Hello from I-o-way

Good morning - its about 7 am or so CST and we're just getting ready for our 3rd day on the road. Madre and I've been watching "24" with alternating delight and frustration. Most of my frustration is due to Jack Bauer refusal to abide by protocol. But, I guess that's the point of 24!

Yesterday was our longest day, logging 6.5 hours in the car - we listened to the entire "Wicked" Soundtrack at one point, but mostly we've been talking, or mom will read an article from World as I stare at the PLAIN states. (Definitely know why they named 'em that.)

We still have an ETA of Friday. To those of you who heard me say repeatedly "PLEASE pray for safe, dry roads," South Dakota was really good, but coming down into Iowa was a little more stressful. According to Weather.com, we only have and hour and a half (Omaha) before the roads clear up again. Please keep praying!

Packing like Mad

The last couple of days have been very busy. I thought I had everything ready to go last weekend, but oh, was I wrong! However, it is amazing how much you can get packed when a) your angelic sister helps (sometimes you just need someone to say, "Are you REALLY going to use that?") b) your brother is a genius at packing a car, and c) you just work really, really hard and clean like a crazy woman.

Madre and I are leaving today at about 10:30 Montana time, and intend on staying in Rapid City or Mitchell, SD.

Thanks to the Mattsons, we are REALLY looking forward to diving into the craze over '24'!

Love to everyone at Rocky, Peacemakers, and the Routson family. Many, Many thanks!

I'm hoping to post along the way, if we get into hotels with free wifi.

Day 18 - The disaster before the move

1:30 - return home to pack
2:00 - Drag out everything. Put into Box 1 (Staying in Billings) or Box 2 (Going to STL).
3:02 - Overwhelmed
3:05 - "I have TOO MUCH STUFF"
3:14 - Update iTunes
3:30 - Keira Knightly in Pride and Prejudice. Photos in Box
3:52 - Zone out. Email: "How big is the closet?"
4:00 - Clean out Shoes
4:17 - "Mom, what do I do with little pictures Sunday School kids drew for me?" "Save 'em"
5:00 - Clothing will be dealt with tomorrow.
5:37 - Mr. Daaa-rcy
6:00 - The Disaster before the Move

Thanks, ItsaJoy!

Andrea, I'm stating for the record: your fiance rocks! Thanks for the countdown code. :)

"He" is Christ -- and an announcement

Far From The Home I Love
How can I hope to make you understand
Why I do what I do,
Why I must travel to a distant land,
Far from the home I love.
Once I was happily content to be
As I was, where I was,
Close to the people who are close to me,
Here in the home I love.
Who could see that a man could come
Who would change the shape of my dreams.
Helpless now I stand with him,
Watching older dreams grow dim.
Oh, what a melancholy choice this is,
Wanting home, wanting him,
Closing my heart to ev'ry hope but his,
Leaving the home I love,
There where my heart has settled long ago
I must go, I must go, I must go,
Who could imagine I'd be wand'ring so
Far from the home I love
Yet there with my love, I'm home.

Fiddler on the Roof


As we watched "Fiddler" last weekend, this song came on -- and it really describes my situation well. The "Man" isn't any human man, though. For me this song is SO accurate, if you know the refernce of 'him' is Christ. (and "distant land" being Missouri).

I've applied to Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, and I've been accepted! I'll be leaving the home I love - going to pursue my Masters in Counseling.

I'll leave in January, right around the 18th or so. It's easy to forget about the move, though, because LSG and GPB's wedding is coming first, on Dec. 28th. It has taken up most of the Madre and my thinking time.

I think it will be good for my blogging, though, because I'll be able to keep it as an update for all of my Billings Blogger friends and maybe it will be more interesting for those of you that are not from Montana!

Done! done-done-done-done-DONE!

This isn't even remotely close to as important as the work Christ did, but it is finished. Kinda.
Most, some or maybe none of you know that I'm going to start taking master degree courses long distance from Covenant Sem. Primarily I'll work on Systematic Theology courses. (Quoth Mentor Dave as he looked at my course schedule: "Yeah, that's a good idea. All of these have LOTS of reading. Get it done now.") Sooo...

My application essay (for the non-degree program) is FINISHED! Yea! (Ok, kinda finished, but it just need another set of eyes to edit it. Then it will be emailed off.)

I have to set small deadlines to accomplish anything. So, yes, this is much easier of an app essay than the one I may do in a year, but it's still done. Now the scary part begins.