Your Favorite Madrids!: An Entire Year

I can't believe it's been an entire year since we moved from our sunny state. On March 27th, 2012 we were boarding a plane and leaving to begin a new life in Cincinnati, Ohio. I can still remember when we were about to land. The kids were sleeping and I was looking down at all the lights on the ground, talking with God and praying that he would lead us and protect us in our new city and state. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of his presence and felt peace knowing He would faithfully direct our days. Now here we are a year later and I can say that He completely exceeding my expectations!

The home God directed us to couldn't have been more perfect for us. It's safely tucked away from the street and has a beautiful view of the forrest. Still to this day, Matt and I can sit and look out to our backyard and feel as if we are on vacation. I've personally learned so much about my God the "Creator" and his magestic heart. Through watching the seasons unfold for the first time, to listening to the rustle of the wind through the leaves, it's magical!

Living in this home, placed us in a wonderful community. In one year we've met more nieghbors than the 2 1/2 years we lived in Corona. What amazes me still is the love, generocity and genuine hearts of these neighbors (now friends). My kids have made so many sweet friends throughout the neighborhood and have had more playdates than we can count! If any of our neighbors read this, thank you for reaching out to our family and making us feel so welcome!

Within only a month or so we found a church to call home! Big shout out to Rivers Crossing Community Church and Pastor Paul Taylor! This past year has been a wonderful journey growing in our walk with Jesus. We've been a part of a kids summer camp, handed out donuts to the community as a family, I served as a Sunday school teacher for 3 and 4 year olds, Matt and I joined "the best" community group for weekly discussions on the service, did the "Journey Home" series, our family took part in our first 21 Day Fast doing the Daniel Fast, we attended fun family nights at the church, worship nights, I did a few women's weekly studies and attended a phenominal women's conference...the list could probably go on and on. But the point is, we've shared so much of our life with RC3 this past year and have grown so much in our walk. Matt and my number one prayer was that this time away from the distractions of living in CA would draw us closer to eachother, our family and to God. We knew we would need to find a church family, because they would be our family away from home. God met that need for us in a HUGE way! Thank you Lord! We look forward to serving and living life with RC3 and the wonderful people there for however long God keeps us here.

For Micah and Mylie, the Kings School District, Kings Mills Elementry School and Kings Sports has been amazing! They love their teachers, friends and all the fun activites they have done here. I sometimes ask them, what they would think about moving back to CA and they all say "No, we love it here!" Even though we don't know how long we will be in Ohio, as a parent I couldn't be more happy knowing that my kids are happy and love where they live. They are living and experiencing life in such a different way than Matt and I did growing up. From spring thunderstorms, a tornado watch, crazy lightning and thunder storms, summer days and nights at the community pool, Kings Island play days, the sound of cicadas and crickets, playing with lightning bugs for the first time, crunching up huge piles of leaves, hiking in our backyard, bird watching, waking up to snow days and snow play...we are all smiling a little bigger with the memories we've shared here and continue to make. Just another blessing...

Landen Stingrays Swim Team sign ups, Football sign ups and the Berry Festival are here again just like last year. It's so weird to think it has been a year and we are starting it all over again. But as I sit and reflect with you on this blog, I am overwhelmed by the feeling of joy and thankfulness. And I know my joy is from the Lord. Yes, there are tangible things listed above that have brought me and my family joy, but underneath it all is simply God's goodness.

This past Sunday our pastor started a series on "The Blessed Life" and we are learning that living the blessed life isn't based on a list of the material stuff you have or the things you can see and feel, but of the gift of life and freedom God has given us. We sometimes identify how blessed we are in life by what we have and what we can produce. It's our curse. But as Pastor Paul said "God gave us the capicty to connect with him and reflect his heart and live a generous life." And I think that's ultimately what God has been showing us this year. All-in-all we are blessed! We are blessed to have a loving father who sent us here and provided all our needs, and is still showing us his heart and teaching us to be his stewards, to love fully and give with thanksgiving!

Paul said it best in 2 Peter 1
²May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
³By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Thank you for taking a minute to pause and reflect with me. I hope our journey of life, love and faith has been and will continue to be encouraging to you. We deeply love all our family and friends and are so thankful God placed us in life together to share with eachother, encourage and love one another.

Love and Hugs!

Now here are some random pictures from the year: