I've moved, and why

Life went on hyper-speed back in May when we decided to jump ship from normal, suburban life to join the staff of a non-profit ministry in the mountains of western North Carolina. We call it "The Inn" but the official name is Christian Training Center. That sounds a bit boring for what is it -- a cool, creative, demanding, peaceful 25 acre campus where people come for challenge, comfort or a combination of both. We spent the summer on ropes courses, rivers, mountains, working, cooking, pushing, hugging and generally doing whatever needed to be done for the 200 young people that came through our doors alongside the other staff.. I've told a number of people that 'I've never worked so hard or laughed so hard in my life.' It has been incredible.

Now the summer is over, but another busy fall is starting around the corner. If you want to catch a glimpse wander over to www.notesfromtheinn.blogspot.com I'm sad to say it isn't quite as personal as what I've been able to do here. Maybe time for that will come again someday. Until then I'll content myself with reading yours.

My baby boy...

Austin, my first-born, is 16 today. Right now he's having breakfast with his dad. It's a honored tradition in our family that on the birthday morning dad takes the child to breakfast. He writes on napkins what their favorite thing from the year past was and then writes out what they hope for the year ahead. We have those bits of napkins in drawers and files...

People say it all the time, but it is so true -- time flies. It doesn't feel like 16 years have flown by or that he's just a couple years from moving out. I want to reach out to the Grand Clock of Time and try to slow it down so that I can savor everything. But I know the next two will go as fast as the last 16 and before I know it he'll be packing for college and stepping out into a life of his own. Tears come to my eyes when I think of it.

But for today, we celebrate. We're going to the Penguin for dinner- a cool dive with fried pickles and great banana pudding. It's been around since the 50's and draws bikers and goths and yuppies. Then we'll return home and he'll finish a biology project and pack for a weekend beach retreat with the youth group. That's a great way to turn 16.

The rock I've been hiding under....

I've been MIA for the last few weeks.....It's a long story and I won't bore you with it here....Our family is going to move about 3 hours away into the mountains of NC in about six weeks. We've accepted roles at a conference center/Inn/youth camp (how's that for descriptive?) and our entire family will be living there. I am excited, terrified, eager, sad. All of it.

I am excited especially for us to be in this location. We lived in Oregon for a brief period early in marriage and it was a wonderful setting, very similar to this locale. I see many hikes and outdoor adventures in our future. I am especially happy for our children about this. I am also excited about the work at hand, seemingly suited to our abilities.

I am terrified - at change, at new relationships, at giving up comfort and convenience (no longer will I have my own little nest as I do now.)

I am sad - to leave dear friends behind.

We decided to rent our house out instead of selling it right away. It will generate some income and be a good longer term investment for us. I'm in the process now of stripping wallpaper (STILL!), repainting some walls, sorting through what we will take with us, put in storage or give away. And then I'll be all about finding a good tenant.

So, there you go. That's what is happening and why I'm missing from the blogosphere. I'm still reading many, but not commenting much. I hope you'll forgive me for now.

For those wondering about the 3 yr old

Last report I got was encouraging. My cousin works in the Peds ICU at that hospital and she checked in on him for me. The dialysis worked well and he's out of the woods. He was a lot perkier yesterday though he has a long road ahead. I think they are waiting on a test to tell them what's happening in the kidneys as far as damage. It's crazy how much of a rollercoaster this is -- one day he's seemingly better, the next in critical condition. But it seems to everyone around that he will mend. Thanks to all who prayed and encouraged!

I am caught in the land...

of stripping wallpaper off my bathroom walls. HELPPPPPPPP! I started with that roller-cutter thing and DIF and think I need to move on to a steamer. I thought it would be pretty easy since the seams had pulled back, but when I get down to it the paper is pretty well stuck to the wall. Anyone have an opinion?