Up To Speed

That's where I'm about to bring you. ;)

Recap:

Got to the states just in time for Thanksgiving. Had a glorious time there in Beverly, Mass. with Joel's immediate family for about 3 weeks.

Got to Louisiana mid-December. Had a great Christmas and New Year's. Finally found a house for us to live in while here. Cute little thing with a special history.

Settled in our house and got to work right away with homeschool. Joel worked on some transportation (a vehicle) for us as well as working on presentations for speaking engagements while here. We spoke at several churches. Have met several great people for the first time and caught up with many old friends and our family. Went to countless basketball games to watch Tucker (little brother, senior in high school this year) play ball. Got to follow him all the way to the state playoffs, which was a really cool, unexpected surprise. They lost in the semi-finals, but what a fun ride that was. GO BOBCATS!!

In mid-February (at the time of my last blog post), we started the traveling. I went to a conference in the Dallas area and also caught up with some friends in Longview. I got back from the conference and less that 24 hours later, Joel flew out to attend some training in North Carolina. He was gone for 10 days. He got home on a Tuesday night. On Wednesday, we went to Tucker's basketball playoffs over 3 hours away. On Thursday, we went car shopping and bought one (in a matter of one afternoon). On Friday, we packed. On that Saturday, March 13th, we headed out west on our trip to Arizona.

We stopped over in Longview for a few days. Saw lots of great friends and spent some time at New Covenant Church (formerly Church on the Rock, where Joel and I met; they are our official sending church). Then we headed out to Arizona. Took the kids to see the Grand Canyon and then headed down to Phoenix. Spent about 2 weeks there...saw tons of friends and visited a few churches too...so fun!!

Started driving on a Thursday night. Got back to Goldonna at 6:30 on Saturday morning...we had to be somewhere at 10am. TIRED!! That was Easter weekend. LOTS of fun seeing lots of friends and family and doing all the Easter things with the kids.

We spent the next few days unpacking, washing, changing over winter clothes for summer ones, and packing again. We also had to clean our house really good and rearrange/put away things because some other people stayed here while we were gone. Um, CRAZY few days. We left on that Thursday...April 8th.

We went straight to Dallas...Keller to be exact. Spent some time with friends and on Sunday morning Joel was supposed to fly out to Canada. It was a very unexpected trip that he had to make because he couldn't fit into the training he had planned on attending in North Carolina (in March; he got some training there, but not all that he'd originally planned on...the JAARS class ended up being too full). So, it was really impromptu. Around 1am on Sunday morning, Joel suddenly asked, "Do you have to have your passport to get into Canada now?" Woopsies. He's been to Canada before, but that was before you had to have a passport. Joel didn't have his passport with him. He was just going to postpone the trip until Monday and have his passport meet him where he had his layover (something with the airlines called 'counter to counter'), but when someone in Louisiana got his passport, it was expired anyway. Joel knew he was going to have to renew his passport while here, but because he didn't know he'd have to take this trip to Canada, just hadn't done that yet. So, yes...the Canada trip was a no-go. He hopes to be able to do it in June.

So, we all just stayed there in the Dallas area visiting friends and churches (and I got to attend a conference that I had wanted to, but didn't think I'd be able to because of Joel's travel...it was amazing!) until this past Sunday. We stayed with our friends John and Nicole until Saturday. Then we visited some friends in Ft. Worth on Saturday and went on to friends in Mansfield (Texas) to stay the night. Then we started the trek home after church on Sunday.

There was still part of one family that we hadn't gotten to see from the Longview area. We had to return something to them anyway. So, we stopped over there on Sunday afternoon. Their son and his wife and kiddos were also there (SO glad we got to see them) to help fix their roof that had hail damage. The son was doing it all by himself. So...we ended up staying the night unexpectedly so that Joel could help Paul out with the roof on Monday.

We headed home Monday afternoon and made a couple of stops along the way. Finally got home around 9 Monday night.

And, that's the life of a nomad.

