The Path comes into Light...

 Today was one of those days you will never forget, when you get a chance to live it. Today's whole service was on missions.  There was a prayer time before it, and I prayed for guidance, very clear guidance, for the path ahead for Robby and me... not even knowing the theme of the whole day. And what a day! Today the youth pastor at our church announced along with his family that they were on track to become international missionaries with SBC and be serving in Southeast Asia.   His wife is becoming a good friend, and I trust we have to to become closer before they leave at the end of the year.  At least, I have offered to help her in any way I can before they depart!

Not only did that happen, but at last I got clarity about the direction Robby and I are headed for ministry with Desert Refuge Ministry.   There were a few open doors, and Robby had been feeling lead towards one of them... Today, that was confirmed for me as well, as the Lord showed me it answered most, if not all, the callings we had felt, in one location/region.  So, from here, preparation begins.  How long will that take?  Only the Lord knows, but Robby doesn't finish school till fall.... so not before then.

~ Morria

Travel and Me... and a Home!

Most people think I like to travel just because I call myself a gypsy.  While it is true that I adore the feeling of traveling down the open road, there is something I love and long for even more...A place to put down roots and call "HOME" for long term.  And that is Robby and my goal.  As soon as the lease here in Scottsdale expires... we are heading out one last time... and going to give every effort in our being to settle down in along term home.  Home sweet home...and a place I can wander out from...and always know is waiting for me to come back...that is what I dream of, long for, and greatly desire in life...

~ Morria

My Love and Me...

My love and me, 

Just us two,

Every true,

Side by Side,

Hand in Hand,

Heart in Heart,

Souls entwined,

Together dreams to share...

© 2015 MMN

~ Morria

Hikes and Valentines...

St. Valentine's Weekend is such a festive time for us!  Seeings as this year we live somewhere warm enough to do some fun outdoor adventuring, Robby and I hunted for a hiking trail not far away that "beginners", or re-beginners, could hike... Our goal, hike the Ringtail Trail to the Sunrise Trail junction, then return to the car.  We nearly made it, but turned around a wee bit shy of the goal, because Robby was not in the best shoes for the hike...new hiking shoes seem to be in order soon.  But it was a great start to our Valentine's weekend, as we got to see woodpeckers, lizards, and possibly and elf owl, but it was a wee bit to far out to tell for sure.  Some wild flowers were beginning to bloom, making it feel like spring.  In all, twas grand to be in God's creation, and not feel like we were in the city.

~ Morria

The Journey Begins...

So I find myself on the road again... Life has away of changing when we least expect it.  Life among the Navajo was awesome and I will never forget it.  But it appears that door is closing most likely for good for Robby and me.  No this is not the end of our travels and adventures.  Rather a new door is opening that we were not excepting... where and when it will be, we know not, but we trust Him to show us the path that is set out for us on this new journey-task.

~ Morria

Companions missing...

Some thing is missing on the journey, some of those who have journeyed beside...  Not that all of them have passed, but some's journeys have taken out of each others lives.  Bev and I speak not as much.  Deirdrea and I e-mail.  Lynn and I have not spoken in nearly  15 years.  Matt has vanished.  Rayne and I message now and again.  Rebv and I text and talk now and then...  What has happened to the friends of old?  True, I have my beloved, Robby.  But my heart longs for more friends...

 

 Now as we begin  again in this new place... I wonder, shall I be able to connect with anyone?  Friendships do not come by me easy... and I do try...  "Lord, help me find so true friends for this leg of the journey..."

~ Morria

Shroud of Mourning

The shroud of mourning has come again to my dwelling for on the eve of last my mother past.  *la sigh* I am now without the woman I have called "mama" , my Merami, for the last 30 years since my adoption at 6 months old.  I am at a loss and feel numb.  Shock, depression, and unsureness... this is what I can put my finger on for feelings.  Numbness for sure.  So thankful for my Robby today.  Who knows what the next months foretell?

~ Morria

Broken Christmas Eve...

 Those one trusts can turn on you in a minute...
To night was suppose to be a time of reflection and focusing on Jesus. Tonight we were suppose to have tortilla soup and watch a "Christmas Story". Tonight was suppose to be a time of each opening a gift and just making the best of this Christmas season.  Instead, a "friend" the family had over turned on Robby.

I have never been so scared in my life.  I was called a "witch" yet again... by more than one person.  Yet, I rose above my fears, and with all my might shoved the guy off Robby.  He had his knee to Robby's throat, and if I hadn't have, there would be no Robby to celibate Christmas with this year or ever again... I am shaking so bad.  I cant stop crying off and on.  So close to losing everything...

As it stands, he has bad bruises, broken beyond repair glasses, and a bedroom door that we will sleep with locked until we move in late January/early February back to Dine Bikeyah.  These two gypsies have got to get to a safer place...  I just trust tomorrow can be redeemed and we can still have a wonderful last Christmas in Kentucky... even if Christmas Eve was a broken mess...

