School Days

This morning Sophia went to her first day of pre-school. Even writing it makes her sound all grown-up. I'd be tempted to mourn her baby days if this opportunity hadn't been such a minor miracle. After all our family only arrived in Dallas a week ago. How did we stumble on a Christian pre-school that took her admission immediately, at a reasonable rate and even suggested we use their clinic as our primary doctor while were in town? It's a simple answer-- God.

If we hadn't been living like urban nomads for the last year the ease at which this all came about (during a record Texas snow fall I might add) might have gone over my head. I've tried to enroll Sophia in pre-school before and the waiting lists alone were daunting to me--even for a mom's day out program. I rarely know where our family is going to be month-to-month so sign-up sheets terrify me.

The result of our unknown expeditions has been a lot of mini homeschooling (she's only three) and sight seeing, using whatever museums were available locally. In fact, we're heading out tomorrow to get our third library card in three different states in one year. (Don't worry we don't abuse it--I'm a HUGE believer in the library system)

What surprised me about our recent endeavor was that no one batted an eye lash as I explained our unusual situation. "That's our ministry, we help you through transition." Remarked the lovely administrator of the Wycliffe Child Care Center at the International Linguistic Center ACROSS THE STREET from my mother-in-law's house. Of course it's no coincidence that we're here since God is in control of all things and Nate's mom works at the center. But leave it to missionaries to have perfected a transitional system! Even though we're raising a third generation, global nomad, it still knocked my socks off at how smooth it's been for us.

Picking Sophia up this afternoon I was smothered in hugs, painted pictures and cut outs. She proudly informed me, "I can come to this school EVERY day, Mommy!" I think we'll start with three days a week. I'm not sure mommy can handle being all by herself, but I'm so thankful Sassy has such a great place to grow!

Psalm of the Traveler

'No one's going to believe were in Texas!' Nate remarked as I scurried to catch a picture of a curious llama saying hello through the window (I'll save you from the picture of the backside of a llama.) That was yesterday, and now there's at least four inches of snow on the ground and it's still coming down!

You can imagine how grumpy I was waking up this morning to see that I haven't really escaped winter after all and this was the attitude that I took to my devotional.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore Psalm 121:1-8

The more I studied it the more I realized that it was the perfect Psalm for this unusual day. The Psalmist (a fellow traveler) and I are both at the mercy of the elements, far from home, in need of a reminder that God is in control. He is my Protector, the Creator of the sun, the moon and even the snow. He is watching over my life, my coming's and going's, even the slippery road's. This morning, I got on my knee's in attempt to shed my grumpy, ungrateful attitude and thank God for his protection and his creation but especially for loving me and watching over every step this wanderer takes, snow and all.

Southern Sojourn

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Hitting publish on my last blog I realized I'd encapsulated all the places we'd been but none of the magic that made it thrilling. Our latest trip has been an old school road trip with long stretches of road and time without excitement. It's been one of our crazier ventures simply b/c we only needed to fill the car and go. Even days before we left as I was procrastinating packing I wondered why we were leaving AGAIN? These thoughts get overwhelming when I'm trying to pack for a trip full of unknowns-when are we coming home--no idea. Where are we going--have only a slight idea. What will it be like--no clue? So why do we do it?

We love coming home to our mid-west enclave of cherished friends and family. But a brutal winter and family needs far away weren't the only thing that was drawing us back to the road. An inner restlessness, that old North wind that stirs up my imagination or the Holy Spirit calling us onto some type spiritual adventure, Nate and I both felt the need to move. The best way I can explain it is like physical problem solving, when my body is moving my spirit is processing.

Despite the unknowns and the misgivings, I've learned to trust Nate's leading especially when God's impressing the same peace into my heart. Leaving Iowa behind in the dead of night, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee began to roll past our window with the welcome warmth of day. Something else happened and continues to happen much to our amazement. Inspiration has trickled in through the long hours of talking and listening. We also listened to others journeys and found hope. Stone's into Schools by Greg Mortenson, sequel to Three Cups of Tea, bled personal experience with amazing development practices into our minds and souls still reeling from our intense journey through Africa.

The road is like a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow, the space between real life and our dreams. In a time of constant connectivity it's the silence, the mountain top experience where God can whisper. These past few days we've seen God smile on our sojourn, old friendships renewed, life celebrated, family cherished, heart ache spilled and softened. I even see hope in the flat tire that waited until we were safe in the arms of family here in Dallas.

The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” –Samuel Johnson

ROAD TRIP

This last week we did 24 hours worth of driving in 72 hours!

