Settling In.

As the days pass, it's beginning to feel more and more like 'home'. 

Everybody is alarmingly friendly.

And helpful.

I'm busy 'decorating' my space and making it feel like a sanctuary.

I miss the family that I left behind.  But visits will come soon enough.

The weather has been crazy!  Humid, with bouts of pouring rain, and real, true, Texas style thunder/lightning storms.

And the hum of the cicadas? 

Perfect.

I'm only slightly disappointed that I won't get to make my summer SF trip. 

I love, love, love to visit this time of year. 

Oh, well, there is plenty of fun adventures awaiting on this side.

xoxo

Here At Last.

It has been the craziest week and half, what with the packing, the goodbyes, the loading of the moving truck, the rental papers to read and sign, the forwarding of addresses, etc. etc. 

We are here at last.  Our goal was to split the drive out here into 2 days, but we split it into 3.  It worked out, but if I have to be in a car any time soon for more than an hour, I may scream!  My 2 cats were troopers.  They rode in my mom's car because it could accomodate the pet cage, but I was in charge of them in the hotel rooms.  They were so good, considering each night we were in unfamiliar territory.  They stayed with me, roamed around, checked out the room, and slept on the bed.  They hated being put back into their cage each morning and loaded into the car, but they got over it.

Our house is lovely, in a great, quiet neighborhood.  The neighbors are friendly, and we are halfway down the cul-de-sac.  I am continuing to rent from my parents, and I have one end of the house with my bedroom, bathroom, and an office.  We split the groceries and general expenses, so it's a pretty decent set up.  I have more privacy than before, because of the floorplan of the home.  I am aiming to move out as soon as I am settled and find an area closer to Austin.  I'll be beginning to church shop next weekend, plus find a weight watcher meeting.  Next month, the job hunt will start. 

For now, my days are filled with 'to-do' lists.  During the time I'm here, I want it to still feel like home, so I'm sorting through packed boxes, figuring out what I want out, or what stays packed.  Needless to say, I will not unpack every box until I do have my own place and the room for all of it.  Lots of trips to the store to pick up basic odds and ends that you don't tend to pack.  (Well, I didn't anyway).  But, it's been good.

I am excited about visiting churches and getting involved in Bible studies and ministry.  I'm still undecided about what to do for a job, as I am still trying to build the photography thing.  In the meantime, there are bills to be paid! 

Thank you for all the prayers and support.  I will keep you updated, and will eventually add pictures of the house, when it is finally all decorated!! 

xoxoxo

Angela

Five Alike. {I Carry Your Heart With Me}.

To you, my four darling friends, my sisters and brother,

We were brought together by chance, by work, by God.  How quickly the years have passed.  From moves, to babies, to overnights and long talks, food and laughter, and the occasional tears. 

You are family.  My family.

We are five alike, five different.  We bring out the best in each other.

I thank God for each of you, from the depths of my soul, and the corners of my heart.

I will miss, miss, miss you.  But, the times we will spend together will be cherished even more. 

It's not goodbye, after all. 

"I carry your heart with me.  I carry it in my heart"

I love you.

xoxoxo (a million times over)

Angela

Come Tuesday.

The house is nearly packed (finally).

The days are ticking by rapidly (yet so slowly).

Come Tuesday morning, I will be on the road...

with 2 angry cats...

Crossing state lines.  Following the path ahead.

Following God's call.

There will be

tears.

sorrow.

fear.

excitement.

joy.

peace.

Come Tuesday night, I will be resting in an anonymous hotel room in New Mexico.

So much in one day.

In the past month.

And past year.

When I get there, to the house God has provided...

I will take a NAP.

(Yup, that's the big plan for the arrival in Texas...so far).

Closer.

The closer it (moving day) gets,

the more I want it.

And the fear

is

inevitable.

And the goodbyes are approaching.

And my mind can't seem to

stop.the.questions.

What if, what if, what if...

{positive and doubt combined}.

Change is constant.  Hard.  Invigorating.  Exciting.

Closer.

Unreal.

Sometimes it seems like 'moving day' will never come.

Most of the time, it feels like it's coming too fast.

It's unreal.  Or...surreal. 

I'm living it, and feeling it, but every now and again, it's like I'm watching it all unfold.

I dread the day I say goodbye to those I love so dearly.

And drive for 2 days across the desert landscape to unknown territory.

But, deep inside, I'm so excited.

God is amazing, and He is working beyond my imagination.

I trust wholly in Him, and His guidance.

His love is never surreal or unreal.

It's totally real.