Meetings with some of my TOG Sisters

Today is the 4th of July!  Happy Birthday America!!!  As I sit here, on a quiet Monday morning, in the house of some very good friends, just two weeks before we'll be leaving for Tanzania, I am reflective on some of the Tapestry of Grace (TOG) sisters I've met over the past few weeks.

First, I got to meet Marsha and her son, one of the amazing, God fearing, miracle laden, mentor moms of our on-line Yahoo! group.  I was also blessed to speak to Renita several times, though we never actually met in person.  We were in the same city a couple of times though and she was so kind to call us when we were surrounded by tornadoes in Kansas ;)!!!  When we got to North Carolina, I was so thrilled to see Jennifer McQ. again, Sharon R., and Siobhan at the homeschool convention in Winston Salem.  Then, in Springfield, the super sweet Lori C. had us over for dinner and some pool time...what an amazing family!  As we left Springfield to go north to Indiana, we met up with Elyse and her family in St. Louis.  We got to have lunch at a wonderful park, the kids played (and we lost them a few times in the crowd), and the adults had a wonderful conversation - sharing about our history, where each of us have come from in our ministry - it was so neat.  On our way south from Indiana, we stopped at another park in Indianapolis and had lunch with Wendy C., her daughter and son, and Anita (who drove over 2 hours to see us!!!) - what a cool (nope, it was humid) time of sharing and getting to hug each other.  I'm so grateful that so many ladies have gone out of their way to meet up with us, to take time out of their day and drive to share their families with me and mine.  You are all a huge blessing to us.  It's great to put faces with names, to make connections that I'm sure will last a lifetime.  I love you all and am thankful for you and your families, for my family, for our country, and for our shared FAITH!

God Bless America!

Sissi and Kaitlyn C. - fast friends in the pool!

Our boys and the Cardoza boys....where is the picture of Lori and I?  Well, I guess it wasn't on my camera, it's just on Facebook...

Sissi and Katie Wade

Katie and Daniel Wade

Bill and Elyse....Sissi commented "But, you're not smiling!"...in his defense, he was caught in the middle of eating his lunch

Running along to see the ducks

All the bigger girls - Hannah, Elyse, and me

Sissi took this picture of Hannah

Hugging and saying goodbye to our new friends

Yeah, I'm so glad we got to see the Arch!

Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis with Wendy C, Anita S., and ME (again)

Sarah (Wendy's daughter) and Princess Sissi

Jayden (Wendy's son), he was so great with the boys...in fact, EVERYONE'S kids have been so great with mine....even though most of them are older, they can play with kids of all ages, I just love the homeschool family!!!!

Arrived in DC...what a day of loving kindness!

I've gotten behind on my blog!  Imagine that...


I really felt like I was on top of things until the last few days in Springfield.  We had graduation and the commissioning ceremony (of which I'll write more later.)  Then we went up to Indiana and got to stay at the amazing beach house of my Sister-in-Law's family (...oh yes, I'll write more about that later too) and didn't have much access to the internet...forced relaxation, right?  We went on to Cincinnati to see my dear old friends Pascal and Stephanie and also Dmitri and Marina (did I happen to mention that I'll write more about that...are you getting the pattern, I have several blog entries that I'll be putting up in the next couple of days.) and today, drove to DC.


Our trip today is what I want to quick tell you about.  It really was a series of amazing experiences and miracles. The Lord very obviously covered us today.  We woke up late this morning...our children NEVER sleep in!  I'm serious, they are bright and early risers and today, they slept in until after 8.  I was woken up by Sissi and it was 8:15.  So, needless to say, by the time we got up and showered, ate a lovely breakfast with Pascal and Steph, we didn't get on the road until 10.  Our drive today was 9 hours.  


     Psalm 25:6 "Remember, O Lord your compassion and loving kindness.  For they have been from of old."


We made excellent time to Zanesville, OH and stopped there for lunch.  We joked that it must be named after the author Zane Grey, and then we get back on the road and see, a few exits up, that there is a Zane Grey museum...too funny.  We then made our first trek into the wilds of West Virginia, for all of 15 minutes, and then out and into Pennsylvania.  We decided to change up our itinerary and instead of going all the way to I-70 and using the beltway, we would cut back down into WV and MD and come into DC via I-66.


     Psalm 36:5 "Your loving kindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the sky."


Initially, this was good; but, within about 10 minutes of us turning onto I-79, a torrential downpour began...I'm not kidding, it was a white out and the thunder and lightening were so close, it was a bit scary.  We turned on a CD for the kids, we listened to some music, and Sissi slept for a while.  We seemed to make it out of the storm and we stopped just outside of MD on the WV side of the border (this was our 2nd time in WV for the day).  While at the stop, the dark clouds returned and it began to rain, hard.  We got back on the road and the storm got even stronger, I was shocked that it had caught up with us so quickly.  We finally outran it about the time we got to Cumberland, MD....but, then we started going on country roads, South and East, back into WV for the 3rd time....I didn't get sick; but, it was close.  Beautiful scenery and twisty roads sure do seem to go together....arghhhh.


     Isaiah 63:7 "I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us."


We came out at Winchester, VA and we were going to make our 3rd stop for the day...and then the rain started again, this time, even harder.  We talked and the kids said they could make it another hour and just push through and get there.  We got on I-66 from I-81 and it was a hard, pounding rain.  All of the sudden, a windshield wiper blade started peeling it's blade away, it got caught by the other one and twisted itself.  They came to a screeching (quite literally) halt and we were left in the rain, with no wipers.  It was terrifying!  We immediately began praying and slowing down and we made it about a mile to the next exit...all the while saying "Lord, it's a Sunday night, on a holiday weekend, PLEASE let there be an auto shop, a gas station with a service center..."  I was so concerned....but, the Lord provided!  Not only were we only a mile away from an exit (Warrenton, VA), it had an Exxon gas station right off the exit, it was a Service Station, they had just closed (it was 7:02); but, were still there!  They opened up the shop and they had ONE wiper blade that would fit our car.  We took off the blade that was peeling and miraculously (all due to the Lord, I'm sure of it), I was able to very carefully bend and untwist the other blade to refit on the arm.  We were still about 30-40 miles out from our friends' house in Burke....so we took it slowly, only using our wipers off and on as necessary.  We were praying the whole way, "Lord, thank you so much for providing just the right store, the wipers we needed...what are the chances....please keep the rain at bay, please keep us safe, please keep these wipers working.....thank you, thank you, thank you!"


     Psalm 36:7 "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings."


I was running through all the what ifs... what if we were further from an exit, what if there was no service station, what if they weren't open, what if they didn't have the one blade we needed, what if I couldn't bend it back, what if it broke again while we were driving, what if we had to stay at a hotel tonight just miles from the Boyds' house - there was no hotel to stay in, what if the kids hadn't been so patient....  Indy and I kept thanking the Lord and the kids for being so patient with us through the whole scenario.  They were such great sports with 3, 3+ hour stints of driving today.  They were amazing!!!!!!  The Lord is amazing!!!!!


     Jeremiah 31:3 "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."


We are here, in Burke, at Steve and Inna's house.  Everyone is settled for the night, I am still just in awe of all the things that fell into place for us to still arrive here SAFELY by 8pm.  We made a 9 hour drive in just 10 hours with 3 children and only making 2 stops, with a windshield wiper blade breaking, and us fixing it and being back on the road in under 15 minutes.....WOW!


     Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"

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!