Early Wednesday morning Nate, Sophia & I headed to Chicago to pick up Auntie Minga! Great help on a road trip with a three year old! Sophia's such a trooper, I tried to put her to bed and then put her sleeping in the car but she was SO excited! She couldn't sleep until we got rolling (at midnight!) Complete with kids neck pillow, blanket and eye mask from our last international flight--the minute we got on the road she was out! What a pro!

Chicago to Atlanta late Wednesday. Thursday onto Fort Benning, Georgia to celebrate 'Unca Banga's' graduation from Officer Candidate School and his promotion to 2nd Lieutenant! What a privilege to express our support for our troops! Talk about motivating!

Thursday night we said goodbye and hit the road (sans Minga) heading toward Texas. Sophia knew her favorite cousin Hannah was at the end of the road nothing would get in her way.

It was a strange experience to road trip after so much flying! We still have the chops thanks to lotz of audio books (new recommendations coming soon!) our newest addition a portable DVD player loaded with Backyardigans. Admittedly, it hasn't been warm in Dallas since we landed Friday, but I'll take 43 and pray for an early spring. It's been a blast to hangout with cousins and celebrate with our hosts Linda & Eric Darjean, Eric hails from Louisiana. Go Saints!

A CHALLENGE FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS

WITH ALL MY HEART

This is the first thing commanded of me

To love You with all You've made me to be

Living a life pleasing to You

Be humble in all that I do

With all of my heart

With all of my soul

With all of my mind

I love you Lord

With every part of me

Lord I will worship Thee

All that I'll ever be I give to You

~Words & Music by Dave Fife

Living, we cover vast territories; 
imagine your life drawn on a map--  
a scribble on the town where you grew up,
  each bus trip traced between school and home,
 or a clean line across the sea to a place you flew once.
 Think of the time  and things we accumulate,
 all the while growing more conscious of losing and leaving.
 Aging,our bodies collect wrinkles and scars 
for each place the world would not give under our weight. 
Our thoughts get laced with strange aches, 
sweet as the final chord that hangs in a guitar's blond torso.
-First Gestures, Julie Kesdorf

The Cure for Winter Weather!

Unexpected Delight: Bourne Identity meets Murder She Wrote. That unlikely comparison was my first thought then I found out that Angela Landsberry actually did this book as a mini-series in the nineties! A witty, caring and wise widow volunteers for the CIA much to Langely's surprise. Her guile, tenacity, and insight surprise even her foes. Plus even my daughter likes these stories, they're family friendly (always a plus around my house!)We picked up this delightful audio book at our local library but I was so thrilled when I pushed play and recognized the much beloved voice of Barbara Rosenblat! This is a great cure for the winter blahs-but don't take my word for it! Mystery Writers of America recently awarded Mrs. Pollifax creator Dorthy Gilman the honor of Grand Master for her body of work. Scrumptious Surprise: Found this at a dollar store days before we went to Africa! So glad I did! Eloquent story telling and historical novel interwoven with complex themes in a surprisingly easy to read book. Written by a member of the Saudi royal family, it's a page turner. I can't wait to read some of her other work!

The Reason For God: Tim Keller Insightful, philosophical and yet very approachable. Another one I picked up from our local library. Tim Keller is widely liked at Imago Christi and I wanted to see what it was all about.

The Nautical Chart: Arturo Perez-Reverte A modern macho showdown off the coast of Spain. Searching for sunken treasure in troubled waters in the ocean and between the crew. This was an intriguing book that left me slightly unsatisfied. But I rarely finish books I don't like and I knew I HAD to finish this one. I'll let you decide.

Sophia McGyver

I shouldn't have been surprised to see Sophia squirl away a toothbrush and a magazine when she moped back to bed. She'd informed me that she couldn't sleep trying to be sly while she rescued the items. When I pulled back the covers and saw she'd added a flashlight and two pot holders to the mix? She looks sweet and innocent but it makes me wonder? Is she planning an escape?

Yesterdays News

Here's the good news: Coming up on five years of marriage and I can guess my husbands 'honey, I'm sorry but my flights been delayed' voice before he actually says it. Unfortunately, I think it's because I've had WAY too much practice. It doesn't help that I'm NOT a patient person.

Here's the bad news: Current events have SERIOUSLY increased international airport security on US bound flights. Ironically, we didn't experience anything like this coming from Copenhagen a week ago. From what I can tell, it's something the Canadian government is enforcing that came down the pike Thursday. Possibly in response to recent events or information unknown to the general public. According to Nate (who missed his flight due to multiple searches, pat down's, and having to clear out his carry on of every but a laptop and a paper) security measures heading out of the country are non-eventful but coming back demands extra hours.

