Training and A Family Nature Walk

Today was a really great day.  It's our second day of training here in Springfield.  We got to hear from the Executive Director John Bueno about the Assemblies of God World Missions, from Randy Hurst about being Nonpolitical as Missionaries, and from Curtis Cole (of Chi Alpha) about Building and Keeping our Support Base...many of which are you, our readers!

I wish that I could sit and talk to all of you, "I have so much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink.  Instead, I hope to visit you and talk to you face to face, so that our joy may be complete." 2 John 12

I think I finally figured out the answer to why we're travelling so much this summer...I want to see you all, or as many of you as we can, face to face....so that our (yours and our) joy may be complete.  Isn't it so wonderful when you take the time to sit and chat with someone, to have coffee with them, to share a meal?  I really believe that it deepens the relationship and the ties that bind us together.  I know we can't make it all over the country, there just isn't the time.  I just pray that as we travel around, and even once we settle in Tanzania, that we, and you, will continue the effort that we've been putting into our relationship.  We can do that through email, Skype, and phone calls.  I do believe that it is God's plan that everyone invest in missions, not all can go, but you can invest in someone else's calling and walk that journey with them.  Thank you for making a choice to heed that still small voice and invest your time, prayers, and finances with us!

Some of the training we had yesterday was about priorities and investing in MKs (Missionary Kids)...well, we have three of them, and it's hard when you get busy, you tend to just want to put them to bed so you can have your own quiet time and decompress after a full day.  Last night and tonight, after dinner, we made a choice to be different.  Last night we did a family movie and haircuts.  Not everyone's idea of fun, but we were together.  Tonight, we took a long walk along the little creek that runs on the side of CBC.  It turned into a fun little nature walk and we got to talk about the bugs, the fish in the creek, the algae that was growing on it, the swan we saw...oh, and I got some great pictures too.  It was so nice to get out and have some fresh air and time together as a family...  No car, no appointments, just the 5 of us.  Pure Bliss!

Love this picture of the two of them...just sitting and talking about the plants

Classic Sissi face!

Just some pretty flowers, I think a better camera would have done a better job of focusing on the front flower...maybe next time!

Just looking at the water, rocks, and algae

The back of Bowie Hall, where we're staying for the next two weeks

Running to her mommy

Jumping up and down

We really liked the way the wood crossed on this tree

Can you see all the little fish, there were probably about 100 of them in this depression

Fixing his shoes

A swan!

Oh yeah, he's the Cool Man!

A feather mommy

Time to walk up the hill and get back

A Day with Aunt Kate!

About a week or so ago, my sister got in touch with me and said she wanted to surprise the kids.  She had been planning on coming out to Little Rock for her best friend's birthday and would be just a few hours away from us. She proposed to drive up and spend some extra time with us in Springfield.  I thought this was a great idea!!!  The kids had no idea and it was hard that last day to keep it from them, knowing that she was on the way.

She arrived and I went out to meet her and bring her into the dorm that we're staying in here at Central Bible College.  The kids were kind of in shock, they didn't know what to think when she walked in the door.  Funny thing though, Gwangi immediately asked if they could play "Angry Birds" on her phone...oh man, complete embarrassment on my part.  Poor Kate, hope she doesn't think the only reason they want her around is her cool phone and the games they can play on it!

Really though, we got to play at the park, walk around a bit, play on her phone, go out to dinner....  It was a great night and she even stayed and spent the night with us so she wouldn't have to drive back down to Little Rock in the same day.  It was hard the next morning to say goodbye again.  Super hard.  I did cry, just a bit!  Wonder if I'll get to see my other sister too?  She's coming home on R&R from the desert...we'll see what can happen!

Playing with Aunt Kate

Coming down the slide

Sisters and some pretty cute kids

Gwangi and one of his creations for Aunt Kate to see

Aunt Kate and her kiddos!

Branson!

Mom and Dad, we apologize right now for putting you off for so many years when you've invited us to visit Branson, MO with you....what were we thinking?

Seriously though, I had no idea that Branson had so much to offer.  We stayed at the Westgate Resorts, Branson Woods, and it was beautiful - right across from the pool, large rooms, full kitchen, jacuzzi jet bathtub....it was all good...well, other than the internet access, that left a bit to be desired!

We spent Wednesday just relaxing, spending time together, going to the pool, oh yes..and talking to the Realtor, we got an offer on the house on Wednesday last week.  Just in case you missed that detail!  It was less than we had wanted; but, we are taking this as an answer to prayer because the house will be sold before we leave the country, July 6th.  Also, we aren't having to pay anyone to buy our house.  We're losing about 75% of what we put down on the house; but, we'll still be able to put a few dollars away for a rainy day!

