Last year we made plans to build a retirement home in Cornville; to design and build it ourselves. We even hired a designer and had the plans for the house of our dreams ready to go.

But with the clarity brought by Evan’s death, our plans changed.

We will miss Arizona where we met and lived 40 of our 46 years together. Four of our five children were born here and now one is buried here. So, this is not an easy move, but we are hopeful it will be a good one.

Our two daughters, a son, and all our grandchildren (number nine will be here soon!) are in Houston. We look forward to being a part of their everyday lives.

When will we move?

Doug will retire at the end of January.

That gives us a bit less than three months to sell our house here and buy one near the Hickmans in Houston.

I like to imagine that Evan approves of us leaving Phoenix. Though he lived all his teen years here, and came “home” to visit us often, he still resented Phoenix for being the place we landed after his beloved Guatemala.

Yet, we have forged the deepest friendships in this desert city and it hurts to leave them. Evan certainly knew the love we share with our Arizona family, including three aunts and uncles and his 93-year-old grandpa. It is yet to be decided whether our son Chris will follow us or remain in Phoenix.

We’re happy about being near our daughters and grandchildren and sad about leaving the community we know and love.

Family and friendships assure our frequent visits to Phoenix.

Please pray for our transition to Houston, pray for the sale of our house and that we can find a “fixer-upper with good bones” near our family.

 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1&2