The Middle Lands

There's this really interesting thing that happens when you dedicate yourself to something that hasn't happened yet. Like a wedding (engagement) or a baby (adoption/pregnancy)... You're kind of in this ZONE where you don't quite fit in with life as you know it, and you don't quite fit in with the life as you will know it.

  You're neither here, nor there.

 The Middle Lands.

 That's a little how the FitzFam feels. 

 We are days away from our move to Idaho. But first, there is our house, here, to ready. Clearing out, cleaning up, packing this, donating that. We are still welcoming people in. "Pardon the mess," we say. "Excuse the boxes," we blush. We are obviously on the move, but we are still 100%  HERE.

 Then there's the house, there, to think about. Trips to be made, inspections to be had, papers to e-Sign. (Remember back in the day when it would take like, SIX HOURS to sign property papers?! Technology for the win!)

 And should we chat about goodbyes?






(Don't get me started on the family goodbyes.) 


 >pausing for tissue gathering<

 As previously stated, I've lived in CA my entire, beautiful, life. And while Mark and I have moved nine times in our fifteen years of marital bliss, we have never moved OUT of California. We've never moved out of Orange County, for that matter. This is new territory here, folks. Eye-witness news at its finest.

 I'm not sure if I'm doing it the right way... is there a right way to say goodbye??

When I look to God's word it's easy to find a lot of goodbyes, so I'm just gonna camp there for awhile. . .

What I gather, just looking at the New Testament alone, is that our founding fathers of faith said goodbyes with a lot of pressings of PEACE and givings of GRACE (and also a healthy amount of kissing, which I'm going to chalk up to the time and place when the Bible was written. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE, people!)

Paul, to the Corinthians, "... live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11)



to the Thessalonians, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thess 3:16)



to the Ephesians, "Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible." (Eph 6:23-24)

to Titus, "...Grace be with you all." (Titus 3:15)


(Note: Jesus didn't say goodbye. His was more of a "see ya later." One of the many things I love about Him.)

The sweet spot here is there is something really peaceful about this move. It could be Mark's perma-smile, but more than that, there is this solid understanding we are doing exactly what God wants us to be doing. And honestly, I don't always know for SURE I'm in God's will. There are times when decisions aren't as black and white, yes or no. There are times when there are good options and great options, and both could align us with God's plan.  But I will say, this move is one great example of a time when we committed to praying consistently and invited others to pray for us too. That was huge! It eliminated the guesswork. The power of people praying isn't just fun alliteration, pals, it is essential. 

The kindness of God is not lost on me here. I know this season will be one we stick a flag in (many flags, actually) and look back at and say, "Remember what God did there?" and we will remember God's grace, protection, provision, and his all-consuming kindness. 

 The middle lands are an interesting place, and we won't be here for too much longer. We are relishing our here and anticipating our there, and leaving with a press for peace and a giving of grace, and a sweet kiss to say, "see ya later." 











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