4 1/2 months out

March marks the beginning of the logistical steps to return to Cameroon.

The whole time here in the States is really in preparation for going back - sharing our story, classes, connecting with family, friends, supporters and churches, and searching for new partners in missions.

Chris has returned from Dallas and 2 long months of intensive courses at GIAL (Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics) where he took courses in Scripture Engagement, and Arts in Trauma Healing. He also visited a few churches, saw old friends and family.  He spent a short time at the offices of Faith Comes By Healing whom he will be working with in his new part time position as head of Scripture use department in Cameroon.

Now step 1: Passport renewal for the kids.
Unfortunately children under 16 must get their passport renewed every 5 years. Our kids' passports expire in August.  Even though we should be in Cameroon by then, most countries don't allow you in if there is not at least 6 months left before they expire.

So, time for paper work.  The first of many forms~

And for an update on the rest of life....

Ben was a wrestler this year.

We went to Sewanee for our niece Elizabeth and Neil Raman's wedding.

The boys may or may not have been up to mischief 

We got to stay at Aunt Maureen and Uncle Jeff's home
and play cards with cousin Paisley and Aunt Marie

One good snow in January~

The ice won't break mom....

My kitchen help hard at work~

 And going to the Sadie Hawkin's dance

My mom packed up the family china to give to my sister and me in preparation for her moving to Florida (sometime after we go back to Cameroon).

I took a walk by our local LOVE sign~

 Beautiful sunsets

 Kristin tried on my mom's wedding dress. It's 50 years old!

Our church did a paint/craft/game night. FUN~

Chris met up with old friends in Dallas.

Chris and Cathy smile to say hello from Dallas

Thank you for reading!

Please continue to pray as we will be traveling a bit this spring.  We hope to go to 4 churches in NC, a wedding in Raleigh, and a church in Jacksonville, FL. We also need to visit a few more college campuses for Noah.

We still need about $1,600/month and more prayer partners before we return to Cameroon.

Chris will be in North Africa for a Scripture songwriting workshop and The Netherlands for a conference leaving March 18 - April 7.  Please pray for safe and fruitful journeys.  May God be glorified in all his work.

Birthday

What makes birthdays so special?  That day we finally lay eyes on the much anticipated, expected, hoped for, longed for child is worth being celebrated.  Whether it is in the first anniversary of that day or like Christmas, the 2016th, our family tries to make it special.

I think 2016 has been up there in one of my hardest and best years.  I've had some of the worst things happen and some of the best.  I am so thankful not to be alone through any of it. Even when I feel alone, I know God is with me.

Here are the best things from my birthday.....

My mom gave me special napkins!

Chris made awesome spicy shrimp and pasta.

Kristin and Ben helped with my cake

Chris made the cake and it was really good!

I got cool presents - somme all the way from Cameroon (thanks Heidi!)

The next day was even more birthday celebrations:

My friend Jessica came to visit and we saw Kristin's choir concert together 

Good job Kristin

And then we left for a girls' weekend away.  Oh my!  SO very much fun!

Monticello
Charlottesville, VA

God makes cool trees, doesn't he?

Amazing view 

Beautiful house and grounds, well worth a tour and most of a day.

Slave quarters.
I find I am fascinated now with how the slaves lived.  I am ANTI-slavery, but
I've seen how so many have to live in Africa today and I am amazed at how nice the quarters were.
We Americans have NO idea how good we have it here!

The gardens

You could touch everything - in the children's museum section.

Then off to my very first ever wine tasting.
Nice

Our hotel room at the Graduate.
Lots of cool UVA trivia in every decoration and furnishing 

Dinner at the rooftop restaurant.  Wow.  Wonderful pot roast and best apple pie ever later on.  

Bikes provided by the hotel.
And you know you are with a travel blog writer when  (I'll save that one for another day)

 Off to the Christmas market.

Really reminded me of France.
The bread was not quite as good, but it was beautiful!

Nearby visit to Highland, President Monroe's home

The original home area is lined with rocks in front of this house

A block of tea.
Ever wonder what the tea from the Boston Tea Party looked like?

Many historical things to look at on the grounds

Michie Tavern.  Lots of okay food, but really interesting grounds and shops.

Michie Tavern

Historic marbles

 The Carter Mountain Orchard was next and the view!

 UVA campus

 And another president's home:  Montpelier

Learning about cider from Castle Hill

Keswick Vineyards

 Keswick Hall

And then right into the Christmas season....

Santa  at Walmart.

The Nutcracker

6th grade Band concert

Amazing race style birthday party for Molly

Big Ben on his 11th birthday by Big Ben at Busch Gardens

Megan, my faux daughter, and the gingerbread house

Light Sabers on Christmas in the stockings

Christmas 

Matt Stoker came for Christmas dinner!  :)

It was a great birthday and holiday season. Gifts of time and places with family and friends.

Tough time for one child at school.  This is not the place- pray for for all the kids in public school.  The things that they face each day ~  peer pressure and bullying, 'locker room' talk.  Praise for the friends they have made and growth in many ways.  Pray for spiritual growth.

Pray for our time to be productive.  Pray for more prayer and financial support.  Pray that we share about our work and what God is doing in Cameroon effectively.

Pray for Chris's classes in Dallas January (Scripture Use) and February (Arts in Trauma Healing) to have a lasting impact on the work in Cameroon to the Glory of God.