My post is late! It has been a busy few week with our arrival in Wrangell, limited internet access due to the Alaska Marine Highway travel time and all the last minute chores and errands during our time in Bellingham, Washington.

Last I wrote, we were in Idaho. Since, we completed our drive to Bellingham, Washington. Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are so beautiful! We were blessed with continued excellent travel conditions and only minor traffic congestion in Seattle, which was expected. We were greeted in Bellingham, Washington by my cousin, Melissa, and her wonderful family, who welcomed us into their home for the week, fed us, and assisted us with our many last-minute errands. It felt so nice to be out of a hotel and eating home-cooked, delicious (and healthy) meals. We found a little extra time to hike, and see Bellingham; however, most of the time was spent getting new tires, oil changes, hair cuts, air filter changes, and other maintenance that is more convenient in the "lower 48". 

After 5 days in Bellingham, we boarded the Alaska Marine Highway System on the Malaspina. It was an older vessel and one of the original "larger vessels" that was introduced into the system in 1963. The best way I can describe my experience on the Marine Highway is just a less-luxurious cruise, but with more beautiful scenery. The route was along Alaska's Inside Passage of the Southeast, making most of the trip smooth sailing. I was not a fan of the rolling feeling we experience in the few instances of open water. We spent 5 hours in Ketchikan, which was the first and only pit-stop for us before reaching Wrangell. The Malaspina continued to travel to Petersburg, Juneau, Haines, and then west.

We have now been in Wrangell a little more than 24 hours and it is so relieving to finally be here, knowing that we travelled about 4,000 miles with no injury, mishaps, or even minor trouble. What a blessing!

We both begin work on Wednesday - mostly with introductions, training, and program building and marketing. It will be yet another chapter on this exciting, new adventure that we are still uncovering.

My weekly "God thing":
In this small town, I no longer have the ability to listen to K-LOVE on the radio, but of course could still stream the station. I do still follow the station's facebook page and love seeing their daily and weekly posts. So maybe I am slightly cheating by stealing this, but I found it to be extremely relevant to my current "first steps of faith".

I am sitting in my hotel room in Burley, Idaho trying to remember the whirlwind of traveling I have experienced since Monday morning. Our long journey began in Marion, Virginia after a wonderful going away party given by Jim's parents. My sister and brother-in-law stayed with me to see me off Monday morning after beating us in Scrabble. I love spending time with these two.

Monday morning was emotional. We had a breakfast with our families and then immediately said good-bye and went to get my little car on a trailer. Looking back, it is amazing how clean my car looks. Both vehicles were completely packed to the brim with the items we deemed most important and necessary for the move. It is a miracle in itself that we were able to fit (most of) what we wanted and needed in the cars. It was so cold in Virginia when we left and the wind was so strong traveling on the 77 turnpike. That was probably the most challenging part of our long drive. 

Our first night was spent in Indiana and 5 inches of powder fell on our nice clean cars. The weather luckily did not delay our travel and we got on the road the next morning. 

I know not all of you reading have traveled to Iowa, but for me it was old news. My father grew up in a small town called Ackley, Iowa. Most of his family is still in Iowa. My Grandma still is in Ankeny, Iowa. Ever since I can remember, I have made relatively frequent trips to the midwest to visit family and we generally traveled by car. One thing that is still exciting to see between Virginia and Iowa is the Great Mississippi River. The cold weather had turned the surface of the river to ice, but it was still beautiful. Pictures just do not do it justice. 

Once we arrived in Ackley, Iowa, we spent two nights and visited my Grandma Hazel. She is an amazing woman and role model. I love learning from her and hearing her stories. Jim and I were put in our place in cribbage. She beat us both with every game we played. We also enjoyed going with Grandma to her exercise classes, bingo, and sharing our meals with her. 

All the land I saw west of Ankeny, Iowa was new territory to me. So far, we have had unbelievably perfect weather and easy travel days. Seeing everything beyond my previous exposure was so humbling. I was literally left speechless by the beauty and vastness of the western part of our country. So far, new territory to me has been Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho. I took more pictures that I would dare try to put up on my blog. With every turn and new view I felt the need to try to capture the beauty unfolding before me. I quickly realized that it is impossible to represent God's beautiful creations on a 2D space, but the following pictures were my best attempts. 

