Moving. . . a long, LONG, way away . .

Tomorrow we set off on probably the biggest adventure of our short lives. . . we are moving to Landstuhl, Germany.  I know. . super CRAZY, right??  Sometimes I still can't believe it and will call Clayton up just to say "Wow!  We are moving to Germany!"

This great adventure started out with a little girl's dream to one day move to Europe after her 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Wilcox, would tell wondrous stories in history class of castles, gems, romance and wars.  That dream stuck with me my whole life and was reborn when my dear husband stated "Let's move to Europe" early last year.  "Are you serious?" I asked. "Because if you are serious, we will do it."  I immediately started looking for a way to make that possible but it wasn't until I found (with the help of a co-worker) the largest military hospital outside of the United States that the dream started to become a reality.  There were no positions available in the hospital and I had read online that there was a 3 year waiting list for civilians to get in, but I was determined.  I emailed the human resource department of the hospital with my resume and a simple letter stating my interest in any position that my qualifications were sufficient.  I received and e-mail from the director of Labor and Delivery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center six months later.  I believe God greatly has his hand involved in this whole affair as I never applied for the job, never had an interview, and was offered the position on my first phone call from Germany.

It has been a long process and has not been completely smooth. . . forms, travis air force base, tests, passports, forms, phone calls, headaches, forms. . . did I say forms?? . . . but will be completely worth it I am sure.

Today I sit in my hotel room (as my house has been rented, my car left at the port over two weeks ago bound for Germany, all of my belongings on some European bound cargo ship, my dogs living with my parents) with nothing except for two suitcases and a computer.  I have conflicting emotions. . . excitement, apprehension, tad bit o'fear, joy. . . . my stomach doesn't quite feel right (although that could be from the delish chocolate cake I had for late night snack and breakfast) . . . I am excited and thrilled to see what God has in store for us.  Of course goodbyes are the hardest part. . we will be doing that most of the day, mixed in with some grandma Hammonds' homemade doughnuts :-)  Nothing like leaving the country in a complete sugar coma!  I love all of my family and friends and will miss you all dearly. . . please don't forget us in your prayers. . . I am sure we will need them . . .