Another Chapter...

It has been said by some (cough cough Erica) :) that I don't seem sad about leaving Rochester, but this isn't the case at all. I will admit that I've not been quite as emotional as I thought I would be. I think it's more that I'm still in the shock of everything & in "task mode"-busy packing & getting everything set. I think it will hit me later and most likely more than once at random times. I am so excited about this new chapter of my life & what it holds for John & I, but it's always sad to see another chapter close.

Moving to MN has been one of the best things that John and I ever did. It brought us closer when we didn't think it was possible & brought a new element to our marriage. We had to completely rely on one another and become a little stronger as individuals and as a couple. I highly recommend to any newly married couple to move away from both sides of your family...ok so maybe not 20 hours...but your families will start to recognize you as your own individual family, not daddy's little girl & momma's baby boy. People met and came to know us as "The Turners" instead of people that had known us as individuals our whole lives & it was a blessing to us. It became our own little adventure...something different...something great.

I can look back and see the Lord's hand in our lives from the beginning & I can see how he's moving us forward even now. It's important to note that we wouldn't trade these two years here for anything! Another friend of mine (cough cough Kerri) always says to "bloom where you're planted." She reminds me that it's ok to be upset & sad about leaving Rochester. If we weren't upset than we didn't invest while we were here & that would be such a waste! The friendships that we've strengthened & made while living here have been more than I could have asked for & much more than I would have dreamed when we first got here. There were times of loneliness at first, but they grew into involvement in our church & those around us. There are people here that we know will be intertwined with our lives from here on out. Our daily interaction with them will of course change, but who they are to us & what they mean to us will not.

So....for those skeptics out there here is a little bit of the things I/we will miss:

small group on Th. night

being involved with Autumn Ridge & the youth dept.

Lake Okaboji & Cutty's

Chester's Restaurant

talking long walks in the snow

our neighborhood bicycle gangs

visiting with co-workers on a daily basis

camping trips with the Camps

the Douglas Trail

Thursday's on 1st

Rochester Fest

impromptu cookouts

break time at work with Erica & inside jokes

Newt's burgers

the farmer's market

putt-putt

little kids that don't sound like Joe Dirt

shopping trips to the cities

summer concerts in downtown

our garden with the blackest dirt I've ever seen

wearing scarves for the sake of warmth--not just to accessorize

Hyvee!!

lots & lots of snow!

downtown RST

the beautiful geese

the dog park

our neighbors

PSI Christmas parties

There is so much more that I could go on about, but that was a glimpse of the things we will miss. Our time here in Rochester was a unique experience to us that we will forever look back and be fond of. It may not technically be "home," but it will always be a home away from home for us. We invested in this place & it will forever hold a special place in our hearts!