Two Year Anniversary of our BIG move!

Today is the two year anniversary of our big move up north, that took us from city life to lake life, from hustle and bustle to a slower pace. Since then we have DIY renovated almost an entire house, gained a dog and lost a dog, and seen our kids grow and have done a lot of growing ourselves too. It’s always fun to look back and see how much has changed in such a short time, and reflect on the life we have here now. It’s also neat to see how every stage of life brings you to where you need to be, and that God has a plan that is so much better then our own.

When we first started thinking and praying about moving up here, there were so many factors that came into play, and one of the big ones that was so hard was having to leave our church family. We had served and worshiped at our church for nearly 8 years, and we almost couldn’t imagine being anywhere else after so long. To think of leaving all the people that we had grown to love so much was definitely sad, and hard to think about having to transition to a new church and make connections all over again. After much prayer we still knew that even though it would be hard, that this was a move that God wanted us to take, and one that He had planned specifically for our family. I think of the song ‘Beautiful Story’ by Mia Fields, if you’ve never heard it definitely go give it a listen. There is a line that says ‘All the while you keep saying, Trust that I am custom making, Everything for good’ I love how God ‘custom makes’ our lives, He loves his children so much and He knows what we need before we even do. Just like you can commission a carpenter to make a custom piece of furniture for your home, God custom makes our story for our good and for His glory that is just the right fit.

God opened all the doors for our move, and we saw Him work in amazing ways as we worked out all the details of a big relocation. He even provided a home for us that was one street over from my brother’s family, and even better it was on a beautiful spring fed lake. I am a nature lover through and through, and ever since I was a little girl growing up in the city, I dreamed that one day I would have a home in a rural nature setting. I figured that this would happen when I was much older, but it was always on my heart that my kids could grow up surrounded by nature. God heard my heart cries, and He provided in ways I never would have imagined.

We took a leap and did what we knew was best for our family at the time with God leading us, and even though it was hard that we had to leave our church and ministry behind that we had poured 8 years into, God has provided there too! When we came up to Parry Sound, we knew there was a church we wanted to try out (now called 'Harvest Church Parry Sound) it was a branch of Harvest Muskoka, and we had a few small connections there. From the first time we attended we felt at home, with many friendly faces, and kind people who made us feel welcome right from the start. We had no plans of this when we moved here, but about a year ago a big need for worship leading came up in the church, and when we were asked to consider filling that position, we knew that this too was part of God’s plan moving us up here. I was even able to start playing piano on the worship team again after 11 years, God knew my heart and provided a way for me to serve in the worship ministry with Chris again, and teach me so much through this.

The kids and I enjoy being out in nature every day, there is always somewhere to explore and beautiful nature to be seen. It never get’s old for me, it’s always a blessing to be immersed in nature and brings me so much joy, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I am not blessed by looking out my window and seeing the trees and the lake right there. We’ve made so many fun lake side memories here, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, campfires and s’mores, jumping off the dock, swimming all day long all summer long, and skating and skiing all winter long. We’ve had a lot of time together as a family, and Chris and I have been able to work on our wedding photography/video business as well. Chris has been able to be a part of the volunteer fire department which he loves, and also work more on his carpentry and wood working. God also provided a sweet homeschool group for us to be a part of and the kids have loved living near their cousins and seeing them frequently.

I am so thankful for the two years we have had here, but that doesn’t mean I am not thankful for all the years that led us here also. Everything that God has brought us through on our journey thus far has been teaching us and growing us, every single stage we go through is so important and part of our story. I love all the stages we have been through, and all they have taught us. I am a firm believer that one should always be growing and learning, and I know that wherever life or jobs may bring us in the future that God will be leading us and teaching us along the way, and for that I am truly grateful!

Until then we will be here at the lake house, taking it in and making memories that I know will last forever.

stay cozy,

Shelley