Our British Daughter's Birthday

After our hustling and bustling of getting ready for and running PFO, lots of people kept telling us we needed to take a couple of days off. I don't know how many times we heard comments like, 'You need a break - go do something outside the office for a couple of days.' It finally started to sink in, so after a few days of getting things back in order and debrief, we decided to do a couple of things that we have been talking about for a long time. One was to get a set of bookshelves - can you believe most of our office things are still in boxes from the Philippines?!?! The following day was Claire's birthday, so we thought we would surprise her - show up at her house and take her out for lunch. At the last minute we decided to call though, just to make sure she was home and we would not drive 3 hours and find an empty house.

Claire's choice was a yummy pizza place.
The kid's meal came with ice cream which Ellie didn't seem to mind.

On the way back to the car, with full tummies.

It was amazing how much Lydia had grown in just two weeks!

What fun to get some extra cuddles!

Cuddles with Beka just after her afternoon nap!

The last time we were with them, Criag was working on his drive way and walkway by their home. Ragnar enjoyed this big toy too!!

Laying bricks for the walkway by their home.

Good job guys!!

PFO (Pre Field Orientation)

The climax of my job each year comes the first week-end in May, when we have a Pre-Field Orientation for folks heading to various fields to help in support ministries for 1-4 years. All year long I am corresponding with lots of people who are interested in this type of ministry. I help find them a job on a field that is looking for someone to help for a shorter period of time. Then just before they head to their field of service, we have them come here for a long week-end of classes and getting to know each other.

I have been trying to think of another job that it could be compared to - maybe someone who grows Christmas trees - they work all year long planting, pruning and taking care of the trees - then the peak comes in December when the trees are sold. Ragnar teaching a class on Traveling Tips, which included everything from 'soup to hay'.

Mine was on corresponding with those helping you be there. Oh dear, I think I am getting worse in this area, so this class was good for me too!!
A skit to help emphasize the important of how to teach the people we are working with. It high lighted what the teacher was sharing in an excellent way.
The group of people headed out to Brazil and PNG for at least one year of service. There were also 3 other groups going out this summer for projects. Total of 41 attendees at PFO.

Lots of ladies on the campus shared yummy cakes and cookies with us for morning and evening coffee breaks.

One evening we had a 'Cultural Cocktail' - a time of acting out what to expect in other cultures.

Getting a Driver's License in the Philippines.

Visiting a remote area in Africa.

Warm welcome to join a family for dinner in Brazil.

We joined the group for their meals in the dining room - something that didn't take a lot of twisting of our arms!

A great time to mingle with them and get to know them on a more personal level.

It is also a good time of the year to come to enjoy the beautiful cherry trees spread out all over our campus.

'Hanging out' times in-between all the classes.

A walk to the beach, in our 'backyard'.

An afternoon of sports.

Then when it was officially all over - they came to our house for an evening of just chilin' out.

Looking at pictures from the Philippines.

Now it is time for me to start getting ready for May 2011!!

Birmingham

After our time in the south of England, Cindy and I had a relaxing day in Birmingham, visiting the Cadbury Factory, the beautiful Botanical Gardens, and taking the 3 sweetest girls in the city for a walk to the park to feed the ducks.

The Cadbury Chocolate Factory is just a few minutes drive from Craig and Claire's home. We enjoyed a tour the grounds, learning the history and seeing the process of chocolate making. Cindy having fun with the chocolate. Free Samples were given out later.Next we found ourselves at the Botanical Gardens, walking along the flower lined paths.

A lovely, relaxing atmosphere where my bird watching friend kept her eyes wide open.

Earlier that morning, I had the fun of walking Ellie to her Nursery School.

Here we are with her dad just before we were on our way.

Just before we went into the school.

Good to be back with her playmates after Spring Break.

What a joy to be able to introduce our 3 precious granddaughters to Cindy.

Later that day we went for a walk down to the park to feed the ducks.

Ellie watching the ducks enjoy their snack.

Bekka deciding which duck should get the first bite.

Lydia wondering when she will get a turn!

Thanks for coming Cindy - it was great to share this part of our world with you!!

As Claire said when they said good bye - "I wonder where we will meet next time"? They first met in USA at Ryan and Kara's wedding - then in the Philippines in Scott and Cindy's home - and now in England in Craig and Claire's home.