Here we go!!!

The start of our trip begins today. Saying goodbye to Coeur d Alene for a few months. 

One more day before we leave.

A bundle of mixed emotions set in as we prepare to leave for our roadtrip. We are so very blessed to have the fellowship of our church body and as we visit and say our goodbyes (or see u soons), mixed emotions have welled up in each of us.  They are our family and our heart is with them as we set out to begin this adventure.
-Jenn

More prep

Rick n Devin putting up vent covers!  7 more days till we leave..

Nightly foot bath!!

Well, our shower is used as a laundry station, but almost every night Devin is told or forced to wash his STINKY feet!!! :)

Still in CDA... Preparing to leave

We leave in 11 days.  1st stop is Hermiston, OR Walmart ;).  Walmart let's you park your RV overnight for free while expecting your patronage.  It's a good stopping point to lessen the 10 hour drive to Pacific City, OR where we will be arriving Sept 1st for a busy Labor Day weekend I'm sure.  Our last days of preparation include family counseling (working on better communication), physical therapy for Avery, getting our truck and trailer repaired (uggh), and making sure we have everything we need.  Oh, did I mention I haven't started working yet?  I lost my job with HP on the 20th of July and soon after landed another telecommute position that might only last 4 months.  Needless to say I am chomping at the bit to start the paychecks rolling in again.  Anyone know of a company that is hiring full time Network Engineers that can work remotely?   In all of this chaos we are trusting in God for provision and have peace knowing that we are in good hands regardless of what happens.

1st traveling church visit should be here: http://www.pacificcoastbiblechurch.org/Pages/default.aspx

--Rick

New chairs!

We bought a couple anti-gravity chairs for our trip.
-Devin

In The Beginning....

Our family has been blessed to call CDA, Id our home over the last 7 years.  We moved up here in 2005 from San Jose, Ca and bought our first house.  We have gone through many struggles and joys in the last few years and continue to thank God for His mercy and grace through them all. The last year has been one of the hardest on our family and yet God continues to use these hard trials to shape us and grow us and bring us closer to Him more every day. Although we are still in the midst of some struggles Rick and I have decided that we are taking a leap; renting out our house and buying a trailer for a road trip as a family. (possible only because rick has a telecommute job since last year)  Once put into motion things started rolling a lot faster and smoother then we had expected. The first people to see our house were a fit and everything took off from there.  We replaced our yukon suv with a diesal truck to pull our trailer, sold some of our furniture and things and put the rest into storage. Packing up our home and getting it ready for renters was quite the job!  So thankful for my parents support and help!  We moved into an rv park in town July 6th and knew we would stay here at least through the summer to see how things worked out to whether we actually traveled and timing of it all.  The day we moved into the rv park Rick got a call that they were letting go of people at work, and being he was the last to get hired, he was one of the first to go.  This was a shock, and yet we knew God was in control.  There was a comfort knowing our house was rented out and we had 3 mo. severance pay from HP to live off of until Rick could find another job.  And he did!  Within a month he was hired for another telecommute position.  Since it is a 4 mo. contract position, he will continue to work with recruiters and keep applying for jobs.  In the mean time we have been getting use to our new living space.  Adjusting to our new home together with such close quarters has not been too bad.  We have been able to clearly see each others hearts (our weaknesses and responses to things) and have had more opportunities to work on humility, forgiveness and our communication skills.  Since the first part of our summer was tied up in getting our of house, over the last few weeks we have been trying to enjoy our summer here with friends and family (floating down the river, swimming in the lakes, skiing behind dads boat, being treated to a day on wave runners, and enjoying great fellowship at our yearly family church camp).  Devin got his drivers permit and has been able to start driving with us.  WOW, a bit scary at times, but so far so good! :) Avery is getting caught up in last years math and english and has been going to physical therapy 3 xs a week to gain his strength back in his legs.  Three days ago Rick made the decision that we will be leaving August 31st for the start of our trip.  First stop: Pacific City, Or. (Cape Kiwanda Rv Resort)  Are we all put together?  No, not 

really but then when are we ever?  Are there still struggles and hurdles we need to get through and overcome? Yes, but with Gods grace we are excited to do something we have never done before and hope to all grow closer and stronger through it.  So here we go... on an adventure...the four of us and our dog Farley.  We hope you will enjoy following us as we attempt our first blog experience. :)  Comments are welcome, suggestions on places to see, things to do, food to try, roads to take and not take, ideas for our trailer (since this is our very first one), recipe ideas, etc.. are all welcome.  Rick will be working, the kids will be doing school and then adventuring out to see and do what we can.  Our rough plan is to go down the Oregon coast into Ca. to see family and friends, down through southern Ca, over to Az, then Texas (nothern and southern), and eventually to Florida.  From there it depends on how things are going.  Rick would like to go through the Carolinas and up to Michigan to visit his family, but right now one stop at a time. :)   We'll see what God has planned along the way.  I'm sure there will be changes and hiccups :). 

This weeks verse for our family. 

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

~Jenn

Here is our new home!