Homecoming

I am debating on sharing pictures of the house on which we have just signed a contract.  I don't want to jinx it!  I am really excited about this place.

This house totally fits our "Need Less Project" that we self imposed years ago.  Actually, I think it has even more than we technically need.  I have a sneaking suspicion that many will wonder why we aren't choosing to live in a "nicer" neighborhood.  I wonder if some will think we didn't qualify for a loan.  In case you are wondering, we did.  We qualified for a loan way bigger than I ever want to be strapped to. Basically, we don't want to be stuck.  This will be a way for us to remain mobile if God takes us somewhere else again, be able to do what we enjoy, be able to share our blessings, and hopefully, maintain a home base!  No more pawning our belongings to others for unknown periods of time, though I'm not sure that was a bad thing for some of them!

O.K., then, I'll show you a little, but I want to make it ours before I post everything.  I hope I can do as good a job of decorating as the current owners.  They have done a beautiful job!

 A quick peek of the inside; I totally love the orange cabinets and creative tile work!!

Hopefully our closing date will be the 18th of this month!  I can't wait for this homecoming!

House Hunting

We have begun hunting for a house.

Oh yes.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

And yet, I feel that we may be up for a fight.

We have some pretty strict limits on what we want.  Mostly, we don't want to take out a loan, but it looks like it may be unavoidable for some of our wants.  In the long run (there may be a long run this time), we want to make a good choice.

We think this would do.  Unfortunately, this is only in our price range in photo form.

This is what we want to avoid.  Fortunately, my husband is pretty awesome and I know he could take this guy.

Since we can't live here,

I suppose we can make it here!

But who am I kidding?  These are the reasons I will love being here:
Cousins Supporting Cousins

 KU Games!

 Other games with family!

 Passing on skills,

 Watching lots of games in person!

 Eating together!

And really just living near family.
The last couple of weeks have confirmed this blessing, but that's for another day.

Crossing Bridges

I took this picture on a long hike to Crescent Lake in Alaska.  It was a pretty hike, relatively easy with minimal elevation changes.  We took our dogs.  It was gorgeous.  

It was funny to watch our dog Rowdy try to cross this bridge.  He hated it.  It didn't make it better when Pat would shake the bridge!  Poor dog.  It was a little funny to see him squat down and slither across the bridge.  Bella was just fine.  She trotted across as if nothing were different.

We are crossing our bridge.  Pat has totally run across without any fear, but I feel the shaking and am the one squatting down and carefully placing each step.  

Pat has returned to work with gusto!  He is the Q.C. for his company and will be doing a lot of overseeing and integration of new procedures.  I'm very proud of him!  He will be a great mentor to the younger employees.  He is also hoping to be more involved with the Youth Horizons Boys Ranch.  I am excited to see Pat grow in this environment!

I too am busy.  I have been spending time with family as I can, discovering the joys of a local Asian Market (fabulous mangoes and coffee candy!), and I am currently trying to get back into exercising.  I have completed day 2 and can barely walk.  It seems my hamstrings have atrophied a bit.  A lot.  I am also doing a daily check on properties for sale outside of Wichita.  While I am a bit nervous about the prospect of "settling down," I realize the logic of having at the least a home base.  It might also be nice to watch some of the things that I plant develop into maturity.  

Maybe that's what this bridge is leading us into: a time of maturity.

Yeah, probably not!!

Changes

This has been the scene, with various different players, most evenings around here.  It's quite interesting to see doubles being played on what was formerly called the dining table.  Much fun has been had by having ping pong around!  This and the set of swings tied to the Mango tree in the back yard have provided much fun and laughter.  Though I have to say, the other day when we had to push one of the vehicles (out of gas) back from a trip to buy roadside fruit did provide a healthy dose of laughter!  I may have to steal a picture from Erin that captured that memory!

The last few days have looked different for us.  After much prayer and conversations, we have concluded that God has different plans for us.  We will not be moving back to Ghana this spring with the rest of the team.  While there remains strong mutual respect and encouragement, it seems clear that we are just not the right fit at this time.  We will continue to support the team and who knows, we may be back to visit!  We did get all these shots, after all!

I have loved the warm breezes that waft through the house and lands.  I have loved the beauty of the land that surrounds the city.  I have loved the opportunity to see a place that, though it may look extremely different from anywhere I've been before, is filled with beautiful people.  I have loved the mangoes and pineapples!  I have loved taking cold showers!  I have loved trying new flavors and textures, even if they weren't my favorite.  I have loved having an article of clothing made from gorgeous fabrics and by someone who I have come to admire and respect deeply.  I have loved getting to know people in fairly close quarters and come away believing we are closer friends from it.  I love that we spent our last night laughing together into the night about Monte Python and the Holy Grail!  I am thankful.

As we make our way back to Kansas, we pray that God will continue to lead us into just what He has for us.  Adventures await!