Just Moved ladies are my people
By Jenni Davis
Our two children were young and resilient when we moved from Santa Barbara, CA to Castle Rock, CO. I was not. The move wrecked me. The first 10 months I cried every day. My grief was overwhelming and there were moments when I didn’t think I was going to make it.
I simply didn’t understand what the Lord was doing.
I was blessed by an in-person [After the Boxes Are Unpacked] class that was led by Zonya Hamilton. The ladies that I met there were truly sent by God.
A year later we moved again, within the city, from a rental to our new home. I took the class again, with new women. These ladies were a true blessing in my life.
Several years passed and I decided to lead an After the Boxes Are Unpacked study at the church we were attending at the time and was able to encourage other ladies who had just moved into the area. The Lord really used the study to grow me in many ways.
Another move
Late May of this year we moved from Castle Rock, CO to Bella Vista, AR. Our 17-year-old son decided to remain in Colorado and live with a friend. My 13-year-old daughter and my husband left a week ahead of me. I wanted to honor some commitments before I moved.
I arrived in Arkansas about a week later with a friend who traveled with me. This move was different in so many ways. Our son wasn’t with us and we were all generally happy to come to Northwest Arkansas. However, I still felt I was missing something, so I looked up Just Moved on the internet to find an After the Boxes Are Unpacked class. I saw that a virtual class was offered, so I requested to join.
I really love our small group of ladies. I’m introverted by nature and most of the time I prefer to stay home. It’s usually a concerted effort to meet with people and being in groups of more than ten can be quite challenging for me. I know with God I am able but, smaller groups are usually preferred.
We have been here 7 months and I’m still using my GPS and finding my way. I’m waiting on the Lord to lead my next steps. I don’t want to take on too much. I can identify so much with others’ grief of a move – it brings me to tears because I remember how bad it was [when I moved to Colorado]. “Just Moved” ladies are my people.
My advice to others . . . find your people
I recommend taking this class however you can. In person or virtual. It is quite life changing. I have been encouraged every step forward. The Lord is always with me.
Gwen,
Thank-you so much for your comment. I’m so glad you were able to connect with other women at a “Just Moved” class as well as bible study. God is certainly growing his introverts to become more like Him. Blessings on your future relationships with other fellow believers.
Jenni,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I was in an after the boxes group when I was in Ohio many years ago. I was happy to join the class to meet people but was not comfortable with the large group of over 15 women and would be so conflicted each time I went! Fast forward to three moves later, I’m realizing like you that as an introvert, I’m much more comfortable with a smaller group of 8 or less.
Currently I attend a bible study at my church which has 8-10 women attending and I’m learning a lot digging into Gods word with other fellow believers.
Best wishes to everyone seeking their people.