My weekly "God thing": 

My theme and underlying thoughts this week have all revolved around "new territory". My most obvious new territory is geographic. I have seen more of our country in the past week than I have in my entire life. I also have covered new territory emotionally by leaving everything I have ever known about having a home. I also have found new territory spiritually by getting a better understanding of the vastness and beauty of God's creation. We, as humans, are so small and our world is so big. This sounds like a simple idea; however, I have been challenged to realize how little I know and have experienced in comparison to just how big His plans can be for us.  It is incomprehensible and I love it.

 This week was by far one of the most eventful and busy weeks of my life. I wanted to see as many people as I possibly could before my move next week; but, I also had to pack up my entire life and prepare for a drive across the USA. Saying goodbye is difficult, especially to the people I love most.

Monday morning I met with my dear friend, former neighbor, workout buddy, and fellow puppy mom, Melissa.   Over breakfast, we enjoyed talking about my upcoming move, all the work I had to do, her new home and puppy, as well as the anticipation of meeting her new son in the next year. Long talks with good friends can be so therapeutic. 

Monday evening was a blast! After work, Jim and I met the new Mr. and Mrs. Wehrmann at their new home! Double date night! We had dinner and a game night. I love spending time with my best friend and her new husband. 

Tuesday afternoon, after a long day of packing and cleaning, I met with some of my favorite high school friends. It's amazing how 7 years can pass and we can pick up right where we left off out senior year. Sure, conversational topics change, but the bond and the laughter is constant. I love these girls!

Tuesday, my brother, sister-in-law, niece and new nephew arrived from Raleigh to celebrate a late Christmas. I always love spending time with them. My sister and brother-in-law also came to town from Watauga County. For the first time in a long time, my parents had all siblings, and their families close and in one place. It was wonderful! I love being surrounded by family.

It is hard to even put my thoughts together for what happened Tuesday evening. I was as happy as I possibly thought I could be while being with my family. We had a delicious dinner, played cribbage, watched movies and had many funny stories to tell. After dinner, my sister told me there was a gift for me up in her room she needed to get and to meet her in the living room. Knowing my thoughtful family, it didn't surprise me to receive a going away present. I walked with everyone else to the living room and patiently waited for my sister to return. With everyone standing around, I saw my sweet niece approach me with the gift behind her back saying, "I have a surprise for you!". She slowly revealed a beautiful hand-carved and painted puzzle box shaped like a halibut. I sat down on the ground with my niece as I carefully opened the box, pulling one piece away at a time.


Inside, I found the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. For a moment, I wondered why my sister or my family would give me such a nice diamond ring as a going away present. As I looked up, highly confused, I saw the love of my life kneeling with the life-changing question on his lips. I of course said yes through my tears of happiness and my families applause and sounds of joy.

I can't believe how lucky I am to have this man in my life and I can't wait for this new adventure I get to share with him. Just when I thought I could not be happier...

And of course, the rest of the week was a whirlwind of emotions. I spent time with family, caught up with friends, and packed my car full of my life. I bought in 2015 with my most favorite people. It's going to be a wonderful year!

I love Ms. Betty Link. Since my time in Confirmation, she has been a mentor and friend.

My "other mother", Lori Burke. She is a great friend wonderful motherly figure to me. 

Me holding my handsome new nephew. 

Papa Scott with baby Samual

Uncle Jeshua and Aunt Lauren holding Samuel

Enjoying North Carolina BBQ together before going separate ways. 

My immediate family: Kevin, Lauren, Dad, Mom, me, and Robbie

With my cousin Tiffany, and her husband, Ryan.

With my Great Aunt Delma Lee, and cousin, Pat.

The whole gang. I love these people! 

With my siblings and their families. 

My weekly "God thing":
I have been overwhelmed with Love this week. Not just love from my friends and family, but also by God's Love. It has been a week where his presence has been evident in all that has been shown to me. My path has been made for me, and I know that His Love is the greatest of all. It is reassuring to know that his Love is constant and timeless and unwavering.