Hi, everyone! I haven’t been blogging as frequently in the last few weeks, but I promise I have a good reason.

I won’t waste any time telling you our big news.

WE’RE MOVING!

I’ll answer all of the questions I can answer at this point with a fun little Q&A.

• WHERE are you moving?

We are moving from rural Iowa to Louisville, Kentucky (where I grew up and where my family still lives!)

• WHEN are you moving?

The first week of October, 2020!

• HOW are you moving?

Great question. Let me know if you have a good answer.

• WHY are you moving?

This question has a longer response! We have been so incredibly thankful to live here in Iowa for the first years of our marriage. Our church family welcomed us with open arms and has really made Alta a wonderful home for us. I can’t say enough good things about living here in small-town Iowa. Living in our parsonage and starting this blog were just the cherry on top of the incredibly meaningful time we’ve spent here. We’ve made lifelong friends in Iowa. We definitely weren’t antsy to “leave” because we really enjoy living here and being part of this church. It will be so sad to go, but we are both grateful that a sad “goodbye” means that we have been blessed with wonderful friendships that will carry on.

With that said, we’ve also had the desire to move closer to our biological family, so we were very excited when we discovered an opportunity to stay in ministry and live in Louisville. We would not have pursued or made a decision to move unless we truly discerned that God was making the way for us. We follow Jesus, and every decision we make as a couple is in submission to God. There’s a book in the Bible called “Ephesians” that is actually a letter written from the apostle Paul to a church in Ephesus. (Ephesus is in modern-day Turkey, and we visited the city last September!) In the letter from Paul to the Ephesians, Paul encourages the church by sharing that God’s “mysterious plan” from the beginning was to welcome all people into His family through Jesus. To put it simply, because of Jesus’ life, death on a cross, and resurrection from the dead, anyone who believes in him is given eternal life and is reconciled to God. This is good news! Without Jesus, we are separated from God because of our sin, and are deserving of the punishment for sin, which is death. Because of Jesus, we can come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. That is a really brief snapshot of what we mean when we say “the gospel”, and there is much more good news to be told! I’d be happy to share more if you want to know more! Paul goes on to ask God to strengthen the church, saying,

“I pray that from God’s glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (This quote is from Ephesians chapter 3, verses 16-21). 

Ben and I have given our whole lives to following Jesus, and sharing the good news about new life from Jesus will always be our main priority whether we’re working for a church or not! Ben is currently a pastor and we’ve served the church by working in full-time vocational ministry. Our next step will look a little different than being a full time pastor (and pastor’s wife!), but we’re grateful that we will still be serving God through vocational ministry.

I (Avery) recently accepted a full-time job at a church in Louisville where I will serve as a Digital and Social Media Marketing Associate.

I’ll manage the church’s social media and digital presence while getting to use all of the random skills I’ve acquired from blogging for the last four years! On an average day I’ll be writing, photographing, editing, posting, designing, and more. (Sounds a lot like blogging, right?) But the purpose of my job is not to take the best photographs or get the most “likes” on a social media post. I’ll be helping the church communicate digitally with the Louisville community (both inside and outside the church) so that the church can accomplish its mission to “Love the ‘Ville by unleashing the love of Jesus to everyone, everywhere, everyday.” We want to tell people about Jesus so that everyone can be “made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (as Paul says in Ephesians!)

We’re very excited to be part of this new church, and I’m thankful that the Lord has given me an opportunity to use my unique skills to serve Him by serving the church through digital communication. (We’re not sure exactly what is next for Ben’s career, but we are open to whatever the Lord would have for him, too!)

• WHAT’S NEXT for Holland Avenue Home?

Don’t worry- Holland Avenue Home isn’t going anywhere! I started this blog four years ago to document the projects I was doing around our home, but at the heart of my blog is a desire to invite you to thoughtful homemaking.

I use my thrifty and resourceful talents to encourage your contentment with your own home. I share a counter-cultural perspective that is focused more on the way your home feels rather than being overly consumed with how it looks.

I want to give you confidence to thoughtfully make a home that reflects and serves your family while also being a good steward of your resources (no matter how scarce or bountiful you may perceive them to be).

I want you to feel abundantly content with your home no matter what that word looks like for you. Maybe “home” for you is an apartment, a house, your parent’s house, a dorm room, a mansion, or anything in between.

Holland Avenue Home isn’t a blog about me making my home. Holland Avenue Home is a place you can come to be inspired, encouraged, and educated about how to thoughtfully and thriftily make your home a place you love to be. 

I occasionally share products or partner with brands that I think you’ll benefit from, but my blog is first and foremost a place for inspiration- not imitation. Most of my home decor is secondhand and I couldn’t share sources even if I wanted to, but know that my blog is about way more than four walls and a list of sources.

My physical address is changing and my four walls will look different in a few months, but the purpose of this blog remains the same:

Holland Avenue Home exists to invite you to thoughtful homemaking by encouraging contentment and inspiring you with thrifty and resourceful tips to make the most of what you’ve been given.

I’ll bring you along for all of the projects in our new home once we move in October! We have a place to live and I’ll tell you all about it when I’m able, but get ready for loads of inspiration for how to add personality and charm to a “beige, builder-grade wonderland”! We’re incredibly thankful for a place to live, and I can’t wait to share the adventure with you!

Be sure to follow Holland Avenue Home on Instagram for your daily invitation to thoughtful homemaking, and for snapshots of daily life! I’ll share all about our moving process over the next few months, and may even have a sneak peek of our new home in a couple of weeks!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Thanks for following Holland Avenue Home, and for being excited about our next adventure as a family!

With so much love,

Avery and Ben (and Louie and Teddy)

P.S. Check out a few of my favorite projects we’ve completed in the parsonage!

Scary Basement becomes Cozy Family Room

High Style, Low Budget Sunroom

Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinets Two Years Later