Proud

Can I brag for just a minute about this guy?  (The big one, not the little one :)

I am SO proud of him for passing his written FAA Airframe and Powerplant exam!  

For those of you who know as much about airplanes as I did before marrying into this world (basically I knew just how to relax on one with a beverage as I flew to my destination), it is basically the written portion of the exam to certify you with an American mechanics license.  

While he doesn't need this license to serve in Brazil, he decided to study for the test and take it while we're in the US because:

1. He wanted to make sure his knowledge was up to the American level (which is a higher level than what is expected by the Brazilian government) 

2. God was clearly giving him the opportunity (long story) so why not?  You never know what doors it will open in the future.  

3.  The head mechanic from our mission was encouraging him to do it while here

So, to the books he went.  Most people take a course on the subject and/or study slowly for many months or even years but Jeyson only had about 8 weeks from the time it was decided he would take it.  And, yes he did have a leg up from years of mechanical experience, but so do all mechanics taking the test (since in the US you have to work as a mechanic several years before taking it) and it is still considered hard.  It covered everything from very simple old airplanes to modern jets, so the subject was enormous.  And not only that, but he decided to take all 3 of the areas covered in the test in one day, something most people don't choose.  But, after 4 hours of testing he passed!  I'm so proud of him.  And the most important part is Jeyson feels like he learned a ton through the experience.  The test not only checked to make sure his knowledge is up to the more stringent US standards, but studying for it helped prepare him to get there, so it was definitely worthwhile taking.  

The next step is getting inspected by an FAA inspector as he works around the hangar for 2 days next week.  Please be praying that he passes this part too and he will have the certification for life.

1 Year in a Flash

I can't believe Elijah is 1 year old this week!  This has seriously been the fastest year and it's incredible to see how quickly he has grown and changed.  We took one picture a month in just about the same pose to really capture the phase Elijah was at each month.  Here they are:

Newborn

1 Month

2 Months

3 months

4 months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months

11 Months

1 Year

We truly thank God for you, Elijah Wesley, and all of the joy you have brought to our lives!

Pull Some Engines Off

Jeyson's worked on quite a few planes, but they have all been small planes.  A few weeks ago he had the chance to work on this DC-3, the biggest plane to date and he had a great time.  The bigger the better, right?

DC-3's are WWII planes and some of them have been restored to work in missions... mainly being used to transport mission groups, such as medical teams, etc. How perfect is that?  What was part of war is now part of spreading true peace!

Anyway, this plane was at the Preferred Air Parts Hangar (where missions at the airport was held a few weeks ago) and they asked a few of the MMS guys to come "Pull the engines off the plane".  

That phrase really cracked me up when you see all the work involved in these pictures.  "Pull the engines off a plane" makes it seem like a 5 minute job, not the 2 days of work that were involved.

 In the series of pictures you can see the mechanics removing the engines in steps...and if you look in reverse you can imagine how it will eventually go back together :)  

A few minutes to stop and play

And back to work...

 I confess that to me 2 days of taking apart a plane does NOT sound like fun!  But to Jeyson it was great!

  I'm so glad God made so many different types of people to do the many different ministry jobs out there.

And I'm so glad Jeyson can do what he loves and do it well.

Adventure Sick

Life is an adventure.  It is for all of us, just a little more for some than for others.  Lately I've been feeling our lives have more adventure in them than I care for.  And when I speak of adventure, let me be more specific...change.  I have never really liked change, which is ironic considering all of the changes that have happened in our lives and I feel like we have dealt with them well and adjusted.  But I still just dread them because of all of the logistics and emotions involved.  I'd rather stay home...wherever that is these days!  :)  

Now that we're finally settled in and in our groove here in Ohio, change is once again on the horizon.  And don't get me wrong, I'm excited about these upcoming things, but at the same time it feels like a looming storm.  Not to sound too negative, after all storms can be good, fun, and needed. (I understand that well living in Anapolis where in dry season it feels like even your bones are dry!  And a storm can be welcome!)  But either way, big rolling clouds coming in and there's no way to escape it...everything is about to get wet! 

