Leaving one state for another

Today was the first day of our road trip back to Redding. While it has been really exciting and I'm really glad to be on a great trip with my amazing wife, I did not expect leaving to be so difficult. It turns out I really love the people that have come into my life. To be honest it's going to be a real bummer to not be able to call up family and friends to see if they want to hang out and see them 5 minutes later. It has been the most difficult part of this moving process and many tears have shed. :(

The road trip itself is a blast. We spent 8 hours getting to Roswell, NM, and it is as cheesy as you have probably imagined. It is the same as any other small town in America, with the exception of alien paraphernalia being plastered all over, which includes everything from alien faces on the lamppost, to UFOs "crashing" into buildings, and even the UFO-shaped McDonalds. All in all, Roswell has so far lived up to this nerds expectations.

As for the driving itself, I think road trips are some of the best times for Rachel and I to connect. We got to spend the morning drive observing beautiful scenery and discussing our last few hours with siblings. I think the most exciting thing that happened was when we ran out of gas in between Tatum, NM and Roswell, NM. We were about 23 miles from Tatum and about 30 miles from Roswell. We called three police stations and two trucking services. No one seemed to be able to help or they wanted $120 dollars to drive out and give us 5 gallons of gas. No, thank you. So Rachel said "I almost just want to keep driving", which I knew meant, "I bet you if we go, God will provide a miracle for us." AND HE DID! We drove 35 miles on an empty tank of gas. It was really amazing.

Anyway, it's late and it has definitely been an emotional few weeks, so I am going to catch some shut eye and maybe write more another night :)

Joshua J. Dobler

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.