Thursday, June 30, 2011
one of my new favorite things
i love skyping and skype chatting with my husband from one room in the house to the other. this is especially ridiculous because our house is only 930 square feet.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Save the Date
-August 20th from 4:00 PM until...
-Our goodbye party
-It's tentatively set for our house, but if the house sells* then we'll adjust accordingly.
-More details to come
*We've not had many people looking at the house, so please send up prayers and good thoughts that it will sell in the next few months!
-Our goodbye party
-It's tentatively set for our house, but if the house sells* then we'll adjust accordingly.
-More details to come
*We've not had many people looking at the house, so please send up prayers and good thoughts that it will sell in the next few months!
How do i answer this?
So I am filling out some supplemental questionnaires for Maryknolls and one of the questions is: What are your deepest hopes for your future as a missioner?
How do I even sum it up, people!?
How do I even sum it up, people!?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
tough stuff
chris and i just rode our bikes to get frozen yogurt. it's really not a far in terms of distance, but i'm so proud of us because it was up a big hill. we've had fear of riding up the hill for a while, and we totally conquered it!
plus we got dessert out of it!
word.
plus we got dessert out of it!
word.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
girlz
a picture taken by my brother at few weeks ago at the wacky waldie wedding weekend.
from left to right: jen, me, rachel, holly, lizzie, maddie (in front)
(i guess maddie didn't get the memo to wear black. at least she has a black purse.)
from left to right: jen, me, rachel, holly, lizzie, maddie (in front)
(i guess maddie didn't get the memo to wear black. at least she has a black purse.)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
How can we help you?
This is a question we have generously and quite often received from people lately. Everyone seems to be so supportive of our mission to move to Tanzania. It's a great feeling to have the backing of so many people in all kinds of communities.
Up until this point we really haven't had an answer to how people could help us. So much was unknown that we couldn't give any specifics. Now that we're a bit further into the process, we have come up with a list of three of our most pressing needs. We may add to this list as time goes on, but for now if you would like to support us in mission we're asking for the following things:
1) Prayer. This is the most important need, of course. The changes that we are making in our lives (and in the lives of family, friends, colleagues, etc.) would be insurmountable if it weren't for the Grace of God and the Peace of the Holy Spirit. We ask for continued prayers for us, our families, and our friends, as well as for all Missioners around the world working toward peace and justice. We would love it if people would add our intentions to any prayer groups or Church services that you know of.
2) Monetary Donations. Unlike most other mission-based work, our service with Maryknoll Lay Missioners does not require extensive fund-raising. MKLM has their own fund-raising staff who, with the occasional support of the Missioners, raise enough money so that the mission staff can concentrate on what they were hired to do--service to the poor and the marginalized. That being said, there is a small fund-raising goal that the hubby and I are asked to achieve before we leave in 2012. Our goal is to raise a combined $1000. If anyone would like to contribute to our goal, we would love for you to do so. Donating financial support to MKLM is a very important way for you folks at home to get involved in our mission. As a matter of fact, without donations MKLM would cease to function. It is a great way to support not only me and Chris, but also an organization that has been working for decades with some of the world's most needy people.
If you would like to make a donation, you can send a check directly to Maryknoll Lay Missioners, Advancement, PO Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307. Please put mine and Chris's names in the memo line of the check in order to ensure that we can be "credited" for bringing in the donation. We can also take cash and mail a check to them ourselves with your name on it, if you would prefer.
3) Storage Space. Although we are selling/donating most of our possessions, there are a few things (photographs, family heirlooms, etc.) that we will put into storage while we are away. Some of these things need to be stored with care because prolonged heat/cold might hurt these items. Obviously, obtaining a climate controlled storage unit for 4 years can get a bit pricey (though we will do it if we have to), so if anyone has any storage space that they are willing/able to let us use for at least 4 years, please let us know. You can post a comment here, visit Chris on Facebook or email either of us to let us know. We'll weigh our options and then figure out the best solution from there. We don't want to have a box spread out at at each of two dozen homes around the country. ;)
Thank you again to everyone who has supported us thus far. Most of you know that this move has been a long-time in the making. In fact, I was checking out some old material on this blog from 2006 and found a post about our previous attempt at moving to Africa (which obviously didn't pan out). It just goes to show how much we have worked toward and prayed about this calling. Thanks to everyone for being an important part of our mission.
Up until this point we really haven't had an answer to how people could help us. So much was unknown that we couldn't give any specifics. Now that we're a bit further into the process, we have come up with a list of three of our most pressing needs. We may add to this list as time goes on, but for now if you would like to support us in mission we're asking for the following things:
1) Prayer. This is the most important need, of course. The changes that we are making in our lives (and in the lives of family, friends, colleagues, etc.) would be insurmountable if it weren't for the Grace of God and the Peace of the Holy Spirit. We ask for continued prayers for us, our families, and our friends, as well as for all Missioners around the world working toward peace and justice. We would love it if people would add our intentions to any prayer groups or Church services that you know of.
2) Monetary Donations. Unlike most other mission-based work, our service with Maryknoll Lay Missioners does not require extensive fund-raising. MKLM has their own fund-raising staff who, with the occasional support of the Missioners, raise enough money so that the mission staff can concentrate on what they were hired to do--service to the poor and the marginalized. That being said, there is a small fund-raising goal that the hubby and I are asked to achieve before we leave in 2012. Our goal is to raise a combined $1000. If anyone would like to contribute to our goal, we would love for you to do so. Donating financial support to MKLM is a very important way for you folks at home to get involved in our mission. As a matter of fact, without donations MKLM would cease to function. It is a great way to support not only me and Chris, but also an organization that has been working for decades with some of the world's most needy people.