We will travel once more here in Louisiana the first week of May. But, other than that, we will just be at Saline lake until July. ;)

We are looking forward to some relaxation (a little bit at least) and reading with the kids and routine. The kids are also signed up to play T-ball...fun-ness. I'm sure we'll have some VBS in June too. Lots of other things as well, but I'll write about those later. I LOVE summer...esp. summers in Saline. Looking forward to it.

The travels were great and we had no real troubles. Thanks so much for your prayers. The kids were healthy, had no mechanical issues. It was stressful, but seeing everyone and reconnecting was so GREAT!! I do have to say, though, that I'm glad it's over. Sigh.

So sorry it was 2 full months since I last updated. I'll write more soon hopefully, now that things are a bit more calm. Maybe some more weighty stuff...thoughts on the future, feelings about the present, and all that mumbo jumbo. ;) Just wanted to catch you all up to speed with our 'geography' though. Hope you are all doing well!!

Now just a few pictures to give a summary of the last few months...

Thanksgiving in the United States!! YAY!!!! Spent at Pastor Lou's house right on the ocean. Beautiful and SO American...I loved it!! ;)
Joel with his siblings...Danny, Angela, Andre, and Priscilla.
Fun with Grandma and cousins.
Being introduced to Grandpa's accordion.
Less than 24 hours after we arrived in Saline, our kids participated in a Christmas program...so fun. Grady was a shepherd (with some company from Uncle Tucker). Hadley and Eissa sang dressed up as angels, right next to cousins Kiley and Skylar.
Christmas morning.
Got to meet Aunt LeAnn...love her. She was Cass' favorite. ;)
Lots of fun times with cousins!
Grady's 6th birthday was January 3rd. He had a superhero birthday party.
Eissa was 3 in October, but we had a party here for her in February...she'd never had a party in the states with family before. She requested a ballerina party.
Got some snow while in Boston in December. Then got some more in Louisiana! This was at Mama's house...the house where I grew up. Love that view!! (note the horses down in the pasture)
At the conference I attended with some really fun friends, Nicole and Jen. So fun!!
The kids got to ride in my uncle's log truck.
At Tucker's last scheduled home game, the girls ran out and gave him a hug when they called his name. (Grady wasn't interested in running out in front of everyone :) )
Love those Saline basketball games!
Me with some friends from high school.
We got to ride on a school bus.
Hadley turned 5 Feb. 20th. We had a flower party for her as she asked for.
Granny and Papaw with their grandkids.
All ready for the state playoffs.
GO BOBCATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A picture of Tucker and Daddy (who is also Tucker's coach) that appeared in a newspaper after the state playoffs.
Our first stop, before Longview, was in Marshall to see our friends, Tracy and Teresa. Our kids had so much fun together.
At New Covenant (Church on the Rock) in Longview.
Grand Canyon. SO breathtaking.
One day in Phoenix...on a walk with the Woods fam. When we lived in Phoenix, our house faced this mountain. So pretty.
Back in Louisiana...Easter Sunday.
Lots of fun!!
Spring sprung while we were in Arizona. We got back and everything was so green and flowery and beautiful. This was taken in Granny's front yard. Gorgeous!
At John and Nicole's gorgeous house (actually in the back yard with friends) that they got hooked up with...gotta love foreclosures.
Fun on the slide.
Helpers in the kitchen.
All of our kiddos...of John and Nicole, Justin and Jen, and me and Joel.
This is how we were all feeling on Monday. So excited about being home for good for a while (well, except for one little trip in May, but we won't think about that right now). ;)

Don't have time to spell check, so hope you can figure this all out. Just wanted to catch you up to speed. Until next time...

Tentative Plans

It's starting. It's here. The time for travels has come.

We enjoyed the holidays with family and friends, have thoroughly enjoyed a little non-traveling time here in Louisiana going to my brother's basketball games and involving the kids in AWANA at church, and have been busy speaking at a few different churches about our work in Brazil.

But, the non-traveling time is over now.

