Alright I'm doing it: Day 2 of my blog.  We arrived in Spanish Fort yesterday, and the reality of everything is definitely sinking in.  Everyone in my family is on edge for many reasons.  One, we are still waiting for the loan approval.  There is no real doubt that we'll get approved, but the company is dragging their feet and it's been frustrating.  Second, assuming we get the loan in time, the house doesn't close until this Friday at the earliest.  We got here Monday (and had been on the road for five days straight), and now must live in a hotel for at least another four days.  Third, our POD that we put all of our stuff in (like beds, for example) doesn't arrive until anytime between this Monday and next Monday.  This means that even if we do get the house Friday, we still won't have a bed to sleep on until three days later, at the earliest.

And that's just the stuff that everyone's dealing with.

On top of all that, I'm dealing with the realization that, although four years is not that long in the grand scheme of things, it is a long time for me to be separated from Michael.  Logically, I still know all the things I continuously told myself before I left California.  Things like, if it's meant to be and blessed by God, it will all work out; this will strengthen our relationship, and we'll come out stronger as a couple than we ever were; we're both committed to each other and God, and we're strong enough to make it work.  But now that the reality of living here for FOUR YEARS is sinking in, I'm realizing how hard it will be.  Not to stay faithful, or to remain committed to each other, but to suffer through the distance of not being able to see him whenever I want, just a 20 minute drive away.  Sure, he's just a Skype or a phone call away -- just a text away -- but none of those things will let me lay on the couch watching a movie with him or hold me when I'm overwhelmed or sad.  And the reality of that is definitely hard to swallow.

I still hope this is God's will for me, and that He has a plan.  I'm constantly praying for guidance, and maybe that's part of His plan: that through this journey I will return to the state of fully relying on Him, and praying constantly.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated as I struggle with this journey God has placed before me, and try to figure out what His plan is for me.

Love and hugs,

katiebell @>->---

Welcome to my blog!  I started this blog at the prompting of my friends and family I left in California, who wanted to follow me as I journey across the country to Alabama and begin my college life.  My parents are retiring to Alabama, and after much back and forth thought and prayer, I realized that God wanted me to move with them.  This decision will better help me concentrate on school, and get it done, rather than working and trying to squeeze school in between work and hanging out with my boyfriend, Michael.

Which brings me to the downside of moving: leaving Michael.  My relationship with Michael was built on the idea that we were dating with the intention of marriage (this is way down the road, and only if everything works out, but it separates us from dating just for fun), so the idea of moving to Alabama without him was not something I took lightly.  In fact, I couldn't bring myself to think about it.  I focused more on looking forward to the positives of Alabama and enjoying my present time with Michael rather than dealing with the coming separation.

This brings us up to date.  Today, Michael came over and helped as we finished packing up the odds and ends that we hadn't put in the pod.  We loaded up the truck, packed the van, and piled in.  Leaving him today at noon was the single hardest thing I've ever had to do, and it hurt like crazy.  But then we were on the road, looking forward to Barstow.

The drive to Barstow was pleasant.  My dad and I left in our Ford truck around noon, and he drove the whole way.  My mom and sister caught up with us around Bakersfield, and we caravanned the rest of the way.  Now I'm sitting in our hotel room, waiting for a call from the boyfriend that he's off work :)

That's all for now, but leave a comment and let me know what you think....what you're curious to know about, what you liked, what you didn't.