With Nate jumping the globe, he's in Montreal this week,the jokes about him being a spy are easy--days like today I wish he was. The kind with their own helicopter that would drop him in the backyard just in time for dinner. Ahh well, nice to know our Canadian neighbors have our back.

Unforgettable Moments

There's a saying in Chad, rather silly but poignant now. Instead of saying 'cheese' before a picture, someone laughingly would say 'merci Kodak!' Now, thousands of miles away,I understand the sentiment. Thank you Kodak, or Cannon I guess, for giving me a piece of Africa to warm my heart on a cold winter night. Proof it wasn't just a dream, but a special gift to laugh, live and love along side our family on the other side of the world. Merci Kodak for letting us bring a piece oof the wonderful smiling faces and moments home.

Homeward Bound!

Feeling a little lost at the moment. Possibly due to constant moving and lotz of suitcases.
Writting from the airport in Paris. Just spent the night here and onto Copenhagen then Chicago. Flip a coin and we might spend the night in Chicago. We'll see how the flights go.
Then on to home. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Holiday Happenings

Sophia and Daddy with the first of a several 'gifts' we've been given in our travels. Call it a meal on wheels--Sophia hasn't really made the connection but thinks it's funny when the chicken gets to ride in the car with us. For daddy it's brought back memories of long road trips with his father, the venerable pastor. Sharing the back of the car with a virtual menagarie of 'gifts' that clucked and baa'd at every bump. The stories still make me giggle but the generosity of the people who share so much when they have so little isn't lost on me.
Christmas Eve, Sophia & Kaga make popcorn! In the family courtyard. Even in Africa we got colds and both Nate's parents were cut down with the flu over Christmas. Due to a dry year there's been alot of dust in the air so it's taken awhile for all of us to adjust to the weather. Feeling better and appreicate your prayers!
Santa even comes to Chad! Sophia was so surprised to see a package of M&M's and a little car that lights up--opens it's doors and sings a strange little Arabic song. She loved it! So have the little kids around here!
Our family stopping at Nate's mother's village of Gore (pronounced Goh-re) outside Doba Christmas day with Kaga Tele--She used to care for Nate & his older brother when they were babies. A priviledge to see her. We came back several times and enjoyed every trip. Almost like stepping back in time to see how this industrious lady lives off the land. Shelling huge bushels of peanuts, chickens, drying sorgum, baobob fruit and anything else edible.
Kaga Tele's kitchen!
Traveled down to Doba Christmas day and visited Nate's best friend from childhood and his new bride. Armand & Prudence. What an amazing experience! Traveling towards the oil fields you can see a civilization changing (for better and worse) villages with street lights and cans of diet pepsi! Armand gave us an incredible view of the changing landscape here since he's an agricultural consultant. Also got to visit an evangelistic crusade being lead by local pastors on Christmas day (We dropped Nate's father off for the service) The evangelical crusade started over the holiday with people then setting out on foot in groups to the nearby villages for door to door witnessing. As the child of missonaries this was an incredible Christmas gift to witness. So was visiting a local church of 650 and hearing Nate's father preach.

Grandma & her twin sister. I'm covering my head b/c we're about to pray. When we first got here in the early hours of the morning. I'd thought I'd lost my make-up bag. It was crazy how much it through me for a loop. Granted I was running on only a few hours sleep-but it was like someone was asking me to go naked. Now, it seems even funnier when I see how badly it didn't matter. The funny part was Nate's reaction--I was trying to be brave but he was very empathetic--almost too empathetic. Helped me let go a little. Letting go of self and letting God in. It's been very cathartic!

Paris and Chad Pictures

Wow see the family resemblence? She's not worried-just copying Great Grandma (Kaga) My mother-in-law's mother. She is getting very good at reading people and copying what they do. Lotz of handshaking etc. . .
This moment made my year and definately my trip. Kaga is was unsure if she'd ever see us again and told us that if she didn't see her again until heaven it would be okay.

Of course Nate would slip this 'important' picture in with all of our family pictures. I've learned to let him gawk whenever we're at the airport. Every vactation it seems like we come home with more pictures of airplanes than of people!! Hazard of the road I guess!

Sophia at the Louvre. It was closed so we spent the day at the Musee D'Orsay. A good way to stay out of the cold and I got to wander with Monet's, Degas',Mucha's, Manet's it was a wonderful Christmas present from my family to see these all with my own eyes. After this we wandered up the Champs Elyses Christmas Market, drinking hot chocolate and hot wine!

Merry Christmas from Great Greatpa & Great Grandma! A trip to the Eiffel Tower and one or two around the carosel across the bridge. Then bowls of hot Onion Soup at another outdoor Parisian Christmas Market. Very pretty, very cold, but very pretty!


