We are on the road! Against all odds, we left our home in Springfield, OR on Thursday the 19th of February. Rick had planned to take the last couple of weeks off but was unable to as he was wrapping up projects at work. It is only the kindness of Rick's family and incredible friends that made it possible for us to leave in time to get down to my parent's before Sabbath.

We arrived at my Mom and Dad's home in Paso Robles, CA on Friday night and then gave a presentation about the project at the Templeton Hills church on Sabbath. The rest of the time in Paso was spent shopping for supplies and packing. The plan was to take 2 or 3 suitcases with us to Thailand but we are ending up with 8 suitcases/duffle bags plus 5 carry ons and two personal items!!

We are now at my brother's home in San Marcos, Ca. Cousins are having a great time playing together. It was fun to be able to celebrate my birthday here and was blown away by the wonderful gift of a digital video camera which will allow me to post higher quality video on the web!

We are looking forward to getting to be tourists down here. Our plans may include trips to the San Diego Wildlife Park and Legoland (yeah for free passes!).

Peter will be taking us up to LAX area on Monday and we fly out Tuesday on EVA Airlines. 17 hours to Taipei, 2 hour layover and then 5 hours to Bangkok.

Quite a few people have asked me if I am sad or scared to leave home. I have been doing really well, considering. It was really hard to leave the home that Rick built and our family and friends in Oregon, but I knew I was going to my Mom and Dad's. It was hard to leave Mom and Dad, but I knew I was going to Peter's. When I say goodbye to Peter on Monday, I don't exactly know what is next, but God does and I have to remember that I am following His plan, and not my own.

This was our last Sabbath at the Eugene church! It is hard to believe that we have been part of this wonderful church family since the Fall of 1997. It is also hard to believe that this was our last Sabbath here (at least for a while!) as it seems like we just got the call from Jesus For Asia a short time ago. Sabbath was a blessed and prayerful day full of family and friends. It left us filled, encouraged and with a strong hedge of protection around our family.

We have our passports, visas and homeschool books. Just a million other things to do and we will be ready to go! It would be great to get this blog set up before we head out, but we may have more time (wishful thinking??) once we get settled in Thailand.