11.15.2009

Clubhouse Church

My mom cleaned out their walk-out attic this week. The boys helped with getting rid of lots of stuff and cleaning. After all their hard work, they've discovered a new place to hang out and play! They call the attic their clubhouse. They seem to spend every waking moment there right now. The weather has been perfect...not too cold and not too hot so they can be up there for long periods of time.


This morning we had "church" at home because we are really trying to get used to being able to worship and learn in small group settings like we'll be teaching others in Brazil to do. Mike thought the clubhouse would make an excellent spot for our time together this morning.

It wasn't your typical service. There were lots of ladybugs and wasps that tried to join us through our open windows.

The dust was, at times, a bit overwhelming for Jackson's allergies.


But we managed...

Just proves that "we" the church can meet just about anywhere as long as 2 or more are gathered in HIS name!




10.26.2009

wAiTiNg oN tHe vIsAs

dOeSn'T hAvE tO bE sO bAd!


You can check out dinosaurs and beautiful jewels in museums, sit in old airplane cockpits, hang out on capital hill, ride the metro, look at dead chickens in windows at Chinatown, or just about any old thing!



10.18.2009

Jayden's Party


So here are the pictures I promised awhile back from Jayden's birthday bonfire. It ended up being a very cold and rainy day so we all snuck inside as much as possible to avoid freezing. My mom found a cake idea online from a friend (Stacey Allgood) and duplicated it! She did a great job!



Thank you to everyone that came out! He felt so loved. It was wonderful getting to see so many of our family members for one last time before we leave! We love you all so much and feel so blessed to have you in our lives!

10.08.2009

another answered prayer

We're getting word from so many friends and loved ones that are arriving on the field! I was in tears today while reading an email from a friend as they described their new surroundings. God is so good! He gives us love for a people group that we have prayed over for so long...and then that day we finally get to be amongst them and begin to live there! Words can't even describe~~

On Monday of this week, we had been told that all of our paperwork had been lost at the State Department. By all of our paperwork, I mean 6 months of paper acquisition and authentications and sweat and tears and Lots and Lots of $$$$!

After much prayer and many phone calls, all our visa information has been found and is supposedly headed back to us! This is a wonderful answer to our prayers. We plan to drive to DC next week to finalize everything! Have I mentioned that I'M REALLY READY TO BE DONE WITH THE VISA STUFF!?! ;)

Here's another picture that Roger took of the men in my life.
I'm sticking it on here for no good reason other than I just love the expressions on all of their faces!

9.20.2009

Baby Gillum

Our last Sunday at FPO, the Brazil crew threw a Baby Shower for Emily!
It was so wonderful to be able to watch her little belly grow during our time in Virginia.
Steven & Emily will head to language school in January after the birth of their baby girl.






9.03.2009

Day in DC

I apologize for only using pictures to tell our story lately but we have just simply been swamped and sitting down to type my thoughts hasn't been an option!
On Monday, we had to go to DC to get Mike's passport renewed. We had to be there in person in order for it to be returned in 2 days so our visa process wouldn't be slowed down. (That was a mouthful!) Anyway...we got the kids out of class and made a day out of it. We tried to spend the afternoon visiting some pretty well known sights. The boys (all four of them) had never been to DC, so it ended up being a GREAT DAY for us!
Some good news came our way yesterday. My brother and his wife had their second baby girl. Congratulations Matt, Mary and Ana! We love you all!




The guys were really good sports about posing on top of the Lincoln Memorial for me!
I love this shot!

8.29.2009

A Day With Oleg

Today we spent about 3 hours at Deep Run Park.
It is this really cool park about 20 minutes from where we are living.
We had been there earlier in the week and met an AWESOME family. We decided to make plans to meet up and hang out again.


The boys were able to fish with their new friend Oleg and we also were able to share with him what we believe and why we are moving to Brazil. I promised Oleg that I would post his picture on our blog. He wanted me to make sure that I let everyone know that he is an aspiring actor so if there are any movie producers or directors reading this blog...make sure you give Oleg a chance. He'd be a great James Bond!!!! :)

OLEG: I know you're going to be reading this so I just want to let you know that we consider it an honor getting to know you better today. Like I said, this afternoon, we're going to be praying for you and your family. Jesus loves you SO much and HE has a plan and a purpose for your life! Keep seeking...He'll show HIMSELF to you! I promise!







8.22.2009

No TV?!?

A glimpse of what kids do when there is no television around...ENJOY!!!