Photo Card For Bolivian Friends

Well after being at the International Convention we realized the importance of always coming bearing gifts. :/ So this time we are readily prepared. For the families I figured we would give this small memento from our congregation and for the children I will make small baggies of candy. I am told that candy is a very special thing, since children down there do not get to buy it often.

Congregation Photo

Today we took a congregation photo that we will use as small gifts for the brothers and sisters in Bolivia. I was so happy that all in attendance supported taking the picture. It turned out very nice. Check out the results.

New Apartment

So this is a video of our new apartment. I didn't take any pictures because I figured it would be really hard to do since it is such a small space. So video it is. :D

New Hat

So I finally found a hat that would work for our trip to Bolivia. The family we are staying with recommended that we find a wide brimmed hat and bring SPF 50 with us. Since being so close to the equator, it is quite easy to burn. I am really happy to have found a hat because I have been searching for quite some time. I finally found one that fit my big ole' head and that I don't look completely like a boy in. :D

Updates

Well everything has been going well so far. Today we have a guy and his wife coming by to look at our Honda Pilot for the second time. :) The yard sale this past Friday and Saturday went really well. We sold almost everything we need to sell, the rest of it we took to Goodwill. We also sold our bedroom set and the glass tables in our living room. Last week we had the inspector come to the house and check it out for us. That went super smooth. He found only 3 things wrong and they were all incredibly small things. So we are getting them fixed and hoping the sale of our house still goes through. Our realtor keeps telling us that they buyer can drop out at the last minute. But I am keeping my trust in Jehovah because he will make sure it goes smoothly if this is what He wants for us. I am super excited though. The other day Justin got an email from the brother with whom we are flying to Bolivia with in May. He said that Bethel requested that we stay with the Bethel family for a few nights so we can see where the need is the greatest. I was so excited when I heard that. We are so excited for our trip to spy out the land. I just keep praying that this is what Jehovah wants too. Thanks for all of the support we have been getting. Justin and I really appreciate every one's comments and encouragement.

Life Fastforwarded ----->

Well a whole lot has happened in the past three months.
Change #1:
To begin Justin and I made the decision to find a good home for our dogs. It kinda happened in about 3 minutes. LOL Let me explain. I had a sister come by from another congregation to look at a futon we were selling. Well the moment she came in she immediately fell in love with Dulce. So all of a sudden the words came out of my mouth "Do you want to take her home?" To my surprise she said "Yes!" Well we packed all of Dulce's stuff up and sent her on her way. Well about four days later she called and said that she could not keep Dulce for unseen reasons. Well I told her not to worry and to bring her by my work. It was my last day of work. So I began to tell my workmates what happened and one of them was really happy. I thought that to be kinda weird. So I asked her why was she smiling so much, come to find out that she had wanted Dulce all along. So I asked if she wanted to take her home whenever the sister dropped her off to me. Immediately she said "Yes!" So that day she took Dulce home. About four days later she calls and to my surprise asks if she can also have Buster. Of course I said yes. So they have had their new home now for a month. I miss them a lot, but could not be happier that they are together and are in a great home.

Change #2:
Justin and I decided to put our house on the market before that tax break was lifted at the end of April. We did that and set a price on what we wanted to sell it for. We had about 3 - 4 people look at the house. The first couple said it was on the top of their list and in 10 days, from us listing it, and offered us a price. This was last Thursday. So at 11 o'clock at night Justin and I went to the Realtors office and signed a paper counter offering. That very night they gave us a verbal that that sounds great to them. Then this past Sunday they signed the papers saying that they would purchase our house for the agreed price. The closing will be on April 22nd.

Change #3:
Justin and I looked around for apartments and found one. Now we are having to simplify and sell all of our non-essentials. So we are having a giant yard sale this weekend. My entire garage is filled with non-essentials. It is amazing how much you accumulate and how much you really do not need.

Change #4:
I personally quit my job and now am able to full time pioneer. :) I am truly happy again.

Justin and I are really happy with the changes and can only thank Jehovah for what has happened. Now more then ever I see Jehovah's hand in our lives. I will always remember this time in our lives, so that when we go through hardships we remember the good God, Jehovah is.

Cousin's Gilead Going Away Party

My cousin and her husband were accepted to the 129th Class of Gilead. This past weekend there was a party for them back in Columbus so Steph and I went up to be there. We're so happy for them both, what a great privilege. There was a lot of family and old friends at their party which was an added bonus. They'll be leaving here in a few weeks, who knows maybe we'll be serving with them one day. :)



View all the photos here