Made it to Bristol

We made it to our goal today: Bristol, VA! Today was so much easier than yesterday. Just like being in the backcountry, the first day is the hardest, but every day after that gets easier and easier. Someone must've been praying because Ilana was much happier today.
Unfortunately we forgot to pack the cord that connects our camera to our computer so you'll have to wait until we get to Baylor and find the box where it's packed to see the pictures from the road...sorry. That'll be a HUGE blog post, because we've been trying to take tons of pictures, so check back. It's gonna be great.
We're looking forward to seeing Emily tomorrow in Nashville. We're going to an outside (dog-friendly) deli for lunch, then we're going to a local dog park for a few hours. It'll be a nice out-of-car break for everyone.
It's about 8:30 and we're gonna roll into bed soon. :) Thanks for your prayers.
-H

First night on the road

We are on the road! Paul and I were talking/crying last night about the changes these next few weeks would hold and although these changes are painful, we have no doubt that we are doing exactly what we should be doing, at the right time and for the right reasons.
How can there be such grief, hope, fear and peace in the same moment? We're not sure. But what we are sure of is that it is in those spaces that the Lord works in our lives the most - so HERE WE ARE! Ready, eager and excited to see what the Lord has for us down in Texas.
We made it to Charlottesville, VA, had a great dinner with good friends and are getting ready to zonk out in our hotel room. I hope to check in daily, so keep in touch. We're onto Bristol tomorrow.
-H
ps-Ilana screamed a lot today so please pray that she is more calm tomorrow.

Grad School or Bust!

Imagine a young family with a giant dog moving into a college residence hall. This is going to be interesting. Why are we doing this? Over the past five years we have been ministering with students at Gettysburg College. During that time the Lord has been clarifying a call for Paul to direct a college outdoor program that develops the leadership capabilities of students. While he has experience in this field, obtaining the formal education of a master’s degree will empower him to do this with excellence. After a national search of programs, the Lord has clearly opened the door for this to happen at Baylor University in central Texas.

While we have fretted over many hard decisions these past ten months, spiritual hindsight makes it clear that the Lord has been preparing us to go to Baylor this whole time. It is a bit disconcerting to leave Gettysburg and move halfway across the country with an infant and giant dog. We are all excited for the possibilities of this new phase in life. Here are some details:

• We all (yes, they're letting us bring Moses!) will be living in a 2 bedroom apartment surrounded by hundreds of undergraduate men. Our job is to simply example a healthy family. A sacrifice? Maybe, but it’s hard to argue free housing.

• We have found wonderful renters for our (finally finished!) home which we hope to return to in two years.

• Paul has a graduate assistantship (part-time job) with the outdoor adventure program.

• Paul will remain in partnership with the CCO on a part-time basis as an associate staff member.

• Heather has resigned from her position at the Majestic and will primarily be a stay-at-home mom.

• We are hitting the road July 19th.

Sic 'em BEARS!!

To read more about Baylor University click here.

10 weeks and counting

Ilana is growing in leaps and bounds these days. She had her first round of shots at 8 weeks (a couple weeks ago) and she weighed 11 lbs. 2 oz! She's probably over 12 pounds by now (she's growing up so fast!). She screams before she falls asleep, every time. Besides that we're starting to think she's really fun. She's become much more interactive and is eating her hands all the time. Here's a few pics...

She'll actually sit in her chair these days and let Paul and I get a few things done. Here she's "talking" to her alligator, zebra and elephant friends. She gets really excited and shakes the whole chair, it's adorable.
The tiffany lamps in our kitchen mesmerize her too.
Here she's playing with her friend Ada. We have a video of them holding hands. Ada even sucks on Ilana's fingers, it's adorable.
We enjoyed celebrating Mom Miller's birthday with her. Ilana got to sit ON the table.
-H

Meeting the Family

Paul was out of town Friday, 5/23 through Friday, 5/30, so instead of trying to "tough it out" by myself at home with Ilana and Moses, the girls went on a little vacation to meet the whole family. (Thanks again Courtney for spoiling Moses while we were gone!) We spent Friday-Sunday with the Miller side and Sunday-Friday in Annapolis with the Polk side. There are so many other people in Annapolis we wanted to see, so we're hoping to get down again soon. Everyone absolutely LOVED Ilana. Here are a few pictures...

We had a blast at the Annual Rabuck Memorial Day Picnic Extravaganza. Here Ilana's meeting her great grandmother "Nana." She met 13 other people that day! Our little social butterfly...
On Tuesday morning my second niece, Caroline Grace, was born. Now all 3 granddaughters on the Polk side are here and my parents are swimming in PINK!
We kept my other niece, Sami, on Tuesday and Wednesday so the rest of the family could get some sleep. Here Sami is saying "babi!" and patting Ilana's head. It was precious!
Four generations...

-H

It takes energy to take care of Ilana...

-H

4 years later

A house becomes a home:

Before........................After


Why is it that the 60's ruined home remodeling? Who thought that paneling and lime green paint on moldings was a good idea? I sure hope that whoever remodels this house next doesn't have to ask, "what were they thinking?" as many times as I have. Blood, sweat and tears. While we are ever so thankful to be homeowners we are also so thankful that it's almost done! It has been good to share this restoration with our community, students, and family. We could not have done it without all of the support. -P