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!