, here it is, a brief summary of the events that lead us here to the Artic state of Minnesota. It all started sometime early April of 2008, at this time Asa was in his senior year in high school. His plan was to join the "military" in the form of Border Patrol. Now, for those of you who are not familiar with this, they are the men and women who protect our borders from terrorist, illegal immigrants and the like. Border Patrol is not easy getting into, unlike the Army, Marine or Air Force, you cannot just sign up. You need to apply, prepare for a written, and physical test, (which they informed you that all fail at least the first time)and then wait weeks for the acceptance letter if your lucky. Now this was not my first choice for my child, I had other dreams for the one who I bathed,clothed and sacrificed my life for, but any hoo this was what he was excited about. Granted, when he explained to me that he would be carrying a weapon, riding around in a cool paramedic hummer and living in warm weather climate, I was thinking "hey do they take mom's?". That thought only lasted for a moment, when I remembered that I could die. So I only did was a christian mom would do, pray that their child would fail the test. Yes people I did just that, having confidence in what the officials told me, I put it out of my mind. (note to self, count on Jesus not the people)

It was sometime in the fall when we received an official sealed letter from the United States of Office Personal Management. Here is was, the anticipated letter of denial, NOT. I have never experienced the over whelming feeling of nausea like this before. Suddenly the room was spinning faster than the tea cup ride at Canobie. Visual scenes of what the future might hold was playing in my head, like a movie premiere event at the IMAX theatre. Gee could this possibly be, I have home schooled a child that could pass such a difficult test, that current Border Patrol Officers themselves admitted to failing the first time. YES people, it was true, not only did the boy pass, he got a perfect score!!!!! Lesson #1 friends, caution when teaching your children how to read, you never now where it will lead.


It was early December 2008, most of you know that I was recovering from a major surgery. For those of you who were lucky enough to see me during my post op days, IT WASN"T PRETTY!! My beautiful child who I helped raise (I say this because my mom was a BIG help)came to me and said,"Mom, I'm not going to Border Patrol, I think I want to go to college". There it was, the most beautiful statement in the world. However I have to admit I thought I was dreaming or thought it was the pain killers having a tricky effect on me. Now for those of you who are mothers (I say moms and not parents,b/c its usually the moms that have radar for whats ahead) you understand from that statement alone, creates a bigger problem. We are at the end of the year, college applications already went out, acceptance letters are going out in the next couple of weeks. I carefully tried to explain to my child that we are a little late to be thinking of that. He gently assures me that he has already begun the research and we have two weeks left to get into the "late" application list. Notice he said "WE", yes indeed we moms know what "WE" really means, MOM!!

Fast forward to March 2009, after weeks of frantic searching, emailing, filing and applying we (Asa) was notified that he was accepted to several schools. You would think that this was a relief, well it was just the beginning of added weight to our shoulders. At this time Asa wasn't sure what he wanted to do, he enjoyed so many things and was good at most. He narrowed it down to two majors, Music Engineering and Bio Medical Engineering. I know from one extreme to the other, its kind of funny in a way,if you take a closer look at both areas they are almost the same. We started making plans to visit the colleges and to help guide him in his decision. All the while I am praying to Jesus to help make this a painless as possible. Asa finally decided on McNally Smith school of music in downtown St. Paul. This school was AWESOME, it had a great program, one of the best in the country for Music Engineering, and it was in the beautiful St.Paul. Where is St.Paul you ask? Well I wasn't sure but the pictures was gorgeous.(Yes I passed geography in high school, I was under pressure and couldn't think that quickly)

Well, I started to "click and flick" online and found out it was located in Minnesota?, Yes that's what I said. You see loved ones,I have been taking Asa on vacation to warm weather places, hoping that he would get the hint. You know, the hint, when he goes to college Mama has a place to visit and maybe relocate. Sunny skies, warm temperatures, pretty sun dresses, and jimmy choo"s. Colorful drinks with umbrellas sandy beaches and the clearest blue waters eva. Well since your reading this, you obviously see that the hint was not taken:( No one was more shocked than myself, when I realized that Minnesota is Santa's second home, does the movie "New in Town", with Rene Zellweger ring any bells to anyone?

Since the college was located in down town St.Paul, dormitories were not available, student housing was. After careful investigation and prayer we decided that it would be best for me to relocate with Asa. Again for those who know me well, not my first choice of places to live. Plans were being made, and to save money we humbled ourselves (okay I begged) to ask one of my closest friends to live with them for a couple of months. I have to tell you that it was the best time ever, I was even threatening Meredith (that's her name, Hi Mere:) that I was going to send Asa and come back and live with them permanently. Lets just say her husband,was less then thrilled with that idea, and I bet he was on his knees praying for a smooth transition, haha.

Now it was July 2009, at this time we have gone to MN several times and now we were leaving to secure a place to live in only a week. During this whole process I said to Jesus, "if this is where you want us to go, please allow me to find a good bible believing church. A church that lives by the word and one where I can get involved in several ministries and feel like home". I searched the Internet and called what seemed to be dozens of churches. I was getting a little discouraged and was wondering were there any Bible believing churches left? You wouldn't believe some of the "statements of faith" that some had, or lack there of.

I came across one church, Maranatha Christina Church. Now for those of you who grew up in the church with me, you recognize the name. I think we were involved with almost every musical they made, Psalty the singing song book,Charity Church Mouse, LOVE IT:) I called and spoke with the Pastor and it was an interesting conversation to say the least. I started out asking the generic questions first that everyone asks when looking for a church. Then well, the Pastor asked me some questions, what? Your interviewing me, that was different. At the end of our conversation I knew I had found my church.

