Tsumeb

In February A went for 2 weeks to Africa.  Namibia is the country he went to which is the country he always goes to and where the church has been planted.  However, that is in Outapi, Namibia.  This trip was to Tsumeb, Namibia.  Last February when he went to Outapi he visited Tsumeb and the missionaries there with By Provision.  They are originally from AL (we did not know them) and now live most of the year in Tsumeb drilling water wells and they house young girls who come in from the Bush to go to school in the city.  He knew he wanted to go back this year and work with them.  His brother, Adam went also which made it even more special.  Melbie also went and is still there!  She is spending a total of 6 weeks there, so 2 more weeks to go! 

His trip started off VERY rocky and we weren’t even sure there was going to be a trip.  On Saturday evening before he was to leave on Monday morning he realized his passport was missing.  We searched everywhere all night Sat nt and Sun when we were not at church.  It was no where to be found and we were both sick!  He knew there was a possibility of getting it same day in Dallas on Monday.  However, Monday was a federal holiday so that was out.  We decided there was no way he could go.  It was very disheartening.  On Monday morning with about 30 min to spare at most before leaving his wonderful travel agent called and said she had gotten Delta to waive the fees to change his flights to the next day.  He would have to fly to ATL and stay overnight and take a chance of getting a new passport the next day in time to fly out.  There were many different issues that day including computers going down at the passport agency.  It looked as if he would not be getting his passport in time.  He got it with a little over an hour to get back to airport, turn in rental car, get boarded etc.  He made it on the last call for his flight!  God showed Himself to us over and over and over and reminded us as He has to so many times that HE IS IN CONTROL!  He ended up 2 days behind Melbie and Adam but he finally made it!  VERY THANKFUL! 

Melbie is there to work with the teenage girls.  Aaron and Adam dug 2 water wells while there, repaired 3 water wells, and did some construction on a house.  Adam also was able to go hunting which thrilled him I am sure!  A was able to preach which I know thrilled him!  Looks like they even got to play a little!

LOTS of pics!  We always have so many from mission trips and it is hard to choose.

I wanted to end with this picture.  As I was looking through the pics I asked A what this was and he said the dump.  I replied, “and people live there?”  His answer, “yep…”  From things like the thrilled faces of kids who now have access to safe running water to pics like this one my heart breaks.  We as Americans are ridiculous!  I think we have foolishly made ourselves believe we DESERVE all we have.  We deserve no more than anyone else anywhere in the world.  What do we do with the fact that we have such an abundance and are beyond spoiled and selfish people when others are living like this all over the world.  Worst of all we know the only hope any of us have and we often don’t even share that… 

Valentine’s Day 2013

Most know we LOVE Valentines Day at our house.  We have traditions that we try very hard to keep and it seems with each yr they are a little more difficult to make happen.  This year a combination of Dr’s appts, Ell’s competitions, A’s trip to Africa, and church commitments made it difficult.  SO, it was all really rushed but we did keep up with most of our traditions.  A and I never get each other anything but instead normally go on a date or even better when we can sneak away for the night!  Neither of those have happened but maybe soon! 

Lizzie and Millie had their parties at school.  Sallie was receiving instruction at home from her teacher during their party time so I stayed home with her and A went to their parties. 

That night Ell had practice and I had a Women On Mission meeting at church so we had a late dinner.

A got the girls their teacups and saucersWe laughed at all the medical supplies in the background but it was definitely part of our lives this ValentinesA made from scratch shrimp fettucine alfredo.  It was wonderful as always.  Then there was dessert!  Cheesecake is bought but he made strawberry, chocolate, and strawberry sauces and all 3 were AMAZING!!!  Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE this man?Silly picture but REAL life!

The girls had to have heart shaped pancakes (another tradition) so A made those Sat morning but apparently we have no pics.  He made them pink and the girls loved them.  Ell was gone to a competition and we missed her.  We are getting a taste of life in a couple of years and I DO NOT like it! 

That Saturday night our church had their annual Widow/Widowers Banquet.  I love that they do this.  I think of the many traditions we do on Valentines Day and I am sure as our girls grow up and leave some of those things will change but I think we will always make it special.  So, I am glad that those who have lost their husband or wife get to enjoy a special night for them.

Following the banquet our lives got crazier than normal!  More to come on that!!!

AL QT!

We had a bonus quick trip to AL a few weeks ago!  When we were home for Christmas someone from our home church in AL contacted A about preaching for their Homecoming.  My first reaction was there is no way we can do that.  It is only in about 6 weeks and that is only a couple of days for a lot of hours of travel.  A really thought he should do it so we made it happen!  When Sallie got sick we felt like he would end up going alone or maybe with the little girls.  Ell could not go because she had a competition that weekend.  However, it all worked out and Sallie got 2 good reports within days of us leaving for AL so we packed up all the meds, did infusions on the road, and headed to AL. 

