Did I say 90 days? I meant 30.

Today I want to share for different reasons: for us to look back and remember, for our families and partners to feel connected, and for others who might be looking towards this same process. (Maybe some of this will help you feel slightly more normal; just don't let it scare you off!)

We often hear "How are you feeling?" "Are you ready?" "Are you excited?". We are a great many things, including almost ready. Practically speaking, at least. We all process things differently, and that in and of itself can make life interesting! We have been as prepared as possible technically, through AIM and JAARS, and through our own efforts. Alot of what we have been told almost seems meant to deter you. (For instance, the blog "A Life Overseas" has an excellent post entitled "Top 10 reasons not to become a missionary" or some such exhortation ;-). We know many people who have come home much sooner than planned because it wasn't what they expected. Our pilots wive's small group has special speakers each week, most of which have shared their struggles and how to be prepared and/or deal with them. At times I just want to say ok, enough! We know it's hard! Can't we just deal with it as it comes? I guess forewarned is forearmed, or however it goes.

People often remark on the most obvious things that seem challenging. Having to eat different foods. Being separated from your family. The possible dangers that come with living and flying in less stable or developed parts of the world. What we think about, really, are things that go beyond that. Things that wear on you after years and years. Things like regular transition, often with limited notice or totally beyond your control. So many goodbyes, people coming and going in and out of your life, and that of your children. Living on faith, also known as living on support. We love our supporters; but knowing that you really have to take each day/month at a time can be challenging. And the constant responsibility to those churches/supporters. Not really fitting in anywhere you go, which probably goes double for our children. Lots and lots of travel. And I love travel! Things like visas always running out or requirements changing. Basically, everything being more complicated. I've heard culture shock can come back to bite you in the butt even after you've been there a decade or more. And knowing that whenever we do come back, we will be significantly less prepared financially for our life as older people than many of our peers will be.

We are excited. I am very excited. Haven't been this excited since my kids were born. But the word "excitement" is for things like going on safari for the first time. It isn't a good word for any of the things mentioned above. (Just FYI, I'm stealing this thought from a friend here, a fellow pilot wife.) So if you ask if we're excited, some days we might have to be honest and say, "No. But we are resolved." Staying behind our rose coloured glasses won't do any good in the long run. (And letting the rest of the church keep their glasses on doesn't help either.  We're all in this together. ;-) We are all to count the cost before we begin. Often times I hear people's stories and say, I couldn't deal with that! I don't want that! But we remember, His grace is sufficient for every moment. So, we continue one day at a time.

"Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so you do not grow weary and lost heart."  ~ Hebrews 12:1b-3

Our days right now are filled with

God-moments of grace

Sharing a few last special times with family

Unwrapping a very special gift from my mom. A quilt with all our families pictures on it, on beautiful african fabric.  

Thanksgiving 

Seeing Kenya accidentally, everywhere we go. Which I don't remember doing before recently!

Enjoying some special activities.
He's such a stud ;-)

Incorporating a little bit of normal Christmas into our abnormal life right now. 

Saying some difficult goodbyes 

Anticipating the coming of the baby Jesus through Advent, and the eventual second coming of King Jesus  

paperwork. paperwork. and more paperwork. 

Christmas cards. Newsletters. Prayer cards.

stuff. stuff. and more stuff. piling up in every corner and on every available surface. 

end of orientation supper with our group, none of which we will be working with. 

getting more luggage. hopefully our last!  

last flight of orientation. And last flight for quit awhile, about 6 months.
Another thing not on here: doctors appointments. And lab work. And last minute shots. The kids have done (mostly) well.

making gingerbread houses

LOVE the vacuum packer. I'm amazed every time I see its magic! 

Finally packing our crate!  Praying our Kenyan work permits come through so we can get our crate sent off soon. 

getting boxes in the mail. pilot shirts. prayer cards. travel guides. converter box. rechargeable batteries. 

Packing up Patrick's tools. We have to alot of tax on the items in our crate, and not as much on the luggage we bring with us. (Perhaps none at all. Its the law to not have to pay tax on luggage you're carrying with you. But apparently some customs officers disagree with that. So we'l see.) So Patrick took all the tools out of his toolbox and we stuffed it full of socks and underwear. Cheap stuff! But in case it crossed your mind, wow, all those tools are pretty heavy to put in luggage you have to weigh. You're right! Once ziplock bag is going in each piece of luggage. All 15 of them. ;-)

Watching Innkeeper Caroline in her Christmas program. Her job was to shake her head vehemently when Joseph requested a room. And she did it really well. She does it to me all the time. :-) 

Caroline's teacher at the MK Station. Another person who has invested in the life of one of my children, who they will never see again.


Important announcement:
This is the last post from our blog. We're going dark. 


