Getting There

I attempted to add a slideshow at the end of Aaron’s post but it was not working so this is the first of many picture posts. 

De-icing of our plane in Cincinatti AirportNot a bad deal to have a little time in Paris!  Inside the Notre DameParis againDavid (another pastor in our area) and Aaron trying to navigate around Paris.  The Eiffel TowerSleeping anywhere you could!Our Melbie in a French café’Aaron at the Seine River in Paris

January Namibia Trip

2 Posts in 1 Day!  Finally our Africa post from A and then our snow post after this one.

If you are a regular reader of the blog you will remember that Cameron said I would tell you about our Africa trip and now is the time. All that to say this is Aaron and I am guest starring on the blog today. Oh, you just thought Cam was long winded.

     Starting from the beginning is always the best idea, but for this story we have to go back several months. I wanted to go to Namibia in January after being there in July and knowing I was going back in June of this year I did not have the time nor the money to go. I still thought it was a trip that I needed to be on so I asked the church if I could have the time, but still did not have the money. Well as you can tell by the pictures God provided again and I was able to go and I am so glad I did. I knew God had called me to go and provided the way, but I was not sure why. I had my own motives for desiring to go, buy would soon see that God had been preparing me for some time for what He was about to teach me. ( I will show you what he taught me as we go through the story.)

LEAVING   

      The week before we left the weather forecast for our leave day which was Monday became worse and worse. On Saturday we discussed leaving a day early so we could get into Dallas and would have less risk in travel. Needless to say that none of us really wanted to leave a day early just to go to Dallas. We had made our plans with our families and churches for weeks and changing those meant readjusting mentally for leaving our families. We had also planned to have a joint service with First Baptist Seymour to send us out. On Sunday morning we had to make an abrupt decision to go ahead and leave due to the weather. The sudden departure made our leave much harder than usual. This is part of what God was trying to teach me. You can’t just say God and what he tells you to do is more important than your family and not have it put to the test. This trip was part of our test. We would have to leave suddenly a day early and what we did not know at the moment is that we would be coming back a day later than scheduled. ( More to come on that.)

GETTING THERE

     As mentioned above the weather was not cooperating with our trip causing problems even before we left. Though many flights had been canceled on Sunday ours was still scheduled and we felt great. Before we got to the airport on Monday our original flight had been canceled and we were to be rerouted through Memphis and then Atlanta. That fell apart after we got to the airport and they set us up to leave early the next morning. When I say they set us up to leave the next morning I stood in front of the poor Delta agent for almost two hours while he looked through every flight from multiple airlines to get us into JoBurg as quick as we could. It was at this point that as a team we decided to stay another day since we knew our trip would be cut short. Instead of going from DFW to ATL and then JoBurg we went to Cincinnati Airport, which is actually in Northern Kentucky, and then to Paris and then to JoBurg. Seventeen hours in Paris was not on the schedule. We finally did get there safe and sound. We were tired, frustrated, and more than anything we were longing to see God work.

FINALLY THERE

     On the way from Windhoek to Outapi, 9 hour drive, I made some calls to the men in Outapi to let them know we were late and that we would be in town that day. After a couple of messages I got a text saying that they needed to meet with us as soon as we go in town. They did not tell us what they needed to meet about. We were a little nervous, but our nerves were settled when they told us that since we had been delayed they would not have a chance to talk to us other than then. They had scheduled a baptism for Saturday and they needed to talk to us about what was going to happen. They had planned one for Saturday afternoon and then one again for Sunday morning. We were excited to see that they had talked with every person who was to be baptized and explained what biblical baptism was. WE WERE NOW EXCITED! I was especially excited because I was going to be performing the baptisms and this was my first baptism done out of the States and out of a baptismal pool inside a church building. We did this baptism with the understanding that this was only to teach them how as they had asked and they would need to baptize anyone else in the future who would need it after salvation. We used a hole that had filled with water due to the recent rains which marked the beginning of their rainy season. Saturday afternoon we did an open air baptism at 3 and then had worship at 6:30, well really it was 7 but we were on Africa time. Africa time is almost like not having time, but pretending to have time. You set start times, but they mean little.  The baptism was great and we had an exciting time of worship that night with our brothers and sisters in Outapi.

