"SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW!"

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Okay, so Justin and i received our mission call! That's the only way i can look at it right now....We are headed to Kansas! Yep, Kansas! My narrow vision of Kansas right now is seeing a tornado in a black & white setting! It's all about obedience at this point!

Really i was dumb founded (which isn't all too unusual) and a little bummed at first! We left our beautiful home and amazing friends in Apache Junction-AZ, came up here to the gorgeous mountains of Lakeside-AZ and now Kansas?!! :) As i follow the storyline of the Wizard Of Oz, i realize that i'm feeling like Dorothy right now ~ wanting to be somewhere over the rainbow!...definitely not in Kansas!
I have to admit, Kansas was one of those places that i used to tease people with when they'd ask where we were going or where we wanted to go!!! Talk about sticking my foot in my mouth! I didn't even know there was an Army base there! I guess there are several! We will be stationed at Fort Riley. It's the Northeastern part, one hour west of Topeka and close to Missouri! Justin said his reaction was, "Oh, okay?!?" We had been dreaming of all these exotic places we could go and the adventures that we'd have....and Kansas was not one of those on our wish list!! I also apologize to my parents, cuz now their vacations away from AZ will now be Kansas! They might just skip over us and tour some church sites or follow freedom trail!!! Alright with that being said, I know now that i have to find a heart (develop a love for Kansas), a brain (learn about Kansas), and courage (overcome these negative feelings)! There will be enouragement through prayer, scripture study and following the Prophet! If i will do these things, i will stay on the right path (yellow brick road) and things will always BE BRIGHTER!

So, I've learned that there aren't any guarantees with the Army, so there STILL might be a chance that it could change! I will continue to pray for peace and confirmation that this is where the Lord wants us! I do know that home is where you make it, because we've proven that this last year! I'm looking forward to being with Justin and our family again! Yes, there is also a risk that he could be deployed, but i will take care of that as it comes! I've learned that Heavenly Father truly does have a sense of humor and He must be trying to teach me to have one too! "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, over mountains, or (plains) or seas!" I also know that there will be opposing forces wanting me to get off of this path/yellow brick road, so i must listen to the voices that will want me to always choose good, better and best!

This is what i know about Kansas: It's the Nation's Breadbasket, meaning it grows more wheat than any other state (hello food storage!), it's known for the biggest tornado on record in the U.S., so another nickname would be 'tornado alley' and of course, who could forget Dodge City? Well, me! (i'm not much of a cowgirl, so i had to look that one up!)!!! Amelia Earhart was born in KS and the ever so popular "Wizard of Oz" was also born in KS! Yep, that's about all i could find.......so i'm looking forward to learning more about and serving the people! All kidding aside, i know these are the last days and the idea of being close to amazing-historical church sites is so exciting! Church & family history.....now that's intriguing! I know that in the end HOME IS WHERE YOU MAKE IT and so if Kansas is where we need to be, I will open my eyes and see the beauty that's all around or i'll create the beauty as we take this journey!

After all........There REALLY is No Place Like Home! :)))

I Love You!!!