Just kidding. :-) It is the last post from our blog. But we're just switching locations, so our website and blog will be all in one place. We hope this will be more convenient and interesting for our current followers and new folks alike. You will be able to get the basic details of our ministry, flying updates from Patrick, Africa Inland Mission, really neat videos, sign up for our newsletter, prayer requests, our testimonies, helpful links, partnership suggestions,
and other things, all in one handy dandy location.
You can go there now to mark it in your browser. We will continue to share on FB when we update it. You can expect to hear from us one more time before we leave, with ways to pray while we are finally (FINALLY) going!!

Merry Christmas! 

what's really happening with less than 90 days to go

I can't believe we are almost halfway through our time here at JAARS. It has been challenging in some ways and encouraging in others. (I guess that about sums up life in general.) It is a unique environment, with many opportunities to meet other people, some at the same stage as we are, and others working here after having put in their time on the field. Living in community in this way has been a new experience for us. Apartments, sharing a laundry room, mobs of kids everywhere, unavoidably running into people wherever you go. Nothing highlights your shortcomings quite like living in community! But good practice, for sure. Although we will not be living at a center or on a compound, the missionary community is pretty tight, for better or for worse. We are learning to appreciate that ;-). 

chalk drawing of the Kenyan flag 

an early morning nature study. Anytime we find a bug, Caroline wants to adopt it. I usually at least let her carry it around for awhile. And just fyi, this spider was not poisonous. :-) 

Lots of fun times with our Charlotte cousins. 

Visiting a horse farm where they do therapy

We enjoyed a rare occurrence last week: some of our partners came to visit JAARS! (We do have supporters in Virginia, but most of you are down through the middle of the country. Basically in a straight line, north to south. And not close at all to NC) These guys, a father, son and a friend made a special day trip for their birthdays. They got a special tour of the hangar, and got to experience a little bit of life at JAARS. They are pilots (2 fixed wing and one helicopter), so they felt right at home. 

These top 2 pictures happened a day apart. My mom met a young man, a former MK, who had been in the military, and was injured in Iraq. He had amnesia and severe brain injuries, and is now in a wheelchair. He communicates through a small typewriter he carries around on his lap, which speaks for him. He graciously invited us to come watch his horse riding lessons, which was a neat experience for our family. It really got me thinking. The veteran, 30 years old, Christ follower. The Coast Guard pilot (in the midlle, above), 30 years old, Christ follower, and our partner. Did something go wrong in one of these men's lives? Did God make a mistake in allowing one to be nearly killed in an accident, and now to be living a completely different life than most of us could ever imagine? We have no idea what plans God has for our life, or how He can use every day events or extraordinary ones for His glory. Who are we to say well, I'd only like to bring you glory in the way I choose. Maybe its more about bringing Him glory by the way we submit to His will and graciously accept what He allows to come to pass in our lives. 

JAARS Day is a time for the community and others to come learn about JAARS (which is the center here in NC) and the ministry of Wycliffe Bible translators. There are alot of hands on experiences, such as these different instruments. I love Charlie, using his as a hat. If you can't play it, wear it? 

Oh the irony. How many FB posts or newsletters have I seen describing the difficulties of traveling overland, in bumpy trucks, for hours, at times even days, at a time? Flooded rivers, flat tires, forced to camp on the side of the road. Thankfully they didn't take it that far in this simulation. We voluntarily subjected ourselves to this experience. It was, however, quite bumpy. Quite. I was with the second group, which consisted of the driver, me, and 3 little girls. Poor driver. There was alot of shrieking. We had to sign release forms for this. And we paid! We paid to get bumped around in a safari truck for 20 minutes, fully expecting to get stuck in the mud, and at times maybe tip over! We survived. But I gotta tell ya: 12 hours of that would be ROUGH. 

Another exhibit was this "recording studio" booth set up, where they made recordings of the kids either sharing or reading Scripture. Obviously, there was opportunity to learn about heart languages, oral cultures, and the creative ways we (the greater we) are sharing the Gospel with the world's unreached. 

 

Hannah is now thinking we are actually called to Korea, the country who claims the beautiful outfit she tried on. Charlie picked a Chinese costume. 

