Back in the US of A!

The kids and I (Jen) arrived back in the States almost 3 weeks ago to begin our short stateside assignment; Steve just landed in Chicago a couple hours ago, and we will pick him up at the airport here in Missouri tonight.  Steve stayed behind in order to do some strategic ministry travel, both up north with the Bugkalot sending churches as well as final training and on-site visits with our Bugkalot tribal partners.  Everything has gone very well, and it has been an incredibly profitable time; but we are definitely all ready to be together as a family again!

Even though we have missed Steve, the kids and I have been having a wonderful time re-connecting with family and friends back on this side of the world.  We are staying with my parents, and my sister and her family are currently staying with them too (they are having visa issues in their country in SE Asia so are back for a couple months in the States), so we have a FULL house!

With 6 grandkids under the same roof, my parents' rug seems very appropriate. :) 

Lots of sweet snuggle time with Papa

 Opening presents for Papa's birthday

 Reading books with the littlest cousin in the house 

We also had a very special visitor.  Ben's speech therapist came to visit us to do a required evaluation in order for us to get medical clearance.  Jennifer is an amazing woman, one whom God used mightily in our first term to keep us on the field.  We were at the point that we were going to have to return to the US to address Ben's speech disorder, but then Jennifer heard about our situation and volunteered to come and help.  Despite MANY barriers to her coming (4 young kids, husband with bad back, etc), her husband allowed her to come for 3 weeks; and others helped make it possible too - someone from our church in Missouri paid for her ticket, and her church in Alabama rallied around her family to make it possible for her to come.  She diagnosed Ben in our home, developed a speech therapy program AND trained me how to implement it.  I then sent her monthly reports for the next year, and she offered guidance and direction from afar.  God used her in a mighty way to keep us on the field at a critical juncture, and now He has used her once again; she flew up to Missouri to help us out once again.  And gave us wonderful news - Ben is doing GREAT with his speech, and we are cleared to return to the field!  SO VERY THANKFUL for this amazing woman! 

 

We have also been able to do some fun activities together with the cousins.  One day, we went and visited Papa's friend at the fire station, and we got a great tour of the station, trucks, and equipment.  The kids were enthralled and learned so much.

 Love the look on Ben's face in this one!

 A friend invited us to go ice skating with them in a nearby town, and we had a blast there too.

Silly faces! 

 We also got an educational tour of the factory that our friend runs.

And of course we have had a few stops for ice cream. :)

  So very thankful for this opportunity to be with family.  Excited for Steve to get here and join us!