And We're Off

We fly out today around 5:00. Please be in prayer for:

*Our time in Quito buying supplies
*Baron (our dog): that he can get out of customs quickly and for as little money as possible
*Travel to Shell on 7/3

These are our wonderful friends, Lauri and Kenny Dennis. They were kind enough to not only keep our dog for 3 weeks while we were at MTI, but they also taught us how to play Rock Band! Yep, we are hooked and its a good thing we are leaving the country or we would have to get an entire gaming system just to fulfill my husbands addiction to the guitar.

Building a Box is harder than you think...

My wonderful husband spent all day Saturday building a wooden crate for the large items we are sending to Ecuador. We aren't taking any furniture, but we are taking our bikes, vacuum cleaner and such. The Texas heat was out in full force and with not a cloud in the sky, it was a scorcher, but he persisted and viola!, we have a fully functioning, very sturdy crate.
We then spent Monday filling it, and I mean FILLING it. My packing skills were put to the test to try and get everything we had left in the crate, but for the most part we made it fit. I have visions of opening it and everything falling out on us, but at least its all in there.
Yesterday we took all of our freight to Conway Shipping here in Waco and they sent it out to Houston for us.
**Please pray that it will all get to Ecuador and do so in a timely manner**

OK, so I heard a story one time where these sailors got a new tattoo every time they crossed the equator. So that got me thinking about our family. What would my children look like if every time we crossed the equator we all got tattoos? Considering the equator runs through Ecuador and ever time we go to Quito (the capital) we could cross over from the southern to northern hemisphere we could be pretty well inked by the time we come home to visit the first time! Wouldn't that be a wonderful way for the children to greet their grandparents? Can't you picture Sebastiao with a "I love Mom" tattoo on his little bicep or Bella with a skull and cross bones on her forearm.
Maybe we need to think of something else to do every time we cross from one hemisphere to another. Got any suggestions?

Addendum: OK, so my good friend Lena took this post as a challenge and came up with this for us

The Power of A Praying People

Yesterday was our last Sunday at our home church and they had a sending service for us. It was wonderful to have such wonderful people commit to praying for us (we definitely need it.) My parents and a wonderful friend, Mary Alder also got to attend and made it even more special. We are grateful for a church family that is so truly committed to missions and are willing to support us both financially and through prayer. We look forward to seeing some of you guys in Ecuador soon.

While in Colorado Springs we saw the most amazing rainbow. We weren't able to get the picture since we were driving down the road, but a friend snapped this one and sent it to us. The rainbow is not only double, but you could see where it touched down on both ends! It led to a discussion in our car about how amazing it must have been to be Noah and his family and see the very first rainbow ever, and know it was meant for you.

Well, we made it back to Waco. Our last 10 days are almost completely planned out already. We have to find time in there somewhere to say goodbyes....hmmm. We have actually accomplished a few things today. We will have access to propane tanks and water jugs when we get to shell so Hank Hill would be proud and since I think he was modeled after my father, it really means a lot! I have plenty more pictures from MTI that I need to post, but bed calls.