A New Chapter Begins

       The Autumn season had arrived! It was the interval where a brilliant symphony of colors graced every street, doorstep, river and woodland terrain. It was my favorite season of all ….a time of harvest, gathering with loved ones by a cozy fire, the season of pumpkin patches, long walks with the glorious sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet and plenty of hot mugs of apple cider warming our hands as well as our souls.

      Not only was the air and foliage different as we walked outside of our little motel room, but the season of our lives had changed as well. Every morning, Kit, Patch and I would wake up to our alarm, push the start button on the coffee pot, turn on the Today show with Matt and Katie and leisurely, begin to get ready for our day at our new jobs in Washington DC.

      Driving into DC from Maryland was an ordeal all within itself. We learned quickly, (with all the voluminous traffic and an unexpected experience with our Jeep Cherokee breaking down in the blighted area of the city), to park at a nearby Metro station and ride the train into the city. Going to work each day was exciting and thrilling as we loved our new jobs! Washington DC was mesmerizing with all of its allure, awesome architecture, museums, historic sights, monuments, theaters and quaint eateries beckoning each and every visitor to come in, grab a bite to eat and stay awhile!

      Our offices were nestled in the center of the historic and markedly prestigious National Press Building. Kit and I were in awe as everything you could possibly need or want was located within the Press Building. We had an abundant selection of restaurants to dine at, our favorite being The Soho Cafe and Market. With its smörgåsbord of mouthwatering casseroles, savory specialty dishes, homemade sandwiches, fresh vegetables, breads and gourmet salad bar , we could eat there every day and never order the same thing twice. Right around the corner from the cafe was the best sushi bar we had ever eaten at. (Sushi was our very favorite).

      When Kit and I started with this news company, there were only seven other employees. It was a very intimate group with each morning consisting of praise and worship , prayer, sharing, fresh coffee and usually some type of breakfast danish. After these wondrous hours, we would all head off to our offices to begin our days work. It seemed to good to be true. We agreed that this job certainly came with all the bells and whistles! There Kit and I were, working with spirit filled Christians, doing what we each loved and getting paid very well. Needless to say, we were living in a continuous 'colossal moment.'

     After a few days on the job, my boss took me to get my hair done, her treat! Not like the normal salons I had been to, she took me to a notable salon where the owner was none other than the hair stylist for the first lady. I felt like a princess, and let me tell you, my stylist gave me the best haircut and highlights I have ever had! A welcoming dinner was held for Kit and I at the infamous McCormick and Schmidt's. This restaurant , being as regal and inviting as it is, created a feeling of bliss and 'being pampered to the max' for Kit and I. As we sat with our new friends and co-workers, we were told that we could order anything on the menu. The owner of the company then ordered several appetizers that one could only dream of. Kit and I still felt as if we were in a dream and our hearts were forever thanking God for all He had done for us. We all laughed, shared stories about our lives as we cozily began to get to know one another. This memorable evening was a time of feeling coddled and convivial! Our feelings of elation continued for quite some time.

     

     Before we knew it, the entire staff, (save Kit and I) were flying off to Israel. Kit and I were to stay behind , 'hold down the fort' and run the office as they would be oversees for a week.. That too was quite surreal as we were brand new to this group and were asked to 'be in charge ' while they were gone. We opened up together every morning, took all the phone calls, Kit worked on the ongoing website and I did the books. We were having the time of our lives. Even though the staff was gone, we still got together for our time of prayer and worship. The Lord blessed us each day with His presence, peace and glory. We could actually feel Him rejoicing with us. He had done it all for us and we felt His joy! It was a glorious time, just Kit, I and Jesus in the National Press Building in the nations capital! Who would have ever thought????

      We spent our weekends sight seeing in the countryside enjoying it's contrast to our new busy city life, shopping at the outlet stores and visiting Coffee pubs ordering our favorite latte creations. We treated our selves to The Olive Garden Restaurant close by our motel, enjoyed watching movies on cable and talking on the phone with our friends and family that had so faithfully supported and prayed for us in our journey of faith thus far!

      Soon it was October. The air was chilly, the blustery winds sharp and their was a hint of festivity in the air wherever Kit and I would go. It was the season of costumes, parades, pumpkins, scarecrows and homes decked out to the max in fall décor. Kit and I were blithesome to have the staff back and enjoyed sitting for hours listening to their intriguing stories of all the things the Lord did for them as they visited Israel. (The season they chose to go was a time of danger and risk...God had led them to go, they obeyed and He kept them in miraculous ways!) (That is a whole other story!)

      It did not make sense any longer to stay in the hotel with the high costs we were paying accompanied by the long distance we were commuting to DC. Our search for a new home had begun! Every weekend, we felt an excitement, then a let down as each home was 'not quite right' for us....too run down, to many people ahead of us in line to qualify, or just not our style. During this time of our 'house-hunting', one of our co-workers, who through our company rented a corporate apartment, relocated to another state. His abode was the perfect home for Kit and I until we could find a place of our own. Located in the center of Crystal City, VA., only minutes from the Metro, a few miles from DC and in our price range, we took it. There was only one fall back on this new find....no pets! Lord, what do we do with our Patch?

      As we sought the Lord, He led us to a place snuggled in Maryland's charming countryside. This sanctuary for pets offered great rates for long term stays. Patch loved this cozy, woodsy doggy retreat the first time we took him to check it out. This was a place that exuded tranquility and was quite a feast for the eyes with its lush green land and mature, towering trees. What Patch loved most though was all of the other guests who were lodging there. (Especially one certain Golden Lab, Annie. Soon, she became the love of his life and Kit and I came in second place.) With tears and many wistful emotions tugging at our hearts, (as we had never been separated from out little guy in all the 8 years we had him) we took Patch to this luxurious kennel and said our goodbyes, promising to come every weekend to visit. We were on our way to our new temporary home. Thank you Lord that you are ALWAYS on time and all of your ways and plans are PERFECT! You provided a new interim home for us, the income to obtain it, a luxurious place for Patch and your perfect peace. Virginia, here we come!