After reading Brook's post below, I realized I should be posting something about the last 10 years of my life.
I started attending Word of Life church in the summer of 2000 with a couple of my good friends. This marked the beginning of my stay in Hutch - soon after I moved to Hutch. It was a big move for a small-town kid who hadn't really been out on his own. I can't count college because I was home every weekend and didn't really consider it home, this was different. I moved because after attending WOL for a time, I realized my life needed exposure to this kind of preaching, I was growing spiritually and needed to be close to my church home.
Over the years, I became one of the audio technicians in the church, attended Bible school (SMTI), worked youth lock-ins, worked at the skate park, headed up the singles ministry (briefly) and attended every service I could. I owe the members of WOL my spiritual maturity and I am greatly thankful for all the prayers and support over the years. Thank you all who played a part in that. Had I not made this move back then, I think I would still have been spiritually weak, lacking a good foundation. I will take what I know and what has been imparted to me into this next stage in life and pray I can take these tools to others in need as well as continue to grow building on these things.
I did not take lightly the decision to move to NYC, it was a long and often tumultuous road that Brook had to struggle through as she has always had her heart set on the city. I had to peel away the natural benefits to see the real reason for the move. I could have went based only on the fact that I won't have to rely on someone to give me a ride to the store for food, but that is not a reason enough. I could have went just for the opportunity in the job market, but my riches don't come from man. One day while praying, God showed me the thing that pushed me over the edge; He showed me there's someone there that needs me, not because there's nobody else there, but there's nobody else there that has my exact attitude, knowledge or perspective on life. He encouraged me that I wasn't doing this for me, even though I get to enjoy all it's benefits too.
There's no doubt this will be an adventure and lots of challenges along the way! Again thank you all back in MN for your prayer and support, we will miss seeing you and will look forward to visiting in the future. God bless!
6.14.2010
Bye Hutchinson!
Yesterday was a long day. Full of people and emotions...and dirt.
The morning started up as any regular Sunday, except that Joe was home. It was a pleasant treat having him home on a Sunday morning - he's usually off at church early to work with the sound equipment for the praise and worship team. During church Pastor prayed over Joe and I as that was our last service. I didn't think I would start to cry, I am not sad leaving Hutchinson...yes, I will miss people, absolutly! But, overall, I'm excited - I never felt at "home" in Hutch, so to me it almost feels like I've been visiting and now I'm returning home to NYC. However, Pastor's words hit me hard - he prayed for our exact need - and just all the emotion of it ALL was enough to make the tears spill over.
It was needed. Those tears have been built up for days...weeks...months...years.
This is really happening. We are m-o-v-i-n-g. Tomorrow!
Leaving church was a long process. Saying goodbye to everyone, and I KNOW there are people I wanted to speak to, but didn't. People I wanted to hug, but didn't. That is the hardest part. But, those people know I love them dearly.
We had a bunch of errands to run after church, including helping get rid of our couches, dropping off some food and tables. Joe cleaned the car, we sold it, then got busy on the house. I honestly didn't think it would take very long to clean the house - afterall, it was nearly empty! It took FOUR hours. Say what?! It didn't take that long with stuff in it! But, its nicely cleaned - all the floors, the shelves in the cabniets, the fridge and freezer, etc. Hopefully that will make the new owners move-in day more enjoyable.
Around 7:00 we were done. Joe's Mom picked us up and we are staying at her house today and then she will take us to the airport tomorrow morning. It feels great to be done....it's still a bit hard to believe this day is finally here. I'm exhausted. All the physical work, combined with the emotional. This morning I'm sort of recharging, drinking coffee and just pouring myself out a bit here....a bit of alone time...well, with a two year old and a stinky diaper. ;-)
To friends in Hutchinson - we will miss seeing your smiling faces. Joe has been in Hutch for a very long time, it's strange to him not to be there. Thank you for supporting him all these years, and supporting us in this move. We love you and will see you in November when we are back for a visit. I'm not sure what day exactly we'll be back, but I'll let 'cha know.
To friends in St. Cloud - most of you who I never got to see recently, or give a hug to. I love you - you are like my family and always will be, no matter if I see you or not, or how many miles separate us. You know me deeply, unlike any other, and still love me.
EVERYONE is more than welcome to visit us in New York. Our doors are open to you!
Gotta go change that stinky. I'll post again as soon as I can - with pictures of the new place!
The morning started up as any regular Sunday, except that Joe was home. It was a pleasant treat having him home on a Sunday morning - he's usually off at church early to work with the sound equipment for the praise and worship team. During church Pastor prayed over Joe and I as that was our last service. I didn't think I would start to cry, I am not sad leaving Hutchinson...yes, I will miss people, absolutly! But, overall, I'm excited - I never felt at "home" in Hutch, so to me it almost feels like I've been visiting and now I'm returning home to NYC. However, Pastor's words hit me hard - he prayed for our exact need - and just all the emotion of it ALL was enough to make the tears spill over.
