Well, the time has come.  I’ve been back in the states for a week now, spending time with my parents and boys, getting acclimated to the good ‘ol US of A once more.  It’s a wild thing to hear so much spoken English . . . tomorrow I head to California- talk about culture shock!!  California is the one place us Texas boys aren’t supposed to go, but I think I’ll do alright after my time in Peru. 

For those of you who haven’t heard the whole story I got a job in California with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.  I start work Tuesday in San Bruno, CA, about 15 miles south of San Francisco.  I’ll be there for 8 weeks then will transfer to another location in the San Jose area. 

It’s an exciting transition, scary and full of potential.  As with any change, this one will bring opportunities for successes and failures, positives and negatives, the chance to influence and the chance to be influenced.  Please pray for me as I head into this adventure without the physical support of my family.  My boys will be staying with my parents for the time being and Kayla, Meghan, and Cohen are still in Peru awaiting the finalization of Cohen’s adoption and then the process of securing a visa for Cohen.  As such, I’ll be tackling the move with only God by my side (which is sufficient, though I miss my family something awful!!).    

There are many ways to look at this change we are undergoing.  Some have expressed concern over the splitting of my family, temporary though it may be.  Others have shared their support as they empathize with just how difficult, yet how necessary, all this is.  I appreciate both sides, opinions, and any input and insight any of you may have.

The truth is, Peru and I had a falling out of sorts- no, it would be more accurate to say we reached an understanding.  It was time for me to go, to move on, to take all I’ve learned and experienced over the last few years and do something with it. 

The bottom line is that we (my family) simply couldn’t survive financially any longer.  The adoption of Cohen has cost us more than we expected, and in the meantime bills are piling up.  I love Peru, and hope to continue supporting much of the work I have been involved in.  During this first week back in the U.S. I have missed a great deal about her.  Upon visiting Wal-Mart after arriving in Colorado (something we often claimed we missed in Peru) I realized just how much I enjoyed the lifestyle I have grown accustomed to.  I thought my visit to Taco-Bell would be like a little taste of Heaven- it barely qualified as a trip to Purgatory or the lowest of the 3 Mormon heavens.  I mean to say I love Peru, I miss Peru, and I hope someday to return to Peru. 

In the meantime please continue to pray for us, especially Kayla as she continues her work in Arequipa and will do so for at least several more months.  At present she is continuing in her position as the head of the English dept. as well as continuing to work with our local churches and several young people.  She will continue to need your support until God allows her to join me in the states, so please, keep her in mind and prayer. 

I hope to hear from many of you in the days and weeks ahead, and I will do my best to keep you all informed as to where the Lord is taking us.  Incidentally, I was informed yesterday that the restaurant in which I’ll be training is home to two Peruvian employees, both team-leaders, and one Guatemalan, also a team-leader.  I had been praying that God would take me to a place where I could use my acquired Spanish skills and Latino knowledge- talk about an answer to prayer!! 

On that note I have already found a church I think I will truly enjoy upon reaching California, and it’s only a few blocks from where I’ll be staying for the next 2 months, so thank the Lord for His many blessings and for the doors He is opening. 

I hope many of you will be in touch, and I will do the same.