Little Bethlehem of Washington State

I have shared this on social media in the last few days. But I have been wanting to write a post about the process. This blog has served as a diary for many years now. I just want to document this as well.

We put our house on the market. The market isn’t moving as fast right now. The holidays, the pass is covered in snow ect. I know I have zero control over any of this and I have peace about the whole situation. I am not stressed about it, at all. If I am here for 6 more months it won’t bother me in the least. I wasn’t exactly excited about leaving in the first place.

I started thinking about this and I have lived in Ephrata longer than I have lived anywhere else in my life. That seems so crazy to me. I have never adjusted to the desert, sage brush or rattlesnakes. You’d think after all of this time I would appreciate it more…but my heart still longs for the green and trees. However, being here there are certain things that I love and appreciate about this town. First, I did adjust to small town life. In the beginning I hated it. Now I hate the city. I am not looking forward to the city at all. But I love hearing the church bells every hour during the day. It’s been that way every day until recently until the church caught on fire.

But I live on a hill that over looks our town. On the other side is “The other hill” and Beezley Hill. Beezley hill has tons of trails for walking, biking and hiking. There is even a map at the bottom of the hill. We have countless memories on that hill. I trained for my walk in England on that hill. I have shed many pounds on that hill. We used to walk it 3 times a week in the summer and fall months with our kids. It was free and it wore them out. Dog walks. We have had church services and charity walks on that hill. It’s a special place in this town. On the top of that hill there are power poles, cell towers and whatever else. But there is also a display. This display is at the very top of the hill that over looks our town and it has 3 displays. There is a Star, Cross and The American Flag. The star is displayed in December until Easter then then Cross and then the flag. It’s a special symbol of our Town. I was at breakfast with my friends the other day and saw this flyer:

I never knew the story behind the star I just appreciate it.

Here is a picture from my deck tonight:

See the star that overlooks the town? It’s officially 70 years old.

When Clarissa came home for Thanksgiving she said “you know Ephrata never changes” …we were pointing out all of the changes to her. They were simple things. Subway had updated and one of the neighborhood houses added lights to their yard. LOL! We notice those types of things in a small town, I guess.

The train also passes through town several times a day here. My house is right above the train tracks. I don’t hear it. But anytime a visitor comes to my house and it rolls through they notice it and always say something. I am so used to it I don’t hear it but oddly enough I will hear the church bells….I must really look forward to the blessing of those bells.

I don’t believe in coincidences. I struggled when I first lived here. I was always trying to escape. Then I settled in and began appreciating the small town life. This town provided the stability that I had craved my whole life. I was able to raise my kids in the way that I wanted. I was able to plant myself here and bloom. When I first moved here I joined a Women’s bible study and those ladies wrapped their arms around me and taught me how to be human. LOL. My faith grew, my love grew and I learned so much about everything. My business was born here. I have had such great support from so many great ladies here. I am not even sure I can quantify any of it. I haven’t fully faced the fact that I am leaving here because the thought of leaving my friends is going to hurt. It hurts so much that I can’t even face it– type of hurt. I know life is a series of growing and changing. I am trying to accept the good and bad.

I know God has a plan for me and all of it will make sense later.

I hope you have a blessed day and recognize the little things that surround you.

Charisma