Lucky House!

Our food was ready before we had finished ordering it. Brian's forture cookie read something like: "An amazing opportunity to travel lies before you." Ha!

Man Vs. Nature

Brian and I just threw in the proverbial towel and gave in to the stronger man in the fight: God. He's been snowing on us all day and we think He wants us to have some quality bonding before Brian and I begin to live across the country from each other. Leslie flew through a storm on her journey here, and God miraculously and conspicuously answered her prayers to calm it. It's funny: God is working through calmed and uncalmed storms alike. Romans 8:28, ya know?
When Ruth came out and gave us a paper bag filled with muffins hot from the oven and two tumblers full of coffee, she let us know that people are always tearing up her yard. It was a perfect example of Christ's love: our sin does not go unnoticed, it's simply paid for by the only one who has the wherewithall to judge us for it. It was well within her realm for Ruth to call the cops on us, she was in the judgement seat. Instead, she showers us with gifts, letting us know that our sins are covered.
After that, two middle school girls - one of which is doing her science project on the molding of cheese (see www.funkycheesefriday.com for the irony of this) - were hanging out with us. Suddenly we see a tow truck drive right in front of us. We honk and they almost drive off the road trying to stop. 10 minutes and all the cash we had in our wallets (52 bucks, cheaper than it was going to be) later, we were back on the road. We finally decided to call it a day and find a room in Rolla. What a day! We're going to Lucky House Chinese for a hard earned dinner meal and hopefully more of that profound type of convo we've been having on this epic journey.

Waiting for a tow

So we got free from the hill-snow-traffic jam, and then the road conditions worsened and we knew we needed to get off the road. We took the first exit that was safe and had a sign for lodging, but couldn't find the place and ended up on a county road 7300. So we decided to turn around. Well, we picked the wrong spot and the truck got stuck. A local tried to help us out to no avail, now we're sitting in the truck waiting for the tow company. Just now, the owner of the house whose yard we tore up, came out and let us know how bummed she was about us destroying her yard, but also gave us two hot cups of coffee and muffins fresh from the oven. Praise God for His provisions!

How to survive when stuck on a hill in the middle of a Missouri snow storm.

Three giant apples and three bottles of water: thanks Brian!
Two gaterades: thanks Jon and Elaine!
Cigarette lighter power converter: thanks Azin!
Wheet thins and peanuts: thanks Megan!
World's biggest, baddest multitool: thanks, Nino:
Bandada: thanks, Wal-Mart
Jenn's cookies (not pictured for some mysterious reason): thanks, Jenn!
The prayers of the saints: thanks, everyone!

Stopped on a hill

This is probably the hairiest snow driving situation either Brian or I have ever been a part of. We're stopped on an icy uphill stretch because there's an oil rig that can't proceed. Brian doesn't have the traction to start going again. Everytime he does the trailor starts to jackknife and slide toward the middle of the road. The snow is getting thicker as I write...but wait, a 4X4 emergency response truck just passed me on the shoulder. Hopefully he'll be able to unclog this pileup and help us get to the new Digs sometime today. Wait! Now a snow plow just stopped next to Brian. Help is here...now let's hope it helps. There are SUV's stuck all around us. This is one for the memory books!

Ice road truckers

It's been coming down for 60 miles and two hours. We're still safe but keep us in your prayers.

Snow village

This is how we wil start our journey today after a good night's sleep.

"home" for the night

Brian and I finally found the Days Inn that Pam booked for us. We missed it by a country mile, but now we've found it and are uber sleepy. Leslie's just landed in Columbus, her third airport of the day, and is waiting to get off the plane and be greeted by Megan and take the two hour drive home. What a day!

Crunch time

You know you've been driving a long time when you have to turn your headlights back on. Here are some choice pics after some wrong turns and snack breaks.

