Pictures on our Site

We uploaded our Christmas pictures on our Malawi site. Click HERE to view them. As you scroll through click on the "show info" as there are comments that explain some of the pictures. Happy Viewing! and Happy New Year as well. Looks like we will be entering into the new year way before everyone else back home (obvi)...we are 7 hours ahead of the East Coast.

A Mulanje Christmas

We just returned from 4 days at Mt. Mulanje. Actually, we were renting a house with 7 other people on Lujeri Tea Plantation which is located at the foothills of Mt. Mulanje but still in the Mulanje district. Mt. Mulanje is the largest mountain in southern Africa...it was amazing. Here are a few pictures from our trip...more to come to our website soon.



This is a REAL picture...not one that has been altered at all..it was taking a different day than the waterfall picture above and the lighting was amazing! The shrubbery is actual tea plants..acres and acres of tea plants.

Christmas Yabwino

"Christmas Yabwino!" (aka Merry Christmas in Chichewa). Malawians love it that we can say a Christmas greeting in their language! I love it too.

It's a little pathetic that my previous post was Thanksgiving...almost a month ago. But I hope that most of you who come to this site also visit our McCollum's in Malawi site to get read our blog posts there and get the dish on our life here.

I have had to really be honest with myself lately on being here for the holidays...it has been the most difficult time yet in our 4 months here (almost 5 months). And I would be lying if I said I didn't wake up with a very stinky attitude about it today. It's hot...we have had no power for 48 hours...I miss my family...and it's HOT.

But then my attitude changes as I think of the beautiful Malawian children here...the many that suffer from HIV/AIDS...the orphans...those that suffer from malaria. I think of the two girls from the street kids ministry that had cerebral malaria this week...and the man who begs in front of the petrol station with no legs...and the women who have to beg from house to house just for clean water for their family...and the children in the village who have no idea that it is even Christmastime! And I am thankful for my God who keeps His hands and eyes about, caring and providing for these lovely Malawian people. I am thankful for the many Malawian families who sacrifice so much to care for the orphans of their community...I'm thankful for the ministries like Samaritans (the street kids ministry) that houses these street children, giving them meals, a place to sleep, and the ability for education.

"Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to heaven, to Live with Thee there."

Please, if you read this, say a prayer for Malawians this week. Check out Equitas' site and give, if you like, to the "Water for Christmas" project.

I'll have many Christmas adventure pictures to post next week after our time this week on Mount Mulanje.

Merry Christmas from Malawi! Christmas Yabwino!

happy thanksgiving

We had an amazing Thanksgiving yesterday, though it wasn't shy of a few homesick tears on my behalf. We miss our family. Other missionaries say that the 3-4 month mark is difficult, and they are right especially when it is around the holidays. It was an amazing day nevertheless! We had so much to be thankful for. Daniel and I along with our housemates and best friends, Jonathan and Kayla, hosted 23 people around our table yesterday....some American friends, some Malawians, a couple from Holland and a guy from Zimbabwe. We didn't have turkey but chicken and all the other good stuff that we can find here that goes along with Thanksgiving dinner. We definitely were able to achieve that after Thanksgiving fully content feeling with all the food that we had present. We were so happy to be surrounded by our new friends...and able to give thanks to God together.

Another missionary raises chickens on his property...nice organic chicken. (Everything is organic here in Malawi.) And so he killed 4 yesterday for our dinner. I was glad to not have to do the killing this time around. The four of us did do the plucking, chopping and gutting. ICK. I had never done the gutting before...and I will save you the details but it was pretty gross. I feel like a better woman for it though. It was quite interesting to complete the full circle of the cooking....watching the chicken be killed, plucking the feathers, chopping and gutting the chicken, taking it home and seasoning it and roasting it...I felt pretty good about it all. It was pretty good too.

Hunger Season

Click on our Malawi site on the right to read my latest blog. I ask you to remember the people of Malawi as we head into the Thanksgiving season. Happy Thanksgiving from Malawi!

