Lynchburg, Virginia or Bust!

Hello! Thanks for stopping by our relocation campaign!

The nitty-gritty details:

Our goal is to raise the funds to move our family from Chandler, Arizona to Lynchburg, Virginia. We are eastbound and have a short time to get there. 

Our need: $2,500
Reason: Funds to relocate to Lynchburg, Virginia
Who will benefit: Jamie, Matthew and Charles (plus furbabies)
Allocations of Funds : $1,600 for Uhaul Ubox. $500 for travel/moving expenses (driving to Virginia). $400 toward move-in expenses.
Time Frame : Campaign runs June 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018

Why are we moving?
We have lived in Chandler, Arizona for 20 years. While we love living here in our current community, several months ago we felt a tug on our hearts to be closer to our family. The majority of our family, we have not seen in 25 years. There is one huge obstacle; the majority of our family lives on the east coast. The chances of any of them moving west is slim to none, at best. If we want to be closer to the family, we realized that we are going to have to be the ones to move. After many discussions we, as a family, decided to make the big move east. 

What's in Lynchburg, Virginia?
Finding a new place to call home was a tremendous challenge! I had a list of "requirements" that our new home had to meet and I wasn't about to compromise on my list. We researched economics, health, things to do, jobs, weather, safety/crime rates and proximity to the rest of the family. In total, I researched 10 different cities in 3 different states. Just as I was beginning to think that I would never find a place that ticked all my boxes, I was introduced to Lynchburg, Virginia. As I began to compare Lynchburg to my list, it was almost too good to be true. I found myself asking "Had we indeed found the place?" On paper, the city of Lynchburg measures up to my list of demands. So, Lynchburg, Virginia it is! 

Why do we need help?!
Once we made our final decision we were thrown into the never ending planning stage. There's a lot of packing, sorting and more packing going on these days. I was working. Matthew was working. We were making steps toward Lynchburg and then it happened. What happened? I was lost my job due to crippling anxiety. In one huge anxiety filled day, all of our moving plans were thrown into uncertainty.  

Should we stay or go?
We, as a family, spent many hours discussing if we should stay in Arizona or continue onto Virginia. We talked it over. We prayed about it. We crunched numbers and researched the many ways we can make this happen. United, we came to the conclusion that we should continue with plans to move. Shortly after making this choice, our apartment of choice in Lynchburg was approved. With only a short time to plan and raise funds we discussed the best way to do this. 

What have we been doing?
I have severe anxiety/panic attacks as well as chronic physical health conditions. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue/pain along with other health conditions that limit my ability to work and limits the jobs I am even capable of doing. Since we had less than 6 weeks to go, we decided it would be best to concentrate on how to get there rather than spend countless hours looking for a job that, for me, is like finding a needle in a hay stack. I filed for unemployment but did not qualify. We decided to sell everything that we can. That includes some photography and crochet items that I make. Matthew has been able to increase his hours at work to 45 to 50 hours a week but it is not enough to keep up with current bills and save for the move. So far, my photography and crochet has sold nothing. We are sorting through our home and selling anything we can but, most of our belongings are not worth much money. We don't have much to sell but it is keeping us fed. 

Our Relocation Campaign
Go Fund Me was suggested by a dear friend and after much prayer, we have arrived here. We can not work enough hours or crochet enough baskets to get to Lynchburg. We don't have enough stuff to sell to cover even 1/4 of the moving expenses. I am building an online store. Matthew's job will transfer. He has work when we get there. Our apartment is already approved and waiting. We just need help acquiring the funds to make the move from Chandler to Lynchburg. Will you please help us?

What does it mean to us?
The short answer is: it means everything to us. I have seen my mom once in 25 years. Moving to Lynchburg puts me closer to my mom allowing me to see her and spend time with her. She is the major reason we are moving. I want to see my mom. My sons want to get to know family members that they have never met. As I mentioned earlier, they are not going to move to Arizona. If we are ever going to see them, we have to get to Lynchburg. It means everything.

Our Gratitude!
There are not enough words to convey how thankful we are that you would help our family out of this tough spot. We are certain that our decision to move to Lynchburg is the right one. We are equally certain that we need to keep pushing forward with the move. We are praying and hoping that you will help. Any amount that you could give to help us in our next major life move will be humbly and tremendously appreciated. 

With much love and appreciation, 
Jamie, Matthew, Charlie and furbabies