Our 3 week trip to the states was wonderful! It is funny how in one short year away you can forget so much and you learn to adapt to a new normal elsewhere. The kids forgot how to throw toilet paper in the toilet verses the trash can, started getting filtered water to brush their teeth, the little ones didn't know what a drinking fountain was, and they preferred cold baths over warmer ones. I actually got lost a few times when driving, but I appreciated the "orderliness" of citizens driving in their lane and not honking at you continuously. I appreciated constant power and hot,clean water. I appreciated the ease of being at a store in 2 minutes to "just pick up something quickly". And Target... never smelled so good!
We spent our first week in Morton, Illinois where Josh grew up. From there we flew to NC and spent about 3 days, then drove to SC for my (Jen) sisters wedding. We spent about 6 days there visiting with my family and then returned to NC to finish out the 4 remaining days of our trip. It was truly a blessing being able to share with friends and family our time to relax. We did have a nonstop schedule but the comforts of the states physically,spiritually, mentally, and emotionally allowed us to be easily rested. Thanks to the many of you who made that possible. One of the blessings we have in Christ, is YOU!
Our trip was had multiple purposes: wedding, R & R, support raising, and just plain good visitations with friends and family. All accomplished (though we wished we had more time to meet with many more of you)! God provided. 70% of the monthly support
was pledged, 80% of transition cost was met, and we are still looking for 5 people at 100/month or 10 people at 50/month. We are thankful!
I have included several of the pictures we took while visiting. You may even be in one!
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| anything goes at Nanas! |
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| A little boys dream |
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| Visit with the King side! |
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| Aunt Kristi |
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| So glad we got a little Fall Time in! |
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| Papa took the boys to see and ride in a Combine. |
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| Finn and (great) Grammi |
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| Had to get a pedicure |
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| Finn looks good in a pick-up, don't ya think? |
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| Aunt Kristi and Uncle Tony |
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| Ollie and Eli- best buds reunited! |
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| Just catching up some. |
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| Tate and Joshua Mosley |
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| Dina , Jen, and Finn |
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| Guy time... |
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| Girl time... |
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| 10 yr. old nephew, Ben (aka my Benny Ray) |
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| (Just like old times, 3 families = 14 kids) |
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| Gage, Ang, Laura, Jen, Parlyn |
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| Josh's small group, Dan and Kurt |
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| Aunt Angela is fitting in well with the Lischner/Johnson/Menold women! |
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| Flower Girl Finley |
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| The cousins! |
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| The Lischner women! |
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| Run Away Flower Girl |
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| No longer shy flower girl... |
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| Dirt and an Ivory colored silk dress...oxyclean? |
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| Glad to see my mama! |
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| Just like the old days, plus 8 kids... |
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| My small group...my heros :) |
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| Sitting with Gran, Parlyn knows a Gran won't say NO! |
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| Johnson and Menold kiddos...friends from birth! |
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| Last hang out with sisters and brother-in-laws |
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| The Quintons graciously opened their home to us...sorry for all the noise Casey and Steve! But thanks for being a blessing!! |
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| Guy time was much needed! |
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| Ollie taught himself how to ride a bike while in the states-has been asking for a bike in the D.R. since:) |
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| Every Menold got to drive Pop's boat! A treat! |
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| Got to visit a favorite park with great friends, the Andres. |
The weeks flew by and we are safely (obviously) back in the D.R. Josh is back at work, I am trying to still get a routine and order life again, and Miss Finley Noelle did it! She made it through her first week of pre-K at the Makarios School (speaking only in Spanish) with Profe Yomo and Narolin. We got a wonderful report back at how well she did. We are so proud of her! (I must add that the mornings at our house are much quieter now and we had the most productive days of home schooling with that little stinker gone!) I look forward to her arrival at 1:30 p.m. when her daddy rides her home on his moto; for she usually has a made up story to tell me about the day.
Back in the D.R. :
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| Starting our chore cards again... |
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Finn's first day of school @ Makarios
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Finn finished her 1st week of preK
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Love to all and a huge THANK YOU.