Tuesday I will be on the way to Texas. I'll be spending some time in Longview and the Dallas area. So excited about seeing everyone and also about the conference I'm going to this weekend. It's going to be a replay of my single days...gallavanting all over east Texas all alone...no time constraints because of nap times and such. It'll be so weird, but so fun at the same time. Lots of firsts this furlough. The trip to NYC with Joel without the kids. Now, I'm going on a little trip by myself. So very weird. I'm a little sad (I'll really miss the kids and Joel), but also excited. Normal.

The day after I get back, Joel will be leaving for 10 days. He's got a training to go to in North Carolina.

He'll get home and about 3 days later we'll head on our big trip out west. Through Longview, to Arizona (Phoenix), and then back to the Dallas area on our way home. It'll be a 3-week trip.

We'll be home for Easter weekend and will then head out again on our big 3-week trip out east. We'll be going to Pennsylvania. The kids and I will be hanging out there with some family while Joel goes for another training in Canada for a few days. Fun. He'll get back and we'll spend some more time with the family and then head back. On the way back from PA, we hope to see some more of our friends as we travel.

That'll put us in May. Then we can have a little more time to not travel as we stay put for a little while for my little brother's graduation mid-May. We also plan to get the kids in little league (T-ball)...try to squeeze in as much of the American way of life as we can while we are here.

I plan on spending as much time as I can at my favorite place on Earth during June...the LAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) SO VERY EXCITED about that. Oh my gosh...it's been 4 years since spending time at my lake (any lake actually). I'm sure we'll spend lots of time speaking at local churches/meetings about our work and lives in Brazil. And we are very grateful for this time here...so many ministry opportunities anywhere you are, but when we are in Brazil we aren't able to spend time with old friends and minister to each other...we are getting in a lot of that while here.

July will bring family reunions, the Watermelon Festival, and then travel back to Boston to spend a little time with Joel's family again. Then...back to Brazil.

Right around the corner when you type it out like that in a few paragraphs. ;) Sad. We miss our friends and lives in Brazil, but it sure is nice being 'home' (my original home that is).

Keep us in your prayers as we travel and minister. That all done and said would just be God doing it through us. For safety and adaptability of the kids (and us :) ). For health.

Also, we've planned all along to get some really good in-depth Portuguese language study for me before we go back to our lives in central Brazil. I never went to a language school like most people do and we just feel like it's a great time for that to really sure up my Portuguese. So, we have looked at many different options over the past few months. Keep us in your prayers as we finalize something for that in the next few weeks.

We'd love to see ALL of you. If you are on our travel route, please get in touch with us to schedule a meet-up. ;) If not, you are welcome in Goldonna. ;) Come on over.

Give us a call or comment or email. And thanks for your prayers. We sure do appreciate it!!

Update On Our World in Goldonna

Oh man…the past month and a half = HARD (but I have some cute and fun kids, don't I? ;) )

I really can’t go into it all…sorry to be so vague. I would love to be able to be completely open and honest with you on here, but some things just can’t be written about. But, for a very vague account…

We’ve been through a huge attack…the battle was brutal. Again, you know I’m not a sensationalist (I usually downplay things too much actually), but it really took a toll on us in more ways than one. It was super intense and full of emotions. Thankfully (yet unfortunately), it is over. ‘Unfortunately’ because the finale was not ideal, but ‘ideal’ is rarely achieved here on this Earth, right? Some things are just the way they are and you have to accept it and move on. We are just so overjoyed to be free from it now. It’s been a battle that spanned over the past few years (although in reality, much longer than that) and finally, we are free. Now comes the growth and health that will be allowed to happen because of that freedom. I’m relieved and happy and expectant. Maybe I’ll write more about it at a later time. But, for now, that’s all.

