The Adventure Begins....

Fishermans Warf, Monterey

Beautiful flowers everywhere!

Point Lobos, Carmel

Firewood! We built fires in June!!

So much has happened...we moved to California! I can hardly believe it! But let me start at the beginning...

On May 16th, I wrote in my journal, "opportunity knocks and it is a blessing and a curse. A potential job in CA??? Oh we find ourselves in these places."

Andrew and I decided to check out a potential job opportunity in Carmel, CA because Andrew felt he would regret it if he didn't at least see what it was all about. We were in a period of transition as Andrew's job had been getting more and more difficult. He left his job and we were looking into what was next. The unfairness at work led to our freedom and I continue to be so grateful! Without the guaranteed income we were used to having, we knew a change was in the forecast. The two opportunities facing us were the Maui Marriott or this crazy idea of going back to the mainland.

I knew Andrew wanted the job within a couple of days, he saw much potential in being asked to be the sales manager at the Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel. He was smitten and had a skip in his step. I knew I was in trouble. Of course anticipating change, the fears set in.

The week was mixed. We had great fun in seeing the sights with our friends, the Sollazo's who we met in Maui, we explored the area, and we built fires because it was cold in June! We sought God looked at potential housing trying to scope out the area, and struggled with our future.

The landscape I found to be interesting and beautiful. It seemed to be a mix of Colorado and California, with a little European feel with the green hills and cottages.

For us as we processed the move it came down to "Why".... would we leave Maui, our home, friendships, wonderful beaches, ministry and good life for the kiddos... we have a lot of good in Maui and for once I was not looking for a way to leave and "Why not"....take the adventure, change, move closer to Colorado and why wouldn't we seek new land? This is where the surreal started for me, "Is this all happening?"

Deveraux began to express her sadness and said that she thought she would cry if we left Maui and she would need to bring a bucket of ocean water from Maui to CA.

I feel I have worked so hard to embrace Maui and now we might move? I was slowly "won over"by Maui, it was a slow warm up, because we came not on vacation but we came with it being our home. Now we have made a home. I feel so sad about my children not being "sunkissed" by Maui or Anderson not remembering Maui

Some verses that came to mind during the week came from the book of Ruth as we followed her mother-in-law where she went, I knew I was called to follow Andrew, to new land, I just wasn't ready. The verses also came about not storing up your treasures on earth. We had just been in our house a little over a year and had my treasures around me.

There does seem to be a divine order...several months ago struggling with Drew's hours at work. Deveraux wanting more time with him, wondering about our big house, Drew struggling with his job, and then leaving his job...and here we are.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness