One Year Ago Today…

…we started a new life.

One year ago today, we ended a 10-year stint in Tulsa to begin anew in Denver. Other than knowing two families in town (both of whom extended their hands to help us get here), we had no connection to Denver–it was a completely new situation for us.

Looking back at the past year, I don’t know if I can even begin to describe the changes that have taken place–how much we’ve learned about ourselves, how much we’ve learned about what’s important (and what’s not), how many ways we’ve seen the hand of God in our story…how much life we’ve lived during this time.

In the past year, The Wild One has expanded her art to include painting as well as photography, has been given great, almost inexplicable favor in a circle of gallery-level artists, and now has been scholarshiped to take classes at the local art league–all pretty much dropped into her lap, as one thing led to another. There is no doubt in my mind that God is in it.

In the past year, The Director completed his short film, which is now entered into several competitions. As he’s been working on (and grappling with) an ambitious full-length script, he’s also gradually been finding and connecting with others of like interest. He’s also gotten to enjoy a lot of live music, including some of his favorite bands–one of the perks of having your dad cover the local music scene. 🙂

In the past year, I’ve gone from being an unknown in the local music scene to being friends with dozens of fantastic local musicians, often having the chance to encourage them, and now being sought out by all kinds of artists who want me to review their music and write about them. Rarely do I attend a local gig now where I don’t know someone in the room.

I don’t want to convey that life has somehow turned perfect or easy. Moving to a new place means a new set of challenges, and we’ve definitely been challenged. Along with great joys and watching miracles happen, we’ve also had huge disappointments and struggles along the way. We’ve dealt with so much change and transition that at times we had no point of reference, and while we’re excited about our new life, adjusting to it has been far from easy. What I can say, though, is that the pace and intensity of life has greatly increased. The amount of movement in our story has taken a quantum leap forward. If I were to use a movie analogy (like The Director probably would), it feels like our story has changed from a slow (tragic) drama to an adventure. And with all the new challenges we’ve had to face down the past year, never has there been a day of regret. Almost every day we look at those mountains, or the dramatic colors in the sky, and remind one another that we actually live here, that we’re not on vacation. That this is our life now, not a temporary diversion from the life we once lived.

I wouldn’t trade this past year for anything. In fact, I’m ready to launch into a new one. Starting today.

(Photo: Shelby McQuilkin)

Wayward Son

Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo. I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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