Let's rewind a few days....The Tuesday we came back from VB and the day we turned in our less-than-two weeks notice, we went help a family move. We were part of a great small group in Gainesville, and one of the families had to be packed up that night to move back to Indiana. So we used that time to tell everyone that we found out that we were moving, also! There was a newer couple there- Cheryl and Jeremy- they had moved to Gainesville with their two kids probably six months after us, and had been in our small group. They immediately stopped us- his sister lives in VB! She and her husband are part of a great Bible study and are strong Christians, and Cheryl knew we'd get along. It's always great to already have Christian contacts in a new city!
Back to the final week in Gainesville... I was messaging Jeremy's sister, Rachel, on Facebook and learning about Vero, we were eating off paper plates, had a moving truck reserved, and packed up all non-essentials.
We sent out the word- Friday night we would pack up, Saturday was clean-up day and rest momentarily, and Sunday morning we would leave in time to be in VB by 9:00 am.
How we were AGAIN reminded in those last days what a kindness the Lord showed us in Gainesville- to have immediately given us Godly friends in Jon and Kim, and then to have allowed us to cannonball into a solid group- a small part of the Church. We were welcomed and loved on and encouraged- they were the reason leaving Gainesville would be hard.
But they sure tried to make it easy! Ten people showed up Friday afternoon to pack up- to sweat and laugh and hug on us. My mom came from Arkansas and got to meet all the crazy people I had told her about. The men did the heavy lifting and we girls did some decent lifting, too! People gradually had to leave, and that made it easier- rather than hugging everyone at once, we got to really hug people one on one. The last two families left, the Mollers and the Bedenbaughs, and my mother, were treated by us to a fancy dinner at Firehouse Subs (YUM) because we couldn't think of another way to thank them!
Saturday was one of those surreal days. We took mom to Satchel's - since we had just found a truly Gainesville-ian landmark place, we didn't mind going twice in one week! Somehow the day went by really quickly, and ended with two dear friends coming by one more time to give us a hug goodbye. It's a sad thing that we were so sweaty and gross in our goodbyes....
Sunday morning- the Day of Rest- Tommy and one servant of a friend Jay met before 5 am to drive the big moving truck down to Vero Beach. Those big trucks can only be driven right on the speed limit to be safe, and so they needed to leave before we did. An hour later, The Mollers, mom, and I had all packed up the rest of our odds and ends and had thrown out a little trash, and were on the road, too.
It was nice to see the sunrise. If I was a song writer, I'd write about how we got to see the start of a new day while starting a new adventure...
Our poor friends. They had to get up so early on a weekend and then drive three and a half hours. And then completely unpack a huge moving truck of furniture and boxes.... It actually didn't take that long!
We decided that since we had all worked really really hard, we deserved to see the beach for a little bit. We drove out to a nearby beach, and enjoyed just relaxing for awhile. But it was short lived- they had another 3.5 hour drive back to Gainesville.
Another surreal moment of life- being in a new place and seeing your friends drive away. They went above and beyond what we expected from friends- especially those we had known for less than a year. I honestly think that's what the Holy Spirit does for us- we're already specially linked to those who know Christ- they're already our brothers and sisters.
Mom stayed almost a week longer. She helped me unpack boxes and decorate- we were in a yellow and green house! So it was a little more difficult to put colors together that actually looked decent. She even pitched in and helped purchase some different lamps and pillows so our room would look better and more "put together". She also took us out to eat so we were able to explore the local places a little. We found one place for breakfast- Mulligans. We got to sit on a little alcove, facing the ocean, being cooled by the sea wind and eating the most amazing breakfast. I don't really like breakfast food, but I ate so much of a HUGE and GORGEOUS french toast. We also found a Mr. Manatees (yes, creative?) where I FINALLY got to eat some popcorn shrimp.
And then mom left. We were alone again, in a brand new city and place.... but not a new state!
A week after mom left, I get a message from Cheryl Turner- who was mentioned at the beginning of this post. Jeremy got a job in Vero Beach and they would be moving down in less than 10 days! What is with this place and quick moves? So that meant, not only did we have a connection with Jeremy's sister and her family, but also were getting two more friends.
AND they were even more of those "brothers and sisters" we like and need.
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