Just a Few More Days!

We are now staying in temporary quarters and living out of suitcases awaiting the day of departure! Last Friday Jeremy and some other men loaded our household into a container and it is on its way to Brazil! We spent that weekend getting out house cleaned out and our van ready to be sold. On Monday we turned over our van to its new owners and turned in the keys to our house. I was left with a keyring and no keys on it! That's a strange feeling. A family in our church has graciously allowed us to stay in an apartment set up in their basement, and it has worked out great. We have been driving a church van, but since that was needed by others over the weekend, we rented a vehicle. We thought we would just rent a car and squeeze in it for a few days, but when we went to pick up the car it smelled of smoke really bad, so Jeremy asked if they had anything different. They gave us a 2009 Kia minivan instead, for just a few dollars more than the car was going to cost! So we didn't even have to sacrifice our comfort. The Lord is so good to us!

Yesterday we traveled about 4 hours to Beckley, WV to be in the services of Cranberry Baptist Church during their mission conference. It was a great service and they have been so kind to us. I'm really going to miss meeting so many wonderful people like we have on deputation...although I'm sure we will meet many wonderful people in Brazil as well!

Today we are going to spend some time with Jeremy's family. His two sisters are coming to Knoxville for our last weekend there. Jeremy will be ordained at the Temple Baptist Church on Sunday evening, and we are very excited about that.

It is a very emotional time for us. We are so excited to be going to Brazil, and yet I am a little scared and nervous also. Then when we are talking with people and realize that this is the last time we will see them for a long while, that is very sad. I hate saying goodbye! The boys are doing well through all these changes. Please continue to pray for them, and us, and that the adjustment will be smooth for all of us. I'm not sure if the reality of everything has sunk in for them yet, but I know the Lord will help all of us.

We are without internet where we are living, so I'm not sure when I will post again, but I will let you know when we arrive in Brazil! We will be flying out of Knoxville around 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 31st and arriving in Brazil at 8:20 am on Wednesday April 1st. Thank you for your prayers!