     Sunday morning I was about to begin understanding what God had been teaching me over that last couple of months. I had been preaching through 2 Timothy for the last couple of months and God had really been showing me the passages that dealt with using scripture to correct teaching and being patient while doing so in love and not pride or desiring just to be correct. 2:25,4:2

After we had a great service and several people responded to the Word and prayed to receive Christ one of the men who has been leading made some comments to this group to encourage them. In his haste he made some comments that came from what he has heard in other churches and did not reflect biblical truth or even what he truly believed. They sounded good and his ability to speak made them sound even better, but they did not match scripture and we knew we had to do something. We set up a meeting for the next day and began to pray about what to say and how to say it to a brother we love. The only way to say something  is to just say what needs to be said so that is what I did. After much conversation and looking at what the Bible says and what David actually believed we had the matter cleared up and were able to move forward with everyone knowing how much we truly all loved each other and how important staying true to scripture really is. That night we had another great night of Bible study and planned for another day of Bible study and worship on Tuesday.

Tuesday we had a great time teaching Noah, Erastus, and David, the leadership there about leadership in the church and how it differed from other leadership. These men are emerging as pastors called by God to lead His church. They are currently deciding on a name for this church and if God is calling them or one of them to be pastor of this congregation. They are doing a great job of leadership. That night we had our last night of worship and said goodbye to our friends.

We are excited to go back in June!

***The slideshow I had here does not seem to be working so I will be doing several picture posts after this one.

Snow Dayssssss…..

The girls have been wanting snow (or stow as Millie says) and they got it!  It was nice for a while but I.AM.OVER.IT!!!  It was too cold to enjoy it and it is just a mess.  Under all the snow is ice and we are now on day 3 and still have not gotten above freezing.  Supposed to be get there tomorrow.  Retract that, just saw the forecast and the high tomorrow is 30. 

These are pics from the 1st day.  You can see the blowing snow.  With the snow and the wind it would literally take your breath.  Think Ell was enjoying herself???  Not so much!  She and Aaron went out later that afternoon and had a great time after the wind wasn’t so bad.  However, the little girls and I had had enough so we did not go out.  Therefore, no pics of that.You just can’t have snow without snow angels!The porch was better because the wind was not so badNotice how in the grassy areas the snow is not very thick

However, the wind was blowing the snow so hard so there were snow drifts at every corner and it was thick thereHold on Sall!Behind our cars in the carport.  It blows in the entire carport which is now all ice!

Behind the house.  This was a very deep drift

All that cold required hot chocolate!!!

Which then led to a lot of laying around!

And a lot of dirty wet clothes!

Later we enjoyed snow cream!  The snow was so dry you could not make a snowman but it made perfect snow cream.  You just had to overlook the grit!

So we are now on day 3.  The schools here were only closed 1 day!  A lot of the schools in the area are still closed but in the land of cowboys and ranchers you just suck it up and get your big truck in the ice.  Or in our case, the mini van!  This is the street leading up to the elementary school.  Yes, that is ice.  Scares me to death.  A assures me (as he drives) that you just take it easy.  Not sure about the drivers around you!  The kids were slipping and sliding going to school.  It is so slick!  A fell at the church yesterday (but luckily he landed in a pile of snow!)  They have been starting school at 10 which doesn’t do anything for the roads but it is slightly warmer.  The windchill is up to –10 as opposed to –20! Yesterday the entire state of TX was having rolling black outs to cut down on electricity use.  It gets chilly fast in the house when it is this cold and the electricity goes out.  Of course it doesn’t help that the metroplex is full of visitors in for the Super Bowl.  All in hotels, all needing lots of heat and lots of electricity.   Seriously, summer can not come fast enough!  Remind me I said that when it is 110 degrees in the shade!  See all the brown?  That is all SNOW!  Isn’t it strange looking.  This field has just been plowed so the wind mixed all that in with the snow and this is what you get.  Lizzie said, “Don’t take a picture of that.  It looks like poop!”Then just a dusting in the open fields because the wind was blowing it to much for it to accumulate on flat areas.  Notice all the deer in this spot.  They are usually always there.  A beautiful sight. 

