Down To One

It is all a blur today. Joshua spent the day running errands and mom and I have been doing things at the house like sorting boxes (Uhaul/Jeep), laundry, and other odds and ends. I'm mapping our route along the way because I was not able to finish my Elizabethtown project, but I'll put it together as I can. Through some of the scrapping I began to realize that I'd rather throw pictures and maps in as I went and customize pages accordingly. However it gets put together, I am really excited for the result. Mom and Dad have been really generous letting us stay with them during all of the chaos and they both spent so much time helping us pack things into the Uhaul. They have really made tying up loose ends and leaving with our heads on straight a reality.

Without the time I had intended to focus on playlists, I very much fell back to some of what has become oldie-but-goodie artists (good music is good music) to compile two playlists: Roadtrip Rock and Roadtrip Repose. The first is basically a feel-good eclectic grouping of AC/DC, Flogging Molly, Regina Spektor, Paramore, Matthew Mayfield, Rolling Stones, Hall & Oates, All-American Rejects, and more. The second is for those sweet moments of sunrise and blurry horizon with Ingrid Michaelson, NeedToBreathe, O.A.R., The Smiths, The Cranberries, Fleetwood Mac, with seasonings from the Elizabethtown soundtrack.

Last night I sat with my sisters before bed and had that precious sister talk about how beautiful and wonderful they are. Hannah left for Tennessee this morning so that was pretty much my last time to see her for awhile. I will not even put up a tough front: I bawled my eyes out. Tonight we hung out with Natalie and Doug, kissed baby Talon, and enjoyed some sweet conversation with Jim and Debbie. Afterward, we spent time with the family, laughing over Super Mario and generally just savoring last moments. Hunter and I stayed up talking forever and I was impressed once again by his wisdom at eighteen. And then I bawled my eyes out again. Leaving the second time is harder because there is no "oh, I'll be back in a few months" lingering around. But our bond is so deep, real, and absolutely blessed that I know I am not losing them. If anything, I hope to inspire them that adventures are so worth it!

--Here is a little video clip of our family fun:


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Sweet Symmetry

The last four days have gone by so quickly. Our apartment is empty and cleaned and the keys are no longer ours. My parents' garage is full of our belongings (although there are a handful of boxes that need to be gone through in order to consolidate). We were able to get some help yesterday that we would never have been able to survive without. With four days of bending, lifting, and carrying, my whole body is reminding me every five minutes of the work we were doing. All the same, the days flew by so quickly because I was spending them with Joshua.

We laughed and talked and fell in love again every day. I am still starry-eyed over this incredible man. It is entirely cliche, but I love him more now than I did then. We really cannot have enough time together; the more I hear him talk, or receive his understanding grace, or simply laugh and enjoy life with him, the more that I get the picture of the nobility and destiny he has. The anticipated days of traveling together become sweeter in my mind when I realize that hours on the open road are some of my favorite memories that we have, from Redding to Sacramento or San Francisco and then from Redding through Arizona to Texas. When there are minutes upon hours of driving, you get past routine conversation and into deep thoughts, belly laughs, and introspection. We first talked about getting married on a roadtrip and now we have been married a year. The symmetry to our life together communicates to me once again that the Lord's timing is on this move.

Please pray for us to find the employment that will both provide for and satisfy us, as well as a living situation that can be "home." Both Joshua and I are seeking somewhere that does not feel temporary, but is soft ground ready for some roots. (It looks like we want a break from moving again too soon!) Ultimately, though, pray for the release of His will and abundance in our lives and that we would be able to hear and follow.