Dear friends -

It's 3:30 am, and I just finished packing the last box. I'm sitting here staring at an empty room, exhausted from all the packing, and still in a bit of denial that I'm REALLY leaving the South today and moving to Michigan!

After a few short hours of sleep and some last minute loading, it will be time to say goodbye. I've tried to remain focused on the positive for the past few days and have kept the tears to a minimum, but I fear the next few hours won't be as easy.  Saying goodbye to my parents and my home for the past year, and driving away into the unknown comes with it's fair share of sadness and fear.

I'm sure I'll soon learn that "HOME" is wherever Rusty is, my community is, and where the presence of God is resting (and telling us to rest). However, as I'm just starting that lesson it sure is hard to leave "Sweet Home Alabama", or Georgia (or for that matter anywhere in the South - especially if it's within driving distance of my family, friends, and AUBURN!!! ;)

So, before I begin to take a teary-trip down memory lane, I ask for your prayers. Please pray I will keep my eyes focused on the road ahead - heart set on the wonderful adventure and beautiful blessings God has in store (and the dear friends waiting for us in Michigan). Please pray for comfort and peace as I leave behind many friends and family. Please pray for my parents as they say goodbye and begin to let go (or at least pray Mom doesn't follow through with her threat to handcuff me to something and lock me in the basement - HA!) Please pray for Rusty and me as we begin our life together in Michigan. And please please pray for safety as we drive.

We should be on the road between 9:00 - 10:00am Eastern Time, and hope to be in Cincinnati at a friend's house by nightfall. Then we'll drive a few more hours Monday and should be in Port Huron by Monday afternoon. Please pray we'll have no delays or problems with the weather, pray for Rusty (who's driving the Uhaul), pray for divine appointments, and pray God's hand will be upon us as we go.

THANK YOU for being such amazing prayer warriors and friends! I'll let you know when we get there! :)

Much love,

Ericka