GREAT ADVENTURE

Preston has been out of electrical work since last October.   This put him nearly a year behind on his hours, not to mention putting us in a dismal financial situation.   We’ve been praying for the blessing of work.   And as so often happens with prayers it was answered---just not how we expected

Through a temp agency Preston got a job Thursday 8/18 wiring windmills near Pocatello. Friday he called to say they had offered him a full time position with enough work to keep busy as long as he wanted to stay with the company.   

YEAH!

The only downside was their next job was in Oklahoma and they were leaving next Friday.  

We were in no position to be picky about the location / timing of our miracle so……

We said goodbye to family, loaded up the truck and car and started what I’m sure will be a GREAT ADVENTURE.  (A term optimistic people use to describe Daunting endeavors that will later translate into humorous tails, wisdom and understanding.)

KyLin 3 months older then Katana but the same height

we're gonna miss our cousins. 

 

so tired from packing...

 Katana is a well-behaved, well-traveled 3-month-old.  

Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma thus far.   

Last real mountains we will see for a while

like the bug guts in the picture?

Tallest bump in Colorado  & A cobble stone main street in Texas made during the depression for work.

Katana was being a bad back seat driver.  And had to show us her skills.

Don't worry we're not actually moving.

1000 miles and we made it without a hitch…. literally.

   We traveled in a caravan with 6 other people.  Two hours from our destination one of the other guys blew a tire on the truck he was towing.   No worries with 5 guys it only took a few hours to switch things around and we were on our way again. 
   Then just over an hour from our destination; it's getting dark; has been raining off and on--there is a “cheap-2-hire illegal” driving a semi in front of us--he's missed his turn off -- and is now parked in the middle of the highway.   When you add all of these up what do you get?  Perfect conditions for disaster.   

   Preston nearly avoids him and after 100 ft of fishtail and 360 degrees of "fun" with a truck and loaded trailer we all come to rest in the dirt bank.

   Thankfully everyone was OK.   Katana was in her car seat.   And while we were all shaken up--no injuries.  The truck has a huge dent, messed up tailgate and the car hauler is toast but all things considered we faired well.  

And our new life begins in...

Elk City Oklahoma   

   We're staying on the old route 66.   There are signs everywhere. 

Preston works anywhere from 10-15 hour days 6 days a week.   It’s in the hundreds and muggy.   The towers Preston works in can get up to 160 degrees.   It’s long, hot days for both of us.   Katana can’t take the heat and I can’t take the motel.  For our walks I have to bundle her in cold wet towels.  Our second day here I found a kitty pool upside down in a field.   

It actually held water!   And wala Katana has a swimming pool.   

 

Living in a motel has its good and bad.   We get free breakfast—but it’s the same thing everyday.   50 channels on TV—nothing on.    

Honestly it’s not much different then home.   I play with Katana, Preston goes work, I make dinner, eat, and sleep.  Cooking is hard because we don't have a kitchen. Microwave meals are nasty. I have a small crock pot hotplate but with only 2 plug-ins in the whole apartment and none very reliable it's frustrating. 

 I'm so grateful the gospel is everywhere.    There is always a connection.  And those you meet are instant friends.   Our stake covers over 160 mile radius.  Our ward is the surrounding 60+ miles.   Sunday at church Preston turned around and his project manager was sitting it sacrament meeting.   The only 2 members on the whole job.  He invited us over for dinner.  He’s so hungry for a family.   He has a wife and 5 kids back in Boise.  He just held Katana.   I’m glad I came with Preston.   We’re together and safe and that’s what counts.