I have arrived at my Mom's in Carson City, and am adjusting to the dryness. My body isn't used to the lack of moisture, but I'm sure I will adjust.
I want to take the time to say a couple of thank yous. To Lyn Marsh for giving me some new CDs to listen to. They definitely helped me through some of the boring parts of the drive. To Doug Hefner for suggesting I carry a roll of paper towels and a bottle of Windex! Best suggestion ever! To Elaine Hefner for checking in with me through Skype as I made my way across the country. And especially to all of you who continue to pray for me and my journey. I know God is guiding me, and I value your prayers more than you will ever know.
I am getting my information together to begin sending out resumes, and will keep you up to date as the search progresses. Thanks again to all of you for your friendship and prayers.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The Grand Canyon
It was dark when I headed out to the Grand Canyon. I gave myself two hours to drive the 80 miles I still had to go to reach the canyon, and I wasn't sure what kind of road I'd be traveling. I wanted to be sure to get there before the sun rose. As I reached the park the sky was just starting to lighten. I drove to the gate and found a sign that said "Guard gate closed. Enjoy the park!" I was so early I didn't even have to pay to get in.
I pulled in to the parking lot of the first outlook I came to, hoping I would have a good view of the sunrise. I was completely alone. Bird twittered all around me. It was almost cold with a breeze blowing occasionally. It was so quiet I could hear the wind as it whooshed down the canyon. The sky continued to lighten and by the time the sun peeked over the horizon I was chilled through. But it was so beautiful I couldn't stop taking pictures.
By the time the sun was up there were eleven other people talking and disturbing my space, so I left and drove around to the next outlook point. Every time I stopped I took more pictures and enjoyed the scenery even more. I don't know what I had thought, but I didn't realize that the canyon wasn't just an empty canyon. There are rock formations of all shapes and sizes throughout the bottom and up the sides of it. I guess that makes me sound a little stupid, but I never really thought about it before. I stopped at three or four different outlook points, and every one of them had a different variation of the beauty of the canyon. It was magnificent. At one place I was sitting alone warming up in the sun, and decided in the quiet that I would read the devotional I had skipped that morning when I left so early. Here is my message from Jesus for June 27th:
Rest with me a while. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on me, your constant companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey. (That's from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young) Isn't that just perfect for where I am in my life? It is exactly what I needed to hear. I left the Grand Canyon rested, encouraged and ready to move ahead on my journey. I am so thankful that He knows me and knows exactly what I need to hear. I'm thankful He has a plan for me, and will show me each step as I reach it. I look forward to discovering what comes next!
By the time the sun was up there were eleven other people talking and disturbing my space, so I left and drove around to the next outlook point. Every time I stopped I took more pictures and enjoyed the scenery even more. I don't know what I had thought, but I didn't realize that the canyon wasn't just an empty canyon. There are rock formations of all shapes and sizes throughout the bottom and up the sides of it. I guess that makes me sound a little stupid, but I never really thought about it before. I stopped at three or four different outlook points, and every one of them had a different variation of the beauty of the canyon. It was magnificent. At one place I was sitting alone warming up in the sun, and decided in the quiet that I would read the devotional I had skipped that morning when I left so early. Here is my message from Jesus for June 27th:Rest with me a while. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on me, your constant companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey. (That's from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young) Isn't that just perfect for where I am in my life? It is exactly what I needed to hear. I left the Grand Canyon rested, encouraged and ready to move ahead on my journey. I am so thankful that He knows me and knows exactly what I need to hear. I'm thankful He has a plan for me, and will show me each step as I reach it. I look forward to discovering what comes next!
Flagstaff
The drive from Albuquerque to Flagstaff, AZ, wasn't too long. I arrived in Flagstaff around 2 pm - though since I had now gone through another time change, the hotel said it was 1:00 (I'm now officially three hours behind all you Pittsburghers).
