Getting Ready
Getting ready for Spain started in earnest on Sept. 16, 2007, with an evening farewell in which a number of people said nice and encouraging things. We then set off for PA, DE and VA to visit churches and see family. In early November we were blessed with a family vacation to Vevay, IN (see picture below), for which Shiloh so kindly provided.
Here is a better picture of Malia, born on Oct. 14.
By then we realized our scheduled departure in late Nov. was going to be delayed due to a snag in applying for visas, so we were able to participate in pre-Christmas activities and finally apply for our visas in Chicago on Dec. 21. Then we were blessed to be present for the birth of Kenton & Karissa's daughter, Nakeah Jayde, on Dec. 31, a precious little "tax deduction." "Nana" (Judi) and "Buelo" (I) are very happy with 4 grandchildren, two boys within two weeks of each other, and two girls within two months of each other.
On Jan. 11 we plan to leave for the south, spending the weekend in Tallahassee, FL, then moving on to Sarasota for a week, doing development for RMM and sharing the vision for Spain. We also plan on taking in Ken Miller's wedding in Costa Rica on Jan. 27, then helping out on an eye team in Nicaragua for a week, returning to FL on Feb. 6 to wrap up contacts there, then back to OH the week of Feb. 11. By then we hope to have heard from the Spanish Consulate regarding our visas, and if all goes well, leave for Spain on Mar. 5. We'll try to keep you posted with blog entries as opportunity permits.
Waiting is not all fun and games. Things like delays, malfunctioning vehicles and unfulfilled expectations tend to show the real self, which is not always a pretty sight! We've learned much about ourselves, our inability to be "in control," and our need for complete dependence on God. But with plans gone "awry," it gives opportunity to deepen trust in God, who sees the whole picture, not just our little window. It can be kind of intimidating to go to bed each night wondering what tomorrow will bring. But it also can be terribly exhilarating. We want to live closer to the latter than the former! Stay tuned!