It was needed. Those tears have been built up for days...weeks...months...years.
This is really happening. We are m-o-v-i-n-g. Tomorrow!
Leaving church was a long process. Saying goodbye to everyone, and I KNOW there are people I wanted to speak to, but didn't. People I wanted to hug, but didn't. That is the hardest part. But, those people know I love them dearly.
We had a bunch of errands to run after church, including helping get rid of our couches, dropping off some food and tables. Joe cleaned the car, we sold it, then got busy on the house. I honestly didn't think it would take very long to clean the house - afterall, it was nearly empty! It took FOUR hours. Say what?! It didn't take that long with stuff in it! But, its nicely cleaned - all the floors, the shelves in the cabniets, the fridge and freezer, etc. Hopefully that will make the new owners move-in day more enjoyable.
Around 7:00 we were done. Joe's Mom picked us up and we are staying at her house today and then she will take us to the airport tomorrow morning. It feels great to be done....it's still a bit hard to believe this day is finally here. I'm exhausted. All the physical work, combined with the emotional. This morning I'm sort of recharging, drinking coffee and just pouring myself out a bit here....a bit of alone time...well, with a two year old and a stinky diaper. ;-)
To friends in Hutchinson - we will miss seeing your smiling faces. Joe has been in Hutch for a very long time, it's strange to him not to be there. Thank you for supporting him all these years, and supporting us in this move. We love you and will see you in November when we are back for a visit. I'm not sure what day exactly we'll be back, but I'll let 'cha know.
To friends in St. Cloud - most of you who I never got to see recently, or give a hug to. I love you - you are like my family and always will be, no matter if I see you or not, or how many miles separate us. You know me deeply, unlike any other, and still love me.
EVERYONE is more than welcome to visit us in New York. Our doors are open to you!
Gotta go change that stinky. I'll post again as soon as I can - with pictures of the new place!
6.11.2010
"Bye toys!"
"Bye toys!" is what Henry said when he realized the ABF boxes were gone.
"Where did your toys go?"
"New York City!!!!" he said excitedly.
Yep. Our stuff is gone and we are excited!
Packing day went pretty well. On Wednesday, when the cubes arrived we packed from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am. Then Joe was up and at 'em at 7:00 am and went STRAIGHT until Noon. He didn't even stop for coffee. I packed what was left in the house, made sure we had everything, took care of Henry (until he went to a friend's house) and assisted Joe - my job was a lot, but nothing compared to what Joe did. And ya, it was raining for the last two hours...yippee.
As per ABF's advice we had everything done by noon. We had called them around 8:30 am to let them know we'd be done. The cubes were supposed to be picked up fairly early in the day so they could get en-route to NYC, otherwise, they tell us they might not make it in time.
We waited around until about 2:00 pm...no ABF. So, we went over to pick Henry up and were there until 4:30. We come back home and the cubes were not gone! Ugh. Another 2 phone calls, transferred to the dispatch center who then told me to call the terminal - "I just did and got transferred to you!")...they connected with the driver...he was on his way. Finally. So, around 7:00 pm they were picked up. My husband worked like a dog for no reason. I was a little irritated (and honestly, still am.)
But they are gone. And that's what matters. ABF is supposed to call today to talk about the timeline, but guess what? They haven't called! Surprised? Me neither.
As and end result yesterday, our house was empty (pretty-much) but a disaster with random papers, pieces of tape, etc.
I've cleaned up a bit, but there is still plenty to do!!
In four days we'll be living in New York City!
"Where did your toys go?"
"New York City!!!!" he said excitedly.
Yep. Our stuff is gone and we are excited!
Packing day went pretty well. On Wednesday, when the cubes arrived we packed from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am. Then Joe was up and at 'em at 7:00 am and went STRAIGHT until Noon. He didn't even stop for coffee. I packed what was left in the house, made sure we had everything, took care of Henry (until he went to a friend's house) and assisted Joe - my job was a lot, but nothing compared to what Joe did. And ya, it was raining for the last two hours...yippee.
As per ABF's advice we had everything done by noon. We had called them around 8:30 am to let them know we'd be done. The cubes were supposed to be picked up fairly early in the day so they could get en-route to NYC, otherwise, they tell us they might not make it in time.
We waited around until about 2:00 pm...no ABF. So, we went over to pick Henry up and were there until 4:30. We come back home and the cubes were not gone! Ugh. Another 2 phone calls, transferred to the dispatch center who then told me to call the terminal - "I just did and got transferred to you!")...they connected with the driver...he was on his way. Finally. So, around 7:00 pm they were picked up. My husband worked like a dog for no reason. I was a little irritated (and honestly, still am.)
