The move

It's been a while since I've written a post.  I've had a lot on my mind, but I just haven't had the ability to put it down on paper.

We are moving.  There, I said it.  Whew...I feel better.  

Fred and I have known about this for some time now, but October 26th Ellendale Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tennessee officially voted for us to be their new pastor.  Then, on November 3rd Fred read his letter of resignation from the only church family my boys have ever really known.  It was tough. There were a lot of tears (and there are still tears yet to cry, although I feel like I've really reached my limit). The week between the 26th and the 3rd was one of the hardest weeks of my life.  
It's been difficult to write all this down.  On one hand I have people that are over the moon excited about getting to know us and starting a new chapter together.  And then on the other hand I have people that are broken over a chapter coming to a close.  It's just tough.  In true fashion to me I decided to do the only thing that I know to do.  Make a list.  It really is the only way I know how to organize my thoughts.  This is by no means an exhaustive list...

Things we will miss about Paris:
-Having friends that are more like family.  They love my kids like their own.  It just doesn't get much better than someone loving my kids.  
-The Fish Fry Parade.  Best Ever!!
-Our workout partners.  I can't speak for Fred, but mine is my friend, confidant, and sometimes therapist.  Lots of problems have been solved as our feet have rhythmically hit lots of Paris pavement. (Speaking of the one above...we always ran the parade route before it began.  Good times.)  Fred also likes all the open highways for bike rides.
-Wednesday lunches at Dairy Delight with Jerry and Patsy.
-Getting directions that begin with..."Go to the big fish and turn---".
-Running all my errands (grocery store, bank, recycle center, dry cleaners, library) and being home in an hour.  As a matter of fact there is no where that I go that takes over 15 minutes...without traffic.  There is never traffic.
-Football games where half the town is in attendance, wearing red and cheering loudly!
-Jasmine and Culver's.  Okay, they are in Murray, but they are super good.
-Summer time and boats.  I love going to Walmart and seeing people in "beach" attire.  It makes my feel like I'm on vacation.

Things we are looking forward to in Bartlett:
-Making new memories, forming new relationships and beginning a new ministry
-Having family close by.  Fred's dad and sister actually have offices in Bartlett.  Fred will be able to meet his dad for lunch. Fred's sisters will be able to just "stop in".  Won't that be a treat?!?
-Sports leagues for the boys.
-Being able to attend Memphis basketball and football games.
-The Grizzlies
-The Children's Museum, The Zoo and The Botanical Gardens
-The Mexican Ice Cream place on Summar Avenue and many other restaurants.


Our last Sunday at Springhill will be December 1st.  Our first Sunday at Ellendale will be December 8th.   We are sad with what we are leaving.  Our babies turned in to boys here.  We grew as a family and had to depend on each other.  We are excited about the future though.  God is taking care of us every time we turn around and we are forever grateful for all He's done.
I think Clayton summed up everything we are all feeling.  He said, "I have tears in my throat and a smile on my face."  I couldn't have said it better.
 
Andrew is super excited about moving to Memphis.  I don't want to forget how he says Memphis. Forgive me for ending a sentence in a preposition.  Also, forgive me that Andrew does not have on a shirt.  That's just how we roll.