We spent our first month in Vegas in a hotel.  We're not talking a glitz and glam hotel.  We're talking about an extended stay that was close to but not on the strip...as in...in the hood.  That's what we get for reserving a hotel without having ever been to the town.

Because of where we were, we got a first-hand look at the "real" Vegas.  Not the tourist Vegas, but the, "Oh my gosh are THIS many people really homeless" Vegas.  It was a harsh reality that was very different from the secluded, clean suburbs we had always lived in.

I think I'll forever have etched in my mind what happened our second week here.  I was getting off the highway & was stopped on the exit ramp at a light.  A frail, old man had a sign up asking for food.  I won't give money, but I'll gladly give food.  I had a bag of oranges in the front seat.  I rolled down my window and held them out.  The old man came up and took those oranges.

His response is what I'll never forget.  He had this look of astonishment on his face.  He said, "Wow! Oranges! Thank you SO MUCH!! I can't remember the last time I had an orange...and to get a whole bag!  Thank you!  God bless you!"

I've seen that same man twice since.  I've given him more oranges as well as apples and bananas.  I don't say this to brag.  That's not it at all.  I typically don't talk about what I do for others.  The Bible talks about just doing it...and letting your reward be on heaven not here on earth.

But this man.  This one man.  He opened my eyes.  Because he was so excited about oranges.  I mean seriously.  Oranges.  When was the last time YOU had an orange?  Did you ever think that it might be your last?  Could you ever even imagine being SO EXCITED that someone gave you...an orange?

I've been told that we're not supposed to give to the people who are asking for food or money.  They're drug addicts, alcoholics.  They won't use what I give them wisely.

Honestly, I don't see how someone could misuse food.

Even so, God doesn't tell me to only help them if I believe they're worthy of my help.  He says to help.  To feed them.  Period.  Just...feed them.  It's not up to me to judge whether or not they're worthy of the food.  It's not up to me to say whether they deserve my help.  I'm just to help them.  Because God said to.

But, but, but...I don't have the money.  I have to feed my family.  I can't be concerned with those who won't help themselves.  Again...there's that "God said" thing.  Beyond that...this is a huge reason that I coupon.  I will get any food that is free or almost free whether we'll use it or not.  What we can't use, I donate either directly to someone who can use it or to a food bank, homeless shelter, or place like the Ronald McDonald House.

And since meeting this man, I get some extra fruits and easy veggies (like baby carrots).  It costs me very little, but is a HUGE blessing to those who haven't had fresh fruits or veggies in years.  Can you imagine?  I can't.

And that's why you'll find fruits and veggies in my car.

Okay, so that's a really poor reference to a Disney show. (A Disney show which we haven't seen in almost 2 years since we cut off our cable.) (And I hear from friends on Facebook that they're now on a boat anyway.) But I digress.

The suite life will soon be ours no more. It has been an exciting adventure to be sure. Nevertheless, we are more than excited to be moving into our house!! God has definitely blessed us!

Friday cannot come soon enough!

I so wish my friends from Michigan could see me now! We thought we were wild & crazy when we had our mom's night out in Holland! HA! They should see me in Vegas. (Excuse me while I now play to Every.Single.Stereotype. about Vegas.)

Seriously, though, ladies...we didn't know what fun was! Tonight, I went & played Bingo. I'm pretty sure this means I have crossed over to the dark side or become evil or something. (Wouldn't crossing over to the dark side & becoming evil pretty much be the same thing? I thought that too after writing it, but I'm to tired to go back & edit it.)

I'd say the night was a success. I came home with an insulated, reusable grocery bag and Jenga.

But wait! I haven't told you the worst part yet! It was in...a casino. (Gasp! Horror! She really has lost her mind! I can't believe they moved to Vegas!)

So there you have it. We now live in Las Vegas, and I have gone to a casino. All hope is lost for me. Oh come on! You knew it was only a matter of time! After all, we DID move to Vegas! What else would we do? (Honey, I have some calls to make. I need to set up a prayer chain for the Thompsons. They've really gone off the deep end now.)

Stereotype played. Can we move on now?

Seriously, we had a great time! I've met some wonderful ladies here, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better in the coming months & years. With each passing day, I continue to see confirmation that this was a God-ordained move (even if it is in Vegas).

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

After a very long, very hard week, we have finally begun our trek to Vegas. They took our fully-loaded truck on the 23rd. We'll arrive in Vegas on the 3rd of January. In between, we're stopping in Chicago (where we are now) then heading to Oklahoma & Kansas to visit family before leaving New Year's Day to head to Vegas.

We've been without internet for over a week & will only have occasional access between now & when we get to Vegas. You can follow updates in real time on my Twitter or Facebook until I have full-time access to update you here again.

We would appreciate your prayers as we travel. We'd also appreciate your prayers for my health and our peace as I am currently miscarrying again, and have had some complications.

Have a Happy New Year!