Lizard fever is spreading

Today we made the lizard trap. We cut out a square at the top and a square on the side, duck taped some mesh wire on the holes, and cut a 'trap door' on the other side. Levi collected grubs or maggots(which I am not sure). I found a stick and Isatu got a piece of cord the plumber left. Albert and John collected the needed rocks and we taped them to the door, propped it up with the stick, tied the cord to the stick and Levi got in position. Even Samuel the guard got involved clearing the area of any distracting grubs. It became a family affair to catch Levi a lizard. The first exciting moment when a lizard went in Levi pulled the cord and he and John when running to the box. When John grabbed the box he accidentally pushed the mesh in and the lizard ran out. That was the cause of a huge meltdown on Levi's part. Once he had calmed down we set the box back up, taped everything back in place and began another wait. The second catch also escaped somehow so we did not get a lizard pet today. It really was great fun though.

CONDO!!!

Lizard in Krio is condo. We have seen many a lizard and heard many a shriek from Levi announcing his newest catch. Today Andrew took John, Isatu, and Albert to sports day practice so I tried to talk Levi into going with them and racing the other kids but he was having none of that. He was set on staying here and continuing the hunt. So today Levi was out in the dirt for hours collecting small grubs and putting them in an old plastic coke bottle. The boy had a plan. This afternoon he saw two good size condo's on top of the compound wall where they like to sunbath and unknowingly taunt a five year old boy. He laid out all the grubs in a pile, sat down beside it and waited. Some of the grubs would escape and he would corral them back. Would you believe that the lizards came all the way down the wall, ran half way to the pile and then ran away again. I guess they were either testing the waters or they lost their nerve. They were obviously interested because they would stay right on the edge, creep down and then run back all the while eyeing the grub pile excitedly doing their push ups. After an hour or so of that a few spectators were back from practice and interfering with his plan. So, he decided to switch it up and make several piles and stand a little further back. If anybody stepped out of the imaginary line(mostly Isatu and Ivey) he would bark out orders to get back and wait. It was quite entertaining actually. The lizards came about 4 feet from all of us and ate every one of those grubs. There were a few unsuccessful attempts of running to catch them but they would come right back to eat. Tonight while Levi is fast asleep he has unknowingly entertained his mother. And so, I have a plan. On tomorrows agenda is making a box with a trap door. You know the propped up on a stick with a string attached kind. That should be about as entertaining for me to watch.

Here is one our day guard Samuel helped him catch.

Now before anyone gets upset and calls PETA you should know that during nap time this lizard 'escaped' according to Levi and apparently he scratched the cord with his toes. I won't disputing a good assessment to say weather or not I know differently.


and a baby one that he caught back at the guesthouse:

African domestication the oncoming meltdown

So we moved into our house on Thursday.

I drove the very short distance to the center to pick up our kids while Andrew stayed at the house with Levi and Ivey who built a special 'welcome to our new house' track for the train. When I got to the center they were just sitting down to dinner so all the kids were in one room and Uncle Daniel announced that the Sisco family should go and collect their things. The room erupted in OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH (if you've been here you know the 'oh' I am talking about), and cheers. Albert cried and John grinned from ear to ear. I couldn't locate Isatu quickly enough to know her reaction. The kids sang 'It's so hard to loose someone like you' (again if you have been here you know the song I am talking about). It was very touching. They packed their backpacks and hugged their aunties and uncles goodbye.
We drove down to the house and when we got there Levi showed them the train, we showed them their new mattresses(I can't say bed because those haven't been built yet) and rooms. And then we ate dinner together on the floor.




We do a lot of sitting on the floor right now because it takes a while to get things built. We have bought 5 kid size stools and that is it. We have a work table and shelves ordered for the kitchen and we hopefully will be able to get to town soon to order our couch.
I have been amazed at how well everyone has done so far adjusting. Levi andIvey seem ok with all of the changes of moving cultures and are already speaking some Krio. Levi is calling seashells cockles Ivey is saying she has to go wet when she needs to go to the bathroom. Albert, John and Isatu seem to be dealing well with all the changes of living in a new home with very strange new people. The other day when they were supposed to be resting Levi pulled feathers out of his pillow, tiptoed across the room and put them all over John. And so it begins.


They all enjoy playing together and there is a lot of laughing which is the most beautiful sound around here. Andrew and I weren't anticipating the ease with which everyone has settled in. That has really been a great surprise. We expected to be learning a lot about our new kids but we thought we knew their general personality which I guess is mostly true. However, we had no idea how hilarious John is. He has had us rolling in the floor(literally since we
don't have furniture yet) laughing. Albert is mostly quiet but he does laugh and joke a lot. And Isatu is my shadow. Where ever I go she is right behind. We have tried to have moments alone with all the kids and after dinner we give each one a chore to do. Last night Levi and Ivey cleared the stools while John swept and Albert mopped(both very necessary) and Isatu was supposed to help dry the dishes that I washed. I ended up getting distracted several times though and everyone ended up showered and in bed before I could get to it. They all really like to do the chores and she was a little upset that she didn't get to do hers so we let her stay up to do it. I cleared her a spot on the counter by the sink and gave her a towel. We talked about her favorite food, color, aunties, friends, etc. until all seven plates, seven cups, seven forks, and a hundred misc. items were dried and stacked on the counter beside her. I look forward to that being a time that we enjoy with each of our kids. We have tried to be somewhat organized and so we have different colored plastic cups with lids and straws. Each child has been allotted a color to remember so that we don't go through more than one cup a day. Albert is orange, John is yellow, Isatu is pink, Levi is blue, and Ivey is purple. While doing dishes last night Andrew was remembering that hetoo had color coded cups growing up. He was yellow, Katie was green, and Rachel was red. I am sure that I will come up with more solutions to simplify life but if anyone has any time savors like that please share.
Speaking of the dishes, I know that no matter where we live we will have some things to deal with that are difficult or frustrating. The dishes are one of them. Because we have a gas stove (I guess) black soot gets all over the bottom of the pots when we are cooking and then when you move it anywhere it gets all over whatever you sit it on. Then it is hard to get off the scrubber or your hands. It makes such a mess! I had to wash my hands three times to get it off. And, the soap doesn't really get sudsy so the soot just smears around. I am foreseeing that it could be the cause of a serious meltdown for me.
Dirty floors and feet are also one of them. I have probably washed my feet 3times a day ever since we have been here. And, I have swept every day and mopped at least every other day and at the end of each day it is amazing how dirty it is. I have such a hard time feeling like things are clean even though I am spending a lot of time cleaning. Everything is more difficult. Our laundry area required a certain pipe to be put in so that meant it had to go in the garage. The garage floor is uneven so the spin cycle is pretty interesting. I literally lay across the top and hold the water discharge tube down in a bucket because it isn't connected to anything yet. We can't find the right size bucket for it. I shook so hard one time that the little legs that you screw up and down to make it even came off. And the hose went flying all around and soaked the whole place. I am happy to have it though and once we have a bucket and a platform for it we should be free of the shakes, spills, and brain injuries. I wish you could see the faces of the locals watching this fiasco. I am sure they wonder how wrestling machines could possibly be easier than handwashing. I had to read the manual which I have never done for any washer or dryer before but it has strange symbols so I didn't know how to work it.



