Finally....Virginia!
Have you ever entered a grandiose hotel, captured by all of its awe and wonder, where tout de suite, a bellman greets you and joyfully waits to take your bags up to your room? Meanwhile, you walk over to the front desk to check in and suddenly, a feeling of felicity overflows within your soul? For Kit and I, that is what it was like arriving to our new temporary abode in Crystal City, Virginia.
The corporate residence was on the third floor of a resplendent high rise apartment building in Arlington Virginia. We were just south of downtown Washington DC and next door to the charming, quixotic city of Alexandria. The lobby alone created the blissful feelings of Christmas and Thanksgiving rolled into one. Every morning when Kit and I would leave for work, we felt like distinctive, exclusive guests. The staff would always greet us with friendly smiles and hellos as we walked through the foyer amongst many other residents coming and going, enjoying the comforting aroma of fresh coffee brewing. It was a delight each evening as we returned home as there awaiting us was the concierge, inquiring how we were and before we knew it, we had become friends. Our apartment was a one bedroom, fully furnished except for pots and pans, eating utensils, bath towels, plates and personal touches, (which we quickly brought from our storage unit in Maryland to make our new haven cozy, warm and inviting.) For the autumn season we got a few pumpkins, decorative scarecrows, a few colorful throws, pillows and our own comforter to bring some familiarity to our bedroom. Our little home was a picturesque kaliedescope of the old and new. We filled our kitchen with our favorite foods, got some autumn scented candles, ordered cable , and were snug in our temporary home for however long of a stay the Lord had for us there. We thanked Him for His wondrous provision and were so very pleased that our 7 week stay at the hotel in Laurel was now over.
Besides being a charming, 'urban village', our apartment building had every thing one could need or want. It housed a gym, small grocery store, laundry mat, salon and across the street was the Crystal City metro station where we took the train daily into DC. Crystal City also had an underground shopping mall with over 70 shops and eateries including the Crystal Palace food court. The Lord was granting Kit and I a life of leisure and repose that we had not known in quite some time. At least 3 nights a week, we would step off the train and go to our favorite restaurant, King Street Blues. We frequented it so often that we ended up getting our own waitress who would get us a seat the minute she saw us, even when the place was packed. Other nights, we would go by the food court and order take out for our cozy dinner at the apartment. It was so convenient as everything was so copiously within our grasp as we walked home from the train station. Yes, we did cook as well, but we were just enjoying this time of being pampered and coddled, taking in every minute of our new life. It seemed at times that every day was a 'holiday'.
We continued to house hunt for our permanent abode on weekends as well as sight see around Virginia as we knew this was the state the Lord had called us to. We would take the metro to different areas of Virginia, touring all kinds of houses and town homes. We would make a day of it as we would often splurge and get a latte , cappuccino or stop in at a quaint eatery and get a sandwich, salad or homemade bowl of soup. (And of course, Kit always tempted me with the dessert menu!)
At work, many exciting things were happening. Our small staff began to grow. We were so privileged , honored and blessed to meet pastors, famous Christian authors, prophets and Christian musicians, as well as prominent dignitaries from other countries as they flew in during the week to visit, share and pray with our staff. Every day at work was a new adventure. My boss, the CEO of the company, decided to change my position from receptionist to full time bookkeeper. I loved this change as I have always been a 'number person'. I was blessed with my own office, (right next to Kits), and each day we began to feel more and more like we were “HOME” and that we truly fit in.
November arrived. The days and nights were no longer chilly, but were so bitterly cold that at times our faces ached as we walked to and from the metro. I was so thankful for the suede coat, gloves, scarves and rabbits hair vest my brother James had bought me for our venture to the east coast. I was not only in style , but warm! It had been just a little more than a year since the Lord had spoken to us that He was moving us to Virginia. In that revelation, Kit and I never dreamed we would be in a posh high rise, riding the train every day into the dazzling city of DC and working with people we'd only heard about in the news, TV or within our church. We asked the Lord why He had brought us to this new 'big city life'. What did this eminent news company have to do with our journey to the King's Tavern? The only thing He revealed at that time was the word; “Connections.” He was creating a network of people He wanted to introduce us to through this prestigious news company. We didn't really pursue God with many more questions, as we were still on cloud 9 with all He had done for us. Kit and I were happyly 'living in the moment' and enjoying all of the many gifts God had placed within our lives..
