For there is a season for everything: saying goodbye

The beautiful couple - Micah and Ally - married August 20, 11'

 Saying goodbye is short term in the body of Christ. We know that we will someday be reunited again. So, this was not a sad time for us, but a joyful time to be thankful for what God did in our lives through the nation of Korea. Here is a picture of our last few days and the amazing people that loved us so fiercely...

Micah and Ally were married in August and asked us to sing at their wedding along with the other couple in the picture. Derek played the song he wrote for me a year ago and I sang harmony with him. Sweet moment for sure.

Sweet Joyce!

The amazing June

Fellow Washingtonian, Trish

The so-easy-to-love-and-enjoy Jeremy and Cathleen!

Jess and her sister who both live in Korea

Derek's "other" wife, Joey! A fellow Bulldawg and namesake of Joey Tribiani

You know this sweet family - Our favorite Adegoke's!

And the guy we miss daily - Miah'

 What would a last night packing session be without Miah' and Derek playing HORSE from the most interesting places in our home...the toilet was one of a few. I'm pretty sure Miah' might have missed most shots from this prime location, but still worth the picture to try!

The hours were ticking and we were giving away whatever we could.

Gift basket for the Reddings

Miah' attempting to hit the basket using a mirror (The lovely assistant is Jess)

Last few hours of precious sleep with our dearest friends, Amy, Todd, soon-to-be-born babies and Sunsu

While we might be far, all of these sweet people are near in heart. We miss them and look forward to the day when we will see them again.

Next stop: America!

Where we've landed

Okay, so...we made it to America!

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but we have seen most of you guys in the meantime. Where to start...well...we surprised the Georgia clan by arriving a couple of days early. The picture above is our first picture with sweet baby Caleb who greeted us as soon as we walked in the door. He is a handsome, cute, sometimes smelly little addition to our family and he is dearly, preciously, fiercely loved by his uncle and aunt.

Just to update you, we:

• spent three amazing weeks with our family in Georgia
• flew to Texas, interviewed and built relationships with the church there
• spent a lovely weekend with the newlywed group up at the lake
• accepted the job in Texas!!
• packed up all of Anlee's belongings
• road-tripped to Spring Lake, NC to visit the Griffin family  :)
• drove 14 hours to Chicago to visit the Grant family (and picked up Bronchitis) 
• drove 11 hours to Fargo to visit the world's greatest roommate - Natters!
• drove 12 hours to Mt. Rushmore and Rapid City to visit a friend from Korea
• drove 13 hours to Bozeman, MT to stay at the most lovely B&B in the world! Last date with the sweet hubby before...
• driving 13 hours to CAMANO ISLAND, WA to spend three sweet weeks with the Washington Family! 

So, the big announcement is: We are moving to TEXAS!

We will be new residents of Midland, Texas on October 29, 2011! And new members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church!!! God has/is really blessing us in sending us to Midland.  

more pictures to come!