Four Seasons?

We have been traveling again. We were able to spend time with Daniel's family during the Thanksgiving week.

While returning to Fort Worth, we made a stop in East Texas. I had to take a picture of what I think was a FALL day!

See, Deanna, we have trees that change colors, too!

Then, much to our surprise, we experienced something else. Today, while we were baking "monkey bread" with Claire, and watching "Cars", another season arrived in Fort Worth. I think it is called WINTER.

This is our front yard. In the background you can see the church that is allowing us to stay in their mission house.

I hope that everyone is doing well and staying warm. Let us hear from you.

Sorry

We need to apologize to everyone (especially Shelley, Jeremy, Patti, Rachel, Sarah...).

We have arrived in Fort Worth. We have been here for a little more than a week. Actually, we went to Houston for a few days to turn in our visa applications.

So, here is our apology. We are sorry. Please forgive us. Please get together with us.

We'll be posting more soon!

I haven't posted in a while for a couple of reasons. I guess the first reason is that when people don't comment, I think no one is reading. Then, I think of all the posts I read without ever leaving a comment... The second reason is that I feel pressured to say something clever every time I post.

That being said, I just wanted to say that we were at the UT game this last week. (For Deanna, UT in this case is THE University of TEXAS.) Wow! What a game! We won 56-3, but it was still great to be there with my family and friends.

Here's a pic of our little cheerleader...

Here We Go Again...

We are leaving tonight to go pick up Grandma! We will then head out to South Carolina for Commissioning! Yeah! As of September 13th, we should be officially hired/appointed/commissioned by the International Mission Board.

Please pray for us as we drive halfway across the country with our 2-year old. Please also pray for us as we take another major step toward a career in France!

We love you! If you are located east of Texas somewhere along I-20 or if you live near SC, let us know!!!

Women's Lib

There is a quote from the movie The Rookie that goes something like this:
“I’m a Texas woman. I don’t need a man…”

I suppose a sort of independence and you-can-do-whatever-the boys-can-do attitude is taught to Texas women from birth. My little girl plays with cars and boats as much as she plays with dolls. Here, women governors are not abnormal, and a girl can have a Harley if she wants one. But, deep down, there are those times when all of the self-reliance and feminism just conveniently disappear, and we can be “damsels” for the moment.

It was (still is) over 100 degrees today. I was on a busy highway. Claire and I had just left a birthday party. (Happy Birthday, Tessa!) Our tire exploded! Praise God, we did not lose control of the car; we simply pulled over to the shoulder while I was thinking, “I think we have a flat tire.”

I couldn’t get the hubcap off. The part of the jack that gives you leverage and makes things easier was missing. The tire was smoking. The road was busy.

Self-Determination flew away as my knight pulled up in the big white air conditioner repair van.

“You need help?”
My thoughts: “No, I can do it.”
My response: “yes.”

It made me feel a little better that the big, strong air-conditioner repairman had to stand (and jump a little) on the tire iron to get the bolts to budge. I probably could not have moved them.

"I Love You" in French

If you haven't heard, it looks as if we are going back to France!

I'm sure I will be writing a lot on the subject between now and the end of December, but I wanted to share a short little story.

We are trying to teach Claire some basic French words and phrases. Yes, she is only two, but she can handle it! She is quite the talker--probably because she practices all the time. She even talks in her sleep!

We were practicing, and I asked her, "Claire, do you know how to say, 'I love you' in French?"
She answered, "Yes!"
"You do? Can you say, 'I love you' in French?"
The response--"I lav you in Fench!"

This continued with "Hello in Fench", "Goodbye in Fench", etc., etc.!

I think it really started to hit me that we are going to be starting over again when Claire started saying, "I go Fance!" She even said, "I go Fance now." I guess the transistion time isn't easy even if you're two!

Please continue to pray for us!

Here is a picture of us from my family reunion last weekend.

Here We Are...

We have tried several times to make a new blog! Here it is! We will try to update often--as soon as we figure out this new site.