Well, today is the day.
This journey began back in November 2014 when we first signed the contract what was possibly going to be our future homeland. Then, this peaceful acreage and home actually became ours on the last day of August 2015. Almost TWO YEARS later…today is moving day.
The other night, while we were solving the problems of the world under the stars in our quaint backyard, Tim and I calculated that the home we are leaving has been my husband’s home for forty years. When he wasn’t living here, his parents were. When our third child was born, the opportunity arose for my in-laws to purchase a phenomenal historic home (which Jany restored so magnificently), and we purchased the home that Tim grew up in to raise the next generation of Shuffs. That was nearly 15 years ago. Our children (except for Hunter) have very little memory of our first home, so THIS home has memories embedded in all our minds that we will treasure for a lifetime.
People often so sincerely asked, “How is Tim feeling about moving from his childhood home?” Or “Is this going to be difficult for y’all?” Or “How can y’all leave the beautiful home you’re in now?”
We often respond, “If we were having to move away, it might be a different set of emotions, but since we are moving to a place where we are desiring and have prayed about for years, we are excited about the next phase in our lives.”
There’s been a feeling of HOPE throughout this process. A HOPE of what is to come. A HOPE for healing. A HOPE for more memories to be made.
Just like we know that our earthly home and body is ONLY TEMPORARY, we have our HOPE on what is to come.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Hebrews 1:10-12
While I was just reading this out loud to Tim, I got choked up. (Whew, I wasn’t expecting that.) Tim said to me, “Houses don’t have memories, people do.” Precious. So true. And we have MANY wonderful memories that we are taking with us, and there are many more fabulous family memories to be made in our new home.
I pray that you will place your HOPE in the things to come…Heaven.
Have a beautiful day.
Thank you for Soaking Up The Son with me. -Stephanie
As most of you know, we moved from y almost ine yer ago. I had been in Plant City since I was two and my husband John was born there. His parents moved from Plant Cityh to West Palm Beach when. He was a liitlboy and stayed there for all of his school years.
While he was in the Air Force his parents moved back to Plant City to be near his grandmother, his mon’s mom.
When he was discharged from the Air Force he left Colorado Springs in 1969. We met on a blind date set up by his cousin and the rest is history.
We married in 1971, moved in out first house in July of that year and continued to live in the that house for 44yrs.
We had prayed for years about selling and moving to a larger home wit ha little smaller yard. As the Lord would have it we stayed put until both kids were married, one settled in MacDonnough, Ga and the other one is in Ketering, Ohio.
We have six grands and really thought we needed to get closer to these grands to watch them grow up and be a part of their lives, not just a near temporary vision for short periods of time.
Just as we always knew, God had the perfect plan for us. John retired and we did a little traveling and started diligently
Praying about a move. In July we came to the decision tht Tenn was a really great place to think about settling.
We had done some major work on the house,new kitchen and bath carpet and tile.
Had a great long time friend come and we listed the house on a Tues., it listing hit the Internet about 4:00pm and our realtor called said that she needed to show the house but it wouldn’t until 7:00pm or a little after. We left and had dinner
And while we were eating received a call that we had a buyer. Of course there was some back and forth but in the end ,
As we were getting on the interstate heade to Tenn(west) for a wedding, our realtor called.
She said that she had had several calls requesting to see the house, one want to buy without looking at it and would pay then listed price, but we still had the original buyer that hadn’t made the decision to meet our last price. The realtor told
Us she was going to call the buyer’s realtor and tell her we had a couple of offers besides her client and that her client needs too describe because she was going to show the house to some other people that afternoon. Well the rest is history. He made the decision to take it at our price…..two days after four listing… THIS WAS A GOD THING!
I had thought that I would have mixed emotions about leaving the home we raised our kids in but that did not happen.
We thought our kids might have a problem with it but they were so happy that we would be a shorter distance away from them and that we would be able to see them and the grands more by moving it was a great thing.
We always knew God had a plan for us ! We knew he was the one that says if you seek the desires of your heart and ask in faith believing that He woul provide. Provide he did!
Our house is big enough to house both of their families, both have 3 kids, and us for holidays and quick weekend trips and having the grands with us while our son and his wife take his student group to camps and or daughter’s family while their oldest plays soccer tournament in near by Gatlionburg!
Almost exactly half way between the two families.
God is faithful. God always has the perfect plan all we have to do is wait(sometimes verify hard to do) and he will grant the desires of your heart.
Memories have already been made in this new house, ones that we will cherish. From the grands sliding down the hill behind the house to Thanksgiving all together under one roof and a birthday party for one o them here. We are expecting many more memories to come!
The one thing that we worried about was finding a hurt that would fill the void we had leaving our home church.
But again, God had the perfect plan…we love our new church, loud pastor is a wonderful man of God and brings the word every Sunday that wil challenge you. Our SS class is a caring warm place that accepted us with open arms.
We still miss our dearest friends but we are thankful for social media and the cell phone to keep in touch. Our door is always open and porch light is always on…. Come on up !
God has blessed us more than we deserve for sure but we are so thankful and still amazedi at what he has given us .
A big thank you to you Stephnie for your daily posts..they always speak to my heart !
What a precious story. God is good! I know your kids are grateful that you two are closer to them. Keep making those memories. Blessings to y’all. Love you!