When the Roof Changes

For the last few weeks, my life has been surrounded by piles and boxes.

For months, my friends and I searched and searched to find the best new home for us in this next season of life. There were a handful of top contenders, and then something would change. There were some that seemed so divine in their timing that we said “YES!” wholeheartedly only to see it in person and end up, well, unimpressed.

Then we found the place.

We laughed when we did because while it had so much of what we were looking it for, it also had a lot of what we weren’t. It’s a bit older, not as fancy. It’s not as much space as we were dreaming for, but it’s close. It’s a place that we can make a home out of, it’s a place we can be proud of. It’s a place that won’t cost us an arm and leg, which makes all of our bank accounts breathe a sigh of relief.

As I’ve set about packing up my many items, I’ve come to realize that I am not as much of a minimalist as I once thought. I have tons of random trinkets stored around my room from trips I took and trips friends took and brought me back something. I have picture frames full of beautiful moments I got be apart of in my friend’s lives. Tons of little flowers, candles, and postcards from joyous moments too.

Bookcase full of photos, trinkets, and books.

I have an entire shelf in my closet that is strictly coffee mugs from around the states. Yes. You read that right, an entire shelf! I can’t believe it either!

All the coffee mugs — *All* the coffee mugs

I’ve stared at these mugs for 2 years now, all just chilling up there on my shelf, probably talking among themselves wondering if they’ll ever get used. I hope so guys, but it’s not looking like it’ll happen any time soon, sorry!

As I started packing, I just kept packing. The first day I buckled down, I thought “I’ll just do my books. That’ll be a great place to start! Then I can finish those and be done for the day and I won’t overwhelm myself.” Ohmygoodness, how silly of me. Once I started, I couldn’t stop packing!

Packing: It always looks worse before it looks better.

I spent a solid 4-5 hours that first day packing everything I could. I started with my books, took a break and went to pack up toiletries, took another break to go back to my books, switched to packing up some of my summer clothes, and then finally, finished with my books. I always knew I had a lot of books, but goodness, I have more than I thought! I’m taking boxes full with me! And that doesn’t even include all the ones I’m leaving with my parents.

There’s such a mix of emotions now as I walk into my room at my parent’s house. It’s a room that I’ve been in most of life. I called in my landing pad. The place I always had to come back to after my many adventures. My forever landing pad you will be.

My landing pad now, is still going to be close by, but sadly I won’t be away from it too often, or at least not in huge chunks of time.

This room is full of many memories, as is my parents house. I’m so thankful I painted my room when I did, it’s allowed my creativeness to spill out of the walls and into moments of playing my guitar, just me, of painting gifts for friends, of expressing what’s going on inside out on top paper, of using glue and glitter to brighten up a background.

This room has been my sanctuary.

I wish I could fully express how excited I am for my new room, my new sanctuary. It’s going to be a place of growth, a place of comfort. Our whole home will be one. A place where everyone is welcome to come, sit, relax, enjoy, be merry. At least that’s my prayer. That it will be a place of safety, comfort, and love. One where laughter, tears, belly laughs, brave things, dance parties, actual parties, cooking extravaganzas, celebrations big and small, creative and courageous moments, hugs galore, and more happen.

I cannot wait to see how the sun will shine with us in this next chapter.