Our Trip

I am so behind in posting about our amazing, special time we had visiting my son and daughter in love. So here is the overview and some photos. 
We went in March for 12 days. We took two days to drive to Tyler and Emily's place near Phoenix and stayed 3 days there. Then we all drove (including Ty and Em) another 6 hours to San Diego to the Naval base where we got the stay in a hotel, on the beach. One of the perks of being retired military. I must say it was gorgeous. I grew up in California where I had the blessing of visiting the beach regularly. But it has been many years since we have been back to the beaches of California. In fact, all of my children, except my oldest, have never seen the beach. Oh how I miss the beach. It really just does something to give my soul peace and rest to be there. I really need to visit more often. 

While we were in San Diego Jay had to work. His home office for his employer is there and they paid for our gas to drive out there and his hotel, which was the only way we could afford to do this trip. But he had the evenings with us.

I also drove the kids up to Carlsbad one day to Legoland. We are a huge Lego family and none of us had been. Besides the shock of the cost factor (and we had reduced tickets for military as well!) it really was a cool and creative place. They had rides, mini Lego buildings, giant Lego buildings, and other attractions. We were there most of the day one day and the day we were to head back to AZ Jay took the kids there for a few more hours (we had a 2 day pass). 

So all in all we were in San Diego for 4 1/2 days. It was great. I went to San Diego State University the year before I met and married Jay, so I have always loved that city!

Then we headed back to AZ. This time we drove a little more south to see our longtime and close friends. Their son was Ty's best man in his wedding and Darlene (Lynn) is my best friend, and the one we are naming Adelia after (Adelia Lynn). We had the joy of spending 2 days with them and their precious foster children. It was quite the rowdy and loud house with the 13 of us and the 6 of them! But we had a blast. 

After that we headed home sweet home. The two drive was not so fun, as about 15 out of 18 hours was constant high winds and our van doesn't seem to tolerate it well. My strong and diligent husband was faithful in bringing us home in safety.

The day after we got home was back to the same. 

Here are the photos.

 Tyler (my 22 year old) meeting his youngest brother (Isaiah age 3) for the first time. They easily became friends, which blessed this Mama's heart.

 Makenna (19) and Emily (20) two sweet friends from 11 years ago, who had no clue that one day they would become sisters!

 Me with my sweet Ellie (age 3)

 Me with my handsome Isaiah (age 3)

  Lenea (age 6) loved Emily's dog (Ella).

 Ellie loved the sand at the park!!

  Moriah (age 11) swinging herself the "fun way".

Our first stop in San Diego was the air craft carrier the USS Midway Museum. It was very huge and spectacular.

 Adorable man, Asher (age 4) posing for the camera.

 Toby (age 9), Isaiah, Makenna, Asher and Eliza (age 16) posing inside a big helicopter.

Isaiah posing on some ejector seat thingy? I actually didn't see this so not sure what it was. 

 Legoland! Asher riding a horse as a jouster, It was a very cute ride. I think one of the most creative fun ones for his age.

 Makenna and Lenea (Toby and Moriah also rode this ride) road this crazy thing. It whips you around every which way, and you have no clue what way is coming next. I was surprised they road it. I could not bring myself to do it.

 Toby in a lion's mouth!

 Jacob (age 13) and Lenea flying a helicopter.

 Lenea and Makenna riding some up and down ride? I went on one like this and it feels like you are going over railroad tracks very fast, over and over again.

 Asher and Eliza flying a police helicopter. We like helicopters :)

 Everyone in front of mini legoland. This was so cool. Right here was the US state Capitol. 

 Emily, Lenea, Moriah and Tyler riding a boat scenic ride.

Asher loved driving the car!

 Emily hanging out with Ellie and Isaiah on the beach. They loved it!!

 Asher had the greatest time with the waves. Here Emily caught him running and jumping at just the right time (see his cute feet in the air). Lenea and he kept saying they were afraid of the "jelly fish". which was actually the seaweed. I did take the time to show them a small seaweed and let them hold and examine it in hopes to comfort their fears. :)



 The next photos are all taken by my beautiful, aspiring, and awesome daughter in love and photographer, Emily! Thanks Em they are amazing!

Lenea and Tyler, sweet sister and brother.

Our desire was to take a photo with all of us. While we found a great spot for photos, the sun was going down and it was very cold. Emily was able to get a good one with everyone except her in it. Phooey! Anyway, here is all my kiddos except Emily and Adelia. Maybe next time ~

A Little Boy From Tanzania

For the last 2 years we have had the joy and privilege of sponsoring several children through Compassion International. It is for only $38 each month. This cost provides school supplies, medicines, food and bible training along with discipleship and more through the Compassion program that works locally with the missionaries or church in the child's neighborhood.

We have the blessing of sending them letters and photos as often as we like. We get letters in return, sometimes hand written in English even; as in many countries when the children get older they learn English.

We can send them small care packages of paper goods.

We have the joy knowing they are being taught about God and being loved upon by the ministries in their poverty stricken areas.

We have the honor to pray for them and know that while our place in their lives might "seem" small to us, it is huge to them. I have read and heard story after story of sponsored children stating that because of their Sponsor their lives were changed for the better. It gave them a hope and courage to know that someone loved them enough to care, pray and know them.

Two of our children we specifically chose because they shared birthdays with Lenea and Toby. Lenea's girl is just a year older than her but same birthday, and lives in Tanzania. She is a precious girl who lives with her mother and younger sibling.

The boy, Jumanne, we chose because he too shared an exact birthday with Tobias. He is from Tanzania as well and is his Mama's only child.


We had sent a special "Family Gift" a few months back and we received a photo with his mother and him on it. It showed a mattress, some food, some new clothes, fabric all that they were able to buy with our really, not so large donation. These precious people had likely been sleeping on the ground. How selfish I felt, how spoiled I felt for the times I complained about something I "didn't have".

Sadly, we found out a few days ago that Jumanne died from malaria just a few weeks ago, and on his birthday. Oh what sorrow came to our hearts thinking of the many prayers we sent for his mother and him. Thinking about what his mother must be feeling right now, losing her son. Thinking about the sweet last words we read from him (Compassion sent us his last letter written to us just 3 weeks before he died.)

"Praise the Lord. I am real glad to receive your letter. I am doing well at school and at the center. I am glad to be learning about Tobias. I also wish to see him and be a close friend. Also thanks for the gifts that you sent me. May God bless you."

Jumanne was a precious child and important to God. Even though we only had the blessing of sponsoring him for almost 2 years, our small part of his life was a joy even if it was only for our benefit.

Right after we heard of his passing I went on Compassion's site and picked another little boy with the same birthday from Rwanda. Jumanne left a legacy in the hearts of our family. We are so thankful He is today sitting with Jesus.