A Bump in the Road

Things are always exciting when you're a traveling therapist.

We were supposed to be in SoCal through the beginning of April, but will be leaving this week instead. I got a call on Thursday from my recruiter explaining that due to an an unexpected and unforeseen  complication (that I had absolutely no control over) my last day at my current contract would be the next day (Friday). To say that I was shocked is an understatement! In travel you're semi-ready to move quickly, but I was really unprepared for a days notice. Emotionally, I wasn't prepared to say my goodbyes yet. It was a stressful afternoon on Thursday as Amy and I discussed job options. Our first choice for a new assignment would have been San Francisco or Alaska, with our intention to do Washington state after that (I am waiting for my Washington license to become active). However, there were no options in our preferred areas, and only a few where we are currently in LA. We were hoping that I would be able to get a short term option here so that we could get everything ready to go slowly and then in that time hopefully something would have opened up in our preferred locations. However, all the jobs in the LA area were filled overnight, and I was interviewed for a position in Huntsville, TX at a nursing home Friday morning. By Late Friday morning they had extended a very generous offer, and we decided to accept. While going back to Texas wasn't our first choice or in our own plans, it seems like it is in God's plan for us. When we signed up for traveling we knew we would get an adventure and not everything would always go according to our own plans. We are thankful that our God knows the end of the story, and we are trusting in the fact that He is going before us and preparing the way, just as he has shown us before time and time again during our travels. I didn't sleep much Thursday night and Friday was one of the most emotionally draining days I've had in a long time. It was incredibly difficult to tell all my wonderful coworkers that it would be my last day with them. When I pulled the administrator into her office to let her know first, we both started crying which set the tone for my entire day. The wonderful teachers, aides, and techs at ABC have taught me so much about working with autistic kiddos and really helped me grow so much as a speech pathologist and develop a whole new appreciation for the autistic population. I loved being a part of their team! When I went to each class to say my final goodbyes, one teacher had all her kids tell me bye, and hearing the chorus of their little voices saying "bye Miss Melissa" (sounding more like "Miss Mewissa") just about did my heart in. Then one little boy came up and gave me a hug and said "I hope you have a fabulous day" which he never does on his own and made us all cry. It was hardest to say goodbye to my friend Jen. She and I were always bantering back and forth, teasing each other, and if I was ever having trouble with a kid she would always save me. Basically we kept each other in line. She had made me a poster from her class that had a tree on it with all the kids finger prints on it in green (for leaves) and the staff's finger prints in red (for apples) with all the kids pictures on it. It was so sweet and definitely something I will treasure for a long time. Needless to say both of us were crying as we said our final goodbyes! 

Jen and me. This was taken right after both of us were crying our eyes out

I felt so loved and appreciated on my last day. Again, I feel so lucky to see some of the harvest from all the seeds I had been working so hard to plant. 

I am very thankful for the time here in California and all the experience I have recieved. I am thankful to work for an amazing company that is committed to taking care of me and looking out for my best interests. I am thankful for all the people we have met and friends we have made. I am thankful for all the new places we have seen. 

As we say our final goodbyes this weekend to our California friends and head back to Texas to start my new job on Thursday, we are overwhelmed. But in our hearts we know, and trust, and believe, that there are far better things ahead than any we leave behind. 

Life Lately

Well, I feel like we are officially honorary Californians. Within a span of a week we experienced an earthquake (it woke me up in the middle of the night but Braden slept right through it. Strangely enough I woke up to everything shaking and thought "oh it's an earthquake" and fell right back asleep) and a wildfire. The wildfire started about 15 miles from where we live. When I went out to my car, I saw this huge cloud of smoke and found out when I got to work that there was a huge fire. I actually had to drive out to the city where the fire had started later that day for work and was watching all the helicopters fly over. It's weird that when it rains everyone in California freaks out and acts like the sky is falling but when there's a fire or an earthquake everyone is really calm and going about their business like nothing is happening. A few weeks ago, I posted about hiking a trail with some friends and that trail actually was in the fire. Here is what the place looked like after everything burned:

