We moved to NYC!

We're home! I cannot believe we've been living in New York City for almost a month now!

I've tried to sit down and write this blog post three or four different times now...but my emotions have been all over the place with this move, and I never felt like I had the right words to share with you about how we're doing. Today seems different though....today NYC feels a bit more like home.

The weather is changing from summer to fall and I find that comforting. It reminds me that life is full of changes and many of those changes are beautiful. Our drastic change from Hickory, NC, to New York City has been challenging and exciting. Matt & I have relied on the Lord more than we ever have before because of this move...and for that I am grateful.

So how, you ask, are we doing? I can say with confidence today: good! We are settled into our apartment (which we are loving!) and we have not seen ANY cockroaches in three whole days. 

Cockroaches?! Yes. Lots of cockroaches.

The first night in our apartment we found many unwelcome guests crawling down our refrigerator, in our stove, in our bathroom, and on our walls. Cockroaches. Lots of cockroaches! Quickly, Matt and I came up with a plan: buy [three] bug-bombs, call our team-leader, Erin, and ask if we can sleep at her place, and pray that the Lord would get these roaches out of our apartment! 

We executed our plan and came back the next morning to find many dead roaches around our apartment. The bug-bombs didn’t get all of them, but we definitely won that battle! After the bug-bombs, lots of cleaning, roach-spray, and an exterminator we are seeing amazing progress...and it's safe to say we will win the war. Praise the Lord!

The funny thing is not one New Yorker that we told seemed the least bit grossed out by this. Almost all of them said, "Yeeeah...welcome to NYC!" The good news is since it's such a common thing here many people know what products work...so that was helpful.


Now being on this end...without roaches...we can say we are thankful that we had them. I know, I know...sounds crazy...but the Lord really used those gross, little creatures to show us areas where we needed to grow. Instead of immediately going to the Lord, both Matt and I turned to anxiety, stress, and entitlement. 


{Sometimes I lose sight of God's glory because I'm too caught up in the trivial inconveniences of everyday life. -Lisa Harper, The Perfect Mess}


After two days without sleep Matt and I were some grumpy, stressed out individuals. As I tossed and turned in bed our third morning here I thought about God's goodness & His grace that He offers freely even though we don't deserve it...and I was humbled.  I asked God to forgive me for my entitlement issues...for thinking we had the right to move into a clean, roach-less apartment. 

That morning I got up and wrote down everything I was thankful for...I asked God to change my heart and to give me a heart of thankfulness. Matt and I prayed that morning and started with, "God you are worth it."

I feel humbled after this experience...God put our hearts and our minds in the right place. I praise Him because He does care about us and I am grateful that He does want what is best for us. I praise Him for getting rid of those dang roaches, but I'm glad He used them to open our eyes and to point us back to Himself.  

Living in NYC we see a lot of homeless people...so I am very grateful to say, "Here are some picture of our new home":

before

after

This is our view...you can't really tell but there is a playground across the street so we get to watch&hear little kids playing. So fun.

The other corner of our living room. I couldn't believe we made all our furniture fit! Thanks to everyone who gave us/helped us with furniture. We are reminded of you every time we sit on or use our furniture!



Our bedroom...we're still working on it :)


The guest bedroom...also a work in progress. We've already had three visitors though!
Let us know if you want to come visit! :)


The bed juuuust fit in there!



Our kitchen...I took this picture before we moved in.
 This kitchen is pretty big compared to a lot of apartments we've seen in the city. We're very thankful for it!



Matt making pancakes :)


We've also done some really fun things since moving here.



Matt in FAO Swchartz by the Big Piano.


Me in Central Park...so far this bridge is my favorite thing there.


More Central Park.


So beautiful.


A view from my run on Saturday.


Farmers market...with gluten free&dairy free vendors. Such a blessing.


I'll be sure to keep you updated on the many more adventures we have!


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13

:)