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Last Updated on Sunday, 08 March 2009 21:16 Written by Meg Sunday, 08 March 2009 20:58

We have a big week ahead of us.  I just thought I would post our news happenings.  Updates will follow on many of these things:

1. Ana starts back to her school tomorrow.  She will go every day (Monday-Friday) from 8 am-12 pm.
2. I return to taking language classes again.  I am planning to only take three 2-hour lessons a week.  I am very excited to get back into the swing of learning and working on my Spanish.  The pressure is on since we are moving to our targeted area.
3. Greg signs the contract for our new home.  I was really nervous about us making such a quick decision, but I have gotten more and more excited about it.  I am confident that God has prepared us to make this transition.  One week from today is when we can start moving our things over there.
4. We find out the sex of the baby on THURSDAY!  I am so eager to know.  What time?  We don't know yet because you schedule your appointment 2 days in advance here.  You are sure to see a News Update on Thursday night though!

Blessings to all!  We just had a wonderful time of fellowship with our teammates, the Smiths, and Larissa's parents, David and Diane.  They arrived this past week and stay through Friday.

A special thankyou to David and Diane and the goodies they brought for our family (I now know where Larissa gets "Art Time!").  Thanks Henderson Family for our Symphony Bars, Angel Kiss coffee (delish), and Ana's goodies.  And thank you, Linda Timaeus!  Ana loves her new pink purse and soft lamb.  It is currently her new favorite toy.  We love our Shiloh Family and send all the love we can back with David and Diane.

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 September 2009 02:15 Written by Meg Thursday, 17 September 2009 02:09

I don't know about you, but the only people I have seen with more than one these are undercover agents.  :)  It's official.

If we are here she goes by Maggie McKinzie McKinzie.  If we are in the US, Maggie McKinzie.  They took the cutest little fingerprint I have ever seen for her Peruvian passport.

Written by Meg Saturday, 24 January 2009 18:44

I guess things are back to normal.  Or are they?  I think I have decided that there isn't a normal quite yet.  I cannot believe that we have been here long enough for my parents visit to have come and gone.  We helped them plan their trip when we were in the states, and I remember thinking how far away it seemed.  Well, it has come and it has gone.  Unbelievable.  And I live in Peru.  Also unbelievable.

Before their arrival, Greg mentioned to me that he thought their visit would be exactly what I needed... refreshment.  I cannot explain to you how refreshing it was to have them here.  I now know that it is impossible to catch up on all of the things you would like to do with people you love and haven't seen for 5 months.  But we made the best of it.  We did some of the tourist stuff, but more than anything we just took it easy and enjoyed each others' company.  I cannot express the joy I felt seeing my daughter play with her grandparents and wake up in the morning calling for her Pop and Gram.  Yes, we are able to Skype with family (which is such an icredible blessing), but you really don't realize how much you miss all of the little moments until they are right there in front of you.  They now know what expressions she makes with her face, what things make her tired, the things that make her laugh and giggle...  I could go on and on.  The simplest little things were such a blessing during their visit here, and I will cherish them all the more.

Sacrifice is part of this missionary journey for our family.  I struggle with the fact that I am choosing to sacrifice time away from family and friends that are so dear to me and my family for my children.  They can't make that decision because I already have.  I come from a background of living in the same town as my grandparents.  The relationship I have with them is priceless.  I want my children to cherish their grandparents like I cherish mine.  That is part of my prayer for their future.  I am blessed beyond measure to have parents and a mother-in-law that will make the trip here to see us and make an extra effort through Skype and other means to have a connection with their grandchildren.  Thank you God.  I can only look to thank You for those things.

So I guess I wanted to post that I haven't arrived totally at feeling like I am home.  I really had a hard time not imagining myself fitting into my Mom's suitcase to go "home."  But the states aren't really home either.  It isn't where all of my memories of Ana and Greg remain.  It isn't where my next baby will be born.  It isn't where I have set up house and made a daily routine.  Arequipa is where I have done all those things.  It is my home, it just doesn't quite feel all together like it yet.  And that is okay for me.  I am still transitioning.  I am moving to a new neighborhood in March.  I am starting my language classes again this coming month.  Ana begins her second year of preschool after the summer.  The work is getting launched in the coming months in the area where we are moving.  And lots more visitors are coming... which equal refreshment.  God is good.  He knows what we need and when we need it.  He is patient with us, and he guides us in his way.

I did really well when we dropped Mom and Dad off at the airport.  No tears, which is a really big deal for me especially since I am pregnant with extra tears.  :)  I did really well until I told Ana to say goodbye to Gram and Pop.  She burst into tears.  She didn't understand why she was having to say goodbye to her two newest favorite people in Arequipa.  But she did.  Me... I lost it.  That was a little much for me to handle.  And the taxi driver on the way home probably thought that Greg and I were in a fight.  But they were good tears.  I had seen my parents and was filled with joy.  I felt a sense of renewal.  Now when we Skype, they can recognize which couch I am sitting on.  When we move to our new neighborhood, they can envision what the block looks like.  Now when Ana sees them, she can talk about memories she made with them right here in her home city of Arequipa.

The baby will be here in July.  Along with it comes my mom and sister.  I will have to admit that I am just excited to see them as I am to see this new little face growing within me.  

Oh, and next week we get to host our people.  We can't wait to see you Mark and Marlee!  The guinea pig is calling your name.  :)

Last Updated on Saturday, 07 March 2009 18:50 Written by Meg Saturday, 07 March 2009 18:38

We found a place to live in Miraflores, our targeted area (six blocks from the office).  Our contract to live there begins March 15.  We will slowly move our things beginning on the 15th and be out of our current apartment by the end of the month.  We are so thankful for this answered prayer.  More details and pictures are soon to come.

We continue to pray for the Smith family's search.  I really hope that we can live in close proximity to them.  We rely on God's provision and are so thankful to him at this time.  Thanks to all of you that have prayed specifically for our house search.