hello colorado!

Once upon a time, there was a girl and a boy. They got married, got a dog, and moved to Colorado.

So here we are. Littleton, Colorado: arguably the greatest place on earth.

I apologize (to myself, really) for the lack of blogging since we've been here...my computer crashed twice, and I'm getting my mom's MacBook in a couple of weeks. (!!!!!!!!!) But alas, no excuse. I'm finally on Mark's computer now to update on our Colorado adventures. Let's keep this short. (ish)

Verses that have become more real to me since we've moved: "taste and see that the Lord is GOOD; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Psalm 34:8-9). These verses have always been a part of my life, but since coming to Colorado, I understand them more fully.

Three months ago (June 23): I had no idea what my life in Colorado would look like. Seriously, no inkling at all. The only certain things in my life were Jesus, Mark, Bandit, and an empty apartment.

Today (September 23): We live in an adorably furnished apartment, I have a job that I love with people whom I love, we've found an exciting, thriving church to attend, and I just went to a Bible study last night with girls I've only known for a couple of weeks. And it was fun.

Holy cow, God is SO GOOD! Do you realize this? I mean, really really realize it? He will never fail to provide for his servants seeking to glorify his name. I am living proof of this. Words cannot express how unbelievably content I am that we moved across the country. I have no doubt that this was his will for us!

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Some highlights to expand:
1) job- I am teaching preschool, and I am immensely enjoying it. I was worried to leave my job in Jackson, thinking I'd never find a job like that again. And while this new job hasn't replaced my old one (there's definitely still a hole in my heart for my kids in Jackson), I am learning a lot and loving a lot. I have 3-year-olds, which is a new age for me. It's interesting, because every age of preschool (birth-5 years) is drastically different. Children grow so much in such a short time! I'm really enjoying being able to teach my kids to write, read, and be independent. It's so fun to see them holding a pencil the right way, going to the bathroom by themselves, and finding their own social presence. Most people don't realize that all of this begins to happen at age 3, but it does!

2) church- We are attending The Rock of Southwest here in Littleton. It is awesome so far, and our Growth Group starts this coming Sunday. We have made friends with several of the couples in our group (including our leaders), and we can't wait to meet everyone else. God is doing great things for us! He has provided mightily, through absolutely no efforts apart from him.

3) Bible study- I joined a Bible study with some of the girls from my small group at church. We are all newly married, no children (except our dogs!), and in the same stage of life. We are studying Beth Moore's David: Seeking a Heart Like His. They were in the middle already, so I just joined in. I'm so grateful for these new sisters in Christ!

4) atmosphere- Life here in Colorado is crazy. Colorado is a place for dog-lovers, outdoors-obsessors, health-nuts - any extremist you can think of, really. And we love it. It's so us, and we are learning more about life here every day. As a true southern belle transplanted into the wild western Rocky Mountains, I'm sure I'll have many awesome stories over the next few years. I can't wait to see all that God is going to do and teach us! Isn't it amazing how many different cultures we have just here in the United States? What an awesome place to live!

5) writing- Being here has already inspired new ideas for my writing, and I'm excited to share some of them in coming blogs.

6) Mark- In short, Mark is love-love-loving his new job. He just started on September 1st, and all his work so far is just confirming that Financial Planning is one of the many things he was made to do. He still has to take the board exam for his CFP in November, so studying is still holding a strong presence in our household. Any prayers are greatly appreciated! He is working really hard, and I am so proud of him.

7) Bandit- If you follow me on twitter, you know that I am more in love with our furry little pumpkin than ever. He is my number one companion, and I just adore him! He has adjusted to living here even better than we have, with 4 times as much space as he had in Jackson, plus an awesome apartment complex to walk around multiple times a day. He enjoys meeting new dogs every day, because eeeeveryone has a dog here.

8) pictures- coming soon. (when I get my new computer!)

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So, there you have it.

Everything hasn't been a bed of roses, though. There are still emotional struggles, as there will always be! But God is resurrecting those things, and I am enjoying him working in the midst of pain.

"dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! this is what the sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life" (Ezekiel 37:4-5).

Praise him from whom all blessings flow, him who lavishes abundant life on us so willingly!