Saying "Good-bye" for now .....

In Alexandria, VA at Glen and Michele's

The LONG Trip.......

Whew!  Forty-five hundred miles and almost 5 weeks, 12 states and Washington, DC twice.  The trip We were so blessed to go up the east coast from Florida to D.C. to visit cousins there, (Glen and Michele) then to Pennsylvania to visit my (Laura's) parents, sister (Linda and family), and present our mission at the two churches. there

Then, off to near Cleveland to see our daughter, Leah, and her housemate, Denise.  They had to work almost all of the few days we were there, but we got to run some errands and drop off the U-Haul trailer and the "family" heirloom furniture and some personal items not going to Haiti (Thanks for keeping them for us!). The only problem was that I finally realized the scope of this move.  As we got ready to leave, I started sobbing because I was leaving my mantel clock made by my great-grandfather.  Poor Joel, he just held me!  Then, it was over and I've totally been excited and full of anticipation for what was doing in our lives! PTL!

From Conference, we continued to be so thankful to spend time with  the rest of almost all of our children and grandchildren in Dayton, OH (Seth's family), St. Clairsville, OH (Jarrod's family except Katie), Clint's family (Cameron, WV), and Garreth's family (Bonnie and the children in Morgantown, WV while she finished her employment commitment and Garreth in Silver Spring, MD) and Jill's family in Alexandria, VA.  We were so glad to spend time with Jesse and his family in July when we went to Lehigh Acres, FL to ship our things to Haiti! 

And Back to Gainesville and "Home?"

Returning back to Gainesville was bittersweet!  Our house was almost empty, but we were there every day continuing to clean, putting remaining things in storage.  Joel was most busy with sorting and storing "his" garage full of tools as well as giving away and deposing.  

A HUGE surprise was a post on Facebook by a RMI missionary that our shipping container already arrived and everything was stored in "our" house!  Strange trying to figure what is what in a picture!

Do you see our green couch in this picture?

We are SOOO very thankful to the Tom and Christine Burgett family and Toby and Linda Sorrels for giving us a place to stay after we returned from our trip.  It was MUCH better than sleeping on the air mattress (which we did prior to leaving on our trip).  We also were blessed and thankful for ALL our friends who hosted us for meals almost every evening.  The love and fellowship were amazing.

Another huge thanks for the Creekside church's sendoff luncheon on August 17, sponsored by the mission committee.  So many friends and supporters came and gave us their well wishes.  Three of Joel's International Friendship conversation group also came.  This work has been one of the major blessings for us, especially Joel.  Another of the internationals came to the airport to see us off (at 5:30 AM)!  Thank you, too, for the prayer of the Creekside elders prior to our departure.

The last day before we left was one of rushing around as last minute cleaning, trips to the storage locker and selling the truck at 8:30 PM prior to our 5:15 AM departure for the airport. Many, many thanks to our friends Kerry and Joyce Childers (our real estate agents) who said they would finish up the cleaning for us and maintain the yard. (Thanks, Ralph Haskew, for helping with the yard). Again, the oasis was a wonderful dinner with the Sorrels, a time to take a deep breath and relax.