That moment when you find a church.....

and you just know.

It's been 7 years since we've been to church, we just could not find a church we felt comfortable with back in Arizona, so we didn't go and it killed me every Sunday to see it come and go without stepping foot in church.

I could have just gone to any church, I know, but when you don't find one you feel right in, it just doesn't work.....at least for us.

This morning we walked into this church and we were welcomed with open arms, everyone was amazing, kind, friendly, genuinely interested in who we were, where we came from and when learning we had just moved back to the area they quickly offered housewares, furniture etc if we didn't have our stuff yet.

I just knew at that moment that we belonged.

It's a certain kind of feeling that comes over you when you are finally home, indescribable.

As the strings of "Shout to the Lord" began playing, I tried desperately to hold on to the tears welling in my eyes, but the more I tried to hold it in, the more they pushed through and the bigger the lump in my throat.  I couldn't help it, I cried, I just cried and my husband leaned over and hugged me and asked if I was ok and all I could say was "I'm just so happy to be back in church".

And that is when I knew, that was it, we had finally come home.

Kinda felt like the prodigal son returning after so many years, and still being welcomed back with the same love and compassion that I felt when I first left.  I wish I could put it into words, but I find it hard to describe exactly what I was feeling.

These past two months have been such a huge lesson for me, in many ways, and I feel like they finally culminated this morning, in that church pew.  Anything after this is just icing on the cake.

So I wanted to come in and share this with you all, to tell you that I have finally found my church "home" and I'm so happy.  But I also wanted to thank each and every one of you who have followed my blog from the very first post, and throughout the years, through my ups and downs and spiritual journey and cross country moves.

Whether you know it or not, you've all contributed to this moment. :)

And now that I've shared this news, I am off to work on my menu plan and grocery list.

Have a blessed evening everyone :)

PS...the church pictures above are NOT the church I'm referring to, those are from the Pioneer Living History Museum!  Just wanted to clear that up.