But they are gone. And that's what matters. ABF is supposed to call today to talk about the timeline, but guess what? They haven't called! Surprised? Me neither.
As and end result yesterday, our house was empty (pretty-much) but a disaster with random papers, pieces of tape, etc.
I've cleaned up a bit, but there is still plenty to do!!
In four days we'll be living in New York City!
6.09.2010
Cubes Squared
Today, just as Henry was waking up from his nap, a giant truck pulled up to our house and delivered 2 ABF ReloCubes. He was pretty excited to see all the action!
Henry explained to me how we pack our things inside. Even after his oh-so clear instructions, I still think I'll leave the job to DaDa.
I've been dealing with the phone calls with the movers. Coordinating with ABF and then with the local movers on the NYC side has been an interesting task. When I first contacted ABF I told them I didn't care what day they delivered the cubes to us, we just wanted them to arrive in NYC by the 16th. The representative we spoke to said we would get them on the 7th and have them picked up on the 9th. Then we surely would have them by the 16th. Sounds good.
A couple weeks ago ABF calls and moves our date back to be delivered on the 9th, and we have to have them picked up by Friday the 11th in order for them to arrive in NYC by the 16th. Alrighty.
Now they are saying we have to have them ready by TOMORROW, Thursday the 10th...and they might not get there by the 16th.
I've spoken to several people at ABF and gotten way too much information about how their systems work, and why they can't do this or that, and why our things might not arrive by the 16th...all that stuff that I, honestly, don't really care about. All I want them to do is to abide by what they told me and make it right. Hopefully they will.
The cubes are 6 feet deep by 7 feet wide by 8 feet tall. They appear smaller from the outside, but really seem pretty big once you open it up.
I've been dealing with the phone calls with the movers. Coordinating with ABF and then with the local movers on the NYC side has been an interesting task. When I first contacted ABF I told them I didn't care what day they delivered the cubes to us, we just wanted them to arrive in NYC by the 16th. The representative we spoke to said we would get them on the 7th and have them picked up on the 9th. Then we surely would have them by the 16th. Sounds good.
A couple weeks ago ABF calls and moves our date back to be delivered on the 9th, and we have to have them picked up by Friday the 11th in order for them to arrive in NYC by the 16th. Alrighty.
Now they are saying we have to have them ready by TOMORROW, Thursday the 10th...and they might not get there by the 16th.
I've spoken to several people at ABF and gotten way too much information about how their systems work, and why they can't do this or that, and why our things might not arrive by the 16th...all that stuff that I, honestly, don't really care about. All I want them to do is to abide by what they told me and make it right. Hopefully they will.
6.07.2010
Getting Closer
We have been packing and packing around here. It has actually gone very smoothly - hopefully that translates to a smooth UN-packing on the other side as well.
Henry has been his usual helpful self in packing,
Henry has been his usual helpful self in packing,
A wheel from a truck. I tried to convince him more can fit in the box...
Grammy KK took Henry overnight Friday-Saturday so Joe and I were able to truly get a LOT done.
All we have left is one more box in Henry's room, 2 downstairs and then all the "last minute" items - like bedding, the few dishes we have kept out, etc.
Our big moving pods are being delivered on Wednesday, we hope to get them all packed Thursday morning. Then Friday-Monday we'll be living in a completely empty house and Tuesday we fly out! It's hard to believe our lives will be completely different in just over a week.
I think Henry is actually looking forward to not having a bathtub. He's been enjoying our practice showers.
6.03.2010
Sign of the times
You know your furniture is getting slim when you use a Little Tikes plastic grill as your end table!
6.02.2010
Packing, packing and even more packing
We've gotten about 8 boxes full. Which doesn't sound like much, but it truly is - we don't have much stuff left! Probably about 12 more boxes to go.
We are using ABF ReloCubes, which are being delivered on the 7th and picked up on the 9th. We fly out on the 15th. So between the 10th and the 14th the Woz Household will be a very interesting place. We can only hold back what we can bring with us on the plane. So that means...
And again, I emphasis, all this with no coffeepot. Yikes.
We are using ABF ReloCubes, which are being delivered on the 7th and picked up on the 9th. We fly out on the 15th. So between the 10th and the 14th the Woz Household will be a very interesting place. We can only hold back what we can bring with us on the plane. So that means...
- No coffeepot.
- No cookware or dishes (except plastic ware).
- No bed (!! we'll use an air mattress and Henry will have to sleep with us, or...something?)
- No furniture.
- Only a few toys/books.
- Possibly no car. We have a buyer, but not sure what day we will work for them and us to make the deal.
And again, I emphasis, all this with no coffeepot. Yikes.
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