So....one two three here we go!!!

Next week we leave for a 10 way road trip.  We will stop by NJ and VA.  In NJ we'll visiting our home church, some supporters and friends, and family who still haven't met Elijah.

We'll come back to Ohio where Jeyson will likely take his FAA maintenance test.  It isn't legally required for him since he works in Brazil, but since he's here in the US and one of the men from the mission is qualified to give it to Jeyson, why not?  It's one more certification that can open more opportunites.  And, all of the studying that Jeyson has been doing to prepare has really helped him even if he doesn't take the test.

Then, we'll stay for another 2 weeks or so and then drive to Chicago.  In Chicago we'll return our car and visit with the new pastor from one of our supporting churches.  We'll only be there a few days.

Then, it's time to enjoy the holidays with family!  First, we'll fly to Los Angeles, where Jeyson's brother and wife live.  We'll meet their brand new baby, Stella.  My in-laws and sister-in-law (and her husband and son) will be staying with Jeyson's brother so we'll also see them.

Next about 3 days before Christmas we'll drive down to Arizona to stay with my parents for Christmas through New Years.  There we will be also seeing my sister Christa one last time before her wedding!  We also hope to get away for a night or so to celebrate our 5 year anniversary.  And we will also likely abuse my parents and sneak in as much free babysitting as possible give Elijah the privilege of building memories with his grandparents :)   

Then, it's back up to Los Angeles around January 6th where we will stay for just another few days when we fly back to Brazil on January 11th.    Phew!!!

And if that weren't enough, we were contacted by our mission about a month ago with a proposal of a temporary move to another base when we return to Brazil.  There is much to talk about with this proposal.  We are praying about it and seeing if this is what God has for us and talking about some of the details with the leadership, but of course communication is hard long distance.  So, for now we're just thinking and praying.  

Adventure.  Oh my.  I am really longing to get settled for the long term.  I think that is definitely the hardest thing about our lives as missionaries.  It's not true of all missionaries, but being on the move has been a way for life for us and I'm just feeling so worn down.  Not that it means we won't go, but my hope and prayer is that in the upcoming future we will get to feel more settled than we are right now.  Sometimes I'd like to decrease our adventure level.  Sometimes the whole thing makes me break out in tears and acne :)  But sometimes I can keep God's perspective of this world not being our home and think of not knowing what's around the next curve as a fun surprise that He's guiding us through.  I guess it's a matter of perspective.  

Roomie Reunion

It's been 5 1/2 years since being together with my two college room mates...we were way overdue for a get together!  I admit I had a moment where I considered not going because even the idea of slugging Elijah on yet another trip made me want to pass out and have a panic attack at the same time.  But these friends of mine are too good to let me get away with that.  My presence was required in Chicago so away we went.  The first 24 hours were a little rough...a delayed flight, rainy arrival at night, Elijah waking up screaming at 2 am, and that sweet son of mine spilling a giant cup of coffee on a white rug.  But the rest was nothing short of stellar!

We had planned to go to the zoo, a pumpkin patch, downtown, eat at our favorite college restaurant, and more.  Exactly none of that happened!  But it was totally fine!  Instead we stayed at Katie's house, talked, talked, cried, talked, laughed, laughed, laughed, ate two giant cakes, stayed up way too late every night, helped Katie get a post baby makeover, gave and got advice, went out to eat a NEW favorite restaurant, and of course scrubbed a carpet.

And it turned out Elijah wasn't TOO much a stinker for the rest of the time despite his rough look in this picture

Me and Katie with her new wardrobe

Katie's husband, Dan, was an A+ babysitter and watched both of these boogers so we could go out

In the end I can't tell you how glad I am that I went!  These two girls are precious sisters in Christ.  They know me so well form our hours and hours talking each day when we lived together (when we were supposed to be studying!).  To say the time was the encouragement I needed would be a complete understatement.  Even though I'll still see both of these girls again when I'm in Chicago and Arizona again, there was just something SO irreplaceable about all being together.  I feel filled up to the brim!