Izaac and Ellie's Thoughts

Izaac's Thoughts

1. I did not like the airplane food!
2. I love the pineapples!
3. We have a cat named Valentine!
4. I got to see my new house. I like to have my own room when my sister doesn't have to share with me.
5. We are going to have visitors coming soon. (Grammy, Aunt Murf, Anna, Miss Son, and Joe!)
6. I made a friend. His name is Caleb.
7. The cat hides really well in the bushes down stairs.
8. We have a big yard.
9. I want to make a tree house at our house.
10. I like to play outside.
11. I didn't like the airplane rides that much but I liked playing my kindle on the airplane! The airplane was KLM.
12. I like living in Uganda!
13. It is really fun to make new friends.
14. It is fun to watch my sister dance in the living room.     Twirl Twirl
15. I miss camp and all my friends at camp!
16. I like to play with the cat!
17. I miss the swimming pool at camp!
18. I don't like the mosquito nets but I know they keep me safe.

Ellie's Thoughts

1. I don't like the cat (3se) 
2. It is very hot here in Uganda
3. I like living in Uganda
4. I like going to town.
5. I love mommy!
6. It will get darker outside.
7. I love my friends!
8. I love my Naomi friend!
9. I love our bed and I like our house.
10. I like to kill the mosquitos.
11. I like going to Uganda (moc)
12. I like eating watermelon every single day!

I just typed what they told me! I hope you enjoy. The letters and such in the () are letters she told me to type after the words!

Post Number 2 From Uganda

Don't get too used to these posts every other day. Though we do want to try to be on here consistently, I feel pretty confident in saying that it won't be long before we are struggling to maintain posting once a week.

Anyway, two things to comment on today...

First, I'm going to take this opportunity to be one of those people and brag on my amazing kids for a little while. If we were to put down a list of what we just put our children through in the past week or so, a number of official agencies would most likely start investigations. (If I was going to make that list it would include stuff like sleep deprivation, long periods of being strapped into horribly uncomfortable positions in confined spaces, mandatory forced relocation and other such things that I'm pretty sure are out-lawed under the Geneva convention as war crimes.) Despite all of this, they have done so well. They have been patient and adaptable. They have stepped out of everything that is comfortable and familiar and faced the unknown with confidence and boldness beyond their years and I couldn't be more proud! A huge thanks to all who have been praying specifically for Izaac and Ellie. There will be tough days ahead and a lot of a adjustment still to come, so please keep praying, but they have handled all of this like champs so far!

Next, we had a really productive day (which means something a little different here) and accomplished a couple important things in regards to the process of settling in here. We made our first trip into town without the aid of Ruudy and Beckie (We did bring my sister Jenifer, but I'm still counting this as an accomplishment since she's not very familiar with this city). Also, I successfully drove into and around and back out of town without being killed or maimed or anything. Important note, no one outside of my vehicle was killed or maimed either. Another big task checked off: getting new tires for our truck. Doesn't sound like a big deal, you say? Just run it down to Pepboy's, you say? Those days are past for us now. In brief, it took nearly 4 hours and 2 trips to 2 different banks. Last, but by far not least, we found a great house to rent at a really great price! We talked to a few people who painted a rather grim picture of our prospects so we set up a bunch of appointment to try to see a few different houses. As we were headed out to meet with the first guy, Ruudy got a call from a friend who had seen a house for rent close by, so we stopped by for a look, tracked down the owner while he was having lunch in town, went back to the house, looked it over, and made a deal! This was a another huge need that we felt uncertain about but a lot of people have been praying and, once again the Lord provided in a way that was beyond what we even expected!

 

Greetings from Uganda!!!

So we’ve finally arrived in our new home. For me (Benj), this has been a desire for the majority of my life. Then, after we got married, this was a thing that Christina and I would dream about together as we looked at our future and what we imagined it to be. We have worked toward it in fits and spurts for about the last 7 or 8 years and it became a reality in earnest about a year and a half ago. Since then we have been diligently working to reach where we are at this moment while I sit and write this. To think about this now it is overwhelming. Looking back over all these years, we can see all the experiences, relationships, trials and effort have lead to this, which is always how life works, but it is glaringly obvious sometimes more then others. And now from here we go forward, always forward, onto…

Before we go there though, here’s what the last 48 hours or so have taken us through…  

Wednesday, 9:05am EST: We receive an email informing us that our flight out of Chicago has been delayed due to “operational constraints”. This leaves us just less then one hour for our connection in Amsterdam. Stress level: 6 minutes to midnight

Wednesday, 10:10am EST: Grandma and Grandpa, Grammy, Benj and Christina and the kids load the church van and depart Grand Rapids en route for Chicago. Stress level remains consistent

Wednesday, 12:14pm CST: Stop at Chic-fil-a, good lunch enjoyed by all. Stress level: 10 minutes to midnight

Wednesday, 1:37pm CST: Arrive at the airport, unload luggage and pay approx. $150.00 for carts to get it inside (what’s the deal with that?) Stress level: 7 minutes to midnight.

