Our Great Adventure

As Brian and I are heading into the most "transitional" time of our married life so far, I figured it's about time we join the blogging world. Being a professional writing major, I can't believe I've put it off this long, but better late than never, right? So here we go!

I settled on the title of this post for a couple of reasons, the first being that the Steven Curtis Chapman family has been really heavy on my heart for the past week. (You know his song... "saddle up your horses... this is the great adventure...") Anyway, they are such a neat family with a really incredible ministry - let's all continue to pray that the Lord gives them peace that passes understanding as they work through their grief over the coming months. My brother Austin went to Baylor with Emily (the oldest daughter) and they are great friends - one hour before the accident, she called to ask him to be her wedding photographer, as she had just gotten engaged the weekend before. Needless to say, the last thing she probably wants to do right now is start planning a wedding, so I am praying that God gives her extra energy and joy with the tasks in front of her.

Brian and I (and Stryder too!) are about to jump into this next phase of our great adventure - we're starting to pack up and prepare to leave our little rental home on 80th Street in Overland Park. We've been here nearly 3 years and part of us wishes we could stay a bit longer. We are, however, excited about what is around the corner... a move 1,100 miles away to Amish Country USA (aka: Lancaster, PA). We'll be there 3 or 4 months so Brian can volunteer for the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic while he applies to orthodontic programs across the country. After his time there is up, we will move to Wichita so he can work for his dad in his orthodontic practice.

If there is one thing we've learned over the past year, it's that life pretty much NEVER works out the way you plan. We never imagined it would be so difficult for Brian to get into an ortho program. We never imagined we would be living for a time in the middle of Pennsylvania farmland. But we also never imagined how much the re-routes and detours could teach us about letting go... of expectations, of pride, of the trust we place in the known. These are invaluable lessons I hope we'll always carry with us. We are so thankful that His plans are not ours.

So, thanks to whoever is reading this - we are very thankful that you are part of our adventure. And we hope you'll check back often for updates from our little family. :)

P.S. All of my blogging friends have these adorable custom pages with cute backgrounds and cool headers - I have no idea how to add all of that fun stuff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!