The storms in the Midwest have been causing a lot of problems.  Major flooding yesterday, possibly more tomorrow (pray that is not the case).  One of my friends found the apartment under his filled to the 4ft level with water.  Thankfully his 2nd floor place saved his cats and stuff from harm.  Other friends were watching the water in their vents wondering when and if it would grow deeper than their crawlspace and they would have to take their baby and evacuate.

The good news is that school is already out, so there are not thousands of stranded students too.  Please keep the people of the Midwest in your prayers. 

and I don't mean as in "not dating" I mean as in not married for multiple years with at least two children.  I went on a women's retreat Thursday through Saturday, and while I had fun and the Bible Study was good, I was the only never been married there.

I heard more birth and pregnancy stories than I had any desire to hear.  Not that I needed it, but it was very effective birth control.  I am also amazed that I know more about childbirth than some of these women with multiple children- thanks to my education and mom being an OB/GYN, and pediatric nursing instructor.

I will be careful which retreats I go on from now on- there needs to be at least a few other singles, or at least women who have broader interests than just their family.  Because don't get me wrong- family is very important and I love mine and can go on about them for days, but I have other interests that I talk about too.  Everyone should.

Yay for new graphics/video cards.

Got my stuff from the shipper Monday then mowed the yard- proving it is like riding a bike, if you are a great mower you never lose your skills.  I was after all told by my father that I was conceived so he would never have to mow a yard again.

My video card died on the way up here- don't know why it was not having any trouble before the move.  Until my comp has the replacement surgery I am having to grub time mom's comp.  Did I mention we souped hers up at Christmas and it can kick my rear in a fight now?

Life is quasi normal here.  I mean I moved back in with my parents at {cough) years old, and they are on totally different schedules now from when I last lived with them for any length of time (holidays and wedding trips don't count).  Still it is nice to see them and I will soon begin going through my stuff up here in earnest to see what I want to keep and what needs to go to goodwill or the used bookstore.

In the mean time I have my cousin and her kids to keep me busy and as soon as I have a computer again I can job hunt.  In the mean time the break is nice.

Bonus, I found out last night that one of my very good friends is now engaged.  I am very happy for her and I really think they are great together.

I should have taken a picture of my car when it had a gangsta lean due to the load it carried all the way up.  Whoops, unpacked her too fast.

To all I left behind I miss you- please keep in touch.

Love,

OCR

My room has boxes and packing paper everywhere.  I need to clear a path to my two book cases so I can break them down tonight.  Crazy- so much still to do but so much already done.  Just trying to make sure nothing breaks during the move- so packing it all as securely as I can and trying to keep track of where stuff is.  Trying to say goodbye to people, get things to people, and not get too crazy thinking that my time in California is nearly at an end.  I have plans to stay with friends outside Portland on my way home.  They have added another child since I saw them last.  Some people have two kids by now, I have two more degrees.  Excited about my future, but sad as I pack up and leave my past.

I'll be in Washington by this time next week.  Crashed out or taking my dad to dinner, depends on how bad the last day of driving is.  Crazy.

  
Disaster Area - getting better today.

Hall way full of boxes and bags (sorry no time to rotate)

I am moving back to my state of origin.  California is just too expensive for me to stay here with the prospects of a paycheck so far off.  I am not depressed, I am excited.  Not happy I have to bail quite so soon, but excited about what this means for me and my family.  There is more but that will stay private until it is outwardly apparent (no, I'm not pregnant).  I haven't wanted to say much because nothing was for sure until just this past Wednesday. 

Now you know.

Packing, like making posters, takes longer than it should to get everything in the right place.  Add dust and having to pack by the cat box to the equation and it is even worse.

is not very funny sometimes, .  Still I know I am doing the right thing.  If He wants me to go to the other place next year He will make it all work out.  For now He is opening doors and closing others until it is too late for me to go through them.  He may be showing me what he has in store for me later, but that He wants this for me now.  He has a plan for me, laid out and wondrous beyond my imaginings.  Who am I to say no?  I learned a long time ago that doing things in His time gives much better results for you and His Kingdom, than trying to do them on your time schedule.  This is going to be one heck of a ride, and one doozy of a story to tell later.  I closed the door on one path for now, but the one He has put before me without me having to do anything beyond listen and believe in Him and His call for my life is more than I could have ever dreamed for.

I am blessed beyond my worth even when He does not grant me the desires of my heart.  Oh what a mighty God we serve.