It all started ...

It all started when the Lord placed in my heart a desire to prepare our house to sell. It made no sense at the time and His plan must still be seen out, but that is where it began. Even though I was the one with a desire for urgency, we both knew that it was true. I began to question my motivation as Tori would cry out about the house that built her ... but it was time. The days seemed like weeks and a start was made but it wasn't until last week when it all became so clear.

Whidbey Island has been our home for the majority of the past 20 years. The time split for myself between here and Idaho is about equal now. I know which one I consider my home but there comes a time when we all must leave the comfort of the nest and see what God has beyond the bend. That happened for us a few years ago when we uprooted ourselves from our comfortable church and jumped into a larger one across town ... even that decision has taken until now to become a clear picture. We were never able to become comfortable and it seemed like God was so far away, but as it would be, that is just when He is working the most.


We have asked the military for the opportunity to travel with four of our children to England. If you do not know the military, you would not understand that they do not do that. They do not send a family with six children overseas. Our two oldest boys are busy in college and will do fine in our absence, although I'm not sure I will with theirs. Tori is busy in college as well but she is only 16 and as close as she may be to her Associates degree, she is simple too young to be on her own. So we requested that they allow an extra child to travel with us on our orders.

I assumed we were going to ask for orders to here, California or Nevada at best ... Japan if it was a stretch ... I just never pictured England. It just feels right. It feels as right as asking the Chinese government for permission to adopt one of our two youngest children. It is just one of those things that you see God placing in your path ... it is not off to the side or hiding in a tree, it is there in the middle and you say, okay.

"Okay Lord, I will continue down this path that makes little sense to me. I will trust that you have a perfect plan and purpose in my life, and that of my children, and I will follow where You lead. I'm not sure how you will work it all out, I see the astronomical potholes ahead but I trust you. I know that it is not going to be easy, I get "that" already and I know that there will be some pain but I also know ... that there ... in the midst of the pain and hardship is where I will see You best. I know You are beside me all the time but I also know that I tend to run around with earplugs in when life seems to be going my way. It helps to hear You Lord when I choose to listen and that is what I want to do now."

The few people I have told and asked to pray for us, tell us what a great opportunity it is. They say how lucky we are to possibly be going to England. I am sure I would say the same to anyone who told the request to me. Those who know us best, knew exactly the difference it would be. Leaving behind my children, selling a house my husband and our friends rebuilt with love and care, living with a budget that would only be made more slim to accommodate the difference in the two economies. Leaving behind the comforts of cell phones, televisions, cars that drive on the "right" and many other pieces of a comfortable life. They are praying for us and I am so appreciative. I invite you to join along.

Maybe we are new friends on this journey ... if so welcome. Maybe you are our family, our friend or someone who has blurred our eyes to the difference between the two ... I'm grateful you are here. I look forward to documenting God's miracles and provisions along the way and taking you with us as we journey from Island to Island ...