The kids are cracking me up because they would really like to start school so they keep praying at night that we would be able to start school the next day. Right now we don't have a table for them to sit at, a desk for me to put the stuff I need, or white board or anything yet. I sat them down to explain the situation today but I have a feeling that we will be having a repeat prayer tonight. We have a list of things to getbuilt but we have had a hard time getting it done quickly. We currently have two projects going at the same time from two different carpenters and both have told us wewouldget our items on Saturday. If we can find a third carpenter we will start another project. And then of course we will start new projects with each carpenter as they finish the first.
I know that sounds like a lot of complaining but through all of that we really do like this house. It is easy to locate everyone fairly quickly, there are no stairs or balconies, all the tile is neutral, it is flat and there are lots of trees. As a matter of fact the kids really like climbing one of them.



When we toured the house I did not notice one of the trees but on one of the first few days living in the house Andrew was noting the fruit trees and commented that God had tripled the size of my lime tree. In the U.S. I had a lime tree that andrew gave me for valentines day a few years ago that I really loved and hated to give up when we left. But you can't pack a four foot lime tree so it now has a home at a neighbors house. This is the lime tree in our new yard.



We also have a lot of mango trees around our compound and the bats get in them and make loud chirping noises at night. Then in the morning you can see where they have been eating the mangos. Then there are the roosters. Isatu says they say 'Coco Loco'. Ha. I always thought they crowed once magically at sunrise and then went back to strutting around pecking things but no. They say coco loco a lot. However, neither of these noises come close to competing with the noise that the dogs make. It sounds like 100 dogs are being beaten or something. It goes on forever and is really loud. AND it only happens at 10:00pm or later.
We walked around the neighborhood yesterday and walked down to the beach. The fishermen were there pulling in their nets. Andrew and Albert walked over to watch and when I looked back to see where they had gone they were helping pull the nets in which was pretty funny to some women on the beach.

I can't explain myself but I really love that all 24 of my brown eggs are all stacked up in a little wire basket bought across the street by Samuel our security guard.



Some interesting notes:
1. Mattress sizes are apparently not the same country to country. Andrew went to the factory and they sold him a 'queen' size and 2 'twin' size mattress that are the size of the full and king size in the U.S. So all the sheets that I spent months finding the best deals on are now unusable.
2. Butter is not rectangular like in the U.S. It comes packaged the size of two sticks of butter side by side so even the butter dish that came with our refrigerator is almost a square instead of a rectangle.
3. Saturday Andrew showed John(8) how to use a seatbelt.
4. Yesterday a lady came to the door with a muskat wondering if we would like to buy itfor security. The kids all held it and the plumber warned me that they bite so we gave it back to the lady and told her no thank you.
5. We go to the center for churchand after the service was over right as we were walking out of the gate John and Isatu's mother came to visit. We've never met her before and she stayed for an hour or so and then wewent home.
So we have now met 3 of the 4 parents.
6. We had a situation yesterday that we've never experienced before. The power is out right now and so we have had to use the generator for the fans and lights. We try to make it as long as possible without it because it cost approximately $15 per day to run. That can get expensive if it goes on for days. Also of importance to know is that Abdul is sick so Andrew cooked dinner the last two nights. So, for the last two nights we turned the generator on when it got dark so that he could see in the kitchen and we left it on for part of the night until it cooled off. Now, before you feel sorry for us, here is the situation. Yesterday a lady came to our gate door and told our night guard that she lives in the house (which is probably not much bigger than our generator room) that backs up to our generator room. She asked if we would consider not using it because it is making her house extremely hot. The noise doesn't bother her but the heat is unbearable. I bet it is! It is hard to walk in that room because of the heat and I think it is loud so I am sure it is when lying next to it. Plus the smell is strong. So I feel terrible for that lady. But on the other hand I have to say I also feel bad for us. We just spent A LOT of money buying the generator, gas for it, and men to install the grate we needed to keep it secure, and an electrician to install it. We bought it because it is hard for an American who is used to air-conditioning to come to this climate without even a fan. There is no where else to put the generator so we don'tknow what to do. It is the quandary of the day.

I know this blog update has been sporadic but it is all the information that I have accumulated since the last one that I have time to share. We hope everyone is well. We miss and love you all.

2 years and 4 months in the making

what did we do?


brothers


Isatu and Ivey


isatu


Ivey


Levi


John


Albert

We have a house!

