Ready to go!

Tomorrow I leave for Africa!  I'm going with my team formed through Visiting Orphans Organization, and I can hardly wait!  We are flying through London with a long layover, so we're going to get to go on a quick tour of London too.  We'll arrive early Monday morning in Kenya ready to serve and show Christ's love to orphans.  I was blessed to receive many bags and a very large box of baby clothes to take to donate to the orphanages and baby cottages where we will serve.  

Check out all of those donations!  I wasn't sure how I was going to fit in all in my luggage...but God performed the miracle of the Space Bags!  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donated!  

Above are my clothes for the next 2 weeks...Jesus and space bags saved the day again and I got it all in my carry-on!  The last international mission trip I went on involved total loss of checked luggage, and since my high school BFF Bethany isn't going on this trip with me and enough clothing to clothe 5 people (I'm so thankful Bethany was there to save the week in Nicaragua!), I decided it was safer to keep my belongings in my possession.

Most everything in the basket went in my backpack...notice the Epi-pen, Mom...it only cost $207, thank God for the HSA!

My bags are packed!  The bottom two duffles will be rolled up after the donations are handed out and brought home in my backpack on my way home.  

Here are a few verses our team is meditating over and praying through for the trip:

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and he will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
~Isaish 58:11

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Ephesians 4:1-4 

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)

My team and I covet your prayers for us and the people we will serve in Kenya and Uganda.  Pray for our safety and health.  Pray for divine appointments.  Pray that these children will come to an understanding that they have a Heavenly Father and put their trust and faith in Him.  Pray for the babies to feel Jesus' love through our care.  Pray for our ministry teams to work well together and with purpose.  Pray for peace as we have to leave and come back home at the end of the 2 weeks.  Pray for my wanna-be-a-mama heart as I long for my Ethiopian babies to come home.  Pray that the Lord will begin a new work in me and draw me closer to Him.  I believe that He is going to go amazing things, that I would not believe even if I were told...

Here's our itinerary:

Day

Activity

Saturday, July 28

Day 1

Miami Group: Fly out of Miami on AA flight 056 at 6:35 p.m. JFK Group: Meet and fly out of JFK in NY on AA flight 138 at 7:35 p.m.

Sunday, July 29

Day 2

Both teams meet up at London Heathrow airport. Miami Group arrives at 8:10 a.m. JFK group arrives at 7:40 a.m. Fly out for Nairobi on Kenyan Airlines flight 103 at 10:20 a.m. Arrive in Nairobi at 8:50 p.m.; exchange money and travel to Fiwagoh Orphanage in Nakuru where you will lodge for the week in Kenya

Monday, July 30

Day 3

Worship & devotion at Fiwagoh. The team will break into teams. Team 1: Haven of Hope, Team 2: Grace Children’s Center. The day will be closed with devotion and reflection at Fiwagoh.

Tuesday, July 31

Day 4

Visoi Children’s Center to serve the children together for the day; return to Fiwagoh for dinner, rest, and reflection.

Wednesday, August 1

Day 5

Devotion and worship. Team 1: Grace Children’s Center, Team 2: Haven of Hope; evening of dinner, devotion, and rest

Thursday, August 2

Day 6

Serving together at Fiwagoh Orphanage. After lunch, the children will take the team on a nature walk down to Lake Elementaita where you will hopefully see flamingos and monkeys.

Friday, August 3

Day 7

Wake up and spend some time with the kids at Fiwagoh. Depart Nakuru for Nairobi around noon. Fly and depart Nairobi, Kenya for Entebbe, Uganda on Kenyan Airlines flight 414 at 5:50 p.m.; Arrive in Entebbe at 7:05 p.m.; exchange money and travel to Canaan’s Children Home in Jinja; eat and get some rest

Saturday, August 4

Day 8

Team 1: Canaan Children ministry (9-12), Team 2: Ekisa Ministry for the first half of the day. Meet up at the Source for lunch. Team 1: Ekisa Ministry (2-5), Team 2: Canaan Children Ministry. Meet up for dinner, reflection, etc at Canaan.

Sunday, August 5

Day 9

The team will join Pastor Isaac for church and worship in the morning. They will then return to Canaan where they will spend the rest of the day loving on the children at Canaans.

Monday, August 6

Day 10

Team 1: Amani Baby Cottage for the day, Team 2: Sangalo Baby Cottage for the day. Return in the late afternoon for dinner, reflection, and rest.