Wednesday, 1:48pm CST: Check in for flight. No one in line.  Luggage is weighed and tagged. A few are slightly over but grace is given and relief is felt. Stress level: 20 minutes to midnight.

Wednesday, 2:03pm CST: Luggage must now be taken to security check-in and scanned.  During check-in a couple of straps on the totes break, one tote is opened and searched and a brief interrogation ensues. Stress level: 3 minutes to midnight.

Wednesday, 2:28pm CST: Luggage is cleared and taken back. Again, relief abounds. Stress level: 30 minutes to midnight

Wednesday, 3:06pm CST: Time arrives to say good-bye. Hugs are shared, tears are shed and we head through security. Again, very short lines and quick progress through and the sudden realization that we now have almost 3 hours to wait.

Wednesday, 5:3?pm CST: After walking the length of the airport a few times, exploring all the shops, and being generally restless, boarding begins. The kids are a bit nervous, and feeling restless already, but we’re excited to be on the move again.

Wednesday, 6ish pm CST: We are settled in our seats, headphones and kindles are out and ready, and take off is imminent. Suddenly sedentary, the reality of what is happening finally begins to sink in, queasiness and heart palpitations begin and will last until… well they haven’t really stopped yet. Stress level: 4 minutes to midnight.  

Wednesday, no… maybe Thursday, 7:55 perhaps, AM I think. Touch down in Amsterdam. Run the 8 miles from gate G3 to gate F9 with 2 kids who hardly slept at all on the flight. Arrive with enough time to use the bathroom and then straight onto the plane, back into the seats, headphones, games, pillows and blankets all back out.

…sometime in February: Land in Uganda, kids finally fell asleep shortly before landing, had to wake them up, didn’t go well, de-plane with twice as many carry-ons (maybe it just seemed like it) and 2 zombies that used to be our children.

… I think… maybe it’s… 2016: Got through the airport with almost no problem.  Collected all of our luggage and got some help moving it all through customs. Loaded it onto Ruddy and Beckie’s van. Headed out on the 20 minute drive to our destination for the night. Stress level: unknown do to exhaustion

…don’t know…time or place… brain won’t function: arrived at our destination, the home of some friends of Ruddy, found a mattress, went to sleep.

Friday, 9:30am UTC+3: everyone slept decently and awoke relatively refreshed, had tea and left for our next temporary home in Jinja. The ride went well, we made a number of quick stops including one for lunch. Hit the road again and everyone is beginning to feel tired again. However, only one fell asleep in the truck.

Friday, 4:00pm UTC+3, Arrived at Beckie & Ruddy’s place, where we’ll be staying for a while, unpacked and began to settle in. We’re all relieved to be done traveling for a little while. We’re also all ready to sleep again. Stress level: back to manageable levels for the time being!

Whirlwind Adventure

Well it seems crazy and unreal. We have been fundraising for about six months and we are getting so close.  We have been to Michigan, Pennsylvania and Colorado to talk to people and churches and are willing to travel to other places if you know anyone who would like to meet with us and potentially support us.  We love sharing what God is doing in and through us and the experience. I really never would have guessed that our support would come from so many places and people near and far.  Our time in Pennsylvania was such a blessing and we have seen such blessing from the people there! Colorado has been amazing and was such a spur of the moment trip. To see God orchestrate the trip from the flight to a place to stay to a car to use to people and churches to meet and old friends to catch up with. We had time to see my brother and sister who I might not get to see again for a while. It was great to laugh and have fun together.

Some days we feel like we know what we are doing and others we feel overwhelmed and unsure of all the things we have to get done before we can leave. We would love your prayers and words of encouragement. We definitely couldn't do this without all of you! We thank God daily for those He has put in our life.

Perseverance 26.2 Miles

Crossing the Finish Line
26.2 miles

  As many of you know for the past six months I have been training for the Grand Rapids Marathon.  In the beginning I thought I would only run a half marathon.  The full seemed like it would be too many miles and too much of my time would be taken up.  So I started training for the half.  After about a month I was talking to my friend Anna and she said she was going to run the full marathon.  After talking to Benj I knew it was now or never. I didn't have much responsibility at camp this past summer and I knew I would have help with the kids once we moved back to Michigan. So I changed my training plan and got to work.
  Some runs were easy, others were hard to get motivated to do. I had lots of support from family and friends.  It was great knowing that I was not doing it alone.  I knew Anna was training with me and that helped me stay focused but I don't think it would have been possible without God.  I know people would say that God has nothing to do with running but to me I think he had everything to do with it.  I loved spending my time running praising and thanking Him for giving me the strength and ability to do so.  Thanking Him for the time and energy to run. Praying for friends and family whom I knew needed prayer and some just because I felt that I should. I saw such beauty on the mornings I got up for an early run watching the sun rise.  And the animals that were "running" with me. The rabbits made it look so easy!
  The race was the past Sunday.  It was great to hear from family and friends the night before encouraging me and letting me know they would be praying for me during the race.  My friend Jen sent me this verse from Hebrews 12:1-3..."Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." I take this verse two ways.  One for the actual race and one for the path we are taking to Uganda.  I had to look to Jesus for strength to finish the marathon.  I was not sure I would be able to accomplish it but I persevered and finished with a time of 5 hours 9 minutes and 55 seconds. I gave it all I had and left nothing behind.  This is how I want to live every day.  Giving my all...leaving nothing behind.  Am I loving with all that I am?  Am I doing the work God has set before me with all that I have?  We desire to be in Uganda by December 27, doing the work God has set before us. But am I doing my part? Am I running this race with perseverance?
  Feel free to ask us about what God is doing in our lives and the lives of the people in Uganda. We love to share the mission that God has set before us! We would love if you would join us in this mission anyway you feel God leading you!