I am so excited to announce that we have found a house. It is a three bedroom and we are very excited that this one has shade and is on a flat lot. Also, we shouldn't go hungry because there are several fruit trees within the compound. There are lime, mango, guava, and orange trees. We have been busily collecting all the items we need to make it a home. All of the bags we have shipped have made it so far and the airlines have yet to charge us for any of them. We are so thankful for that because it has saved us a lot of money and we have most of what we need to set get started with basic living and homeschooling. I am hoping to get a few photos up soon. The lady who owns the house is finishing the paint and heightening the wall by 3 blocks in the back over the weekend and beginning of next week so we should be able move in on Wed or Thursday. We have a couple of projects to do (shelf building and such)so I will do before and afters.
The people at Greenfield Market are so nice. Levi and Ivey are really warming up to Auntie Rema who has been giving them KitKat's and Orange box drinks. Unfortunately, Ivey vomited hers all over the store floor today. I think she just got a little to hot. I can't go without telling my favorite thing in the store, so actually I will show you:
(I have to upload our photos as small for them to upload but if you click on them you can view them larger)

In case you don't like meat in your toilet paper.
And, at the Freetown Supermarket they have this fun package:

a big dollop of whatever

Here is a photo that goes with a previous post. We just passed it for the second time and it still makes my day.



I have yet to get a good photo of this but one of the main cell phone companies here is Africell whose logo is 'Africell. For all the reasons'. I am not leaving any thing out. It is what we have for our phones and we use it for all the reasons.

Are you trying it kill me?

As the hunt for a house continues we have had a few interesting experiences. I probably should not relay everything here as there are grandparents to consider but
some stories are just too exciting not to tell. About a week ago we went to look at some houses that were within walking distance of the guesthouse. It required walking down the hill, turning right and then right again. Simple. That road is a little busier than some but not exactly a freeway. It is pretty unusual for a car or motorbike to get past 40mph because there aren't many area's without traffic. So all that to say we had just seen a house and were walking back. It was just as we got to the intersection where we would turn left that two motorbikes-one coming down the hill and one going up the hill ran into each other. It was one of the craziest things I have ever seen. The man on the bike closest to us flew up in the air probably about 9-10 feet, flipped and landed on his back. I can't recall exactly what happened because I only saw him. It was like a stunt scene you would see on a movie. He got up and I don't think anyone had any major injuries but one of the guys started yelling at the other, "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME? DO YOU WANT TO KILL ME?!?" Then they picked up their bikes and went to the hospital to check for injuries. That is how we discovered that if you have an accident you take yourself to the hospital and police station. You don't wait around for police or ambulances.
We have exhaused our options around here so we got on a yahoo group to see if there were any postings for housing and sure enough there was one. So I called the lady and made an appointment. Roland, who was with us when the bike accident happened, drove us to the place. Well, that is only halfway accurate. He drove us 95% of the way. We turned down the 'driveway' of what was labeled a beach house with a stunning view and had to get out of the car and walk the last stretch because the car would not have made it. At the end of this dirt path we found ourselves in a very small fishing village right on the ocean. The house was a 3 bedroom 2 bath shell with no flooring, windows, or anything practical that we would need so we both knew immediately that it wasn't an option but the adventurer in us thought it was awesome. You could walk probably 12 yards from the imaginary door and be in the water-after you passed one hut and a smokehouse. Everyone was quiet trekking back up the hill to the car. Andrew was calculating the cost of the spear he would need to join the village and I was lost in wondering if there were any mambas around when Roland turns to me and says, "this walk is not easy" and something about that really got me laughing. So then smiling he asks, "is it funny?" Yeah, I think it's funny. It really was a beach house and I really was a little stunned.

What is not funny is that hot sause, ketchup and mayo are all about $4 a bottle here. And I am pretty sure that the Freetown Supermarket doesn't do coupons. Today's events included that and going to furniture stores- mostly just to get out of the house but also just to see what is available. You will be happy to hear that we found a fabulous purple crushed velvet couch that looks like something out of the movie Aladdin at one store. That was only upstaged by the orange zebra print one someone was selling on the side of the road. Seriously, the prices were unbelieveable. We are definitely going to have all of our furniture built. I am excited about that happening one of these days.

Our kids have been coming over after nap time each night and we have dinner and hang out until bedtime and Andrew walks them back over to the center. Today the kids watched the movie Rio. It is so entertaining just to watch them watch the movie. I love thier laughs, expressions, comments,etc. There is a part in this movie were an orphan sells some birds to the villain. He is at the door and the guy gives him less than promised and tells him to go home to his mama. He answers that he doesn't have a mama. And the scene gets worse when the villain then asks, a papa? and Uncle? anyone? and the answer is no so they shut the door in his face. He walks away to the roof of some building with the small food he bought with the money he got for the birds and sits down alone looking over the city of Rio. When I saw this movie for the first time about 3 months ago I cried at that. It really got me because I was thinking of the very children I watched watching that same scene today. John cried. And that is one of the saddest things I have ever seen. I went and got him a tissue and loved his sweet little face smiling as I handed it to him and he realized that I had been watching. No more John. No more will you hurt that hurt unless it is empathy for someone else.

The Two Peeping Toms

I was so concerned about expediting the rinsing of Pigpen that I didn't see him there. Levi did however and I shrieked. A six inch African spider was on the underneath of the sink. Andrew had to photograph it before slapping it senseless and sending it to its plastic trash can coffin. It took me a few minutes of moving everything that could possibly disguise a spider family member before I would get in the shower and even then I gingerly pulled on the curtain with two fingertips slowly inspecting every crease. Thank God I was washed and mostly rinsed before I realized that there was a lizard on the wall in front of me. It was fairly far up but it was slipping. I called Andrew in there to do I don't know what. He suggested I spray it to scare it off. I followed that bad advice and he slid all the way down the wall. The point of this blog post is that I need to confess that I said shit twice. I don't usually say things like that but something about a spotted cream colored reptile sliding down the bathtub at me with nothing but spider infested shower curtains to grab got the best of me. Andrew was supposed to get in the shower after me but right after this incident the power went off so I really don't blame him for not wanting to go in there. As soon as Uncle Jessie got the generator on we went to see if the creep was still there and sure enough he was waiting, watching for his next victim. So we sent in Levi. And the second point of this blog is to say that Levi is in fact our hero tonight as he gladly went in, took the lizard by the tail and took him outside our balcony door. That door happens to be nearest my bed and I know for a fact that the lizard can come right back in here anytime he wants so Levi's gets to sleep with me tonight.

