It has been a whirlwind of travel for us these last couple weeks. This time of furlough has been very beneficial. We are meeting (some for the first time) and getting to know our supporters better. God is lavishing us with His blessings.

We have had opportunities to kick back and have some fun. One of those times was watching a pinewood derby that Jeremiah's friend was a part of. He won 2nd place in speed and design.

We spent a morning at Covenant Shores Retirement Home where Mark spoke at a men's prayer breakfast. After the incredible breakfast, the kids spent time enjoying the green grass and the shore of the lake.

But the highlight of that morning was definitely the time spent talking with a couple of the residents. The lives they have lived were facinating. The children enjoyed the "grandparent" treatment. Best cookies and hot cocoa in town.

We had a fabulous time visiting with a supporting family who live on a farm. The kids got to collect eggs

play on a tire swing

and climb a mountain of hay.

Katelyn has been the most endearing social bug I've ever seen. She has latched on to and loved on everyone that will let her. She is soaking up every ounce of attention she can get out of those we visit.

One of the many outings with Papa Swensen was spent at a navel museum. The kids had a blast using their imagination in one of the hands on displays.
Another lasting memory for our kids is the time we spent with supporters in Oregon where Jeremiah got to shoot off a rocket several times

and Neakita had her wish of petting a horse come true. Her dream is to own one of her own.
Our time with friends, family, and supporters has been wonderful. We have enjoyed every moment with everyone we have been with. We pray we have been as much of a blessing to each person as they have been to us, for we feel we have been showered with love by everyone. Our schedule is filling up fast and we have much traveling ahead of us. Please pray that God keeps us in the safety of His hands.

Our health has been good. We attack any bit of sickness that tries to overtake us and nip it in the bud. And try to get the sleep we need to stay healthy which has meant not setting an alarm unless absolutely necessary. Please continue to cover us with prayer in this area. Please pray for Mark’s back, he has had some slight discomfort, which he thinks is from all the driving.

School is going better than one could expect, although with all the moving around from one place to another, it is getting harder and harder to accomplish what I want to. God has given me much encouragement through others in this area and I praise Him for giving me these boosts of confidence.

Mark spent the first week of our time in the lower 48 in Witchita, KS for Caravan training. While Mark was away the kids and I stayed with friends in Orting, WA. They have two children Neakita and Jeremiah's ages. We accomplished a lot of school that week. Yep, we are continuing school while we travel and so far it is going well. Each day, the kids worked hard as they waited with anticipation for their friends to get home from school. Katelyn has especially enjoyed all the extra attention of having additional adults around her. She is right there ready to get her hands into anything an adult is doing and "help".

Mark's training in Witchita went well. Once he returned to join us he hit the ground running. The first thing he did was take a train to Oregon to pick up a vehicle that dear friends have so generously allowed us to use for the next two months. Jeremiah went with Mark, it was his first experience on a train.

When we are not visiting with friends and supporters, Mark is on the phone and computer making plans and arrangements. Having this time to develop and strengthen relationships has been a huge blessing to us.

Our first Sunday was spent at the church Mark grew up in, the one we attended while we lived here before moving to Alaska. It was great to be able to share what we have been doing for the last four years in Alaska and to catch up on what is happening in their lives as well.

I do believe that the highlight for our children has been the time spent with Papa. Papa took them on walks,
on a ferry ride,
out for shakes,
read book after book after book,
wrestled, and played games.
One of the coolest things was getting a tour of the Habitat for Humanity houses that Mark’s dad has been donating his time to work on.

We set aside a day to take the kids to the Pacific Science Museum. It was a blast. Some of the things we did was explore an indoor tide pool display,
walk through an arboretum with butterflies fluttering all around,
and attend a planetarium show during which we learned about our starry sky- it was an excellent presentation. But I think the highlight for the kids was eating at a food court. Everyone got to choose what type of food they wanted; it is a special treat to have such a selection.

This last weekend, Neakita participated in a Saturday evening talent show at a supporting church we were sharing at the next day. She did very well playing a Bach Minuet.
I think Jeremiah's favorite thing was climbing a tree at the home we were staying at for the night. Alaska does not have such trees to climb.

I will be attempting to add blogs more frequently from here on out, so keep checking in to find out what we are doing. Keep praying for safe travel and good health for us during this time and that God will continue to bless us and use us to bless others.