August 2009 we headed out at 11:30 pm, moving van,car on carrier, IPod loaded,(thanks to Beth) and snacks (thanks to Mere). Again for those of you who know me, driving more than 45 minutes is not my thing. I HATE it, hurts my back, I get sick, just not a fan. I am the "fly your friendly skies kind of girl,so imagine the
anxiety I had when the Lord didn't provide me with the cash to have my things moved by a professional company. Really, what possible lesson did I need to learn, driving 40 hours. (lesson #2, don't ever ask the Lord what you need to learn)

Driving a moving truck filled with heavy things and trailing a car was alot of work and harder than I thought. I was so tired, every bone in my body ached, due to the fact the van lacked leather massaging seats that recline, ah. After longs hours, several stops to potty and refuel, nights in wonderful hotels (thanks to Linda and Heather). Crying every hour, wanting to give up and leave the truck on the side of the road, and just call home where ever we were at the time. Under estimating the cost of our vehicles when going through what seemed to be a toll both every 100 yards ( at $54.00 a pop). I never prayed so much in my life, It got to the point where I hit repeat on my I-Pod when the song "I Will Praise You in the Storm" from Casting Crowns came on. It was the only thing that kept me going, that and the encouraging prayers and calls from my mom and Pastor Noah.

7:00 am Sunday morning we arrived at Pastor Noah's home,PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD!!! I though we would never make it, we were so grateful to be welcomed with home cooked food, and caring hugs. We needed to stay the night at the Pastor's home because our apartment wouldn't be ready till Monday morning. Now here is where the excitement starts.

We were blessed to find a newly renovated apartment in Bloomington that is down the street from the church. At first I wanted to live in Burnsville, about 15 minutes away, doesn't seem that big of a deal right. Well with weather like this I thank God I'm down the road, other wise I would never make it to church. I love my apartment, this is the first time I am living in a apartment style building. I have always had a town home, or home or duplex. So living in a building where someone is above, below and on the side of you takes a lot of getting used to. During this process I prayed for certain things that I wanted in my apartment. Garage, new kitchen and bathroom (OCD needed), wood floors, large windows a wonderful Landlord, great neighbors,yaddy yaddy yaddy, you get the picture. Lesson #3, do not be afraid to be more specific in what your asking. Being general leaves it up to grabs for the Lord to grant. Why you say, well I have a new kitchen and bathroom, no dishwasher or garbage disposal. No whirlpool tub for soaking and listening to Micheal Buble, sipping on a Shirley Temple. I have a garage, that is not attached to my building, leaving me to bare the cold elements and no garage door opener, leaving me to pull a muscle to open the door. Large windows that are over sized that you can't simply go to Target and get blinds on the cheap for. Wood floors that are laminate and when wet, brings you back to the days of the slip-n-slide that you had in the back yard in the summer time, understand?

Monday morning, we all got up early and headed to our new home, not far from the Pastor's home. Remember we are carrying our car on a car carrier behind a moving truck. We arrived at our new home and took the car off the carrier and started to unload. Now my apartment still wasn't quite ready, because they were still doing construction on it. My landlord, btw his name, get this is Joe Abraham, I told him everytime I talk to him I want to sing that song. You know my friends, "father Abraham, had many sons, many sons had father Abraham, I am one of them and so are you, so lets just praise the Lord". HA HA HA it cracks me up, for those of you who don't know it, your missing out on a great Sunday school song. Anyways, this was the first time I really saw the apartment. When we came in July it was just studs, so I was overwhelmed with how beautiful it really was. Joe said he made mine special and added alot of "extras", love him!!

Most everything was done except for the floors in the bedrooms and minor little things. I didn't care, after being on the road, Asa and I just wanted to be home. We only had a half hour left to bring the truck back to the rental place. So we put the carrier back on(had to remove for unloading) and we headed off. Just a little note here, during the trip Asa had to check every time we stopped for proper safety and connections on the carrier. He was a pro and I couldn't of done it with out him, so he knew what he was doing. When you get free help from other people you are grateful and try not to cause drama. The carrier was put back on, not by Asa, so with that said I will proceed. I started the truck and headed down towards the drive way hill, went and turned the corner, when all of a sudden I heard a loud, piercing scraping metal sound. Then I heard and felt rumbling, felt like I was hit, then in the background I heard a faint voice that said, "MOM, STOP!!!!". Yes ladies and gentlemen, the car carrier left the moving truck, and started to roll down the street. However it didn't go far because the electrical wires were still attached to the truck. There I was, sitting in the drivers seat, horrified and the dollar signs that are flashing before my eyes. Remembering what the man said at the rental place about damages. Not only that, the noise was so loud you could hear it over the highway sound barrier walls that were in front on the building. Everyone rushed to my aid and tried to figure out what happened. I will however leave out my teenager's view point, of how we should of listened to him and not brush him off as not knowing anything.

So there I was in the middle of the street blocking all traffic, WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!! It took about an hour to fix this issue, you see for safety purposes, the car carrier has this device that locks, so in the event that it is not securely attached to the truck it will not rolled too far in traffic.



Well those are the highlights of how we ended up where we are. I have more to tell but I will let you all digest this first. I will post in a couple of days to let you know what the Lord has been doing in my life, exciting as it is , it's very scary.



Thanks for reading