Finally, an Update!!! :)

Friday, September 9, 2011-

Yes, we are still here!  And back on the road.  Yesterday began our 7 week trip across the country after spending 3 wonderful weeks in our hometown area visiting family, friends, and sharing with our supporting churches there.  I didn’t plan on neglecting my furlough journal for so long. We were staying at Daniel’s brother’s house.  They don’t have very good internet, so I was hardly online.  And even if they had the best connection ever, I don’t know I’d have been on my computer much more than I was.  Four adults.  Twenty children.  20!  It was the best crazy fun ever!  We were just a little bit busy :)   Where do you sleep 20 children in a 1,300+ square foot house?  Oh, that’s easy!  The weather was just perfect for  our oldest 7 boys and their oldest 3 boys to camp out back.  So we had 10 out under the stars on the trampoline, our 3 girls and their 2 oldest girls slept in one bedroom, Daniel and I and our youngest 2 slept in another bedroom, and Joel/Deb and their littlest ones slept in their bedroom.  We were all very cozy! :)  Most of the time, it was just work...getting meals on, trying to wash/dry clothes for 24 people each day.  Their poor dryer went out 2 days before we left.  It has been suggested that maybe we overused it.  Nah. :)  But it was so fun being together and visiting throughout the day.  I know this is one summer that the children will never forget!  We are making the BEST memories!!

Well, I could write pages of all we did the past couple weeks, but due to time (hubby is loading up the trailer with the kiddos and we’re getting ready to pull out), I’ll just give a couple highlights.

My wallet got stolen.  :(  What an ordeal that was!  I used my wallet Monday afternoon to buy some bread and a printed picture at Walmart.  I was with my girls, went straight back home, finished making and serving dinner, and then grabbed my purse again as Daniel and I were going on a date night :) (thank you Deb and Joel!!).  We went to do some shopping and while at the store, I noticed my wallet wasn’t in my purse.  I didn’t think too much  as I was sure it was in the van or back at the house.  The next day I was planning on cleaning and going through all our things in preparation for our trip and I was sure it would turn up. When we didn’t find it, we called the stores where we had been to see if someone had found it and turned it in   Nothing.  So we called the bank.  Someone had my wallet and had spent over $350 on my cards.  :(  I lost my driver’s license, Mexican visa, bank cards, and pictures.  It took a good part of the day, but thankfully, we were able to work everything out at the bank and should get our money returned to us soon.  I’m praying that now that my cards can’t be used, the thief will leave my wallet somewhere where an honest person will find it and get ahold of us. 

I’d love to have back my Safeway Club card. :)  Not that I ever go to Safeway.  It’s just the first thing I ever applied for after I married Daniel.  The week we returned from our honeymoon, I went down to Safeway to do our first grocery shopping and signed up for the card.  When I was asked to sign my name on the back, I proudly wrote, “Mrs. Daniel Lockwood”. :)   I’ve kept that card ever since . :)

Well, Daniel’s now ready to go, so I’ll just upload some pictures to give a few highlights of our time up north.  Hopefully we’ll be able to update more frequently as we travel.   If you've emailed us within the past couple weeks and haven't heard back, I'll try my best to get caught up with all of you soon. We’ll be on the road for 7 weeks!  Daniel will be preaching at Heritage Baptist Church in Goodyear, AZ on Sunday.  We plan on driving to San Diego tonight to stay with Daniel’s brother and arrive in AZ tomorrow.  Again, we appreciate your prayers as we travel.  Safety.  That the van will run well.  Health.  Strength.  Wisdom. Sweet spirits with much patience, love, and grace.   And that the Lord will use us wherever we go to bring glory to Him! 

He is so faithful and so good!! 

Breakfast time :)

Chuck E Cheese With Grandma and Grandpa

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!  We sure love and miss you!!

We took all the children fishing down at the river one evening and that got a 3 1/2 lb. large mouth bass!

Daniel and Pastor Ryan (our pastor) :)

When they weren't working/doing chores/sleeping/eating, the boys spent most all their time building a tree fort!  It was great!  

It measured 20 ft. 5 inches high!
Daddy went up to the top.  Mommy did not. :)