April 11th

The hardest part of this journey is over….the goodbyes! We shed many tears as we said our goodbyes to everyone here in California. We have many friends that are going to be dearly missed. We have been very blessed!! We are all emotionally exhausted. The whole moving experience with someone else moving you was definitely something else – I have a new respect for the military families that do this every three years. WOW!

We were told that packers would arrive between 8-10am - they showed up at 7:45am. Tim was calling me to look out the window and as I did I saw this 60 some feet truck in front of our home…it spanned from one neighbor’s house right to the other neighbors. I will never forget the look on Tim’s face as he climbed the ladder to the attic, we just had to laugh. I am not quite sure what we expected but the four men packing my stuff were not anything like I imagined! If you know me at all you know I like to do things myself and I am quite the perfectionist, so here I am trusting these four men to pack my china etc. We’ll see how it fairs on the travels and when it’s unpacked:-) We, as most people are when they move, quite surprised by the amount of “stuff” we have accumulated….I mean when I immigrated I came with nothing but two suitcases!! I had gone through things and given stuff away, I had thrown out stuff, and I had organized and pre-packed clothes...even with all that it is too much stuff!

On Friday, the truck pulled up again and the loading began – it was all packed so all they had to do was take it out – a couple hours it should be done, right? Wrong! They loaded all day till 7pm…the truck was full! My only consolation was that there was one other families “stuff” inside that will be dropped off in St. Louis…will they get any of my stuff?? Hmmm:-)

Saturday came and we had a farewell gathering with our church friends and neighbors. It was really fun at first as it was so neat to see all our friends and the food – let me tell you – what a spread!! Then people started to leave and the tears came! My family will attest that I am a crier but I think I cried my eyes out! My kids took the whole thing better than I did but I am wondering if they really get it. Anna shed many tears before when the news broke that we were moving and she confessed today that she cried in the back of the mini-van yesterday. Megan – well, who knows – she took it in her stride and can’t wait to see her new room but when we left Ventura today she said “I am sad.” We can’t thank everyone enough for their friendship and love and support – you will truly all be missed!!

After the teary goodbyes we headed back to the house to finish up some last minute pieces. Then I cried again as I said goodbye to my neighbors. We were so blessed to have come to call them friends. We are so grateful for them and them looking out for us and letting me borrow so many ‘cups of sugar’ over the last five years. They will be missed and hard to replace!

After that we hit the road and drove to Ventura – for our overseas family and friends this is a beach city about an hour north of us. Our dear friends the Modglin’s live there – they have a church plant there. It was so good to be there and eat my favorite Chinese food and spend time there. Today, Sunday, we went to their church and were blessed as Don prayed for us and our new life. It is so neat to see the work there and we have made some new friends there (as well as reconnect with Gil and Sandra) – we will miss them all too! Then another goodbye – a really hard one – I have known Josh since he was born, watched him grow up become an awesome young man and I will miss seeing him as he continues into his teens. Don and Arly have been there so many times for us – they will truly be missed but I know it’s not goodbye but just see you soon!!

The final event was going to dinner with Tim’s family in Bakersfield. It makes it easier that grandma is joining us on our trip but it will be hard to say goodbye to Tim’s sister Laurie, her husband Eric and my way cool nephew Nick – we can’t wait to see them in Virginia for visits!! (hint, hint)

Tomorrow it’s off to Laughlin, Nevada! I think its six hours….guess, I will tell you for sure tomorrow :-)
~Angela~


Last night we went to Ventura to sleepover at Don, Arly, and Joshie’s house. I can’t wait for the rest of the trip.
~Anna~