Arrival, Travel, & Arrival

    We are in the United States!  We arrived in New York City, June 3^rd.  The month prior to our departure was filled with the uncertainty of how to best use the summer months to visit partners, where would we live once arriving in Walla Walla, how best to acquire a vehicle, and, most pressingly, when would we leave because it was visa renewal time.  Upon receiving our visa in the middle of May, we booked tickets to New York City to begin a transcontinental trip to visit partners.  

 

Leaving Asia

The kids sleeping well.

    We originally allotted a few days to search for and test drive cars.  Because we were blessed with finding a great deal on the first vehicle John test drove, we were able to begin our trip the next day.  As June 4^th was Evangeline’s 6^th birthday, we began the day by celebrating by getting her ears pierced, followed by a care drive to Boston, then cake.  

Though there were tears, she was sufficiently brave to finish both ears.

It just so happened a hotel was having their 6th year aniversary the same week.

    We arranged our travel to best reconnect with as many friends and partners as possible. 

 

9,000 miles by car

    We were able to visit 25 different families over the month and a half of travel; some of whom have newly partnered with the work overseas but we had not yet met in person.  The trip was also spattered with visits to historical sites, museums, national parks, and even some hiking and camping.  As we had just finished American history during our homeschool year, the timing was an incredible blessing.     

 

Statue of Liberty. Whitman commented, "It is smaller than I expected."

 

9-11 Memorial

Federal Hall, New York City, where George Washington took his oath of office.

Long Island, NY

 

Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, PA

Independence Hall, PA

Federal Reserve, Philadelphia, PA

White House, Washington D.C.

Washington Monument

Jamestown, Virginia

Pocahontas & Evangeline

Yorktown Victory Monument, Virginia

Camping in Virginia

Duke Chapel, North Carolina

Tuskegee Airmen Site, Alabama

The Ark Museum, Kentucky

A Ball Game with Friends, Michigan

Missouri, where we lived and trained for overseas work.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri

 

The Alamo, San Antonio, TX

The River Walk, San Antonio

Many Hours in the Car

We're big fans! Frisco, Texas

Hiking and Camping in Montana

Whitman riding with a friend in Colorado!

 

Playing with their cousin in Salt Lake City, UT.

 

The Golden Spike site, UT

    Our arrival to the United States was without incident, our travel across the nation was filled with encouraging meetings and catching up with friends, and, lastly, our arrival to Walla Walla on July 17^th, was smooth due to our spiritual family here in town.  We were blessed to find a rental house within our budget for only 6 months as we plan to return overseas in January.  Our spiritual family happily undertook and worked hard to furnish and stock the entire house.  THANK YOU!

     We now look forward to reconnecting with our partners and friends in the Northwest and providing a formal school experience for our kids.  Caedmon will attend the local high-school as a freshman, Whitman will attend middle school as a sixth grader, and Evangeline with be at an elementary school as a first grader.  Though they each will be at different schools, each campus is within a mile distance from our rental, what a blessing!

 

 The Fasting Month has come to an end, marked by the largest holiday of the year.  We prepared for the children who visit, much like trick or treating, to ask for money, and then we visited a few friends.

 

Visiting Children

 

 

Prior to the actual holiday, I, Erin, spent time with both the reading school tutors and a couple neighbors to prepare traditional cookies and treats which are offered to visiting guests.  

Rolling Out Cookies with Tutors

Cutting Out Cookies

Hanging Out and Decorating Cookies

Evangeline working on her own cookie creations.

Making "Hidden Peanuts" with two neighbors.

Waiting to be fried and covered in sugar.

Final Product

 The "Hidden Peanuts" are my favorite of all the holiday treats. 

A Break Fast Gathering

As we are currently half way through the fasting month of Ramadan, we held a party to break the fast with the reading school tutors last night at our home.  We can now say it is an annual event as this was the second one of its kind we've held.

Similar to last year, we gathered together at our home, played a White Elephant gift game, then ate together when the day's fast ended.  Last year the White Elephat game was a newly introduced event, so we provided all the gifts.  This year, being familiar with it, the tutors brougth their own, and they were much more lively and involved in the stealing this year.  

White Elephant Gift Exchange

 

Breaking the Fast and Eating Together

Though we appreciate these fun, work free times with the tutors to further get to know them, there was an additional aim to our holding this party.  Last week during the comprehension check of the most recently translated portion, John asked those present how they could apply the section of Heb. 10:24-25.  The invitation for the "Break Fast" party was mentioned as a way to gather together.  With this in mind, John wanted to use the time well to apply the principles of gathering together to spur one another on, sharing food together, praising Him, and even sharing requests.  

Prior to playing the White Elephant game, John led the group in singing a song, one which had been reccomended the week prior.  John altered the lyrics slightly to coincide well with the truth of who our praise, longing, and dependence should rest upon.  Then John challenged them to see that by comparing it to a section of scripture we read together.  Lastly, he encouraged people to share ways in which we could love one another and even lift each other up.  We were blessed to see some brave enough to share a few requests.  

Singing and Reading Together

The time seemed to be enjoyed by all and the intentionality John incorporated in was met with openess and positive responses.  We hope to cointue to spur this group on to frequent intentional meetings for fellowship, instruction, praise, and sharing of requests. 

The Reading School Tutors