About 30 miles before Flagstaff, I started seeing signs for the Meteor Crater National Monument. So I thought I'd check it out. It was a few miles off the main road, but well worth the detour. It is amazing to me that a piece of metal the size of a volkswagen created such a huge dent in the earth. The effect it had on the plant and animal life must have been astounding. I'm glad I stopped to take a look.
They let me check into the hotel in Flagstaff early, and I debated about whether I should head out right away and go see the Grand Canyon. But as I drove into town, it seemed to be so unique that I decided to explore a bit. Some of the towns I pass through have Walmart, Office Max, Target, etc, the same as every other town. But this one has retained it's individuality. I wandered down one of the main streets and browsed through shops that had Indian artifacts, jewelry, candles, local foods and wines. It was such fun to see something different. I probably spent a couple of hours wandering, then had dinner at the Wildflower Bread Company, and decided to turn in early in order to see the Grand Canyon at sunrise.
About 30 miles before Flagstaff, I started seeing signs for the Meteor Crater National Monument. So I thought I'd check it out. It was a few miles off the main road, but well worth the detour. It is amazing to me that a piece of metal the size of a volkswagen created such a huge dent in the earth. The effect it had on the plant and animal life must have been astounding. I'm glad I stopped to take a look. They let me check into the hotel in Flagstaff early, and I debated about whether I should head out right away and go see the Grand Canyon. But as I drove into town, it seemed to be so unique that I decided to explore a bit. Some of the towns I pass through have Walmart, Office Max, Target, etc, the same as every other town. But this one has retained it's individuality. I wandered down one of the main streets and browsed through shops that had Indian artifacts, jewelry, candles, local foods and wines. It was such fun to see something different. I probably spent a couple of hours wandering, then had dinner at the Wildflower Bread Company, and decided to turn in early in order to see the Grand Canyon at sunrise.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Oklahoma City
Years ago we lived in Oklahoma City. In fact Connor was born there; Aaron was only 2. It had been about 15 years since we had even visited, so when I arrived at my friend Trish's house on Friday, I didn't recognize much. It has grown and changed so much that there weren't many landmarks from which I could get my bearings. So the entire weekend I had no bearings!
Trish took the time to drive me around and show me the new stuff, and the little old stuff that remained. We drove by our old homes in Midwest City, and both looked good and well cared for. Another friend, Cheryl, came over and had a sleep over with us on Saturday night, and we spent hours reminiscing and reminding each other of old friends - and "where are they now?" It was so nice to relax and spend time catching up with old friends.
Monday morning I headed out again, heading west toward Amarillo. It was a beautiful drive. The rolling hills were several shades of green - the sage brush, the roadside grass, and the shrubs dotting the fields. It was pretty easy to tell which way the wind normally blows. All the trees,whether they were grouped together in a gully, gathered protectively around a homestead, or standing alone in the field, all leaned the same way. Made me chuckle. As I crossed from Texas into New Mexico, the scenery became dull and brown. Flat fields of dry scrub, an occasional brown bush, no trees, and a long, long straight road that seemed to go on forever.
I finally made it to Albuquerque, where I had planned to spend the night. Normally, I just drive along looking for a Motel 6 or some other inexpensive hotel along the highway and pull in for the night. But that was not possible here! Traffic was so fast, and of course everyone else knew where they were going, and which of the four lanes of traffic they wanted to be in. I swept along with everyone else until I felt as though I was heading out the other side of the city. I decided to take the next exit no matter what. Once I was off the highway, I found a Best Western - little more pricey that I was used to, but it was welcome after a long hot day.
Trish took the time to drive me around and show me the new stuff, and the little old stuff that remained. We drove by our old homes in Midwest City, and both looked good and well cared for. Another friend, Cheryl, came over and had a sleep over with us on Saturday night, and we spent hours reminiscing and reminding each other of old friends - and "where are they now?" It was so nice to relax and spend time catching up with old friends.
