Africa Part 1 Out of our comfort zone.

As many of you might already know, Joel and I had the opportunity to go to Togo, West Africa on a mission trip this summer. I wanted to Blog many of our experiences, it will take a few blogs to tell you all of what we saw the Lord do throughout our trip. So keep checking in for new updates on our trip.

A little bit of Background on our trip and why we choose Togo. Our Church has been the Sending church for missionaries, Tim and Esther Nuefeld, who have served in the country of Togo for almost thirty Years. Togo is a small 3rd world country in West Africa, it is just East of Ghana, and 10 degrees north of the Equator. Tim and Esther are currently serving in the Northern town of Mango (pronounced Maahngo, not like the fruit). The Missions organization ABWE is currently in the early stages of Building a hospital for the People of Mango. ABWE already has a very successful hospital down in the southern part of the country in the town of Tsiko (pronounced Cheeko) So our Missions committee decided that we wished to send a group to help with the building process. Our Friend RC has gone to 3 time previous and has raved about the country of Togo and their people and the good work that ABWE is doing there.

Our decision to go on this trip was not immediate for either of us. Joel decision to go was much easier than Mine, as building is more his forte', but still the time away and the expense weighed heavy on him but decided that he should go. I on the other hand took several prayer filled months to try to decide if this was really the Lord's will. Several things Helped me in this decision of going. One was two really great woman friends were going as Well, so I wouldn't be the only girl. The other two things that really pushed me were things that two different people told me about going on Missions trip. The first Being that if Joel went without me, I would really miss out on an experience of the culture, that I couldn't get from the stories or pictures. The second came from something Esther Nuefeld, said to me, "sometimes the Lord's will is not the easiest thing to do". She said this in reference to having to leave her infant daughter with her parents years ago; so she could go to missionary training. I decided that if Esther could leave her child for two weeks so could I.

So I decided to go. The Evil One wasted no time in using my motherly Love against my decision to go. I knew that Phillip would be well taken care by his grandparents, But what kind of Mother abandons her son to go to a 3rd world country on the other side of the world for 18 days? Not only that 3 months prior to leaving I started to have back and Neck issues that lingered for months. so I started to have doubts of how well i would be able to be of good use on the building site if my back and neck hurt.

My doubts about going only grew as the day to leave approached. to the point where I told Joel that I didn't want to go. I seriously thought that I was going to have to be dragged on to that plane kicking and screaming. I knew that if I didn't get on the Plane, the evil one would have won. So at 10:58pm Aug 8 our group, which consisted of 8 people, RC and his wife Joselyn and their Son Robert; Jim and Sally, our Pastor Bob; Joel and I; boarded a plane bound for Washington DC. During the pre-fight instructions I broke down and cried into Joel's Shoulder, (Wasn't the first and it wouldn't be the Last). The whole group was really sympathetic to my feelings and I could often count on one of them passing over a couple of Kleenex.

So that is how Joel and I come to the decision on how to go to Togo. I will continue our story of the rest of our trip soon. Stay tuned.

Camping

Okay, So Joel and I are not "campers". Let's get this out in the open. A lot of our friends our hardcore hikers and campers. But Joel and I have never embraced the pass time. Mostly because Joel is to busy working to want to take time off and I am enjoy the comforts of a four-star hotel more than "roughin-it". So when our Friends asked if we would like to tag along with the Youth group camping trip last weekend, we were hesitant (we don't even own a tent), but when they said I could stay in their fifth wheel I perked up. All we were going to have to do was pack some clothes, and sleeping bags (yes we own those, and we were able to find them in the black hole of our shop), we decided to go.
So we only went for One night, but one night has turned us into campers. We had a Blast hanging with our good friends the RC and Joselyn, and all the youth group kids.

Our time was spent Hanging out on the Boat, swimming in the Lake, Friday night we went up to the hot springs. Phillip had a blast running around in his tighty Whities with all the other kids in the warm water. Our night in the fifth wheel was eventful, starting with RC fining a Mouse and throwing out the door and landing in a youth groupers lap!! and ending with Phillip waking up and coming to sleep with us on the itty bitty pull-out couch (a lot of little feet in my back). The next morning we were one of the first up and we had fun putting on a Yetti/Sasquatch costume and waking up all the late risers.

