Our Village

They're home!

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I couldn't agree more.

Bill and Espy just got home from their trip to Arizona, and it's been fantastic to have them physically in our home.  When you add in all the experiences and stories that they've been sharing with us, it's been one big ball of emotion around here (at least for the wife
and mother of the house).

I applaud those of you who are both dad and mom for much longer than eleven days.  The only reason why Bill and Espy came home to a sane (not completely exhausted) woman and somewhat tidy home is because of the awesome support system we have.  It's beyond amazing.  All of these things were an encouragement to me (and to Isabella and Evangeline) while they were away,
and this list isn't exhaustive:
texts
grass-cutting(s)
phone calls
gifts
messages
meals
movie nights
snacks
carpooling
conversations
coffee!
playdates
pre/post-bedtime visits
prayers

Thank you so much to all of you who were a helping hand, ear, hug, etc. just when we needed it.  Thank you for sacrificing your own time to spend time helping us or being with us.  Bill and I appreciate it more than you know.  I'm thankful and ridiculously blessed by the example of your friendship.  Our hope is that we can be same kind of friends to you -
and for you to call us on it if we're not.  Not a joke.  We love you!
(Special shout out to my parents who were readily available whenever we needed a meal,
a playdate, a ride - or when Mommy needed a time out.)

presents from our Espy

family dinner

 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13

Saturday in Phoenix

More snapshots from this past week:

softball game in Gap

VBS: Day 5

Left for Phoenix at 1ish.  You will probably be bombarded with all of the jammed up pictures when we get there, and the phone works better.  What a day!  About fifteen kids slept out with us last night - it was special.  Everyone is doing pretty good.

VBS: Day 4

Our group is being cautious with the water supply:

If toilet stops working do not use.  Contact plumber immediately.  Thanks.

VBS: Day 3

VBS: Day 2

We are so thankful for the running water - they are able to use the shower, sinks,
and toilet (girls only).  Thank you for your prayers.

Our group had a good morning at VBS enjoying lots of one on one time with the kids.

After VBS, they had lunch in town at Pizza Edge and washed their clothes at the laundromat.  They also made a grocery run.  It was fantastic to be able to talk to Bill & Espy while they were there.

Later on in the afternoon, they got to participate in a community 3K Walk / 5K Run called Just Move It.  This has been a great opportunity for our group to spend time with the Navajos outside of the church/VBS in years past.

Can you hear this now in the desert?

Woke up to Bill playing "Ghostbuster" on the iPod.  Can't get better than that!

VBS: Day 1

We were able to shower...water is not coming in fast. Water only being used for showers and dishes. Everything else outside.

We did get some rest thankfully.  No visitors last night. ... We have some water for dishes, and we were all able to take showers between last night and this morning so that was amazing!  Still going to the bathroom outside to save the water.  Waiting for the buses to get back and start day one of VBS.

Still conserving water, potty outside, but can shower and do dishes!  First VBS morning done.  Everybody happy.

Day 1 of VBS:

Sunday Service & Pre-VBS Prep

Saturday night

Our group spent the morning freshening up without running water for the service at our host church, Hidden Springs Bible Church.  Afterwards - they passed out flyers and prepped for VBS.

Here are some texts I got throughout the day:

Saturday Shenanigans - AZ Style

Today's happenings shared via text:

 Good morning!  Everyone is up, and it is 5:20.

We have no water pressure this morning.  The water ran out of the tanks last night.  It is teaching

Snapshots from Friday

Bill, Abby, Lauren, and Lori have been sweet enough to indulge a mother's heart by sending pictures via their phones - thank you!  Here are the ones they sent as they traveled

from Phoenix to Flagstaff to the Reservation:

On The Road

Please enjoy the lovely pictures the husband sent me early this morning.  This is the hotel our group stayed in last night: swimming, eating pizza, watching the game, etc.  They also had a meeting for a time of preparation and prayer for the upcoming week.

This is our associate pastor:

Layover Time

UPDATE:
Everyone has landed safely in Phoenix.

Both groups have landed safely in Nashville & Atlanta respectively.

I asked our team to send pics while they were away.  I immediately received

this one from my husband entitled

Eric eating a biscuit.

and this winner while flying to Atlanta - so aptly named

Arizona 2013

Our group (29 total) is waiting at the airport ready to fly out to Phoenix (via Atlanta) for their Arizona Mission Trip.  Three individuals are flying out of Norfolk, and the rest of the group is flying