Our First Few Days in Minnesota!
WE ARE HERE!
Wednesday we woke up to 10-11 inches of snow! We were SO
thankful that God chose to send that snow on Tuesday night instead of Wednesday
night because we spent a good chunk of time Wednesday morning just clearing off
snow so that we COULD finish packing.
thankful that God chose to send that snow on Tuesday night instead of Wednesday
night because we spent a good chunk of time Wednesday morning just clearing off
snow so that we COULD finish packing.
We then had to put the Intrepid on the trailer – I was
rather nervous about driving our vehicle up on that trailer, but after
bottoming out, all went smooth. Until we figured out that I couldn’t get out –
so I drove the car back down. Oh wait, then we realized that there was a little
“pull” that would bring the left fender down. So back up the ramp I went. Oh
well, ya live and learn! After getting the car on the trailer, Dan had to chain
the emergency chains to the front of the car – it was a TIGHT squeeze!
rather nervous about driving our vehicle up on that trailer, but after
bottoming out, all went smooth. Until we figured out that I couldn’t get out –
so I drove the car back down. Oh wait, then we realized that there was a little
“pull” that would bring the left fender down. So back up the ramp I went. Oh
well, ya live and learn! After getting the car on the trailer, Dan had to chain
the emergency chains to the front of the car – it was a TIGHT squeeze!
We then finished packing the Intrepid and the Explorer and
we were ready to go by noon on Wednesday. We had a few last minute things to
finish up, but overall it was a relaxing afternoon.
we were ready to go by noon on Wednesday. We had a few last minute things to
finish up, but overall it was a relaxing afternoon.
About mid-afternoon Wendy and the kids came over to say “see
ya later.” All of our goodbyes were “see ya laters” because we will see them
all again! It is always good seeing our nieces and nephews! I don’t remember if
I mentioned this before, but Monday night we went up to my parents to have one
last meal together before we left. We were so thankful we were able to sit down
together, laugh, and just have a good time, which includes loving on our nieces!
ya later.” All of our goodbyes were “see ya laters” because we will see them
all again! It is always good seeing our nieces and nephews! I don’t remember if
I mentioned this before, but Monday night we went up to my parents to have one
last meal together before we left. We were so thankful we were able to sit down
together, laugh, and just have a good time, which includes loving on our nieces!
For supper we went out with Tim and Brenda (baby carrier)
and what a blessed time that was! We were hoping to be able to do one last get
together before we left and it worked out perfectly that Wednesday night we
were all free for dinner. It was so good to see them and just connect again.
They will ALWAYS be such a big part of our life and I wish everyone could have
a “Tim and Brenda” in their life. We look forward to keeping in touch with them
as God continues to work in our lives. Then at night, we went to the weekly “White
Collar” (tv show) party at our friends’ house. It was one last hurrah before we
leave and we were SO glad we went! Always a good time!
and what a blessed time that was! We were hoping to be able to do one last get
together before we left and it worked out perfectly that Wednesday night we
were all free for dinner. It was so good to see them and just connect again.
They will ALWAYS be such a big part of our life and I wish everyone could have
a “Tim and Brenda” in their life. We look forward to keeping in touch with them
as God continues to work in our lives. Then at night, we went to the weekly “White
Collar” (tv show) party at our friends’ house. It was one last hurrah before we
leave and we were SO glad we went! Always a good time!
Then Thursday morning rolled out of bed at about 5:45am. We
packed our last minute items and were on the road a little after 7. Steve and
Ann (Dan’s parents) picked up some walkie-talkies so that we could communicate
on the road a little better – it was then that we realized we had forgotten 2
bags at home (big miscommunication on Dan and I’s part J). But Steve and Ann were able
to turn around and pick them up for us because it was a whole lot easier for
them to do so than us with the big rig. By 7:45am we were on the highway.
packed our last minute items and were on the road a little after 7. Steve and
Ann (Dan’s parents) picked up some walkie-talkies so that we could communicate
on the road a little better – it was then that we realized we had forgotten 2
bags at home (big miscommunication on Dan and I’s part J). But Steve and Ann were able
to turn around and pick them up for us because it was a whole lot easier for
them to do so than us with the big rig. By 7:45am we were on the highway.
