Bringing up the rear...

Following our special time at The Family Church's Global Impact Celebration, we put the Winnie on I-75 and headed south to Ft. Myers!  After years of invites, we were finally going to be able to see some special folks down in southwest Florida!  First up was breakfast with Leann.  We have joked that she's our cousin, kind of.  That is, Nathan and Leann have mutual cousins, but they are not cousins.  Anyone confused yet?  She treated us to a delicious breakfast and we caught up on her life, chiefly that she's getting married in June - -something very, very exciting!  Leann was VP of the student center student cabinet when we came to WGM way back in 1999.  It's been a joy to stay in touch over the years and now see where she grew up and has made her permanent home!

Our next visit was with Cydil's Aunt Marcia, who now winters in Ft. Myers.  We got to see her Florida home as well as visit an animal rescue/rehab center (with native Florida wildlife) and then sample some fantastic citrus products for which Florida is well known!

Monday evening Nathan's Aunt Elaine and Uncle Ken (who were hosting us for the nights we were in Ft. Myers) invited some friends over to meet us and hear a little bit about what we'll be doing in Albania.  It was a special treat that Nathan's former childhood pastor and his wife just happened to be in town and were able to be a part of the evening gathering!  They are featured below!

Our time in Ft. Myers flew by and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye and get on the road again. The days with Aunt Elaine and Uncle Ken were so encouraging! As we have looked back at this road trip, one of our regrets was not having more time to be with them in Ft. Meyers.

Uncle Ken and Aunt Elaine

Just 90 minutes north of Ft. Myers found us in Sarasota where we met my mom's cousin, Connie, and her husband, Randy, for lunch at Der Dutchman. In spite of living 'way down in Florida', Connie and Randy are always good to attend our family's reunion every year, so we appreciate that we know them better than some might know extended family members.  They are outstanding champions of the ministry in Albania and we're hopeful that Randy might get to finally visit in person later this year!  (As county manager, his schedule's pretty demanding, as you can probably imagine).

Wednesday evening we were happy to reunite with our college friend, Brian Hurley, and meet his new wife, Kelley.  They attend First United Methodist Church in Lakeland and invited us to share with their small group.  It was a blessing to meet their community of friends and they made us feel very at home and welcome!

The church is situated across the street from a little lake chock full of ducks and swans.  We had a lot of fun feeding them before small group began!  

with Kelley and Brian

In 2002, Nathan and I took our student cabinet down over spring break to Mt. Dora, Florida, to minister together with some dear WGM missionaries (the Madsens and Aunt Sue Martin) engaged in work with Haitian immigrants.  We worked at this church and when we were invited to join some of those missionaries for a lunch visit whenever we were to come to Florida, we enjoyed a walk down memory lane, surprised to see that some of our projects were still   standing!

When we crossed paths with the Madsens last summer at WGM, they were eager for us to meet their daughter, Pam, and her family, if possible.  Pam's family had served as missionaries with the Nazarene's, and while ministering on the border, had adopted a little girl with a limb difference. I got a little bit of insight as to how other children might feel upon hearing of Reni before meeting him in person.  After telling them about the home were going to visit next, Ellie and Reni both indicated a little bit of fear about meeting someone made a little different than themselves.  Of course, within minutes of being together, differences were completely forgotten and they had a fantastic time!

From Mt. Dora, we drove up to the panhandle to spend our final day of visiting with our Asbury friends, Bryan and Tammy.  We reconnected when they returned to Wilmore a couple of years ago and joined our adoptive families group after bringing home their daughter, B.  Then we shared even more in common when they decided to pursue the adoption of their youngest who has a limb difference.  We remarked how unusual some of our conversations must sound to others, after discussing things like sockets, stubs, and therapy, etc. ;-)

With several year's of overseas living experience, we picked their brains for advice and suggestions in all sorts of matters.  Their family relocated to Florida from Wilmore shortly after we left Kentucky so Bryan could become pastor over missions and small groups at a church in his hometown. We discussed the possibility of future partnerships with their congregation and ways in which short and long term missionaries work best together. It really was a perfect way to cap off our trip to the south!

I included this photo because while it looks like we're laughing, Tammy and I were both trying to direct B's angle of her lens to be sure we got in the picture!

