Saying Good-bye

The past couple days we have been able to have visits from friends. We had an out-of-the-blue visit from the Massey brothers and Curtis. And we made sure that Norah was able to spend time with Emma. They are the same age- 10 days apart to be exact!

Tonight we loaded up the big Penske and had the help of friends. Josh, Becca, Calvin, Jackson, and Chloe Vaughn came. Matt and Megan Cook came. Brian and Becca Kuster (and baby #1!) came. And Alex Cserni came. Pizza was eaten, laughs were shared, and finally some good-bye's.
We are so thankful for the supportive people that God has placed in our lives here in Grand Junction.

Our family will miss them all.

Casey & Brian disassembling the kitchen table

The girls in black coats

Us and the Cooks


Us and the Kusters

Megan showing how to get rid of hiccups. Thanks Megan!

Casey and Alex

Norah and Emma (next door neighbor)

Casey, Shane, Curtis, Cory

Countdown: two...

Cooking for the Cooks

Tonight we had the privilege of hosting friends that we have been blessed to have fellowship with and minister beside. Tonight, we cooked for the Cooks.

Matt and Megan Cook began attending our home church not too long after we moved to Colorado, and it didn't take long to strike up a friendship with them. When Casey needed volunteers for the middle school ministry, the Cooks were quick to answer the call and help. They continue to be assets in the church, and we are grateful for Christian friends like them that live out their faith serving God's people.

We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship and laughter. And because you don't think to do these things all the time (well, WE don't), we took pictures in light of our time together expiring. I really hope that the Northwest beckons them to visit and that the call is nice and LOUD!

The "good" pictures:

The guys: Casey, Haddon and Matt

The Girls: Megan, Norah and Me.. and the Ritz box!

The "Norah attempts":

Norah's finger, with Megan and I from a Ninky's perspective.

It kind of looks like we're floating in a lava cloud- Ouch!

Well, at least she tried. Sorry, Matt.

Oh yeah, the countdown: five...

The Last Week

As I write, tomorrow marks one week until our house has to be totally packed and loaded in a big old Penske truck. We are entering our last week in Colorado. And it is weird.

So here's where we are. Our house is under contract, but still on the market, per the contingency on said contract. Most of our house is packed, except for the things we need to have out, but those will soon be placed into boxes to await a new life in Oregon. Our bills all have a change of address. We have a moving truck scheduled to be picked up next Thursday, and we have a general plan of how long we will live with parents and where we will move to.

But there is no job. After the month of November, there is no income. So we are praying that will happen soon and that it will be easier for Casey to find a job if we are actually in Oregon.

Like I mentioned before, it is weird still being here. All we are really doing here is waiting. We don't go too many places. There aren't groceries to buy because we actually have to use up what we have- at least in the freezer (which is not going to happen!). There's only so much that you can pack early, and I or Casey have packed most of it. There's something strange about the waiting. We were just saying, "There's nothing here." We know that we're just moving on.

So we will wait, and we will wait in hope and anticipation of what God has in store for our family. We eagerly expect Him to move in ways that are beyond what we can imagine. We take joy in that.

So, the countdown in really on: eight...

Heading Back to Oregon

We have arrived at some firm moving plans for getting back to Oregon. We will be loading up our truck on October 30 and 31, and leaving on November 1. We will arrive in Salem on November 2. My parents are flying down here on Friday the 31st to help us make the trip back. Our kids are road warriors, though--just put on 12 straight hours of movies on the portable DVD player, and they're mostly good to go. At least that has been their pattern in the past on long trips, and we hope it continues.

I don't yet have a job in Oregon, though I have submitted about 30 applications for different things. I think it will help to get up their ASAP, so I can try and follow up on job apps in person. Who knew it would be hard to find a job in the midst of the worst economic crisis in seven decades?

We expect our house here to sell soon (as does our realtor), but there are no guarantees, and no offers as of yet. It has shown well, though (and we've had 8 different showings already), and so we remain confident in the prospects there.

