Saturday, August 25, 2007

Remembering...

On this day, exactly one year ago, something big happened in my family. We packed up our big moving truck and left our beloved Lone Star State behind to follow God's call up north.

We moved to the lovely corn and soy-filled, state of Illinois to a small church where my Dad was led to Pastor.

I remember the day so clearly, running my hand along the bare walls of our home, tears running down my cheeks as the realization hit me. I'd lived in this special place for nearly eight years. How hard it was to leave! Knowing that never again would I run up those stairs (yes, I said 'run'. *smile*), never play capture the flag on the greenbelt, never dance or Rollerblade on that dear old parking lot beside our house, never have long chats with my wonderful family in the living room. And never again would I welcome guests into that foyer. Never again.

But there's something amazing about the fact that when God calls you to do something, He never leaves you on your own. He gives you the strength to plod through this new area of life and then makes you love it. And that, to me, was so precious. Knowing that God had everything perfectly planned and nothing was out of His control.
He was leading, and we, were following.

We are loving life in Illinois (even though it happens to be called...ahem...the land of Lincoln *grin*) and for me, it has it's good points (less bugs, less heat, for example *grin*). And we love our dear church family up here. Though we dreadfully miss our 'Southern' friends, we are learning to call Illinois home. And life is beautiful.

jessica

_____________

Here's a video that I put together last year, right after we moved:

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, a year goes by quick.....

Isn't that pic from LotR?

Emil Bandy

Seth Ben-Ezra said...

I remember leaving Erie and feeling the same way. I wrote about all that here. In particular, here's my reflection on the one-year anniversary of my move to Illinois.

For what it's worth, we're glad that you and your family are here.

Jessica McDonald said...

Emil, it sure does! And yes, that's from LOTR. :D

Mr. Ben-Ezra, Wow. I just read your post and I felt like crying. You worded it perfectly! The joy and the pain of parting...
And thank you, believe me, we're glad we're here too!!

jessica

Anonymous said...

Wow, I had no idea that you are a poet Jessica. That was a very nice post :)
-Goose-

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding? The fact that it's the Land of Lincoln is what's so great about it Illinios. Now the down side is the Chicago is a part of it.

Anonymous said...

You are riding in an air-plane when you happen to look out your window and see a dragon flying alongside the plane. You... Totally C. 
A: Scream.

B: remain perfectly still, too scared to make any noise or even move.

C: jam your fist through the window and leap on the dragon's back.

D: Faint.

E. Say, "Hey it's a dragon!

You are sleeping over your friend's house, it's late at night, but you can't fall asleep. Lying in bed, you hear their front door creep open, and the sound of someone coming in and sneaking around the house. You... A. Well not a bat. I would most likely grab my sword.

A: grab a baseball bat, or anything on hand that looks in any way like a weapon, and peek past the door to see what’s going on.

B: Hide under your covers and remain very still, hoping the burglar or whoever it is would just go away and leave poor you alone.

C: Wake up your friend or whoever is closest at hand to tell them what you hear.

D: Make scary ghost-like noises, knowing that trying to scare the burglar out of the house is the best option.
E. Awake the parents and hide in the closet, hoping he doesn't look in there.


One of your friends challenges you to do the chicken dance in the middle of Wall-Mart. You.... A. all the way.

A: Do it! Who cares what people think!
B:Gasp! Who would do such a thing?

C: only if he/she does it first!

D:Try on some sunglasses and pretend you don't know this person.

E. make them pay you first


You find a million dollars on the floor. You...

A. is the one I know I’d have to do BUT! If I had my way I would most likely do B.


.A: Try to find its owner (if not keep it)

B: Start dancing and shouting "I got a million dollars!"

C: Leave it alone...let someone else get it.

D: Go shopping


Some stranger walks up to you and says "want to go for a ride"? You...
A. and D. umm o-yeah and E. as well.

A. stare at em' and say "are you kidding me?!"

B. say " yeah sure!"

C. step on their toe and run away

D.Say "FREAK" and run away.

E. say "No"


Your best friend since kindergarten is acting weird. You...

B. Well, I think I would be that best friend that would be acting weird 

A. Ask her/him what's bothering them.
B. Start acting weird, too.

C. Become increasingly depressed.

D. Say 'You're not my friend anymore, you never want to hang out.'

E.Say "what's YOUR problem?"


You’re stranded on a deserted island. You…

First B. then C. to get my bearings and then A. lol.


A. Run around screaming for help

B. Start gathering fire wood and figuring out some sort of shelter.

C. Begin to explore, you might as well know your surroundings.

D. You build a huge fire in hopes that someone will see it and rescue you.

E.Sit on a rock and write your dying wish


The neighborhood bully walks up behind you and pushes you over on your way home from your walk. You...

Um A.

A. Get up and keep walking, ignoring the bully.

B. You get up and yell in his/her face.

C. You get up and scarcasticly say that you love him/her and walk away.

D.You run and get your mom.

E. cry and run away

F. get into a fist fight

You go out to get the mail and your neighbors 500 pound rottweiler comes streaking straight at you and and barks up a storm, frothing at the mouth and growling. You....
First I always take my sword with me and I would challenge the dog to the Pain lol. Ok if I didn’t have my sword I would probably do E.

A: Start throwing anything handy at him.
B. Run away screaming

C: Yell that your dad's a lawyer, (even if he isn't one) and that you're going to sue

D: Cry like a little girl and cover head with your arms

E: Say "Niiice doggie" and attempt to pet him.

F: Climb a tree.

Well, that’s all I have to say. Sorry it took so long to get it back to you. Write to you soon -Goose-

Anonymous said...

It seems like you only left a couple months ago. I should have commented sooner:I do apoligize.

Jessica McDonald said...

Nathan, Thank you. :)

Anony, Sorry, I'm 100% Southerner/Confederate, and I just can't agree. :)

Talya, I know!! :( I couldn't quite believe it myself...)btw, you're in one of the pictures in the movie I posted...:D

jessica