Sunday we were blessed with gorgeous weather while we headed north.  Thankfully our route took us right through the town my cousin Luke now calls home.  He treated us to some delicious 'Bama bbq!  We're so thankful for the gift of family and cousins scattered near and far that we can always visit!

Whew!  There were more photos but alas no more time to get them up.  This concludes our travelogue of photos from our trip south!  We are so blessed with all of the friends and family God has given us over the course of our lives.  We really felt "refueled" by our time with them!

Editor's note:  Today is a double-poster day!  Please scroll down to read another post from the Airport Sheraton! 

Stuck

(note from Cydil: first there will be an explanation of our current travel state, followed by a special prayer request at the bottom, un-related to travel, sort of).

Yes.  We were supposed to be landing in Albania right now.  Instead, I'm typing from the business center of our Sheraton Hotel, trying not to think about that right now.  One thing after another just didn't go right for us last night.  First, our plane was 2 hours delayed arriving in Peoria.  Then, we got to Chicago at 9:15, but sat on the runway for 45 minutes while we waited for the plane at our assigned gate to board and then, de-ice (a 20-minute process).  Our flight to Istanbul was to depart at 10:00.

To add insult to injury, we were at the very end of terminal C (if you're familiar with O'Hare, you'll know that's United's large terminal, connected to the rest of the airport by an underground tunnel).  I will spare you the labored description of our trek on foot to the shuttle train, which we watched pull away as we got to the escalators at the platform and had to wait another 10 minutes for the next one to take us from teriminal 1 to the other end of the airport at terminal 5.  All that to say, it took us 35 minutes to travel on foot from our gate to the Turkish Airlines Counter.  We arrived just as the employees stepped out from behind the counters to go home, on their cell phones, in their coats.

Their word?  Come back at 4PM tomorrow!  Our prayer is that those same two individuals are working the counter this afternoon!  We've been unable to confirm any further travel arrangements either in person at the United counter, over the phone with United, nor talking with Turkish Airlines on the phone (twice) or through our travel agent.  Since waking this morning we have secured paper documentation from United about why we missed our connection and hope that when we arrive at the counter at 4pm, Turkish will put us on their 10PM flight tonight.  We've blown off any hope of getting an earlier flight to Albania today that would get us in Friday afternoon instead of Friday evening (we have SO MUCH TO DO before the team arrives Saturday).

In spite of all of this, I'm SO thankful that we've all had good attitudes.  We called several hotels before we found a room at the Sheraton (believe me, we don't usually stay in digs this nice -- though it's seeming like a better and better deal with all the times we're riding the shuttle to and from the airport and taking advantage of their ample supply of complimentary toiletries).  We didn't get to bed until 2AM, but they are graciously allowing us to stay until 4PM so we don't have to glue our bums to an airport chair for 9 hours before boarding, like we feared.

Changing direction COMPLETELY, I got an e-mail this morning that blew me away.  It was from a mom who's adopting a little boy from Ellie's orphanage in Vlora. As she shared their challenges and concerns I struggled to hold back tears.  It was so de ja vu.  How do we get him to eat solid foods?  How do we get him to drink out of a cup (or drink fluids period)?  There was more which I won't share out of respect for their privacy but would you pray with me that in spite of my very tight schedule that we could find time where we would both be in Tirana at the same time?   In six years this is only the second family I've encountered who has adopted a child from Ellie's orphanage. (Sadly, the first family didn't bring their child home -- the kids in this orphanage have so, so much to overcome).  I remember my emotional state and I would love to be able to offer some encouragement and hope in person, if possible.  I told my mom today that instances like this remind me just how far our Ellie has come, and re-orient my expectations for her anew, thankful for God's provision for her in so many ways.  Finally, I would like to be able to find a sippy cup for them just like what we brought over for Ellie (it was by Nuby, and was soft, pliable plastic).  I hope that O'Hare has some sort of pharmacy store that might sell them.  Is that too much to ask?

Thank you, friends!  I appreciate that you love and pray for us!  We sense your prayers!

P.S.  Later this afternoon a previously composed post will go up which, according to my dad, is full of "here's so-and-so, whom we know through such-and-such."  I apologize that my travelogues lack more creativity!  By no means does that mean that their relationship is more or less special to us than any one else!  I'm just trying to introduce you to our friends :-)

Leaving on a jet plane!

