Thoughts on our time in Boston!

Our time is coming to an end here in Boston. The Lord is graciously taking our family of almost 4 back to the South and back to Charlotte. You're probably thinking that we really haven't been in Boston that long. And you're right. It'll be just shy of a year that we spent in Boston. Literally by one month. After lots of prayer and an amazing journey that I would never change, we is taking us HOME!

These last few days I have just thought and reflected about our time here. All the lessons that the Lord taught me/us, the way he opened my eyes to a totally different and not so awful culture, and oh how he provided. The Lord took care of us in such a gentle and real way while we were here in Boston.

He gave us a wonderful church to call home, he provided some deep and real friendships that will continue on even after we leave. He showed us a depth to our marriage that we didn't know existed yet. He showed us the importance of becoming a tight unit family. He also showed me all the things/friendships/time that I took for granted while living in Charlotte.

I don't think I am the same person I was when I arrived here last November. I'm different and I like that. I'll have to lose a little of the toughness I've gain from living here. And my driving will for sure have to change. Ha! But I like who I am now. I am on a journey with the Lord that is never ending. It throws me for loops here and there but He is my constant. I overflow with the gratefulness that I feel to Him for knowing my heart. For allowing us to have this second baby boy in Charlotte surrounded by our family and friends.

I will miss Boston though. There are truly a lot of great things here and a lot of great people. I wanted to name a few things that I will miss here in Boston:

• A very active and alive city
• The food...I'm just sayin people, it's good stuff and no you cannot get bread or pastries like this in Charlotte. (my waist line will thank me)
• Russo's - It's like a farmers market but a store. It's amazing and when we first moved here it was my happy place. It still is. 
• Our back deck. We have spent many nights sitting out there enjoying the NE weather and enjoying a beautiful view
• The Charles River - it's breath taking
• Harvard Square - One of my favorite cafes called Crema Cafe is there and it's just a great place to walk around. There is so much energy there and Harvard's campus is beautiful
• The North End - Best Italian food hands down
• Being so close to my in laws and sister in law (and her boys). They have always loved on us so well and always stood by us. I am so grateful to have them. Truly. I will miss them like crazy and so will James
• Last but certainly not least....I'll miss the sweet friends God has provided for me while we've been here. I prayed for them and longed for them and God answered my prayers. Some came into my life before we even stepped foot on Boston soil. I could not have gotten through our time here without them. They have been so instrumental to our journey here. And these friendships will not end just because we are moving. I am already looking forward to coming back to visit them. Just maybe not in the winter! :) 

Some things I'm looking forward to getting back to are:

• Cheaper living (groceries, housing, gas, etc)
• No one living below us
• Living in a neighborhood and not on a main street (thank goodness for sound machines) 
• Being close to my family. It has been so hard being apart from them
• Being close to wonderful friends
• Our Church and Community there
• Nice weather all year round (it'll probably snow now that I said that)
• Slower pace of life
• My husband not being so stressed 
• The list truly could go on! 

All in all, Boston we love ya and we'll miss ya....but we are excited to get home! Thankful for what the Lord has done and will do in our family!