Is Our Time In Eugene Coming to an End?

My morning prayer view...thats Mt. Love (11,000 ft) in far center.
We climbed it when Analyse was 1 and Niah was 3 months
with Kate Miller/Mader, Uncle Jimmy, Uncous and Uncous Kyle

We now only have 2 days left at the Sanctuary.  A fact that saddens us.   We have been refreshed and repaired during our time here.  Since our departure from Cleveland many false accusations and lies have been used to defined us and the journey we feel called by our Father to take. Our time here has been a place of peace and He has provided us rest.  In fact, I would say for the first time in months we were given the opportunity to sit and wait on Him.  We haven't received much clarity about the direction we are meant to go but, our ears have been opened to more about being apart of His new covenant and this Good News has continued to redefine our relationship with Him. It has been an amazing time of unity as well.  We have spent much needed time with people we have missed so much, and who share a common desire to live a life set apart from this world.  This has been very encouraging.  

The prayer that has echoed from our little Sanctuary into the volcanic range in the distance has been this.

Father please settle us down in the place you have prepared, for us to take in the widow and orphan, feed them your food, teach them your Truth, meet their every need. Unite us with others who passionately want to do the same in attempted obedience to His perfect will.  Over and over we have asked this of our Father in heaven and truly believe He will direct us their in His timing.  Until then we wake up and do the task He has set before us.  It has been a time of abundance and provision.

This past week the girls dove head long back into school.  Staci is still working on review and finishing up their road trip packets but beginning their new curriculum (Shurley) as well.  Lukah too has begun in the learning.  He is learning a letter a week.  Learning all its sounds, words that start with those sounds and how to write it.  As he reached the summit of Spensor's yesterday, on his first solo attempt, he squatted down in the dirt and took a stick...Up the mountain, down the mountain and across..."A"! Staci was filled with joy as we all got  great laugh.  They are all very excited to have had some consistency and we are hopeful our next move will provide even more stability for their learning.  

I have been blessed to serve Betty Williamson.  Our former landlord and wonderful friend who was widowed right before we left Eugene was in need of her house painted. During our visit he amazing, loving son was atop a latter and I offered some help.  I have spent a few hours a day getting it prepped to paint it for the umpteenth time in her 70 years there!  It has been a blessing to love her this way. 

Left, Adaniah's 1st Spensor's Butte Solo Summit. 3 years old
Right, our most recent climb...3 years later

    

The Horse and Wagon Made It!

From Colorado to Oregon

Newest Cousin Libby!

Wyoming is home to hundreds of
 Dinosaurs fossils 

We left Denver and headed north to Wyoming in hopes of seeing Jonna our long time friend from the Philippines.  She was there when Analyse was born. We cut through a back road and drove over a beautiful mountain pass but, unfortunately she was called to a birth and couldn't meet us.  We hope to see her soon.  Driving through Wyoming is like driving through the wild west.  Mesa's and mountains, rolling dessert hills and steep red rock canons.  It entertained our kids and even provided a lighting storm to drop their jaws! We made our traditional stop at Little America before heading to Utah.

As we crossed the Utah border our little ones dove into school work and it seemed like minutes till we arrived in Ogden to stay with Uncous Jay and Auntcous Jes. Little did we know they lived in one of the coolest stops ever!  A tight canon road running beside a mountain creek was the back drop of their little cabin home.  We had to squeeze in but it felt far from cramped.  We spent the next day on the reservoir paddling and floating.  A memory our kids will not forget anytime soon.

No words to say!!

Next we traveled northwest to Boise where we got to hang out with the Millers, Katie Mader and One Eyed Nick!  The kids got to back yard camp and had a blast with Otto the pound pup. Staci got to catch up with her long time friend and I was blessed to repaint their kitchen.  It was nice to just serve in joy!
We left a couple days later for the land Niah and Lukah were born in...Oregon.  It was amazing to see the response of our kids as we crossed the state line.  Pure joy and peace was in their faces!  We arrived in Eugene and decided to crash at our good friends the King's.  Its wonderful to sit and talk with others trying to take steps towards a life focused on serving others full time.

The Sanctuary...Stonewood.

And today we made the last leg of our journey.  The Sanctuary...or Stonewood.  A home for those seeking His will offered by the Rice family of Pleasant Hill, Oregon. This home has been a place of love for the Rosen's, Svenson's, King's, Reinech's and Shaffer's.  We have dedicated this week to focus on direction.  We would love your help in this! All we desire is to move when the time is right.  Not jump into the next opportunity just to avoid staying in this place of unknown.  Love you all and invite you all to ask questions about our desire to serve women in crisis.          

Home-school Road Trip!

Ohio to Colorado

Packed in but fully equipped with all they need!

Our first lesson for the school year was a lesson of faith and it wasn't just for the kids.  We left Cleveland with $112 in our account and a full tank of gas.  We talked in a parking lot before we left with the family in joyful tears.  It was still a mystery at this point weather we would head west or south but trusted we would get a nudge if we just started moving. Within minutes we were headed west and the step was almost instantly encouraged by phone calls, texts and gifts of money from friends all over the world!  We knew then this trip would be lead by these angels.

In Illinois we stopped to put our foot in the Mississippi and
ended up in Laclaire...can anyone say...American Pickers! 

Once settled in we began the school year.  We dove into our home-school box and created a curriculum in minutes for the next few weeks.  We gave the girls their binders equipped with the tools to learn about each state we traveled through.  We felt we would kick off the new year with review of writing their letters and numbers and introduce some simple geography and history.  Each state page they entered the date and time we crossed the state line as well as noted the state motto. Then we would stop at the first visitor center to ask question or gather materials to complete each cover page.  As we traveled through the state we would point our geological formations, crops and fun facts.  It has been extremely fun and the girls are doing so well.

Arches Museum in Nebraska!

We left Ohio late and had to make our first stop a hotel in Illinois. Thanks to coaching perks we ended up in a king suit with a back door I could  grill hamburgers out of while the kids hit the pool.
Next we took a short trip to Iowa to stay with our Aunt Darr. This is the 5th time the Dashers 6! have trekked across the country and each time we were less in number but always welcomed by Brain, Aunt Darr and their dogs! On this trip Buddy and Sammy entertained our little man and our girls learned how to knit. Thanks Aunt Darr...they are still knitting away as we travel.
2 days later we decided to do a long day...13 hours..  We left at 5am and made a great stop in Nebraska at Archway Museum to learn about the 4 pioneer trails to the west, Oregon, Morman, California and the Pony Express. It was rad!  Just before dinner we arrived in Denver at Staci's good friend, Heather's home.  They have known each other since Niah's age and we have also stayed with them each time we made this trek.  Their 3 year old Miah was thrilled to see her new friends and it wasn't long before our kids disappeared into her little world. Doolie, their pit bull, was again our little man's friend and I enjoyed good music and food with Brian, the man of the house.
The next day we hopped over to Auntcous ZZ and Uncous James' house to meet their new baby Libby. It was such a great time and hope to see them again soon.


We look forward to Utah, Idaho and especially Oregon, but you will have to wait to hear those stories.  Thanks to those who read these!  We love you and hope to hear back from you soon.