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fogglethorpe · 09-09-2005, 06:17 PM

An intentionally vague bit of history

or

“Long story long…”

(Inserted Tuesday, 6-7-05)

The first part of 2005 had been disastrous for us personally, mentally, physically, financially…I’ll spare you the gory details for now, but the cliff notes would reveal the looming specters of divorce, illness, and bankruptcy, all nearly occurring in four months time. And, for the record, we were spared all those things. For that, I am deeply grateful, and humbled.

As of this writing, we are stronger than ever…I am convinced, for many reasons, that God himself is all over this move, and our restoration. But, we’ve not been called to run away from anything, only to run toward…something.

Perhaps on a future day, I will post some or all of the contents of a journal I’ve been keeping which speaks of those things.

Grace is like cold water on a parched landscape.

For now, I will post excerpts of a trip log which details our 2440 mile trek from Millville, NJ to Phoenix, AZ.

Tuesday, 5-17-05:

Millville, NJ to Carlisle, PA

or

“You’ve got to pay to get out”

We’d spent the day loading the truck. We were exhausted, but determined to leave New Jersey that night, even if we didn’t get far.

I barely spoke all day as I disassembled furniture, marked it, and moved it…but my mind was swirling with questions, ideas, concerns, anticipation….

…will Jess and Kyle be ok?
Our twins will be 19 soon…they have lives, jobs, college…leaving them behind felt strange. I hoped they didn’t think we were abandoning them. They opted not to join us, after all…

…will Aaron and Steven be happy? (Ages 13 and 7, respectively) I hoped.

…I compared Senators. I’ve never been a McCain or Kyl fan, but almost ANYONE would trump Corzine and Lautenberg. (Eek…did I just say Trump?)

…I compared weather…a dry, dusty oven, or humidity tantamount to showering clothed?

…living expenses would be dramatically lower…wouldn’t they?

…I compared football teams, and vowed to remain a devoted Eagles fan for obvious reasons.

…would I be able to find any decent radio stations? I sure would miss WPRB.

…damn! I realized I’d never seen the Liberty Bell, though I’d lived less than twenty minutes from it my whole life! I just figured it would always be there. (It likely would, but I wouldn’t….stupid me.)

…when would be the next time I will saw my parents or siblings? Would they ever fly out to visit?

…I was not nervous. I was not nervous.

…etc.

Jess kissed my cheek. “Goodbye, Daddy.” I watched her go.

Kyle tearfully decided at the very last minute to come on the trip, and fly back to NJ on Monday.
It’s strange…he was barely home up until now, and when he was he’d spend it sleeping because he worked nights. The one who usually seemed solitary and almost indifferent was putting his life on hold to spend a few more days with us. It was very moving.

We finally departed at 900pm EST…5 souls, two vehicles, no loose ends. We were pioneers headed west on well traveled land, and with the tentative comfort and cold assurance of technology.

We paid our tolls, and crossed the Delaware River with little fanfare.

I looked at Center City Philadelphia adorned in lights….it always looked beautiful at night. I took it in, just as I had the faces of loved ones earlier in the day.

WPRB faded out as the miles increased. Aaron, my traveling companion that first night, made use of the scan button on the radio. We heard a jubilant song by The Raincoats.

Suddenly, Aaron pulled out his guitar and performed an impromptu blues song about a “cracker” named Jimmy who lived in a trailer park, and perished in a killer bee attack.

Three-plus hours, 171 miles, two restroom/coffee stops, and one more blues song later we arrived in Carlisle, PA, where we spent the night.

Next:

Carlisle, PA to Fenton, MO

or

“There’s plenty of me to go around”

09-09-2005, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
fogglethorpe Upright Location: Valley of the Sun	An intentionally vague bit of history or “Long story long…” (Inserted Tuesday, 6-7-05) The first part of 2005 had been disastrous for us personally, mentally, physically, financially…I’ll spare you the gory details for now, but the cliff notes would reveal the looming specters of divorce, illness, and bankruptcy, all nearly occurring in four months time. And, for the record, we were spared all those things. For that, I am deeply grateful, and humbled. As of this writing, we are stronger than ever…I am convinced, for many reasons, that God himself is all over this move, and our restoration. But, we’ve not been called to run away from anything, only to run toward…something. Perhaps on a future day, I will post some or all of the contents of a journal I’ve been keeping which speaks of those things. Grace is like cold water on a parched landscape. For now, I will post excerpts of a trip log which details our 2440 mile trek from Millville, NJ to Phoenix, AZ. Tuesday, 5-17-05: Millville, NJ to Carlisle, PA or “You’ve got to pay to get out” We’d spent the day loading the truck. We were exhausted, but determined to leave New Jersey that night, even if we didn’t get far. I barely spoke all day as I disassembled furniture, marked it, and moved it…but my mind was swirling with questions, ideas, concerns, anticipation…. …will Jess and Kyle be ok? Our twins will be 19 soon…they have lives, jobs, college…leaving them behind felt strange. I hoped they didn’t think we were abandoning them. They opted not to join us, after all… …will Aaron and Steven be happy? (Ages 13 and 7, respectively) I hoped. …I compared Senators. I’ve never been a McCain or Kyl fan, but almost ANYONE would trump Corzine and Lautenberg. (Eek…did I just say Trump?) …I compared weather…a dry, dusty oven, or humidity tantamount to showering clothed? …living expenses would be dramatically lower…wouldn’t they? …I compared football teams, and vowed to remain a devoted Eagles fan for obvious reasons. …would I be able to find any decent radio stations? I sure would miss WPRB. …damn! I realized I’d never seen the Liberty Bell, though I’d lived less than twenty minutes from it my whole life! I just figured it would always be there. (It likely would, but I wouldn’t….stupid me.) …when would be the next time I will saw my parents or siblings? Would they ever fly out to visit? …I was not nervous. I was not nervous. …etc. Jess kissed my cheek. “Goodbye, Daddy.” I watched her go. Kyle tearfully decided at the very last minute to come on the trip, and fly back to NJ on Monday. It’s strange…he was barely home up until now, and when he was he’d spend it sleeping because he worked nights. The one who usually seemed solitary and almost indifferent was putting his life on hold to spend a few more days with us. It was very moving. We finally departed at 900pm EST…5 souls, two vehicles, no loose ends. We were pioneers headed west on well traveled land, and with the tentative comfort and cold assurance of technology. We paid our tolls, and crossed the Delaware River with little fanfare. I looked at Center City Philadelphia adorned in lights….it always looked beautiful at night. I took it in, just as I had the faces of loved ones earlier in the day. WPRB faded out as the miles increased. Aaron, my traveling companion that first night, made use of the scan button on the radio. We heard a jubilant song by The Raincoats. Suddenly, Aaron pulled out his guitar and performed an impromptu blues song about a “cracker” named Jimmy who lived in a trailer park, and perished in a killer bee attack. Three-plus hours, 171 miles, two restroom/coffee stops, and one more blues song later we arrived in Carlisle, PA, where we spent the night. Next: Carlisle, PA to Fenton, MO or “There’s plenty of me to go around”