Happy Anniversary Ellensburg

12 months have come and gone.  What a year this has been.

We have had some amazing experiences that have brought about incredible growth and change.  And, we have also felt extreme heartache and sadness.

This year has been uniquely wonderful and crazy all at the same time and this 12 month mark comes at a pinnacle time in our lives.  God is stirring up some good stuff, allowing us to experience some hard times along side the glorious times so we can be refined.  We are remaining faithful (and vague, sorry).


For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalm 66:10

Some memorable moments from Aug. 29th 2010-Aug. 29 2011:
In no particular order

-Loren became a 1st Time Manager at a Starbucks and was able to move back to a town he had always felt lead to come back to.

-I taught Dance for the first time to 3&4 year olds (Get Your Sillies Out).

-We spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter with the wonderful Sallee and Stahly family.

-I joined a Women's Bible Study for the first time.  

-I turned 30 and had the best birthday celebration week of my life.

-We got to experience Leavenworth during Christmas time. So magical! 

-Loren and I celebrated 8 years of wedded bliss.

-Grace watched fire works for the first time and loved them.

-We went sledding on Christmas Day; just the three of us.

-Grace turned 5 and we had a wildly fun birthday party at Jazzercise.

-Grace went to her first summer camp: Jazzycamp. 

-We said goodbye to our kitty, Squeakers.  

-Grace and I traveled alone for the first time. We went to TN to visit my mom.

-I fell in love with photography-like really fell in love with it.

-I had lots of lovely mama friends get pregnant; some with their 1st and some with their 3rd and 4th.  

-Grace and her BFF Grace stayed best friends even with the distance between them.

-We joined a Small Group for the first time.

-We hiked & explored like mad.

-Grace over came many fears and life issues that we didn't think would happen for many years to come.

-We volunteered for the University and were Tetta's community friend while he was here from Japan.  A major highlight and life changing experiences for our family.  

-I taught Grace preschool from home and actually loved every second of it.

-And, we all agree that one of the top moments of this last year was our FL and WDW trip. 
-And, the saddest moments of the year was losing Loren's brother, Kevin Statema. We miss you, Kev.   

It has been a roller coaster of a year.  Lots of highs, some lows, a few surprise twists and turns and a whole lot of laughter and fun.

Thoughts on Eburg...

Ellensburg, as a city, ROCKS.  So many fun and unique things to do. All the roads are 25-30 miles an hour.  No one honks.  Everyone let's you go first or in from of them.  I love selfless drivers.  Every one's always smiling and saying Hi.  If you need a hand there is always someone near by that is willing to help out.  People are so nice. It's the safest town we have ever lived in.  Very little crime.  Very little noise.  There is farm land and gorgeous mountains that surround us on every side.  The skies are pristine.  The weather is nearly perfect in the summer.   We have learned that we don't need a mall, target, Costoco or Walmart (not that I wouldn't be utterly thrilled if a Target moved on in to town-just sayin).  We just learned to adjust.  It was a lot easier to adjust than I had originally thought.  It's a treat to have all our stores within a mile or two from our house.  Great landlords.  And, we live across the street from the hospital which has proven to be a blessing.  Ellensburg is a great town. And, with in a few days of moving here I was making friends and being invited places.  It was all so dreamy.  

And, those parts of it are still ever so dreamy.  However, as much as I was in love with living in a small town the first few months and still love a great number of things about it, I have taken my rose colored glasses off and now see how difficult it can be for someone like me to live in such a small town. Especially when you are a girl from one of the largest and most touristy cities in the U.S.  You could say it's not exactly what I am use to. 

Since living here I have experienced more anxiety than ever before. It seems like a common issues throughout the town. And, I am starting to put together the puzzles pieces as to why.  Everyone here is so friendly that it can be deceiving if you aren't gifted strongly in discernment.  I started believing that people might be different here and that it was a safer place for my soul to rest, forgetting that people are people and everyone makes mistakes. Yes, the people here are different.  And, I love that about Eburg. But, hearts still need protection and for awhile I let mine hang loose and during that time found out two things I do not like about small towns.   

Cliques and Gossip (Judgmental Attitudes):


I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind ... 1st Cor. 1:10 

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy many keeps a secret Proverbs 11:13 

Now, in the midst of  the drama a small town can bring about, I have been blessed deeply with a handful of meaningful relationships that have left a deep impression on my heart.  I am grateful for the few friendships I have that are true and honest. Friends that are patient, kind, not self seeking, boastful or rude. Ones that rejoice in truth, never envy, are never quick to anger or judge.  These kinds of friendships are truly rare.  And, truly cherished by me.  To those of you that have been that to me and are that to me, thank you!

This summer has been very quiet.  Everyone has been busy with travels and summer fun.  And, it's been during this time that has been the loneliest for me since moving here.  Within this peaceful time I have been able to think a lot more, seeking God's truth and wisdom. He has brought me to a place where I feel ready for change.  To move forward.  To transition.  I feel a sense of urgency and at the same time a sense of needing to slow down and continue to reflect and appreciate the precious gems he has brought into my life.  It's been good.  Being refined is trying on one's endurance but I want to finish the race and I want to finish it strong.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2nd Tim 4:7

Now back to CELEBRATING 12 months of living in The Burg.


After 4 days of living in Ellensburg I wrote a list of pros and cons.  

Below is the list I wrote.  

September 2nd, 2010

Cons:

Having to leave our friends

Very windy

Extreme cold in the winter

No dishwasher 

Very small, very old house (the bathroom is the worst)

 No carpet

No mall

No Target

Not a lot of rain so we have to water a lot

Pros:

Small Town

Great community

Not as much rain and gloom

More sun

Small House (pro and con---less to clean--really makes you priorities what you actually need)

Big yard

We have a beautiful rose garden

Everything is near by

Lovely little library

Loren gets to ride his bicycle to work

Playground/park with in walking distance

Our house is on a quiet street across from the hospital (teeny hospital)

Friendly people (already making friends)

I get to be a stay at home mom

Lots of snow in the winter

Ellensburg Young Life

The fair is this weekend

The rodeo is this weekend

Great dance studio

And, here is my new list.

August 29th, 2011

Cons:

Cliques

Gossip/Judgmental attitudes

No rain in the summer.  Our water bill is high this summer.

Anxiety caused by what comes with living in a small town.

Lots of snow in the winter that doesn't melt for months.

After 12 months we still miss our friends in Puyallup.
Everyone knows everyone (and everything about everyone).

Pros:

Incredible hiking

Carey Lake/Yakima River

Sun, Sun, Sun

I like that we can walk to the places we need to go
Rodeo/Fair time
Community

Farmers Market

Wind. Everyone talks about how horrible it is but it's really not that bad.  I'll take wind over gloom & rain any day.

Kids Club
Mercer Creek Church

Jazzercise

True long lasting friendships

Utopia

Japanese Garden
AUAP

Living across the street from the hospital. 

Many wonderful parks to visit

Thank you Ellensburg for making this last year thrilling and life changing.
"Happy Birthday" as Grace would say.
We look forward to your fair this weekend!  Tiny, charming and full of town pride!