Mt. Cameroon and Ewwwwwwwww...

The girls got a box of Halloween goodies from uncle Bob and Auntie Beverly. It was full of lots of sugar and lots of nasty stuff like gummy snakes and eyeballs in slime. Here the girls are enjoying the "goodies" or shall I say "grossies?". We love our Uncle Bob and Auntie Beverly!


We are packing up for Cameroon as well as France (a wee bit stressful to do all at once!) and here is our ginormous pile of stuff we've acquired or boughten so far. We'll be registering at Target next year so our friends and family can join us in helping to set up our first household in Cameroon.

What's in these tubs? Stuff we either can't get in Cameroon or stuff that is cheaper to ship than to buy there. Bug spray, clothes for Marianna (size 8-10 girls...yikes!), size 3T and up for Louis, skirts for me, kitchen stuff (we bought knives, pots and pans and got some other things but will register for the rest), some of the kids toys that we hate to part with, medicines, a few convenience food items like Taco seasoning, etc.

Making Pizza

We "made" pizza last week using a pizza crust mix (usually make homemade but didn't have yeast yet) and I had the last minute idea to let the girls make their own on some thin bread rounds. They loved it and wanted to eat them before they were cooked. I should have too because they didn't like them nearly as much after they were cooked! I think the deli thins got sort of soggy with all the sauce. But it was still a fun time:)

Livvie was having fun even though she looks like she's in pain or something in this picture. What a ham.

In other news we had some Chinese dignitaries visit JAARS today. We were told not to address them individually if we ran into them on campus, which I thought was a little odd. So..I come out after sending Marianna out with Louis (in his stroller) to wait on the porch. Marianna is chatting away with one of the dignitaries while he takes hundreds of pictures of the two kids! Ha! Apparently they are our neighbors while here at JAARS. A little tough to not "address individually" if they are taking pictures of your kids and giving them copious amounts of candy! Too funny. So I tried to visit with him a little through limited English. Made me wish I could go back again someday! In other other news, we are going to schedule our appointment with the visa consulate tonight (for mid October)! Exciting! In other other other news (I think I am tired because this is getting out of hand:) Louis thinks he should be crawling NOW. He started getting up on his knees today and sometimes on his toes. He even made a few attempts to move forward with one knee. A little early for crawling, much? Mama isn't ready for this one to be mobile!

What's up with us in March

Pictures are still mostly on hiatus (which means I am having serious withdrawals related to not being able to take pictures of my shopping trips!;) since we haven't decided on a camera (or where that fits in our budget:). And yes, I have been getting some good deals-frozen food month has been a lot of fun in the coupon-shopping arena. Let's just say we are well stocked in frozen juice, sweet potato fries, fish sticks and frozen veggies! Which now that I think about it will make some great zero-prep meals for the last few weeks of pregnancy or after the baby comes that aren't 100% devoid of nutrition.

A few bits of news from us (important and not so much!):

~we got a much needed new bed today! I slept on this same bed when I was a teen and it was a hand-me-down from a grandparent then! (and I am 30 now:)

~we met with one potential doula yesterday via skype and will meet with another plus the midwife group we will probably use in Seattle on Monday. Excited to have things settled soon!

~this next week will be 34 weeks...so baby is just a month away from "full term!"

~we are getting closer and closer to our one-time goal for France funds!

I am sure there is more but that is all I can think of for now:)

Hello from Indiana!

We are halfway through our trip here in Indiana now. It has been a stretching time for all of us with the girls being sick most of the time (first recovery from the flu, now they have ugly colds).

We're visiting family and friends and Daniel's parents' church (where he grew up) that is one of our supporting churches.

Tomorrow we're sharing in two Sunday School classes and then attending a family get-together with Daniel's family after church.

Heading home on a night-flight Tuesday night so I'll start posting again regularly on Thursday!

Whew!

We are almost at the end of our busy "partnership development" season. Traveling, letter writing, speaking at churches/in groups, and entering endless amounts of information will be taking a hiatus soon! I'll be sending out the last few of our hard copy newsletters tomorrow morning and will be happy to see them gone!

We are certainly in a blessed season of life where we get to spend copious amounts of time with family, serving in the local church and telling people about our missions plans, but there are some parts that just have to get done.

I am thankful for my hard-working hubby and the support we receive from Wycliffe during this time. I know all are not so blessed and I am grateful!

