Unpacked and Settled!

Well, it's been over a week since our last post so we thought we should give you another update. We've spent our time here just getting unpacked and settled. And I'm happy to say, we are completely unpacked! I don't know when we've unpacked so quickly. That was our first job here.

We are adjusting to life here. It's been sooo cold. Not like California. We've been having snow for the last couple of days. Sheri and Ashley are not complaining. They actually prayed that they could experience at least a little snow living in Tennessee before spring comes. Well, we've got it. It's been fun.












This is the parking lot area of our apartments. The snow was coming down pretty good. Quite a sight for us Californians! I felt really awkward when I went outside to take pictures and a couple who was coming home were looking at me like I was a tourist! Oh, well! The price we pay for a good photo!















Max doesn't like to go out in the snow unless he absolutely has to! He's perfectly content inside the warm house on his bed!


Just a few sights of home! Somehow seeing these just makes me feel a little closer to all that is familiar! Starbucks are not nearly as plentiful as they were there, four within a one mile radius! They think they are close here by being 10 minutes apart! Oh my! Thankfully, there is one just within 5 minutes or so.


Well, on to our update! We are getting ready to start our meetings in the clubhouse. Rick had a meeting with the General Manager here at the complex and he was so excited about us having meetings with the marriage curriculum. He felt it would promote community involvement and was so supportive of it, he wants to let us use the clubhouse with no charge! That's favor!

Also, we've begun the process of incorporating the church through our attorneys. This process should only take about 30-45 days, then we can actually start operating under the church name. We want to share the name with you but we're going to wait just a bit to make sure it's the name we can actually use. So as soon as we get it confirmed, you'll be the first to know.

Michael, Angela and Alex are doing well. They are getting settled. Michael found a job within a week of being here in Nashville. God is good! Angela's creative juices are flowing like crazy as she's helping us plan and prepare for the church. We're glad to have them on board with us!

We are so missing our Celebration family! We think of you everyday. You have changed our lives and impacted us like you'll never know. We are so excited to have you all share in this process with us. Again, please keep us in your prayers and stay in touch! We love and miss you all.

P.S. If you see our family, give them a hug and kiss from us. We miss them so, especially those awesome kids! We love you Gumps!

We made it!

Well here we are! We've been in Nashville for one week now. Just getting settled and unpacked. Are we ever glad to have that huge move behind us! Thank you to all of you who helped us with this huge undertaking. From loading the truck to financial support to your continual prayers, we are so appreciative. Thank you for believing in us and the dream God has placed in our hearts.

The past few weeks have been quite the emotional roller coaster. Saying goodbye was not easy. In fact, probably the hardest thing we've had to do. Not to mention packing and just getting back here. Things could not have gone smoother though. God had his hand on us the entire trip!

Many of you have been asking for updates on what we're doing. So we thought rather than try to keep up with texts and emails individually, this would be a better way to communicate and keep in touch with everyone. Please feel free to post hello's. Your posts will not be made public until we have reviewed them so if you prefer, please let us know in your post that you want it kept private and we will not post it!

So far, we have spent the last week just getting unpacked and settled. That was our first step here in Nashville. We couldn't really do much if we couldn't find our clothes! Well, we're almost completely unpacked and set up. So now the real work begins!

Our first plan of action is to start marriage curriculum in the clubhouse of our apartment complex. This will allow us the opportunity to get to know people and start building relationships with people in the area. We'll keep you posted as things unfold. We are walking things out one day at a time as God directs.

On a more personal level, we are getting adjusted to life in Nashville. It's quite different from Fresno that's for sure! Just driving to shopping is like driving through Shaver even though it's only a mile or so. Hills and trees everywhere! It is very beautiful and everyone is so friendly. We experienced our first snowfall two days after we arrived! Of course, anyone around had to know we were from out of the area because we were so excited and acting like tourists.

As we leave you with our first update, here are a few pictures of our move! We love and miss you all. Please continue to pray for us!