Another Important Thing....

So as if it is impossible to remember, today is Sept. 11. 9 years ago something tragic happened to our country. It's been kind of a crazy ride between that day, when Matt and I were juniors in high school, just about to start dating to what we are now. And even more has changed in our country. History has been made over and over again, in various ways. We now have a very different president than the one who was in charge when the planes crashed. It's no secret that we are not fans of the current guy in charge but all I really have to say is that I truly hope he understands and remembers all those who died in the way that they deserve. I know he called for tolerance but I hope he truly means for all people, not just toward Muslims. So far it doesn't seem that his administration has been all that tolerant of the Christians in our country and he's been way to tolerant of people who shouldn't even be here. This is not a rant about what I disagree with-that can happen another time. This is about remembering those who were lost, and those we will still lose. We're not out of Iraq yet and in reality it may be a while until everyone is out of the Middle East for good. I know that reality hits a little too close to home as we prepare to get closer to that region and with the job that Matt has. Lets not only remember our soliders, but all those who go in pursuit of what is right. The contractors and missionaries and teachers and all who wish to make the world better and safer for those yet to come into the world.

Driving....

So as most of you know, I HATE road trips! Especially when I have to drive for long periods of time. If I can sleep, I'm generally a happy camper. This was not the case yesterday.....

We began our exodus out of the country yesterday by packing up the truck and car, hitching up the trailer and getting the horse on, and hitting the road. We were cruising out of Cali when we hit the first bout of traffic stopped for construction. This did not last long thankfully but it did happened about 1.5 hrs into the drive. Not a good sign. Some would say that you should turn back and try again later. Oh no, not us Moritzs! We forge ahead! So we get rolling again and hit some more construction traffic; this one is worse than the last. People flying down the road then BAM! stopping for the LOOONNG line of cars and trucks that must funnel into a small little space. Once we get through that we hit through Reno no problemo. We then stop for some food because at this point we have been driving for like 3.5 hrs and only getting about 1/16th of the way-again, not a good sign.

We switch cars cause it's getting windy and I'm already starting to get sleepy. Rusty and Joey are total champs and are handling each thing as it comes no problemo! However, we don't even get 100 miles from when we switched and POW! the trailer has a blow out. Thankfully Matt was driving the truck so he calmly moves to the side of the road, asses what has happened, then manfully pulls out the jack and changes the tire on the side of i-80 with cars and trucks FLYING by us. Rusty is a statue inside the trailer at this point, knowing it is of vital importance that he doesn't become his normal neurotic self and start weaving while the trailer is on a jack.

After my manly man finishes changing the tire (I did help in case you were wondering-I can be handy too!) we drive approximately 3 miles to the nearest town, called Lovelock, and proceed to find a tire place to get a new tire for a spare. We finally find a place at about 4:45, 15 minutes shy of them closing. They hop to it, getting us a new tire and even changing one out for us in no time. And the best part is they didn't charge us a small fortune for this! WHOO HOO! Matt said it was cheaper than us replacing some other tires at home-thank you middle of no where Nevadans for being honest and good to us stranded souls!

So we hit the road again-taking only about an hour to get through the tire ordeal. The longest part of it all was trying to find the tire place! For such a small little town it was hard to find! Anyhow, we cruise a long with little problems, just having to slow every now and then for some construction. We finally hit Elko, which is about 4 hrs from my parents place. At this point we've been driving almost 12 hrs, having left Cali at 11 am. I think we're at the 10/11 hr mark at this point. We stop for some food and to let the boys rest (and Joey run around) some then hit the road. The end is in sight. Or so we think...

We pass a sign that says "Accident 12 miles ahead, expect delays." They were not kidding. We hit the delay. We turn the cars off. We see people getting out and walking around. We know this can't be good. I say a little prayer for whoever is part of the accident (which has become my custom passing accidents now-it's always so scary to see what happens) and we wait. About an hour later we're fire up the engines and creep by a car that has flipped over (several times by the look of it) and has caught on fire. I am thankful we stopped when we did because it looked like a relatively fresh accident which means it probably happened right around when we stopped for about 45 mins which means had we forged head, we could've witnessed it or been part of it. Jesus looks out for us a lot I think.

We finally get through the accident scene and we cruise on. We stop to potty and fill up one last time at the Nevada/Utah border of Weandover. On the road again....

We get to my parents house around 2:45/3 AM!! We're both past delirious at this point. The entire trip we talk to each other on walkie talkies (Matt was Ghost Rider [so I could say "That's a negatory Ghost Rider] and I was Batman, no surprises there, but we never even really used out call signs, oh well!) and as it got later and we drove on, the conversation started to get really silly, mainly from my end. Matt started to relegate his answers to one word or short phrases, which is not uncommon for him, as you well know; Matt is a man of few few words-and then there's me who uses more words in 1 day than he does in 1 week.

All in all it didn't feel like it lasted 15.5 hrs. I think it's because I had my wonderful hubby there every step of the way, leading me to safety! He's a calm and smart cookie that one. I am so terribly blessed to have him as my hubs!

So we have only a few short days until Matt flies across the pond (he leaves the 15th at 4 pm) then I will follow the next week. I still need to get my ticket. I'm sure that if this drive is any indication of what is to come in Cyprus, it is going to be a nonstop adventure with many surprises along the way! But I am so glad that I have Matt to tackle it with me, cause I probably would kill myself if it was just me ;)