All in all Joel and I decided that we should invest in a Tent, just so we can go along with our friends RC and Joselyn and all the youth groupers more often.!!

Pictures to come later, slight mishap with the memory card.

Warning after Reading this You may have a Strong Urge to Take a Nap

I am very sorry for not keeping up with writing my blog. You see I have been really busy as of late and have not had the time to write, although I have had several good blog post ideas. So here is what is going on in my life lately.

As you know from previous post that my best friend Mel was here for a two week visit. Once we said good bye to here it was back to life as usual (well for 3 days) then Joel went out of town on business for 4 days. Then we had another normal week, followed by memorial day weekend. The Next weekend Joel again was out of town for 4 days (Joel does not usually travel for work, and traveling this much was very rare). Phillip and I went and picked Joel up at the airport Sunday and visited his sister in Seattle. Monday Joel was back to work and then on Wednesday Joel had his wisdom teeth pulled. Then on Saturday of that week celebrated Joel's Mom's 70th Birthday with a big family get together. all the While I have been trying to plan and organize our trip to Togo in august and the Fundraiser dinner we are having in a week!!

Whew are you tired Yet?? And did I mention that I have not had a dishwasher since Easter, So all of my dishes are being Washed by hand. Along with all of the other household chores, bookkeeping, gardening (okay this is about last on my list of things to do), finishing the new rooms, and setting up a will. So needless to say I have been a little busy, Life has been hectic and I am very sorry I have not kept up with Blogging. I hope to have more to tell you more in a few weeks when I hope (fingers crossed) life will slow down.

Two weeks of Non-stop laughter part 2

So now that you know the background of my friend Mel, I can tell you what we did for the two weeks she visited. Well as I said Before Mel and I are both runners. Which is funny, because that was not the case eight years ago in college, we often complained about how the walk from our dorm (LA) was the farthest one from all the academic buildings and the cafeteria. So we were blessed with wonderful weather and I enjoyed taking Mel to many of our areas trails, Lake Padden, Boulevard park, Zuanich point. Mel is from Saskatchewan, whose landscapes lack any change, all you see for miles is wheat Fields and huge sky. So the pacific Northwest diverse landscapes of Mountain and bay with many trees in between, were a great treat. She would often ask me as she was in awe of the landscape "why do I live in Saskatchewan?" and I would reply "I don't know".

The first Friday of her visit, we decided to go see my Dad at The Chrysalis Inn & Spa where he works. We were given a tour of the hotel and spa, and while there I asked my dad if he would mind watching Phillip (he got off early that day) while we and got a treatment in the spa. He said he would and Mel and I were able to get in for manicures later that afternoon. So after we went for a run in the park, We dropped Phillip Off with Grandpa and started our afternoon of pampering. We thoroughly enjoyed the the time of relaxation and took full advantage of the all the amenities.

One day Mel, Phil and I went to Zuanich point to go for a run. after our run we popped into the marine life center to get a close look at fish, starfish, crabs and anemones. While there we found out that the Tall Ships, Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain were in. After a quick lunch in the park, walked on over to the other side of the marina to look at these replicas of old sailing ships.

For our last weekend together we decided to go down to see Mt. St. Helen's. When Mel was out for our wedding seven years ago, she had asked if we could go see Mt. St. Helen's, I quickly told her that Mt. St. Helen's was a 6 hour drive away from us and didn't think we could fit that in before our wedding. So this time I was really quick to ask if she would still want to do that. She quickly told me Yes. We made the trek down to Mt. St. Helen's. We were able to see both sides of the Mountain, take in some trails and the Ape caves on the south side on Friday. The ape caves were probably the coolest part. These are Old Lava tubes that have made these massive caves that you can walk through. we took the easier route through them, on account of Phillip being with us, but were completely amazed at this part of God's creation. On Saturday we went up to Johnston's ridge observatory and spent the day checking out all the info they had about the mountain. We were all just in awe of how God can change the earth in just a matter of minutes. We were all very frustrated at the very liberal view that is still in place that the Earth took Millions years to form. When they can see that it can change in a matter of minutes by one Blast from a big Volcano. All four of us really enjoyed the trip and were glad we made the trip.

