It started 2 and a half years ago when I decided it was time to move back to Snohomish and live close to my family. It started with 4 young ladies that for some reason thought it would be fun to bunk together and live with ME, they're crazy. Thus the journey of The Red House began. Five women, in one house, loving the Lord and loving each other. Charlotte, my friend and room mate from the 2 years prior had just started dating Kris when we moved in, so needless to say, she wasn't home much. She was engaged and married before we'd been in the house 6 months. So then came Morgan..and we were 5 again. We cooked together, baked together, shared sob stories and blessings. We had wonderful gatherings of laughter, games of chance and great food. We also had late night talks and theological discussions and well, a lot of advice. I didn't think much about it when it all started, I just knew that the Lord was going to make it work and that He did. There was never any fighting (people never believed it) I was just so excited to have these ladies in my home that I had known since they were in youth group. I also had no idea they would watch me and how I dealt with life, life at 36 and single. They would watch as I began falling in love with one of my very best friends on Sunday nights around the dinner table. They would listen to me squeal with glee and stomp my feet in frustration as the relationship progressed...And they would be there the night he proposed, in The Red House Kitchen, crying for me, with joy.
Things started to change then, a MAN was moving into The Red House. Two of the gals had to move out, Kattie and Morgan found a place in Marysville. Justine and Nicole stayed. The living situation changed slightly, in that they took over one end of the house, kind of like small apartment. We shared the kitchen and I've been told that Dana and I are really fun to live with. I can only hope that how we have interacted will serve as a good example.
Two months ago Justine got engaged, an event that we all knew was coming. We just didn't know when! So Nicole started looking for another room mate. A few interested parties, but nothing really came about. Yesterday, Nicole told me she really felt a calling from the Lord to do something else and she had to move out. I think a little in shock I told her I understood and that God would take care of it. And He will, I've known that from the beginning of The Red House.
But today...today I sit here alone, with the reminder that the "girl house" is no more. I sit here with the memories of the past two years and I cry tears of joy more than anything. Joy that I was able to experience that, joy that I was soo blessed to be a part of these ladies lives and joy because I truly believe God has something amazing planned.
It's an end of an era, soon. But it's the start of beginnings in so many areas. Maybe those gals are like birds that needed a little stability before they took flight. I can't wait to watch you all soar! I love you all, more than you'll ever know. I have loved what The Red House has meant in my life, and in all of yours. Please know, the door is always open and that as Justine put it, will ALWAYS be Red House Girls!!