If you would like to make a donation, you can send a check directly to Maryknoll Lay Missioners, Advancement, PO Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307. Please put mine and Chris's names in the memo line of the check in order to ensure that we can be "credited" for bringing in the donation. We can also take cash and mail a check to them ourselves with your name on it, if you would prefer.
3) Storage Space. Although we are selling/donating most of our possessions, there are a few things (photographs, family heirlooms, etc.) that we will put into storage while we are away. Some of these things need to be stored with care because prolonged heat/cold might hurt these items. Obviously, obtaining a climate controlled storage unit for 4 years can get a bit pricey (though we will do it if we have to), so if anyone has any storage space that they are willing/able to let us use for at least 4 years, please let us know. You can post a comment here, visit Chris on Facebook or email either of us to let us know. We'll weigh our options and then figure out the best solution from there. We don't want to have a box spread out at at each of two dozen homes around the country. ;)
Thank you again to everyone who has supported us thus far. Most of you know that this move has been a long-time in the making. In fact, I was checking out some old material on this blog from 2006 and found a post about our previous attempt at moving to Africa (which obviously didn't pan out). It just goes to show how much we have worked toward and prayed about this calling. Thanks to everyone for being an important part of our mission.
placement news
we found out on wednesday that our placement for marknoll lay missioners (mklm) will be in tanzania! this is great news because it was our first choice. all of the placements sounded amazing, but we are super excited to be going to the very place that we wanted the most!
we still don't know what our jobs will be yet. but we will shortly because in order to get a tanzanian visa, we have to have a job description. deciding our work is a process that will happen via phone and email conversations over the next few weeks/months. the woman who called us with the offer said that there was no end to the work we could do, given our education, skills and hobbies. narrowing it down, she said, would be the hard part.
mklm is in 2 cities in tanzania, mwanza and musoma. both are located along lake victoria in the northern part of the country. we actually visited mwanza in 2006 and LOVED it. so we're super excited to possibly be placed there. we'll be in musoma for at least our first 6 months for language school (all missioners have language training/immersion before being sent to their mission site). after language school we'll transition into the work we'll be doing for the next 3 years.
so we're one step closer and it's seeming more and more real each day. now, if we could just sell our house....
we still don't know what our jobs will be yet. but we will shortly because in order to get a tanzanian visa, we have to have a job description. deciding our work is a process that will happen via phone and email conversations over the next few weeks/months. the woman who called us with the offer said that there was no end to the work we could do, given our education, skills and hobbies. narrowing it down, she said, would be the hard part.
mklm is in 2 cities in tanzania, mwanza and musoma. both are located along lake victoria in the northern part of the country. we actually visited mwanza in 2006 and LOVED it. so we're super excited to possibly be placed there. we'll be in musoma for at least our first 6 months for language school (all missioners have language training/immersion before being sent to their mission site). after language school we'll transition into the work we'll be doing for the next 3 years.
so we're one step closer and it's seeming more and more real each day. now, if we could just sell our house....
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Saturday, June 04, 2011
anticipation
this week the country directors for maryknoll lay missioners meet (via conference call) to discuss and decide placements for the 14 people entering the program in 2012. by the end of this week we should know where we'll be headed in january.
please keep special thoughts and prayers this week for this process!
please keep special thoughts and prayers this week for this process!
Thursday, June 02, 2011
family weekend3
this past weekend we had an extended memorial day weekend in chicago visiting the hubby's sister and her husband. they're great people and i love visiting them. plus, chicago is such a great town. how could we not have fun?
we also got to see parker and latte.
sadly, we didn't take a picture of latte, so i'm giving you an old picture of her in a wig that fuzzy took a while back.
we saw 2 shows, both of which included dances that erica choreographed. fuzzy and erica also performed in the 2nd show. it was great to see their artistry at work. they're very talented people! we didn't take pictures during the show, but here are some pictures of the after party on saturday night. it was the last night of bbr so there was a lot of celebrating going on.
fuzzy chatting with friends and performers
erica looking all pretty
the hubby and i chilling while everyone talks
on sunday it warmed up so we took an 8 mile bike ride along lake shore drive, ate lunch and then walked in and out of shops. it was a beautiful day!
baldman had to wear a sweatband because without hair, the sweat just goes into his eyes. dork!
lake shore was PACKED, as was the beach.
we ate lots of yummy food, including awesome home made breakfasts, indian food, ethiopian food, vegan food, and yummy sandwiches from gaztro wagon.
ras dashan!
we visited erica's office.
and, on the last night we had a little gathering at e&f's with some of their closest friends.
noah and spukey trix
the 2 kates.
thanks, erica and fuzzy for the great time!
we also got to see parker and latte.
sadly, we didn't take a picture of latte, so i'm giving you an old picture of her in a wig that fuzzy took a while back.
we saw 2 shows, both of which included dances that erica choreographed. fuzzy and erica also performed in the 2nd show. it was great to see their artistry at work. they're very talented people! we didn't take pictures during the show, but here are some pictures of the after party on saturday night. it was the last night of bbr so there was a lot of celebrating going on.
fuzzy chatting with friends and performers
erica looking all pretty
the hubby and i chilling while everyone talks
on sunday it warmed up so we took an 8 mile bike ride along lake shore drive, ate lunch and then walked in and out of shops. it was a beautiful day!
baldman had to wear a sweatband because without hair, the sweat just goes into his eyes. dork!
lake shore was PACKED, as was the beach.
we ate lots of yummy food, including awesome home made breakfasts, indian food, ethiopian food, vegan food, and yummy sandwiches from gaztro wagon.
ras dashan!
we visited erica's office.
and, on the last night we had a little gathering at e&f's with some of their closest friends.
noah and spukey trix
the 2 kates.
thanks, erica and fuzzy for the great time!
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