Anyone remeber this scene from the new Sabrina? Taking pictures with a scarf!

We've Arrived!!!

The Chadian people have a beautiful custom that I've grown to cherish. Upon entering a crowd or a room every individual takes a moment to shake hands with EVERYONE. Women, children-you name it-everyone gets greeted. As a foreigner in far away place this little action gives me so much hope and dignity every time. No matter how much of a barrier of language or culture divide this welcoming gesture has become a humanizing bridge making me feel at home over and over again multiple times a day. It's also a wonderful metaphor for the warm, friendly people we've encoutered at every stage of our journey.
We arrived in N'djamena,Chad about 2 am Friday morning. The late night trip was softened by the fact that we got to fly in first class! But sitting next to a Norwegian UN Nurse in full battle fatigues and blue barret brought a little reality into our picture. N'djamena is a stepping off point for Darfur and so there is a considerable UN presence here. Think of the movie Sahara without the explosions and the treasure and you'll get a picture of our surroundings.

On Sunday we headed South about 7 hours by car to the family home in the south. It's a bit cooler but the mosquitos are out in force. It's also a little less heated politicaly so it's a little more relaxed.

We got a chance to see Nate's grandparents yesterday. Very touching. I'm really honored to be among these beautiful people, they are gracious, kind and full of joy. Even among dust and poverty there is a beautiful sense of life here. The smiles and laughter will always stay with me.

I've never been to Chad but Africa as a whole hasn't changed much for me-except that everyone has a cell phone and you can buy bottle water on the street corner!

I can tell that the prayers of all of you are lifting us up b/c of the peace that is overwhelming us even when the little inconveniences take their toll. It's also been powerful to have my time in Africa as a child come back and serve as a foundation here. I'm very thankful for that and the fact that we can experiece all of this together.

Sophia is doing well she made quick friends in Ndjemena with her cousins--the language difference didn't mean anything to her and they little cousins cried when we headed south.

Down here it's a little tougher, the children are a little more timid but we're using baloons and treats to help her bridge the gap. Her bravery is extraordinary and I can learn alot from her warm heart in the face of so much unknown. I'm thankful that she developed a taste for rice and sauce since she's been eating like a champ! She's even picking up a couple words in French. She asks about Shueyvill at night and wants to know if Nana & Papa went on a trip too? Thank you for your continued prayers over her transistion.

Lastly, I'm so thankful for my amazing husband, his people and the Godly legacy he comes from. What an amazing adventure we're having and I'm so proud to come home with him. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (Did I mention it gets up to 90 here and down to 68 at night?)
We love you all and are so thankful for your continued prayers!

The Countdown Begins. . .

Less than one month to till Nate, Sophia & I head to Chad, my husband's home country. It's crunch time. For the record we're only going to be there for two weeks. But like any adventure, we'll live a lifetime in every moment. We appreciate your prayers as we prepare to be reunited with family & friends.

Our official itinerary is:

1. December 12 through the 16th in Paris

2. December 17 through January 5 - N'djamena and Southern Chad.

3. January 6th in Paris

4. January 7th - head back to Iowa

Please pray for every step of the trip.

Oh look, my daughter's the raisin fairy!

Everyday musings from my house:

"Daddy! The new mayor just won by 62%." Sophia informed Nate this past month. Obviously impressed.

"Oh?" Daddy asked.

"Yep, he's going to give Pooh Bear band-aids to all the children!"

"Mommy, I'm not scared." Sophia informed me during a Disney movie."I'm just looking under my blanket."

"Would you like A or B?" Nana asked Sassy giving her two options for lunch.

"Nana, that's not letters. It's cheese!"

"I think I just took an anti-biotic and a pro-biotic?" I remarked to Nate confused. Without missing a beat. "May the best pill win!"

Tuesday Tips: A Couple of Page Turners & a Hole in the Wall

The Bellini Card by Jason Goodwin

I read it in four days. It's my favorite combination; historical fiction & mystery about Renaissance art with a great Byzantine Empire & Istanbul twist. A couple gory parts but that's why I love reading--easily skippable. Other than that very good & clean! (Available at your local library--support your library donate your time and/or books!)

The Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith

I've read several of McCall's books but I don't share them here b/c I personally find them so-so. However, the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series (this is one of them) are great! Especially paired with Lissete Lecat as an audio book! Her African accents are sooooo good! This one is especially good! It's like being there! (Also available at the Cedar Rapids Public Library)

Thai Flavors-Iowa City. Fabulous little place with great fresh cuisine. Coconut milk, fresh ginger, lemongrass, peanuts. If you love any of these in combinations you'll LOVE this place.