~ Morria

Ats'inna and a Goal

Ats'inna Ruins...
Not many people have heard of these Anasazi/Zuni Ruins that are up top El Morro's Inscription Rock.  It is a beautiful hike, just be sure to carry plenty of water in a good backpack.  Robby and I took 2 hours reading the inscriptions, then started the hike up.  Twice because of my bad leg and my fear of heights, I wanted to quit, but once we were at the ruins, so worth it all.  Just seeing what they saw, and imagining what it was like when they lived up here.  WOW.

The reason we came back to New Mexico for the this week due to the loss of our young friend might have been a sad one, but it was so good to our souls to be out on the open road again.  It has stealed our resolve to get back to what we need to be doing... living out here.  How and when I am not sure, but we have not poured the year 2010, 2011, and 2012 out for nothing, and we have not spent most of 2013 working to get back out here, while helping tend to both Robby's mom as well as dealing with my mom's cancer, to just give up now.  No if anything, our young friend's untimely death has shown us all the more why we have to be out here.  How and what that looks like I dont know, but we must return.

~ Morria

On the road again...

Merami is having surgery come next week... Robby and I are heading out to go to Kansas to be with her, and then since we are closer maybe go to Colorado for around our 5th Wedding Anniversary.  It's also that our "landlady" told us to get out...  I dont know if it is the medicines for "her" back and neck surgery playing with her or not, but supposedly Robby and I are disowned yet again, and were asked not to return except to get our stuff.  If it is like before, give it a few weeks to a month, and she will forget that she told us that... still, it kills me inside to be called a witch who is poisoning Robby's mind... I have enough stress as is with my Merami most likely in her last stand, fighting against cancer...  So thankful our church Immanuel rescued us tonight with a hotel room...

"Please, Lord, have mercy on us!  Give us grace as we go... "

~ Morria

Disowned ?!?

I dont know where this came from... here we are staying with some family, and there is a big old fight.  I step in and defend verbally my husband.  That turns on me... Now I am a witch, who poisoned Robby's mind, tricked him into planning to go to the Navajo (He has been going summers since 1995, I have only known him since 2004?), and I am doing dark magic.  Umm... NO!  Not only that, my Grandmother and my Mother must be witches too!  No, it is not true.    Robby stepped in and defended me after they had turned on me.  He demanded an apology, as they had not only disrespected his wife, but also a pastor's wife (my mom), and a talented RN who was no longer living to defend herself (my grandma).

That backfired.  Instead of them apologies, we were given 24 hrs to get all our stuff we wanted out of the house, and we were told that from that point on we are totally disowned.  At least we have my truck, Tsalagi, and my family still.  I hate leaving Immanuel Baptist Church, but good bye Kentucky.  Tis not safe for us here.  Maybe when things calm down we will be back.  Dine Bikeyah is still calling, and Kansas is half way there.  Onward... and back to the Gypsy Road it seems... and just when I was getting a wee bit settled in too... *La sigh!*  God help us!

~ Morria

Misty Morning

'Tis a gray misty morn, and I am on the Road again!  I am heading out this morning from Chicago to St. Louis, to Columbia, MO, and then to Kansas City.  From Kansas City, it will be on to Wichita via a ride with my Dad.  I got a front top row seat on the Megabus so I have windows on three sides.  All I have with me this journey is my carry on (army green backpack) and purse (the green army bag).  As my little black mp3 player plays the music of my gypsy goth soul, I watch the land scapes change before me... as Chicago gives way to country.

'Tis so hard to leave Robby behind, even just for a week... But to be honest, he will have a blast at Ichthus Festival.   The strange whispers of the wind are like the sound of my heart crying as the wheels of the Megabus carry me farther and farther from my love.  Yet the green of the grass and the trees, both so long unseen, bring comfort to my heart.  Journey onward!

~ Morria

Silvery Night

Alone have I stood on the journey
No one who could share my heart
Alone have I been in my sorrows
No one who could share my joys

On a silvery night, love did come to life
Two hands to join as hearts do sing
On a summer's eve, love found me
Two now to journey on
Together in heart and thought.

© 2009 MMN

~ Morria

A Goal: Holiday Work

Snow hath come this Christmastide as of yesterday.  At last, we have good white snow.  The city looks so white and pure, thought that most likely will not last long.  Even my bike, "Meg", loves this... though I dont dare taker her out on the streets in this weather.  It looks as if tis finally time to rest her for the winter.  Until we meet again in the spring, dear "Meg".  I am sure the bike shop will care for you well.

As everyone left for Thanksgiving, and is now preparing to leave for Christmas, Robby and I are being able to pick up a bunch of extra paid work.   And that is a good thing, as in January we are journeying to Dine Bikeyah for about a week.  Other than Aaron, Skot and Rachel, and a few other families, we are not close to many anywhere...  And our Christmas was spent with Rob's family over Thanksgiving...

I love how they have made the L and other lines all festive.  In this busy bustling city, it is nice to have some good will and spirit of cheer.  I just pray that everyone, whether traveling home, journeying through the city, or snug as a bug with their computer and a cup of Zhena's Fireside Chai Tea, never forgets the Babe born on Christmas morn.  We ought not celebrate Him one morn, but all 365 days of the year.  Let us not blot out the lesson we have learned on the journeys way, and share His love all the more with those about us.