Thursday and Friday were spent at the infamous Silver Dollar City.  It was an amazing two days, full of good food, rides, shows, and really cool places to shop.  It was funny how Gwangi wouldn't want to go on a ride, "it's scary", "you know I don't like new things", "I don't like that ride", etc...and we would convince him to go on it and then "that was my favorite ride", "I've always loved rides like that", and "can we do that again!"  I think our favorite rides were the Flooded Mine, followed by the River Blaster, and then Geyser Gulch...notice, they are all water rides!!!

Here's a map of the park...reminds me of a Busch Gardens or Disney...and this was all we did.  Branson has a bunch more to offer!
http://hfeimages.aristotle.net/General/SDC%20Map62.pdf

On Friday, my brother Ben and his girlfriend, Lynsey, came up from Little Rock and spent the night.  Sissi took right to Lynsey and had yet another "new best friend"...it was cute!  What a fun few days.  Looking forward to the next couple of weeks in Springfield now!

Ready to go to Silver Dollar City.  Sad; but, we lost this hat on the last day there...can't find it anywhere and it hasn't been turned into Lost and Found either.  Guess another trip to Gettysburg is in order ;), we got it there last summer!

Family picture at the park

Loved the jumping frogs

The kid rides in the Grand Exposition were fun and easier to take pictures of.  Too bad we don't have pictures of all the WATER rides there were!

So sad, he just didn't want to go on the ride....changed his mind (and look) later though!

Daughter and Daddy!

Sharing a frozen lemonade

Mom and Dad waiting while we were on a ride

oh yeah, I think we did this ride 5 times!

The "stick up" while we were on the train ride!

Balls, air guns, and water guns - lots of fun in Geyser Gulch!

They got me!

These hoses had suction...they were big vacuum cleaners of balls

"Mommy, help, I can't reach!"

Good Aim Gwangi!

Fun climbing up the Geyser Gulch Water House

Watching Nik Wallenda do acrobatic tricks from a helicopter

Kids with Ben and Lynsey at the condo

A Day in Raleigh

At times I am just not sure where we will end up.  So, we are still keeping our options open...and, we took a trip over to UNC Chapel Hill so that Indy could meet up with Dr. Race in the Classics Dept.  They hit it off very well...helped that he (Dr. Race) was a Vietnam War Vet and so they had a ton to talk about in regards to the military.  It seems that UNC and the dept. would be a great fit for Indy.  Now, we just need to figure out timing, financing, and the big question "is this what the Lord wants us to do?"

I know that the Lord can bless you on so many different paths, and for now, we are sure that we are supposed to be going to Africa...but is that forever...?  I can be drawn in so many directions, and I know that there are several places I could be happy.  I do miss CO, don't get me wrong, it's the place that I've lived the longest...as a child and twice as a married couple...we love NC....we also liked Eastern TN...the Ozarks are pretty; but, after Krypto and I got sick driving on the winding roads I don't think I want to live there. Will I just fall in love with Tanzania, and the people, and want to stay forever?  Don't think I'll know the answer to that for awhile....  Indy thinks he'll have to drag me away once my heart gets captured by Tanzania.  Still praying for God to touch my heart if He intends us to stay...for now, I am a bit closed to the whole notion...so we'll see ;)

Back to Raleigh.  What an amazing campus.  I thought going to school in Boulder was beautiful, up against the Flatirons...but, the trees, the old growth and buildings, and green everywhere...LOVED it!

While Indy was in having his meeting, I took the kids and went to the Planetarium (thanks again Sharon, very good idea.) It was a huge building and the show was perfect for kids.  It was a Magic Treehouse show about space.  Super fun, grabbed the kids' attention, and we really enjoyed ourselves.  We got to walk around a bit afterwards, while waiting for Daddy, and then...another first.... We had lunch at "Jimmy Johns".  Really great sandwiches!

Gwangi loved this statue in the middle of campus, he was upset that people had let it get dirty and was cleaning spider webs off of it with much vehemence...

Such a green, lovely area to walk

Waiting for the show to start in the planetarium

They are dismantling the "bug" and putting in a whole new "digital" system...pretty cool either way!

My cutie pie...waiting for the show to begin

Amazing trees outside of the buildings

A close up

Outside with their "treasures" that they bought at the planetarium gift shop

Resting, and really liking the roots that are all twisting at the bottom of this tree

That afternoon we continued driving and went to Goldsboro/Seymour Johnson...to the house of my cousin Chana and her kids, Bannon and Charlie.  We were so thankful to have a fun place to spend the night while waiting to do some of our military out-processing the next day.  We missed seeing you Brian, be safe and we'll see you next time!  Had some good Mongolian BBQ for dinner....but, in retrospect, maybe we should have just ordered out and let the kids play!  Next time!!!!  Thanks Chana, we love and miss you guys!