Tuesday, August 7

Day 11

Spend the morning at Canaan before going to meet Pastor Andrew with Home Again Ministries. You’ll then break into groups and minister to the Karamojong Tribe. At 4 p.m. you’ll have a boat ride on the Nile with King Fisher and dinner at the lodge. Return to Canaan for rest and preparation.

Wednesday, August 8

Day 12

The team will wake up early and travel to Kampala. Upon arrival, they will serve at My Father’s House. Afterwards, you will head to The Victoria Travel Hotel for dinner and lodging.

Thursday, August 9

Day 13

The team will head back to My Father’s House in the morning and serve there for the morning and early afternoon before heading to the airport in Entebbe, Uganda at 3 p.m. on Kenyan Airlines flight 415 at 7:55 p.m. Arrive into Nairobi and board Kenyan Airlines flight 102 at 11:45 p.m.

Friday, August 10

Day 14

Arrive into London Heathrow at 6:45 a.m. Depart for Chicago O’Hare on AA flight 087 at 10:25 a.m. Arrive back into Chicago to connect for your domestic flights. Arrive home with your lives forever changed.




Thank you for praying and for your support!  Can't wait to share when I return!

Seattle Sans Hairspray

Last weekend, I flew to Seattle for a 4-hour training and then back home.  I was only at the hotel about 12 hours...it was a whirlwind trip.  Because of the quick trip and needing to absolutely have my luggage for my change of clothes for the training (I'm very paranoid about losing my luggage after my lost luggage experience on a mission trip to Nicaragua), I had to go without hairspray since my hairspray does not come in a travel size and I couldn't take it in my carry-on.  I haven't gone without hairspray probably since Middle School, so this was a big deal for me.  Isaac encouragingly told me before I left that I could wear a hat on the way home because I probably wouldn't run into anyone that I know in the airport...and I told him that he might as well have told me to wear a bag over my head for the weekend!

Garden on top of building across the way

View from my hotel

View of the lake from my hotel

I decided to take before and after pictures of my hair...

In Seattle in the hotel bathroom at 3:30am just after styling my hair without hairspray

Finally back home...looking haggard!  Thank God for my daily supplement of Frizz-ease!!!

Suffice it to say, that I will not be going even to Africa without my hairspray...

8th Anniversary Dinner

Isaac and I finally got to celebrate our 8th anniversary on Friday night.  We had thought about going to one of our favorite steak restaurants, but a couple of days before Isaac hinted that he wanted to go somewhere for dinner that we had never been before.  Since it was my year to plan our anniversary (I have the even years, Isaac takes the odd years), I booked us a reservation at Oystercatchers which is a seafood restaurant overlooking Tampa Bay on the Hyatt property.  It turned out to be a great choice.  We had an amazing view, delicious meal, and much to celebrate.

Beautiful Tampa Bay Sunset

Isaac ordered the Seafood Medley while I went for the Scallops-both were divine!

Celebrating 8 years!!!

Rolling Pin Family Reunion

My awesome Rolling Pin Family had a reunion a couple of weeks ago.  We threw ourselves a private party with Chef Dave.  Spouses were invited, although Isaac is the only one we could get behind the counter to help make dinner.  Yes, he is the husband-of-the-year:)

Trish, Katie, Bitsy, Chef Dave, and Isaac

Isaac and Chef Dave making Shrimp Bisque.

Me and My Hubby...doesn't he look handsome in an apron?

Shrimp Bisque

Jim, Bitsy, and Jennifer (our friendship started in Cooking 101)

Steak Diane with Green Beans Almondine and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Isaac learning how to make whipped cream

Still whipping...

Isaac's Whipped Cream with Chocolate Pecan Pie

Impromptu trip to St. Pete via trip to Knoxville & Lexington

June 29th we were supposed to fly out to go to Knoxville to see family, friends, and attend a very special wedding.  About 30 minutes after our flight was supposed to have left, our flight got cancelled instead.  We were already packed, the house locked up, cats fed and watered, and really didn't want to have to go back home only to have to get up early (again) the next day and drive back to the airport for our new flight.  So, we decided to make lemonade out of the lemon we were handed, and we turned our unexpected change of plans into a mini-vacation in St. Pete.  