Abdul is in the kitchen!

We just had chicken cooked with vegetables and rice and watermelon. It was so good. Really, it was so good. Ivey asked, " what is that guys name? Uncle Abdul? Uncle Abdul is a goooood cooker!". John stood up, stretched his arms out and said, " I thank God for this chicken". Ha, me too. When Ivey had eaten her watermelon to the green John tried to take the rind from her, she had a death grip and Andrew said, "you better watch out she'll bite your finger" and the three African kids were hysterical. They thought that was so funny. It is so fun to be eating together as a family. As I type this all five are watching 'The Incredibles' and Isatu is telling the dad to run (from the robot) and Ivey is very concerned asking "Is it hurting? Is it hurting really bad?".
We thank God for this time together.

e as in "take"

*We are posting the photos to facebook because I can't get them to load here.

We have internet! We now have our very own Huawei Moble Internet for our computers. YA! It is slow but we are so thankful for it. And we got our phones working. Ya again!


A few things that made us laugh today:

The first page of the Krio language learning book is noting vowel sounds and one is 'e as in take'.
OK so this could be harder than we thought.

Sign downtown that said 'frozen fish, smoked fish, and absolutely more things'.

Man wearing a brown t-shirt that said 'only if you drop a few'

Store that sells beds and mattresses called the 'international crib store'.

So, we have seen about 7 houses and found one that we really like but it needs repairs done to the tile and needs to be painted so it could be a while before we are able to move in. We have been to several car dealerships also and have found a few cars that could work but we are still holding out that the Mercy ship cars are available. Osseh is checking on that for us.
The Freetown Supermarket has Pringles, snickers, and even Capri sun, so it looks as though we are going to make it!

The kids are settling in well and we have been so humbled by how sweet the African kids have been to ours. Each week the kids get treats if they have had good behavior and had no sticks pulled from their pockets. Keeping in mind that these are kids who get very little candy or cookies otherwise I was so surprised that little Samianatu came over to share her's with Ivey.
Also, they had a birthday celebration for any kids who had birthdays in the last few months. Levi had just woken up from a nap when we walked over and Sam, noticing the dazed and tired Levi, offered him one of the coveted balloons. Each evening the kids do devotional time with the kids in their room. I had joined John's room and sat between him and Sheriff. Anyone who could get close enough would scoot over and whisper, "Auntie, where is Levi?" and I would tell them he had to go to be early because he had a cold. So, at the end of the devotional Sheriff slid his hand in mine and said, "Auntie, God bless you" which already grabbed my heart but then after a few minutes he added, "I will pray for Levi". Ah, the heart of a child is such a beautiful thing. Of course I had to squeeze him tight and tell him how kind he was but these kids can't know what lessons they teach me. And how much they make it worth the heat and dirt. By the way, if you have children and decide to move anywhere close to the Sahara Dessert it is NOT a good idea to pack any white clothing. As a matter of fact I would recommend all clay mud red or brown.

Last night the four of us went over to read a bedtime story to John, Isatu and Albert and in order to do that I had to go stealth mode and try to sneak each one outside. Otherwise I could have some mad Aunties trying to corral 94 kids. So Andrew, Levi and Ivey sat on the bench outside to wait and I tiptoed in and realized that everyone was in one room and Uncle Daniel was explaining the events of today. One of the caretakers, Auntie Jeneba, died recently and the burial is today. I heard him comforting the kids and explaining that everyone dies and that God has all things under control. I quietly tiptoed back outside so as not to disrupt this talk and sat with my family until we could hear the kids going to their rooms. I saw the older Dauda come out to hand something to the guard and as he was walking back in he saw us and we greeted him. As he got closer I realized that tears were streaming down his face and it broke my heart. Please pray for the people that Auntie Jeneba has left behind-especially her 3 kids at home and her kids at the center who loved her. But also rejoice that she made such a fine journey and that she is where we all long to be. Embracing Dauda and telling him that I was so sorry feels so insufficient. I know you can't fully parent 100 kids, but I want to do whatever little bit I can to make them feel loved and valuable. To know each of their names, feel pride at their generosity, feel humbled by their prayers, and sad at their losses is the least I can do even if it is the most I can do for now. Please pray that as Andrew and I settle in that we would learn the culture and language quickly so that we can be of the most help possible to such a beautiful group of people. And because I am sure you are wondering, 'llama llama red pajama' was a hit.

We are aliens!

