The +'s and -'s of a Traveling Missionary

We were in 34 degree weather on Saturday and today, Monday, the weather has been in the 90's! I'm never really sure how to dress when I get up... especially if we're going to be on the move. This morning we left South Dakota, had lunch with some dear friends in Iowa, and we're spending the night in Illinois! The life of the missionary can be very fast paced at times! Yes, it can be tiring, but oh so full of blessings, too!!

I really do enjoy traveling on furlough, but it does have a few negative points. 1.) It's been VERY hard to stay caught up on correspondence and keep up the articles for this weblog! 2.) Our necks and backs ache from the different beds and pillows we sleep on and also from sitting so much in the car. 3.) Because we have to eat out so much, it's very hard not to end up the size of a king sized whale!!!

It also has some positive points... MANY positive points. I'll just tell you of a couple right now since it's nearly 2 a.m., and we have another six hours of travel tomorrow before reaching our destination. 1.) We've had the opportunity to visit some of the best churches in the world and visit with some precious pastors and their wives! What an encouragement they have all been. (I hope to elaborate when I have a bit more time.) 2.) We've also had the chance to visit some dear friends (some of which are pastors, too) that we've not seen in quite a while! Words cannot express the blessing and joy that they have been to us! 3.) We've been able to spend a few days with our children and their families! That means the GRANDCHILDREN!!! THAT is a necessity for me! I have to have my children and grandchildren "fix" at least once a year!!

We hear regularly from our people in Honduras and things are going well.  Our church in La Esperanza supports a missionary that has come from El Salvador to Honduras. He is a great servant of the Lord with a great burdent for the people of Honduras.  Some of our people have helped him to open a new area to the Gospel.  From what I understand, they had a GREAT first service.  We are so very proud of the burden they have developed toward the lost among their own people.  We miss them all so much and hope to return home before long and continue in the work that God has given us to do there.

I plan to write a LOT more about all of these things (and I DO have some of it down already).   I will share with you what it is like to live on the road and out of a suitcase for months at a time.  But, alas, now is not the time. Please forgive me. I must get to sleep.

However, here are a few pictures of our children and grandchildren (Yes! I'm a proud mom and grams!!!). This will have to do for now:

Me with our daughter's children:
Hannah, Abigail, Josiah and Esther

Our son, Brandon and his Family:
MaKayla, Dakota, his wife, Kathy

Our daughter, Kristy

Mike's Birthday

MaKayla and Dakota blow out the candle

Kristy's family (clockwise):
Her husband,Cosmin, Esther,
Josiah, Abigail and Hannah

Brandon's children,
Dakota and MaKayla