The Rest of Fall

So, just to clarify, I don't mean rest as in 'restfulness', but as in 'completion'.

Restfulness...well, let's just say that is not the word I would use to describe these past few months.  Why, you ask?  Because at the end of October, right before Halloween, the Chadwick family of five moved in!

First, they had to get rid of all their "extra" stuff through a yard sale and Craig's List.  Then, they stored some things with a friend.  The rest came to our "terrace level apartment" as my mom lovingly called when she was here :)

 There's Jude and Ellison, heading down the steps to the their new place.

 Meiley and Bray were here to help unload.

 There's Beth and Asher, working hard!

 Pop Pop and Gigi McEntee even joined in the unloading.  (And of course Pop Pop stopped right in the middle of everything and HAD to vaccuum Beth's car.  I'm really glad he didn't see mine!)

 Almost done!

 Oh my, Asher.  You are SO CUTE.

 Meiley, Ellie and Jude posing!  Are they photogenic or what??

 Snowy came with Pop and Gigi that day.

  The Chadwicks are preparing to move to Austria to plant a church that is inviting like our church- a place where people actually want to come.  A place where they feel welcome, feel the freedom to ask questions, and hear the truth of God's love and redemption in Jesus.  They want to create that kind of environment for people, but do it in a way that will be for Austrians.  Obviously this will look different than our church in the States.  

You read more about the Chadwicks and what God is sending them to do here:  www.chadwicksinaustria.org.  I encourage you to check our their amazing story- it's awesome stuff!  

It's been a huge blessing having their family here.  I still remember sitting across from Beth at Chick-fil-a asking about where they were in the process, and where would they stay, and then asking her if maybe they would consider staying with us.  We had no idea of what was ahead!  

Wow, it's been a wild ride!  Even wilder for them than it has been for us.  After their first week here, they went for a week in Chicago for training, then left for DC to finalize their visas so they could send them...and don't forget about the day trip to South Carolina for some paperwork.  Not to mention adjusting to both parents being at home, trying to figure out how to have the best working relationship, and homeschooling Ellison and Jude.  I have seen firsthand that this kind of ministry is no small task!  To say they have a lot of balls in the air in an understatement.  And its not because of poor planning.  It's just reality of the season they are in as they prepare to leave.  They have handled it all with incredible poise and lots of prayer.  

We have loved every minute of their time here.  We know we will be really happy when they get their residence visas, because it will mean they are ready to actually leave...but we sure will miss them!  So in the meantime, we're just trying to enjoy it as much as we can.

People think we're a little crazy.  "They are still there?"  they say, with surprise in their voice.  They don't what they are missing, and the amazing things God is doing in our hearts and the hearts of our kids from all of us having to live in relatively close quarters for a long period.  God created us to live in community- it's one of the main ways He grows us to be more like Him.  He shines His light on places where we would rather not look.  He makes us rub up against each other, forcing us to reach for His grace. And then, He pours it out.  And does more than we could ask, think, or imagine.

Of course it doesn't hurt that the Chadwicks are very considerate, helpful around the house, and parent their kids with the same heart we do.  It doesn't hurt that we just plain like them and laugh a lot!

And yes, there are endless dishes and toys and making meals and cleaning up after meals and little arguments between strong personalities.  

And yes, there is a whole lot more....well....noise.  

Some days we are tired and cranky and easily irritated.

But....grace.

That is all I can say.  God's grace! It covers.  It really does.  I'm so thankful that He has given me this opportunity to really ask for it...and watch Him give it- over and over and over.