~ Morria

Wedding Bands

A ring, a promise, a pledge.
Some would ne'er understand.
One piece of metal a symbol true.
Of my love of thee.

© 2008 MMN

I surprised Robby with more lasting wedding bands for our first anniversary... They are Navajo made, done in Zuni style settings. The stones are onyx and mother of pearl set in sterling silver.  The rings are just perfect!  Robby was so surprised, and it was perfect timing as our temporary rings are nearly worn out after a year.

Happy Anniversery, my love!

~ Morria

Lake Wildwood and P12!

So, we headed to Lake Wildwood and P12 has begun! The Bible training was so good. To sit and listen to this great men and woman of the faith, who have served the Lord in ministry since coming to the faith as hippies (aka the Jesus people movement).  Robby is not use to these type of Christians, but I grew up in a church were most of our elders were Jesus people.   I do know Robby is loving being out doors at the grounds where Cornerstone is held every year.  I think he has been here twice for the fest, but I never have...

This start is being a blast!  The second day I swam Lake Wildwood from one beach to the other.  ^_^  The cool water and fishys nibbling at my toes was soooo refreshing.   It was just wonderful to be preparing for what ever journey God has before us...

~ Morria

Chicagoland!

So, here we are!  As soon as we could get a van, we packed up.  There were only two seats, so we unfolded our dorm chairs behind the driver and passenger seat.  Thankfully Robby's dad is good enough driver, no one even looked twice.  We spend the night in Lebanon... Indiana that is.  The Super 8 Motel was really nice, and had a good Hot continental breakfast.  Then it was back on the road... no rest for gypsy souls it would seem.

So we arrived in Chicago, on a misty, hot, humid afternoon.  Our host family, Skot and Rachel, had been ill, but Skot did his best to help us get settled.  The room 505 is just a small studio with the shared kitchen down the hall, but it does have its own bathroom.  So after a quick paint job and a matrices pulled in, we are ready to go. My favorite things thus far in Chicago: Unique Thrift Store and the Free Store!  Like that is really a big surprise...

~ Morria

To Project 12 and Chicago!

So, here we are nearly home to Tennessee after our summer at BABR...  We were resting against our bags at the St. Louis old Union Station, waiting for our bus and the call came.  "We have a room and an opening for you in P12! Can you be here by weekend of the 8-12th?"  Umm...sure.  Thankfully we packed most of our stuff BEFORE leaving for camp, as that gave us 3 days to pack and head out.  After I got off the phone, Robby and I laughed.  So the journey continues....

This gypsy queen and her pirate king have alot of prepping to do.  We have to get our camp clothing washed.  Get our linens stripped and packed.  Call a few friends from around Knoxville and say, "Good-bye." as *la sigh* we wont get a chance to see them in person before heading out.  Oh, wow, so much to think about.  Gotta go!  They just gave the call to load our bus... 12 more hours then Knoxville!

~ Morria

Honeymoon in Chicago!

What an adventure the past few days have been!  Robby and I journeyed up to Chicago, on a scouting trip to JPUSA to see if we wish to do their year long internship called Project 12.  This is also to be our honeymoon trip!  True Chicago in the winter is not where most people would go, but when have Robby and I ever been most people?  The loft we are staying in is glorious, though cold, but it is winter and to be expected.  We are enjoying the time alone.... not in his parents home.

After some scouting, a tour of JPUSA's buildings, working with Skot and Rachel at the shelter, and shopping at the Free Store, The Alley, and Unique Thrift .  Robby and I went with Skot and Rachel, plus alot of friends to drive around Chicago.  First stop  was the cemeteries of course!  But our friend the Trickster, a lone coyote, was waiting in one.  We quickly moved on, and ate at a tasty vegan cafe as some in our party are vegans.  Then it was off for more driving around Chicago. I am nearly sure Skot knows where nearly every movie here was shot.  LOL!  Needless to say, this honeymoon was not normal, but still a blast!!!

~ Morria

Journey to Cincinnati

Wow, just wow... We, Robby and I, are on the road to Cincinnati, OH via bus.  As the bus rolled out of the bus station and Wichita fades from view... I wondered, will I ever see you again city of my childhood?  I know most likely I will, but it will never be long term dweller in this city... I think?  We left with little warning as we had to get out before the next round of ice storms... We actually planned to leave last week, but could not pull it off.  It most likely will be a long journey... it was standing room only on the bus between Wichita to Kansas City.  It was about as packed as we headed out to St. Louis too. 

So it is, Morria, the Gypsy Gal, heads off to start a life with Robby, her Pirate King... He even calls me his "Gypsy Queen"; so awesome!  The hardest part?  We had to leave nearly everything behind.  Friends, my family, stuff.... but most of all Bella, my black cat.  They wouldn't let me sneak her on the bus...  So it is, we are starting out with just a duffle bag and a carry on backpack each... and yes, my wedding dress is in one of those duffles.  Cincinnati and marriage here we come!

~ Morria