NM/AZ Border

New Mexico and Arizona are two gorgeous states. Basically, from Albuquerque, NM to Kingman, AZ it is a unending panorama of beauty. I woke up in the Walmart parking lot in Gallup, NM to a beautiful morning and a short while later stopped at the NM/AZ border/Welcome Center to fill up water bottles and to take some pictures. As you can see, the scenery is breathtaking.

I knew it would hit me...

As I got all packed up and said goodbye to everyone in Harrisonburg I was aware of the fact that I was not emotionally present. I think there was too much going on with preparing to move that my heart got left a few days behind. People would ask me things like, "Are you sad about leaving?" I did not feel sad at the time, but I knew that the reality that I was leaving my home would eventually catch up with me sometime. Well, it hit me yesterday, August 6th, at about 3pm, shortly after leaving Hardesty. I think the vast, empty prairie of nothingness reminded me that I was truly away from home and that so much of what I held dear was left behind me, leaving me to feel very alone, small, and scared. I was slowly engulfed in a wave of deep sadness over leaving my home in Harrisonburg - a home I loved so dearly. I l welcomed the grief because it was good, felt wonderful, and was so cathartic. Some people avoid crying and feeling sad like the plague, but I love it. Within the sadness there is a deep joy that comes from having people and a place to love, and being loved in return. Oh, how I miss my home, but praise be to God that I have an eternal home in his warm, loving embrace!

Hardesty, OK

Prior to my departure, my wonderful boss Cheryl surprised me with a US atlas in which she had outlined a possible route for me to take across the country. Included in this route was her hometown, Hardesty, Oklahoma, on the panhandle of the state. After leaving Oklahoma City, Amos and I drove up to the panhandle and nearly drove through the town it was so small. The town is literally only half a mile long. Amos and I were looking for Big D's Cafe and missed it, and the next second we were outside the town. So we had to go back in and ask a local kid and he showed us where it was. Amos and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Big D's - the Big D's Cheeseburger and Prairie Chips. Anyway, thanks, Cheryl, for the wonderful suggestion of going through Hardesty. I can't believe you grew up there! It's seriously in the middle of absolutely nowhere!!

A couple miles outside of Hardesty. Nothing as far as the eye can see...

Oklahoma City, OK

Amos and I arrived in Oklahoma City last night about 9:30pm. We spent the night with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Eric and Anna. We had a great time catching up with them briefly last night. It was short, but sweet, and I will look forward to seeing them again soon. They are two fantastic people who love dearly. Now we are off to Arizona! More later.

St. Louis, MO

So some cool news about this trip is that my brother Amos was able to meet me in St. Louis to join me the rest of the way. I've enjoyed spending today talking to him and look forward to the next few days we will be able to spend time together. Anyway, his flight to St. Louis was delayed, therefore I had some time to kill, and I killed it by visiting the St. Louis Arch. What a magnificent structure! The sheer size of the arch is incredible! It was my first time to see it in person and I was blown away. Too bad it's in such a crummy location. The weather was miserable. It was 100 degrees with 100% humidity. To top it off, my AC stopped working for about 20 minutes because of how humid it was. Let's just say that I almost wished I had skipped the arch just to stay cool.

Lexington, VA

Well, I ended up getting a very late start to my trip. I didn't leave Harrisonburg until 5pm, therefore it was dinner time as I passed through Lexington; and since I had not eaten anything since 6am, I decided I would stop for an eat to bite. It was a gorgeous day on which to begin my trip.

Killer Bee

I trapped this bee between the screen and the window as I left my apartment. The thing was about 2 inches long with a big, scary looking stinger. Ha! Look who's laughin' now, Bee. You're stuck and can't go anywhere!

Goodbye Harrisonburg

Well, today's the day that I leave Harrisonburg and begin my trek across the country to California. Packing has taken a little longer than I was hoping for, therefore I am leaving a little later than I was planning. I think it will end up being noon or early afternoon when I end up leaving. I am getting nervous as I am about to leave, knowing that every mile I drive away is a mile further away from shore, and I am simply trusting that by God's grace I will reach the opposite shore safely. Please pray for safety as I drive across, that I won't get in any accident and that our car makes it safely. We have not had any problems with it, but when you start a 2600 mile trip it becomes more of a concern.

Wow...so this is goodbye. I have lived in Harrisonburg 3 years, 7 months, and 2 days. When I first arrived I was a single guy with all my life's belongings packed in my Mercury Tracer. Now as I leave, I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world and have the most precious daughter in the world. I am leaving Harrisonburg a richly blessed man. I could not ask for more. Harrisonburg has become home to me, and so as I move away I am leaving part of my heart - for in Harrisonburg I began my first "real" job out of college; I proposed to Sarah here; Sarah and I were married here; Phoebe was born here; and here I have met and made friends so dear to me that they are like family.

Well, Harrisonburg, it has been more than a pleasure, and I hope to continue that pleasure again in the future. As Douglas MacArthur said, "I came through and I shall return." I am joyful over what lies ahead, but my heart is heavy over leaving so many loved ones. So long, and farewell. Keep in touch.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11

Our wonderful apartment

As I pack up our apartment, I can't help but think about how blessed we have been to live in such a beautiful location for three years. We have a gorgeous view and lots of trees and flowers all around us. It's so wonderful to be able to bask in the beauty of the Lord's creation right from our apartment.

Longboard Island Lager

Fonzy and JT Oates came over and helped me load some of the bigger items of furniture into the trailer earlier today. After the tiresome ordeal, we refreshed ourselves with one of Hawaii's finest brews, Longboard Island Lager. This beer holds a special place in my heart, as the last time I drank it was on my honeymoon with Sarah in Hawaii. :)

Packing...

My job this weekend is to get our entire house packed into the ABF U-Pack Trailer. I spent this afternoon loading boxes onto the trailer, but I still have a lot more to do. Thank goodness I still have this evening and all day tomorrow. The trailer you see will be picked up by ABF on Monday. I'm already a big fan of this company.

Gone are my girls...

Last night I dropped off Sarah and Phoebe at Sarah's parents' house so that they can go on vacation to Canada for a week and a half. Sarah has been working exceptionally hard at packing, so she deserves a vacation. I'm gonna miss those two...

Date Nights

Every Thursday, the Chases, Lookabills and us rotate babysitting for eachother so that the other two couples can go on a date. It has been wonderful, both going on the date and babysitting the little rug rats. Two Thursdays ago it was our turn to babysit, and it was one of best nights we had with the kids. They were all in terrific moods and had so much fun with eachother. I think it is such a wonderful blessing that we all can be so involved in the hearts and lives of eachother's children and to be able to see them grow into the unique individuals that God created them to be. We love these kids so much, and they are so precious to us.

Phoebe & Liam's Birthday Pics

Phoebe & Liam's 1 Year Birthday Party!

Saturday we celebrated Phoebe and Liam's 1 year birthday party. A lot of
people came and we all had a great time....except Phoebe. She was a
little tired and overwhelmed a good part of the time, but she caught her
second wind towards the end and started to be in a better mood. I'll try
to post a couple pictures soon, but in the mean time, follow this link
to my facebook album of their party.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047905&l=5f69a&id=68602521