A Gruffalo Hunt

The Cotswolds is a very beautiful area of England and there is a national trail that spans most of it's length of just over 100 miles. Elaina, Naomi and I would like to walk the length of it, but I think it's just a little too far for Jeremiah and Deanna. Maybe another time.

So we have resigned ourselves to just walking small sections. We started on Father's Day (when Gary was still with us) and walked from Chipping Campden. It was a great day, although when we were on our final stretch back to the car we noticed Jeremiah had lost his sweater. I was not about to retrace our 5 mile walk to look for it.

So yesterday we decided to go back to Dover's Hill and somehow, along the way, one of the kids thought the Gruffalo may be in the woods. So we went on a Gruffalo hunt. Deanna decided to impersonate the Gruffalo her own way.

We walked about 3 miles, enjoying the countryside,  perfect temperatures (about 75 degrees) and knowing that we wouldn't find any poisonous snakes in the grass was a treat.

We walked through meadows - trying not to disturb the sheep too much.

Down the 72 steps into the woods.

We looked high and low for the Gruffalo. Apparently, according to the kids, we saw evidence of him, such as footprints and play areas for the Gruffalo's child, but alas, no Gruffalo.

But what we did find was ....

... Jeremiah's sweater.  Thankfully someone had found it and hung it on a tree - maybe it was the Gruffalo!!!


Michelle

Our Decision

The decision we made that day was hard but we know that we made it with the Lord's guidance.

We decided that Gary, Daniel and Nicholas should leave England and return to America before the rest of the family.  There were several factors that helped us in this decision.  Firstly, there is work for him in St Louis.  Gary's friend has a landscape business and has offered to give Gary some work, as this is his busiest time of year.  This will allow Gary to earn some money while he sets up his own business again.

Secondly we felt it was important for him to go ahead and prepare a home for us.  The house we thought we would be able to move into has fallen through so currently we have nowhere to live when we return.

The two boys went with him as we knew this would be an excellent opportunity for them to start their journey into manhood.  Gary will take time to teach them about what it means to be a godly man, husband and father.  They will also have practical experience as they will be going to work with Dad everyday and will be taught many things in the construction trade.  They will have their work cut out for them as they will also be expected to keep up with their schooling (albeit a modified schedule).

Jeremiah remains with me as he is only 6 and being away from me for a long period would be just too hard for him right now.

Tuesday, we faced the dreaded day as we got up early and took them to the airport.

This is hard to type as it brings back the pain of that morning and I'm now fighting the tears.  Part of the pain came from my sadness as I said goodbye to my husband and best friend (who I have never been away from for more than a week in the last 17 years) and to my boys - who have never been away from this mama's side for more than 48 hours.  The other part of the pain came from seeing my children hurt as they cried  for their Daddy and brothers.

How long will we be apart?  That's an excellent question for which I do not have an answer and I think not knowing when we will see them again is making this separation harder.   I am scheduled for an interview at the American Embassy in London on July 27th.  At this interview they will decide whether I will be allowed to return to the US with the permenant resident status I left with or not.  If that goes well, which we are praying it will, I think I  have to have a medical before being allowed to return.   We are only guessing, but believe the earliest we could be back to the States is late August, although (with the time lines stated on the Embassy website) it could be as late as October!!

Please pray with us that the Lord would allow Gary to be successful and find a home and prepare it for us before we arrive.  Also, that the boys would learn a lot this Summer and that God would move mountains and allow us to be together again soon.  Thank you.  

I look forward to our reunion.

Michelle

Wigwams and Decisions

On one of our many walks through the English countryside this spring we came across this wigwam built from sticks and the kids were inspired.

So they spent the next hour building their own.

Naomi worked alone and wrote her name in sticks.

Nicholas teamed up with Deanna, while Elaina and Jeremiah worked together.

Daniel was more interested in taking pictures than building.  Below are a couple he took.

During this time Gary and I talked about where we were, where God is leading and what is next for us.  This discussion led to a very big decision .... which I will tell you about tomorrow ;)

Michelle

One Wheel or Two?

Earlier this month we celebrated my birthday by spending 4 days with my brother and his family in the South West of England.

They live in a small village on the edge of a national park.  It is so beautiful there that I could have spent many days just sitting, watching yet still not absorbing the full magnitude of our Creator's handiwork.  Yet this trip seemed to be focused around bikes!!

My brother and his wife ride a lot, and probably because our kids have been without bikes since February they were excited, on our first evening there, to bring out the bikes!!

Whether they had one wheel or two!

Gary and Nicholas worked hard at mastering the unicycle.  They both managed to ride several feet before returning to the ground.

Deanna was excited to try out her cousin's bike - this one had two wheels, which was a challenge for her as she could previously only ride with training wheels attached.  But within minutes she had two wheels mastered!!

She was so proud of herself to be able to ride - just like the big kids now!!

We spent the following day in Exeter (a nearby city) watching stunt riders and a bike race (Sorry I forgot to take my camera that day). 

Then on our last full day we attended the local church fete from which Deanna got to ride home on a tandem which had been modified so little legs could peddle too.
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We had an incredible few days away, really enjoyed the time together and a big thank you to my whole family who spoiled me rotten.

Michelle

Go Grampy!

If you know anything of the English culture, then you will know that cricket is an important pastime - especially for my Dad. During the early days of summer he plays on a team of local clergymen. Naomi requested an opportunity to watch him play, so we decided to do just that.

The kids made the 'GO GRAMPY' signs and were excited to be able to cheer him on.

My Dad plays the position of wicket keeper (the one kneeling down with his back to the camera). I would like to be able to tell you that his team won that day, but it was not to be, although it was a close game.

We didn't stay to watch all of it as a cricket game can go on for hours and hours. Instead we spent the rest of the afternoon at a local park enjoying some of our Creator's incredible handiwork.

Michelle