Monday morning I headed out again, heading west toward Amarillo. It was a beautiful drive. The rolling hills were several shades of green - the sage brush, the roadside grass, and the shrubs dotting the fields. It was pretty easy to tell which way the wind normally blows. All the trees,whether they were grouped together in a gully, gathered protectively around a homestead, or standing alone in the field, all leaned the same way. Made me chuckle. As I crossed from Texas into New Mexico, the scenery became dull and brown. Flat fields of dry scrub, an occasional brown bush, no trees, and a long, long straight road that seemed to go on forever. I finally made it to Albuquerque, where I had planned to spend the night. Normally, I just drive along looking for a Motel 6 or some other inexpensive hotel along the highway and pull in for the night. But that was not possible here! Traffic was so fast, and of course everyone else knew where they were going, and which of the four lanes of traffic they wanted to be in. I swept along with everyone else until I felt as though I was heading out the other side of the city. I decided to take the next exit no matter what. Once I was off the highway, I found a Best Western - little more pricey that I was used to, but it was welcome after a long hot day.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The Butterfly
For years butterflies have been special to me. I painted them on the end of Aaron's first crib and embroidered them on the bumper pads. I've made them - so many different kinds - out of stained glass. Several years ago, when a friend's father died I wrote a poem about how they represent new life, and gave it to her with a glass butterfly. That kind of created a tradition for me. If some one was getting married, having a baby, lost someone through death, going through a divorce, I would send them the copy of the poem and a butterfly. I truly believe that because of the changes butterflies go through they are a wonderful example of the changes we go through in our own lives. When we see the beauty of the mature butterfly, it is a reminder for me of the beauty in my own life - even if I'm in a dark place at the moment. If I can hang in there, God will make something beautiful of my life.
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As I began my drive at 7:22 AM, I hadn't gone a mile down the road before I noticed something white on my dashboard. It was across on the passenger side, and took me a while to identify it because I was only seeing its reflection in the window. It was a little white butterfly. At first I thought, "Oh, poor thing." But then I realized it was a gift from God. . . His blessing as I began my road trip. A gentle reminder that He is with me as I am beginning a new life, and my future and my destination are designed by Him.
I arrived at my brother's in Traverse City about 4 PM and had a nice visit. He barbequed chicken and hamburgers and we ate out on his back deck watching as the trees sway in the wind. It was beautiful, and quiet, and so restful. As we took our dishes back into the house, the rain began. As the minutes went by, the rain continued to fall harder and harder, and the wind blew fiercer and fiercer. We couldn't even see across the street! And as I looked, suddenly branches - big ones - started coming off the two trees in the front yard. They fell in slow motion before crashing down about 6 feet from my car! It was amazing to watch!
And then it was over. We walked down the street and found another tree had fallen on someone's roof. We were the only two with that kind of damage, but there will definitely be some clean up to do. The power stayed out for a couple of hours, and we went to bed in the dark. When it came back on, though, all the lights woke us up long enough to get up and turn them back off. Quite the exciting end to my first day on the road!
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As I began my drive at 7:22 AM, I hadn't gone a mile down the road before I noticed something white on my dashboard. It was across on the passenger side, and took me a while to identify it because I was only seeing its reflection in the window. It was a little white butterfly. At first I thought, "Oh, poor thing." But then I realized it was a gift from God. . . His blessing as I began my road trip. A gentle reminder that He is with me as I am beginning a new life, and my future and my destination are designed by Him.I arrived at my brother's in Traverse City about 4 PM and had a nice visit. He barbequed chicken and hamburgers and we ate out on his back deck watching as the trees sway in the wind. It was beautiful, and quiet, and so restful. As we took our dishes back into the house, the rain began. As the minutes went by, the rain continued to fall harder and harder, and the wind blew fiercer and fiercer. We couldn't even see across the street! And as I looked, suddenly branches - big ones - started coming off the two trees in the front yard. They fell in slow motion before crashing down about 6 feet from my car! It was amazing to watch!
