As we've walked this path of moving to Alaska, I have found myself asking myself from time to time, "Can we call ourselves Alaskans now?"
Of course, not yet... but moving to a new place, we don't know what we don't know. So, what traces must we navigate before we can claim this as our home?
We drove the Alcan highway... are we Alaskans now?
We've seen a moose in our neighborhood, just down the street.. are we Alaskans now?
We've caught halibut and cooked it for dinner... are we Alaskans now?
We're off!
I have been working incredibly hard getting ready to move and thus have not taken the time to update the blog -- but we are officially off and we have begun our Adventure headed North to Alaska.
We hope to make the trip in 8 days with Hubby's parents driving our truck, which is pulling one trailer, and Hubby and I driving our suburban. The kids and our cat will ride with us, and our black lab will ride with Memaw and Pepaw.
I am not sure how often I will blog while on the trip, but I am trying to chronicle the trip through videos on Instagram Stories, so if you follow instagram, you can find me @mountainmillers
Thank you for your prayers as we are off on this very big journey.
After a FULL day of packing as fast and furiously as I could, I finally sat down on the stairs while I was watching the children make their own dinner. Within a minute, Brady had climbed up behind me and started rubbing my back. Hunter was fast to follow Brady's example.
This move is big and it is challenging, but I have no doubt in my mind that our family will make the trip and find a home in Palmer with flying colors because our children are amazing tiny humans and we are supporting each other on this next adventure.
The back rub was amazing until Hunter said he saw an ant on my back and promptly slapped it (the ant...and my back) as hard as he could.
Happy 12th Anniversary to my Hubby. Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all," and life with you has been every bit of a daring adventure.
Twelve years ago I vowed to you that "Where you go, I will go... Where you stay, I will stay."
I am pretty sure that at this point I have unpacked more boxes in the past 2 days in the new house than I did during my entire 3 months living at our blue house.
We're making some progress!
I read this on a friend's Instagram tonight and I found it very inspiring.
These past 6 months have been full of change... and sometimes I reflect on them with a less-than-positive outlook. The change has not always been easy -- in fact, it is often difficult. We are still very glad we did it. We are still very happy with the change... but it is still difficult and it is still a time of transition.
Transition is hard... but we are so glad we made the choice, and took the chance, and made a change from where we were six months ago.
So... as the youngest of 6 very energetic, rambunctious children... especially as we settle in to the new house, sometimes Brady just finds things that I would prefer he not find. And then he really enjoys his autonomy with his find.
We have a big week here and by the end of the week, Lord willing, we will be unpacking and fully residing in our new home, in our new town.
As I was thinking about what I could share this week, I kept thinking of the book of common prayer. This is not something I was exposed to as a child because I was not raised in the Episcopal church, but I have heard a few excerpts from this book from a dear friend from graduate prayer whose father is an Episcopalian Priest, but also from the Mitford books by Jan Karon, in which, the main character, Father Tim will frequently reference The Book of Common Prayer.
I love the reverent language, and I love that there are so many prayers for so many unique situations.
All that said, I did not find a prayer in the Online Book Of Common Prayer over those who are moving, or to bless a new home... but I was drawn to one prayer over Towns and Rural Areas.
Please join me in prayer:
Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the
kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant
that your presence and power may be known throughout this
land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural
areas [especially Rangely, Colorado]; and grant that all the people
of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and
all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to
produce them, and honor the land and the water from which
these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name.
Amen.
Our official move to Rangely is fast approaching (as we continue to pray for our housing situation there) so the kids and I created a Rifle Bucket List to help us be aware of our favorite things in Rifle and treasure the things we will miss most.
We've been checking things off little by little.
I saw this quote a few days ago and saved it. This summer, when so much is changing, and our family is moving from one lovely home to ... a lovely town (still working on the home), this quote has become incredibly real.
