It's been a busy, but beautiful last four months for the Ingram Gang. In July, we began saying our goodbyes to friends and family, had many "lasts" in Amarillo, and geared up for our move to Lubbock. Pictures came off the walls, beds were taken apart, and closets transitioned to boxes in the process. Best of all, we had movers to do the majority of the work. And as a pregnant momma of three who was more concerned about going to the pool and having dinners with friends, I was more thankful than you know to have someone do that leg of the work. On August 3rd, we closed on both houses and I made the drive (solo, I might add) to Lubbock {while Brad and the kids stayed behind for a few days} to begin turning our new house into our home. Nineteen gallons of paint later and we were watching our belongings be unloaded off of the moving truck into a big, heaping mess. Moving is fun and invigorating, but it's tough stuff. And my type A inner girl gets a little gussied up when I have to go into overdrive. Since mid-August, we've hit the ground running in our new city. Honestly, I naively expected a slower pace and a quieter life here, at least for a few months, but that hasn't been the case. Our kids quickly met all of the neighborhood kiddos and they have loved the numerous hours they've logged playing with their new friends. We have had busy days filled with busy evenings and lots of late night talks with new friends. Things with the church are moving along beautifully. We held Vision Nights, gatherings, dinners and home groups that have made me so excited for all that's to come. The Lord is moving in a powerful way among people in Lubbock and it's a fun adventure to be in the middle of. So many hearts are being drawn to Hillside and it's an act that only could be done by the hand of God, no man could make the things we've seen happen. We have new schools and teachers and doctors and grocery stores and coffee shops and everything new that comes along with a move. But we have loved every "new" we have encountered. We live within a mile of a Taco Villa, Chic-fil-a, United, Baskin Robbins, and Walmart with Target almost as close... what more could a pregnant girl need? I get some odd thrill from turning an empty house into a functioning home for my family, so I've loved that part of the process. I think back over the past few months and though short, they are some of my most favorite life moments. We have had the blessing of pulling away from all that's familiar and have been placed in the middle of many unfamiliar things. Those moments make you enjoy the people you are journeying with even more. Brad has been the most amazing leader for us during this time. He has cheered me on in my venture for new relationships and all of my other "life happenings" and he has been a constant for our children. We've been intentional in including them in so many of the talks we've had about the Lord's call for our family to come here and they have been such amazing little leaders for us and one another. The Lord has been so, so gracious to us in this. We will never forget the ease and joy that he has let accompany this journey. As we look to coming months and all they hold: a new baby, holidays, moving into our new church building and the official launch of Hillside Christian Church Lubbock, I find myself caught in a raging storm of awe and gratitude. It hasn't been flawless and it hasn't been perfect, but it's from the Lord and; therefore, it. is. good. "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!"
