Saturday, February 28, 2009

Our Next Adventure.....

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

At the end of February, Josh informed PCI in Reinbeck that he will soon be done working for the company. We are currently readying our house for the house market, and at the end of March we will be off for the next chapter of our life. About two years ago, Josh felt a leading from the Lord to prepare our family for a change. Until recently, we spent a lot of time mulling over what in the world could that change be!!?? Our answer came one morning in February when we got a phone call at 7:15 asking us, "Are you interested? You have until noon to decide!".

You may be wondering DECIDE WHAT! Well, last Fall we had looked into buying a lumberyard in Davis County (where Josh grew up). We penciled out numbers at the time, and though the business looked good it just didn't seem like the right time for us to make a move. So, we went on with life and have tryed to keep our focus on being content with what we have and strengthening our spiritual life in the community we are in.

Josh spent that morning at work while I was at home with the kids...we were both in prayer...both having complete peace that it would be a good move for our family. We talked at 10 minutes till noon and agreed that we should go for it, so by noon on Thursday, February 5th we were committed to buying a lumberyard in rural Davis County. Pulaski Lumber is a well established business. The current owners have run the business for the past 30 years and are wanting to hand it off to good hands so that they can retire. Pulaski is a small town 9 miles east of Bloomfield, IA.

We recently finalized our new housing plan. Josh's Great Grandma moved to a duplex in town last Fall, so her house has been sitting empty and for rent during the Winter months. She lived in the house for 70 years...her husband, Josh's Great Grandpa, built the house and barns on the farm with lumber purchased from Pulaski Lumber in the 1940's. The Lord's timing is perfect, as the house is still sitting empty and will be perfect for us to move our family into and make our home. It is located 10 miles from the lumberyard...7 miles from Josh's parents...15 miles from Bloomfield, where the kids will be in school. The house will be smaller than what we are used to, but it will probably be temporary for us while we get our feet on the ground with the business. There will be plenty of room outside for a nice garden, yard for the kids to run, and beautiful scenery of rolling pasture and trees for when we want to put our feet up and relax :)

We are excited!!!! We are confident that this will be a good life for us. The kids can help Josh load lumber. Caden is super excited about the fork lifts and has already designated a pair of his jeans as "lumberyard jeans". We think Macy will have a future of designing and choosing color schemes for people with her God given art talent. Grandparents will be able to be more involved in our life and of course, will be our BEST babysitters and FREE!!!! We will also be closer in distance to my family. Keota will be just over an hour away and my sister is in Fairfield- a 45 minute drive.

It has been Josh's desire to run a business for awhile, and we have no doubt that his experiences thus far in life have prepared him for this step. We are sad to leave our church and community, and are very grateful for the past 5 years with PCI. We know that the Lord will use us for His purpose wherever we go and that this move is His plan for our family.

7 comments:

Brian & Erin Uglum said...

Oh my goodness, Emily and Josh...What an exciting event happening in your lives. I remember when we made our move and the excitement of owning our own business. It's so much fun to live life the way God plans! I am so happy for you guys! I immediately got on mapquest to see if you were coming any closer to us (I didn't know where Bloomfield was)but to my dismay you are moving quite a bit further away...I guess we will just have to plan some visits! And you definitely can't beat being closer to family! God bless you guys, you are in my prayers!!

Kimber Van Essen said...

WOW! I was just blog surfing and thought - maybe just maybe you were back online again - and to my surprise - YOU WERE! And more to my surprise - was your NEW ADVENTURE!!!! We are very excited for you guys. We know you've been wanting to move closer to family - and what a great opportunity for you to do so. We know God will bless you and your family. I'd say "we will miss you" but we already do (since we live so far away) so I guess we will just have to promise to keep connected via email and blogs and someday come visit! God's richest Blessing on your new adventure! Jeremy, Kimber and the kids! PS - do you have a new email address???

Heather said...

I'm so excited for your family, Emily! Thanks so much for sharing. Praying for you and Josh and your kiddos!

Carrie said...

I just checked out your blog after seeing your status on facebook :)
What an exciting journey! Stephen and I just recently moved to Manchester in similar circumstances of being lead there by the Lord! (Except not the whole buying a lumber yard part!) It's great to be closer to family. I'm with you on the 'yay for free babysitting' :)
God Bless you guys! Your family is adorable!

J-D-K-G said...

Hill family! That sounds amazing! I wish you well in your move and with the new business. May God bless you richly.

Laura Hoy said...

Emily and Josh,
I just happened upon your blog this morning and received the news of your move. Exciting times! It's great that you have clarity from the Lord, it's great that you'll be near family, and it's great that the lumberyard and community are getting you guys! I'm grateful for the way God has worked in and through your lives in the Orchard Hill community during your time there.
Peace,
Laura Hoy

Laura Hoy said...

Emily and Josh,
I just happened upon your blog this morning and received the news of your move. Exciting times! It's great that you have clarity from the Lord, it's great that you'll be near family, and it's great that the lumberyard and community are getting you guys! I'm grateful for the way God has worked in and through your lives in the Orchard Hill community during your time there.
Peace,
Laura Hoy