IS IT SUMMER YET???

Flashback Friday!

You Never Know!

First, A is home and we have had a great time catching up and enjoying being back as a complete family!  I do have to say that we have to re-adjust to each other as well.  By that 2nd week we have gotten into our own routine and so we have to get used to being together again.  The first night he was here he was in the kitchen “messing” while I was cooking and I told him I was going to have to get used to him being back in my kitchen!  Very glad he is there though!  Soon we will be sharing his trip so stay tuned. 

I saw this a few weeks ago and decided to ask Lizzie and Millie these questions.  It is funny to hear their answers and to see how they are the same and different.  You never know what you will get! 

Lizzie:

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
Clean up living room

2. What makes Mommy happy?
Cleaning our room

3. What makes Mommy sad?
Not cleaning our room

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
doing silly things

5. What was Mommy like as a child?
I don’t know what you looked like!

6.  How old is Mommy?
23!!!  (She is just a little behind!)

7. How tall is Mommy?
40 lbs

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
Clean dirty clothes (WRONG!)

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
Clean House

11. What is Mommy really good at?
Turning the TV (no idea)

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
fixing hot tea (Daddy fixes them hot tea)

13. What does Mommy do for her job?
Help us clean our room

14. What is Mommy's favorite food?
Potatoes

15. What makes you proud of Mommy?
To love on you

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Dora

17. What do you and Mommy do together?
Help each other clean

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
We love mashed potatoes

19. How are you and Mommy different?
I don’t eat squash

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
By going to church

21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?
Dollar Store (thought this was hilarious!  Not necessarily my favorite place to go but it is where we go most!)

Notice all the CLEANING talk!  Our house should be spotless!  IT ISN’T!!!

Millie:

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
Stop!

2. What makes Mommy happy?
Giving stuff to people

3. What makes Mommy sad?
Not giving stuff to people

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
giggling

5. What was Mommy like as a child?
Hamburger (???)

6.  How old is Mommy?
23!!!  (They both think this!)

7. How tall is Mommy?
Big!

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
Do stuff to people (not sure how to take this one!)

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
Clean up

11. What is Mommy really good at?
Picking out candles

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
Tearing stuff up

13. What does Mommy do for her job?
Get stuff from me I don’t need (I love this one!)

14. What is Mommy's favorite food?
Mayo

15. What makes you proud of Mommy?
Being so silly

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Mommy

17. What do you and Mommy do together?
Kiss each other (SWEET!)

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
Being good at each other

19. How are you and Mommy different?
I’m little, you’re big

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
Writing things you let me write (???)

21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?
Grocery Store to buy stuff (once again, not my favorite but the grocery store and the DG are our hot spots!)

The Countdown Begins!

We are officially counting down the days until Daddy is HOME!  They began their travels back today (they are 8 hrs ahead).  1 of the team members has never been (all the others are making their 3rd trip!) so they will go through Etosha National Park as they head back.  It is really something you can’t miss if you are that close and a great way to wind up the trip.  I am going to have A share all the details of the trip with you when he returns (and gets some rest!) but I will tell you that I only know bits and pieces and the bits and pieces are GREAT!  I am so anxious to hear all about it.  I told A on skype yesterday that I would try not to talk too much when he got home and be aware that he is tired.  I miss talking to him so much.  As much as I miss him I am glad that I do if that makes sense.  I know many women who are glad to get their husbands out of the house.  Not me!  Not only does he help A LOT he is my best friend and I miss everything about him!  We have gotten to talk some on skype.  Don’t get me wrong, it would be really bad if we never got to talk while he is gone but skype aggravates me so much!  At least with the connection he has which is not very good.  There is so much of a delay and it cuts off a good bit of the conversation and well I have just been on edge and it makes me ILL(bad mood, not sick!)

