"R" RIDE
Last time we visited our traveling friends the Richardsons.....
....they were dealing with Ham's unexpected layoff, a new baby, and torrents of rain as they packed their life belongings to leave California. It was Alabama or bust. Ham's words were, "Our trip was wild with 6 kids, a dog, a cat, a guinea pig, 2 fish, 2 vans (one towing a car), and 2 tired parents." God carried us across country with very few problems, friendly, comfortable places to stay, and miraculous sources of gas money. And the ride isn't over....
Now, after nearly a year, they reappear.
During these past months, we have lived with Milissa's parents. The eight of us shared the upstairs with three bedrooms and one bathroom, made meals without a kitchen due to construction, and made adjustments to living in the country and with parents.
Six months after we left, Ham's parents also moved to Alabama to be closer to the family.
In the meantime, Hamilton was trained by a kind gentleman in our new church (Journey Community Church) to paint houses while looking for work in his field. We went through the gamut of emotions as month after month no new doors opened and finances dwindled.
Now....
FINALLY...
there are changes.
In January of this year, the painting company Ham was working for folded. It was a Friday. That very same day, American Family Association offered Hamilton a position. Monday he accepted the job.
Hamilton is now a writer and radio producer for American Family Radio in Tupelo, Mississippi. They are a Christian, nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Family Association. You may hear his voice some day soon on the air as he is doing voice work for radio spots and is one of the hosts for a daily program called "Today's Issues". He is also writing and editing news stories for onenewsnow.com and doing movie reviews for AFA Journal and soon, for our local Prattville newspaper. To supplement our income, he is constantly looking for freelance opportunities. The biggest downside is that he is only able to come home on the weekends due to the three hour drive.
Because of all the uprooting the kids have gone through and Ham's parents relocating, we chose to stay in Alabama. Of course, the family is praying another position will become available nearby soon or that Ham might be able to telecommute. Until then, we make the best of the situation and wait eagerly for his return.
After a year of having our things in storage, we are FINALLY moving into a place of our own and thanking God for His faithfulness and provision. God seems to be blessing "the bunch" in threes- our new house has three bathrooms, three water heaters, and three fireplaces. And, the rent is cheaper than our old house in San Diego!
After leaving every major and minor appliance behind, God is graciously replacing things little by little with the generous help of family and local bargains. The house was previously an artist's home and is filled with stain glass windows. The yard reminds us of La Mesa with its hills and tropical foliage. It was neglected for a long time so we have our work cut out for us with repairs and yard work, but we have a home none the less! We have been blessed with an abundance of ticks, poison oak, mosquitoes, and kudzu (look it up if you're not from the South).
Before we left SD, Milissa went through a variety of medical tests and is suspected to have an autoimmune disorder. There is no cure, but it does explain many of the frustrating symptoms of pain and fatigue she has been experiencing the last several years. We are still learning more about it and how it is best managed. Each day is a mystery and a challenge and yet, a gift. Milissa is convinced that her steady diet of Southern sweet tea, tomatoes, catfish, and boiled peanuts are therapeutic. :)
Ben is the proud owner of an Alabama driver license, looking into Christian colleges with art degrees, working at Goody's (a clothing store) and seeking to make an impact in his public high school and youth group. He played on the Marbury High School soccer team last year and is playing on an indoor team this summer. Next year, he will also be the team's chaplain. He is also involved in a youth leadership mentoring program at our church. The adjustment to the South has probably been the greatest for him. He was considered a "freak" by many of the local kids but is now well accepted. At the same time, his self esteem was boosted (to say the least) when he discovered Southern girls really dig California boys. :) For now, he is attempting to buy his first car and anticipating a great year as a senior.
James and Matthew are enjoying having their cousin Kacy (age 10) close by to play with. They have been an incredible help to mom during the move and extremely patient with the home school interruptions. They have enjoyed the benefits of living in the south by swimming in the local creek, riding four wheelers with neighbors, and plan to go squirrel hunting this Fall. They are also looking forward to going to summer camp in July in Georgia for a week.
Molly and Camille love the abundant flowers and wildlife that abound in Alabama. They are out daily collecting flowers, frogs, lightening bugs and caterpillars and watching the beautiful red Cardinals. Mom, however, is not so thrilled about their red clay mud pies. They miss their old playmates dearly and are praying for new ones.
Josiah turned two in June and is FULL of vigor. His first word was "cow", of course. God's timing was perfect, as usual, to have us travel across country before he became so mobile. He is constantly moving and loves nothing better than to play with anything related to cars or wheels. His latest accomplishment is jumping the rail of his pack-n-play. Nap times and bed times have become very challenging.
How quickly the time passes.
As we unpack these well traveled boxes, we revisit those last days, as you in CA and many far away, kept us in prayer and encouraged us. We want you to know we miss you all very, very much. It has been a long, uncertain time with many lonely moments. It has not been a smooth ride, but it is "r" ride.
Please forgive the silence... we waited to have some good news to share. Your love and prayers have sustained us through it all. We believe that God wants to accomplish greater internal and eternal changes through these lessons in life.... and that is the better journey. Recently, we saw a billboard that said, "It is during a drought, that the depths of our roots are tested." Good stuff.
We still appreciate your prayers as we attempt to rebuild our home, finances, vehicles (all three are in need of repair), emotional and physical health, community connections, ministry, friendships and daily routines. It is all new territory. It goes without saying, we are tired, but grateful for the new start. Please feel free to come and visit for a week to help with the work or entertain the children.
We hope this update finds you well and we look forward to being reconnected. Perhaps we can have a house warming party via the Internet. We will work on some pictures for you.
Sincerely,
Hamilton, Milissa,
Benjamin, James, Matthew,
Molly, Camille, and Josiah
Richardson
PS. Some one in San Diego send us fish tacos quick!
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