In 45 minutes we are supposed to be pulling out of the driveway.  Do I feel ready?  Hmmm... Depends on what you mean.  I'm trusting that what hastily I've thrown in suitcases will be sufficient.  You may see me wear the same three shirts in photos from trip! I barely remember what I've packed.

We've been home not even 48 hours from the trip south.  The house is a wreck. But it's okay.  I can work on it when I return.

What we're going to get to do in Albania next week is so exciting, only God can take credit for ordaining it.

I'm going with my mom (Dad and Hannah are coming too) to host a team of ladies from The Family Church in our future home village of Vlashaj.  The team's purpose is to host a retreat for a select group of women in the village and pour love and God's Word into them at a beautiful seaside hotel.  I'm going to have the privilege of seeing where these ladies live (we're doing home visits prior to the retreat) and will get  acquainted with them in a setting apart from the demands of their every day life.  We couldn't imagine a better way for me to get to know the women who run the homes of the community where we're eventually going to live and minister.

Would you please pray for the retreat?  For the team?  For me?  Pray for health (so all can participate), for no last minute distractions that might prevent the Spirit's work, and for unity of spirit amongst all.

I look forward to posting (when I can) from Albania!

Gatorland!

We are just about to start the long journey home to Illinois, but before we left I had to take advantage of internet to post some photos and catch up before I leave for Albania on Wednesday!  We had a bit of a break in our schedule and enjoyed a few days with my dear friend, Jan, at her mom and dad's home in Jacksonville.   On Sunday morning, we shared in an adult Sunday School class.

Mr. and Mrs. Graves

 Sunday afternoon we drove over to the fort at St. Augustine.  Since I know there are friends who visit this blog because of our connection through raising children with limb differences, I wanted to mention something we learned as a result of this visit.  The fort is operated by the National Park Service.  Apparently if you are an individual who has a permanent disability that impairs your ability to enjoy one or more major life activities, you can qualify for a free, lifetime pass to all national parks in the United States.  We were really confused when we were trying to pay for tickets as the park ranger tried to explain that we didn't need to.  Eventually we figured out what he was trying to say when he handed us a card for Reni and told us that we were being admitted for free!  While we saved $21 that day, we will be saving more in the future as we anticipate visiting more parks on our travels!

Monday Jan's mom and sister took us to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on their family passes.  It was a fantastic zoo -- so pretty, and Ellie was thrilled to get to hold and feed birds in their aviary.

Jan's nephews and niece (whom I felt like I already knew from seeing the beautiful portraits she's captured).  It was a treat to get to know Jan's family better and see where she grew up!  They were all so welcoming and hospitable!  I hope that we can visit again!

From Jacksonville, we made our way down to Gainesville for the Global Impact Celebration (GIC) at the Family Church.  This was our second visit for a GIC (the first time was 8 years ago) and it was neat to recognize faces from our previous visit.

(Above, bottom right) We saw the Maverick, Steve Saint's flying car!

One afternoon we had some free time and paid a visit to the Natural History Museum.

Ellie made friends at a luncheon with another lady, Mrs. Scott, who shared her same first name.

The children's minister was thoughtful to arrange for the same ladies to take care of the kids Wednesday thru Sunday.  I think it definitely made the long weekend easier for them and allowed us to really enjoy all of the special events set up for the weekend.  Below Reni smiles with one of the ladies who took great care of him!

On Saturday afternoon, before small group, I was so excited to meet ladies from the Family Church who are traveling over to Albania on a team next week to facilitate a ladies retreat for the women of Vlashaj!  I don't know if I've shared on here just what a blessing this team is going to be, not only for the ladies of Vlashaj, but for opening so many doors for our family as we get acquainted with the community, our future home.  I hope to share more about what we'll be doing in the days ahead.  To say I'm excited is to put it mildly!

A very sweet, hospitable couple hosted us at their home.  Ms. Karen shared some special lavender oil on Ellie's feet to help her relax before bed.  I think Ellie's hooked!

Coming up next:  visits in Ft. Myers, Lakeland, Mt. Dora and Blountstown!  Thanks to everyone who has been praying for our vehicle!  The mechanic we consulted in Ft. Myers suggested we continue what we've been doing to for shifting gears until we could get it back home on Monday.  Just two more days to go!