We’ve been in our house for about 3 ½ weeks. Love it. It is such a great little house. And YELLOW…my favorite house color. It has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (wow), an open kitchen/living room area, and then another huge room past the kitchen (there is an opening above the kitchen sink looking into this room…with a little bar area on the other side of the sink in that room) that we use as a playroom/schoolroom. This house belongs to a church here in this little town (Goldonna…about 15 minutes from my hometown of Saline) and they use it for hurricane evacuees, Bible conferences, etc. Hence, the way it is set up (3 bathrooms, for example…and lots of beds). It was furnished which was a huge blessing…we just had to add a few things to meet our specific needs. It’s in a cute little neighborhood and has a couple of parks that we can take the kids to. We are just on little country roads, so it’s great for running (it’s warmed up around here since that first week or so when it was in the teens)…except for the scary dogs. We already knew some of our neighbors. We were friends with the previous owners and also the lady who lived here for years before them. My Daddy used to come to parties in this house when he was in high school (the owner was their music teacher). And I have good memories of that same lady (Ms. Whitney) singing at our revivals growing up. So, we're keeping it 'all in the family' around here. Good times.

So, we love our house. Of course, ‘our’ is said loosely as usual.

We’d really love for God to open the doors for us to have our own place here in the states. There are so many reasons why this would make sense and be wise…even more reasons now than before this particular trip back. But, God knows the big picture and our future, so we’ll just wait and see what He does. We are definitely actively looking though.

Homeschool is going well. We completed 2 weeks so far, but took this week off. Several things going on and projects not related to school that needed to be completed before we moved on. Kindergarten is significantly more involved than Pre-K (time-wise), so we’ll see how on-schedule we stay with our school year with all our traveling and visiting and trying to get everything done in the states that we need to get done.

One of the things that was going on this week was that Joel traveled to Mississippi with my dad. They picked up our van that we had before we left for Brazil. When we left Louisiana (in May 2007), we gave it to my friend (single mom with 4 kids). She has since gotten married and told us before we came back that we could just have it back…they were no longer using it. What a blessing! So, it is now here and Joel will do some maintenance work on it and see how it’s doing (wasn’t driven for the past several months…they brought it back on a trailer).

We are slated to speak at a couple of churches in February already and have been asked by 2 other churches to do a True Love Waits weekend. So, with all the things that we’re still busy doing just trying to get all settled in here (van, etc.), homeschooling, meeting with friends/supporters, and preparing for speaking engagements, we are definitely keeping busy.
We’re still working on scheduling our travels. We had it one way, then something changed. Then we had it all set, then another thing changed. ;) Typical of a home assignment sometimes we are told by other missionaries. So, as soon as things are more set in stone, we will be letting you all know. But, we do know that we won’t be starting any travels until March, so that much is certain.

Also, just FYI…it has been confirmed that we won’t have high speed internet for the duration of our time in this house. So, I am spending hardly any time on the internet these days. I check email at least every other day and am able to be on through the iPhone when we travel to other towns around here. But, if you are wanting a way to get in touch with me quickly in the future, just email me (see sidebar for our family website where there is a link to my email in the ‘contact us’ section) and I will send you our phone number here in Louisiana, ok? I’m blogging very rarely here (obviously), but if you are on Facebook, I will see you there more often (occasional status updates when we are out and about and have service). If you are not on Facebook, you need to be. ;) Also, if you do call and we don't answer, we might be online. ;) Welcome back to the world of dial-up. ;) But, we usually don't stay on long. If we are not online and are just not home, the answering machine will take your message.

Keep us in your prayers. We come into contact with so many people who have such needs. Pray that we will have wisdom in how to do our part in their lives. Thank you.

Completely Disconnected

I'm running out the door at my Granny's house here, but just wanted to at least fill you in a bit.

We got into a house about a week and a half ago. It's been pretty smooth. Really busy, really crazy, and really cold (resulting in some busted and frozen pipes), but we love our little house. I'll tell you more about it later.

We've done lots there already, including having 2 parties...one being Grady's birthday party. He's 6 now...more on that at another time too.

The big thing related to me and you all is that we have no internet. We do have very limited dial-up, but I have yet to use it...we can only be online 10 hours a month. There is no available high speed. But, we are hoping to figure something out in that area soon. There is also no available AT&T cell phone coverage to speak of...except in that one area on the couch. ;) And that's fickle.