On the road

Brian and I mounted the freeway this morning promptly at 6:04AM, the trailor brakes being partially engaged. Here's a picture of the sunrise and Brian fixing the problem. There's also a picture of the western hemisphere's biggest cross, as well as a severe Nascar enthusiast. All in all it's been a wonderful trip. We've been talking on the walkie talkies, thinking, pondering, eating Jenn's cookies...and the like. I've especially had a great time talking to Leslie on the phone as she waits in various airports around the country. I've also been immensly enjoying going over my memory verses. Check out Eph 3:14-20. Ask yourself: how can we know love that surpasses knowledge and be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. That's all for now.

2 years old

Little Princess turned 2 yesterday. Here's she and Mommy checking out her new blocks. Happy birthday, precious!

Packed up and ready to go!

We got our granolee bars, the apartment checked out, and the truck loaded up. Brian Vanaski: the most efficient of movers. We're ready to set out bright and early tomorrow on our 1500 mile trek. Stay tuned.

Clint, the accomplisher of Tasks

Congratulations, again, on all the milestones we celebrated this weekend, Mr. 30-year-old.

Toots

TJ teaches us about nerd stuff

Bouncy toy

Although the pictures don't do this thing justice, Lissie's birthday present from Mama and Papa entertained her and me for an hour last night. This thing is an awesome blow-up bouncy toy that will be diverting young and old for a couple of years for sure.

First Service in the New Place!

Here's some pics of Northside Church's first service in our new facility. Everything went wonderfully thanks to the hard work of so many of our members. Let me just say this: we have the best deacons and overseers we could have imagined. Thanks, guys, for making this such memorable day. Good times!

Two Fools

Ma and Pa took us to this new tavern down in Nob Hill. It was very reminiscient of our fish and chips iin England this summer. The portions were never this big in England, of course. After this we went putzing around the Hill and found the Mgic Juggler shop,where a little girl did a rope trick for us and this guy wowed us as well. Then we topped it off with a little o' the Cold Stone.

Last Sunday

This Sunday was our last Sunday in the Hope Elementary School Multi Purpose Building, where Northside Church has been meeting for the past three years. We won't miss the set up and tear down, nor the uncomfortable chairs, but we'll miss the moments passed there becoming the church we aare today. Thanks, Hope, for letting us use your facility!

One last stop?

Ahhhh...I shouldn't

Lunch and I'm out!

We were recognized in the House. That was cool. We were ushered into the front of the room and then, after someone motioned that we sing happy birthday (which we did...twice) to two of the reps, we were recognized. What a great day. I'm going to eat a smoked salmon salad at this restaraunt right down the street from the capitol building and then head home.

Cool Navajo Rug

While we wait for the native american groups to finish up, I've been staring at this run for he past hour or so. It's been a hurry up and wait. It's till cool, though, because I never know who I'm passing in the hall. Come to think of it, I have no idea about what's going on anywhere around me! The senate was fun, though. There were four Navajo Code Talkers from WWII who were recognized right before we were. That was really cool.

House O' Reps

So we found some senators and reps and now it's on to the house. Here's a pic of the office of the governor that I found myself passing in a frenzy searching for the next legislature.

Insanity at the state legislature

never before have I been so keenly aware of my ignorance of the inner workings of our state government. I was honored, along with others, as a National Board certified teacher in the Senate ten minutes ago. Now I'm going around meting my representatives and am going to be introduced in the House as well, because I'm the first New Mexican to ever get certification in World Languages.

LOST cake

Check out this awesome cake that Megan made for Leslie for her birthday/LOST night at the Vanaski house. It was pretty much totally wicked awesome!

Leslie's birthday!

Tonight we met Greg and Michelle at the Japanese Kitchen and then went to I Scream Ice Cream (ISIC) for dessert. We had a blast celebrating with our birthday buddies. Greg and Leslie have the same birthday and Michelle and I have the same birthday. Freaky! We highly recommend both establishments. ISIC reminded us a lot of the Emporium in Del Rio.

Leslie's birthweek begins

Pictured here are some of the items Leslie received for her birthday. She was also celebrating the fact that Jon and I got the keys I locked in the car out of said car. Good times, great memories.