Lost Innocence?

Katrina is turning 10 in April. The one good thing of being a missionary overseas is my children aren't exposed to media or many negative influences. (I didn't say any negative influences...)

She enjoys jump roping, playing hide and go seek, Simon Says, and even Ring a Round a Rosie. She does not own a cell phone, iPad, hand held video game, or iPod. She still plays with Barbies with her younger sister. She still likes Disney Princesses.

I am worried about how our furlough will change her. She will be going to 5th grade in a public school. I have to admit, I am worried that she will be teased for her innocence. I don't want her giving up games she loves because how others view her or tease her. I don't want her growing up too quickly. Because, you are only a kid once.

Am I totally freaking out over nothing? Or is there reason to worry?

Packing starts

Today, I started packing for Tanzania. I got the first suitcase done, Jonathan's. Step one! Now, 8 more suitcases to go. I actually am feeling somewhat prepared and not that stressed really... wow...

David, Kara, Wesley, Isaiah and Selah

This week has gone too quickly...

We have enjoyed our time with our family this week, Bill's brother- David and his family visited. They have 3 children, the same age as our children. Wesley is the same age as Katrina, Isaiah is the same age as Heather, and Selah is the same age as Jonathan.

The kids have spent time all week swimming, fishing, playing, watching videos, and playing the Wii together. We were able to visit Bill and David's sister, Mary, and her family in LaGrange, IN overnight which was so fun. We spent time with Uncle Tom, Aunt Mary, and Bill and David's cousin Doug, and his family- Laura, Hannah, and Ethan. All in all, it's been a great week, and we hate to see them go.
Now, it's really starting to sink in how little time we have left here before we leave for Tanzania. Less than 2 weeks to go...

Less than a month

Just was realizing that we have less than a month until we leave for Tanzania! We leave on Aug 27th! Wow! I am so not ready!! I am looking forward to getting back to Arusha, and at the same time dreading all the good-byes to come.
Jonathan's unhappy about the good byes too!

Blue Owl

Blue Owl... last day in St. Louis

Bill, Jonathan, and I spent two nights at my parents' on the way down to Anna, Il to visit First Christian Church. This is going to be our last time in St. Louis this time back. We went out to eat at the Blue Owl resturant in Kimmswick, MO to do something special together. Bill and I had to order a rueben sandwhich of course, because the Blue Owl makes the world's best rueben (in my opinion), and we can't get anything like it in Arusha! We are leaving for Anna in a few hours, and continuing on our trip.
I'm missing the girls horribly....

Jolly Green Giant

Our new car, from Greg and Rondy.We are calling it the Jolly Green Giant. It is a nice, big car, and drives great! Thanks guys!

Good bye girls, for 10 days

I'll miss my girls...

Tomorrow, Jonathan and I will be meeting Bill in Lincoln, IL, thanks to my father-in-law giving us a ride down. Bill, Jonathan, and I will spend tomorrow night at my parents in St. Louis. Then, Saturday the three of us will continue to Anna, IL to spend the night there. Sunday we are presenting at First Christian Church of Anna, IL in the morning, and then Bill is preaching at Fairfield Christian Church in Fairfield, IL in the evening. That night, we will continue on to the Mississippi Valley Christian Service Camp where we will be staying until Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday night-Sunday we will be at Morton Christian Church in Morton, IL being the missionaries at their VBS. We decided that instead of taking all three kids on this long trip, to leave Katrina and Heather at Grandma and Grandpa DeLaughter's house. I will really miss my two girls, but just think it will be so hard on them. Jonathan has to be with mommy since he is still nursing... I couldn't leave him anyway at this age!

So, Katrina and Heather... I'll miss you!!

Good bye Henry Higgins

Tomorrow, Bill leaves to return the car we've been borrowing from Valley of Baca ministry in Kentucky. We've enjoyed the HHR, fondly named the Henry Higgins. It's taken good care of us, and taken us many miles. Thank you Thomas and Claire for allowing us to use the car. We'll sure miss it!

Bill will be flying from Kentucky to St. Louis, where he will pick up the "new" car that we were just given by some missionary friends and then he'll meet up with us again.

We have a very busy couple of weeks ahead, but I will try to keep the blog updated.

Father's Day at Beecher City Church of Christ

Father's Day

We spent this Father's Day at Beecher City Church of Christ, in IL. We had a lovely time with our hosts, Charles and Paulette Miller, who were very hospitable for our family. Bill preached and spoke at the adult Sunday School, and I spoke to the Jr. high/ High School Sunday School. It was fun, and we enjoyed our time with everyone.

Our gracious hosts

We saw this sign on the way home... too funny!

Jonathan's baby dedication at Eastview

Jonathan's baby dedication

This weekend at Eastview Christian Church- Cedar Rapids, IA, we dedicated as a family to raise Jonathan to know Jesus. We were so happy that both sets of grandparents were able to come too. Both my parents, and Bill's parents were there for both Katrina's and Heather's baby dedications as well, so it was a very special time. Katrina was dedicated on Mother's Day, 2002 at 2 weeks old in St. Louis. Heather was dedicated in Morton, IL in Oct. 2004 at only a few weeks old as well. Jonathan seems so big this time, being nearly 3 months old already.

We were happy to be able to do this at Eastview Christian Church, which has become so close to us over the years.

We had a wonderful time with everyone at Eastview all weekend at various activities, and meals (doesn't fellowship = food?) :-] It was great to meet with those interested in coming in 2010, and hammering out some project ideas with them. Somehow, out of this meeting, Bill was talked into promising to shave his head on Aug 2nd, if they are able to raise $7,000 towards their trip to come by that date. Quite a commitment for Billy!! Let's see if they can do it! We are so excited to have the group coming next summer.

And we're off...

Today, we visited Ferguson Christian Church, one of our supporting churches... in fact the first church that supported us while we were still living on campus at St. Louis Christian College back in the day...

This begins a busy schedule for us, visiting supporting churches. We will be at a different church almost every Sunday now until we return to Arusha in August. We are going to try to see as many of our supporting churches as we can, which will mean many miles under our wheels, many fast food meals on the road, and of course... getting to get reacquanted with those churches that believe in us and have been standing behind us.

Let the adventure begin!!

Fischer Time

I'm enjoying this time in the States, getting to spend time with family. Here are a few pictures of the girls enjoying my parents and brother. It's nice that we only are a few minutes drive from them this time back.