It was an AWESOME drive! Again, I think it is a gorgeous
drive. The sun was shining so bright on the snow with the farms sitting amidst
the rolling hills. It makes you say “wowie” about every 30 seconds. The drive
couldn’t have gone any better, except for some of the weather we hit in the
Willmar area. But by that time, we were only 20 minutes away from Prinsburg.
The sunset was absolutely amazing!
drive. The sun was shining so bright on the snow with the farms sitting amidst
the rolling hills. It makes you say “wowie” about every 30 seconds. The drive
couldn’t have gone any better, except for some of the weather we hit in the
Willmar area. But by that time, we were only 20 minutes away from Prinsburg.
The sunset was absolutely amazing!
Someone kindly called Dan to tell him that the roads were getting
worse because of drifting. Drifting in Minnesota (I have learned) is fairly
common (yes, that is an understatement). Where we now live, it is extremely
flat (but beautiful), which causes LOTS of drifting. Here Dan was driving this
big ole truck with a trailer (someone even offered to meet us on the road to
drive the rest of the way for us – that is how kind they are!), but we just
kept going because we were so close. These pictures don’t do justice to the
drifting.
worse because of drifting. Drifting in Minnesota (I have learned) is fairly
common (yes, that is an understatement). Where we now live, it is extremely
flat (but beautiful), which causes LOTS of drifting. Here Dan was driving this
big ole truck with a trailer (someone even offered to meet us on the road to
drive the rest of the way for us – that is how kind they are!), but we just
kept going because we were so close. These pictures don’t do justice to the
drifting.
We arrived at the church where they had supper for us –
again, so generous! Then we headed to our new home where we had numerous youth
group kids and adults helping us unload the truck. We had it unloaded in an
hour!
again, so generous! Then we headed to our new home where we had numerous youth
group kids and adults helping us unload the truck. We had it unloaded in an
hour!
People were waiting at the end of the truck, reaching out
their hands for boxes – every time we turned around with a box, someone was
there waiting. I can’t even begin to explain to you the feeling and relief we
had last night. After driving 11 hours (it took us a little longer b/c we could
only go 55-65), it brought chills to think that we had that many people to help
and care for us. There was one point where I was standing in the truck thinking
“wow, people are moving our appliances in FOR us!” I walked in the house and
the last two pieces of furniture were being moved in – our piano and fridge. In
no time, they were in their places. Ah…
their hands for boxes – every time we turned around with a box, someone was
there waiting. I can’t even begin to explain to you the feeling and relief we
had last night. After driving 11 hours (it took us a little longer b/c we could
only go 55-65), it brought chills to think that we had that many people to help
and care for us. There was one point where I was standing in the truck thinking
“wow, people are moving our appliances in FOR us!” I walked in the house and
the last two pieces of furniture were being moved in – our piano and fridge. In
no time, they were in their places. Ah…
Mice were a little busy in some of our boxes – we found corn in very random places!
We want to thank ALL those who helped us move – those from
Michigan to Minnesota. The stress that it has taken off of us in a time where
everything seems a little chaotic, is unexplainable. Thank you. We wish we
could do something for all of you, but it wouldn’t compare!
Michigan to Minnesota. The stress that it has taken off of us in a time where
everything seems a little chaotic, is unexplainable. Thank you. We wish we
could do something for all of you, but it wouldn’t compare!
We went to bed completely exhausted, but with peace knowing
God has brought us here safely and with hearts excited for what God has in
store for us in Minnesota. We didn’t sleep the greatest, only because we knew
all of the work that was ahead of us Friday. I woke up at 5:15am (CST) and was
up by 5:45. We got started right away unpacking our belongings! We headed into
town for a few hours to get just a few groceries and pick up a few random
things (and I mean RANDOM!). One not-so-needed item was a weather reader which
tells you the indoor/outdoor temp. It was $10.00, but being in a new “climate”
we have always wondered what the temp was, so this was a GREAT fix! We LOVE it!