Looking forward to a few days of focusing on my little ones, enjoying pregnancy to the fullest and baking more! Maybe I'll update the blog once in awhile too;)

Going to "Africa" in our own backyard

Traveling has become a way of life for us and is seeping into M's playtime. Today she spent all morning toting as much stuff as she could possible hold in a dolly stroller and her purple suitcase around the house. Then while playing outside (in my parents' backyard--we're back in WA!), she decided to play "Africa" in the bushes. Here are the pictures.




By the way, does anyone have any morning sickness tips they want to share? Eating little and often helps but I never had anything like this all day all the time nausea with my first two pregnancies.

We're alive and well, really!

Sorry for the lack of posts this last week and a half! We have lots to share, but have had a crazy time graduating from ICC, trying to clean and pack and then drive across 4 states to Indiana! We are now in Indiana and having a great time meeting with people and spending most of our time reconnecting with family and old friends. Thank you for your prayers and patience as we try to find time to do it all!

Please pray for us especially as we will be sharing FOUR separate times this sunday at Daniel's church. We are grateful for the opportunities and it will definitely stretch us!

Blessings and the crazy week

We had a crazy week. I don't even know where to begin really, but this weekend involved a trip to the ER to get M's lips stiched up (4 stiches to be exact!) and a lot of praying as the car we borrowed broke down 20 minutes from home. Olivia must be teething because she cried intermittently all night long (and didn't stop all day today). We also hosted a class in our apartment that was packed out with 20 or so students...sitting room only (well not even that really!) That was just the weekend..you get the rest in another post!

But here is the blessing part...the Lord sent someone to help us in the parking lot where the car died and we got it running again! Then today some new friends from our ICC class brought us dinner and help us stamp and stuff our newsletter envelopes! It was an amazing blessing at the perfect time. Thank you Lord!

Heading back to JAARS!

(our trip to the Oregon coast last month)
We are embarking on another round of training (inter-cultural communication this time) at JAARS this month. We are heading to Seattle today and then flying to JAARS first thing tomorrow! I will be a bit spoaradic in posting until we get settled in. See you soon!

What to do when a helicopter lands in your backyard

Take lots of pictures!



Today there was a raging fire just over the hills from my parents' house (also our house right now:). They live right on the Wenatchee River so we got to witness an awesome show--helicopters dipping water right out of the river in front of the house! Here are a couple pics plus one overhead. It was the coolest thing when the heli took off...right over our house!

Yahoo...78%!

Livvie says "hi-five, ya'll!"

Most of you know that Daniel and I don't have traditional "jobs" right now (although that husband of mine works as hard or harder than most people I know!) but are full time missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. What that means for us right now is that our assignment is partnership development and we are building a team of people who are behind us financially and prayerfully. They are essentially part of our "sending" team bring the Bible to people who don't have it Africa.

Since some of you don't get our updates (but if you'd like to please email me your info at beansnrice at live dot com) I thought I would share that we are currently at 78% of our total needed monthly support quota! At around 80% we will be starting the process of securing our visas and such to head overseas to do our language study. Thank you to our wonderful support team! Even when we don't know who or how, the Lord provides!

Packing

Here I am finally down to the wire packing to leave JAARS. Our little home for the past almost 4 months will no longer be "home". So happy for the next steps yet realizing that each new "end" comes with some manner of grieving. I am not going to dwell on that now though...I need to make some lists! Here is what I am hoping to accomplish today (we are leaving tomorrow mid-afternoon).

#1 trial run on the checked baggage
#2 get dinner prepped
#3 clean out fridge and do preliminiary organization of cupboards (after #2 is done!)
#4 take another box of giveaways to "boutique"
#5 take final books to library
#6 write last few thankyous to people here
#7 sort and pack up our "office" and decide what Daniel will take, what I will take and what has to go

That should keep me busy for quite awhile!

The sad goodbyes of an MK

These pictures show lots of fun in the sand, but the next day or so was the last time we got to see this group of kids. The family of 7 lived next to us for 3 months and are headed to PNG soon. Our girls and their middle three boys and oldest girl spend a ton of time playing on our deck together. Everytime we pass their door we are a little sad. Ahh...its already starting, the constant goodbyes of missionaries and their kids. I am tearing up as I write this! And then miss Gracie...only a week left with their family!

I don't like it at all! But the Lord knows why and has good purposes for all of it.



Liv and her big standing up skills

M and Si-Si, doing some intense construction. They were the best of friends, the worst of enemies somedays. But they always wanted to play together.

Maybe they'll all see eachother at some MK convention in the future and thankfully Gracie's family will be stationed near us (most likely).

