The past week has been a whirlwind of activity. If you’re new to the blog, we moved from Dallas, Texas to Louisville, Colorado (just outside of Boulder) over the weekend. Traditionally, Mondays at LiveSimplyLove are dedicated to reader-submitted stories about a conflict or issue in their marriage and how they dealt with it. We call it Make-Up-Monday.
Recently, Lauren & Brian shared their struggle to communicate about finances, Aaron & Lee about syncing their bedtime and wake-up schedules, Amy & Matthew about communicating when they were apart for days at a time because of work travel. I’m grateful for their vulnerable and honest sharing of what it takes to get through conflict together, striving to make their marriages a source of safety, love and interdependence instead of anger, selfishness or independence. Be sure to check out their stories. And submit yours to: merritt{at}livesimplylove{dot}com.
The focus of today’s post is a departure from the norm. I’ll call it “Move-in Monday” since that’s the overarching theme in my world right now.
We arrived in Louisville late Friday night, about three hours later than we’d hoped. 
It was close to 900 miles in one day across four states in the scorching heat. We stopped at one point to refuel at a teeny-tiny town in the middle of Kansas. It felt like we were in a hair dryer. The locals told us it was 107 degrees and showed us their weather radar where they watch the storms roll in across the plains. That, and the daily grain prices in the window, told us we weren’t in Texas any more.
The most unexpected part of our move was prior to ever leaving the house. We’d reserved a 26-foot truck. Turns out we needed a 43-foot truck. But U-Haul doesn’t make those. So at 1:30pm on packing day we picked up a second truck and car trailer, doubling the cost of our move. Ouch! Thankfully, we’d already planned on bringing along a third driver to help me get through the anticipated 15 hour drive. (Aaron, you are a lifesaver! I couldn’t have made it without you.) In fact, the drive ended up taking more than 18 hours. And by hour 16 I could hardly keep my eyes open. Thankfully, she was driving and she was a much more confident truck-and-trailer driver than I was!
The next morning we showed up at our new home, greeted by 8 smiling faces—new friends the Husband recruited to help unload all our worldly possessions. I’d slept about 11 hours the previous two nights combined. I was entirely overwhelmed. But they took over. The guys unloaded our overabundance of stuff in a fraction of the time it took to get it IN the truck. The girls started setting up the kitchen.
I was dazed by the plethora of stuff, the limited space we had to put it in, and the generosity of the people who carried it all, opened boxes, organized our kitchen and brought meals. It’s hard to let myself need others, but I had great need. We could not have done this on our own and surely not in the time they were able to get it all done.
At the end of the day—when the trucks were turned in, the boxes unloaded, the kitchen strewn with glasses and misfit items that didn’t yet have a place—my emotions were spent. I was too exhausted to do one more moving-related thing, so I just collapsed.
As I planned our next garage sale in my head, I struggled with a very vulnerable feeling, on the verge of fear, about what they all might think of me. But I realized God was using this move to refine me and teach me AGAIN about what’s important. Not all my stuff. Not having a place for it all. Not being perfect or flawless. And not even being able to keep up the appearance. He was teaching me to hold these things with an open hand. To be grateful for what He’s given me. To let go of the non-necessities. And to value above it all the relationships in this life through which I am able to learn about Him, about service, about love. Thank you to our new friends who showed me God’s love that day.
The tears have come several times since we arrived. I know a lot of it is about the stress of moving to a new home, leaving the old one behind, and feeling the distance between me and the close friends I love. If it weren’t for the boxes everywhere, being here would feel like a vacation. But it’s not. We’re here. This is home. Or at least it will be. It continues to be bittersweet. I adore the people we’ve met. The environment here is more my style—laid-back, doesn’t matter what you wear, how you look, or if you wear make-up. Plus the people are super friendly and loving their lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
But I think the most redeeming part about being here is seeing the Husband’s ever-present grin. He’s loving this like we both knew he would. It’s the realization of a 7-year dream, and it’s a precious gift to see him come alive in this place.
Stay tuned! Tomorrow I’ll announce the finalists for the LSLMovingStinks Story Contest. Your comments are required to determine the winner, so get your fingers ready! And tell all your friends!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Tears in my eyes reading about the lovely and kind friends God has placed in your life. Thankful they are taking care of your earthly needs in such a sweet way. Take heart, your compost is being cared for here in scorching D!! Love you, MO & TO. Yay God for the GREAT things He has done preparing you and your new home!!
Thanks Sweet Lauren. So good to hear your voice this morning and to read your comment. God has been so good to us and provided abundantly in this new place. It’s certainly not the same as it was, but I have to keep reminding myself that that’s kind of the point in us moving. Oh that I should be so surprised to feel a little out of sorts in a new place.
Love you dear friend – thanks for taking care of my compost! I can’t say the worms fared so well in our travels. 
Love you!!
Thanks for the shout-out, friend. Miss you already, and your coffee was awesome!! I didn’t even sleep on the plane, if you can believe that.
Thank YOU for being such a help and support along the way. Glad you loved the coffee. I went home and CRASHED! And felt the toll of an early morning most of the rest of the day. Though I’m sure that had NOTHING at all to do with the previous few days we’d just endured. Glad you’re home safely. Looking forward to your next visit!
Merritt, great to connect with you again! Been a long time. Exciting that you just moved to the Boulder area – I have a huge desire to live in Colorado one of these days!! We’ve talked about Ft Collins. Anyway, I know it’s not easy moving but it sounds like you have much peace about the decision. I’ve subscribed to your site and will be following you!
Christine – so good to hear from you! And please let us know if you every decide to move. We’d love to welcome you to this beautiful state. Hope you are well!