Departure Time Line

Now—June 15, 2011      Build Our Ministry Partnership Team (MP) Packing Our House Up

June 15—July 22, 2011  MP Continued in Alberta.

July 22—July 28, 2011   MP and Missions Conference in Waldheim Saskatchewan

July 29—Aug 20, 2011   MP Continued in Manitoba/Multi IFR Recurrency Flight Training

August 21, 2011             Move to Ionia Michigan

August 24, 2011             Aircraft Mechanics Course Starts

August 10, 2012             Aircraft Mechanics Course Complete

Aug—Sept 2012             Move to Nampa Idaho (MAFUS Headquarters)

September 2012             Start MAF Standardization Training

December 2012              Enjoy Our Last Christmas in NA for a While

Jan—Feb 2013               Depart for Indonesia for Our First 4 Year Term

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!!!

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!!!" What a wonderful greeting I received at the airport last night upon my return. 

My greeting party at the airport.

I had a great two weeks in Sayward BC (North end of Vancouver Island).  I was out helping my uncle and aunt on their house they are building on top of the mountain looking over the valley.  It was a breath taking view every morning.  I also had the privilege of sharing at their Church Sunday morning.  And it wouldn't be a trip to the Island to visit family with out a lot of large family gatherings with great food and great stories.    

The view on a cloudy day I missed taking the picture on a clear sunny day, still a great view even on a gray day.

View from the Sayward wharf.

While I was on the Island with family Julie and the kids were holding down the fort here in MB.  While I was away they had a grand garage sale that went really well, particularly for me.  Julie expressed many times that it went well even in my absence.  Thank you sweetheart (Julie) for all your hard work while I was away.

Pictures from the beginning of the sale.

By noon day one wow!!!

Now that I am back we have but only 3 short weeks before we become house-less.  I hope I'm ready by the time that day comes as I'm not ready today that's for sure.  I know it's just a building, it will still be hard to move on, we have many fond memories and we will really miss our neighbors and the community when we depart.  We are also very thankful for the support and prayers from those that we have come to love here in Steinbach.

Constant Motion and Excitement

Life right now for our family is one of constant motion and excitement!  We are now four and a half weeks away from the day that we hand over possession of our house to the new owners.  Our precious children are now living out of suitcases (which they think is fun) and playing around the things that are already packed.  At present our garage looks like we are starting our own thrift store as it is full of items for this weeks up and coming garage sale.  And it seems that the days keep going by faster and faster bringing us closer to moving day and to the start of our last road trip out west.  The children are looking forward to the change and even Isaac has started to ask when we are moving and what our new house will look like (which we actually have no idea yet what we will be living in during our time in MI so it is hard for me to answer). So most of my days are filled with home schooling the boys (Isaac is learning how to read and is really excited about it), preparing for the garage sale, trying to keep a semi normal home life for the kids, and trying to catch up on some sleep.  At the present moment Greg is away from home (he is on Vancouver Island) until the 24th of May. So the kids and I have already lasted nine days without him and are looking forward to him coming home.  With him gone the kids and I are working on our computer skills as we having been talking with Greg through Skype.  Yesterday afternoon Greg taught me where all the little extra characters are (like the smiley face people) and Isaac and Greg talked and sent each other little notes for 35 minutes.  Isaac thought that was a really cool way to talk with his dad!  During all of this time we are still looking for people who want to join us and walk beside us as we continue on this journey with MAF.  This journey that Greg and I began months ago has challenged us, allowed us to grow into the kind of people that God wants us to be, and has been filled with such joy and contentment! Thank you to all who have partner with us and and praying for us as we could not do this without God's direction and your support.

The Bravest Kids I Know

Greg and I feel truly blessed and honored to have the children that God has blessed us with.  From the moment that we talked to them and told them that we felt called to serve overseas they have been such wonderful troopers.  Thinking back if my parents had come to me and said that we were moving overseas I would have totally freaked out and really asked my parents if they were feeling okay or not!  However, our three have never challenged us why, asked us to change our mind, or have made Greg or I every doubt our decisions this whole time.  Actually, most days Greg and I feel completely exhausted and want to crawl into bed and all the kids want to do is invite someone else over or go and make some more new friends.  Especially, our little Jaclynn who we are discovering is a little social bug.  Even know as we face some of the biggest changes in our lives so far they still are filled with this excitement and joy as they look forward to the next step.  However, they do have their moments when all the change and busyness becomes overwhelming and they just need time with mom and dad.  Just last week as we were finalizing the deal for selling our house Isaac went into panic mode and took a few days of daddy and mommy time to settle back down again.  Thank you to all of you who have been praying for our family and especially for those who pray for our children daily.  People always say that Greg and I are so brave leaving everything behind and following God and I would say that it is my children who are the real brave ones.   If our family comes to mind please keep us in your prayers as the next six and a half weeks all really intense.  I need to figure out what to put into storage, what to put in the garage sale, and what we need to take with us to MI.  Plus the boys still have school work daily (even though they will argue this point), Greg is flying to  BC for two weeks, and we are still working on building our ministry partnership team.

Animal crackers and a friend to share with what more

                      could a girl ask for!

Another Hard day at the office (had to listen to mom and dad speak again!)

                                                   Quick before they escape!!!