God has brought us here safely and with hearts excited for what God has in
store for us in Minnesota. We didn’t sleep the greatest, only because we knew
all of the work that was ahead of us Friday. I woke up at 5:15am (CST) and was
up by 5:45. We got started right away unpacking our belongings! We headed into
town for a few hours to get just a few groceries and pick up a few random
things (and I mean RANDOM!). One not-so-needed item was a weather reader which
tells you the indoor/outdoor temp. It was $10.00, but being in a new “climate”
we have always wondered what the temp was, so this was a GREAT fix! We LOVE it!
Anytime you move, it just takes a little while to find a
place for everything. Someone once told us that it will feel like Christmas
because we will forget about some of the things we have – SO TRUE! If you have
ever moved, did you have that same feeling? It truly was like Christmas! At the
same time, I think “wow, I didn’t even miss this item!” Most of those thoughts
came with the kitchen stuff – it has been 5 months since I have used any of it,
so it was fun to see what I all had again! My love for baking definitely shows
with all the 9×13’s I have! The thing is, I have run out before J! It’s honestly rather
sad that I have so many, but baking/cooking is something I just love to do, so
9x13s are a must!
place for everything. Someone once told us that it will feel like Christmas
because we will forget about some of the things we have – SO TRUE! If you have
ever moved, did you have that same feeling? It truly was like Christmas! At the
same time, I think “wow, I didn’t even miss this item!” Most of those thoughts
came with the kitchen stuff – it has been 5 months since I have used any of it,
so it was fun to see what I all had again! My love for baking definitely shows
with all the 9×13’s I have! The thing is, I have run out before J! It’s honestly rather
sad that I have so many, but baking/cooking is something I just love to do, so
9x13s are a must!
Steve and Ann were such a huge help in helping us set up our
house! We appreciate the extra drivers as well as it would’ve been a long haul
taking ALL of that stuff out here on our own. Something I always struggle with
is finding the right “spice.” I had some extra garage sale stickers (those little
neon-colored circle stickers) so Ann wrote the name of each spice on the sticker
and stuck it to the top of the spice so that I know what it is. HUGE help!
house! We appreciate the extra drivers as well as it would’ve been a long haul
taking ALL of that stuff out here on our own. Something I always struggle with
is finding the right “spice.” I had some extra garage sale stickers (those little
neon-colored circle stickers) so Ann wrote the name of each spice on the sticker
and stuck it to the top of the spice so that I know what it is. HUGE help!
By midafternoon we hit a good stopping point. Our house is
now “livable” in the sense that you won’t break your neck tripping over all of
the boxes. We definitely have a ways to go, but I think we got a LOT done
today! It is so fun creating a house into a home! It is already feeling like “home”
which is a joyous feeling!
now “livable” in the sense that you won’t break your neck tripping over all of
the boxes. We definitely have a ways to go, but I think we got a LOT done
today! It is so fun creating a house into a home! It is already feeling like “home”
which is a joyous feeling!
We don’t have internet connection yet, but we hope to in the
next week. The blog posts may not be as frequent (maybe they will…who knows),
but until then, they may be more sporadic. Thank you to all of those who have
been praying and thinking of us these past few days! We so know this is exactly
where God wants us! We so appreciate the size of this town already – the friendliness
and generosity of the people is something you just have to come and experience.
Drive down the road and you will have someone wave at you, even though you have
no clue who they are. I think there is something to be learned from them all
already.
next week. The blog posts may not be as frequent (maybe they will…who knows),
but until then, they may be more sporadic. Thank you to all of those who have
been praying and thinking of us these past few days! We so know this is exactly
where God wants us! We so appreciate the size of this town already – the friendliness
and generosity of the people is something you just have to come and experience.
Drive down the road and you will have someone wave at you, even though you have
no clue who they are. I think there is something to be learned from them all
already.
As you can see…we are loving it already!
