Nomads....

This itineration process has been a very unique time in our lives. We've been blessed by great travelling opportunities. From the time we've left our jobs in April and moved to a new place in Dallas, we were able to visit friends and family in: Washington DC & Virginia; Baltimore; New York City; Southport, CT; Nashville, TN; Austin, San Antonio, and Port Aransas, TX. It's been a nutty few months travelling, but well worth the time and effort to see people before we go. We felt privileged to get to see Jimmy D, our college friend, receive a Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, which is a huge honor for DC teachers. Here are some pictures from our trip, in Washington Square in NYC, with my friends Krista & Alison, Jimmy D, and dogwood trees blooming!

We have missed stability and life in Dallas as we live out of suitcases now. In fact, at the end of June we packed up all our things: from furniture, to clothes, to trinkets & frames, and drove to St. Louis to store it all in Andrew's parents' basement! You realize how much pointless stuff you accumulate through the years.
Simplifying our lives in this way has been somewhat refreshing, but very stressful too! We've really had to force feed ourselves the Gospel daily as we struggle through major adjustments, with many more to come as we move to Thailand. One of the hardest things for me has been relying on other people for things: rides to the airport, borrowing cars, staying in others' houses/apartments, and of course, financial support and prayer! We just cannot do it all ourselves and I HATE to admit that most times. It's been a lesson in learning to surrender control and rely upon the Lord to provide so many things for us and in His timing, not mine. Right now we are living in the extra bedroom of Aaron & Erin's house, Andrew's brother and his wife. It is like a slumber party every night for both Erin & me and Aaron & Andrew! We love living with them but it is hard to not have a place to call home, and to have our remaining suitcases and boxes strewn about in two small bedrooms. We are thankful for this provision in having a place to live for an interim few months.