I think my new life motto is: "Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home." I came across this quote when decorating pottery with Katie last Friday, and although I chose a different quote about home to write on my new art piece, this quote about a journey seems most applicable to life in general right now. We are most certainly on a journey!!
The house journey:
Right now our temporary home at the Residence Inn in Westminster, Colorado is perfect. It's comfortable and suitable to meet all of our needs. Even Percy can feel a sense of normalcy. He's eating again after the hunger strike he was on while riding across the country. I know Emily wouldn't believe us, but he's actually mellowed out quite a bit. It's refreshing.
In our little hotel room, there's a little kitchenette equipped with fridge, dishwasher, microwave and stovetop. I've been able to go grocery shopping to stock up on some basics. I thought about going to King Sooper or Safeway, the big grocery stores in Colorado, but longing for a little bit of familiarity, I went shopping at the nearby Wal-Mart.
Matt has been working so hard to get paperwork for the house prepared. We're finalizing everything we need for the lenders. And actually, on Thursday morning, we got to see our house again. The inspector went back to check some of the electrical work that was fixed and we tagged along. I am in love with our house. I can't wait to get our things unpacked, buy some new furniature to fill it, and get ready for guests!! I'm already counting down the days for the Mom, Dad and Sarah Payne to come visit in February. And then after that, Mom, Dad and Devyn Figler are coming at Easter. This next week I think I'll search on Craig's list for some cheap, but nice guest room furniature to put in our guest rooms. Oh, and my excitement for decorating a nursery!!! It sure will be nice to get in our home on February 9th. =)
The job journey:
Although Matt started his job on January 2nd, his first day of work on Thursday as a resident of Colorado went as well as could be expected. I drove him to work and isn't he lucky with the view from his building? The Rocky Mountains to the west, beautifully snow-capped and gorgeous to view. It's a breathtaking sight, really. For his first day, he got to set up his office since he's the first of his team out here. Next week he'll be joined by another colleague and they'll truly be able to get started. I had planned to ride with him to Fort Collins for the day on Friday because we still have only one vehicle, but I ended up staying here in the hotel drinking lots of water and resting from what I believe is a little bit of altitude sickness. Matt just acted out the various symptoms listed on Wikipedia and I think we both need to drink a whole lot more water to help our bodies adjust to the new heights of the mile-high city.
I've found in the last two days that I cannot go through life without a purpose. Thursday and Friday were a bit eyeopening. I can't see sitting in a hotel room, or go sightseeing for that matter, without a sense of purpose or giving back. As a teacher, each day I was able to invest in the lives of children, but now, I am praying for a new mission. A new way to give to the people around me. Walking around the world in my own little bubble isn't what this adventure was intended for on my end.
The good news is, I've been pursuing a part-time opportunity at a local church as an Early Childhood Director. Matt and I first read about it when we attended Foothills Community Church at the beginning of December when we first visited the Denver area. After several conversations with staff members from Foothills, I am hopeful that if this is the next step in my life of mission in service to others, then everything will continue to fall in to place. I am so looking forward to what this church and position hold for our family. Last night, in fact, we went to dinner with two couples from the church and it came at a perfect time. It was great to get to know some new friends and faces on the third night here in the suburbs of Denver. God is certainly providing for each and every one of our needs. We are thankful to the Williams and Adams families for making us feel welcome so early in our adventure.
The baby journey:
At this point, I'm 15 weeks along in pregnancy and from what I've read, little baby's sense of sound is developing. I guess I shouldn't sing too much in the shower anymore for fear of giving birth to a totally tone-deaf child. But in all seriousness, it's crazy to think that in several short months we'll be parents. I did schedule appointments with two different offices here. One in Boulder, one in Thornton. I think I'll go to both and figure out which group of doctors I might prefer. It's such a difficult decision to make. Also, I think some time soon I'll go to the local library and find some books to read so I have some tools in the mother toolbelt. Matt and I are looking forward to somehow preparing ourselves for parenthood, although we know there's nothing that will quite get us ready.
The weekend journey:
Today we went to Garden of the Gods which a quick day trip. Right in our backyard. After a quick three mile hike we realized that, yet again, we are over 5,280 above sea level, and we were ready to head back home for a nap due to our fatigue. Soon we will travel back to the Pike's Peak region in Colorado Springs. Maybe we'll take family there when they come to visit.
For now, those are the updates. We can't wait for the week ahead and the new experiences that await us!! I'm hoping by next week at this time we'll have adjusted to the new altitudes as well as the new time-zone. (Maybe then I won't be tired at 7:30 and wide awake at 5:30...)