AHHH! The stuff in my head is coming out!

We have been in Michigan for two weeks now.  It's crazy.  It still feels like vacation instead of the permanent move that it is.  The two weeks were filled with lots of family time because my sister Meredith came in town to visit and go backpacking with us and Beckie (my sister) and Ruudy (my brother-in-law).  Maybe that is part of the reason it still feels like vacation.  We had a great time in the woods and the kids did great.  Izaac carried his own pack with Ellie's sleeping bag, his pillow pet, and some of the food for the three days, two nights we were there.  Ellie had the easiest hike because she got to ride in a pack, although she did complain of being tired as I (Christina) carried her up a dune. We played in the dunes and in Lake Michigan.  The kids had a blast and it was a great time to reflect on our transition. I really don't care much for going to the bathroom in the woods but was told I need to get use to it for when we go to the villages in Uganda.

But it is not vacation and I am reminded of that fact as school for Izaac starts in two days.  It can't possibly be.  How can I have a child who is going to be in Kindergarten?  Not only that but all day, every Monday through Friday. I become more emotional than I would like to be.  He seems so little and I am afraid of what affects these outside influences might have on him.  Yes I know it is just Kindergarten but we live in a fallen world and kids can be mean. What if my kid is the mean one?  Have we trained him up in a way that he will make good choices and be friends with those who others won't? He is only in school until we leave for Uganda in December/January and I do think it will be good for him but I have these fears I keep giving to the Lord (and taking back again and giving back and so on).

We are also trying to figure out where we should start with our fundraising again.  It is humbling and nerve-wracking asking people to come alongside us and support us with their prayers and finances.  I feel like we were doing a great job before summer but in the busyness of camp and moving we have been slacking.  If anyone would like to meet with us to hear more about what we will be doing please contact us through Facebook or email or phone call.  We love sharing about what God is doing in our lives and the hopes and dreams of the future.

On another note, we are hoping that Benj does not need to find a "real" job but that we would find enough people we know that would have projects they would be willing to hire him to do. He is glad to do light remodel/renovation work, general home or yard maintenance, basically any kind of handyman work inside or out.  If you have any such projects or know of anyone that does please let us know!

I know this is all over the place but welcome to my brain these days!! I know that God is in control and we just need to follow His leading.

Leaving and Arriving, Goodbye and Hello

This feels like the first big step toward Uganda. There have been a lot of steps leading up to this and in reality this is just another along the way. However, the nature of it makes it feel very different. 

Moving, leaving, changing causes me to reflect (there isn't much that doesn't, if I'm honest) and as I spent time thinking about the people who have had such an impact on my family and I over the past five years, the thing that I regret, the only thing, is the shortness of quality time we spent with the quality people we were blessed to live and serve and worship alongside. 

To our PA friends and adoptive family: we are better people because of the time we spent in your presence! The privilege to work side by side, to learn and grow together, to laugh and live in proximity has not left us unaffected or unaltered. The tears that we shed as we parted company were shed, certainly, out of sorrow for what was and will be no longer, but they were also shed out of joy and gratitude for the gifts that you have left in our lives and on our character. Praise God that, within the fellowship of Jesus-Followers, there is no permanence in goodbye. So, as we part company we say simply, but by no means irreverently, "see ya soon". At that great family reunion, at the banquet table of our our Faithful Father we will reminisce once again about the impact of our intersecting paths and the way those impacts altered the trajectory of our lives for the benefit of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth! Be well. Be blessed. Be faithful and pray all the more diligently with us: "Lord Jesus, Come Soon" and we'll see you in a little while!     

It is tough as I reflect on the speed at which the sorrow of leaving transforms, through the excitement of movement, to the joy of arriving. I feel guilty about being glad upon arrival as I still consider those we have left behind. It's true that separation is harder for the left then the leaver, and I have been, as of late, the leaver far more often. That being said, with no less sorrow in our hearts for those left, we are glad to have arrived here. As I held my new niece, with most of my family around, in the house where I grew up, I really was glad. 

To our friends and family in MI: it is so good to be with you again! We are excited about catching up and reconnecting. We look forward to the conversations of where we each have been, and where we each are now; of how we, and things, are different now, and how they aren't. We are excited to see what will take place in us through the time we are together, short though it may be. We desire to savor this time with you and, like a good cup of coffee, as we sip on it together, we can be reminded that true community is eternal and intended to outlast just the time we'er together now.