Well not all of our visit was going and doing, we had some quiet times a home. Mel is a great gourmet cook and made us a fabulous dinner one night which we all enjoyed. One day Mel and I made Samoa bars for a cookie contest. Neither one of us had ever made it, and they were a lot of work. But we won!!! Were were so proud of out creations. We enjoyed drinking tea and coffee together, watching movies. Laughing at just about everything (that is one of the things that is just really great about Mel and I, We can find something completely hilarious about just anything). In all it was really a great visit, the two weeks went by way to fast, and I miss my friend terribly all ready. But we have already started plan her next visit, because we concluded that Washington is far more exciting than Saskatchewan, so she has to come here.

Two Weeks of non-stop laughter Part 1

If any of you don't think that the Lord answers prayer, well I am here to say he does. I have been praying for several weeks for God to Bring me a really true friend. I thought that the Lord would answer the prayer that he would help me strength a relationship with a friend here at Home, But the Lord Loves to answer prayer in his own unique way.

Several a few months ago, My good friend Mel asked if she could come for a visit. I originally thought that she would come for a few days maybe a week. When she asked if she could for two whole weeks I hesitated, but agreed, knowing I would find fun stuff for us to do.

I met Mel eight years ago at Briercrest Bible college in Caronport, Saskatchewan. We originally lived across the hall from one another, but immediately hit it off. As first Semester progressed on our roommate situation changed. Mel's decided to not come back and mine was driving me nuts. So the RA agreed to let us room together second Semester. That was the best semester, all of my good memories of college revolve around that time I roomed with Mel and our other friend Elena. I don't remember Mel and I ever having any arguments or disagreements. If we did they were so short lived I can't remember them. I got Married that summer and didn't return to Briercrest, but Mel came out for our Wedding and graced us with singing in the ceremony with her Beautiful voice. About four years ago I went out to visit her in Saskatchewan for a few days, and we have seen each for a hour about a year ago. So really our quality time together has been limited.

So I was a bit Nervous when she asked to come out for two weeks. I wondered if we would run out of things to talk about? would we get on one another's nerves? would we be tired of each other by the end of week one? All of these things were found to be totally untrue. Mel was not nervous at all about any these things, she was so sure of the friendship that was started all those years ago. Mel and I are so much alike in so many different aspects. She is the type of friend that no matter how much time has passed we pick right up were we left off, like no time passed. We both know each others genuine personality so well that no amount of change in our lives it can never really change who we are.

Our Two weeks were filled with many heart to heart talks. Often in the morning in our pajamas over coffee, or late into the night. We talked about everything, from theology and our thoughts on biblical principals. We talked about where we thought God was teaching us in our own lives. We laughed so much my back starting to Hurt. We both decided that going this long not seeing each was an awful idea and agreed to keep in touch much better.

Mel is very talented, she has a beautiful soprano voice. She has so many big Dreams for Her life and I am sure that the Lord is going to great things for her. Mel has worked really hard to Lose a lot of weight, and is in great condition. She is training for a half marathon, and whipped my butt every single time we went for a run. I am so proud of my Best Friend Mel and I am so excited to see what God will do in her Life and I feel so blessed that she has chosen me to go along with her as her best friend for the ride.

All Dressed Up

The three of us all dressed up, all in shiny shoes

A few weeks ago the three of us got all dressed up, to be a part of a Special day. Josh and Kristi, were married on April 17th and we were honored to be a part of it. Joel stood By his brother as a Groomsman, Phillip Got to be the ring bearer and walked down the aisle with the rest of his cousins. I Like to think that I got be Joel's trophy wife (just Kidding). Although it was a long day in high heals, chasing after a two year old, I am glad we got to be a part of it.

The Bride and Groom with all their Neices and Nephews

I think we all did incredible at our jobs. Joel stood by his brother, made sure his Get away was not as quick and easy as they hoped for. Wrapping the car up in saran wrap, trying cans underneath, and writing "honk for a Kiss" on the rear window. Phillip was more than excited to Wear Shiny Shoes, and play with his cousin. He walked down the aisle with his cousin Jonathan, Binky in his Mouth, big smile, pillow hanging from the string, and waved at the neighbors as he walked by. He almost stole the show, what can I say he's my kid. Me I watched over Phil, provided lipstick for writing on the car, and again just was happy to be along for the ride.

Images from Easter

Our Month has been very busy, So I have been not blogged about Easter yet. So I am keeping this short and letting my pictures tell the story.

Needless to say we had a wonderful day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.