Some highlights.

No doubts about it, moving can be hard.  We're adjusting to a new lifestyle with the military, getting new jobs (well, just me), figuring out a new place, and being NEWLYWEDS!  The happy part is that in this part of the world (au contraire to my living in Burundi), Skype and phones usually work leaving friends and family only a few numbers away, electricity and water always work, everyone speaks English, and no one yells at me the color of my skin when I'm walking down the street!  We are always looking at what we do have, not at what we don't have.  Every now and then, a jewel pops up, and we're reminded of how good God is.  And usually reminded that us being here is not by chance, and that the big story's not all about us.  Glad for these affirmations and grateful we live in a place where it's only an hour or so drive to get to some scenes like these.  They help me quickly remember that He is God.

A breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier from the roadside.  Note the fields of wildflowers that are
only in bloom for a 2-3 week span during the entire year.  (It is kind of a small miracle we were able to go as up until this weekend, Evan had worked 7 days a week/12-13 hours a day for four weeks.  Super happy he had that weekend off!)

A climb up to see the WHOLE thing.  Totally regret fearing what other park goers would think of
me as I did not seize this opportunity to practice my amazing yodeling skills.

We made friends on the way up.  And they took our picha!
(picture  picha = indication of happiness that my arm is not in this one as it is in most any we have.)

We made it!!. . .ish.  Well, we were forced to stop by some large gobby paths of snow.  (Snow? Snow!? What's that?  No, this east coast southern girl doesn't think of that possibility when hiking!)  My inexperienced
Mt. Rainier self decided to hike in my Chacos that morning.  Next time I hike, I'll pack some skis?!

Big gobby snow.

Other side!  Click!

So yeah.  Here are the highlights, my encouragement to keep looking for all that is good.  Sometimes it's REALLY good (like getting to hike a beautiful mountain with my husband), and other times the good is simple things like having a bed without bedbugs or food to eat (Yes, I know the bedbugs thing is considered "gross" but they happen and they ITCH!  The food part I take for granted because it's seemingly normal in my life, and I haven't felt "the lack.")  Having felt the lack of familiarity of faces and places (and sometimes my husband when he's under the sea), little things add up.  And we're grateful.