November 10, 2001 is a day that will forever be engraved upon my heart. It is the day the Lord granted us our new permanent abode. It was the only place that as Kit and I entered the threshold, we felt immediately at home and knew it was a place we could happily coincide together. I was blessed when the Lord quickened to my heart a scripture He had given me months before when I had inquired about the home He had for us. He gave me a passage that spoke of our home having linens of gold and purple. I never really understood what it all meant except that I knew those colors represented 'royalty'. I thought that perhaps the Lord was saying our home would be a home of nobility or distinction. Well, as Kit and I entered this home, both of the large living room windows were adorned with purple and gold linen window treatments. It was the only thing the present tenant was leaving behind if we wanted them. Kit and I loved the look and said yes, but it was the confirmation from the words the Lord had spoken that touched us the most. (I just love that about the Lord.) The landlord asked us to fill out an application and after he looked it over, to our surprise he said; “The place is yours today if you want it.” We could not say yes enough and met him a few nights later to sign the papers. Our move in date would be December 1st . We both were elated that we would be in our own home for the holidays!
Our co-workers, friends and family were all ecstatic along with us as they too could see that it was all the hand of the Lord. When the owner of our news company heard that we had found our permanent home, she offered to fly us back to Arizona to get all of our belongings, rent a moving van and gave us 11 days off (all paid) to make our move. The day we flew back to Arizona to make our move to Virginia was none other than, (drum roll please.) Thanksgiving day. A little over a year ago, on that memorable September afternoon, when the Lord wooed me to come and spend time with Him, showing me the visions of the three states and the enchanting city, revealing He was moving us to Virginia, He said the timing would be ; “Thanksgiving”. Of course, I automatically thought it would be that Thanksgiving. When it did not come to pass, I felt that perhaps I misheard Him. I was delighted to know that I did hear Him correctly as He kindled my spirit to the passage ; “But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.” (2nd Peter 3:8.) The Lord does not operate on our time frame, He sees everything eternally . I must say, that as Kit and I were on that airplane, flying across the United States to make our move to the east coast, on the very day God had said, our emotions were heightened and we were full of joy, excitement, awe, humility, wonder and PRAISE!
Our first expedition in faith to the east coast the previous March, we stayed at Motel 6's and had fast food as we journeyed across the U.S. This time, our move was first class. We rented an immense Penkse truck, stayed at really nice hotels, enjoying many wonderful meals at fine restaurants accompanied by luxurious rooms appareled with fireplaces and Jacuzzis. It truly was one of the happiest times of our lives. We spent a few days with our friends and family in Arizona visiting and enjoyed a magnificent Thanksgiving feast at Kit's brothers home. When we left for Virginia in our mountainous moving truck, our goodbyes were a bit harder this time as we could all see that our move to the east coast was permanent. God had made a way! It was a bittersweet time...we loved our new life, but we loved our family and friends on the west coast...God gave us all a peace. (Like He always does!)
December passed like a whirl wind. With work, unpacking and decorating for the holidays, I barely had time to do anything else, but I had the time of my life. Our new home was a 2 story town house with 3 bedrooms, a huge backyard for Patch, 1 and ½ baths, laundry room, dining room, living room and quaint little kitchen. It was wondrously equipped with hardwood floors in every room, (another dream of ours) and an expedient storm door so Patch could see outside to the street. (That was a must for him.) We lived right next to a bustling and popular avenue with coffee pubs, remarkable eateries, a wine and deli shop, exceptional bakery, delightful ice cream shop, and even a dogie bakery. We were less than a mile from Barnes and Nobles, (our favorite place to frequent), wondrous grocery stores, a community dog park, as well as only minutes from Best Buy, Marshall's, Borders, and the romantic and charming Old Town in Alexandria. Down the street was a delightful fresh seafood shop with the best crab cakes we had ever tasted. We truly felt as if life could not get any better....but it did!
We got a call from my brother James surprising us with the news that he wanted to fly out for Christmas from California. To have him with us for the holidays was another dream come true. Christmas on the east coast is exquisite, but Christmas in Washington DC is beyond magnificent. Living in Arizona and California, we were certainly blessed with beauty but we had never seen anything quite like our nations capital decked to the hilt. Washington DC was a yuletide fantasy adorned with an abundance of tiny, sparkling white lights, lush green wreaths kindling each lamppost with bright red bows, glittering candles in the windows of all the magnificent historic buildings, awesomely lit trees on every corner and store windows arrayed with mirthful creations, bringing each passer by the sensation that they were in the midst of a wintry wonderland fairytale. The White house was breathtaking with its display of festive trees, exuding the spirit of the holiday season to its fullest. Going into work each day at the National Press building was like walking into the entrance of Disneyland...each floor decorated with glittering trees, holly boughs and sparkling lights amongst extravagant ribbons and bows.
Our route to work had changed now that we lived in Alexandria. The metro was a bit far to walk to so we took the bus to the Pentagon Metro center and rode the train into the city. Our bus ride was especially lovely at Christmas time as we passed by so many homes and estates that were magically arrayed for the holidays. All of them decked out to the max with an abundance of multicolored, iridescence lights, Santa Claus accompanied by his reindeer and sleigh, jolly snowmen and of course the beautiful manger scenes.
