WE MADE IT!

Well....we made it to Ontario International Airport and through the first round of checking all of our bags and getting through airport security. Don't worry friends, I am not going to update the blog everytime the kids go potty (twice, so far!). But we are just so darn excited! No trip could be started without stopping to see one of our very favoritist (it's a homeschool word) people. Pastor Gary. He and David H joined us for a photo as we hit the road.

Timmy and Juliette are so rad. You should have seen them at the security, whippin' off their shoes, taking their DVD players out of their backpacks, slappin' those white bins back in their piles! Like seasoned travelers. I love my kids.

Gate 403 at Southwest. Julie takes a minute to crawl up on to Daddy's lap. More to come...

What it Looks Like!

How sweet it is! Thank you to everyone who has sent us well wishes and prayers for our trip. A special shout out to The Curry 5 for the incredible travel basket and J-Jack for thinking of my kiddos as we travel. I love our converstains too! You are a precious friend. And props to WD for special delivery of the raincoat for the Timmer. We were all so very touched by your generosity and thoughtfulness!

Travel Goodies!

4 Jumbo Suitcases All In A Row :)

Ever wonder what it looks like to pack a family of four to go to Ethiopia? Well don't think too badly of us, we are using this opportunity to leave some things in Ethiopia in preparation for moving there in the summer!

This bag... a carry on for sure... has extra medications, Travel Johns (Yes, I am their spokeswoman and if you ever want me to expouse their wonder...just let me know...best invention EVER!!), deet products, oatmeal, pedialite, tissue, Propel packets....uhm you name it! Again...all stuff we can leave behind. Tim has also packed a couple small cases of books and resource materials for leaders, and I packed a lot of extra toiletries and stuff to leaver there as well.

And just in case you were wondering how VERY cool travel pillow can be..Jewel and Zozer are here to demonstrate!

BTW Here is a copy of our travel itinerary in case you did not get an e-mail! Please pray for health and travel safety and...of course...our luggage to make it :) Love and Hugs!

Thursday April 30 : Board plane for Illinois 3pm (5 hour flight)Friday May 1st : Vision Casting with Illinois Friends from Tim's High School
Saturday May 2nd: Speaking Missions Banquet Hillside Church, Evanston
Sunday May 3rd: Speaking at Hillside Church Childrens and Worship ServiceSunday May 3rd: 3:45 Board Plane for Ethiopia Via Germany Monday May 4th: Arrive Addis Ababa Ethiopia 7pm, Night at Guest House in Addis.Tuesday May 5th: Travel to Alem Tena (school), Leadership visit, CRS well project, Shashemene
Wednesday May 6th: Shash school & Church, leaders(Equip), children(Care). Church Speaking
Thursday May 7th: Travel (safety) to Arbegona, learn about ministry and greet leaders, Thursday May 7th: Visit school in Arbegona, Stay night in Arbegona motel.Friday May 8th: Arbegona to Awasa for the night. Saturday May 9th: Eden(Plant) or Awasa visit market, check housing test Internet, relax.
Sunday May 10th: Tim is preaching at Shashemene church.
(Sunday afternoon when Tim finally finishes speaking we will fellowship with church members and retire back to Awasa for the night. We part ways with Linda(ICCM Director) and Carrie(daughter) Adams who return to Addis for departure. Pray for their safe travel.)
Monday May 11th: Eden Reforestation or Awasa Udo escarpment, visit villages, plant treesTuesday May 12th: Depart Shashemene to Addis meeting with ministry leaders in Addis.Wednesday May 13th: Meet w/leaders, Visit marketplace, look for housing, site see, Thursday May 14th: 1am in the morning - Board plane in Addis Ababa/Germany/USA. Friday May 15th: FMCSC Annual Conference.

Juliette's First Missionary Interview

Last week Juliette had her first interview as a Missionary. We met at the most likely place for interviews...Starbucks! Sarah K. had to do a report on missions, so she called us up and we were happy to oblige. Juliette shared about where we will live, what we will eat, what school will be like and how it will be to make new friends. I am very blessed by how God is raising up Timmy and Juliette to this call. He is good...all the time!

Preparing to Go

Ethiopian Consulate in Los Angeles

Last week we visited the Ethiopian Consulate in LA to obtain travel Visas for out upcoming trip. It was cool to see materials in Amharic and look at the display cases full of spices and coffee. Best of all was learing phrases of greeting like "tena yistllign" which means "hello". Well, it's a start. Also wonderful was seeing Melaku from Ammanuel Light and Light church. Such a sweet and humble man. And always so calm.

Visas :)

Preparation to travel to a foreign country cannot be complete with a trip to Outdoor World...even I like this store. But it is like the camping store for the Rich and Famous...seriously. We want to be good stewards so we limited ourselves to sleeping bags, an insect and snake bite kit (ponder that!), Deet products, and a couple of those roll-em-up-in-your-suitcase-all-weather-sunscreen shirts for Tim (clearance only, baby!)