We made it and could not have asked for a smoother trip. The only perceived kink was that the team that we thought we were meeting in Brussels did not make the flight. They were our planned help for the SL airport where we would be juggling 2 children, 2 booster seats, 4 backpacks, 4 carry-ons, a camera bag, and 8 checked bags. And it turned out just fine. Our SL airport friend walked us through customs and helped us get everything loaded. Osseh met us at the front door of the airport and already had the ferry lined up for us. He can take control of the situation with less than 10 words. I am still amazed at his calm command and so thankful for his presence. If I had have been able to get my camera out I would love to share with you an image that I hope is permanent in my mind. It is of him carrying Ivey and leading quite the caravan of luggage attendants and Andrew and I out of the airport to the taxi.
Another image I would post if it were logged somewhere other than my own mental folder would be one from the back seat of the bus taxi where we were waiting for the ferry to load the entire car we were driving to take us over to the other side of the bay. Andrew, Osseh and Levi got out during the wait and while Andrew and Osseh were talking, Levi was swinging his newest glow stick in circles to the delight of the people. In the meantime Ivey was chatting with all the peddlers out the bus window. They were so impressed with her speech and kept asking her to say things or spell things and then exclaiming “you are so clever!” and calling someone else to come and hear the ‘small small piken’.
When we made it to the guest house Ivey let Osseh know that he was a very good man and told him thank you for taking care of us. And sweet Marie stayed here at the guest house until 11:00 so that when we got here we would have dinner. We are so thankful for all the prayers and people who made the day so smooth for us.
Today we went to the center to go see the kids. Levi sometimes acts weird when he feels nervous or unsure what to do. Today he must have been really nervous or really not known what to do. And while that is totally understandable I have to admit I was a little embarrassed that he would not quit dancing, doing the robot, roaring like a dinosaur and karate chopping imaginary things. He would look off into space and answer questions in weird voices. All the kids at the center were so sweet to our children and while I did have my camera at this point I do not wish to share any of those images with you since in every one Levi is making a very strange face to the astonishment of the Sierra Leonian children. While typing this I am now laughing with Andrew about the image of all the kids at the center lining the wall while Sorie and Levi pretend dueled and Levi would come at him with a sort of matador move and then punch himself in the forehead and fall back. The kids would all laugh hysterically which spurred him on while I assured Albert that he is not always like this. Andrew and I kept feeling the need to assure all the people that he isn’t always this strange but that he was just unsure how to handle the new surroundings. We were able to take all of our children out to dinner this evening and it was so so so great to eat as a family of seven. I left with an Isatu handprint in ketchup on my shirt, sand in my shoes and a smile on my face. Riding back to the center with one arm around Ivey and the other around Albert listing to the sound of the other three giggling about scenes on the street is a very special thing to me. Thanks to all of you who have made it possible for us to be here. It is our goal that in turn many special things happen to and for others.

(internet won't let me post any of the photos yet but I plan to as soon as possible)

We hope to see you on the other side of the world!

This blog is going to be in bullet points because there is so much to tell and Andrew has been reminding me for several weeks that I am supposed to be writing this. I haven't been able to yet because it has been insanely busy around here. We leave in just 8 days on Jan 18. He likes to think I can use the 'downtime' like when we are in the car for 3.5 hour trips to Memphis which is what I happen to be doing now. However, we spend the whole time calling the 40 people back about our van for sale and arguing about 'dual climate control' in cars-which is a lie by the way. If two people have control of one side of the car and one is blasting hot air while the other blast cold the van is still going to be warm. And by warm I mean too hot for one and too cold for the other. Also, Ivey likes to ask the same questions 400 times. Two hours and 200 question into it we are still going home. Therefore, downtime is also is a lie. So, you all get bullet points.
Here is the list of reasons I am typing in the loud, hot van:

• We began our speaking engagements with Cordova Church in Memphis Tn. where we were members when we lived there. To have such wonderful people let us come and share our story and be in such support of us is more encouragement than they know. Everyone had such kind words of encouragement and they surrounded us just like they have so many times in the past and prayed over us for our journey. They even did a special offering for us and the amount that they gave was phenomenal. We have been so shocked at the generosity of the people of God and what they have done for us-not only financially but in prayer, service and words of encouragement.

• My brother Bret got married and Levi and Ivey were the ring bearer and flower girl. Levi ended up mysteriously getting ink all over the churches hard wood floors on the night of the rehearsal which was quite a mess and Ivey would yell at the bride, "Kelly, hey Kelly!, look over here, I am over here" whenever Kelly was anywhere near hearing distance. She was a bit enamored with the whole beautiful dress and wedding idea. They were really adorable at the reception where Levi wore what Andrew called 'hammer pants' and they danced the night away. And of course we adore the bride and groom and are so excited about the life that they are now sharing. They will most certainly be a great team.


• We had our second speaking engagement with a small group class at Tusculum Church of Christ. Again, we were so encouraged by the people and their response to our story. We were again surrounded and prayed for by a group of such kind and wonderful people. Many stayed afterwards to talk with us and we so encouraging.

• Harpeth Community Church, which is our home church, has agreed to be our sending church. Which means that we will be under their eldership and that they will help us with the information we need to be successful in Sierra Leone. Through the elders we have been able to meet with several incredible men of God such as Neil Anderson and Jerry Trousdale. And, they allowed our small group to do a blanket drive where they sold blankets with the TRS logo and our website on them. So many of Harpeth's wonderful people supported us and we again are very thankful for the generosity of God's people.


• Those same friends came over on a Saturday morning and painted our garage and living room-two of the biggest wall spaces in our house-IN TWO HOURS! They have become our mission board and will be our prayer support, our financial coordinator, our encouragement board and administrative partners. We have REALLY great friends.
My mom apparently felt like chopped liver from the lack of mentioning her in the last post so I'll say here that the number of hours that she has watched our children is mounting up to extreme and we will most certainly miss her. I'll also miss the Monday night coupon drops and Levi and Ivey will miss the impromptu babysitting. I will maybe not miss the cut out articles-although she will probably find a way to get them to Sierra Leone. I have read one to many article about the ice sculptures in Nashville. Ha! Couldn't get her in there without poking fun and she will miss that.


• We are now in possession of travel visa's, kids passports, international drivers licenses, and Andrew insisted he needed a machete that I am certain is going to be the cause of one of the claims on our new international health insurance.

• We rounded up our speaking events with the Church of Living Water who just like the two before impressed us with their kindness, attentiveness, encouragement, and generosity. They could not have possibly been any nicer and we are so thankful to have met the people we have heard so many great things about from Jason and Erica.

• My thoughts are filled with random questions and Friday I got what I think was my last haircut in two years. I wonder if there is anyone in Sierra Leone who can cut hair like mine. I also wake up at night thinking things like 'do all seven people in our family have enough underwear to make it if there is no running water for a week?' and 'can I really live without picture frames?'. I have to-do list that have absurd things like 'count deodorants' and 'call about composite to VGA cords'-I don't even know what that is but I apparently need one. I also spend time thinking about and downloading as many dance songs as possible for the 'we are now a family of seven' dance party that I have been mentally planning for a few years now. I hope to have a video of that posted here very soon.


