We're Here!

We had a delightful trip to Texas!!  We're so thankful for all of you who were praying for us and our trip today - God certainly heard your prayers...the kids were incredible and the ride was peaceful!!!  The last good-bye this morning was quite difficult -- and as the super smart Dr. Amy Kay pointed out, why is it "good" bye?  shouldn't it be "bad bye" or "sad bye" or "hard bye."

We really had a good time in the car...among other things, we decorated "dime boxes" (my discipline/reward method of choice for this trip!)....we played pass the pigs (thanks, grandaddy) and uno (thanks, molly).  Eli had a really good time with his bingo card (caroline, not so much).  We read lots...and sang and danced...and did a car version of the hokey pokey along with finger excercises (though only the left hand got a workout - the fun had worn off by the time it was the right hand's turn).  We had candy and played a game with m&ms...we colored on journals and clothespins (for our time in Ghana).  We looked for purple trucks (and saw quite a few)....i didn't even have to pull out all the weapons in the arsenal).  We really had a good time in the car!  I'm beyond thankful to be able to say that!!!

The kids got a "halfway to Texas" present (that's when I thought "use the camera!"):

Nick during the halfway part...and all day.
 He's using his spitoon for his sunflower seeds.

Emma sort of awake...after this picture she put the
blanket over her head and slept a few more minutes...









 Eli's turn with the camera:

Caroline's turn with the camera:

And now we are here at the IOC (international operating center) of Mercy Ships and settled in for the night...amazed by the goodness and faithfulness of God in so many wonderful and tangible ways today...just a few examples:

• delicious breakfast with the collins in birmingham (complete with cherry coke and the BEST french toast i've ever tasted)
• no wrecks, only slight delays/traffic, no major melt downs (by me OR the kids!)
• a meaningful verse picked out for us/our door
• welcome basket o' goodies - always a lovely touch
• bunkbeds! (just what we're used to!  and caroline gets to sleep on a top bunk!)
• shelves and drawers (we don't have to live out of our luggage!)
•  this feels so right.  it is so right.

All 3 kids are asleep in our new little home. It's 2 rooms...4 closets...6 drawers...2 desks (one perfect for adults, one perfect for kids!), 4 chairs (2 at their little desk, one at ours, one random one)...the bathroom, kitchen area and "living room" are down the hall.  We have clothes put away and pictures are up on the wall...kind of feels like home.  Thank you, God. 

surely there will be more to come.