Hello friend,

I hope this finds you enjoying the dog days of summer.

My summer flew by because I’ve been through a whirlwind of change recently.

In the spring I prayed about whether to leave teaching after merely six years in the profession. I loved teaching, but I was losing that excitement I had when I first started. It was a very difficult decision to sit down with my principal and share that I wasn’t coming back for the 2023-24 year. I loved Middleton High School. The people, the parents, the students. But I didn’t love staying up every night until very late grading papers so I could give each student a comment or two. I didn’t like the constant fight when I asked students to get off social media and get to work on our lessons. That part was very hard.

I wasn’t ready to completely retire so I threw my resume back into the accounting field and I was hired by a wonderful CPA firm, Cooper Norman.  I’ve been on the job for two weeks. My brain is full as I learn processes and procedures, but I can tell I’m going to love it!

Whew! Not only did I change jobs, but WE MOVED!

We bought a home in a fifty-five-and-over community in Meridian where both Steve and I are close to work. The neighborhood is very quiet and the HOA does the yard and pool maintenance. You can’t beat that! The neighbors are awesome and the community is active. We live near a golf course so I’ve even taken up golf. (I’m terrible — as you can tell by the golf-ball-shaped bruise on Steve’s leg.

I had no idea how hard this move would be on my emotions. The timing was right as the school year ended. Our son Gabe and his family moved into our house and we moved out the following week. Although I’m delighted to know they get to enjoy the home that meant so much to me, I do miss some of the unique things about that house.

• No more She-Shed. (Although Ryanne gets to keep her crafts in there and Gabe has quiet to work.)
• No more fairy lights and all the things hanging from my trees and fence. (The new house does not have a fence.)
• No more cats – they are outdoor cats and our new neighborhood only allows for indoor cats. But the good news is I get to visit them whenever I want because they stayed at the old house.
• No more infrared sauna. (It won’t fit in our new house.)
• Oh yeah, and I’m selling my motor home too.

Change is hard. But, I realize it isn’t about things. It is about the blessings of having three of our six grandkids just minutes away. It is about the beautiful redemption story Steve and I are living out as we start over in a new community. It is about trusting God in all things — even when it is different and difficult. This reminds me of the verse — Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

That verse has been on repeat lately! He is trustworthy!

I hope this finds you well.

Gigi

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” – Thomas Jefferson.

It reminds me to hold on.
And I’m so glad I have friends to support me when I can’t hold on any longer.
One such friend sent me this link to a beautiful song by Shane and Shane titled “Though You Slay Me”

I hope you’ll listen to this YouTube rendition of the song. It spoke to my troubled heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUPz6_TciY
Smack dab in the middle of the song (At 3 minutes and 24 seconds) are the words I needed to hear spoken by John Piper
I heard clearly from the Lord today.
All that is going on in my life is not in vain.
My affliction is light in comparison to the Glory of God.
Every millisecond of my misery is producing a peculiar glory.
Do not lose heart, dear friend. There IS hope.
Get alone with God every morning until you preach the Word into your mind and soul.
And then you will sing with confidence as you trust Him to bring you HOPE.
He is with me….

Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

Oh how I needed this today.
Do you?
How can I pray for you?
Tell me your story and we will hold on together.
Gigi