A big part of my life here is "wives orientation." Not big in terms of time, but big in influence in my life. I don't like to be overcommitted, it stresses me out. So when I heard my presence was expected at this weekly event, for a full morning, I balked. What about homeschooling, etc. But wouldn't you know, its my favourite part of the week. I treasure that time so much. I will get a picture later, but it was at one such meeting that I was given a copy of this interesting book, "Where There Is No Doctor." Some of you might be thinking, that would be quite useless, I would never be, or take my kids, to where there is no doctor. And honestly, I sort of lean in that direction too. I get scared. (Did I just say that out loud? ;-) When I moved to Senegal to be basically a community health worker, I received two copies, one in English and one in French. (There is a Swahili version, as well as many others.) It's pretty graphic, but very basic, and a very useful tool for many people. We will have easy access to very good medical care while in Nairobi. But its still handy. The theme of that Monday morning was basically "your family's health while overseas." There's no point in trying to be obtuse. Obviously there's some scary stuff out there, especially at this juncture in history. Whenever I think about waxing eloquent and profound about some serious topic, like say, taking my precious pumpkin shirted children any closer to Ebola, and my oh so (not very) spiritual thoughts on that, I always come up empty.  So I won't try. But I want them to know they are here for a purpose too. 

Last weekend we celebrated my brother in laws 40th birthday, and Canadian Thanksgiving. It was a really special time. (Gosh, I over-use that word. Thesaurus, anyone?) I also find myself unable to articulate what it feels like to know I'm spending the last family holiday (with this side) together, for a long time. At this point, just really praying to be able to appreciate the time we do have with our families and not allowing the impending goodbyes to ruin it. I love my family, and I love Patrick's family, who is now also very much my family. (On a lighter note, I also took video of Patrick and my mom doing Wii dancing. That gets your mind off of being sad ;-) 

So, when we say something about shipping our crate, I bet you were thinking about a container like on that Somali pirate movie. (Captain something?) Yea, its more of a big cardboard box. But this baby will be packed to the gills. There will be no breathing room in there whatsoever. This is why being at JAARS is so helpful. The gentleman above is in charge of sea freight, and is helping us through this process. We can have a spot in the warehouse to just start accumulating, packing and repacking as needed. The one thing he cannot do, unfortunately, is get the Kenyan government to issue our work permits in a timely manner. So, we will be leaving our precious cardboard box here until we get there, get our work permits (apparently they are quite backlogged), and then we will send back for the crate. I know it will seem silly, looking back, but this was probably the first, "what do you mean it isn't going to go according to my plan, and now I have to be flexible" moment. We had it all planned out, when we were going to send it so it would coincide with our arrival and we would get into our house within a few months and be all settled. Easy Peasy. Alas, now we are hoping to get it six months or so after our arrival. In addition to household items we will either borrow or live without until it comes, it will have clothes for the kids for next year, and school curriculum for next year. We also have a few bags to leave here, until someone comes to visit. One is full, the other will be empty until we get there and realize what we need and then order it on amazon and have it sent to someone's house so it can be brought in the aforementioned bag. And that part actually is easy. 

So I thought hey, I've got nothing to occupy my mind, let's start learning another language! Ha! Everything I need to do to survive, go to church, and even have friends, I can do in English. So it isn't that I am concerned about being able to communicate. I guess I am just excited about it. And I know how much speaking the local language in Senegal meant to me. So I assume it will be the same way. Just because my new friends, neighbors, store clerks, market vendors, and church will be able to speak to me in English doesn't mean I don't want to be able to speak to them in Swahili. The only sad part is, I'm pretty sure there is definitely not room in my already addled brain for Wolof and Kiswahili both, never mind in addition to the very basic survival French and a few lonely phrases and vocabulary words in Spanish still kicking around in there. Sooo, everything else is getting the boot. Bring on the Swahili :-) 

(another) 5 minute update on the flying Crispies

Thank you so much for choosing to stay connected with us as we have (probably) moved farther away from you recently. It is definitely a challenge to keep up relationships in the midst of life in general, never mind from such great distances. The closer we get to leaving, the more we appreciate the support, prayers, and just plain old friendship with those we love, and we already miss "home" and belonging, wherever that might be. (Last night we were listening to building 429's This is not where I belong, and I asked the kids where they feel they're "from." Charlie said Minnesota! Surprised me, as it was only one year of his 5 yr old life, but I guess he really liked it there. Score one for our Minnesota peeps ;-)

