This is real

On December2, 2021 We picked up our U-haul and completely  filled it with everything we were taking to Eugene.   Luckily Grant was able to come down to help us load and drive.   we woke up early and loaded into the vehicles: Russ driving the U-haul, Grant and I in the silver Ford Fusion, Grant driving, me riding shotgun, with the goal to get afar as we could before needing to sleep.  we drove all the way to Susanville, CA ( 12 hours).  we stayed the night at the Comfort Inn hotel in Susanville.   we awoke early showered, grabbed a bagged breakfast th hotel was offering and got back on the road for the final 6 hour drive into Eugene.Russ'sister, Lara, her husband and 2 of her boys were going to meet us at our new place and help us unload.   about halfway there Russ got a call from Lara that Dean had to work and took one of their boys with him.   sh suggested that Russ call the missionaries serving in Eugene and see if they were available yo help.   Russ called me and asked me to try and get ahold of the missionaries since he was driving.   I searched the internet and could find no information about the local missionaries, however, I did find a contact number for our new bishop, Bishop Reeder.   I sent Bishop Reeder a text message and asked him if he could send me the missionaries contact information.  He said he could do that, but that he didn't recognize my number.   I replied by telling him my name, and that my husband and I would be moving into his ward that afternoon    and that I was trying to recruit a little extra muscle from the missionaries.   He promptly sent me their contact information.   H e then asked what time we thought we would be arriving.    I said between 1:30 and 2:00.   He sent another message that read" I know this is probably a long shot, but if you get un loaded in time our ward Christmas party is tonight at 5:00 pm   we would love for you to come and join us.   BTW members of the Elders quorum  will   be there to help you unload.  text me as you're pulling into town.   

As we got into Eugene I sent bishop Reeder a message.   

We met our landlord at the home and got the place unlocked and opened up.   shortly after, the missionaries and several member of the Eldersquorum started to arrive.  We met Jason Fife th EQ president, John Bell, Jonathan Wright and his son, Jacob,and  Steve Pierce with their help, Russ and Grant had the truck unloaded in under 30 minutes.   Bishop Reeder and his two sons, Adam and Jaxon then stopped by to meet us and personally invited us to attend the Christmas dinner.   We  returned the U-haul truck, got cleaned up and drove over to our  new ward's chapel.    We were able to meet many members of the ward and received a warm welcome.    After the party we went to the store to grab a few essentials we would need for the following day( shower curtain, some easy meals).   Then went home, climbed into bed and got a little sleep before our 9:00 am church meeting.We attended Sacrament meeting only.  we then went home changed, loaded up the Fusion and got on the road back towards St. George.   We drove 12 hours to Provo, UT and stayed the night at Garrett and Ces' place.   We got up at 7:00 am and drove the remaining 4 hours to St. George.   We then frantically spent the next 4 days getting out home cleaned out, repaired and painted  so we could rent it out while we were living in Eugene.     We had great help from many our neighbors.   Chuck Davis helped us repair holes in the walls, Michelle Bacon, Nikki William, and Lindy Bradbury had late night paint parties with us painting all of the baseboards.   Erin Best, Lindy's daughter spent long hours meticulously cleaning every room as we emptied them of their contents.   Friday evening Russ and I went to a farewell dinner with the Bacons and Williams, took one final load to our storage unit   then got back in the car to drive to Provo for the night.   We visited with Cessnas and Garrett until late that evening and looked at all of the christmas crafts they'd been making for their home.   

We got up early and Garrett made us a big breakfast (omlets, bacon and English muffins)  .  Then Russ and I got in the car and headed off to Eugene.   We drove North up to Boise, and then over to the central Oregon highway.     As we were coming into Bend, OR we started getting rain.    the rain soon turned to snow and we were having a hard time seeing the lines on the road.    we had never been in this area before and were not familiar with the lay of the land.  we were rising in elevation and our tires were spinning trying to gain traction with the road.   we could only drive 25 mph and we had over120 miles remaining before we would be home.   It was a little scary, getting late, and we began questioning our decision to move.   We eventually arrived at our new home in Eugene and went to bed.   We got up early, attended  church.

  our welcome to Oregon