When the Routine is Lost

 Within the last two years, I read the book Atomic Habits.

This week, I have been thinking about how habits and routines can be linked to locations.

Every time I move, it takes awhile to get back into daily habits and routines.

Being out of routine is tiring.

New space,

New schedules,

Just new everything.

It has only been 2 weeks,

But I certainly look forward to when the day to day becomes more normal again.

There are some things that always get done ...

... Bible reading,

Exercise,

Baking snacks for hubby's lunches,

Tidy/clean as necessary in a small space,

Laundry,

But the days should be more productive and will be soon.

We are looking forward to a full weekend.

We are having Easter dinner with a church family tomorrow.

Sunrise service, breakfast, Sunday School, and morning services on Sunday.

And ... Then a restful Sunday afternoon.

Praise the Lord for the Resurrection!

As I have written to people struggling with sickness,

People who have lost loved ones recently,

People with family trials,

I have hoped to encourage them with God's might and victory over death.

And it encourages me too.

God has power over the unfamiliar.

God has power over new schedules.

God has power over uncertainties.

Daily Shopping Trips

 While we live inside the city limits, 

it would be possible to shop daily for our groceries.

I can combine some exercise and shopping by walking and carrying my groceries home.

It can become cardio and strength and endurance training.

There is a gate from our complex that leads to the back loading dock of Wal-Mart.

A gate out another side lead to the mall.

Across the street from Wal-Mart is Meijer.

Across from the mall is the local Kroger.

One of the adventures of a move is discovering the local shopping.

It should all be familiar now, but Meijer is actually new to me.

In Oregon, Grocery Outlet and Fred Meyer (Kroger plus housewares and clothes) were new and Safeway was familiar from our time in Washington.

Today I visited Meijer.

I don't think it will become my go to store,

but it did have some nicer items in the hardware and housewares than I could find at Wal-Mart and may be helpful when settling in our new home.

Grocery prices were higher than Wal-Mart and had less coupons than Kroger.

It was similar to Fred Meyer in the west ... An upscale Wal-Mart!

Hubby and I commented that there were always sacrifices in a move.

We missed the seeing the Pacific coast from our apartmentnwhen we left Washington.

We missed our front and back porch and our church and college friends when we left NC.

We miss the walkability of OR because of the sidewalks.

I really have to plan my routes to shop because not all of the roads have sidewalks here.

Adjustments, adjustments.

Change is never easy

But with change comes growth and strength.

Ahh! Friday!

 It feels like Friday ...

the Friday after a long week,

which followed another long week,

which followed another long week.

We are both tired, but a good tired and a contented tired.

We are back to somewhat normal meals.

We are back to regular workouts.

All of the boxes are unpacked and out of sight.

Though we still have another small "hop,"

we are getting closer.

Today we had a framing walk-through of our new home.

The electric, HVAC, and plumbing have passed inspection

and they expect insulation early next week.

It was fun to see sizes and shapes of what I have studied on paper for weeks.

Of course, while the guys talked of wires and pipes,

I was placing furniture!

We will enjoy the weekend.

Weather permitting, we will check out a local walking/running trail on Saturday

and then be back in church on Sunday.

Refreshed

 Though moving is hard,

there are definite times of refreshing.

There are times when God gives those breaks,

 the encouragement you need to press on.

I am thankful for those breaks.

There are only 2 partial boxes left to unpack

and just one chair and the table to finish assembling.

There are still some tweaks and organizing to do,

but things are mostly usable.

I survived my first shopping in a new town.

I wandered quite a bit not knowing where everything was in different stores

and I reacclimated to Aldi after 3 years away.

I was glad for sister stores Fred Meyer and Kroger so that I at least knew some brands and products to expect.

Of course, some brands changed back to what we used in NC.

I hit 3 stores and probably drove no more than 3 miles ...

that's refreshing too.

I am thankful for the refreshing of God's people last night.

Our drive to church has multiplied by 2 taking 40-50 minutes now,

but we were challenged by the message

and welcomed warmly.

There were no cringey or "did we make a mistake?" moments.

The drive was worth it!

It is odd to be in the pew for the whole service for awhile,

but even that is part of the rest that God gives.

On this thankful Thursday,

I am also glad that the sun is back out today.

I am thankful for God's provisions

not everyone has to wonder where to put their things

or contemplate what to throw out.

