The Beginning of Many Miles!

Leaving our home in Botswana was really difficult yesterday morning....

We drove 8 or so hours into South Africa. It was beautiful. I am just so thankful to be on this journey with Todd and our boys. God has blessed me so very much. Please keep praying that He will reveal the details as we trust and follow Him. Blessings, friends.

Church Family

We are going to miss our home church, Gaborone Baptist Church. May the Lord bless and keep them. Today we shared a special meal and said our goodbyes. We have truly been blessed by knowing and loving these precious folks.

Village Family

I'll miss our church family...

Today was our last Sunday with one of the churches in a local village. They made a nice meal for us, prayed for us, and sent us off well. We are so thankful to know these brothers and sisters in Christ. May the Lord bless them and use them to share His truth and love with this nation.

"My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

Letters

Our little family will miss letters from home.

Did you know people still write and send letters? So many of you have sent us packages and cards for the past 6 1/2 years. We love each and every one we have received. Today we were fortunate enough to get these Valentines from a group of children. Tonight we sat together as a family and read through each one. Precious!

Mail time at our house is always a treat...every letter is read and enjoyed by the whole family. These notes have been a huge source of encouragement to us. All I can say is, "Thank you all."

I remember getting notes from Todd when we first began dating. I would read through them many times until I knew them by heart. His words have always been dear to me. It brings me back to how important and treasured the Word of God should be in our lives. Do we hang on to every word, ponder, and memorize Scripture? Take time each day to sit in His presence and learn from our Teacher, Maker, and Savior.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16,17

Cricket :)

I'll miss watching Kendall play cricket! I know, I know....cricket, really?! Well, it is a gentleman's sport. It was one that I had to kind of "acquire a taste for", but when your children are playing it is hard not to enjoy. And Kendall, coming from a long line of sports enthusiasts loves all sports...especially cricket! Maybe he can start his own team in AR. The Arkansas Razorback Cricket Club! Who knows?!

Oh, Sunday Nights!

I am going to miss Sunday night prayer/supper times with our team.

As our team members can, we try and get together here at the house each month. This is fellowship at its best. We might set a theme for food...like tonight was Italian. Yummmm! Everyone brings something to share.

My kids ask every, and I mean every Sunday, if we are having prayer time. They love having all of their friends over...they play and we pray. We eat, laugh, and talk. Then when we are done we all sit in the living room and sing some hymns. For years I have loved reading and singing hymns with friends. After our time of worship we lift one another and others up to the Lord in prayer. It is truly a sweet fellowship that we share. I am going to ache for these times, these friends. I just know I will. God has blessed this little one of His.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father..." Ephesians 3:14

Donuts and 5th graders!

I am going to miss the schools.

Today my friend Shawna and I helped 27 fifth graders make donuts! It was wild and crazy, but it sure was fun. Flour was everywhere, dough was sticky, the icing was green, and the kids(and I) were all smiles. What a blessing it was to cook alongside such a special friend and to make 27 new ones! Cook with a kid today...and make sure to put some love in it!