Me and Mo

My favorite part of summer so far.

The Beach

The beach was lots of fun. Morgandy really loved
it and could have stayed in the water all day.

Kennedy Space Center

Nathan prepare to lift off in 10, 9, 8, 7....
Space shuttle in the back ground
The Crawler...coming back from getting the
space shuttle
on the moon
Nathan as on of the first astronauts...the best
looking one for sure.

Anni, the best dog ever

This was our dog, Anni. She is going to a better home. But she was the best do ever!

Playing Putt Putt at Pirates Cove

Nathan and I got to Play Putt Putt with my parents in Orlando. We all got a hole in one, or two. It was by far the best Putt Putt we had ever been to. Dad and Nathan didn't escape the pirates in the end but Mom and I freed them...don't worry!

Taylors birthday at MIZZOU

We took our niece Taylor to a football game at Mizzou for her birthday. As you can see we had even more fun around campus...

I'm looking for a one way ticket...

The title of this post is just how I feel lately.  I wish I could buy a one way ticket to anywhere right now.  Ok, so I would actually need two one way tickets. I don't want to leave Nathan behind at all.

Most of you may have heard that I recently had a miscarriage followed by another miscarriage.  I'm physically ok and need a little extra help with a hormone that I will get when we are ready to try again.  But for now, I'm just sad.  

I use to be a happy person. I miss that person.  Since I've lived here I'm having trouble finding good things.  Even finding little things to be happy about are very hard lately.  I'm not sure why but everything has surfaced recently.  So I'm looking for a one way ticket to peace.  If anyone out there wants to give me one that would be great, cause being here is not working for me.

When we decided to move here, Nathan's face was stuck with saddness.  It should've been a huge clue for me. I never thought that I would have a horrible time here. I thought that for sure I was going to be a strong wife who encouraged her husband all the time, but its totally gone opposite.  He has had to pick me up and I barely stay up enough to keep him encouraged.  

Please pray for the following right now as you read this.  I'll help you start....Father, God....

1. help me to be a good wife and encourage Nathan no matter how hard it is for me.

2. help me to find peace

3. help me to see better through my God goggles...seeing good in all things

Thanks for all your help.

2 years ago...

Two years ago today my family was hit with huge loss.  My cousin, Adam, was killed in a car accident in Uganda, Africa.  Most of you know I was there when it happened.  I still remember talking to my cousin Kym about how it felt like a movie.  Today when I can't feel the realness of it. As soon as I feel that this really happened, I pull away from the truth.

I'm trying very hard to remember the time before Adam died, but its hard and overwhelming most of the time.  I am praying for my family to heal and have peace from this.  And if your reading this...I could use the prayers too.  We were very blessed to have Adam in our lives for 28 years.  I hope that I can one day remember the good times and great things he did.  

Thank you for loving our family and praying for them.

Catching up...

I haven't blogged in a long time. So I thought I'd catch up since I have time now.

As most of you know, Nathan and I live in Sedalia, MO. Its been interesting all around. I was very unhappy at first. But things are better now.

I still look forward to our next adventure. But for now, we are here so I will trust that God has a purpose for us.

I have a job at an elementary school working with a special needs student. For the first time in my life I love going to school. Its been a blessing for sure.

We are now in Flordia with my family for the Holidays. I feel like I can breath here. We have done nothing and it feels so good. I love getting to see my parents and just hang out.

I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday.

In memory...

My good friend, Sarah, called today to tell me that her dad passed away last night.  I am so sorry and sad for her family.  I remember those feeling of shock, when someone passes away so suddenly.  People say that you feel numb at first.  Man is that true.  Thats a hard phase to get past.  I pray for her family and hope that peace settles in soon.

What I most remember about Sarah's dad is his name.  His real name is James Derwood Blake.  but I could never remember his middle name so I dubbed him Durwin.  He was a great BBQ master.  He always had the best recipes and we never left their house hungry.  Durwin was also a very gentle man.  He had a loving spirit.  It was really hard not to be happy around him.

