hello from bend, oregon

Well, to say the last month has been busy would be a bit of an understatement.

It has been a whirlwind of craziness.

It started several weeks ago when our landlord gave us our 45 days notice to move out. Its what happens, I guess, when you start going month to month on your lease. When I first got the news, I was devastated. I just knew deep down that things were going to change... a lot.

I admit that I have felt a change coming for a while. Carey and I were wondering if a new job was on the way- we just couldn't shake the feeling that our time in Sherwood was coming to a close. We just didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Anyway- back to the original story. Our landlord (who is very sweet, by the way- no issues with her please...) gave us 45 days notice, which meant we needed to be out by April 16th. After talking about it, Carey and I both really felt like we should be packed up by April 1st- just in case. We really didn't know why, but we prepared to move by the first weekend of April. We held a big garage sale and got rid of a bunch of stuff. And I started packing everything else.

At the same time, Carey's work started asking him if he would be interested in taking a transfer. We weren't. We brushed it off immediately. But every time we started looking into another option, the idea of the transfer kept nipping at us. Finally we made the official decision that we were definitely NOT taking the transfer. We decided to fast and pray to know that our decision was correct.

Well, the next day (Sunday) it became very clear to both of us that our decision was not correct. Monday way prayed to know if we should go- and we both felt that we should. Things became very clear to us and started working very smoothly and very quickly from that point on. On Tuesday we prayed to know WHEN we should leave, and at the end of the day we came up with the same answer: Monday the 4th. Six days. Thanks heavens I was already mostly packed.

With a lot of help, we loaded up the truck on Saturday afternoon, cleaned the house that night, rested on Sunday, and took off for Bend, Oregon on Monday morning.

Carey's work is putting us up in an extended stay hotel for the next month until we find a place... but that's a whole different post.

For now, I will say that it has been quite a journey. I loved Sherwood. I don't know if I will ever love a place like I loved it there. Yes it was beautiful- but the people are what really made it special. I will truly miss everyone there. When I moved to Sherwood, I was not in a great place. I honestly believe that I went there to meet certain people who helped me find peace within myself. God placed just the right people in my path at exactly the right time. I am so grateful for my time there, and for those who have made such a difference in my life.

I am also grateful to know that for some reason, I am supposed to be here in Bend now. It makes it easier. I'm sure I will grow to love this place- I just need to get settled in, then hit the trails. Can't wait to get hiking and biking here!

That's it for now- more to come later...