Arnold Family Update

It's hard to believe...

We have semi-moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico! We will celebrate our full move when we are holding the keys attached to the house with the "for-sale" sign covered by the "contract pending" sign in the front yard of the house with the stylish, red front door. We are currently "suffering" in the meantime in the cutest cabin I've ever seen, so generously supplied by Dr. Bob and Lynn Coats of central TX.

It's hard to believe...

How blessed we have been in this process of finding a permanent home and church family. From the Coats' cabin that just happened to be available for our complete take-over and occupancy for over a month, to the very first phone call from the pastor search committee from First Christian Church, Ruidoso. It feels as though the planets have aligned and the universe has created a domino effect of events falling right into place. Forget thanking our lucky stars, we are praising God for answered prayers and thanking God for our many blessings while asking God, who are we to be so blessed by you?

It's hard to believe...

Ryan was employed by P.F. Chang's for approximately three weeks. The day he went looking for a service job, he walked out the door and we both felt beaten. We threw a little party the day he was able to quit the restaurant industry last year and to go back to waiting tables after finishing his masters and accruing that much more debt made our world feel scary and uncertain. (My stress blog was written during this time.) Our budget was so tight, we didn't even order lettuce wraps with his 20% employee discount, yet Ryan diligently dressed in his black ninja uniform daily and went to work because it was the only thing he could do as we earnestly prayed for our future. Within three weeks, he was preaching in view of a call before a lovely congregation who voted that day to bring him on as their new senior minister. All this is less than a month.

It's hard to believe...

Ryan and I used to day dream together in our 600 sq. ft., bug-infested, non-insulated, duplex of a first home located in inner-city, Waco, TX about living in a small mountain town. Honestly, what are the chances of that dream coming true for a young family still in seminary so far away from any mountains at all in more ways than just distance?

It's hard to believe...

How much we love our one-year-old son. I don't know which part is more unbelievable: this great love we feel, or the birthday party that already happened!

We are so thankful this week as we count our blessing. We are thankful for:

* The Coats' for providing us not only a beautiful place to wait for our home, but temporarily a second vehicle!
* All the prayers. We know word of our family and hopes as we have been in the search and call process traveled (mostly through our moms) and we are grateful to all who heard our story and remembered us in prayer.
* First Christian Church Ruidoso! Our new church home. We have been so welcomed already and we appreciate everyone who has offered to help us through this transition. Especially Paula, Bob, Terri, and Bart for watching Jack while we house hunted. You made finding a home quickly possible!
* The generous gifts we received. You know who you are. While we were without a salary, we were not forgotten. Thank you so much for your generosity and consideration!
* Extended family. We will miss being with all of you this Thanksgiving day but we will see you soon and are thankful that you not only understand why we will not be home for every holiday anymore, but also support this life! Each future visit will be even more special.

I will leave you with a picture of our mountain compliments of google. We will have more pictures to share of our new home as soon as we find our camera.

May you and your family experience the rich blessings and presence of the Lord this week.
Happy Thanksgiving!