Glenda, Sarah, and Katie, I will pray that you will have many people to hold you and give you peace. I wish I could be there to give you all a huge hug.  There is nothing to say besides, I am so sorry and I love you.  Keep your chin up.

Myra's Menu and anyone else can use it too.

MONDAY

Breakfast

Cereal

Lunch

Tuna sandwhich

Tuna, hard boiled eggs, celery, whole wheat bread, 

Dinner

Taco Salad

Add in this order

Spinach

tortilla chips

ground beef(with taco seasoning)

shredded cheese

tomatoes

onions

avocados

top with sour cream and salsa if you like

And I have to stop here because I have wanted everywhere.

Our new home

These are some pictures of our new house, known as Grandma's house around town.  

Its not a plan....its a pla and random thoughts

So we almost have our moving plans together. That is why I am calling it a pla not a plan.

Nathan's baseball team lost on Saturday so we will not being going to the State tournament.  I was totally hit with reality after the game that we really are moving.   I've had a ton of emotions about it lately.  Some good and some sad. 

 Right now I feel like there is so much I want to do before we leave.  Montana really is beautiful and I will surely miss the amazing scenery here.  

I've heard people say that they feel closer to God here.  I know what they mean now.  Its so easy to see God here in the mountains, rivers, and trees.  How can people not love Jesus here?  I know that I will find God in the mid-west. In a different way.  But I think if I am ever struggling there I will hike to the top of Mt. Sentinal in my mind.  Or walk along the Clark-Fork river. Maybe even sit in our old front yard and look all around,  just to have that feeling of God's creation again.  I have learned a lot about creation here.  For example, I've decided that God created mountains for those times in our lives that are hard.  I hear him saying, "yes, life stinks right now, but look at what I can do, listen to me, look up and see what I can do."  I'm pretty sure that should be a scripture. And it helps.

I have had many hard times here.  In the past 2 in a half years I have been through a lot. Sometimes I think maybe even too much hurt.  But God knew I could handle it.  Its a whole lot easier to hurt in a place this amazing.

I have also have had some of the greatest experiences ever here.  Missoula will always be special to me.  After all this is where I met my husband.  God really smiled on me with him. We have made some great relationships here too.  Its truly been a blessing.  

Now, on to our pla...

Monday we will be getting last minute stuff done.

Tue-Wed we are going to Glacier.

Thursday our moving truck will be here to pick up our stuff.

Friday we are going to a going away party hosted by Nathans baseball team.

Saturday we leave Missoula.

Then arrive in Missouri on Monday.

If you are still reading this, I am including a list of things that we would appreciate prayers for.

1. a safe trip to Missouri

2. that we will be able to say goodbye and show our love for those who have loved us here.

3. that God will provide relationships for us in Sedalia.  I am really wanting to find people who       love Jesus and are excited to serve, as we did here.

4. that I(Lana) will find a job and a purpose there

5. that Nathan will love his job and not feel too overwhelmed.

6. that God will provide many opportunities to serve there.

7. that we will find a place to live

I'm sure there is more but for now that is what is on my heart.  We will be updating and keeping in touch with everyone.

Fun with the Stewillars

Here is some fun and recent times with the Stewarts.  Jason, Amber and I went back to Skookum Butte and found a door that was perfect for sledding on some left over snow.  

When we got back to their house, Jason had made this carpet art for Nathan.  Its so cool!

Mt. Sentinal Fire

Here are pictures in order from the fire on Sentinal that is still burning.  The one of a girl is someone who lives across the street and thought she needed to be in her towel for this.  I have never seen this much traffic in Missoula!  Everyone was taking pictures and sitting outside watching it.  

For those of you who have been here it is the mountain with the M on it.

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

Skookum Butte Part 2

I had to add more pictures of Skookum Butte, it is truely the most beautiful place I have been to.

Its also a really fun hike even though we got kinda lost.

Blue Mt. lookout and Skookum Butte lookout and hike