Before JP and I moved to Charlotte, a friend from home gave me a stained-glass hanging that says "The Lord is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9". It hangs in our kitchen as a constant reminder that even though we're in a new place, God is as much here as He was back home.
It's no big secret that this move hasn't been an easy one for us. JP and I loved Charlottesville. We loved the area - the beauty of the mountains, the culture of the town, and familiarity of our surroundings. Even more though, we loved the people - family and college friends, co-workers and our close community at Charlottesville Community Church. It was scary to think of starting over. Five months later, I still don't quite think of this as "home" - but we're getting closer. And after this weekend, I KNOW that God truly is with us wherever we go. He has shown us His presence through some amazing people, who truly were His hands and feet for us this weekend.
This weekend is perhaps the absolute worst I can remember. JP and I both got sick - sicker than either of us has been in the entirety of our marriage (6 years this June) - at the exact. same. time. We're not talking a debilitating cold, or a bit of an upset stomach. We are talking all out, full blown, crazy serious sickness. I'll spare you the grimy details, but know NOTHING stayed in my system for over 48 hrs. Know that I was on the bathroom floor by the space heater asleep because I had a terrible case of the chills, only to wake up with a vicious case of the sweats. Know that I yelled for water, but my husband couldn't make it to the bathroom to bring me anything because standing up made him get sick. Know that bowls were toted around because making it to the bathroom often didn't happen. Know that eventually, we did end up in the hospital because I was dehydrated (and that I looked in the mirror at the hospital, for the first time in hours, and asked JP "You let me come out of the house looking like that??") Yep, it was that kind of a weekend.
Had I been at home, the solution would have been simple. One phone call and a 35 minute drive, and my momma would have been at my house with everything I needed. She would have taken care of us, and Eli, and my apartment wouldn't be the train wreck it is right now because she'd have kept things in tip-top shape. And, to be fair, had it not been snowing when she found out about things Saturday, she would have been in the car and on her way (though the time would have been 4 hrs, instead of 35 min). Without family here, and in complete desperation (read, bathroom floor), I did the only thing I could think - I posted on Facebook a plea for Gatorade.
And it was answered. An amazing woman from my MOPS group responded, left her home and family, went to the store and bought us Gatorade and brought it to our place. At 11pm at night. In the snow. I consumed 32oz like it was my job, and my husband did likewise. We caught a bit of relief and went to sleep before waking up with more sickness.
The next morning, another lovely MOPS lady brought Tylenol, soup, crackers, and more Gatorade. She had texted an offer the night before, and though I only asked for Tylenol, she made sure we were set on all sorts of sickness staples.
Then, I received yet ANOTHER text from a 3rd sweet friend, offering to bring anything we needed, or to watch Eli for the afternoon. This friend has not one, or two, but THREE children of her own, and she was watching two MORE for another friend who was in the hospital having a baby. Yet she was willing to take on another (ie. #6) in order to serve my family. (Thankfully, by Sunday afternoon JP was better and could tend to taking care of me).
Still, I was really sick, and by the evening, the hospital trip was a necessity. However, someone needed to stay with Eli. We called our dear friends, and immediately, they agreed to come stay with Eli, so JP could be with me at the hospital.
Other friends messaged me, letting me know their willingness to bring things, watch Eli, or help in any way needed. Some of these offers came from people I've had the chance to get together with a few times, people that I'm growing friendships with. Other offers came from people that, quite honestly, I barely know - from people at my MOPS group that I may have had a conversation or two with. But they are drawn to show compassion and love to me, not because of our close relationship, but because they have a relationship with the One who is the source of all love and compassion. Despite feeling so terrible, it has been a long, long time since my heart has been so full. I was so deeply touched and moved by these gestures of kindness toward my family, that it has changed my outlook on being in this new place.
We may not feel completely settled and relationships might not be as deep as we'd like, but we do have community here. We may not be around family and old friends, or have a church home, but we are surrounded by the body of Christ.
We're going to be just fine here in Charlotte. "The Lord is with you (and us) wherever you (we) go". Joshua 1:9.
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