Bittersweet Good-Byes

I've been trying to figure out how to share this update on our lives with you! I am still in the USA, although I had planned to return last week.  Mike has come to join me also.  He arrived 5 days ago. We have always told our girls that although we were living halfway around the world from them, if they ever needed us- we would be here for them.   We have decided that this is one of those times.

When it became clear to us that Lori needed to make a move from California to Arkansas to live closer to her sisters, (sooner instead of later)...the logistics of her moving seemed larger than I was ready to take on.   She loved her job, loved the people that she worked with and it was good to be with her during her last week of work, to see how proficient and skilled she is at her work.  However, she just did  not have  good community on the weekends alone up on the mountain and felt like being near family would be better for her.

I was so very thankful that Mike was able to come to help build the trailer for her move, pack it, and drive that long trip of 30 some hours across 6 states. His support physically and emotionally was much needed. 

Bringing Buzz, her dog, with us on the trip added another dimension-- but I will say he is a very sweet dog and very good traveller. 

The California girl, really wanted to bring her surf board- so once we got toward "middle America" some of the travellers comments were interesting. (ie: "don't think you're going to find any place to use that around here") :)

We really appreciate your prayers for our family during this time.  Specifically if  Lori could find work and new housing before our return to Thailand in 10 days- it will make the return much easier for us. Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I  am God"- is a verse that God keeps bringing to my mind.  Trusting in Him!

California to Arkansas

It was so good for me to get to visit Lori during her last week of work at Thousand Pines and see her in her element in between our packing in the evenings.  She is so gifted at what she does.  She has been on the leadership team these past two years for around 25 staff who teach the Outdoor Education program for 5^th and 6^th graders from local schools.

The camp setting is so beautiful too.  This is her good friend Jacki teaching a lesson at Inspiration Point.

This lesson was about water conservation as they had the beautiful Lake Gregory below as a focal point.

Much of the learning takes places on trails throughout the mountains.  The night hike (in total darkness) is always a favorite.

Lori rotates around between teachers, problem solving and doing all kinds of administrative stuff throughout the day. Here she is with Katelyn.

They journey throughout the wilderness throughout the week to investigate the local flora, fauna, geology, habitats, ecosystems, meteorology, weather and constellations. They also do some  character development, manners training,  and all kinds of interesting stuff. I seriously would love to go through the program for one week. 

I observed that the kids love these teachers and have a huge influence in their lives.  The last day the students all get the autographs of the staff (their heroes) to take home with them.

Before leaving they played a game of jeopardy summarizing much of what they had learned and I was so impressed with their knowledge.

Lori is going to miss her staff and friends and was given such a nice good-bye party that I was honored to be a part of. A few of the Outdoor Education staff gathered here for a photo.   MK’s should be experts at good-byes, but they are never easy.  Appreciate your prayers for Lori and her “bittersweet” good-byes.

Buzz

Lori has loved her workmates and friends here at Thousand Pines. Lindsay has been a great friend  and I got to  join them for one one of their  hikes through the mountains this week. 

They both have puppies that also love their play dates together and hiking in the mountains. 

Harvey and Buzz were usually off exploring together while the girls walked and talked. 

I was impressed with all the nature information Lori knows from leading the staff who take students on trail guides each day.  This is the Manzanita tree that has a very unique red bark and is edible. 

We were laughing that much of their conversations were about their dogs. They both love their puppies. 

Both dogs were treated to an "Alpha" moment after some rough play.

As a Siberian Husky, Buzz loves rolling and playing in the snow. 

This is  Lori's home and view of the mountain.  It is such a beautiful place and she is going to miss the California mountains a lot.  Today has been a hard day of good-byes  and yet bittersweet as she has some new beginnings ahead of her. 

Tea Ministry

What an amazing and creative ministry my friend Patsy has  in her home.  She gathers women together for  tea serving them the best and creating an atmosphere for them to make new friends. It was such an encouragement to me to visit her this week and hear her heart and vision for this outreach. She has been doing this for years for different groups of women. 

The first groups were new women who had come to their church and didn't know others yet, so by coming to Patsy's house they would meet other new women, develop new friendships, and then would at least know those other new women when they'd go to church. 

The second group is friends she meets at her local neighborhood Starbucks.  She is very intentional about going there regularly and developing relationships, and then after getting to know them, invites them to her home.  God has used her heart for this outreach a lot and I just happened to be there the morning that she was preparing for a group.

Her table setting was beautiful.  Each guest has her own name place card, and a gift of fresh flowers. 

Terry and Patsy are very special friends to us.  They were my high school youth pastor (many years ago) and Terry was one of the first men to disciple Mike as a new Christian. 

We were really missing Mike.

When Patsy invites the women over for tea, she has some of her close friends come and do the serving for her.  That frees her up to visit with her guests and not have to be busy in the kitchen. Here are her volunteer waitresses, and wow did they ever have a fun spread of scones, fancy sandwiches, fresh fruit,  variety of teas, etc. 

Thanks, Patsy for your desire to be used wherever you are planted especially  right there in your own neighborhood. You are an  inspiration  to me to reach out wherever God leads my path, too!

