CALLED to Papua New Guinea

A more poetic post, for those so inclined... ------ Looking down across the flat land of Texas, sectioned by straight fences and winding rivers, I am allowing the feelings of leaving to finally take root. We leave behind a lifetime of loved ones, so many of them recently seen and embraced, and all their smiles and words of encouragement remain - sloshing over the top of my brimming love tank. (Thank you Gary Chapman - " The 5 Love Languages ") ------ We are flying West, away from home, and I can feel the miles of separation steadily increase as the land passes by. Just a couple of hours ago, I appreciated how my beloved Blue Ridge mountains appeared as frozen ripples in the Earth, stretching out to West Virginia, before melting into the flat brown farmlands of the mid-West.  ------ In the season to come, God has new mountains for me to love, new rivers to ford, swim and fish, and new people to love and share in His joy. The boy inside of me has ached for yea...

Dearest Readers, Time waits for no man!  We're getting close to the 2 week mark, and have remained quite busy juggling the duties of settling state-side affairs, finishing out our work requirements, preparing for (and pulling off!) a fantastic yard sale, perfecting the art of savvy salesman via Craigslist - and making good money off a few larger pieces of furniture, and little-by-little re-organizing and packing (in our typical OCD/perfectionist way) every single item in our possession. To top all this off, on a nearly daily basis we have been blessed to spend quality time with loved ones - and not just family, but also dear brothers and sisters who have sometimes been closer than family - the Mills, Schrecengosts, Gerbers, Alberts, Kings, Praters and many beloved friends within our Young Adult community.  Just the other day we were blessed by the same YAL (Young Adult Life) friends with a little party in our honor. (see pictures below) Truly, there is NOTHING m...