I am thankful to finally be feeling more like myself

now that we are settling back into some type of routine.

I am thankful for the temporary b housing God provided

and the progress being made on our home.

Progress

It is starting to look better around here.

There are about 6 boxes left and a table to put together.

The boxes contain kitchen and bathroom supplies ...

 there is a little creativity involved to figure new spots for everything.

Hubby was off early This morning to visit a neighboring store,

and I enjoyed a thunderstorm.

Thunderstorms are not regular in Oregon.

I have the car today, so in addition to the last boxes, 

I need to get some food for daily living.

Back to normal eating ... Hooray!

The stores I need are all within 2 miles of the apartment.

We (or possibly solo wife if hubby's trip goes long) will visit our new church tonight.

We are excited to meet the people, to be regularly fed,  and to begin to assess how God might choose to use us here.

 

Back to Work

We enjoyed a good weekend and church services with family on Sunday.

It had been just shy of 3 years since we had seen each other.

What a reunion!

It is hard to be the refrigerator, or digital frame, family members,

but we hope to fix that.

We are now only 3 hours from family! 

Praise the Lord for His safety.

We arrived at our temporary apartment yesterday.

It took about 2 hours to move into our apartment 

and about 1 hour to move into the storage unit.

The day was grey with sprinkles,

but the ramp to the van never got treacherous

and nothing got soggy or ruined.

After the long drive, we were exceedingly thankful for a first floor apartment.

We were able to return the truck last night

and get internet established.

Bowling Green is beautiful

And I am living in a small city!

(Yes, for me, that is great)

Today, we both get back to work.

Hubby starts his new job

and I am trying to make a temporary house into a home.

Right now, it is chaos,

but I hope to have a good handle on it before hubby gets home.

Thank you again for your prayers.

I am almost certain that each hour that we were on the roads 

that there were prayer warriors holding us up.

The Oregon Trail in Reverse

 We are nearing the end of our journey.

As we travel, I can't imagine the long trip across the country in a covered wagon.

We have had long days and sore bodies,

But at least we can see the end.

Tonight we are in Iowa.

Only 2 more smaller legs ...

One to IN for a family reunion after 3 years,

And then on to our new home.

The trip has gone well.

We have had strong winds through Wyoming and the plains, 

But no winter storms, or even spring storms.

We have seen accidents and broken down vehicles,

But have seen God's safety and only one "close call."

Gas prices have been stable and we have enjoyed lower prices since leaving the west.

Thanks for prayers on our behalf.

We have seen God's daily provision and care.

Let the New Adventure Begin

 We have set forth on our backward Oregon Trail.

The day started early and by 9 we were at the Penske dealer ....

But there was no truck.

It wouldn't arrive at 10!

But ... It finally arrived as a 22'.

And...the one hour delay saved us another $250 for our inconvenience.

I don't know about you, but that's a good hourly wage.

We began loading at about 11:30 and were wrapping up at 3:30.

A friend arrived just in time to help move the hide-a-bed (and be put to work cleaning my fridge and kitchen floor)..

We then jetted to town for a very late lunch,

Returned home to finish cleaning,

And hit the road at about 5:45.

We got a few miles down the road.

Tomorrow will be our longest day mileage-wise with a stop in Boise to see family for lunch.

Hubby said this is the first time in our marriage that he feels like we will be settled.

Our time in NY was dictated by the Navy.

WA was as well.

We expected to be only 4 years in NC for school.

And though we didn't know the length, we knew OR was a temporary mission.

Now ... It feels like we may be able to put down some roots ...

Of course, if it is in God's will...

The view for 4 full days and 2 half days

And Yet Another Blessing

 Why not another blessing?

Our short term apartment was a one bedroom apartment on the third floor.

We were pleased with the cost and the short lease, but not excited about move in day.

BUT

A first floor came open and they let us switch with no fees!

Praise the LORD!

Is Your Faith Strengthened Yet?

 It's not a sure thing, yet ...

But ...

I just got off the phone with Penske to confirm our truck.

They are 90% sure that they will have the 22' for us!

AND

I asked if they could stack discount codes for me ...

God said "YES!"

That will take another $500 off of our rental.

I think that may just compensate for the increase in gas prices the last month.

It is because God hears and answers prayers ...

YOUR prayers.

Don't forget that.