upstairs and scrunch into the bathtub together - tears were welled up in all of our eyes as my mom remembered giving Kalli her first bath in that tub. I on the other hand, reminded them of my friends holding each other down and shaving legs in that very tub, which quickly transferred the conversation to our front hedge. My apologies to the new home owners for the permanent lack of growth in that hedge, but the endless summer nights spent "bush jumping" over/through that hedge were priceless. We did our final walk through, and turned over the keys. Moving after nearly my entire life being spent in the same house has taught me a few things, brought tears to my eyes more than once, and provided several gut aches induced by excessive laughter. A few favorite found treasures in the process:

1. Kalli's road trip plans with friends including a required permission slip and a soundtrack listing

2. A card from Kevin Morsching that he sent me when Erin died.

3. More Barbies than I had the tolerance to count...not to mention the accessories! I guess thats what happens when you have 3 girls.

4. Journal we were required to keep freshman year of high school for English class where Erin and I wrote notes and predicted the future of our classmates.

5. Middle school yearbook with an entire page of Ann's unchanged handwriting, a note from Torey, Megan's attempt at spelling, and seeing everyone's home phone numbers written next to their name and gel pen hearts around boys.

Those were my favorites, there were definetly more, some that we convinced each other to let go of. I'm thankful that even in a new setting the people in my life remain the same: wonderful, hilarious, inspiring, encouraging, and loving.

thankful

Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

My prayer is that those who have constantly comforted and encouraged me feel the presence of God's commanded angels and are strengthened to make bold choices that will glorify Him today.