A New View

A slight curve in a narrow road leads to our little corner of Northern Italy. Our town sits away from the hustle and bustle of the city but manages to have everything we need within walking distance. A butcher, hairstylist, train station. A mechanic, toy and school supply store, soccer field, snd swimming pool. Plenty of restaurants, schools and of course the things no Italian city is complete without, pizza and gelato. It’s magical and ordinary all twisted up together and woven inside my soul. Because living here has changed me. 

And that view. The blues and purples in the sky. The fluffy white clouds. The peaks and valleys of the mountains highlighted by the sparkling sun. It’s breathtaking. Every single time. And as the clock ticks the days away, I find myself prone to tears. I don’t want to leave. 

The life of a military family is predictably unpredictable. Deployments, TDYs, PCSes, they all come eventually. Sometimes you get lucky and end up moving into the same little town as friends from your last assignment. Or a short deployment. But they are all inevitable. And so we pack our curtains and throw rugs. We sell our trampolines and our king sized beds. We live out of suitcases and in hotels. All the while knowing that whether we love or hate the next place, eventually we are leaving anyway.

We’ve been fortunate to move less than the average military couple. By the time we are finished it will only be 5 times in 20 years. 6 homes. 5 moves. From sea to shining sea (literally) to the Midwest. From the US to Europe and back again. It’s always an adventure. It’s always unknown. It’s always hard. 

I wrote about my fears for our upcoming move recently and was so encouraged by the love and support of my friends. This time there are four little people whose hearts are just as intertwined with Bella Italia. They may be resilient, but they still have big emotions. Big holes to fill. Big steps to take. Big fears to conquer. And mine? They seem a little inconsequential when I compare them to the wild ride that our move here proved to be. At least at our next station I’ll be able to have a conversation with our next door neighbor! 

The words of one of my dear friends struck me. Convicted me. Comforted me. She reminded me of God’s faithfulness when we moved here. How he provided a home and schools and friends and soccer and opportunities that we never dreamed of. How he protected us and met us when we were lonely and tired and were craving the comforts of familiarity. How he revealed His love over and over again, giving us glimpses of His glory in every sunset, every fragrant flower. How he cares so deeply about the crevices of our lives that seem too hard to reach. The same God who went before us and with us then will now go before us and with us again.

And so as we prepare our hearts here I’m praying for Him to prepare the way for us. Whether it’s a desert or paradise. That we will be secure in the knowledge that no matter where we are or what we face, we never face it alone. 

And deep inside the crevices of my heart I pray for a new spot. A spot that I pass everyday that takes my breath away. That is so full of His glory that even the rocks cry out at His majesty. And when I do, I’ll share that photo with you