I tried to write something profound about how much my life has changed in the last three months, and how good it is, even though it’s been incredibly hard. I tried to write something beautiful about how much I miss some of my favorite people (holla at Kentucky and Rome, y’all), but how certain God’s faithfulness is. I tried to write something inspiring to get us through a hard time together, and keep us hopeful in the midst of change.

Instead, I pinned myself in a sharp trap of missing and longing, blinded to the beauty, goodness, and tender love and care that God has worked in even the smallest details these last few months.  I blinded myself to gratitude and only begged for MORE, forgetting to trust that the Lord has probably given me all that I can handle right now, and that he is generous even in his one-step-at-a-time model for life.

So yes, nearly everything about my life changed this summer. As with most new things, it is hard and exhausting and exciting and wonderful and good.  I didn’t expect to miss the people I love as much as I do, but I am surrounded by other loving, wonderful people both at home (I live with seven other women…talk about adventures) and at work.

If there’s anything I’ve learned through this process—mostly in the last week, because I am a slow learner—it is to 1) be grateful, 2) stop complaining, and 3) keep moving forward, even if all you can do is unpack one box at a time and it takes you a month to settle in.

Oh.  And let the people around you love you, even if they’re not the ones you miss, or ones you planned on having.  They will change your life if you let them.