Step Two

Well we finished up the six weeks at language school and headed for the coast. A quick stop at the embassy to renew passports and then over to the big island to settle into our next stop. We will stay here for a time to practice language and build relationships with the team members here.

It has been really hard re-entering life here, compounded by my anxiousness to get "home". But I know our time here is important and am yet again being taught to let go of my plans and let God work His...cheerfully.  That last word is the kicker for sure.

Homeschool continues to go well, thank you for those prayers! Please keep it up and continue to pray for our language growth and purposeful living in every stage. Thanks!

Pictures: Happy ninth birthday Hunter! And some pics of my new kitchen. Lots of cereal going on these days...

Hoping for hippos

The other day Justin took the girls to town after school and let my grumpy self stay behind. After a quick nap I headed upriver to find a hidden spot to sit and read. The view over my toes brought a smile to my face as I imagined the famed yet elusive hippo rising up. He didn't. Oh well, maybe next time.

This morning we set off to conquer a nearby mountain and it was incredible...Africa as far as the eye can see...beautiful.

And we finally wrestled another tooth out of Hunter's head. Maybe those big teeth will move forward now!

Language learning and homeschoolbare going surprisingly awesome. Thank you for all your love and prayers!

Finally

After almost six years in Africa, we finally got to go on a real Safari, which incidentally means journey in Swahili. So the crack of dawn found us climbing into a Defender 130, open back truck and off we went. We spied impalas, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes close enough to spit on (though we did not) water buffaloes, kudu, baboons, warthogs, zebras, herds of elephants protecting lots of babies(that was my favorite) and a male lion not ten yards away. Awesome! Until someone's husband growled at said lion. Did I mention the Rover was wide open? God is so creative and His creations are truly magnificent!

Rugged Fun

After school we head out into the Tanzanian wilderness to tame the wild...children. There is a lovely river that flows by here but farther up past a coffee plantation there are huge boulders where God built an adventure wonderland for children of all ages. Rhino fish tempt the grown up ones and clamoring around entertains the youngers. Just getting us ready for our first SAFARI!

Our new temporary life

Welcome to our classroom, we finally started school! It is going really well so far. And thanks to Miss Jill, the extracurricular hours can be whiled away in various fantastical lands like Narnia!  Please continue to pray as Justin tackles Swahili again, the girls tackle homeschool, and I try to be a peaceful, cheerful, encouraging presence in their lives.

Home Sweet Home

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.  Those who go out weeping carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Yesterday as I reflected on our last weeks in America and the hardest good-byes yet, I found comfort in these words and lodged my hope in them being true for us.

Today as I sailed down towards Little Island, I was pleasantly surprised to have my eyes fill with tears of joy!  It did feel a little like coming home; like we were created for this one place, this one mission, this one assignment.  Sow, be it with tears or with joy, sow!

Thank you so much for your prayers for us as we traveled.  It was a long trip smattered with tears of exhaustion, a little puke, toilet-paper-less bathrooms and odd meals at odd times.  But we made it safe and sound.  All the bags made it and we have rested comfortably here on Big Island preparing to head to the mainland and language school in the morning.

We will hopefully have better internet on mainland and in fact, we will try to get my phone connected so I can pass on pictures more often.  Thanks so much for your love and prayers and support!!!!!

Enjoying our old favorite restaurant on Thursday night on Big Island.

Puzzle night on Friday.

 

REUNITED!!!  Missed my Fatma so much.  And I missed her home-birth. = (

Meet Samya!  Isn't she beautiful???  Please pray for this precious family.  Saidi and Fatma, their children Samir and Samya.  And Saidi's 5 other children.

Everything Bright and Beautiful

Yes, America rocks.  You may have forgotten, or gotten used to it, but it does.  Everything is clean and it smells good and it tastes amazing!  Pounds have been gained, laughs have been had, and healing has occurred.  I don't think we realized (or let ourselves realize) how hard it was over there!  But restoration and refreshment is well under way and we can look forward to returning in the fall with smiles...don't worry.

 First on the list was meeting all the new babies!  We had six new nieces and nephews born while we were away, plus numerous new ones born and adopted by dear friends to get to know!

 Christmas brought WONDERFUL time with the Brown side of the family, GOOD presents (as opposed to the ones found on the other side the last couple years) and hours spent circling the driveway on new bikes.

 Pedicures with Kim...

 Fishing with friends...

 And MORE cousin time!

 The girls are loving it here and I hold my breath a bit when I think of telling them we are leaving again!

 Not able to wait another minute, I grabbed Braelyn and swept up to Colorado for a few, short days to reconnect with the Kirkpatrick side (minus Sam =(  missed you!).

 Three more cousins to meet and see again...lots of fun was had!

 We even got to see snow and ice!  Braelyn was certainly baffled, but it was delightful!

 Saturday we drove up in the mountains to see the real stuff and the magnificent sights.

 Much of the snow had blown away from the open spaces, but we found some to play in.

 This lake was frozen a foot deep or more and we got to slip slide across it, checking out all the ice-fishing holes and a few rainbow trout being pulled from the depths.

 Dad said this was the first time he's gotten mom out on the ice and it sure was an adventure!  Braelyn loved hanging on to my hand and letting me skate her everywhere.

 Unfortunately, the wind was whipping past us dropping the temp to near zero.

 So our escapade was short and sweet!

 A brief snowball fight...

 Our best snowman since the snow was too powdery to roll up

 And a wave good-bye.

 Sunday night I scrubbed up for my first hospital shift in 6 1/2 years.  I got to spend as many hours as I could with Stephanie on her floor... until my back doth protesteth too much and I went home.  It was super cool and Stephanie was amazing.  It was so awesome to watch her in action!  If ever you are sick in Colorado...make sure you request her for your nurse!!!

 Back to Florida we zoomed on Monday night and Wednesday morning found me grinning ear to ear as ALL THREE OF MY GIRLS left with Justin for school!!!!  It was an amazing day.  We all agreed, best day ever.

So that is the news on our first month home!  We can't wait to connect with each of you in the weeks and months to come.  Thank you for everything.  We treasure your friendship and care and prayers.  We are IMMEASURABLY thankful for all the blessings you have showered on us!  Cars, homes, clothes, food, our blessings and thanks know no bounds.  We love you!