Change of Plans

Loved my time in Arkansas with Marisa, Bethany, Jenny and families. Got to be a part of their lives and understand more of what their days and jobs are like.  I love the college ministry that both the Foltz's and Allens are involved with at University of Arkansas.  College students are some of the most passionate people- ready to change the world with their lives.

The Cru ministry at University of Arkansas is thriving with students who want to make a difference.  Summer and I got to be a part by helping Bethany and Michael deliver 25 pizzas to a weekly meeting of leaders.  They smelled so good- but were oh so hot-  felt like we were in the oven with them.

I had great fun with my grand kids, in the midst of Jon and Marisa's big move.  Each one of them brings me so much joy.

 I brought Summer back these funny nails from a market in Thailand that stayed on for less than an hour- but oh  so silly while they lasted.

She cracked me up with this pose.  We went outside to take a few photos with her nails on and she said, "How about you take a picture of me, but I don't look at you.... I'll just look off into the distance."  Not sure where she got that idea- but I loved it!

Just as I was packed and ready to return to Thailand- we had a change of plans in my travel plans.  Lori has been planning to move out to Arkansas soon, but it suddenly seemed best for us to help her with that major move while I was in the USA.  I am now in California with her, helping her pack up for the long drive this weekend. More on that later.. 

This week Lori is putting in her last week of full time responsibilities.  I love seeing her in action and the happy little 5th and 6th graders enjoying their week of Outdoor Education!

It is beautiful here!  We took a hike yesterday after work with her dog Buzz, trying to soak up all the beauty of the mountains in her last week.  Pray for Lori and a lot of decisions that need to be made in her move. Just read today, " It is impossible to have a need that God cannot meet."  We are trusting him to meet all of the needs before her in this move. I know that He loves it when we put our total trust in Him!

School visit

It is a real treat for the students at Collin and Summer's school when their parents come to visit them over lunch time and bring them a kid's meal.  I wanted to give my grandchildren that thrill one day last week.

We got there a little early so they could show us their desks and classroom.  Hayley was so excited to visit her big brother and he was just as excited to show her his work.

Collin was proud to show me around his first grade room.

Summer beamed when we walked into her room and proudly showed me her desk. 

I got to share with her class that her Grandma lives on the other side of the globe, but I don't think most of the kindergartners had a clue what I was talking about.

Apparently just getting their own 'Kid's Meal' box is a big treat to  these kids!  Isn't that what grandparents are for?... to give them special things that are out of the norm?  LOVE my grandchildren!

Proverbs 17:6

"Grandchildren are the crown of old men" (and women) 

Belated Easter

It was such a treat to get to spend Easter with family in Arkansas.  We decided to go out for Thai food together after church!  It's always fun to speak Thai with the management cuz it surprises them to hear it from us Caucasians.

The Foltz family had matching Easter outfits this year, thanks to Nana Foltz in Florida.  They had just made their big house move the day before, so I was impressed they could even find clothes to wear.

After afternoon naps, we had a family Easter egg hunt in the Foltz's new back yard.  Each child was paired up with an aunt or uncle.  Aunt Jen is helping Summer find her eggs.

Each family got a basket that  included Thailand favorite goodies!

The funniest of all was Nathan.  It was his first Easter to enjoy because last year, he was just one month old.

When he discovered that there was candy in the eggs - he caught on quickly as to what was going on. 

We all just sat and laughed at him shoving little candies in his mouth as fast as he could. 

He was so so funny to watch as he'd never been given free access to candy of his own. 

Love his eyes and cheeks and one year old huggable- ness!

Ben's Birthday

All that Ben wanted to do for his birthday was a camp out!  He didn't ask for gifts or a cake-- just some time out in nature with his best friends.  It was my first time to get to celebrate his birthday with him.  It was so much fun!  Who can not enjoy Arkansas's beautiful natural settings?

This is the group that went... 6 young couples, his parents, and me! (15 total) I got to share a tent with two of my daughters and it was one of the most miserable nights I've endured.  No one told me how cold it would really be and I was not prepared-- but the good memories still out weight the freezin cold night.  Best solution was to go in the women's bathroom and stand under the warm hand dryer during the night.  

Setting up our tents all seemed pretty normal until Matt and Julie arrived with this borrowed baby pup tent for the two of them.  We laughed so hard as they could barely even fit in it- but they seemed to have the best nights sleep of anyone. 

The food was delicious-- especially the smell of the bacon, eggs,  and hash browns (my favorite) on Saturday morn. 

Bethany and Michael got to use their wedding gift tent from Uncle Dean and Aunt Judy.  Actually us three girls slept in it!

Jen and Ben with their wedding gift tent, too!

So glad to get this time with two of my girls and the setting was so beautiful!

For me the best times were sitting around the campfire and the stories and games we enjoyed together.

....and there were some silly times!

No doubt that the favorite times for the birthday guy were the hours of fishing and teaching his bride to fish.

I like this one of him fly-fishin side by side with his dad and that cool neon line! 

Happy Birthday, Ben-- it was a great way to celebrate YOU! I only wish Mike could have been along!