Wrestling

Cookie was finally found about 30 minutes before Dara woke up. She got to her new home and hid behind the washing machine for awhile. You can't tell me animals don't know when something is about to happen. Abby has been a nervous wreck for the past couple of days. Part of our couch is already gone, we're moving our bed frames to storage tomorrow, and all pans and plates (except paper) are packed up. What's not to be anxious about?

Thank you for your prayers for Dara. She held up so well yesterday.

I'm trying to post a video to YouTube of Joel and Dade's final wrestling match. It has taken over 30 minutes to load it so I'm thinking it won't work for a video of our home in Uganda unless someone can teach me how to make the file smaller. We'll see...enjoy (I hope)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr81me1QNzE

It's kind of blurry. I'm not sure if it's the quality of my camera or the size of the file or what. I really am open to learning from someone.

Wasting Time

Wasting time is what I'm doing right now. Joel and Dade are hauling to and rearranging things in the storage shed. Dara's asleep after a long sleep over last night. She's been asleep for about 2 1/2 hours now - it must have been some sleep over. Cookie (the cat) is in hiding. She knows she is supposed to move today and I think she's stowed away under the house. Hopefully she'll come out about the time Dara wakes up. Please pray for Dara as this is pretty tough for her to be giving away her cat.

Abby (the dog) is following me around the house with an air of distress about her. She has a couple of weeks left with us yet.

Oh! I gotta go - Joel just called and he's on his way back to the house after they get an oreo shake from Jack-in-the-box for Dade. I guess I'll resume packing which isn't really all that fun. Oh well, such is life. Thank you for all of your prayers. I think I'm handling things much better these last few days. God is so faithful to help us out of the slumps!

30!

My stomach has been in knots all day. I asked myself, "why?" and then I realized my body is reacting to the nervousness more than my mind is. We leave this great country in 30 days and we move from the only home our kids have ever known in 7. I really shouldn't even be sitting down to write this, but my mind has to take time to absorb it all. (Should we get Joel to turn off the counter now?)

On my last day of work, one of the nurses kept saying, "Jill, this is the last 9 o'clock med you'll give. Jill, this is the last time you'll take lunch. Jill, this is the last time you'll help me turn a patient." I thought she was just out to torture me, but lately I've found myself doing the same...I have 3 more times to put out the trash, one more time to mow the yard, this is the last time I'll wash these sheets, etc. No wonder my stomach is all upset! I know we're about to go on an exciting adventure, but right now it's hard to see beyond the leaving. Please pray that I will stay on task and won't drive everyone crazy with the way I process my thoughts and that I'll help Dara, Dade, and Joel as they process their own feelings. I want God to be glorified in all of this for it's all about Him! Thanks.

HEB party

Well, I just got home from my Going-Away party with my HEB friends (it's really called Texas Health Hurst Euless Bedford Hospital - but that's too long). The water was too cold for me but the kids had fun. Terri even had games and, with the hope for a prize in their minds, she also had the kids' attention. Dara tried her first hot dog probably since she was 3 (and that may be stretching it - it might be 2). I told her it would be better with ketchup, but she tried it cold and plain and the picture shows her feelings well. Please pray that God will help her adjust to food in Africa.
Bernice gave me an African outfit from Liberia. Thanks for sharing with me!

It was a good time of food,fun, and visiting.
Thanks everyone for coming...I will miss you!

p.s. my gardenias are blooming and smell beautiful - just in time for the open house we had today. Please pray God will sell our house soon - thanks.

Action packers

Robin had asked to see a picture of the "action packer" that we'll be using to move. We each get one, but items are distributed based upon weight not person. I'm making very specific lists for each one to hopefully help if we get "picked" going through customs.

This is the outside (duh!) :)

And an empty inside (duh again!)

At the time of this picture this particular packer was holding two of Dara's school subjects (which will be approximately one third to one half of the allotted weight), a marble toy for Dade, pencil boxes, one large conditioner, and my lesson planner. The packer is closed now and has a deflated soccer ball, some other toys for the kids, a few other toletries and a blanket. I really shouldn't complain about the size of the container - afterall we will be pulling them around airports in about 40 days or so (I'm sure I'll be thankful then that they're no bigger than they are!).


This last picture is just another one from my in-laws flower bed. I love taking pictures of flowers but rarely do anything with them (other than use them as backgrounds for my computer). Enjoy.

Playing around

I'm just playing around with pictures - enjoy.

What a great day!

We had such a neat day today. About 5 hours were spent driving (the kids travel well and it's always good visiting with Joel) and the rest of the day was spent in Killeen, Tx with my mom's side of the family. My grandfather wanted to get everyone together as a final "goodbye". It was such a good idea. I got to play with my cousin's children whom I've only seen in blogs. There are so precious. (These are the twins - Grace and Jonah were a blast too!)

Paw-paw and Kerith

Grandma June and Micah

There was a go-kart we all got to ride and drive. It was fun except for the little grasshoppers and spiders that were on you when you finished, but it was worth it!


This was Dara racing past me (literally). Joel didn't teach her to use the brake - just change her pressure on the gas. Everyone should start praying now because this girl loves speed - just like her daddy.
Dade even got to drive, but Joel had to reach the pedals for him.

Paw-paw and June and Sarah and Tevin missed the group picture. Thank you everyone for a refreshing and encouraging day. It will be remembered by all 4 of us!
We love you!

Keep On Praying!!!!!

Well, today our potential buyers withdrew their offer. Don't really have time to go into all the weird details of this process, but we know God is faithful and will provide the right buyer for out little home. It is a bit bittersweet to know that we are back to square one, but we are not discouraged! The one thing we have seen through this whole process (leaving for Africa, selling a house, raising support) is that God is faithful and it is all about His timing, not ours. As Jill is fond of saying....."the only one that can get us to Africa is God and the only one who can keep us from getting to Africa is God." There is a peace in that.

The van is in the shop and we hope to have it back by the end of the week. The glitter nail polish is still on my toes since Jill still hasn't picked up any nail polish remover. The house is a mess most days as we try to get our life packed up and make decisions on what goes, what stays and where to store all we're leaving behind. The kids are antsy as they sense the coming changes. But through it all, God is still faithful and we are encouraged!!!!

Pray, pray, pray

We have accepted an offer for our house! It's so exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. Please pray that the inspection and appraisal will go smoothly. As of now, we're anticipating closing on May 28th (that's only 25 days away)! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

No, really, I'm quite excited. In my moments of panic, God is there to help me focus. I do have to focus on not saying "goodbye". I'll just keep this plan in place until I have no other choice (which is coming soon as well).

Please also pray for our car - it goes into the shop tomorrow.

P.S. Joel's toes are still glittery (and what he doesn't know is that we're out of fingernail polish remover - so will someone please call me and remind me to get some) :)

Comic relief

There are just some moments when you're in need of some comic relief. That's what Daddy is for...I think he came up with a new one. Yes, that is Dara painting Joel's toe nails. Stan, if you read this before church tomorrow, ask him in the morning if he still has it on. She didn't pick the color I would have chosen (bright blue or pink) but rather a tasteful clear with glitter. Subtle but eye catching.
This girl can never doubt or question her father's love for her. It was the perfect comic relief; I am so grateful for his creativity and love.