Continent Hopping

We left Nigeria at 8:00 this morning. At 8:00 PM we were standing in front of Big Ben, walking past Buckingham Palace, and enjoying the cooler weather in London. By 6:00 PM tomorrow, we will be in Nashville. Three days, three continents! Tonight we are staying at one of Jon's high school classmate's house with his three girls. As I logged in to check email (on a high speed internet connection!!), I was greeted by a few students who were also online. Within moments, I had four instant messaging conversations going on....each from a different continent! I am ever so thankful for the convenience of the internet and the way we can stay in touch and feel close even when we are very far apart.

We will catch the train into Heathrow tomorrow morning and fly out to Chicago and then Nashville. We look forward to seeing so many of our friends and family.

Worth It All

Monday was a day to swim and forget about all the hassles of the previous week and to enjoy a day without thinking of goodbyes. And it became a day I will never forget. After a quick lunch and some resting, we decided to brave the water and swim for a bit. When we got in the water, it was cold and the other side felt far away, but we were excited about the challenge and set off for the other side. The water was so muddy, we couldn't see an inch below the surface. We got caught in fishing lines and fishing nets with dead fish stuck in them. (Honestly, those fish really creeped me out.) The way over wasn't too hard at all. We laughed and talked all the way. The other side brought so much fun and we make incredible memories. At times it was cold. Very cold. At times we sunk into mud REALLY deep. We got a few cuts and bruises, but it was one of the best days ever. After a while though, we knew it was time to go back.

I was a little tired by this time and wondered where the energy would come from to get back across. The way back wasn't nearly as fun, in fact, it took some effort. The other side seemed further away the more we swam. Eventually we arrived, tired, cut, bruised, and sad it was over. But, it was worth it all.

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Today we are finishing our packing. I feel as if I am on the other side of the lake. I do not want to swim back. Not sure where the energy will come from and I don't want it to end. But reality has hit and I began packing yesterday (finally!). The way back will be long and it might not be as much fun or as exciting. We leave smiling for what we have had here, but sobbing for all we are leaving behind. But, I can say with no hesitation, it was worth it all.

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Schedule:

Friday (30 May) - drive to Abuja, spend night
Saturday - flight to London, spend night
Sunday - flight to Chicago, flight to Nashville, arrive in evening

Please pray for our final goodbyes, final packing, flights and connections, customs, etc.
We will be staying with friends in the Pleasant View, TN area as we continue to look for immediate housing, jobs, vehicles, etc.
We look forward to seeing many of you and catch up on life over the last two years.

A List

The last few weeks have been packed! We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, going-aways, and anything else we could find to celebrate. However we have been to the doctor more times in the last 2 weeks than we have in years. Exams are over. Today is the last day of school, ending with graduation tonight. Because we are still so very busy (and will be until the moment we step on the plane), I want to just share a list of all that we have experienced the last few weeks.

pain of stitches
shock of surprise parties
fatigue of malaria
inconvenience of no electricity
joy of a generator
labor of writing exams
hard work of studying for exams
fun of dressing up Nigerian style
taste of mint
mixed emotions of graduation
thrill of seeing alumni
goodness of key lime pie
congratulations of sports' awards
temperature of cooler weather
rhythm of the rains and hail
procrastination of packing up
sounds of a house full of kids
appreciation of a bore-hole
sweetness of ripening mangos
mud of soccer games
tears at senior tea
talent at art shows
music of concerts
pressure of getting everything done
concerns of the future
But most of all, the love of our life of the past two years.

Brothers/Sons

I can remember when we were thinking of moving to Africa, a few people thought that the move would be the worst thing we could do to the girls. How I wish I could share with you the joys of living here from the girls' eyes. We love the culture here....it is a protective culture with many uncles and aunties (and brothers) to help guide and love.

One of the joys of living here has been the depth of relationships we have formed. The other day I heard one of our girls call someone "a brother from another mother"-a true description of how they see some of the kids who hang out at our house. We are so blessed to have some older guys who will come over (usually to eat, I think) and yet still pay attention to the girls. They help with homework, play ball, and talk about snakes (with Nai, of course)! I can tell that the bond has truly become like siblings because they also fight like brother/sister.

Growing up with only brothers, I knew what our girls were missing out by not having someone to care for them like only a brother can. The Lord also knew that need and has provided brothers that could not be better picked for our family than if we were bound by blood. Along with the girls enjoying their brothers, Jon and I feel as if we have gained sons. I love our sons! I am so blessed.

Recently I took a few boys into town for one to buy a phone. As I watched Naomi freely interact with these 6 foot boys from various parts of the world, I became a wee bit emotional and my heart smiled. As we crossed the busy street, one grabbed her hand to help her get safely across. Whether it is joking around or lending a hug, these boys have been there for my girls. My girls are blessed.

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

8th Grade Banquet

Great Anticipation
Much Preparation
Fancy Dresses
Sharp Suits
Roses Given
Muddy Ground
Food Devoured
Excellent Manners
Many Photos
Sleep Overs
No Slumber
All Over

Discipleship Party

Every Thursday, the 39 eighth graders break up into boy and girl discipleship classes which Jon and I lead. We have had such a great time with our own group. jon's group of guys seem to always end up playing soccer or basketball-imagine that! My group of girls never had trouble filling our time talking, praying, laughing (and dancing-LOL!) So, for our final time of getting together, we invited everyone to our home for a cookout. We had fun eating, playing ball, talking, celebrating a birthday, and pouring water all over each other. (WHY do we find that SO fun???!) We will miss these kids so very much. Although we will continue to pray for them, nothing beats a good game of basketball and few dance moves to REALLY stay in touch!

I am blessed.

This week has been a rough one emotionally for me. My late brother's birthday was this week and still I miss him so very much. Some hard conversations were had with those I dearly love as I prepare to leave. I feel the pressure of getting much done and yet the need to fully embrace and enjoy the precious few days ahead. A hard week. A very hard week.

The weekend began with the first of many goodbyes. On Friday night we headed to friends' house for a dinner and a farewell party. Farewell was said to three families who are leaving Nigeria this month. Much laughter and even a few more tears were shared. On Sunday Jon and I drove out to Miango (about 40 minutes of VERY bumpy roads) to say farewell to another couple who his heading back to New Zealand after serving 17 years in Nigeria! On the way back, I got sick. So very sick.

But we returned home to find a PARTY waiting for us. What a joy it was to see so many of my favorite people here in our house. (Even though they had ALL kept this party a big surprise from me-and I rarely like surprises! But this one, I loved!)
As I went around the room and thought of each person there, I realized how truly blessed I am. The four teachers I work most closely with were to my right. They have listened to, laughed and cried with and worked beside me every day for the last two years. I could never ask for better co-workers! Jon and the girls were next-just smiling as big as could be.

Then, scattered throughout the room were my former students. I love them dearly. No explanation as to why they hang here so much, but I am glad they do. We spent the rest of the evening sharing memories and making new ones. If I could have stopped time, I would have stopped it then. So very thankful that a hard week had an incredible ending! I am blessed.

Harley Girl

We had company for dinner a few weeks ago. We visited with Shammah and his wife over a big meal and enjoyed the sweet laughter! Shammah works for Youth Camp Alive-a ministry Jon oversees. We have grown to love Shammah and his new wife, Keturah. Saying 'goodbye' to them, in preparation for our leaving, was very difficult. However, Naomi seemed to especially enjoy Shammah's motorbike rides! Hopefully she won't ask for a Harley-Davidson for her next birthday.