Questions answered

15 weeks till go time! Thinking that I have until this summer to move out of our home does not seem like a daunting task. However, if I put this time frame into weeks, that leaves me with just 15. Oh my! It takes me a whole week to catch up on laundry. I know if I blink, another two weeks will be gone. July 15th is my personal deadline to hit the road; for many reasons.

The kids start school August 15th and I think a solid month to get adjusted to life in Colorado should be a sufficient amount of time. We don't want to wait last minute and then tell the kids, "We are here! Tomorrow you start school." Nope. Couldn't do it.

Also, I did a little research and teachers go back to school August 1st. Many of my family/friends have asked if I will continue to teach out there in Colorado. The answer is yes! The day I found out we were moving, I contacted the Colorado Department of Education. I asked what I needed to do to attain a Colorado teaching license. I found out that the state of Colorado accepts out-of state licenses as long as I can verify I am indeed licensed. With a new set of fingerprints and the application fee, I will have my Colorado license within 2-4 weeks! Now, I just need a job. ha!

In the meantime, our family is making preparations for the move. Our house will go on the market within the week. Unfortunately it is worth far less than what we bought it for. To give you an idea, in 2005 we bought it for 235k. According to our property taxes, it is only worth 160k. Ugh! We are not alone. It is sad that the economy has forced many families like us to short sale their home. If we waited to sell our home traditionally, the kids may be adults. We don't have time for that. Colorado is calling!

Down-sizing and packing have already began. Now the task of keeping our house "show" ready will be a continual effort. It was hard to keep our house clean with two kids when we sold our home in Brainerd. I don't know how we are going to do it with six. Our laundry invades our entire living room when I am folding. What am I going to do if we get a call to show the house? Give them a heads up, I guess. Maybe put on a sign on the door that reads, "Beware! 1/2 a dozen kids live here."

The question has been asked if we have a house out in Colorado yet. The answer is no. We plan on renting so we aren't tied down to a mortgage or a neighborhood we don't care for. Many rental houses are unoccupied and so I am not worried about finding a home, much less waiting for one that is available. We'll get to that process soon enough; within the next 15 weeks ;)

Finally, many people have wondered if/when we are coming back to Minnesota. Such a great question! I wish I had an answer! ha! Honestly, I have no idea. I think that is what has helped make this move easier to swallow. The idea is that nothing is forever. Leaving for Colorado doesn't mean we won't come back to Minnesota. As Nick explained to the kids, God just might move our family somewhere else later. His example was California. My little sister lives in southern California; I would be up for that! Who knows what the future brings. I love knowing that God has far more planned for us than I could ever dream or imagine. We just have to follow the Lord's leading and be obedient.

I think there are some who struggle with understanding this concept. As a Christian though, we are taught to listen to God's voice. Its not audible, but an overwhelming feeling or sense. You have to trust that "voice" from within. Often times too, your answers will be found in scripture. Scriptures will jump out at you when they didn't before! Its amazing how answers to questions will come to you! When God spoke to us about Colorado, we almost had to find reasons NOT to move. All signs pointed us WEST.

I have to bring up another song! Michael W. Smith's, "Go West Young Man" has been playing in my mind over and over. If it has been too many years since you've heard this 1993 hit, here are some of the lyrics.

I'm blazing a trail that leads to vice
So easily enticed
By darker means
When out of the wilderness of choice
I hear that one still voice
Call to me
Chorus:
Go west young man
Go west young man
When the evil go east
Go west young man
Go west young man
Find a heart that's golden

Why must I wander like a cloud
Following the crowd
Well I don't know
But i'm asking for the will to fight
To wear the crown of life
And you say go

Chorus

The mind is weak the heart is frail
When it goes beyond the pale
So unwise

Chorus

I'm blazing a trail that leads to vice
So easily enticed
By darker means

When out of the wilderness of choice
I hear that one still voice
Call to me

Chorus:
Go west young man
Go west young man
When the evil go east
Go west young man
Go west young man
Find a heart that's golden

And west we will go!