On the Road Again

Traveling through Chicago on this grey day has us remembering what a great five months we had and all the friends that we enjoyed.  We have had plenty of time to think about those nasty goodbyes since Monday, when we pulled out of Bozeman. 

The van looks like some kind of bomb went off.  Between passing around food, dolls, games, and schoolwork, it takes some serious re-organizing to make enough sense of it to fit everyone back in their seats. 

Dave said to me on Saturday, “Do you have some CD’s for the trip?”  Wouldn’t you think that would be kind of a no-brainer?  36 hours to New York with tic-tac-toe and the license plate game just doesn’t cut it. J  Thankfully, friends loaned us some books on tape, which are keeping us busy.  The kids really do like traveling, and it has been a good time to be together and learn some US geography as we drive through it.  Traveling has been lacking in African adventure--crazy tweaked buses driving right at us,  stray animals to dodge.  We're enjoying the lack of adventure. :)

Enjoying the time on the road, opportunity for regrouping, and well-synchronized potty stops. :)


This was written a couple of days ago, but I’m posting anyways!  Currently in NY, headed to VA tomorrow.

Last Minute To Do List

It's time today to take a little break in packing and seeing friends to celebrate Megan.  It's hard to believe she turns SIX today.  She could not be happier, even though she says six "doesn't feel really all that different from five."  As we looked through pictures of her life today, I was struck by how her life has been defined by Africa.  Here she is, shortly after we arrived in 2005.

Here she is today, her birthday banner crowded by packing crates. :) 

 

Birthdays are definitly priority as we prepare to leave, and they rank right up there with a last-minute rat funeral (not kidding, ask Ellie Moore someone about that).  Trying to get in ALL the final goodbyes!

Leaving--so soon?!

It is hard to believe that these five months have gone by so quickly.  We head out next Monday for the east coast and one more month of traveling and a family reunion.

 Dave returned Saturday night from the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit, an encouraging and challenging three days dedicated to many venues of orphan care.

It is with mixed feelings that we head away from Bozeman.  We keep thinking it is going to be easier to leave each time, and instead it feels like tearing apart more than ever.  I think we are feeling the weight of the preciousness of friendships that have lasted and even been strengthened during our first five years away.  I can't even describe the blessing it has been to be with our Bozeman family. 

Musa, too, leaves with mixed feelings.  He will be attending ECHO for a special training course, then another English course before he leaves with us on June 25th to head home.  I asked him the other day what he would miss, and he quickly said, "Worship, and the people in Bozeman."  He has enjoyed being here SO much, but he also says he is ready to go back. He has been so blessed by Jen and Charlie, who he stayed with, and all his Bible college professors and friends. 

We hope to see many of you to say good-bye.  Thank you for all your kindness and hospitality.  We go back encouraged, refreshed and (mostly!) ready.