And then it was over. We walked down the street and found another tree had fallen on someone's roof. We were the only two with that kind of damage, but there will definitely be some clean up to do. The power stayed out for a couple of hours, and we went to bed in the dark. When it came back on, though, all the lights woke us up long enough to get up and turn them back off. Quite the exciting end to my first day on the road!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Resting Up
The last week has been a long one - finishing with the sorting, packing and getting rid of. So much to go through even though I had only been in the house four years. Amazing how much we accumulate as time goes by!
My closing was set for Friday at 12:30, so Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday I spent every day working - packing box after box. And I really had gotten rid of so much. I only kept a few kitchen things, but then there was my studio. How do I choose what to keep and what to sell or give away? Tough choices. I think I eventually ended up with nearly 30 banana boxes! And that was after I said I was getting rid of everything!
I am so thankful for Elaine and Doug Hefner who not only gave me a place to stay while all this was going on, but gave freely of their time and assistance. Ed gave me his whole day Thursday. We started at 10 AM, making two trips in his pick-up to the storage unit, one to Goodwill, and two to his house. I owe him a debt I'm sure I will never be able to repay! He was a trouper! (Though we both felt how much we have aged since we last did a major move!)
After Ed went home, I finally returned to my own house at 10 PM and found Elaine there, still cleaning, having arrived around 7 PM! What a friend! We got the entire first floor cleaned and ready for the walk through the next day, but just couldn't keep going in order to get the basement done. We left around 11:15 PM, and headed back to her house.
Friday, after only a few hours of sleep, I returned and spent the morning cleaning the basement, which is where I had had my studio. It was hard to see it empty. I went next door to say good-bye to the neighbors, and headed to Panera for a good cup of coffee as I waited for my realtor, Marlene Sausman. She picked me up about 11:45 and we headed down to Pittsburgh for the closing. That was the easy part.
The whole week was very stressful. I had a hard time sleeping because the many thoughts in my head were going round and round thinking of all I had to do, what hadn't been done, how many hours did I have left to get everything done. . . . etc. etc. Friday night after we had closed, I had the first good night's sleep I'd had in a long time.
Now after resting for the weekend, I'm heading out tomorrow morning to go visit my brother in Traverse City, Michigan.
Stay tuned as my journey continues. I'll post again soon.
My closing was set for Friday at 12:30, so Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday I spent every day working - packing box after box. And I really had gotten rid of so much. I only kept a few kitchen things, but then there was my studio. How do I choose what to keep and what to sell or give away? Tough choices. I think I eventually ended up with nearly 30 banana boxes! And that was after I said I was getting rid of everything!
I am so thankful for Elaine and Doug Hefner who not only gave me a place to stay while all this was going on, but gave freely of their time and assistance. Ed gave me his whole day Thursday. We started at 10 AM, making two trips in his pick-up to the storage unit, one to Goodwill, and two to his house. I owe him a debt I'm sure I will never be able to repay! He was a trouper! (Though we both felt how much we have aged since we last did a major move!)
After Ed went home, I finally returned to my own house at 10 PM and found Elaine there, still cleaning, having arrived around 7 PM! What a friend! We got the entire first floor cleaned and ready for the walk through the next day, but just couldn't keep going in order to get the basement done. We left around 11:15 PM, and headed back to her house.
Friday, after only a few hours of sleep, I returned and spent the morning cleaning the basement, which is where I had had my studio. It was hard to see it empty. I went next door to say good-bye to the neighbors, and headed to Panera for a good cup of coffee as I waited for my realtor, Marlene Sausman. She picked me up about 11:45 and we headed down to Pittsburgh for the closing. That was the easy part.
The whole week was very stressful. I had a hard time sleeping because the many thoughts in my head were going round and round thinking of all I had to do, what hadn't been done, how many hours did I have left to get everything done. . . . etc. etc. Friday night after we had closed, I had the first good night's sleep I'd had in a long time.
Now after resting for the weekend, I'm heading out tomorrow morning to go visit my brother in Traverse City, Michigan.
Stay tuned as my journey continues. I'll post again soon.
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