• Prefield Technical Orientation (say that fast 5x :-) is off to a really good start. We are just so grateful to be here. So humbled. It is challenging, for sure. Many people have asked what Patrick is learning. Doesn't he already know how to fly? He does! You don't get to this point with just a private pilot's license, he should definitely know his stuff by now ;-). But this kind of flying is just so different from what you would do in the US, or in any regular kind of aviation job. And then, of course, there's the maintenance part. It's part classroom, part shop, part flying, part homework/studying. I'll get some more details and some pictures here pretty soon. 
• The rest of the family: We are trying to keep things pretty normal this fall, if possible. Charlie started kindergarten, Hannah is doing a few main subjects and alot of fun extra stuff to help us learn about our new home, and Caroline goes to the preschool at the center 3 mornings a week. I can see it from the apartment, so its convenient, affordable, and is helping me get comfortable with teaching 2 kids, instead of 1. 
• We are enjoying so much being close to some more family. In my adult life, my mom and I have never lived in the same country, and here we are just a few minutes walk, for a few weeks at least. And more family about 30 minutes away. We are also, of course, trying to squeeze in American stuff, especially in this season of fall, which we love dearly, and will miss. (Expect lots of pumpkin patch and apple picking pictures :-) 
• We are just so excited. I know we've said that alot. And it doesn't mean we don't have realistic expectations (I hope) about the challenges coming up. But we are learning so much about Kenya, and Nairobi, learning greetings etc. in KiSwahili, meeting Kenyan friends, cooking Kenyan food, reading Kenyan books. You get the picture. And it is such a neat country. It has alot to offer. But so much more than that, we continue to learn more about what God is doing through AIM Air to support evangelism, discipleship, and church planting among the peoples who are not yet aware of our incredible, merciful, holy, compassionate God. There is so much going on, so many unbelievably committed people, foreigners and Africans, working so hard in so many difficult, remote places. And we will get to serve them through aviation. 
• My 5 minutes are probably up. (You should have read faster ;-) Just wanted to say thank you again to our amazing partners, both prayer and financial. We obviously could not be here without you. Our car fund has really come together, thanks to some pretty special people! Many of our future needs have been built into our Outgoing Fund budget. But there are still some significant needs that we still have, such as luggage, a satellite phone, a handheld GPS, and more tools for Patrick. (Since our organization is non-denominational, there is no sending body backing them. We each have to bring what we need to the table, so to speak.) And then things like schoolbooks for the next few years, kids shoes for the next few years, etc. Thank you for considering helping with those needs. 

Thank you for taking the time to catch up! 

the last post from kansas. On our way to North Carolina soon!

as the last 3 weeks have been crazy busy and the next 4 will be even more so, just wanted to share some special pictures that capture this last month. 

we stopped in Minnesota en route to my Mom's, and enjoyed not only going to church, but also tagging along with FBC Worthington's annual summer outing to the water park. 

We have already missed many friends in Minnesota. I'd like to go public with Jessica's promise to come visit us in Africa soon. You can hold her to it! 

the world is blessed by generous, hospitable people like our friends and partners Wally and Susan Johnson. Thank you for letting us stay with you, staying up half the night to talk to me, and then taking care of my kids the next morning!! 

 Some of the fun things to always experience at Grandma and Grandpa Bob's, at the oh-so-beautiful, private, very nearly luxurious ;-) place they call home : Gibi Lake 

Archery lessons 

swimming 

boating

Chip (french fry) eating. As I always say, Kenora had food trucks before they were cool. Of course, they only served french fries. but really, that's enough, right? Hannah finally embraced the vinegar. Maybe there's some Canadian in them after all! 

Tubing. 

time with great grandma "Nana" 

breakin' it down on the beach 

catching crawfish 

birthday parties. hannah had 3 cousins and 2 new friends come join her, and grandpa bob made a fish pond, where all the kids took turns fishing for prizes. 

popsicle eating 

minnow catching 

Blueberry pancakes. blueberry pie. blueberry jam. and pain old blueberries. this was a special birthday breakfast for me, actually, and lara was able to make it up for a few days as well! 

puppy play time for my animal lover

silly time with Auntie Lara

relaxing on the beach 

or, when its a little chilly, relaxing under towels! 

sister time! 

kayaking 

being so worn out you fall asleep during supper and sleep through a very loud rendition of Dancing Queen, and even louder thunderstorm, and bonfire with smores. 

 Thank you, mom and Bob, for a really special visit! The kids really are good travelers. On the way home, Hannah asked how much farther, and I told her 5 hours. "Only 5 hours? That's so short!" Thats my girl ;-) 

 We will be leaving this house day after tomorrow, and staying with family while we participate in VBS at our church the following week. Then we will head to NC, spend some time with family for a few weeks, make a trip up to Virginia, and then get settled at JAARS just in time to start pre field technical orientation on September 2. We are very excited. Including our Canada trip, we will be sleeping in approximately 14 beds over 6 weeks. I am thankful its summer, it makes the packing/traveling/keeping the kids distracted so much easier! We have a commissioning service tomorrow and lunch at church, then we start vbs on the same day we're supposed to be moving out, so i didn't want to leave the packing till last minute. (because i guess it is already last minute.) So we have the clothes that fit in a suitcase and the toys that fit in a backpack and the car. The kids are pretty good about not getting bored; they went outside and made a garage band, except in the front yard. Drums out of bricks, microphones out of sticks, and a keyboard. They were playing for passers by. 

It has also been immensely helpful, as usual, to have some family nearby! They can bring a birthday cake over when I have no chance to do that myself! 

There are many many things we love so much about Kansas. We will miss you.