Thanks also for praying for our family!  The kids have been amazing, enjoying the adventure of seeing new places and making new friends.  We really sense God's help in this! Thank you!

Winnie Is Sick

We just came off of a wonderful weekend in Gainesville. It was just what we needed -- inspiration from Kingdom workers (local and global), encouragement from fellow believers, and challenging messages that help us refocus as we are reminded why we are doing what we are doing.

How often do you hear someone ask for prayer that they might stay alive two more years and persevere through an illness so they can finish translating the New Testament?  Or hear that for the first time, Wycliffe officially has less language projects waiting to begin for Bible translation than they currently have in-process (about 2,000)?

I have much more to share from our time at The Family Church, but I want to wait until I can post some photos to supplement our testimony.  This brings me to the subject of this evening's post:

I suppose when you drive a vehicle as old as ours, maintenance issues are bound to pop up.  I've struggled with pride when it comes to sharing these 'issues', as you might imagine.  Pride because I don't want to look foolish for our investment in such a vintage mode of transportation, but also pride over admitting the anxiety I incur while traveling down the road!

One week from tonight we should be sleeping in our beds back at the farm house. That seems unbelievable while home is so many, many miles away. I imagine I will feel an palpable sense of relief when we actually arrive.  Since the tires blew, I am hyper sensitive to any rattle, grinding, squeak or squeal that might be out of place.  It's exhausting, actually.

I've shared before about the issue of the alternator belts breaking and coming off.  Miracle of miracles, we're still using the same belt as was installed in Wilmore over two weeks ago.  It helps that Nathan now knows how to tighten the belt himself (and replace it, if necessary). On the drive from Georgia to Jacksonville, then Jacksonville to Gainesville it seemed that we might possibly be "over the hump" of maintenance issues for this trip as Winnie resumed her usual rattle and hum down the interstate, and my tension and concern lifted with each passing mile.

Until yesterday. Apparently, Winnie wasn't done 'resting' during our Global Impact Celebration respite last week. This time, the transmission doesn't want to shift properly, though we were able to make it down to Ft. Myers.  We dropped her off at a shop this morning, and they were slammed with work after the weekend, of course.  They think it was a simple repair and performed it, but didn't get a chance to test her on the road yet. We are to leave in the morning, but I have developed a healthy dose of skepticism, and I'm trying really hard not to worry about what we'll do if she's not running right.  Yuck.  Worry is such an energy drainer, a joy stealer, a faith defeater. I know it's unproductive.  I would be overjoyed if they got to the bottom of whatever issues are taking place under the hood (there's a possibility the shifting issue is related to the alternator belt problems).  Lord willing, we'll be on the way up to central Florida tomorrow afternoon, but our schedule is ultimately in His hands!  I'll try to keep you posted!  7 days remain!

Georgia On My Mind

Perhaps one of the more challenging aspects of life on the road is loss of a schedule. No two days look the same, and finding time to post to the blog has been a trick.  Nevertheless, I don't want to skip anything as I document our journey so I'll try to play catch up!

My last post's photos ended with us pulling out of Toccoa.  Almost immediately after leaving we heard that awful grinding sound.  The sound almost always correlated with going downhill or Nathan hitting the brakes.  We assumed it had something to do with our brakes or the brake assist, and while on the phone with a friend we were to see in Marietta the next day, she offered to call her local mechanic and see if he could get us in.

As you know, we didn't make it to Marietta. About 30 minutes from the outerbelt around Atlanta the grinding was no longer intermittent but constant so Nathan pulled off at the next exit while I started searching auto repair businesses on the GPS.  Nathan had barely pulled into a gas station when two guys in an HVAC truck pulled in next to us to point out that our right rear tire was wobbling badly.  That's when we discovered the missing lug nuts. They recommended a tire shop less than half a mile a way, so we slowly got back on the road and crept there as carefully as possible. 

The business was obviously not busy with one gentleman playing on his phone outside and another at the desk watching TV.   One looked at the tire and twisted one of the three remaining lug nuts to test its tightness and it fell off in his hand.  They recommended we try a larger business, more capable of handling a vehicle of our size. When we asked just how a truck could tow our RV with no rear tires, they admitted they had no work that day and would try to help us. 

