Our Trip to Atlanta...

So...we got to go back to the ATL!! WOO!HOO!!! The weather - beautiful...the people...more beautiful! Man, I really miss our family and friends in Atlanta. I can't even type the words without being teary eyed. What a gift those days were to be back with those who we have lived life with to the fullest. Honestly, when I climbed into my dad's car there was part of me that just felt like I had been on a long vacation. Instantly I knew exactly where I was (of course...I'd lived there for most of my life, so why wouldn't I, right?) But it was more than that. Just being with my parents was good for my soul - it's been hard on all of us to not be minutes away from each other, so just to be in the same room was such a gift...

We got to see many many friends. I was only at church for about 2-2 1/2 hours, but got more hugs with the fewest words spoken. You know that saying a picture is worth a thousand words...so is a hug. Each one said I love you, miss you, thanks for everything, and so much more (remember, 1000 words). And all of them obviously were different. You could tell who was doing well, who was having a rough time. You had those who you wish you could see and hug. Lilburn Alliance is clearly family to us. We started going to church there just before we got married...and last Saturday Steve and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary...so...basically we were there for 16 years. Many of the students in the youth group now were infants or born while we were there. We've literally seen them grow up. And the leaders in the youth ministry, many were former students from the group. I just listened to a seminar download, and it says that we'll never see the full extent of the work we do for Christ, which is true - but it's a blessing to see these friends walking with Christ and leading this next group and impacting them and the world for eternity. We also had the friends we got to spend some extra time with - those we had to apologize to for not getting to really say good-bye when we moved last March, those we share the love of hockey with and go to see a game (which the Thrashers won!!), those who we met with every week, those we finally got to mourn loss with, those we celebrated with, those we laughed and cried with, those who we've known and served with for years and years who are friends, confidants, family...the list goes on and on...I wish I could list them all by name...and spend time telling you really cool and amazing stories about each one. They all hold such a special place in my heart...they've made me who I am today, and I am truly grateful...

Then...came the time to leave...sigh... One of the most frequently asked questions is how is Oregon different from Georgia. Honestly, here it is in a nutshell - big city vs. smaller town, in need of a few more modern conveniences (a few more shops, a few more restaurants - like Chick-fil-a), but not totally out of touch - we just have to drive further to get them; cooler & rainy-er (wish we would send the rain to GA); beautiful scenery here vs. construction/traffic in GA; but...we just miss the people. The rest we can get through without too much feeling of loss...that's just "stuff"...but people are irreplaceable. They are unique, amazing, gifts. As are our new friends and family in Oregon. People keep telling us it will take a good 2 years to really feel like Oregon is home. I guess I'll let you know in another 15 months if that's true.

I've never doubted for a moment that moving to Oregon is what we were supposed to do. We are convinced of it, even moreso now. That doesn't mean it hasn't been hard - there have been some tough times...but...we are a family - those 4 Unwins - we're stuck like glue to one another that's not coming apart. I've got the best family ever! I've got the best friends ever! I've got the best life ever...because God for some reason has blessed me beyond my wildest imagination...and I have the hope of what He has for us...and for our new friends...as well as those friends we had to leave in Atlanta. It's so not about me...it's about Him... Do I miss Atlanta --- sure...but...I don't want to miss what He has for us either...so...