It is early dawn in England on June 26th 2000. My footsteps echo on the kitchen floor—the way they do in an empty house. Our cupboards are bare; the furnishings gone. Our parsonage is empty, its walls waiting patiently for the cheery new coat of paint that will greet the new pastor and his family. In the front room, twenty boxes stand in wobbly stacks waiting for the moving truck—the four tall ones carry favorite toys, and games, and books. 
Choose wisely we told our four young children. Take only what is precious. And in those boxes labelled Kalamazoo, Michigan lie their precious things—teddy bears with one eye, and books with tattered corners, and favorite family games in boxes repaired with tape several times over. It would be three months until we saw inside those boxes again.
Late last night I actually knelt by my bed, seized with a sudden fit of panic. And I prayed hard. I pleaded with God to take care of us in this foreign land, and I wondered what on earth had possessed us to leave. But leave we do. And I am half way over the Atlantic Ocean before I stop crying; thirty thousand feet above the waves; soaring high through blue; on my way to a new life. And there is no going back.
I cry for my red bike that was my 40th birthday gift. I cry for our antique hat and coat stand that greeted visitors as they came through our door. I cry for our Ikea furniture that sits alone in empty rooms. I cry for my sisters, and my brothers, and my dad. And the air hostess interrupts my thoughts to ask if there is anything I need. But there is nothing in her cart that can take my sadness away. I can still see my brother as he waves goodbye at the airport, and my sixteen year old son as he clings to his cousin, not knowing when they will see each other again.
I close my eyes and try to imagine our new home. Its rooms will be empty. No furniture accompanies us on our journey. We will be sleeping on the floor tonight. But God will take care of us my husband had said. I know it’s true. But it can’t take my sadness away. And we fly 4,000 long miles, and leave love behind.
But in the little town of Schoolcraft, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, love had flown ahead of me and was waiting to greet me there. Love would be there as I opened the door to my new home and stepped onto the rug that said: Welcome New Friends. Love whispered its presence in every bed that was made; in every cushion on the sofa; in the fruit that sat on the cloth covered table; in the fridge full of food; in the lawn that was mowed; in the pots filled with pretty petunias; and in the car waiting for us in the garage…love was there.
And I learn a marvelous lesson… I learn that no matter how far I fly, I can never fly away from love. And no matter how wide the ocean, God’s love is wider. And no matter how great the distance, nothing can separate me from God.
If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139: 9 &10
Thanks for sharing this, Glenys. I also have moved many times, to other countries, leaving behind loved people, places and things. That same verse has encouraged me many times. I am so glad you found love waiting for you!
Thanks Helga..it’s a wonderful verse, and one I hadn’t discovered until I moved to the USA!
Yes Glenys,
Love is here, and in so many ways we’ve been blessed by God’s presence in the people around us!
Glenys (and David),
What a blessing it was to help prepare your new home and receive you into the church and our lives as “New Friends.” And now many years later through those sweet friendships, many have come to know God and His love by your example.
Susan! I am so glad you remember the rug….since it was you that got it for us. Do you remember I loved it so much that I made it into a wall hanging? And I still have it! Bless you my friend.
I’m so happy to have so much love in my life too! Remember no matter where you go, there you are. Love is always right there!
You’re right Natalie!
What an awe inspiring post. No matter where we go, God and His love is there. Wonderful reminder!
Thank you so much Mary!
Your words took me with you. Such talent! Thank you for sharing this part of the journey.
Thank you for commenting Joy! You know how much that fills my bucket 🙂
Moving is a hard thing to go through. For our family, it was only 625 miles, but I felt the same feelings you did. And 26 years later, we all know it was the right move. The countless friends we have made (including you and David), and the new family members we now have, show us it was the right choice. God was there through it all.
Thank you, Glenys, for your marvelous gift of writing that stirs our hearts.
Bless you for that Peggy!
What a lovely way to start my day. I will look for where love is there to greet me as my day unfolds. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, thank you so much, Lisa. I really appreciate you reading my story.