We're Here!

Ok, yes, we've been here for almost 2 weeks, but now that we're settled I finally have a chance to write. The commissioning in VA was wonderful. Damien and I both got a little emotional. I guess it was just the culmination of two years of work, prayer and anticipation. We spent a week visiting with partners, packing and organizing. We were so blessed to have Damien's sister Christina fly up to help watch the kids. We packed everything up and left VA on August 31st. We drove about 6 hours south to Morehead City, North Carolin to visit my brother Aaron for a few days. We just hung around on Labor Day and had a cook-out. We spent two days at the beach. The first day we went out on his catamaran. We had a ton of fun until the end of the day when we were about to come back in. We were close to the intercoastal which lead out to the ocean. Suddenly we lost our wind and started getting sucked out into the ocean. The water was pretty rough and one side of the boat was taking on water. I was getting a little nervous as we were getting farther and farther out. We all had life vests on but still...with the current so strong there was no way we could have swam to shore. Thankfully there were still some boats out. We were able to flag one down and have them pull us into shore. They even let us get on their boat since half of ours was underwater from taking on so much water. From North Carolina we had two long days of driving. The first day we were on the road for about 12 hours. Birmingham was about half way so we stopped and stayed the night with some friends. We were up early the next morning to drive the additional 12 hours to Dallas. We stopped in Ruston, LA to meet up with my mom and Emily who joined our "caravan" and then in Shreveport, LA to meet up with Christina's husband Rob. We were hoping to be able to pick up our car from the shop while we were there but ironically, when the glass shop received the new window to install in our car, it was broken! We got to Dallas around 9pm on Friday. I was really excited and a little anxious to see our apartment. We hadn't been able to see it so we had no idea what it would be like. I was relieved and happy when we walked in. Even though it's an old apartment, there was new carpet and new vinyl in the kitchen and bathrooms. So it totally feels clean (and that's the most important part for me). The kitchen opens to the living room (something I've always wanted) and there is a separate laundry room. Even better is that there is an extra room (a den) that I wasn't expecting. It looks like they added it onto the porch area because between the living room and den there are windows. It's pretty funny. I think I have more closet space here than anywhere I've ever lived which is surprising since the apartments are over 35 years old. We actually have a friend from VA who grew up as a Wycliffe MK whose parents lived in the apartment next door when she was born. After living with other people for almost two years, it's been almost strange to just have our family here. But it's been SO nice. Damien's happy to not have to wear shorts all of the time and I think the kids really are excited that it's OUR house. For the past two years we've lived at "Joshua's house", "Mimie's house", "Nina and Pop's house" or "Skye's house." Orin loves calling it "our" house. As well as saying "my room." The center (which is called the "International Linguistic Center") has tons of trees and plenty of place to walk around with the kids. There is a preschool on the center, right across the street from our apartment. It's only open in the morning until 12:45pm, so we can use the huge outside play area any time after that. Orin will be starting preschool in the 3 year old class. He's so excited although sometimes he says, "You're coming to school with me mom, right?" The preschool is licensed by the state and it looks like they do a lot of great activities. Today I took Orin for his check-up (which is required before starting). Micaiah was also due for his two year check-up. There is a clinic right on the center. We actually walked to it! They can write prescriptions, and do physicals. It's awesome. Orin wasn't excited go (he thought he would have to get shots even though I told him he wouldn't). He kept telling everyone there that he wasn't sick. He kept the Doctor on his toes by talking nonstop and asking him questions such as, "What is your favorite color," "Where is your house," "What is that?" I do have to take the kids somewhere else for vaccinations, but that's no big deal. Damien started working on Monday. It takes him about 3 minutes to walk to his building. He is really excited about some of the projects he might get to work on. The hardest part for him is going from being the "expert" which he was in his old job, to being the new person who doesn't know anything about what is going on. Other things we've done since driving here is drive to Monroe, LA to pick up or car, drive it back to Dallas and put it into a body shop, get all of our DMV stuff done, found a good ice cream shop, put our extra furniture in storage (our apartment is furnished), and unpack the house! I've so enjoyed having my own kitchen again. We made homemade ice cream last night, I've got bread cooking in the bread machine right now, and we're looking forward to making Micaiah's birthday cake tomorrow. It still hasn't settled in yet that we're actual missionaries. I have a feeling that it may not happen until we go overseas. Because we're a non-profit, grocery stores can donate their extra food to us and can write it off. So in the mornings they come and give out food (mostly bread, fruit, and vegetables). I just need to get on the ball and get out of bed to make it in time. I know there is more to write about, but this is probably already too long. Everyone may have stopped reading by now anyway I should end here. God has really blessed us and we're so happy to be here - finally!