Oregon or Bust

So, we set out today on what may be the biggest adventure of our lives. I have waivered between being so excited I want to do a heel click as i jump in the 4 Runner and the other extreme of thinking "what the heck have we done?!" and wanting to turn around and go home. (Surely if you're reading this you know that for the past 9 months we've been preparing to move to Portland, OR after a certain call from the Father to go.)

As Josh and I drove away this morning, our faces were wet with tears all the way into Oklahoma as we realized what we were driving away from. We were getting texts from friends who were thinking of us as we were starting our journey. The tears flowed as we thought about you guys - our family and our "family". I kept thinking, " There are so many people we love back there! Did we treasure enough the time we head with our families? What will it be like not to live where they are available to us all the time? How good is God to give us true friends who love us and have changed us for the better because of who they are? and parents who want the best for us and are willing to sacrifice their desires by encouraging us to go and pursue God's will." what a gift.

The past few days have been a series of goodbyes (like ripping off a hundred bandaids!). The goodbyes have lift me a bit exhausted emotionally, but not becuase I hate them. Of course I didn't look forward to them and put some off until the last possible minute, but even in the betterness there is some sweetness in parting with precious friends and haveing the opportunity to express the value each person and relationship holds. Sweet friends, i hope you know how much you will be missed. Bitter sweet. A few days agao a good friend sent me a Facebook message that said " I've decided not to be sad. I'm choosing just to be very very grateful for the friendship God gave us." I thought that was profoundly mature (especially for a 17 year old girl) and I think I've decided to adopt the same attitude God's gifts are so good, but He is our very great reward, and to take hold of Him, we have to hold the gifts with open hands. He is good, and He'll continue to give us what we need as well as every good gift.

So, it's been a weird day (one anticipated for so long, but surreal now that it's come) and as we watch Nebraska go by, I'm not sure what to think about. It definitely feels like uncharted territory (I've never seen Nebraska to start with...), and I really have no idea what's ahead. When my mind begins to wonder of worry, I feel a deep need to know that God does know whats ahead and that He's going with us. This is going to be an adventure in trust...Here we go!

signing off from Cheyenne, WY,

Laurel