We are really so thankful for the timing of these happenings because the encouragements have been much needed and appreciated. In just three months our initial expenses and 1st year have been covered. We find that to be amazing. And we find all of you amazing. Thank you just isn't enough to express the depth of appreciation we have for all you have done for us. We hope that our work in Sierra Leone justifies the sacrifices you have all made to support this mission. We will keep you updated as often as possible. And, if I may be so bold to ask one more thing, please pray for Andrew not to have a heart attack at the airport on Jan 18th or 19th(it takes about 36 hours of travel so we'll have to pray for both days). He gets really uptight in airports anyway and we will have two children each carrying a backpack, two backpacks of our own, 4 carry-on's and somewhere between 13-15 checked bags. So he'll be uptight and need some extra covering.

Oh, and the new website is up! and it is great! check it out here: www.therainingseason.org

I'll end this with a proof that some things never change;
2004 (at our wedding)

2012 (going to africa party)

39,000 smack-a-roos

Today Levi got out a stack of post-it notes and and orange highlighter with the intention of writing a letter to Santa. We have never really promoted this so I am sure some movie is to blame. Of course, I also assumed that he would have a laundry list of things he'd want, but no. He instead mentioned one squeezy frog and asked each of us what we'd like to ask for. He put them in a white envelope and wrote Santa on the front and asked me to mail it. In the meantime, Ivey has been asking all day if we could put up christmas decorations. I love to put up christmas decorations but this year there is such a strong resistance on my part because putting them up means a realization that we won't be in Sierra Leone by Christmas. I so wanted to spend our Christmas with all five kids and it just isn't going to happen. We have gotten to the point where we are ready and waiting. Craigslisters' have bought most of the things we needed to sell and we packed everything that we didn't need immediately. The Big Berky is on top of the refrigerator being tested, I have spent more time than necessary on pinterest claiming to research homeschooling ideas, and we have enough dove soap to wash a whale-which I might be if I don't stop eating pumpkin pie.
So we wait. And we hear about the good things happening at the center. Erica just got back and said that they had been blessed enough to give all the staff raises this year. I love that! And, the 'Kids Against Hunger' container has hit port. I love that too! I wish we could be there to experience the joy these things bring and to share in it with these people that we are growing to love. At the same time we are so going to miss the people here that we are leaving. We decided to have a portrait made so that we could hang it in our new house and remember the wonderful faces that we are so blessed to label as friends. I can't wait to see the framed product. I guess I should really get busy with that since I am the one framing it...
Some other things that have happened since my last post:
Andrew finished his missions class.
I got older and my kids woke me with the best cake I've ever received.

Levi started Kindergarten

Halloween
Love Ivey's spirit! She really is a delicate yet boisterous 'queen of hearts'

Levi requested a lizard that walks on water. Nothing like a good challenge:

We had our first Sierra Leonian guest ever-Quami. The kids instantly loved him and we very much enjoyed his stay.

And I accomplished two goals that have been pending for years. 1. I shared a booth with a great friend at a craft fair. 2. I have a small section of my bibs, mobiles, and hair bow holders in a specialty shop. Two checks off my bucket list!

And, while I don't have any photos of this, the list of people who amaze us with their generosity continues to grow. Thank you all so much for your strong support of us. There just aren't enough words or thank you notes in the world to express how much we really do appreciate all those who have given their time, efforts, prayers, and money to us during this transition. I am sure you guessed what was on mine and Andrew's post it notes so if anyone has $39,000 laying around...well, you know.

www.siscomission.com
~Heather

nurturing

Sometimes when things happen here it so exposes a persons inmost being that I feel like maybe I shouldn't tell it. It feels almost like I've been told a secret. However, I couldn't resist telling this because it so deeply exposes the heart and mind of the orphan which I think is important to think about.
There are a few older boys at the center here who have an appearance of a tough outer shell. One in particular doesn't smile much and is a bit stand-offish. Yet, I adore them. This is only my third time visiting in the last year but there is an obvious difference in them even from 6 months ago. There are the beginnings of something. A smile here and there, allowing hugs, and believe it or not the hardest seeming one requested prayers for me when I was sick. His prayers for me were beautiful. I spent a good thirty minutes yesterday just sitting on a bench with several of them and every time I felt like getting up I resisted because I kept feeling that it was important to sit there with them. Tonight a few of the same ones sat on either side of me in silence for a while and then slowly questions began to come.
"Do you have children?" (they know I do) "Do you spank them?" they asked. I should probably note here that a few of them are prankster types so this conversations was infused with plenty of demonstrations. One boy held my arm strait and slapped the inside of my arm really hard and giggled. "Yes, but not like that" I say. "How?" "On their bottoms" I reply. I thought that the questions would end there due the the uncontrollable laughter but then the quieter one asked how I wake my kids. I wasn't sure what he meant so I asked him to say it again. Also, I wasn't fully sure how to respond to that question because I don't necessarily have a set procedure. So, in response I said, "Well, they usually just wake up on their own but if I ever do have to wake them up I will usually just pick them up and pat them or rub their backs." Inquiring looks abounded so while most of them weigh as much as I do I demonstrated by picking up the one who is somewhat small and jokingly cradled him and patted his back saying in a babying voice "wake up amara, wake up". They didn't laugh. They smiled. Longing smiles. I repositioned myself in between the main two questioners and asked "How do you wake up?". They said that their companion slap their shoulders to wake them sometimes. I don't doubt that in this prankster group. The next in the line of questioning was "Do you scratch their backs?". Again, I had to make sure that I understood what they meant so I asked "Like this?" and gently scratched one's back. "Yes" he says. So, I told them "Yes. Levi loves to get his back scratched". Again, they had that sort of dreamy look and I was just overcome with the sensitivity that they were exposing as the questions went on. I don't know what experiences they have had in the past with mothers or the lack thereof but I know that they should have one now. I know that I hate that these boys-beautiful boys-should have someone scratch their backs at times, to listen and answer basic questions, and to just sit and be present with them. It was such basic questions, things that every good mother would do without thinking- but that it appears they have never experienced. How that saddens me! So I scratched their backs. And if all that was their way of playing the white women into a back rub then I am such a sucker!