We got a ride into town with the coffee shop manager and ate lunch at his establishment before starting homeschool.  Unfortunately, the coffee shop closed at two, and our repair was not yet complete, but one other business in the tiny downtown was open for business so we walked ourselves and all our bags across the street to a sweet shop.  The kids were thrilled to eat cupcakes and draw on chalkboard tables!

Shortly thereafter we were notified that our vehicle was roadworthy again and back on the interstate we returned!  What a relief not to hear anymore grinding! That evening we visited the home of our friends, Phil and Sarah Bowdle, and their dog Sadie! After a stressful day, we felt restored in the company of old friends over good food!

The next morning we met the Espys for breakfast at a near by Chick Fil A.  We met Paul and Ashleigh last summer at a WGM missionary workshop, and this time we were thrilled to meet their kids too!  Their whole family is headed to Kenya in April, so it's been nice to know others walking in similar shoes as we are during this season.  When they get their blog up and running, I'll be sure to share a link.  Ashleigh has a wonderful way with words, expressing the Lord's work in their lives and I'm sure it will be as encouraging to you as it is to me!

They were so kind to give us some tickets to the Atlanta Zoo, and since we had some time in our schedule before our next visit, we stopped by for a few hours.  The kids absolutely loved it. They've been so good bouncing from one house to another, most of the time not knowing or remembering the folks we're visiting, so it was nice to do something just for them.

Above, Reni poses as a gorilla statue.  Below, our little navigator.  He was not eager to share his map, but more than willing to tell us where to go next!

Ellie's chief desire was to find as many birds as possible, and I was really impressed with how many she could identify by sight!  Sadly, I didn't take many photos.  I was just enjoying the quiet of the zoo on a mild day.

From the Zoo we drove down to Jonesboro to meet another Albanian adoptive family.  We new of the H family through our Lexington church friends, the Cochrans.  Howard and Michelle had told us for years of Howard's sister and brother-in-law who had two boys from Albania and that we should meet them. When we were planning this trip last fall, I contacted Howard's sister, Jennifer, to introduce myself, and they were gracious enough to invite us over!

Their neighborhood had a little pond with ducks, so before supper, the kids fed them some bread.

The H boys are now 19 and 17, and Reni hit it off with both, bonding over cars and snack food!

We had a really nice time meeting this family and I hope that we see them again soon, perhaps in Albania!  As I've said, the Albanian adoption community is small, but there is an instant affinity upon meeting.  We had fun comparing names of folks and places we've been on our various trips.  Jennifer -- please tell the boys that Reni slept with the transformer toy they gave him for several successive nights after our visit!

From Jonesboro, we headed back up slightly to Lilburn where we visited the Woodwards.  We knew Ryan from Asbury, and we met his wife, Jane, through the Alpha program at our church, just a few months before they married.  What a joy to see their home (though not for much longer -- they are moving up to New England) and meet their youngest!

From the Woodwards, we met up with college friend, Rebecca, and her husband Ed.  Since they had a doggie whom they didn't trust with children, after supper we invited them into our RV for hot chocolate and a rousing game of Go Ape (think Go Fish meets charades).  They were good sports!

Before leaving the next morning, the kids begged for more time with their puppy, Liam. Reni made the unusual request to have his photo taken with Liam.  This is the best I got.

Friday we started making our trek deeper south, stopping over in Statesboro to see my friend, Delia.  Delia's son, Jacob, is a senior at Asbury, but I met her 4 or five years ago when she picked me up at the airport when I attended a prayer retreat at St. Simon's Island.  Delia prays faithfully for missions and we're blessed that she faithfully follows this blog and prays for us!  During this season of life as her nest is emptying of her two oldest children, she's taken in her aging mother.  She told us, "I can't get out in the world, but you brought the world here!"

Delia, thank you for making us feel so welcome!  Hopefully our next visit will be longer!

As we look back and remember these visits, I can't help but feel overwhelmed at the friends (old and new) God has blessed us with.  I'm sure when we move over to Albania for good, it will be a tremendous encouragement to know that we have such a wonderful support network "back home", supporting us with their love and prayers!

Traveling Mercies...

Traveling mercies... that old-fashioned, perhaps 'holy-sounding' phrase we oft recite before driving.  Not that it's insincere, but it takes on a whole new meaning when one is driving, well, what we are driving.  In weather like what you see below... Often we think of 'traveling mercies' as safety for our person or vehicle, but it also comes in the form of hospitality and graciousness from a stranger or a friend along a journey.  We have experienced both on this trip, and we gratefully accept both gifts. 

