just along for the ride

• Life is marching on quickly these days, and I need to get a few things written down before I forget it all. And I want to lift up some thanksgiving because He is certainly due it. There are times in life (at least it's been my experience) when nearly everything seems a struggle and there are lots of question marks. And then there are times when He makes the path so straight it's almost scary. He is GOOD in both situations. And He can get glory in either scenario. For some reason, God has chosen to make the path really straight thus far for our move to CX. He has been so gracious in this to remind us over and over that this is the path He has planned for our family right now.

• I headed to CX earlier this month with no plans to return until I found an apartment. After a day and a half straight of looking at apartments, I had two housing options suitable for our family. One option was a bigger apartment but in a location we did not like (ie not easy to meet people, buy groceries, etc), and the other was a smaller but still great apartment in a location with a wonderful community feel. (This has been our biggest request.) The only hold-up was that the landlord had told the previous tenant not to even put a nail in the wall. She had fixed up the place and wanted it to stay as-is. And while I like the color orange, it's not my favorite choice on a wall. So, loving the apartment (minus the decor), its location, its view, its proximity to getting around town, etc etc, I called the landlord telling her I was interested in moving in but could I paint and change some things such as adding some kitchen cabinets? After checking with her husband, she gave me a big YES. But, the catch was she was in BJ at the time, a 40 hour train ride away. She said she would come back to CX a full day earlier than planned to sign a contract on the 12th. So, zip bam boom while she made that long 40 hour train ride home I got busy ordering and reserving things for our new home, making sure not to pay for anything until I had signed the contract! And, after having dealt with many landlords in this country, I can honestly say it was the easiest contract negotiation process ever. PTL, especially since my husband is usually the main one who handles this kind of matter. Tough business negotiator, I am not! The previous tenant's contract was a 4 page, lengthy document full of restrictions. At my meeting, the landlord didn't even bring a copy of any kind of contract, since she had just gotten off the train! But my friend who helped me out that week (and who was a God-send) offered up her half-page standard contract. The landlord loved it, we signed it, I paid rent, and the landlord toted every decoration out of the apartment I didn't want. The painters started as soon as we ended our meeting. I had to keep my mouth from gaping open simply dumbfounded because I couldn't believe how easy the entire process was. Thank you, Jesus.

• I ended up being gone for 6 days while my man held down the fort at home. He's such a great daddy and I can tell the girls bonded with him even more. I missed them so much and was ready to get home! Of course I have to give a big shout-out and thanks to our friends the O fam, K and J for helping out, too! We have some amazing friends.

• In addition to the move, we've also had to renew our visas to live here. Last month we went to GZ to renew Grace's passport, since hers will expire on her 5th birthday in June. No new passport=no new visa. A few weeks ago the consulate wrote us that Grace's new passport was being held with 50 others in customs at the capital, apparently because the package was overweight. They told us her passport could be delayed in customs up to a month, which would be past our due date to renew visas. We were sweating it, but while I was in CX we got an e-mail that Grace's passport came. So 3 days ago while Kevin was working through lots of red tape here in the visa process, I went back to GZ to get Grace's passport. We got it all turned in with one day to spare. Whew! We are hoping they grant us the full one-year visa.

• Tonight we started packing. Now it seems for real. We don't have a move date yet but hope to be in CX by mid-May. Pictures to come...