So, as you know, we got the news a week and a half ago that we would not be leaving for Tanzania until the beginning of January 2017. That Sunday we knew that we had reached our breaking point and we just needed to get away, refresh and refuel so that we could press on through these next 5 months. And not just press on as in survive, but really thrive.
If any of you know Chandler, you know he isn’t very spontaneous. Well, Sunday night we were throwing around lots of ideas of what to do in regards to a family vacation. We hadn’t had one of these since we started our time of Partnership Development in January 2015! Our original ideas of the beach or staying in a cabin at a state park were not working our so then we began to talk about going to the Missionary Training Center. We knew the ride would be looong, so that was the biggest downside. But then we thought about all that we could do there and we decided it would be worth it. We called our good friends and mentors who live on campus, Bekka and Tim, just to make sure they would be there (because it would have been sad to travel all that way and not see them!). They said they were there all week so we began to jump on the plans. We never packed so fast in all our lives. We were being spontaneous and it felt really good! 🙂
We left the house the next morning, drove into Lynchburg for a meeting, and then hit the road!
After too many hours in the car, a hotel in Indiana, and lots of bathroom breaks, we made it! We were able to stay in a furnished apartment on campus that was just like the one we lived in when we were students, which made it fun. It certainly brought back lots of memories! You can’t beat $20 a night and a campus full of family friendly activities!!!
The temperatures were CRAZY the week we were there. Upper 90’s everyday but with the humidity it felt way over 100 degrees. We didn’t care though because there was so much to do that involved water. In the mornings we played at the creek which had freezing cold water. The kids played in the water and there were also these huge black barrel swings and rope swings that occupied much of our time!
We would go home for lunch and naps and then head outside again, but this time to the lake. There were always lots of parents and kids at the lake so it was super fun for everyone. The girls were like little fishies! They LOVED the water. Gideon wasn’t quite as impressed, but he had fun playing in the sand (and eating it too!).
One fun memory we made was going to a local restaurant, RJ’s. This was a place we had been to on a date, as a family and with our good friends and teammates, the Anyans, during our time of training. It was fun to take Gideon there this time around – they have a great breakfast buffet! He enjoyed it so much that he overate and then lost it all in the grocery store right after 😉 Good times! A little too much fruit for one little tummy.
Our other activities included, movie nights, yummy meals at the lake, visiting with friends, long walks, and eating smores 🙂 Just what our souls needed!
We were all pretty sad to leave. This was the first time our kids had a week where it was all about having fun as a family. They ate it up…and so did we! Although we wanted to stay longer, we knew our time had come to an end and it was time to head home and see what the Lord had in store for these next 5 months.
One big blessing of our trip home was getting to see our friend Sarah Michael, her mama, Gigi, and her two precious children. Please be praying for them as they are in the process of bringing home there 3rd sweet boy from Africa – it’s been quite the process! My heart was filled with such joy watching them all play together! God is good.
So now we are back home. We just stocked up our kitchen again and we are getting caught up on laundry and unpacking. Our plan for now is to spend time seeking God on what He would have for us during these next 5 months. We are sure some of it will include raising the remaining 10% of our support, investing in our sending church – Bedrock Community Church, soaking up time with friends and family, as well as preparing for Tanzania by doing more reading, more praying and spending more time in the Word!
Thanks for your prayers as we navigate through this new season of life!
Together Making Him Known,
Jamie