For much of Saturday, that's what the road looked like.  It was supposed to be above freezing in Kentucky, and as warm as 55 by the time we reached our destination.  I don't think it got above freezing except for a small stretch in Tennessee.

Our first stop:  Berea, Kentucky.  Our college friends, Skip and Sarah Little, invited us to come for brunch to meet some of their friends Saturday morning.  We had a delightful time, eating Skip's yummy chocolate chip waffles, some locally made donuts, and lots and lots of fruit and sausage over easy conversation.  We are so blessed by the folks we meet along the way, and are humbled by friends who generously give of their time and resources to help us to Albania.  Unfortunately, I forgot to get my camera out of the bag until the very end!  Below is Reni and Nathan with Skip and Ryan and Skip's oldest son.  Sarah -- I'm so sorry you were under the weather!  We'll just have to come back another time! ;-)  Skip, you are a missionary's best friend, naturally anticipating needs and knowing just how to encourage. I'm not articulating it well, but just know we think you're awesome.

From the Littles', we made our way down to north Georgia to spend the remainder of our weekend with our friends, the Santors.  The trip took a couple of hours longer than the GPS predicted, thanks to snowy roads, but we safely pulled in just after dark, a little before 7.  In the last hour or so, we had begun to hear a grinding sound in the rear wheel wells going down hills, but assumed we were just accumulating snow and ice on the breaks.  The snow was falling so hard, visibility was poor on hilly, windy roads. To say we were relieved to finally arrive is a bit of an understatement.

We were warmly welcomed by our friends the moment we arrived.  Talk about balm for the soul. While we've only met in person once before, it didn't feel that way at all, getting hugs from the kids as we walked in the door.  We settled in and prepared for a gathering of their closest friends.  Nathan made Turkish coffee and we set up the projector for a little informal "Albania" night, kids included.  I don't want to give all the fun away, but hopefully everyone left with a little better knowledge about where we're moving and a glimpse of our hearts.  The evening ended with them surrounding us for a time of prayer.

The next morning we attended the Santors' church, where Aaron recently began pastoring (he formerly led worship -- you need to hear his his original music, playing on their blog).  The Santors' two boys brought little bongo-like drums.  Ellie asked to see one, then proceed to tap along with the worship in her seat.  I'm seriously thinking about buying her a drum of her own, the way it helped her stay engaged in the music.  (Not that she's not usually engaged in music, but it's just hard to tell since she usually doesn't sing).  Nathan shared a 10-minute message, and then we left with the children to do an object lesson in kids' church.

We wrapped up, sharing our theme verse for this year (Isaiah 45:3) about the hidden treasures God has given us in our journey with him.  Rich and MaryAnn (the children's leaders), opened the mic up for the kids to pray for our family.  As the line queued, Ellie leaned over to ask if she could go pray.  With a bit of reservation, I agreed. She waited her turn, then proceeded to pray a simple two line prayer: "God, thank you for parents who adopt orphan treasures and I pray for Albania."  I don't think I need to describe how Nathan and I were moved.

After church Ellie ran around with a new friend, "T".

Following lunch, we went to go see the Falls, on the campus of Toccoa Falls.

Jennifer had a photography assignment due the next evening, so she had her camera out to catch some images for class.  She shared her photos with me, so I'm not sure which images in this series are hers and which are mine!

The Santor kids are virtual gazelles and Reni wanted to be just like them.  He traversed quite a distance, navigating from rock to rock, like below.

 I'm not sure who likes it more when when Ellie gets to distribute doggie treats.  Don't worry, she wasn't feeding him M and Ms!

Some last-minute pics and we were on the road again!

Thank you, Santors and friends from Grace Fellowship!  You ministered to us in so many ways!  We are grateful for you all!  We can't wait to see you all again!

I hope to catch up the blog from this week's visits in the Atlanta area.  So far, the Winnie has been fine, squeaky belt aside. :-)  We hit the road shortly for Statesboro (about three hours away) after we finish school!  We are grateful for all of you who lift us up - thank you for praying for our safety on the road, but we also ask that you pray we might be good ambassadors, ever grateful for His provision!