The Lord traveled us across this big country, over 2500 miles of terrain in the middle of Winter. Even though we took the most Northern route through Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, we made it over every mountain pass without a lick of trouble. Our favorite towns were Sheridan, Wyoming and Missoula, MT. The landscape was strikingly beautiful through the mountains and so interesting through the open badlands (Black Hills) of South Dakota. The endless miles of harvested corn fields had an appeal all of their own. One morning in Missouri, when Shane didn't want to get out of bed and climb back in the Uhaul, we threatened to leave him there to be a corn farmer for the rest of his life. This really got him moving!

When we arrived in Seattle, it was raining... and raining...and raining. I had to get re-acclamated to driving in heavy, misty, non ceasing downpours, without slowing my speed to below 65mph. So much of driving here is by faith, since the fight to keep your mirrors unfogged is a losing battle. You think it may be okay to switch lanes, but you are never Reeaallllyyyy sure. So you have to just PRAY and make the lane change, hoping to not crash, spin out or hydroplane. We have been here a couple of weeks now with just short pauses in the rain, however everyone is very excited since the weatherman says that this SUNDAY we might get to see the sun!!!

The Lord gave us a wonderful, perfect rental house in a beautiful neighborhood. Close to the saints, the meetings and every imaginable service. The grocery stores here are incredible, the cafes, and endless coffee carts manned by people cuddled up in blankets atop cushioned stools, and the every other door, teriyaki shops are delightful. Any thing I have thought of that I could possibly need, I have found all within blocks of our house.

Our first week here we got to stay in Gig Harbor, with Stephen's sister and family. Their home is a once in a lifetime experience just to be in (and they live there everyday)! I have included some pictures but it is impossible to get the whole house in one photo. Stephen and Shane have both been working in his sister's business (Taco Time Restaurants) doing maintenance jobs. They both like it a lot and are so happy to be here.

Of course the only drawback is that we need ALLLLLL our friends to move here too (and family) so we don't have to miss everyone SO MUCH!


Steve and Michelle Nelson's Home Resort on Puget Sound in Gig Harbor. It was a WONDERFUL experience staying here for a week when we first arrived. This is Stephen's sister's family.