The past few weeks have been busy, and then again not. After the break we were recovering from all the traveling and also me getting over a really bad cold. I have also been really busy at work due to one of the other employees leaving which resulted in me inheriting her caseload. It's been busy but really fun- not to mention being fully booked makes the time go by faster! Two weeks ago we were able to drive down to the San Diego area to visit La Jolla (pronounces "Hoya") beach. A coworker recommended it because of it being pretty and having sea lions. It certainly was gorgeous and we enjoyed going with our good friends Jenn and Phil. A relaxing trip to the beach was just what I needed!  Although we didn't get in the water (it's too cold!) and just hung out and watched the sunset while listening to the waves. 

Us with the cove and seals in the background

Photo credit to the lovely Jenn :)

Sunset and waves-the surf was crazy!

This past weekend we had a small group party with our small group from church. It was fun hanging out with everyone and just relaxing and getting caught up. On Saturday we were so excited to get to go snowboarding! Braden's parents had gotten us gift cards to a resort that's about 45 minutes away. We had been waiting for some snow to fall of the mountains and early on in the week some did, however, by the time we were there it was mainly man made snow! It was definitely strange to leave our hotel and have it be 65 degrees and then getting out on the mountain and having it be 25 degrees. Going at night was definitely fun and nice because they had the snow machines going. It was still pretty icy though and still hurt to fall. Seeing as this was only the 4th time I had been snowboarding, carving was a little intimidating knowing if I wiped out it would be painful! Braden was brave and tried some jumps. It was so much fun and my new snowboard was awesome!

No, our helmets aren't white...thats just the ice!

We were very cold and definitely ready for the nice heat in the car. We were head to toe covered in ice. Even my hair had chunks of ice in it! We were both a little sore the next day. On Sunday we were able to watch the Super Bowl at a friend's apartment with people from our small group. I was disappointed in the Broncos but I am happy for my other hometown.

In other news, Braden is officially a licensed physical trainer! I am so proud of all his hard work. Next step is hopefully finding a job in our next location! We also found out that my brother and sister in law are expecting baby number two. We can't wait our little niece or nephew in August! 

This weekend we are heading to Las Vegas! We are going with our friends Jenn and Phil and Matt and Kalani. I have my change ready for the penny slots! We have an all inclusive package so we will be doing several things while we are there. I can't wait for a mini vacation! Viva Las Vegas!

It's hard to believe that we have less than 2 months left in LA! We should be finding out within the next month or so where we will be going next! Time to start eliminating out LA bucket list!

Hopeful Wanderers

As a traveling therapist, so many things are transient- where you live, the people you know, the place you work. Very little is constant or stays the same. This type of lifestyle definitely isn't for everyone. As humans our hearts desire consistency, they desire a place to call home. When you are a traveler, you don't have a home, everything you have fits in your vehicle. It was explained to me once as living the 'turtle' lifestyle- living with your home on your back. There's something beautiful about the simplicity of it, really. When Braden and I started traveling we had no idea where we were going or where we might end up. We know our Promised Land is somewhere, but we don't know where. In my pensive moments, I think about the children of Israel and how they felt. They knew God was leading them on this journey to a land of milk and honey-the Promised Land. They didn't know where it would be, or how many stops there would be along the way, not lingering anyplace too long. Wherever they were, they knew it wasn't permanent, they knew it wasn't home. I think about how much they longed for that land promised to them-the place to call their own so they could stop wandering. There is a restlessness that goes with traveling- we are happy to be in a place, but all the time ready to keep moving forward. We love the people we have met and places we have visited during our travels, but long to continue forward towards home. We don't know where home will be, or when we will reach it, but someday we will. We hope for that day, but until then, we are a couple of hopeful wanderers on this adventure, trusting God that He is leading us on to much greater things.