Our new home...when the time comes.

Just realized I never posted pictures of the truck and trailer so here are a few:

The whole rig!  It is monstrous!!

Boys' Room

Looking from our room through the trailer up to the boys' room

"master bedroom"

Living room (aka Koda's room) and dining area

Kitchen and entertainment center

Looking down from the bathroom/boys' room 

     Many years ago on a mission trip I learned the phrase "blessed are the flexible"...nothing could be more true for our journey!  I should have known to hang on for the ride when our very first stop was cancelled due to the government shut down in October...  
     We read a devotional this evening with the boys for advent and I loved how the author chose to look at the scripture:  

"While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough - because there was no room for them at the inn."  Luke 2:6-7

     The author of the devotional had this to say:  

"We might read that part of the Christmas story and wonder how that  no-vacancy detail could have escaped God's attention.  How could He have failed to make room at the inn for  His Son and His family?  But look again, and we'll see something else.
That manger wasn't an afterthought or backup plan if something else didn't work out.  it was a gift, a tangible demonstration of God's focus and order because there was room for only one Savior.  And the gift from old is re-created  each day in our hearts where, again, there is room for only one Savior."

     Nothing has gone the way we had planned...in fact we haven't even left Texas.  We "should" have driven all the way from Maine to at least Virginia by now...but that was not God's plan.  He saw the bigger picture and we are learning what it means to trust and seek him daily.  Although we haven't been on the road we have constantly been surrounded by family this whole time!  Aaron's sister Rachel and her family have warmly welcomed us to stay with them during this season of uncertainty.  Aaron has spent the past month working on his parents home, an opportunity he would have not had if we had already been gone.  
     We have taken a few side trips one to the New Braunfels and San Antonio area where we were able to connect with cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and my grandpa.  Then up to Little Rock to spend time with my mom and sister and her family.  I have LOVED being surrounded by family!  Such a blessing!!  We will be heading to CA on Monday to spend the holidays with even MORE family!!  Have I mentioned I LOVE being surrounded by family?
     I know God has a plan and I know it doesn't always match what I think should happen.  This season has been so freeing just sitting back and saying, "OK Lord, what next?"  I know he has been with us each step of the way and I know if we are faithful he will continue to guide and direct.
     This update was not meant to be a sermon, it is simply my heart and I wanted to share it with all of you!

Holiday blessings and Merry Christmas!!!!  With love, Jenn and the boys!

Photos to be added soon!!

Just a quick update!  We made it to Texas last weekend and are staying with family until we are able to get our new "home" in order.  The truck has been purchased and while I am trying to regain some type of schedule with the boys Aaron is out braving the wilds of Dallas to find a trailer!!  We haven't done much at this point in the way of exploring but we did hit the Texas State Fair in the rain...and it wasn't even very cold!! :)  Lovin' the warm weather of the south!!  Will keep you updated  with photos to come soon.  Blessings ~ Jenn and the Boys

As the boxes pile higher I am more and more anxious to hit the road!!  Thus far everything has gone smoothly with all the paperwork and such for closing.  Inspection and appraisal are both though and we just wait and pack until October 9th!!  Our initial plan for heading out includes Sand Dunes National park in Alamosa, CO then down to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in NM.  From there we head east towards San Antonio, TX stopping at Sonora Caverns along the way.  From San Antonio we will head to Allen, TX to rest a bit with Aaron's sister Rachel and her family while we trade the mini van for truck and trailer!!  After that we will head north to Little Rock to see more family and finalize travel plans for the next leg of the trip.  Hopefully the government will resolve issues before October 9th so we can enjoy our national parks...if not, well, I guess we come up with Plan B...  Blessings ~ Jenn and the Boys

Our sunflower heads ranged in size from 8 1/2" to 13" Keagan is holding the winner!

This is our sweet little home.  Aaron has been here for about 24 years.  I have lived here for the past 16 years...minus 10 months but that is a whole other story for another day.  We decided to see what would happen if we put the house on the market and started planning for a new life adventure.  The sign went up on August 21st and within 72 hours we had 13 showings and our first offer.  Needless to say we were not quite ready for things to get rolling THAT fast but we decided to hang on for the ride and see where the Lord wanted to take us.  On August 27th the first offer fell through.  We were disappointed but it was considerably lower than our asking price so we were hoping for a better offer...which we received first thing the following morning...a FULL price offer.  So on August 28th we went under contract.  ONE week after putting the house on the market.  Have I mentioned we were not expecting things to happen quite so quickly?  Here we are two and a half weeks later, inspection done and appraisal this week.  What are our plans you ask?  What a great question!  We aren't sure!!!  The idea is that we want to change our lifestyle.  Spend some time on the road with the boys using the world as our classroom.  We have just finished up studying the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Constitution.  What an amazing time to hit the road and explore the country and make history come alive!  I am so excited to see what the Lord has planned for us!

Please join us in prayer as we continue to seek his counsel and guidance over the next couple of weeks.  Aaron has given notice at work and is searching for a job that will allow us the freedom of travel.  Blessings ~ Jenn and the Boys!