Yesterday, Today and Forever

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever."  

There is such comfort in those words.  They have come to my mind a lot since moving to Sicily. That although most things have changed for me and my family.  He has not.  What peace in knowing that He is the same.  That I can know Him and experience Him here.  In some ways I get to experience Him in a fresh way.  I am desperately dependant on Him and He is near.  Life has all changed but He is the same.

We have a house.  Praise the Lord!!!  We get to move in Oct. 1.  We counted it up and we looked at 17 houses before finding this one. This house is a four story house.  The lower level consists of a garage, bathroom and a storage room.  It is a tiled garage and we are going to use it as a playroom for the kids and a place to host people when they come to visit.  So come visit we have room for you!!!  The main floor has a living room, bathroom, laundry room and kitchen.  The 3rd floor has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  The kids will share rooms.  The Boschult's will be living in it with us.  They we be living on the top floor of the house and will have a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living area.  It is like a studio apartment. They also get a great view of the volcano and the sea!

Houses here in Sicily are a little different.  Here are somethings that are different.  We have to outfit the whole kitchen.  It is an empty room with the rough ins for the water and gas.  Yesterday we went to Ikea to design a kitchen for the space.  The girls went in to the free play area.  They loved it.  It was their first time away from us in over a month.  It was good.  Good for them and good for me.  As for the kitchen we found one we love.  Little more money than we want to spend right now with the house in Omaha not sold yet.  So we have down sized it and will get the basics until the house sells and then will add the island and some other features.  Josh loved using Ikea's design studio. The other things is all the light wiring is there but no lights.  It is just the wire hanging from the ceiling.  We will also purchase lights fixtures and bulbs to be able to see in the dark.  

We are looking forward to being in the house and settling into our home.  Josh went to the school to register the girls.  They told him it was full but three of the children have not showed up.  So if those kids don't show up by the 14 of October our girls will get their spots.  So please pray that those children have moved or decided on private school.  We are looking forward to feeling what the new normal is going to be for our family in our new home with the girls in their new school.

Tomorrow the plan is to go to Ikea and purchase the kitchen (including refrigerator, stove/oven and dishwasher), table, chairs, couch, washing machine, beds, bedding and lights.  I am sure I am forgetting something. Please pray that we are able to find everything at good prices and that it would be fun and not stressful.  So far we have had our ups and downs emotionally.  Pray that it would be an up day.  The hardest part for me has been to have to spend money on things that we already had but sold or gave away in Omaha.  It is hard to feel like you are starting all over again.  But once again I am reminded of what hasn't changed.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  That is my peace.