running

Today I am remembering when we initially felt in our hearts that the Holy Spirit was leading us to adopt three children. We made a list of all the things that we would need to have money for. The most expensive on the list was a car that would seat seven and three plane tickets. Within two months a friend told us that they too had been adopted and offered to pay for the flights. Within a month of that we had one car flooded and totaled and then our second car totaled. So we went ahead and bought a mini van. And Erica called to tell us that someone we did not know wanted to give us a car. Since we received insurance money for the car that was flooded we ended up with two vehicles that were better than the two we had before, including the seven seater car we were able to scratch off the list of needs. I remember more than a couple of amazing people had a yard sale for us with donated items. They used their time and efforts to raise over 1000 dollars and a mini van was donated. I remember that when we had to make several international trips another couple gave us a check for $10,000. And then again after submitting all of our expensive paperwork and traveling twice each we decided that I should return a third time. We did not try to raise money but a couple felt the desire to give and decided to send a check. When I received the total left to owe on the trip it matched the check amount exactly! I remember when people we did not know began coming out of the woodwork to adopt children from the same place as us and had such a heart for this country. Crazy people who are adopting when it was not their plan but saw a need and decided that children are more important than nice houses and vacations. I have heard the similarities in the stories of how we came to these conclusions and can only deduce that it is a movement of God himself that all these families are being called at the same time and in the same way. So here we are, a growing list of families joined in the cause of Sierra Leone, awaiting a way. Everything we have tried has been shot down so far but we are sure that these children are supposed to come home with us. We are running towards the Red Sea with the hope and expectation that God will part it.

Where to begin.....

The question of why we are moving to Africa is difficult to answer in one line. But if I were going to sum it up I would just have to say because we believe God wants us to. It is even difficult to pinpoint a beginning. So, I'll start by saying that I remember being at church camp in the summer between seventh and eighth grade when I first realized that I needed and wanted to be a Christian. I was in the back of the auditorium on one of the last few days of the week thinking about how I didn't really want to walk down to the front in front of all the people. I squirmed in my chair wrestling with this decision and the weight it would carry knowing that I'd have to agree to follow into unknown territory. The only knowledge I had of Africa was the Ethiopia commercials and I had not ever thought anything about going there until strangely enough it was part of my decision that day. I remember bartering with God and thinking, "ok, I am really ready to make this life changing decision but please don't ever make me go to Africa". I guess that I viewed that as the 'ultimate mission' and that only the most notable christians go there. Billy Graham types or weirdo's. And no one in between. Life went on and in college I gained a further understanding of the Bible and God himself. I have always loved children and my heart hurts for those abused or abandoned. Andrew and I were feeling that God was beginning to stir something up in us and so we prayed that we would understand what we were supposed to do. We spent 6 months helping on Sundays with the children's ministry, helped with a small refugee project in Nashville, and a list of other things trying to find the answer to that question. We knew we were supposed to do more but we weren't feeling like we had found the 'it' thing. Until August of 2009. A new couple visited our small group and while I usually like to dominate all conversations we let them tell us what they did for a living and when the wife began talking I became speechless(i know that this blog has just lost all credibility). Andrew was hitting my leg under the table. She said that she ran a non profit organization that was about to open a center for orphans in place that I had never heard of nor could locate on a map. But I was in awe. I had spoken that same 'i want to open a home' speech to Andrew four years before in a detail that I still can't fully believe. I wanted to do what she was doing years before I met her only I wanted to do it in America. I didn't mention that to her but we followed her blog very closely for the next few weeks while she was in Sierra Leone opening the center. Andrew and I were hooked. We had found the thing that God was stirring in our hearts for a year before. We weren't sure what exactly we were supposed to do but we knew it involved The Raining Season and orphan care. From that August to the next we debated, swayed, wrestled and finally decided to move to Sierra Leone. It was not without a fight on my part and I decided that since God was being so clear that I would just ignore him which I did for three weeks. What a terrible three weeks it was. One Sunday morning I decided that enough was enough and that I would read once again and I picked up where I left off three weeks earlier in Matthew 13. That chapter has several parables about the kingdom of heaven, sewing seeds and the good sorted from the bad. I kept thinking how I don't mind sewing seeds-I just wanted to stay here in my house, in my town where my friends and family live and there is a Target. I like Target. I like Target a lot! But in the very last paragraph Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, that a prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown". So, I shut that Bible and drove to church. I can't remember if I took the scenic route or the freeway because I was to busy thinking of a rebuttal. It went something like this: I am not a prophet so maybe this doesn't apply to me. And, not everyone has to leave their hometown to spread the seeds. So, maybe I can just stay where I am and work harder on the things I am committed to here. I got to church and the guest speaker was talking about the validity of Christ and I thought, "whew, thankfully I am not going to be provoked here since I was already very convinced of that point" but church is not a very good place to go if you don't want to hear what God has to say. So would you believe that that dumb guy ended the whole thing with the comment that if God took all the pains to ensure that we had the right guy wouldn't it be a good assumption that we should listen to what he has to say. Of course everyone is thinking yes so he says, "lets find out what he does have to say", and he went on to quote the great commission. "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them everything I have commanded you. And I am with you even till the end of the age" Matthew 28 ( or Mark 16) I was sitting in my seat dumbfounded(no remarks on that please) and got out of my seat like a zombie to go home. I called Andrew who was in Memphis and told him about the morning really just wanting him to agree that we should stay in suburbia and live opposed to what we were supposed to do. While I wrestled these thoughts out loud to Andrew I was coming around the corner of a turn I have made a million times. I had just ranted these words, " I just really want to be sure that we have to go there and that we can't stay here. I need a clear sign that we have to go there" when rounding that corner and dropped my jaw. There on the corner was a large wooden playset like you see in backyards all the time. It was the kind that had a canvas top. This particular canvas top had obviously seen better days as the stripes had been faded with the sun and had come loose on one side and was flapping in the wind. I did a double take and checked to make sure I was really seeing a blue, white and green striped canvas flag waving all around in the wind. Yep. That is the Sierra Leonian flag! These three happenings only cover a four hour time period so you can imagine how many other things I don't have time or space in this dissertation to mention. So, we are going. And I am excited about it. Andrew has been offered a position with The Raining Season(visit therainingseason.org if your interested) and will be learning a lot about business as missions. I will be raising our kids at home and homeschooling(God help me) and learning how to milk chickens. We have been on a two week survey trip and have gotten our budget figured out finally so we will go as soon as we sell our house and have the funds raised. Our goal is November but we will see. We aren't sure how long but we are viewing it as long term and would be there at least two years. It's funny how when you decide to just give in and obey you find that it usually isn't nearly as big of a deal as you made it out to be. Kind of like kids eating peas. I am sure that it will be hard. We are going to miss all of you so much more that you will know. But we will be taken care of and God has a way of providing all you need. Thank you so much for all of the support you have been to us. We have been showered with kind words and great friends to support us during this rocky time so we are very blessed!