I loved to come home each night to our cozy house. We bought a gorgeous and stupendous Douglas fir tree for our living room, decorating it to the hilt with Christmas ornaments I had collected since my 16th birthday. We embellished each room with a lighted tree, (except the kitchen and bathrooms) as well as Santa's of all shapes and sizes, festive snowmen as well as lush green wreaths and garland entwined with twinkling white lights. We would light our holiday candles, put our Christmas shows on, enjoy a cozy dinner, and just relish the new home God had given us. Soon, my brother arrived and it truly felt like Christmas . We picked him up at the Dulles airport and immediately, he wanted to tour the alluring city Of DC, visit our offices, meet all of our co workers and eat at all the fabulous eateries. He arrived with suitcases full of surprises and our favorite chocolate in all the world from California, See's candy! We had more fun shopping for one another and picking just the right gifts. The brisk air made all of the shops, coffee pubs and restaurants more delightful to stop in, as we felt so snug being inside, often stalling, as we were a little reluctant to go back into the cold! (Starbuck lattes never tasted so good).
On Christmas eve, delightfully emerging from my tiny kitchen, were the aromas that had graced my family from generations past. The menu? Creamy homemade Oyster Stew, Caesar salad and hot fresh sourdough bread, dripping with sweet melted butter.( This bread is the best for dipping into in the stew). It was my families Christmas eve tradition and defininetly one my husband accepted whole heartedly for our family. My brother James, an avid connoisseur of fine wines, made sure that each of our meals had the perfect wine to match the cuisine. Did you know that the Tuscan s are known for celebrating every moment in life? They serve 2 pastas with every meal, providing more than enough food for everyone, just to make all of their guests feel welcome. Well, I am not a Tuscan by birth, but am certainly in agreement with their motto. With my brother there, Kit and I wanted to pamper him and make him feel like he was staying at the best B&B in town. After our dinner we took a jaunt into the city to attend the Christmas eve service at the National Cathedral. It was one of those times where you go into a rapturous, tranquil trance, wishing time would stand still...a time of of felling surreal. Sitting beside me was my husband, (my favorite person in the world) and my dear freind and brother, wondrous carols were gracing our spirits, and the bliss of the beauty and awe of one of the most historic places on earth was enrapturing our souls. I wanted the moment to last forever. Christmas day, after our extraordinary time of opening gifts and expressing our love to Jesus, we had a delicious light brunch, saving room for our much awaited feast ahead. Our Christmas dinner was a meal fit for a king. We had scrumptious Prime Rib, mashed potatoes, hot bread and butter, asparagus topped with hollandaise sauce, sweet potato soufflé, fresh ground coffee with real whip cream, pumpkin pie and a superb Merlot. We watched our favorite holiday movies together, A Christmas story, Scrooged and A Christmas Carol. Even though we had seen them all a dozen times before, they seemed fresh and new and thrilled our souls like they had every other holiday season. We did not have a fireplace but we lit lots of candles with holiday scents that created a festive atmosphere for our special day. My brother's entire visit could not have been more blissful if we had ordered each moment ourselves. James, who had supported us through all of our journey thus far, was now seeing the words of the Lord come true. It was so wonderful to share this time together. It was a time of awe, wonderment and magic.
Saying our goodbyes was beyond hard. We had the best of both worlds while James stayed with us. We had our new life that God had created for us, (which we loved) and one of our most favorite people in all the world (from our west coast life) there with us. We didn't want our time together to ever end. Of course there were tears as we stood with James as he boarded his plane at the Dulles airport, but we knew we'd see each other again soon. Thank you Lord for bringing James to spend the holidays with us as it was truly one of our favorite gifts of the season.
With the New Year upon us, Kit and I reflected over our last few months. So much had happened within the autumn of 2001! The Lord brought forth the miracle of His word and promise to us that He had spoken the year before. He called us to the east coast in faith, brought us to Jillian's home first, (a hard five months), took us to a motel and told us not to take permanent jobs and to wait upon Him. He walked us through 9-11, then magically, brought us to Scott and to the eminent news company. He then sealed it all with our permanent move, (every expense paid for) to the winsome state of Virginia. Our faith was booming at this time....we dared to believe the Lord and He did miracle upon miracle to preform that which He had spoken. The year ended with our hearts full of praise, joy, hope, expectancy and elation. Thank you Lord for your strength, grace, word, infamous power and faithfulness. We felt as if we had 'New Wings' and were ready to soar with the Lord as He took us further into the journey, our journey to the King's Tavern and to His very own heart.