A Special Day for Gwangi

2 Years ago, a week before Krypto turned 6, he lost his first tooth.  Gwangi SOOOO wanted to lose his first tooth in the same fashion.  Alas, it was loose; but, not loose enough to fall out...until the 29th of May.

Here's my boy, eating dinner at my Aunt Vana and Uncle Chuck's house...and he lost his first tooth.  It wasn't the week of his birthday; but, it was still in the same month!  We love you "Nay-nay" and are so proud of you and your next step to being the big boy you so want to be!

Oh, and the other 3 in the front are all loose too!

Indy's Air Force Retirment

We had an amazing turn out for Indy's Retirement...family came from Washington, Indiana, and Arkansas...we had friends fly in from DC, Florida, and come down from Denver... and of course, the amazing turn out of neighbors, co-workers, and cadets.  We truly felt loved and supported during the entire time!

We had been so busy up until the week before the event, with moving out of the house, that quite literally, as the movers were packing up our stuff, I sat down and started making my list of 'things to do'.  The first thing I wanted was a 'big surprise' for Indy.  He loves surprises...me, not so much...now, don't get me wrong, I do love to be surprised; but, not if I know it's coming, then the curiosity just eats me up and I ask questions incessantly to figure out what is going on...Christmas and Birthday can be so difficult!

Anyway, a surprise...hmmm, he is the romantic of the two of us, he is rather mushy at times...what would be good, he didn't need 'anything' per se.  SO, something that is momentous, romantic, and he wouldn't expect....well, since we're going through so much change and transition, why not reaffirm that we're together in all this...that like many friends, and Indy, have reminded me, we are not each other's 'enemy' (at times, people can get so frustrated that they take out their frustration on those that should be the closest to you...we know they'll forgive us...but we shouldn't do it, yet we do...human nature I suppose...or maybe you've never experienced this phenomenon that I'm speaking of  ;)???)

I called our Associate Pastor, that was handling the Invocation for the ceremony, and ran the idea of a "Renewal of Wedding Vows" past him.  He said it was a go and so we proceeded to search the internet for sample wedding vows....I found a few I liked, made some changes and personalized things a bit...and there you go, a Vow Renewal Ceremony!  I got involved in the script changes and made sure I knew where it should go.  Such fun to have a surprise up your sleeve!

From the kids, I knew he would want something that had meaning; but, would also be humorous.  We took a trip to the Harley Davidson Store.  He got a coffee mug, a Harley history book (autographed), a ball cap, AND a miniature model of the Springer Soft Tail that he has always wanted...ahhh, I think he really enjoyed that part!

The ceremony went so well!  Lots of involvement from his office and the cadets.  He was certainly surprised by mine and the kids' gifts.  He gave me two bunches of flowers (in honor of the fact that he had forgotten to get me flowers at his Major promotion ceremony.)  We had a neat poem about "Passing the Watch" read by Yvette and involving Cadet Jack, a student of Indy's.  What a neat time!

That afternoon we met about 60 people at the "Elephant Bar" to enjoy some dinner and socialization ;)....it was so much fun to walk around and mingle with people that we'd known for years, neighbors, family, and even some newer friends.  Finally, we finished off the celebration with a time of playing pool and enjoying some good drinks at "The Phantom Canyon Brewery" downtown.  We had some great talks, and yet felt like it was a kin to a wedding in so many ways.  Lots of people showed up, we made a huge effort to give everyone time and yet at the end you feel like you must have missed some of them and you wish you had another day to sit and chat with them!  Just know that we love you all, thanks for the tears, the old stories, the cards, the gifts, the hugs, the well wishes as we are on our way, etc., etc.  You really made that time a wonderful memory for us.  What an amazing way to celebrate 20 years of service to our country and the move into service to our Lord!  We love you and thanks again!!!

Oh, and if you by any chance have pictures from the event...please, do pass them along.  I don't have any of the gift presentations because I was up front ;)....would love to have a few of those to scrapbook in the future!!!

One of the cakes I had ordered for Indy's ceremony

The second cake!

Old friends, Col John Plating and Indy - accepting his Meritorious Service Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster

Picture taken by Sissi, of Jon and Miriam (Indy's brother and Mom)

So glad that Jon could make it from Indiana

My Dad at the ceremony

Bernadette, or Mrs. J, as she has been so affectionately known for years!

Indy talking to the crowd

Yvette reading the poem

Indy "passing the watch" to Cadet Jack