Life Lately #32 - Road Tripping in the Western USA + more

Hello from the PNW! 

Dave and I are currently on the road right now and I wanted to pop in and say hi and check in. 

Since we returned State side we have been really blessed to spend time with family and friends. Saying blessed doesn't properly recap how full my heart feels from seeing everyone but I'm sure you all understand. I'm especially thankful for meeting all the new babies that have been born! Between family and friends I have met 4 new babies and I still have 3 more to meet (Amanda and Kinzie I'm talking to you!). 

My siblings and I always get so so so excited to see each other but we always dread saying goodbye. It's never easy. Today we said goodbye to my brother and his family in Whidbey Island and it was sad. Our 3 year old nephew Elliot is finally getting what it means to say bye and he weeps and wails loudly. He is lucky he is 3 and gets to weep and wail loudly because it is what we are all feeling inside but to wail that loud simultaneously as adults would be awkward and funny.  

Currently Dave and I are in Port Angeles, Washington. We took a ferry from Whidbey Island to the Northern part of the Olympic Peninsula and our plan is to drive all the way from here back to Kansas. We decided that since we are on the west coast already we should make a road trip to home. We have all our camping gear and hope to camp where weather permits. 

So far we have visited Seattle, Vancouver and Whidbey Island. You all know I love Seattle and Vancouver was good but also interesting. Whidbey is where my brother and his family live and I just love that place. 

Some of the other places we plan to visit are: 

Oregon - Portland, Cannon Beach & Multnomah Falls. 

California - Sequoia National Park, Yosemite (f it isn't freezing), Red Wood National Park. My brother is deploying in two weeks from San Diego so we might go see him off. I also have a great Aunt I've never met so we hope to see her too. 

New Mexico - Albuquerque - to see my adopted grandparents and to consume an unhealthy amount of New Mexico Green Chilies. Nom Nom. 

Do any of you all live in these areas or have you traveled there? What places do you recommend to see? 

My Dad actually took me to California on deputation with him when I was 5 but all I remember are a few big rocks by the ocean, riding Dumbo at Disney and also riding the "It's a Small World After All" ride. ha! 

After all that we plan on going to Kansas where we have to be responsible adults again and find a place to live and work. ;)

Dave is going to job hunt again and he has to work on getting his PA license renewed. 

I'm ready to settle down and have a place of our own; to be in a consistent community where the roots and fellowship run deep. I also told Dave (when I was tired and emotional the other night) that it was hard because I don't even have a place where I consistently put my shampoo so I guess that will be nice, right? Yes, I do realize how ridiculous that is but sometimes tiredness + emotions = worries about the shampoo. ha! 

This past year has been packed with travel and I'm not one bit complaining, but I think my emotions and life are ready for some structure and stability. 

I do think about all the big things that are right around the corner, like jobs and finding a place to live and it stresses me out so I'm trying to take a step back, pray and realize that I need to live today and  not worry about tomorrow. I'm also trying to use this time to pray more and to ask God to help us in these next big life steps. God has been with us each step of the way and He will keep leading us. I need to keep reminding myself of that because my human self easily forgets. 

How has life been for you lately? 

What are you most looking forward to in 2016? 

PS - In a few days I'll be sharing about Seattle and Vancouver + I have my Daily Prayer Topics that I'll be sharing about along with what God has taught me about prayer this past year. Stay tuned!