Nashville, TN., January 29, 2014, 6:00 p.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

I write this with tears streaming down my face.  Tonight is the last night in this house; we leave for Alaska in the morning.  We will start anew up there.

The reason we are moving to Alaska is because my husband (Roberto) got a lucrative job offer that he could not pass up.  We have since packed everything up; what we couldn't pack, we put in storage and will have it shipped up to Alaska at a later date.  

We will be living in Fairbanks, which is in the central part of the state.  

The kids (Jubaki, Eshe', Kibarake, Kenji, Koji, Keloki, M'baki, Maliki, Manani, and Muhisani) are excited at the thought of starting a brand new adventure, as is Roberto, but as for me, I am not so sure.  I have been reading up a lot about Alaska and what to expect, but I don't know if I will be able to ever get used to the weather.  For one thing, it's usually a lot colder up in Alaska than it is here in Tennessee, where I have lived since 2000.  That's nearly 14 years here.  

I have made some wonderful friends and hate to leave them.  Some of them (namely Louisiana Sandusky and her beautiful rainbow family and my church family, not to mention my co-workers at the Nashville Banner, where I worked for the past several years as a community reporter) have made a huge mark on my heart, a mark that will never go away.  I think of them now and I just start crying all over again.  

Before I left my job at the Nashville Banner, they held a farewell party for me and my family.  It was wonderful.  They gave me cards, well wishes, and even money.  I tokd them I didn't need the money; they were like, "Look, M'Buti.  You have ten children.  Yes, you DO need the money!"  I couldn't argue with that.  Louisiana and her co-workers also had a party for Roberto; again, we were given food, well wishes, cards, and yes, money.  I never knew just how much I was loved or appreciated until this time; it is all still so overwhelming.

Pardon me while I wipe my eyes yet again .... I'm sorry ....

Well, I hate to go, but I can't seem to stop crying, plus we are going to get an early start.  Roberto wants us to be on the road by 6 a.m., so I'd best get off.  I need my sleep, but I don't think I will be sleeping much tonight .... too many worries and fears on my mind ....

Please say some prayers on our behalf as we start our new advantures in a brand new state!  It is going to be a very long drive!!

~M'Buti.  :(