Quick Update

Marhsall is still really enjoying working for Crystal Peaks, and I am looking forward to starting an internship there next week. I am still in search for at least some part time work though. It is hard to come by here in the winter season, so the month of April will hopefully open up new opportunities. Yesterday we celebrated Marshall's birthday by having a few people over for dinner and a requested mixed berry pie. It was a lot of fun. I also got to try cross country skiing for the first time with a girl I had met on Tuesday night. I was initially nervous about going, but it turned out to be really fun--a new sport I definitely want to pursue. It is crazy that snow and opportunity for these new experiences are literally "in our backyard," or in other words, a twenty minute drive towards the mountains. Tonight, there is the Bluegrass shin-dig we are going to check-out that we are both excited about. The other day Marshall was in Home Depot wearing his Bluegrass Grill t-shirt, and a man approached him asking if he liked bluegrass music. By the end of their conversation, he had invited Marsahll to join a group of people who get together every other week to just play music together. It is at the very least a great opportunity to learn (and for me to listen...until I get that Banjo one day...).

The Weekend...

It is our first weekend in Bend, which honestly has felt a little bizzare as the ranch is closed on Fridays, so Thursday is technically like a Friday night for us (though in the future Marshall may work on many Fridays...). So we experienced Friday night on Thursday, and today (Saturday) Marshall found some side work with a friend here working on a flooring job. So, he is earning a bit of extra money, meanwhile I got to go riding (in an arena again) with two girls I've met (one being the wife of the friend Marshall is working with). I had a blast riding a sweet horse named Spice and asking many questions to improve my riding skills...I've already learned a new trick to help improve my cantering skills :-) We've experienced great weather this past week--temperatures getting up into the 50 and 60's during the day (although being in the high dessert it drops into the teens at night!)--it has been a great treat...the girl working at the coffee shop today said it is often still cold and snowing this time of year. It is going to be interesting this first year learning the weather...apparently there can ben 80 degree temperature changes in one day!

Oregon, Quick hike on drive into OR, New Home, and Smith Rocks

Uhaul heads to the Tetons

Bend...

We are now somewhat settled into our new home--it would've never happened so quickly without the help of all who traveled with us. The guys helped carry in all the furniture and set up our extremely heavy bed, and Kathleen is an incredible organizer--she was awesome to work with. We feel very comfortable in our new home, which we are very thankful for. Our room is in a garage apartment, and we are helping to take care of a house and land for a couple who is currently living in CA.
The final days of the moving week were quite eventful, so I tried to include some pictures that captured the moments best. Upon arrival in Bend we lost access to the internet, so as of right now, we have access only as often as we visit the local coffee shop...(I have spent almost 3 hours here today catching-up on things). We were able to ski Thursday, which was an adventure for all as the conditions were rough--many white outs and strong winds, but we made the most of it. The advantage was there was a lot of fresh powder--more than I had ever skiied in...we all fell asleep by 8:30 that night though while attempting to watch a movie (except for Marshall who was able to read somehow:-). Friday we took the day to unpack and visit the ranch, and then Saturday we hiked at Smith Rocks, which gave everyone a good view of the mountains and lay of the land.
The reality of the move is settling in, coming in small doses, which I am thankful for. Marshall started work yesterday, and I was invited to come help ride some of the horses in the arena as part of their training. We both feel like we have a TON to learn, but we are excited about how the Lord will use us in ministry here. For tonight though, we are excited just to be together and rest. Life has been fast paced and wonderful the past couple of weeks, but we are ready to slow down a bit and settle into life in the west as best as we can :-)

Grand Tetons, Boise, and the final drive....

We do not have long to post today as we are eager to arrive in Bend--hopefully early this afternoon. We have had many great new experiences in the past days though. Yesterday we spent half of the day in the Jackson area exploring and saw things that awed us all. We watched big horned sheep traverse rock edges, several moose (we tried to count...and I think it added up to 8 or 9), and elk from a distance. We found a hot spring and tried to walk on top of snow to take pictures...we were successful at times, but at others, we were knee deep in hard snow. The views of the mountains words cannot describe, but we will try and post pictures and videos of it soon. When we left Jackson the Subaru went through Teton Pass, and the truck had to take another route...we met in Idaho in a small town with a population of 213...this town known for their famous square ice cream...so we tried it out (not too bad). The weather each travel day couldn't have been better, and many other prayers have been answered along the way...including Kathleen's cold being almost healed in a day! We are excited to get to Bend today. Some of our friends have offered to provide us a meal tonight, so we will try to unload the truck, get somewhat settled, and then tomorrow I think we are going to ski...Michael and Kathleen have never been so we are having a competition as to who will be the best teacher...Len or Collins...we will let you know tomorrow...any guesses?

Cheyenne and Shopping

This morning we woke up to a low tire on the truck, but fortunately there is a tire repair place close by, so we are currently having it checked out before the long trek to Jackson Hole (with hopes of conquering the Tetons). We are excited about the drive today...it is new terrain for all (I think). But first we are stopping at the Sierra Trading Post outlet here in Cheyenne. Anybody need anything from Sierra Trading Post? Call Len.

Today we made it to Cheyenne, WY. We have driven approximately 1400 miles so far...just a little over half way. Last night we stayed in an interesting, to say the least, hotel just past Kansas City; and tonight we are in much nicer lodgings in Cheyenne. We ate dinner in Denver with college friends...but missed viewing the Rockies because of an approaching snow storm. We plan on making it to the Jackson Hole area tomorrow though. Needless to say, there is hardly a dull moment...whether it be bannanas and gummie bears used as ammunition targeted at the truck or the Subaru, good conversations, Len's jokes (he's had some pretty great lines), or the sights along the way (even Kansas wasn't as bad as some of us remembered). We've loved the conversations and messages from all of you at home along the way too! More to come...but right now, we are all looking forward to sweet sleep.

Moving day...

Headed West...

Well the U-Haul is packed, our truck loaded on the trailer--and Marshall is becoming an expert at driving a vehicle that looks close to the length of a semi! Watching him follow me as we left our empty apartment tonight gave me excited butterflies in my stomach as all of the anticipation of the move has now become a reality. We would've never made it to this point without the help and support of all of our friends and family! Some of the pictures will give a snapshot of the great help we had...including a cowboy, a redneck, and the side kick of the finger-mustached man.

We are set for adventure and loaded down with a plethora of snacks for the road! Our first stop is St. Louis for lunch, and hopefully the Kansas City area by bedtime. And the adventure begins...or should I say continues.