First stop was Ceviche...we've been wanting to try this restaurant for a couple of years, and it was delicious!

After a late lunch at Ceviche, we called the Marriott to cash in on a free night we had yet to use.  I laid by the pool and read a book while Isaac watched Judge Judy in the room-he can be so random, I know.  On every vacation Isaac likes to play putt-putt, so that was our next stop before dinner...Isaac beat me at putt-putt, but I got more hole-in-ones.

We ate dinner at the Salt Rock Grill which is on the channel side of Indian Rocks.  The view was beautiful.  We had a delicious dinner outside on their patio and enjoyed just being together.

After dinner, we walked across the street to dip our toes in the ocean and get a glimpse of the sunset before heading back to the hotel.  A perfect ending to a fun, unplanned vacation.

We did fly out the next morning, and saved on parking ($60!) because the Marriott was so kind to let us leave our car there and provide transportation to and from the airport-love them!

The wedding was beautiful on Saturday and very hot-and I mean temperature hot!  The reception was outside and 102 degrees.  I forgot my camera, so no pictures, sorry!

On Monday we borrowed my mom's car and drove to Lexington for a very quick visit with family and friends.  We saw Isaac's family first at lunch and played Uno with our nephew Daniel.  And again, I forgot to take pictures.

Next, we went over to Traci and Mark's house to meet up with our friends and all their kids...boy, have their lives changed since college!  Isaac and I are the only ones left without children, and we have some serious catching up to do since everybody has two!

Kate and Isaac

Isaac the Baby Whisperer-Kate went to me and then starting crying to go back to Isaac...once in his arms, she passed right out on his chest-so sweet.

Kelly, Hallie and Silas-Hallie is opening her big sis gift from my mom,
I think she likes being the big sister!

Hallie and Silas

Isaac and Silas

Traci and Kate

Kelly, Kyle, and Traci

Kate and Hudson ready to eat

Hudson and Isaac

Hudson thinks Isaac is a big toy

Silas rocking his helmet with Kyle

Mark with Hudson, Isaac, Josh with Silas

After meeting up with our friends, it was time to take one for the team and venture into Walmart in search of UK hats for two special little boys back home in Tampa.  (Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely hate Walmart and believe it is the most unsafe, scariest place on earth.)  We did find the hats and some other UK gear and made it out of Walmart alive, then headed back to Knoxville.

Before we left Knoxville, I was so happy to get to meet up with my best friend from high school Bethany and finally meet her little boy Britton.  He, of course, loved Isaac like all the other babies in Lexington!  Bethany's sister-in-law was having a baby during our dinner, so we missed hanging out with her husband, Brett!

Britton and Isaac

Britton, Bethany, Kyle

To end the weekend on July 4th, we went to Cracker Barrel with Mom and Dad on the way back to the airport.  Isaac noticed at lunch that Dad was sporting a Canada t-shirt...we all got a good laugh after Isaac called Dad out for wearing another country's flag on our Independence Day.

Dad and Isaac playing checkers

Mom and Kyle

Celebrating 8 Years of Marriage!

Today is Isaac and my 8 year wedding anniversary!

Hard to believe it has been eight years, but I can honestly say that the past eight years have been wonderful even during the tough times, and I would not have wanted to spend my life with anyone else.  God knew what He was doing when he put us together.

This day was not so romantic, however.  I'm experiencing not one, but two! feminine illnesses at the same time...  lucky. me.  ...and I feel terrible.  Isaac played church softball in the rain without his wife in the stands because she was on the couch.  So much for a celebratory evening.

We had planned to go out for ice cream after the game, but since I put on my PJ's at 6:30pm today, we opted for dessert in.  Cherry Coke Floats were the dessert of choice.

Cheers to 8 years in sickness and in health!

Summer Regional 2012

One of the many perks of being a part of the investment firm that Isaac works for is the annual Summer Regional conference.  All of the financial advisors and their families are required to attend a meeting at the beach!  This year we were at The Sandpearl on Clearwater Beach.  It was beautiful!

View from our balcony

The Sandpearl

We really enjoyed getting to know the other families with the firm while hanging out by the pool or in the ocean.  It was fun getting to see all the kids play together during the day and practically pass out at dinner from exhaustion.  We are looking forward to watching our kids grow up going to Summer Regionals one day, too.

Isaac and Kyle at the Awards Ceremony