Traveling to North Carolina (Part 3)

Well, we finally arrived in North Carolina! We left Kentucky, traveled through Tennessee and down over the Smokey Mountains into Asheville, North Carolina. Angela's Brother, his family and her mom just recently moved there. We had a nice visit with them over the weekend.

James got to finally get out of the truck and play a little.
Angela's brother took us on a great scenic drive around Asheville and showed us some sites. We visited a nice Hotel called the Grove Park Inn that had a great view of Asheville from the balcony and a sweet Jaguar parked out front. Supposedly this hotel is well known and many a "big wig" throughout its history has stayed here.

From Asheville we traveled East toward Winston Salem, Greensboro and on into Raleigh. We stopped at our last rest stop and stretched!

Finally after a little more than 2700 miles total we arrive in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Hello new mission field, Raleigh, North Carolina! Over three years ago we had implanted into our hearts the thought of moving to North Carolina before we were married or with James, and wondered, "Was that God or was that just us?..." Well, here we are, and we arrive in Raleigh, NC on 10-10-10! We have officially completed one chapter of life and begun a new one. We look forward to God's plan for our lives as we follow Him. And we are so thankful for everyone He has put in our lives to help keep us in His will. We love you!

We are currently staying with the Wilson Family in Garner, North Carolina. This is their home above. They live about 20 minutes from Downtown Raleigh. Years ago the Wilson's were part of our home church Calvary Chapel Spring Valley, Las Vegas, and about 8 years ago they felt led by the Lord to move to Garner, NC. We met them last Spring when we visited the Raleigh area to pray and see if the Lord might be leading us out here. They graciously invited us to come and stay with them until we get on our feet, I find a job, and we find an apartment in the Raleigh area. The Wilsons embraced us as family even though they didn't know us. We have been so blessed by God and His people throughout our journey as followers of Christ. Oh that everyone could experience the love and friendships God has provided in His local, national and global community, the Church, the beautiful Bride of His Son. And truly His Bride is beautiful! Thank you Jesus!

Good night Las Vegas...

Good morning North Carolina!




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Traveling to North Carolina (Part 2)

Well, we've traveled across most of the country so far. We've been able to visit with family and friends and see some beautiful scenery. Traveling from New Mexico through Texas and Oklahoma was pretty flat but there were a couple rain storms off in the distance that made it pretty. We got to see a field of wind turbines off in the distance. That was cool. (For geeks like me.) (I didn't take that picture below, but that's what they look like.)

On Saturday we were able to have lunch with Angela's brother and his family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was a nice visit.

After leaving Tulsa we went to a cave in Missouri. You actually ride a propane powered Jeep down into the ground and below is a big open cavern full of stalactites and stalagmites. It was pretty cool for a quick stop of the highway and a place to stretch our legs and see something cool. James was too small really appreciate it. He was a ting crazy while everyone else was trying to enjoy the ride and listen to the guide.

We stayed in St. Louis at the Strebe's home (pic below) until Monday and then went to Mt. Vernon, Illinois to visit with my family. It was a nice quick visit. Jason, Nancy, Colin (pic below) and Haleigh are doing great and my sister just had a new little boy, Adam, and he's a cutie. Below is our family couch photo and James with his cousins Michael and Leah in the hammock.

We're in Louisville, Kentucky now visiting with our friends Yaser and Vilma. Last night we took the kids to the park near downtown. (Picture below) Lots of green here. We plan on heading south to Asheville, North Carolina on Friday where Angela's mom and brother are living. It should be a beautiful drive over the mountains to Asheville, NC.

God's country is amazing. I've really been able to see that there is a lot of deep rooted Christian heritage across our country, lots of Churches, lots of great people and a lot of so called "morality." Regardless of all the political and economic difficulties we're in and we face, I am challenged that our "Christian Country" is not going to die easy. We can lose the name "Christian" country long before the actual Christian influence is gone. God's work in and through His people is impossible to snuff out and as a nation of people we still have so much of the Lord working in our midst. I can see that the remnant of believers within our country that I've been able to visit with and experience is still a strong spiritual force to be reckoned with. There are still so many people that simply love Jesus, His Word and His ways. We definitely need a real revival of the Holy Spirit and not religion. We definitely need Christ to move in a powerful way across the land and grant us a willingness to let go of all our perishing toys and idols that we might grab on to Him completely with both hands. We as a country need more Jesus!!! We as Christians need more Jesus!!! And you who are lost without Him need Him most! Our Lord is so good and patient and long-suffering, not just with our country, but with me. Oh, Lord, help us to be patient with others, understanding and compassionate, willing to go the distance that they might come to Christ. Thank you for Your mercy God and grant us grace to seek Your face in Truth.

Thank You Lord for our country!

Thank You Lord for our friends!

Thank You Lord for our family!

You're goodness never end!!!

May we never take it for granted.

To all our friends and family back in Vegas,

we love you and miss you tons!!!

Traveling to North Carolina (Part 1)

Hi Everyone,

Wow. Its crazy that we are actually moving and on our way to North Carolina. We made it to Albuquerque the first day and then to Tulsa on day 2. We arrived in St. Louis on Saturday night to visit some great friends (The Strebes) and are now heading to Illinois to visit with family. From there we will visit some friends in Louisville Kentucky, then head south to Asheville, NC and then over to Raleigh, NC where we will be staying with some friends until we get settled.

We really want to thank our Family at Calvary Chapel Spring Valley in Las Vegas. We would not be where we are today without the friendships with you all. We have been so blessed by the Body of Christ at Spring Valley and will miss you guys a ton.

We left Las Vegas encouraged, empowered and emboldened to step out in faith and serve God with all our hearts and with the love and support of our home church and family. We love you all so much!