To everything there is a season.

Ecclesiastes 3 puts it well:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

For me the season for casting away has come. I'm currently in the process of selling or donating everything I own that will not be going with me in my car to California. To clarify I have a Ford Fiesta, which is a pretty small car. A good portion of the space in my car will be dedicated to my two dogs, Nellie and Jasper.

In the process of deciding to move forward on California I've gotten many reactions from friends and family: 

You're insane! (All the best people are!)
That's way too far! (2,082 miles shortest route)
Do you know what you're doing? (I'm moving to California to start the next chapter of my life.)
Do you know someone out there? (My cousin Grant and his lovely lady Paige)

What will you do if ___ happens? (Cross that bridge when I get there.)

Do you have a job? (Yup)

Do you know the cost of living in California? (Yup)

Are you just moving there because weed is legal? (Nope, but it doesn't deter me either.)
You should just stay here. (I don't want to be stuck in the same 3 counties my whole life)

Be content. (Why? Never settle.)

You can't leave us. (Watch me.)

What will your residents do without you? (They'll adjust, they always do, I'll miss them though.)

There's no one to take your place at work! (That's what they said about the person I replaced.)

What about your nephew? (My younger sister is expecting a baby boy in April) (Skype.)

Grandma's going to die when you leave! (Nope. I'll call her. Mark made it to Indiana and she's fine.)

Do you know how much you're hurting Mom and Dad? (It's been said before. It'll be said again. I'm not perfect. Never have pretended to be.)

So and so told me I should talk you out of California! (I've heard it before.)

Etc. Etc.

But the Good Lord made me with a heart for the mountains, for nature, for growing things. I want to be able to help people, help myself, help grow a community. I'm excited for a new adventure, new opportunities.

This photo is from one of my many trips to the Colorado Rockies.

This is MY time. All prayers, good thoughts, good vibes and good advice welcomed and encouraged. If you're going to just tell me to stay where I am please keep that thought to yourself. I've heard it. I've thought about it. I've dismissed it. 

Love you all! (Even if you're nagging me to stay in Illinois.)

Kelsey