Family Time

Josh, Kari, Stella, and Leo came to visit a month ago.

We enjoyed trick-or-treating in Fountain Square where Julie lives.

Explored an old house that Josh and Kari were considering buying, which they did! They'll be moving to Indy near the end of the year. We're setting aside the week of Christmas to do some house cleaning and renovations. :) The over 100-year-old house is a fixer-upper with lots of potential.

If anyone would have told me that most of my family would be living in the mid-west in 2013, I wouldn't have believed it. But, it is happening! I'm looking forward to connecting with the kids and grandchildren with spontaneity. Something we've never been able to do before. I've already been enjoying time with Julie for dinner when Dennis is out of town or just for a coffee time. And, with Mike, Joni, and Miles less than a 5-hour drive away, we can connect with a little bit of planning ahead. After so many years being scattered all over . . . well, you just never know how life is going to unfold!

Auntie Julie and Stella making funny faces

Papa and Leo

Sweet Leo

Enjoying trick-or-treating with Stella. Leo's feet are keeping warm with Grandma's gloves :)

Lots of work and potential. Hmm, Dennis and I remember doing a house renovation once in our lives.

Next, was a road trip to PA with Joni and Miles . . . 667 miles, 12 hours long, and back again.  Miles was a trooper for such a long journey. Great to see my family, and spend some time enjoying the farm.

Kisses for Great Grandpa

4 generations

Sweet Memories

Kids everywhere! We even got to feed milk to a few who lost their mothers.

Joni, the Farmer :)

Checking out the sheep and lambs

Next, was Thanksgiving where we gathered at Mike and Joni's in MI, with Julie, Dennis' parents, and an afternoon visit from our nephew, Rich and Darcie and family. 

Pre-dinner snacks and chatting

Preparing the pork loin

Joni's creativity. "I am thankful for" place mats with chalk to write what we were thankful for.

Rich, Darcie, Grace, Joy, and Christian

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! So many things to be thankful for.

We are off to Haiti this week, and then a much needed vacation.

Cambodia

Well, I returned on Saturday from SC finishing up another FLAME class. Three more classes to go towards my ordination pursuit! Now for the post-class assignments. God being my helper, I'm excited to dig in to one of my post-class projects, as I am hoping to develop a Discipleship template that can be used cross-culturally.  

This will be my final post on our Asia trip. The final leg of the journey was to Cambodia. This was my second time to Phnom Penh. Our daughter, Julie, and I made a trip four years ago to better understand the awful crime of human trafficking. 

This time Dennis and I went to visit our new M's on the field. Loved staying with and getting to know Doug and Lori and their three boys. Believing in them to be the right people to bring direction and encouragement for this season in the life of the Cambodian Wesleyan Church.

We had the privilege of meeting with many of the pastors and wives who serve in Phnom Penh and villages beyond.

Enjoyed lunch with the pastors and spouses

Dennis sharing and encouraging the Cambodian team

Doug, Lori, and Drew. Tyler and Nate were in school, so I didn't get any pictures of the entire family. Thanks for hosting us! Loved being with you!

One More on Bangladesh :)

Bangladesh reminded me of India. Rice paddies, thatched huts, bicycles, goods balanced on top of heads, motor bikes, people walking, cows, goats, minimal road rules, and lots of people. It's difficult to describe the sights and smells of Bangladesh with words, more less pictures, but the photos below may give you a glimpse of life there.

Busy Roads

Notice the monkey

More of Bangladesh

One of the highlights of our time in Bangladesh was to officially welcome the Wesleyan Church of Bangladesh into the greater Wesleyan church family. Below are pictures of this special day.

Entering the orphanage/school/church complex - children welcoming us with flowers

Dennis and I had the honor of unveiling the banner declaring The Wesleyan Church of Bangladesh

Ordaining two of the pastors

Praying over the pastors

Pastors and evangelists

Team photo with Joshe, 6-year-old Joshua, and Ma Nina (mother of Joshe) who has been a fervent prayer warrior for the growth of the Church in Bangladesh

What a blessing to share in this special time! I have one more post to share that will be simply pictures of life and the countryside in Bangladesh.