As we countdown there are still a few areas in which we need prayer:

Sallie was sick again yesterday.  She woke up with a bad cough and really congested again so I kept her home.  She was some better today so she went back and it was not pretty…  Not as bad as our adventure last Thursday but bad.  I have just talked to her teacher and she said she had finally calmed down some so maybe she will be good for the rest of the day.  As much as I hate to see her miss her Daddy so much I really hope that is all that it is.  So, please pray for the few days of school and then that she will be good when he gets back.  She had not been crazy about school since we started back after Christmas and has been sick a lot of that so we really needs prayer that whatever the issue, she will find the excitement she had for school. 

Please pray for the team as they travel.  I saw on the weather forecast that snow is predicted again for the next few days so pray this does not interfere with their travel.  Won’t be the end of the world if it does but I know some girls who might not understand (and MAYBE their mama). 

Pray for A and 2 of the other team members who will have to preach on Sunday morning.  They are scheduled to return here late Sat afternoon and I know will be exhausted so pray for a good night’s rest on Sat night so they will be refreshed for Sunday morning. 

Because I really do not like to post without a picture and because their daddy might get to look at the blog here is a pic of the little girls this morning.  See A, some things do not change!  This is what we get when we let the girls dress themselves.  They did say they were having crazy hair day!  Also note that they still are not parting with their rain boots! 

Keeping You in the Loop

I was looking through a memory card and this picture was on there.  I am thinking one of the girls took it but it is so SWEET to me!  WE SURE MISS THIS MAN when he is gone!!!  I try to never take for granted how good he is to us but I realize when he is gone that I do take it for granted a little bit.  In the midst of missing him like crazy I realize just how fortunate we are to have him.  Thank you God for allowing us to call him husband and daddy!

The team made it to Namibia yesterday.  They are traveling today by vehicle to Outapi which is their final destination.  It is a long drive but they are 8 hrs ahead so as I type they should be close to the city.  I know they are all exhausted but I also remember the stamina that can only come from God and I know how anxious the team is to get to work.  Now please pray for their work there! 

We are surviving!  So many of you are already praying for us and specifically for Sallie because you are aware of the difficult time she is having.  She has cried some every day at school and yesterday was not good to say the least.  I had to drag her into the school after a long battle outside with her. Talk about a scene!  I looked like a HOT MESS and am standing in the school squalling while she is laying in the floor refusing to move!  Then she cried for 3 hours.  She had lots of prayers for her last night and this morning and Praise God she was better today.  She was resistant with me at home and cried but I did not have to fight her to go in.  She did cry after she got inside but I have talked to her teacher and she has stopped crying for now.  Yesterday she signed Daddy to me as soon as she woke up and then she signed it to her teachers while she was crying.  PLEASE pray for peace for her little mind until her Daddy returns.  This is very unlike her.  She usually just goes with the flow but I think she just doesn’t feel comfortable being away from me while he is gone. 

Millie and Lizzie both have bad colds and are complaining with their ears off and on.  I am attempting to treat them at home for now so we’ll see. 

Things could be much worse!  I feel so burdened for so many people we know and for many we don’t know who are in trying times right now.  There is just so much going on in this world… 

I have shared my message board before.  It is on the wall between our dining area and kitchen and I walk by it a million times a day and read it every time.  I had “Happy New Year” written on it and Tuesday I thought I have to change this to something to encourage us while A is away and I thought this verse was most appropriate.  It really does help to walk by this over and over and be reminded!

We have so much to be thankful for:

I am so thankful for sweet caring teachers who have loved on Sallie this week and held her and cried with her (and me!) and been wonderful to keep me updated during the day.  We are blessed with a great school!

I am thankful for the many calls and messages I have had checking on us.

I am thankful for a church family who has taken extra good care of us while he has been gone.

I am thankful for fresh baked cinnamon rolls and a hug delivered to my door yesterday that came just at the right time.

I am thankful for the delicious meal we had for dinner last night delivered to our door by a lady in our church.

As much as we miss him I am thankful for a husband who has such a passion for people who are lost and for discipling those who do know Him. 

Most of all I am thankful for my Savior who knows our every need and is always there for us!