My days are numbered

What a whirlwind our life has been the last several days. Thursday was spent packing our house. This is a task that you always underestimate the magnitude of the job. It took ALL day, and we stopped at 2:30am. Thank you to our friends who helped pack, load, and babysit. We went back to the house on Friday at 6:00 and finished everything by 7:00. We were so proud of ourselves, because we were able to get everything into 9ft. of a semi-trailer. This is Justin and Walmir putting in the very last item, before the wall goes up.

After closing the trailer door (and taking a VERY needed shower) we went to breakfast with our second family. The Lowry's adopted us when we moved to Gainesville four years ago. Justin and Joe were best friends and roommates in their undergrad, and that relationship extended to me and the rest of his family. Some of the best times we have had here has been with this family. We always looked forward to Sundays because we knew that we would get to go and have family dinner with them. We shared holidays with them as well. It has been one of the best blessings to have family here to share everything with. We love the Lowry's so much and will not feel complete withouth them near by.

Joe, Millie, Lacy, Me, Evan. Justin, Joseph, Mima, Papa, and Chris

After we said goodbye to Justin, Joe, and our cats (Buddy and Jasmine) we prepared for our good friend, Semra's, graduation from Dental assisting school. We are so proud of her accomplishments and love her to death. I am so glad that I was able to be there to share in her special moment.

Irene, Semra, Kira

One of my very favorite things to do here is float down the Itchetucknee river. I REALLY wanted to be able to do that again before we left for good. Saturday was the best day to do it, but there were storms all over Florida. We decided that it was worth the risk, and that the one pocket of "just rain" would be the one to go over the Itchetucknee. We were right. It rained the whole way down, but it was still soooo much fun! I am really glad that we all did it. It was cold, but it was managable, thank you Jon for lending me your shirt. Having the shirt cover my bare shoulders is what made it not as cold. Definitely a great experience though.

Here is a picture of one of the storms that came our way.

I discovered on the river that our waterproof camera has a video option. (Wish I'd known that a year ago!)

Freezing our butts off!!!

Sunday rolled around and we had another jam packed day. All of us friends went to the Grace Methodist church to be with the King family. They baptized their baby Alex. We are thrilled that we were able to be with you on your very special day. We love you guys and love your baby so much! Congratulations. We then headed over to our church and I had to say goodbye to everyone, as it was my last sunday. That SUCKED!!! I hate saying goodbye, especially to my Young Women. I have LOVED my calling in the Young Womens the last three years and am devastated to leave.
I am now on my last day in Gainesville and getting ready to fly out tomorrow. I don't know if I am ready for this . . . .