I turned the big 4-0 on Tuesday, August 24th. Just a beautiful celebration that spanned the week, including lots of dinners with friends and family and a surprise party yesterday afternoon. Thank you, Shaws for hosting, and everyone else in on the shindig. The shock and awe hasn't worn off as of yet. :) I've received so many sweet messages, cards, packages and gifts, and now have an endless supply of fiber, hemorrhoid ointment, milk of magnesia, candy from the 70's (candy buttons, zagnut bars, wax lips, zotz and necco wafers to name a few!), and reading glasses to take to Swaziland with us. I'm all set -- bring on the next 40 years! :)
We just wrapped up our final garage sale on Thursday evening, and we've really parted with lots of things. From here on out, everything either goes with us to Africa in suitcases or is Craigslisted, donated or dumpstered. The house has a new, fun (yet bittersweet) echo to it, and it's quite a bit easier to keep it clean when there is half the amount of stuff around. A huge shout-out and thanks to my selling partner-in-crime, Jami -- for all of your efforts and hours devoted to our sales over the spring and summer. I love you, sweet girl, and couldn't have done them without you (okay, or without the Subway flatbread runs and lattes, too). :)
We spent Friday evening and the better part of Saturday camping with the dearest of friends -- relationships that have endured decades. We love you, Gotz and Carlson families. You are so very precious to us, and we are so thankful for your love, support, and killer pudgie pies!
Our camping plans had originally run through Sunday, but we were invited to share our journey at the RVC-Savage (Southbridge) campus that morning, so we cut our plans a little short. It was awesome to see old friends and meet many new ones. What a huge thing to present in two services at one of the new RVC campuses and to connect with such great people. Thank you, God, for such open hearts and for making this process such an honor to walk!
Support Updates:
-We are officially at 44.24% of our monthly budget needed to sustain our family in Swaziland! Amazing, considering that we've just officially been support-raising since May 1st (four months). Insert huge wow here! :)
Golf Tournament Info:
-The "Global Cup" (Saturday, September 11th, Southern Hills Golf Course, Farmington) plans are in full swing. We're honored and humbled by the businesses, individuals, and golfers coming forward to make this event so huge and successful.
Are you interested in getting involved in the "Global Cup" as a golfer? Register soon --the deadline is fast approaching and only 20 spots remain! Registration is $75 and includes 18 holes, breakfast, lunch, gift bag, and your chance to win amazing prizes! Not a golfer but want to get involved? Sponsor a hole, donate a prize, or volunteer! Email globalcupgolf@gmail.com for registration and more information.
That's the update... but I have another blog post in the works. Just needed to get this info out, so consider it your appetizer. The rest is to follow, hopefully tonight or tomorrow. However, if any of you are interested in coming here and cooking dinner, bathing the kiddies, and tucking them in, I can probably bang it out of the park a whole lot sooner. Let me know if you're up for a challenge. :)