Tools of Bible Translation

This week I continued work on the Helio Courier. We have encountered problems that have put us behind. The highlight of the week was visiting a few grass air strips with the pilots. I was reminded again of the need for proper maintenance. Flying in such conditions requires the full attention of the pilot, they do need the added distraction of maintenance errors.

A view from the bottom of a grass strip...

... a view from the top.

Avgas is very expensive in Cameroon, so we ship it to them...one of the main reason we are trying to acquire aircraft that operate on jet fuel.

M and daddy de-stress after a long day by building towers!

Tools of Bible Translation Part 5

This week I began work on a Helio Courier...an aircraft unique to JAARS. We continue to operate this "ancient" aircraft because of it's amazing STOL (Short Take Off & Landing) ability. The Helio has served Bible Translation for many years, but is slowly being replaced with aircraft that run on less expensive turbine fuel.

Performing an inspection...

96in dia propeller...yep 8ft

A major part of the Heio's STOL ability... movable leading edge slats

Taxing presents a challenge, because you can't see directly in front.


Beautiful day at the airport


Though my work week was great, the highlight of my week (rather, the thing I chose to highlight) was church today. The Pastor finished his series on the temptation of Jesus. Interesting that obedience to the Father led our Savior to the cross, not around. If the disciple is not above his master...

Tools of Bible Translation Part 4

This week was spent making repairs to a Cessna 206 for the flight department. In the following weeks, this airplane will be used to prepare pilots for overseas work. My week was a little hectic, so I only had time for one picture. Two highlights this week: Walking home from work I realized how blessed we are to be here in NC. All at once I was reminded again that we are here because many of you faithfully pray and give to us. Thank you! Second, we ordered the Rosetta Stone to begin learning French. More on that in the coming weeks...

Troubleshooting "excessive play in the rudder system"

Tools of Bible Translation #3

By Daniel

This past week an outside company came down from Canada and taught a PT6 Heavy Maintenance course. (That is a turbo-prop engine ;-) This marks my last full week of classroom time. From here on out I will spend the majorty of my time maintaining aircraft for the guys doing flight training and performing various shop projects. The highlight of the week was sharing my testimony with the instructor from Canada.

Let me have a look!

Look busy, I'm taking a picture!

PT6 Compressor Wheel, turns at 37,500RPM...better hold on.

PT6 Breakdown

Tools of Bible Translation: part 2

By Daniel

This week we continued our inspection on N67JA. The highlight of the week was having dinner with a family that has served in Cameroon and is planning to return later this year. I discovered that they have fewer maintenace personel than I originally thought, and desperately need more.

Making some repairs to the nose wheel.

Preparing for the maintenace test flight.

Choo Choo!

Our little M (or M'anna as she sometimes calls herself) can be quite creative. Here is her rendition of a choo-choo train:

All the animals are cozied up for the ride.

The only passenger she doesn't want on her train is usually little sis. But sometimes she feels benevolent enough to let her on.

In between rounds of choo-choo, we had a restful day on Saturday just doing normal chores and stuff around the house. We took a walk as a family and enjoyed the blue skies. Today was a whirlwind! Sundays are not a restful day here because we not only go to church but also do all of our shopping and errands for the whole week. Its fine in a lot of respects because it gets rid of all desire to get off campus for a LONG time! On the other hand its exhausting for us- today we got to church at 9:20 and didn't get home from church/grocery shopping until close to 4pm.

But the good news is we found a church we really like! No church is a perfect fit in all ways, but we were excited to find a church that has good teaching, friendly people and is very family friendly. Daniel was the only one in jeans, but we decided that a little more casual-ness wouldn't hurt em:). So if they don't kick us out we're staying! The funny thing is it is the polar opposite of the church we visited last week (and what we thought we were looking for!) and I've never stepped foot into a church of this denomination before. So it will be a learning experience but a good one I think;)

Then we had dinner at the apartment of the interim diretor of aviation here at JAARS who also happens to have been in Cameroon for a long time and is going back there! We were excited to get to know them a little bit better.

What did you do this weekend?

Tools of Bible Translation

My (Daniel's) goal is to post weekly pictures of the work I'm doing here at JAARS. Recently I've realized how the work I'm doing here furthers and speeds Bible translation around the world.

My first week and a half was spent here studying various systems found on JAARS aircraft.

Recently, I have been performing an inspection in one of the JAARS T hangers

Inside the JAARS main hanger

Cessna 207 headed to Cameroon...

...still needing a little work.