Living the Gypsy Life...

Hello friends-
It has been too long since we've posted!  Sorry for the delay.  These last few weeks, the rubber has really met the road.  We've been "heading out" for about 8 months now, but things are really starting to move now and it's becoming more and more real that we're moving to Indonesia!



Last week, we were able to enjoy our old stomping grounds in Tennessee.  It was great to connect with and catch up with friends we haven't seen in years. We stayed at the house where we lived our last two years there so it was a little bit like deja vu!  What a blessing and Ethan had a blast- when we were packing to come home he asked if he could stay at his mountains.  It was a very full, but sweet time.



Right before we left (the night before actually) we said our first good-bye.  My grandfather, who lives in South Africa, is in the States for a couple of months and he left on a trip out West while we were in Tennessee.  Barring a massive change of plans, he will be leaving to go back to South Africa while we are out in Idaho for training.  We had about 2 weeks of overlapping time here in Charlotte and did our best to make it sweet. 



The last night we were all together, the whole family came over and had dinner.  I just wanted to soak up every minute with Papa that I could and encouraged Ethan to do the same.  We caught a couple of precious minutes with the two of them on video, I'll see if we can post it on here...  Saying good-bye was hard, a grieving almost, it is unlikely that we'll see each other again for at least 4 years.  There is so much more to say about my grandfather and the memories we have made over the years and his character, but I just might end up a bawling mess so we'll end there. : D



Then on Friday, Ethan had his last day of school.  Fortunately it was a natural break, since they have Spring Break this week.  Jon and I got to go and help with the egg hunt on the playground and provide celebration cupcakes for the class.  It was so fun to see him with his friends and teachers.  He has really enjoyed being in school and learning with all the kids.  His teacher told us she practically had to sit on him all day he was so excited to bring cupcakes to his friends.  Amazing how fast he is growing!!

Speaking of growing... I just realized that we have not shared the good news with our online friends- we are expecting our second bundle of joy in the fall!  We will hopefully find out if the baby is a boy or a girl at our appointment this week right before we leave...  So exciting, Ethan is warming up to the idea and I am beginning to feel little flutters and kicks reminding me to take it easy every now and then.


Back to the gypsy part...so we were in TN for a week, we've been home for 6 days and we leave on Saturday for Idaho for training for a while.  Because of the baby's due date and MAF's training schedule, they asked us to come out this last week of April for our final training/standardization.  Suddenly, our house is full of boxes and mess as we prepare for life on the road for the foreseeable future.  We're trying to fit in everyone we can in the next four days while still packing and taking care of the details to go.  Craziness!

In the midst of the chaos, God has reminded both of us to trust Him with EVERYTHING.  See, we're planners (I think I've told you that before) and we try to plan everything and do everything to "make it happen."  Without even realizing it most of the time we are toiling and working on our own strength.  This weekend, He reminded both of us- separately- that we should be focusing on Him and resting in His strength, care and power to iron out even the smallest things. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..."  This is the verse that is reverberating (sp?) through my mind and my heart as we hustle to get everything done.  Am I actively trusting Him, in His provision or in my own schemes?  Where is the balance between trust/faith and action?  I'd love to hear what your experience is, what your input is on this- let me know...  Okay-back to the piles of mail on the table and dirty dishes in the sink. : D