We have been so encouraged by everyone’s love, encouragement, and generosity as we’ve been preparing for our upcoming year abroad. Thank you so much to everyone for the many ways you have blessed us — goodbye dinners/parties at Michael’s work and for us at home; goodbye posters at school; providing mattresses for our last night; dinners at friends’ houses; special dinners/desserts out; helping us get our garbage to the curb next Monday; taking our excess garbage home to throw away because ours was overflowing :-); loaning us a car; driving a car to Tacoma to drop off our car; storing our car; helping me with coding; helping us pack; meticulously wrapping our 45+ wall hangings in paper; hosting our boys for various fun times together; providing dinner for our last couple nights when our kitchen was all packed; sewing us “Little Guy” to take as a companion and reminder of home; wiping down cupboards; sweet, heartfelt cards; thoughtful travel gifts — games, journals, etc.; country-specific travel advice; interest in helping us make connections abroad; words of encouragement; sharing in our excitement; promises/hopes to come visit us along the way(!!); …and many prayers with us and for us that God would protect us, teach us, guide us, strengthen us, and bond us.
I continue to be amazed by how evident God’s hand has been in our plans. We’ve been considering this for about 14 years (timing it so William isn’t yet in Upper School and Keegan is able to pull his own suitcase and have memories of it) and have been working on it pretty full-time for the past year. It is so overwhelming and complicated! Yet again and again, He has opened doors for us to make it possible and help us feel confident in doing what we’re doing.
We’re so grateful for everyone’s love and encouragement and would love to stay connected as we set off on our adventures.
People have asked us and our boys what they think about our plans. I don’t think the widgets that show up on the desktop are visible on a smartphone, so here are links to pages they’ve written sharing some thoughts:
Anya,
Best wishes and bon voyage to all your family! What an exciting and courageous goal. Safe travels and good health. I’m so glad you started this website and will blog. I’ll bookmark it.
Love and hugs,
Louise
Thank you, Louise!
What fun! Will be keeping you in our prayers. Thank you for including us in your adventures!
Thanks Karen!
Wow! How very exciting it’s here!!!
Have a fabulous time, learn a lot, love a lot and share when you can! Our amazing Lord will guide and protect you on you journeys.
We feel so blessed to be able to experience your travels with you. Thank you for the blog!
Many Blessings beautiful Hartshorn Family❣️
Thanks so much, Tammy!!
This is seriously amazing. I’m proud of you for embarking on this (and slightly envious!!) May God watch over you and protect you each step. Much love— Adrienne
Thank you Adrienne!
I am so excited for all of you as you take off on this epic adventure. We will be here following along, Safe travels!
Thanks Sarah!
Wishing you a safe and happy journey! What an amazing gift for your entire family. Will look forward to following your travels.
Thank you Julie!!
Best wishes, safe travels and prayers to you all! The Kosteds will miss you greatly and look forward to traveling with you on this epic journey.
Thank you Kosteds!!
What a great adventure and many memories to capture. We love you all, and are looking forward to meeting up with you in Iceland.
God bless
and stay safe
Hello Anya
So happy you guys are getting to live your dreams. What an amazing trip you have planned.
Best wishes and safe travels. Enjoy every moment we will follow your journey.
Thanks for letting us know Happy Trails!!
Chris and Jill
Thank you Chris and Jill!!
Hartshorns! This blog site is amazing. My girls and I will enjoy keeping tabs on one of our favorite families. You will be missed but this blog definitely makes it easier for those you’ve left behind. Lots of love to you all. Enjoy the adventure. Love the Pruners
Thanks so much, Misty!! 🙂
You are going to have such and amazing trip! God is amazing, and we all know he will be with you every step of the way. You should try to pick up “The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Pencil Can Creat Extraordinary Change” by Adam Braun (it is available on Kindle and Audible). It is a quick read and very powerful. You just might find yourself passing out pencils wherever you go. Be safe and enjoy every minute!
Thank you Jenn! I will look that up! 🙂
We love you all and pray for safe travels with loads of laughter and learning along the way! Eleanor and Oliver will be 5 and 3 years old when you return. What a blessing to be able to experience the World as a family. We are looking forward to the stories from your adventures.
We love you guys too! Give Ellie and Ollie hugs from us! 🙂
SO exciting!!!! Love you all, and am thrilled to hear about all your upcoming adventures! Big hugs to everyone.
Love you too!! Thanks Sarah!
So happy for you!! Can’t wait to follow you on this journey!!
Thanks Kasia!
Would love to hear any Poland recommendations you have! 🙂 We are excited to visit Poland… We’ll be in Gdansk, Warsaw, and Krakow…
What a wonderful adventure! The trip of a lifetime! I’m sure you will be creating so many wonderful memories, and the boys will get a much greater appreciation of the world, its people and cultures. Safe travels!
Thank you Laura!
I am so incredibly impressed with how much you already have on your website and I am excited to follow your adventures these next 14 months as I will be praying for safety, wisdom, and a continued sense of awe as you explore this huge world of ours! Love you all!
Thank you Keira! Love you too!!
I already missed you, Anya! What an encouragement to learn that God has opened so many doors for you and your family to get to live in the dream of traveling around the world! You’re courageous and I am sure many people, including me, can’t wait to hear your stories in one year after you guys come home. I continue to pray for safety, schooling, and logistics as you’re on the trip. Will keep in touch with the use of technology! God bless you!
Thanks so much, Ching-Ching!! Hope you’re having a great time in Taiwan 🙂
Anya, I already miss You, knowing you are not in Redmond. Only a few more days and we will meet up in Iceland. This is precious to be able to share this adventure with your incredible family. We so appreciate your having constructed this blog so everyone you know and new friends made along the way can personally keep in touch. Blessings to ALL..
We have loved seeing Iceland with you guys!! What a wonderful country!
See you in NZ!!??!? 🙂
We’re so excited to follow you on your blog as you travel around the world! You’re going to make unforgettable memories, and we’re so happy for you. Have a great time!
Thank you Mona!! 🙂