We've Got News!

 

 We are so excited to share with everyone that after a lot of talking and a lot of praying, we're headed to Jacksonville, NC.  

 

Why Jacksonville?
We're teaming up with some awesome people to plant a church. Restore Church will open it's doors March 2017, and while that seems like a long time from now, our team has a lot to do. Jacksonville is about an hour and 30 minutes from where we currently live.

What is Restore Church?
Restore Church is a church plant that is currently being supported by the Eastern North Carolina Christian Men's Fellowship. When Tanner and I first heard about the need for a church in Jacksonville, we both agreed it was something we'd love to be apart of. Little did we know that about 2 months later we'd be officially joining the team. You can check out Restore's website or ENCCMF's website to learn more.

When Do You Leave?
Even though our first Sunday isn't until March of 2017, our plans are to move in the fall, most likely around mid-September. If anyone knows of any good neighborhoods with rental properties, feel free to get in touch with us.

Are You Crazy?
We just might be! We realize it seems like a crazy idea to some, but we're sure that this is where God is leading us. While it would be much easier to stay where we are and continue to have a "good life", we believe that God doesn't call us to just have a good life. He calls us to have great lives, which can mean to take risks, step outside of our comfort zones and do things we normally wouldn't do, all to tell others about Him. We may be crazy to go, but with how much grace and love God has given us and continues to give us, we would definitely be crazy not to. This world needs love more than ever and we want to spread it all over!

What Do You Need?
Lots of prayer and support! While we are so excited for this adventure, we'd (mostly me) be lying if we said we weren't a little nervous. Because we've had such great support from family and friends this far, we know you guys will stick with us no matter what.

 

 

Lastly, we just want to say thank you. To the people we've told so far, thank you for the support. Thank you for being optimistic, for being proud of us and for promising to be at Restore on our opening Sunday. To our parents, thank you for making us feel like we can do anything we set our minds to. To our Rosemary church family, thank you for summer camp, tough love, lifelong memories and a place to always call home.

Changes in September

Time is flying, y'all! I'm not sure I even remember July, or August, for that matter. I am really trying to "stop and smell the roses" but I am just too excited for the best season ever. When it comes to fall, I'm your typical girl. I'm ready for bonfires, crunchy leaves, salted caramel lattes, anything pumpkin flavored or themed, fall décor, Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens, football and Homecoming at church. Seriously, my favorite time of year.

With all that said, the leaves aren't the only thing changing 'round here. A few months ago I found out my company is moving our offices to Greenville, NC; a town about 20 miles west of Washington. Unfortunately for us, we moved in the opposite direction, about 10 miles east of Washington. So, starting in mid-October my commute will go from 15 to 45 minutes. There is a plus side, though. Greenville is where we do most of our shopping, so on my lunch break I'm hoping to make it TJ Maxx quite a bit. I'm excited but super nervous, as I'll be working with all new people. Scared!

Last Sunday our interim minister spent his last worship service with us. He and his wife have been such a blessing to our church as we continue the search for a new minister. It's been pretty challenging, but I really feel like we're growing spiritually, and Bob and Denise had a huge part in that. I can't say how awesome they were with their words of encouragement and steady perseverance. It was really hard to see them go, but we wish them well in the future and hope we can find a full time minister quickly.

Being that I'll have a longer commute, Tanner and I are in talks about our current vehicle situation. My car is...fine, I think I just might need something a little more dependable. It's definitely not a clunker, but it has definitely seen better days. And since we don't have kids yet I think it would be better to go ahead and bite the bullet so to speak so that hopefully, by the time we do have little ones, at least one of our vehicles will be paid off. That being said, I'm looking for a mid-size SUV. I was sold on something like a Chevrolet Equinox, but then realized they didn't have third row seating. So now I'm considering a Kia Sorento. Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm not exactly looking for something as big as a Tahoe, but something larger than a Ford Escape. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

What changes are going on your world? Do you have any goals or plans for the upcoming months?

We Moved!

Whoever decided to move the same week as Vacation Bible School has absolutely no sense at all......

Oh wait, that was me. And what a week it was!

Tanner and I were scheduled to move in Sunday, June 21st, but plans changed and we had to wait a day. I had to work Monday so my sweet husband took the day off, recruited some family and friends to help and by Monday evening almost all of our belongings were moved! Have I said how amazing he is lately? He is one hard working man.

Vacation Bible School started Sunday night so we spent every night that week at church until about 8:30pm. Although we were swamped when we got home, I managed to unpack a few boxes every night. My mom and stepdad were lifesavers Saturday, June 27th. Michael hung the new blinds at the old house, mom helped me clean up a little and then she helped me unpack at the new house. My family rocks!

As of right now (July 6), I have about 6 more boxes to unpack, but other than that we're settled. I've made a few trips to TJ Maxx and gotten a few little things but other than that I haven't gone décor crazy.

 

The couch came with the house and the pillows were pretty dated so I found these 3 at Wal-Mart. I'd like to get another blue one if I can find it. The throw I found this past week at TJ Maxx for $14.99! It was meant to be.

 

Here's a shot of our bedroom currently. The bed is pretty plain so I'm in the market for some silver-y pillows and maybe a throw similar to the wall color.

 

This is just a close up of what's on our dresser. I love candles!

 

 

This is just a shot of the house from the front before we moved in. Super cute, right?

We are beyond blessed to have found such a great space. Monday night we prayed over the house that we would make great memories and that it would be a place that harbored love. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this new Bright household!

 

Movin' On

It’s almost that time! We are so excited to be moving at the end of this week. The lease is signed and all of our belongings are in boxes, well almost.  I still have a lot left to pack. It’s amazing what you can accumulate in just 2 years of being in one place. Here’s a list of a few thoughts I’ve had while packing over the last 2 weeks:

 

How many golf tees does one person really need?

When did we get this cake pan?

What’s a radioactive food warmer?

We have 2 griddles? Why aren’t we having French toast more often?

I’m going to need more boxes.

Where are we going to put all of this stuff?

8 camouflage hunting coats?

We have a ridiculous amount of bowls.

How necessary is this pizza stone?

I’m going to need more boxes.

So many wreathes.

There is no easy way to store Christmas ornaments.

What if Jaz doesn’t like the new house?

Don’t forget to buy some Clorox spray.

When did we take this picture?

If I find one more golf ball….

MORE BOXES.

 

 And so many others. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little sad. I always loved coming down the dirt driveway and seeing the old, little yellow farmhouse with acres of beans, corn or wheat behind it. It became home us as soon as we moved in and we’ve made so many memories there. It’s where Tanner proposed, where we had our first garden, and where we had our first Christmas as a married couple. I’ll miss the low ceilings, that heat and cool so well. I’ll miss the gas heat that somehow seems warmer than electric heat. I’ll miss the way the rain sounded on the roof. I’ll miss the stuffy upstairs, with its original bead board walls and the sight of Jaz sitting in the second story window waiting for us to get home.

But I’m also extremely excited. Our new place is sure to be filled with lots of laughter, the letter B and, yes, more golf balls. I’m also looking forward to having two bathrooms! Though I love Tanner more than anything, private time is something I cherish. (TMI?) I’m also looking forward to having a real laundry room, woo hoo! Tanner is especially thrilled to have a dishwasher, since that’s his chore of choice.

 Either way, boy are we blessed! I forget sometimes what a loving and perfect God I serve, and that there’s no reason for me to worry when He’s in control.