Hi y'all...

We moved out here to northern CA because of the military almost 2 years ago (it will be 2 years in June).  The churches of Christ that are nearby have not been a good fit for us as they tend to be a bit on the legalistic side, so up until a month ago, we had been driving 42 miles to a church that seemed to be a better fit.  I was able to sing on the praise team and my husband taught a class one quarter, but apart from that, we weren't able to build any relationships with folks there.... probably due mostly to our distance from church.  So after much prayer, my husband decided we needed to look for a place closer to home, although not necessarily a "church of Christ."  (BTW, we were both raised in the coC.)

We've been attending a Christian church nearby for the last 3 or 4 Sundays.... I'm certainly not ready to stop looking yet.  The whole looking for a new church thing is beginning to depress me a bit, though.  I hate starting over; we left the best place we've ever been to move to CA, which was hard enough.... and now, even though I had no close friends at the old church, I'm in the position of being a stranger once again.  Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if I had friends outside the church, but as a stay-at-home mom who homeschools her kids, I don't have any non-church relationships, either.

Anyhow, to get to the point... I just really need prayers that I will not succumb to depression while we find a new place to go, that we can find a place that will offer us ways to be involved, and that we can find real relationships with others there.  That's one thing that we're finding is very different out here... people just don't seem interested in getting to know others and getting together outside of church.  I am feeling very isolated and alone... all my friends are several states away, and we have no hopes of leaving here for another 3 years.

Thanks for listening.

Karen

Karen, you and I are in EXACTLY the same situation: we moved to a different state about six months ago, left the best Church Family we've ever had as well as all of our friends, and as an isolated homeschooling mom, I know how hard it is to connect anyway, much less being thrust into a place that's just so foreign!  I too have struggled with deep, deep sadness (I have a history of depression), but I understand that it's just the grieving process, and that God has plans to help me, not to harm me -- You must know that too!  You are not alone!  I will pray for you -- one sister for another.

Or to find out which women to avoid. 

OK, sorry, I won't be depressing.

Will pray!

Thanks for sharing that Karen and giving us an opportunity to pray for you.  I will be in prayer about your situation!

Karen, I am really sorry that you have to go through all this, as I am sure when your heart is telling you one thing, it is hard listening to anything else.

Did you ever think that it is possible that this is what you need to help you stretch your wings? I mean, while I know how you feel that you like the music better at one place, it is the heart of others, and where their hearts are, that can help yours to blend right in, 4 part harmony or not. 

I know that although we have instruments where I am now, there are many times, the music stops, and we all go on singing with our hearts to the Lord, with or without.

I pray that you soon will find where your heart and especially your relationship with the Lord will continue to grow. I also know how tough it is to step out of the box that we can grow so accustom to.

Bless you so much in your journey!

Hugs and Blessings, Memmy

Karen, I am praying for you also.