"I'm going to heaven on a motorcycle!"

-Gavin, age 4

Way Down in Waxhaw

Well, we made it to Waxhaw, NC. It has been in the low 90's thus far and quite balmy. Orientation has been filled with many hours of sitting but well worth the achy bottom. We have gotten to hear the stories of so many interesting people and understand how God has glorified himself in their lives and how so many different people have ended up in the same room with the same over-all purpose. Having the opportunity to answer questions and tell our own stories has reminded me of all the amazing things God has done in our lives.



The kids are having a great time. Gavin goes to a preschool class in the mornings. He is separate from his siblings and I was afraid it would be very hard for him. He did great when I dropped him off yesterday. He didn't even cry (I almost did). The older 4 are loving the MK Safari (MK stands for Missionary Kid.) They play games, do crafts, and go swimming in the pool everyday. It is odd being away from the kids all day, but they are having a great time and we are learning a lot in our sessions.

We added some pictures of our time in Waxhaw. The kids all made new friends. Here Gavin plays with his buddy Parker (Parker's family is headed to Columbia) and Max show's off his friend that he found at the 4th of July parade. (We picked this little guy off the railroad tracks. God graciously provided a nice lady to take him home so we didn't have to put him back where we found him (the firemen told us just to put the kitty back where we got him, they didn't want it.)

We are living on the JAARS campus here in Waxhaw. So the kids, our meetings and our apartments are all with in walking distance of each other. Our apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. We are loving it. One of the kids asked if we could live here forever. Grandma's house is great and we are so thankful to have family that will share their home with us - but there is nothing quite like having your own girl's room.



Once again Gabe is the oldest child in the South America Mission group here. According to Miss Faith and Miss Caroline, the college girls who watch the kids in the afternoons, he is a huge help to them. Gabe has been getting up and running every morning. He is very faithful to practice. He wants to run a 5K later in July. Christian and I have been trying to run with him but are not nearly as faithful to it as Gabe. Fortunately for him we are in a place where he can go run without us.

I love the way the Holy Spirit works. God gave me a verse a week ago that really ministered to my heart -



The Lord your God is with you,

he is mighty to save,

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.



Zephaniah 3:17



I have heard it quoted by at least 4 different people in 3 different states this past week. I am amazed by God's pursuit of me. He is so amazing.

Strawberry Trees

We went strawberry picking on Tuesday. It was hot and sticky work but the kids and I had a lot of fun. Gavin ate way more than he picked. Max was picking machine - he loves to work hard. I think Emma was most juice covered by the time we left. We picked 28 pounds of strawberries that morning. Would you believe that most of them are already gone!



When we first got to the field the nice lady showed us where to go pick. All the kids knew what we were there for. We had been talking about all morning. As we walked along Gavin said, "What are we going to do?" "Pick strawberries," I said. Then in total shock he said, "But where are the trees?" He is too cute.



We are off to NC/SC for our candidate orientation with South America Mission tomorrow morning.

To Michigan and Back

We got back from Michigan last week. I just asked Gavin what he liked best. He said, "Playing with Chase because he's so funny." Then I asked if he liked the car ride and he said, "What car ride?" Oh, to be 4 and so easily forget the 30 plus hours spent driving there and back again. We arrived back in CT just in time for a busy weekend of soccer. Thank you so much to all our friends in MI who make us feel so loved. We had a great time visiting with you. Baby Max, it was great to meet you but since your arrival the demand for a new baby brother around our house has increased. We will have to visit you again soon because there will be no more babies in this family.

We will be off and running again in two weeks. We are going to NC/SC for candidate orientation with South America Mission. We will be there for two weeks. We are all looking forward to the experience. Please pray that God will give guidance, wisdom and encouragement during that time. Leaving for the mission field overseas has been a long and interesting road thus far and I trust that it will remain that way. Sometimes my endurance fades. We will keep you all posted.

Here are a few photos of our trip.

Pox, Pox, and More Pox

Well I received that wonderful phone call about three weeks ago from my dear friend Lisa V. "Hey, my kids have chickenpox! You want 'em?" I made plans to visit the next day. The kids didn't know what they were in for. I sent two of the younger ones into the kitchen to tell Christian that they were going to David's house in the morning. "We're going to get the chickenpox!" they shouted with joy. Then they stopped. "What are chickenpox, Daddy?" It was really cute. The next day we made poor sick David stay up and play Uno with us. (You were a trooper, David. Thank you.)
Fast forward 13 days . . .Two of the kids have a few spots. Not quite sure if they are pox. Given another 24 hours we knew for sure. With in 3 days all 5 of them had it. Each case slightly different than the others. After 9 days we are officially on the mend. I think we are safe to leave the house again.
What a strange thing, the varicella virus. It is a virus I wanted my kids to get and we even had play dates to expose two other families. I had it when I was 18 years old and it was such a dreadful experience. I am thrilled that our kids won't need to worry about it. It has been sad to see them blistery and feverish but it has been amazing to watch the full course of this virus from start to finish. God made our bodies in such an amazing way - our bodies get sick, they fight infection and usually win, finish with immunity to that virus. Hundreds of itchy, puss filled blisters come from inside, damage our skin and then our skin heals leaving only a few minor scars. Truly amazing.
One night while rubbing Aveeno cream all over a little polka-dotted body Christian looked at me and said, "Can you imagine how freaked out we would be if we weren't expecting this? All of a sudden our kids are covered with itchy blisters?" I'm so glad we were able to schedule this sickness.

Back in CT

HI! We are back on line! Our move to CT was long but we made it! Thank you soooo much Alan and Elisa. We are finally settled in to Lorraine and Larry's (Christian's mom and step-father). They have been so gracious and have allowed us to turn their house upsidedown. My sister-in-law's wedding went great. It has been fun to run into old friends. Nobody recognizes Christian w/o glasses and with the added facial hair. This blog stuff is new to us so please bare with us as we learn. I will try my hand at adding a picture to this post from the wedding. We'll see if it works. Friends in MI know that we think of you and pray for you often. We miss you.

Welcome to our new blog! We will be slowly adding more content as we have time.