Upon arriving in Salem, we will be staying with my parents temporarily. The plan is to get started immediately on preparing Kelly's grandmother to move into a senior living facility out in Mt. Angel. Once she's out there, then we'll move into her place (which is just off South Commercial by the Courthouse Athletic Club) and rent from her.

Also, yesterday I put my Dodge Neon up for sale. It has served me well for over 7 years (!) now, but I'm going to ditch it so I don't have to haul it back. My dad might have found a comparably priced car for me to get when I get up there (a Toyota pickup), so it will be nice if that works out.

Drop-By

A few days ago, Casey got an e-mail from a student that he had in his ministry here in Grand Junction. He was pleasantly surprised to get it, as we haven't heard from too many people since the resignation. This young man expressed that he wanted us to make sure we come to their house before we moved, and we looked forward to getting the chance to do so, as we really enjoyed him and his brother. And I have enjoyed conversation with is mother and found in her a mom and wife worth emulating.

Casey replied to the e-mail, and we knew that we would be able to be in contact with that family at least until we move... and prayerfully, beyond.

Yesterday was the first nice day in a small streak of cloudy, cooler weather, and Norah had been itching to go to the park. So into the double stroller the kids went, and we enjoyed a very warm walk to a nearby park. We played there for a bit, and began our journey home. Casey and I were discussing "what-to-do's" as is usually the topic of discussion these days as we prepare to head back to Oregon, and a care drives up right beside us, "Hey!" a female voice called.

It was the mom and her two sons, who had e-mailed Casey! It was such a nice surprise, and they invited themselves over for a visit. The boys were dropped off while their mom went to an appointment, and when she returned, they visited with us more. Haddon knew the mom, and kept "talking" to her, and Norah wanted to play with her. Norah recognized the boys and was genuinely excited to see them, as we were torn away from our church home very suddenly and abruptly.

We were able to express to them that we did not intend to leave as we had to, and told them that they are welcome to stop by anytime for a visit. They asked what our plans were, and it was a nice time of fellowship.

What struck me was that even though our time here has been quite short, and really, by human standards, we weren't very successful. Very few students, if any, would come to mid-week programs, and Sunday School attendance was sporadic, but I know that my husband poured personally into those few that he was an under-shepherd to. And he had touched the lives of these two brothers. Their mom recounted to us the tears that were shed when they learned that Casey had left, and the more tears shed when they thought of him moving before they could talk to him again. He impacted those young men, and we as a family can be thankful to the Lord for that.

What a precious drop-by that was for our family. We could choose to believe that there was no reason for us to come to Grand Junction (it seems like it at times!), but we know that the Lord will reveal more and more in His time. And even if that's it- an impact on two brothers and nothing else- it would be worth the hardships that we have faced here. We pray the Lord will use us wherever He leads, for whatever purpose.

House For Sale

As of today, our house is officially for sale. We're hoping it will sell quickly, but you never know.

UPDATE: We've had 4 different realtors/clients come to look at our place in the two days since it's been listed, so that's a good sign.

Visiting Church

This morning we visited a new church. I had been fretting about the decision all week, wondering whether it would be more pleasant to go to a church where we know other people or not. We ended up deciding to visit Monument View Bible Church in Fruita, where I have a few acquaintances. I ran into a few people I know, and overall the experience was pretty pleasant. The pastor preached on politics and government, which is not one of my favorite pulpit topics, but is probably a necessary evil every few years. He did speak truth, though (and avoided partisan political rhetoric, which is nice).

Since it is our hope to get back to Oregon as soon as I can find good work there, it is hard to have to try and find a new church to attend here. Nothing is going to be permanent, so it is hard to go somewhere while having no desire to get very committed or involved.

The kids did surprisingly well, though. Haddon did fine in the nursery; his number never came up on the video screen, which is always a blessing. Norah stayed in service with us for the songs, then went with the other kids to children's church. She seemed to enjoy her class with the other little kids, and liked playing games and coloring pictures, but I still can't get her to tell me what her Bible lesson was about. Oh well.