The Grass Is Greener

It's true: the grass actually is greener on the other side of the mountains. 
This week, we packed up our suitcases and headed to Missouri -- to the lush farm lands full of green grass, trees, ponds, and Josh's enemy, ragweed!

I had forgotten just how green Missouri can look when it's not in a year of drought. This fall the colors even seems saturated since coming from a yard mostly made up of rocks and sand. Yes, of course the mountains are beautiful and the sparkling waters of Tahoe (only 12 miles from our home in NV) are amazing, but it is wonderful to see grass in every yard, field and valley. 

For Josh and I, it's always fun to come home to the familiar sounds of cicadas, grasshoppers, and more filling up the nights (Missouri is quite noisy!) What I've discovered this week as we've spent time laughing with friends and family, and soaking in Missouri is that I do miss the familiar but am eager to return to the adventure of Nevada. We have had a blast making new friends and exploring the terrain of Nevada these last 7 months. No, it doesn't quite feel like home yet but how can it, I mean comparatively we lived in Missouri 25+ years.

Earlier this week, we were talking with my uncle about just how quiet the nights in Nevada (and California) are compared to here. He said, "I hear the bugs, like ghost bugs, even when they aren't there - that's how built into my life they are," (having lived in MO 50+ years). 

I can identify. The nights in Nevada are so quiet (minus a few crickets) that I too often imagine the sounds of Missouri in Nevada. (And no digital noise maker can really replicate this). Nevada is the first place we have lived where the nighttime symphony of bugs has been missing (they were there in Texas & VA).

As we celebrate our memories here in Missouri on this trip, it is fun to recognize that we are developing new memories in Nevada day by day. While it is still a surprise that we live there, we are overjoyed that God sent US on such an incredible adventure this year -- one that is continuing and growing even more (more to come on this later). For now we will take all that has God has shown and taught us in Missouri, Texas and Virginia and share this with Nevada. 

No matter where we go (or live) we proudly carry a bit of Missouri with us (even if only in our heads at times!)

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