Fun at the beach with beautiful Isatu.

I am so proud of this boy and love him so much!

uh hum, attention please....

We are moving to Sierra Leone West Africa. I will be raising five children and 6 chickens. I am intending to home school, cook from scratch and make all my curtains with gingham fabric. I am excited! and nervous! and I realize that this won't really be news to anyone.

Feb. trip to Sierra Leone first 3 days

It was really good to see the kids! We did a lot of the same things that we have done on previous trips so I'll just post photo's and stories that aren't repeats.
We were greeted by the kids at the bottom of the hill singing welcome songs and holding signs. We walked up to the building and gathered in a room where we were prayed for and welcomed further and then Albert showed us his photo's of us taped to the wall by his bed(which is the very top bunk).


a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAS4U0M9R9RZ7HUh7BGTQTW5VuTSGxPVh-6XTuXrT3onva5zgjvXtlNgWAo2xKUff9-Pj3xK2K6hERPGIqCXdrGX5gGoUZu47A_S5ibRPi5SBhwbaDPLJDiBErZpVmzSEuz-10ipMMo8/s1600/P2260029.JPG">
Then we went outside for some playtime. The boys were doing push ups and wanted 'uncle' Andrew to do some. He did and John decided that it was too easy to just do regular push ups in humid heat so he jumped on Andrew's back laughing.

I had to record Andrew pretending that they were too heavy to pick up because John was laughing so hard!

The kids went in to change and get ready for sports day which is much like track and field here. There was Auntie Tina's red team, Auntie Erica's yellow team, Uncle Jason's blue team, and Uncle Paul's green team.

Since each of our three sponsored children were on a different team we found ourselves traveling from tent to tent all day.




Even the staff was very excited about sports day. Each one was assigned to a certain team and wore that teams color. When Albert ran by me at the speed of lightning and won the 100 meter dash the green team staff rushed the field to grab him cheering. A pain filled my chest. I wanted to be that person and it was hard to watch but it made me happy at the same time. This trip was filled with mixed emotions because I am so grateful that they have bonds with their teachers and caretakers, but I also find myself feeling sad that I haven't been able to have the time to bond with them one on one myself. I watched Isatu in the downtime between events learn to balance a bottle on her head and thought about how Ivey would never even think to do that. These kids are a unique part of their culture and I am glad for that.






a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKq7pZs39e6BknCVrw9NYUoKTK9PTMoUqv7M9BZQ_utwjiQWghd0K0qrkB_7M4hef2w5tXPsrULx44vI-_STC9sNAk4F5ae9_ypGg-0StIa6-fD6bYYPWJTlKgcPxjSonqGXQtYcr6Ms/s1600/IMG_6708.JPG"> (talking with the children who live in the area that came to watch sports day)




(Albert is holding the right side of the green team banner)There were MANY events and at the end of being amazed at the speed of several kids we witnessed the 'Africa queen' contest. Each team dressed a girl in traditional African queen outfits, hair and etc. Each girl very seriously strutted out and did a little dance that had us laughing so hard. Isatu won! It was too cute!!!

I'm not sure if I laughed harder at her dancing or her running....




Sunday was church day and afterwards the kids watched "How to Train Your Dragon". I have seen this movie countless times with Levi but I saw this movie through new eyes as I wondered how many of them remember scenes similar to the one of the vikings fighting the dragons. Does that even trigger memories of the war-I don't know. Some did look nervous but maybe that is normal. I wonder how many of these orphans have experienced the same feelings that Hiccup feels of being an outsider and how many have had their fathers say "your not my son" just like Hiccups dad says to him. And, I wonder how many of them feel the love of a father now the way it turns out for Hiccup when his father apologizes and all is well. It breaks my heart to look around the room at these faces that have experienced so much that should never happen. My prayer is that their hearts would be able to fully heal and that they would be able to save others from those hurts because they choose to save their nation.




a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglIw6ig7BwIzIK8UnoNskObZwj07CVr90rouzGwMweveeVT71XgU2O_gmJzsg1TF-2gVhWEqtNa3mksG6P2V6U4NdOO8rVcUbjoZ9Fdj1UnTAo1SXGQ_MszOZXPSctE0UfCNF6u5hbUU/s1600/102_2649.JPG">
The second movie was "Finding Nemo" which Albert apparently had no interest in. I followed him outside when I realized he hadn't come back in. He was playing ball by himself so I played too for a while before we noticed some kids on the third floor and he started throwing the ball up the wall for them to catch. It was funny to watch and I really enjoyed that time with him.