On the way there Millie began to cough and cough and cough!  We got to the Hall’s about midnight and she coughed all night long.  Nothing we gave her helped.  It was a very distinct cough.  First thing that morning A took her to the Dr.  Turned out she had RSV.  Sometimes you just sit back and think REALLY???  I know it could be so much worse but in the midst of being away from home doing IV infusions and another child with RSV and the one already sick not needing to get it, you kinda wanna lose it!!!  Thankfully she got a breathing treatment and he gave us some really good cough meds, inhaler, and antibiotic because she had an ear infection as well.  She was much better within a couple of days!  Whew…  AND no one else got it! 

Sick little Mill Mill

We drove onto my parents.  My dad’s bday was that day so we got there and Lizzie, Sallie, and I hopped in the car with my mom and dad and headed to eat with my family.  A stayed at their house with Millie.  It was fun to get to be there for Daddy’s bday! 

Saturday we hung out and relaxed a little and that was good and much needed!

Sallie still adores Zach AND his precious girlfriend Kimberly!

Sunday was Homecoming at Southside Baptist Church in Troy.  I am SO GLAD we made it work and went!  It was just great!  It was great to see everyone!  Felt like no time had passed really.  A’s message was wonderful!  Yes, I am a little partial but it really was!  He got me crying from the very start.  Over the weeks leading up to that day we had talked several times about how much that church meant to us and all the life changing events that took place in our lives while at that church.  I accepted Christ there and was baptized, A and I served there together for the 1st time, we served in youth ministry for the first time,  Sallie was born while we were there and they loved us and encouraged us and were the body of Christ for us during all that and all that came after, Elleigh and Sallie were both dedicated there, Elleigh was saved and baptized there, A was a deacon for the 1st time there, he was licensed to preach there, he was called to full time ministry while we were there and that calling was confirmed by a wonderful Christian lady.  He recalled some of these things before he began to preach.  We had a great time of fellowship and it was good to see lots of old faces and to see that there were new faces.  We were honored and blessed to be there!  Obviously I was visiting and did not get to take pics but I do have a few my sister took.

The crazy Sall face!Our niece Maggie stood in for Ell!No idea what was going on beside the camera but obviously something I was ignoring and the rest were not!I will be in trouble for this pic but we were thankful Nanna joined us!  Nanna, there were 2 and you had your eyes closed in both!

AND I normally do not do this but I had mine closed here!

Sun afternoon we headed back to the Hall’s and Monday morning back to TX.  On the way back we stopped again at Duck Dynasty.  We still did not see any Robertson’s but we did see Linda, Martin, and Godwin!  We also got to shop in the store.  Can hardly wait for the season premier next week!!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY with their new shirts!

Anyone still there?

I may not have ANY readers left after such a long hiatus in posting!

I do not have time right now to fully catch up but thought I would do a quick update in the meantime.

Our month has  full of Drs appts, homebound school, a quick trip to AL, Valentines Day, preparing for A's trip to Africa, and the daily stuff.

I will do a post on each of these really soon and with pics!

We are seeing improvement with Sallie!  Her IV meds are scheduled to end 1 wk from today.  We see her ENT tomorrow and infectious disease next Tues and together they will decide if her IV treatment needs to continue.

Stay tuned!  I have some Fun stuff and great stories of God working!

Having a "Ball"!

We are having a ball being home and all back together! I think we all appreciate each other a little more!

Giving Sallie's Meds is going well. Home health came a few times and we have now taken over. They will continue to come out and check on her, do vitals, clean and change dressing on picc once a week and do weekly blood draws. We were not sure what to expect as far as the set-up for the IV Meds. She had a central line years ago and we are thrilled with advancement. The medicine is inside a ball that is calibrated to run for the amount of time it is given. The Meds run through the line and the ball shrinks. It is SO much easier. We do the flushes still of course but the hook-up is easier and she can move around while it is running.

We had to organize all our supplies and Meds! She is on more oral Meds now and the ear cleanings so we put all that stuff on its own box and I even made a list of when to give what! We just needed something to keep us straight!

The last 2 pics here I saw when I was looking at pics. These were taken the Sat before Sall went in hospital. A took the little girls and went to WM for groceries. I have mot been to WM since Christmas! i don't miss it! A really does not like going to WM so I was very thankful he did this for me! I am sure he was hungry! He had to run in the mall to take a return to Old Navy so they ate mall Chinese which I probably would not eat! They had a ball! Also you can see Lizzie's lack of 2 front teeth! She lost 1 while we were in AL and the other right after we got home. It is precious!