So, yeah...totally disconnected, but we're doing well. Thanks for praying. There have been a few definite hardships and trials, but we are thankfully (hopefully) on the other side of some of them now for the most part.

So...other than the occasional Facebook status when I have to run to Wal-Mart in a nearby town (in. the. country.), you haven't heard from me. We hope to figure out a way of communicating more efficiently with you all soon. It's almost to the point where high speed internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity...banking, bills, communication with family and friends and coworkers in Brazil, homeschooling. But, so far we are managing without it. Pray that we can figure something out soon though...if not, we'll just make due while we are here. We laugh about how we went from a 3rd world country where we do have high speed internet and cell phone service to a 3rd world town in the states where we don't have those things. Ha ha ha.

We do love where we live...that's the only drawback. So, hope to see you more often soon. If not though, at least now you know why.

The kids are great. Started homeschooling again yesterday...the 2 older ones are now in Kindergarten. Hadley is learning to read this year. Fun stuff.

We're enjoying being here for all of my little brother's basketball games his senior year and really spending as much time with him as possible.

Have a couple of speaking dates already set and are ironing out travel dates. Will keep you posted. Thanks for your prayers.

Until next time...

The Struggle

I just don't even know what to write really. Sure, there have been time constraints and internet dependability problems since we got here to our U.S. home base in Saline, Louisiana. But, mostly my lack of posting is due to a lack of knowing what to write.

And that's still the case...I'm sitting here even now trying to decide what to say exactly.

Not that nothing is going on. Not that I don't have a million jillion feelings and observations to note. But, those things all pale in comparison to the struggle.

I'm not going to even go into the specifics of it all. But, last night I felt a huge urging to go see if Katie had posted something recently. I just read this on her blog. Oh how I can relate. You really must read it. I'm sure at some level we can all relate.

"It's too much." "This isn't working." "I'm not going to do this." These have been my mantras the past few days.

Again, not going to take the time for specifics. But, just know that there is a deep struggle going on. Many questions and no answers. Many 'dynamics' without resolution.

Clarity will come. Peace is on its way.

But the struggle (with so many components) is in full swing. Please pray for us.

The Kids' 1st Snow!!

First of all, we had a great time in NYC this past weekend. Thank you to all of our friends and family for their special gifts that made it possible.

If you didn't follow on Facebook, I'll be posting pics and telling all about it at some point on here I'm sure. I'd mentioned to a couple of people that it was the first time me and Joel had been away somewhere completely childless since before Grady was born (six years ago!!). I'd forgotten about when we went to Brazil to check out Asas de Socorro. But, given that that trip was 7am-10pm interviews for the duration of the trip, it definitely doesn't count as a restful romantic getaway. Besides, I was 8 months pregnant too...so, technically it wasn't a 'childless' trip either. ;)

So...it was great to get away just the two of us. Such a great city and so much fun. I'll tell you all about it another time.

One other area of 'business' before some pictures...some of you have asked where to send a Christmas card this year. Here you go:

P.O. Box 42
Saline, LA 71070

So...

It snowed in this region last weekend. Well, sounds like it snowed basically all over the country last week sometime...our friends and family in Texas and Louisiana got a good bit themselves. We got some in NYC, but it didn't stick. Here in the Boston area though, there were a few inches hanging around for us when we got back.

We weren't here with the kids when it arrived. Joel's sister said that Grady kept insisting (as the snow was falling) that it was Christmas time, they had to put up the Christmas tree!! ;) Cute.

I was so glad that we were able to still play with them in the snow before it all disappeared.

We started out with some snowball throwing, then a snowman, and lastly, snow angels. Even though it was sunny out, our kids didn't have on double layers on their bottom half, so they were pretty miserable by the end of our time outside (I was completely comfortable with double layers, so it wasn't too terribly cold). And Hadley is a bit like her Mama...she kept saying how cold she was and asking if she could go in (her hands esp. bothered her...and no, she wasn't just mimicking me...I was playing and not complaining about the cold for once).

It was their first snow ever...good times.




