New Chapter - putting one foot in front of the other.

We should be on the road to Raleigh already, but I'm the only one up and I'm not in a hurry to leave thought we ought to be.

I have such mixed feelings right now. I'm anxious, nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time. I think we'll be fine once we're home because the busy-ness will start, but I'm scared of getting lost along the way. I love what I've seen of NJ. In some ways I think it would have been easier to just move together, but I know Matthew needs to do this on his own.

We were shocked on Sunday to see how large the 2nd ward is. Matthew left wondering why the Lord could possibly need him here when there are already so many people here. It is quite the international ward, and I wonder if his European experience has anything to do with it, but I also feel like Matthew needs these people. Last night we talked to the boys one last time about Matthew staying here and us going back home. Aaron didn't like that idea at all. Jared was so sweet. He was asking if Matthew had anyone here to be his friend that he could talk to when he was feeling sad and lonely. The answer of course was no, and I told Jared that we should pray that daddy will find some good friends here. It was really insightful of Jared.

Two days before we left for NJ, Matthew got an email saying his job offer was withdrawn. We decided to continue moving forward anyway. As we did our budget meeting Sunday night, we realized we are at the end of our rope. The Lord has never left us hanging though and I don't believe He will this time either. This is all just part of the adventure.

I need to get out the door - it's 9:30 and we have an 8 hour drive ahead of us.