I've not posted anything for quite a while and was dreading having to "catchup", but I am soooo glad that I got back on. Why? Because I received a comment on my last blog from an old (not old old) teen-hood friend whom I haven't seen or heard from in ages.
While Brian was doing a MGM survey trip in Africa, he was able to connect with several old high school mates and heard that one had actually moved to the USA a long time ago. Brian finds his name and number and next thing you know we're driving only 2 and a half hours away to where he's been living for the past 5 years. It was a lovely visit, catching up, making comparisons of how they'd made their journeys to and in the States. Many were eerily similar!!!
We went out on their sail boat and enjoyed the company and the beautiful creation.
Ahhh....behind the helm. Thanks Alan and Becky!
Our nephew and niece renewed their vows on their tenth wedding anniversary and Brian officiated over the ceremony. It was so nice, laid back, and beautiful!
Congratulations Gareth and Kristen!
More WallacesBrian has returned from a healthcare trip to Haiti.
The group visited 7 orphanages, assessed and treated around 600 kids, installed about 300 mosquito nets and distributed about 300 more, and cleaned & covered over 300 mattresses. There were some horror stories of the condition of some of these places, but thanks to the efforts of the team they were able to help these little ones have a cleaner, debugged living space.
Yep...another road trip, but this one we did together and Norm Curington (missionary of DR) joined us.
From there we wound our way (literally....Brian reeeeaaaly wanted to travel along the Blue Ridge Mountain and we were glad we relented because it was truly beautiful) to Tennessee to meet with the Highland View elders and mission board in Oak Ridge.
It was a great trip! Loved traveling with Norm again (have done it many times before in other countries) and being able to see all the different folk that have been such a blessing to us and the DR work.I've got my man back home again!
He's returned from a 17 day trip to the DR and Haiti. Checking on the on going projects and missionaries in the DR and then crossing over the border into Haiti to check on the Manna property in order to make a list of what needs there are to get the camp up and ready for initiating groups back into the country.
The plan is to have several come into to help with the Magi distribution in December and then a couple of spring break groups followed by some summer groups. It's truly amazing to see the timing of all this.
While there the school registration was taking place and he was able to see quite a few of the parents of the attending students. He was very pleased with how things were going, and the condition of the property.
Upon Brian return from Africa, he brought Pippin a Sprinkbok Rugby team shirt. Now Pippin is a fan!!resized.jpg)
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Have a new bathroom now. Pulled out the typical mobile home bath, sink and mirror fixtures; and now have tile shower and floors and porcelin sink and fresh paint....it all looks much better.
Last month we worked on our bedroom. Painted the walls and it makes such a difference. Pulled up the carpet and layed out some flooring and am now getting prepared to deconstruct another bedroom while I have the help of Shawnean. Hate carpet!!!
Little by little getting the place a little more comfortable to live in.
It's amazing the way the Lord leads paths and makes us aware of His outreach.
While Brian and Norm were in Africa, they made contact with someone who happened to be a former classmate of Brian's, who happened to be minister of agriculture in Swaziland, and was able to help Norm and Brian with just what they needed to check out.
While in South Africa they came across Tammie's Dad's books being used to reach out to the people in that area.
Always a joy to witness our Lord in action.
Kaiya's birthday was a great reason to pack up Pippin and myself, travel from Orlando, FL through Dallas, TX airport (he's a great traveler and the layover went by quickly with all the attention he received as he pranced through the terminal), and arrive at the Amarillo, TX airport to be able to spend 10 days with the family in Canadian, TX.
You can take the man out of the 3rd world country, but you can't take the 3rd world ways out of the man.
When one of the wheels came off the farm mower and the shop still hadn't repaired it, Brian found a solution to be able to mow in the meantime. So now you know another purpose for a dolley.
Had a great day spent with Momma, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Joanne.
Feasted on 3 types of BBQ'd meats, all types of tangy creamy sides, and topped off with a yummy dessert!!
Hard to believe we've been married to each other for more years than we had single years!!
Still crazy after all these years!
Happy 30th!!!
We finally received word that Daddy's tombstone was finished and placed at the cemetary. Momma; my sister, Sherry; Brian; Pippin; and I set out with Daddy's urn to Texas.
It was nice to have them all there as we gathered at the cemetary.
as well as visit a few historic sites.
A memorable trip for sure! Brian spent the last 10 days in the Dominican Republic. The goal is to be able to make a trip each quarter to spend time with the onsite team members and be of help and encouragement in whatever way possible.
He was blessed to be there again while groups were there and meet new people as well as catchup with those who've been before.
I'd asked Lisa to keep an eye on him and each time he was found out on the soccer field to tell him, "Tammie said not to let you play soccer". Apparently she had to do that several times! He said he was MAINLY being goalee and that wasn't as wearing. I guess so cause he came back without retearing his muscle or gaining a new injury.
Section II: Our (BIG) Dream Jobs
Aunt Jojo's peach cobbler is still um, um, good even the next day! Yesterday we celebrated our liberty and honored the men and women who've helped make that possible for Memorial's Day.
Pippin loved hanging out with everyone...
And Momma dusted off the piano fingers. Nothing better than time spent with family!
It's amazing how "things" continue to reaffirm what God has laid on our hearts.
The excitement we feel when we share what's happening with the ministry with others and their positive responses.
Doors that open up to people and places to help the ministry "grow".
In a week we and the MGM staff will be having our first conference in Walls, MS. There are several who have notified us of their attendence....and that excites us!!
See you there!
Rain has finally come to our neck of the woods in Florida. A VERY welcome relief.
Brian tells me how much he's enjoying it, and the line I can always expect to hear when we get rain..."This'll really make things green". He goes on to tell me how much he misses the DR rains.
I think he's forgotten!!!
After sifting through some really "great" (?) names:
Mel
Taco
Samson
Wallace
Tootsie Roll
Joaquin
Socrates
Cutie
Bobita
Wallie
the most fitting for my little guy is............PIPPIN!
Brian has a garden he started, and I wanted to get some herbs and some flowers going myself.
Okay, I follow instructions well. I do the steps, the order and the instructions to a T, do it the same as Brian. So why are the results so different?!
9Brian's back from his road trip that took him from central Florida to Texas, across to Arkansas, up to the Kansas/Missouri border, back to Arkansas and then down to Florida again...and he loved it!! There's talk of doing all his trips by driving instead of flying. He said he loves seeing all the different terrains of this country.
He was able to connect with many that have done service projects in the DR as well as meeting new folks all very interested in the expansion of the outreach work of Manna Global Ministries (MGM). He enjoyed his time at the Levy Youth Retreat and was able to chaperone quite a few of the sessions.
It's nice to have him home for a little bit!!
Here's a gift from God to help my aching heart. What a joy he is and I'm reminded all over again of being a new "mommy"!!
Now the part I'm not good at...naming! Any ideas?
Furture player?
Proud Pops ...oh where, oh where, can he be?
Gone 4 days now.