Run, Grady!
I love Cass' face in this one.
Poor Eissa being consoled by her mean Daddy. Kidding. Joel had accidentally surprised her with a cold ball in the face...very lightly though. The tears were about hurt feelings, not a hurt face. Poor baby.
Whoa.
My turn!!
Going after Grady.
Watch out, Hadley!

Grady getting me.
So threatening, right?

Now it's time to make a snowman. Following Daddy's lead.


A great Cass face again.


Grady making the head.
Telling me all about it.


Some eyes. Grady really worked hard on the snowman...was totally into it. And came up with great ideas for what he should look like and what he needed.
Eissa was cracking me up...totally refused to turn around for the picture. ;)
The country version. ;) Gotta love John Deere.
Eissa getting ready to make her snow angel. She wasn't impressed I must say. She had already reached her snow limit at this point. ;)

Grady's pretty impressed with Daddy's snow angel. And Eissa is saying she's cold. ;) Oh how God has made this family for the tropical climate! :) P.S. Eissa really did enjoy it, even though my pictures only really captured her non-enjoying times. ;)

Running from the camera.

Hiding behind the snowman.
The snow family (note the more classic hat for the snowman that Mrs. Pam came out and gave to us from Mr. Ken's stash). ;)

So thankful that we got to experience snow with our kiddos after all. We'd prayed for that, hadn't we?

What Do You Do While You Wait?

(written as if speaking to a male, but obviously applies to both male and female)

Ohhh, rest in the Lord!!

My heart is heavy for you...and expectant and so very excited for what God has for you. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. I can't wait until you meet her. Can't wait until you see just how amazing one person can be...and just how perfectly God can match you with someone...and just how incredibly smitten with someone you can be.

It's all SO VERY exciting.

Even just to think about...imagine when it is actually happening in real life.

I use the word 'wait' in the title, but I know that you aren't waiting. You are busy. Busy doing the things of God. Busy living life.

You aren't 'waiting' in the sense of pining away...loooonnnnnnggggggiiiiinnnnnggggglllllyyyy trying to be patient for your mate. No...I know you aren't like that. But, you are in the process of waiting since it hasn't yet happened, right? That part of your life has not yet come, that's all. You are fine with that though. You don't suspect it will happen for another few years anyway.

But, what to do during those few years?

Please...I beg you...don't.

Don't do it.

Don't give in.

You've always been so diligent, so focused, so amazing.

Don't slip. Don't compromise. Don't buy into what the world wants to whisper (or scream) in your ear. Don't let them wear you down.

Imagine how she is waiting for you. No, she's not pining away either (she's busy about her Father's business too), but she is reserving herself...all of her...for you. Her eyes are SET on Jesus...until Jesus nods your way and helps her to see you.

She is reserving her thoughts and her playful flirting for you alone. She is reserving her late-night talks of deep intimate things for just you. She is reserving all her compliments and head-over-heels-ness just for you. It's only for you.

You.

Please...

Keep yourself too. The world would say that it's no big deal to date...to look...to play. Even the church says that.

Beware.

Of the things that would come and try to steal away from you the overwhelmingly incredible joy that can be yours in guarding all that you are for just one.

She is doing it for you.

I know it's exciting to think about...exciting to talk about...exciting to date or think of the prospect of dating. But, not nearly as exciting as waiting...not nearly as exciting as your first date ever...your first date with your future spouse.

You believe God for all things supernatural...believe Him for this too. Don't only believe Him for it, but know that this is the best way. Two people, waiting on God's perfect timing, hearts completely intact and preserved...just the way God adores for it to happen. What joy and blessing...complete contentment and sheer satisfaction like you've never known. Ahhh.

Please don't become contaminated by the world's/the worldly Christian's way of doing things. Don't fall victim to the mindset that says it's no big deal. Save all of you for her. You are her present that only she should be able to unwrap. Don't re-gift. Re-wrapping is not possible.

Guard your heart. Guard your mind. Guard your speech. Guard your actions.

She is SO worth it.