New Day, New Jersey

As we knew from the beginning of this journey--nothing is ever certain.  Alex and I experienced a dose of this refreshing reality late last night.  Alex has been promoted to AA Corpus Christi team; the promotion could be temporary due to injuries or it could be more permanent.  We are extremely excited and ready to take on the up and downs The Lord has already prepared for us. This path was paved long before we began the journey and we are excited to see what we get the chance to "run into"!!!!!!

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
Ephesians 2:10


We love this verse in times of trial and happiness--because we can rest in the promises He has given us, knowing what we are walking through He has prepared for us and the path as well!  It was certainly hard to send my man off without knowing exactly when I will see him, but those feelings are covered by happiness that he is getting to experience a different level of this game.  Whether his time is short or long, we are beyond grateful for all of God's provisions along the way!!  In the meantime, I am off to support my boys (Ben and Ben) and start to devise some organization and packing plan.  Not being with these guys will be so very difficult for us and we just don't like goodbyes--so it will be "see ya later"--knowing these Bens will forever be in our life!!!  Alex has arrived safely into Frisco, TX where the team is on the road for the next week.  I am so glad he gets to play in such a cool part of the country and I told him to take pictures--so here's to hoping he follows through!!!  What a cool opportunity we have of seeing many different places across the country!!  Until then may you, too, be comforted in the fact that no matter what you are facing or dealing with now, it is all part of God's amazing plan!!!

Beautiful view on my way to the field in Lancaster, CA

After game and before the news

My pack mule--off to TX

Go Get Em Hubs!!!

Love on those around you,

Arlie

Many Miles, Memories, and a Different Coast Later!!!

Well, this is really happening folks--me writing a blog!!! I do not expect many to read nor to be interested in what is going on here in the beautiful city of Lancaster, but Alex and I felt it would be a great outlet and journal of sorts (and place to showcase pictures and life related stuff)!

Here is the wonderful run-down of the past months!  Alex and I have been married almost 6 months (time flies by when life is amazing) and have already moved two times!

Best day of our lives!! And our awesome wedding party :)

We had the best time being newlyweds this offseason--traveling, relaxing, working, and being "normal" for the time being!  February quickly arrived and with that comes Spring Training. We packed up and headed to Kissimmee, FL (outside of Orlando) and began our first ST as a married duo! And boy did we have a blast--from Alex having a good spring and staying healthy to me running my first half marathon and adjusting to life on the road with my man.  We were able to see many old friends and make new ones as well, including our gracious host family and church family we joined quickly bonded with.  The 5 weeks of the lovely Florida sun and weather was a wonderful welcome to this pale body, but was gone before I could believe!  The time at ST is always wonderful, having early mornings and evenings with the hubs is certainly a blessing that I do not take for granted--such precious moments.  Although the weather and schedule is nice, ST always comes with an unsettling feeling as to where we may end up, will we be let go, will our friends be on our team, will they be let go.  The list is endless and could drive a person mad.  Alex and I tried to not speak of the unknowns and to rely on the promise that our path was made long before these days of Spring Training.  Having our faith grounded in the truths rather than those of this unsettling baseball life proved to be just what we needed to not be in constant worry (1 Corinthians 2:9 was a verse that we read and reminded one another of).  Three days before camp broke (meaning--leave for your new team) rosters were adjusted to what we thought would be final and I headed home to get the remainder of our stuff and our pooch!!!  We were heading to California...me by car, Alex by plane!!!

Car ready for California

It was a hard reality for Alex to just send me on my way and him to meet me there, pretty much against all he is made of--but for the sake of his job and career, we did what was asked and I dug deep and was thrilled that I could be doing something for Alex and make it easier for us in California.  So my lovely hunnie, Scott, came to the rescue and decided to make the trip with me.  We left Hickory on Saturday morning and I arrived in California at the exact time the bus from the airport arrived--talk about some timing!  The trip was filled with many funny memories, deserts, and no exits for many many miles.  I can't thank Hunnie enough for the huge sacrifice and love that went into him making the trip with me.  I definitely would not have made it as fast or as safe without him.

Our scenery much of the drive and in our new home as well

Lancaster Jethawks Stadium

True Californian welcome meal

Within the first few days our mission was to find a place to live, and that proved a tad bit harder than we expected, but it would be no fun for it to be easy and we found a great place.  We are happily settled with our roomates--The Bens and are off to a wonderful season in the High Desert!!!  The weather is a tad bit different than anything I have ever experienced sometimes sunny and warm and other times windy and freezing cold.  I do have to say that I have snagged some great coats at prices you would not believe so I am now prepared. Oh and with the lovely visit from our Mama Anna, Alex and I are outfitted for this crazy unpredictable weather.  Alex and I have certainly been blessed with being sponsored by an amazing family who have already helped us more than we could have hoped (between food, appliances, and just being there for me)!!!!  I have even already gotten to go to a taping in Burbank at the Warner Brother Studios--The Voice-- it was so much fun and a needed break from the baseball diamond.

More than anything, we are thankful to be on this journey together and look forward to the many memories we will make doing this as a team.  We have already learned so much about the country and people we would have never had the blessing of meeting thanks to the lovely game of baseball.  All in all, I am thankful and blessed to be able to support and be with my husband as he pursues his dream.  I miss my family more than words can describe, but I am embracing the adventure and hoping to have many visitors!  The Lord's plans are much greater than any that we would have made for this year, and we will continue to ground ourselves in His word--the only comfort worth relying on!!!

YAY for being a Cali Girl (at least for the time being...will never trump the Southern)

Arlie