Winds of Change...

Life is always change, always shifting on us.  Nothing ever stays the same.  This is especially true in the dusty windy season of the desert southwest.  What would I do if things truly stayed the same?  I would not have wanted to stay where I was 9 and 10 years ago, during the "year of sorrow".    Why do I call it that, and not the "year of death"?  Death is just so much part of mortal life, that the "year of sorrow" just makes more since...  Why?

10 years ago, five people close to me died in 6 months, plus my dog Wolfy died, plus my mom and and grandma were going through major health issues.  I was at the end of my ropes.  I took a knife and tried to end it all, and probably would have if two dear friends had not stopped me.  Then over the next years, I was abused by my x-boyfriends...repeatedly, as I kept going back...
Yes, I am glad the winds of change blow through all our lives.  God give us each healing, if we honestly seek it from Him...though at times it can seem slow. Today I am happily married, a missionary, and dreaming of a homestead with our own family. Today there is joy and peace in my life.  That is what I pray for all of you, my friends, His peace and joy.

~ Morria

Kentucky Thanksgiving/Christmas

Mom and Dad Nickles moved to Kentucky as planned soon after Robby and I loved to Chicago.  So, as we had to pick which holiday we went home for, we picked Thanksgiving when the roads should be better.  But then this is Greyhound, and we are dealing with Kentucky to Chicago... so who knows?

This is to be both our family Thanksgiving  and our Christmas, so we have to make the most of it... And what fun we are having.  We ate the roast beasts (turkey and ham)! We helped put up the tree at their new place.  We exchanged gifts.  And now we are just enjoying family.  It is good to have a break.

~ 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

Meet Bella, my Cat!

Bella joined the family of gypsies at Didean today... she is a black 1/2 Persian cat, and is small enough to ride in Robby's fedora hat which I have now "stolen".  We had been seeing Bella and her siblings for a while, when we walk to the low income family diner.  Today, they were old enough to take one home!  What a purrfect Adoption Day gift Robby has gotten me.  Soon she will have a collar and her shots, and all will be well for her.  I am so happy!  At last I have my black cat!

~ Morria

Good Mood...

I am trying to keep in a good mood...as most likely you can tell.  It is hard some days, for at times I only have enough energy to rest on the couch, read, and talk with friends.   God is helping me.  While I'll never understand why He allows this stuff to happen... I am kinda glad He did.

Nothing like a mystery illness to drive me into His Word and prayer... because that is all I have left to cling to in this life.  My possessions mean little, money means little... the things that matter: friends, family, the Lord, the journey-task.   Those are what in this life that make it matter...

~ Morria

Enter Matt

Matt, my dear friend and "little brother" from the New Orleans trip has entered into a more key place in my journey.  As of today we are e-mailing and calling each other alot.   He makes me laugh, and not many people can do that.  It is good to add a little "bro" to the clan, now if only we can grow larger...  a family dies if it does not grow and expand.

Note to self: Bev and Deirdrea are so much alike in what they talk about are interested in, and their vocabulary, do not call them back to back, or even on the same day!  For the life of me, I couldn't keep straight who I was talking to... and I have known Deirdrea since her birth, and Bev since only I was 15.  But it is a relief to have gals to talk with, too. It is such a blessing to have good friends like Matt, Deirdrea, and Bev in my life!

~ Morria