Food on the Brain

So...today (not that its the only day this has happened to me...but it for sure is happening today)...I am CRAVING a Chick-fil-a sandwich...or chicken strip salad with ranch dressing...oh the ranch dressing...yum...oh the chick-fil-a sauce...double yum!! Someone...anyone, please do me a favor, drive to your nearest Chick-fil-a and eat ANYTHING FOR ME. Because I am a missionary on a far-away, African field...I believe that it is your Christian service and duty to follow through with this request on my behalf! :) I'm also craving grapes...so if you can't do Chick-fil-a...grapes will do as well. ha ha.

On a more serious note but still on the related topic of food, we have planned our Thanksgiving meal for next week. (can't believe that its next week.) It won't be including turkey...but chicken will do. Most importantly we will be having Thanksgiving at our house with some of our new American friends, our new Malawian friends and even two new friends from Holland and their little girl! It is promised to be a Thanksgiving we won't forget for sure! Stay tuned for a recap next week including pictures (pending internet connection speed.)

My new favorite site...when I have internet connection

Hi everyone...
There is just so much going on here in Malawi...ahh, we are loving the life here. It is super hot these days and we are just waiting and praying for the rainy season to start to give us a reprieve from the daytime heat. We've been a bit more homesick these last weeks, I think because we wish we could be home to meet our new nephew but also because we know that the holidays are coming up...and we miss all the family gatherings, etc. Anyway, we know that we are exactly where we need to be...here in Malawi! Our Thanksgiving celebration may be without turkey....and our Christmas may be without scarves and mittens, Christmas trees and decorations...but we have made a ton of new friends and "family" here that we just are going to make the most of this season...with our Malawian friends and here in a country and a culture that has taught us so much about love and hospitality.

I just have to share one quick website that I am totally obsessed with this past week...thanks to Christy! :) You all just have to check it out...especially the recipes. We (Kayla and I...we alternate cooking weeks here in Malawi) make our meals from scratch each day...ahhh, its so much fun, no seriously it is. I mean, we are in Africa...there isn't much of an alternative. We visit the market weekly and pick out the freshest veggies and fruit...organic all the way here. We have a few cookbooks that we brought with us, but this site is now one of my favorites to go to...that is whenever I can find internet connect for a few minutes. Add it to your RSS feed...its a must. The Pioneer Woman

Still Alive in Malawi

Hi all,
Just wanted to log in and post that I am still alive here in Malawi even though I haven't blogged in a while. It has been 3 months since we arrived in Malawi...am I the only who thinks this is crazy? 3 months! WOW...we have settled in nicely and have established routines and somewhat predictable schedules. It's hard to believe that November is next week! I think its hard to believe because we just endured through the hottest month here in Malawi and are anxiously awaiting rainy season to begin any day now. It seems like our bodies are playing tricks on us and telling us that because of the hot temps it should still be August or September. We were able to find a pumpkin and make pumpkin pie and other goodies out of it...which pumpkin pie definitely equates November in my mind. We can't wait for the holidays around!

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well out there in blogworld. I haven't been able to read many posts because of our slow and random findings of internet connections around town. Hope you are able to stay up with us on our other site...click on our logo on the right to read about our Malawi happenings.

Love to all from Malawi!

It's not everyday

It's not everyday that you get to go on a boat ride out on Lake Malawi (the 2nd biggest lake in Africa) and see hippos! We were able to take a little weekend away and see the lake...about 4 hour drive. On Saturday we took a boat ride to an island, then off to the hippo pools. We couldn't get too close but they did give us a little show before heading down under the surface. It was fun! Lake Malawi definitely ranks as one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. The water is crystal clear...even more clear than the Caribbean waters and the sunsets were breath-taking. It was good to get away for the weekend after being here for 2 months...there is so much that we have taken in and changed in our lives these past months that a little r&r was needed.




Please be praying for our "Hope for AIDS" peer prevention training that is happening over the next 2 weeks! It has been so fun meeting these 30+ youth that have traveled hours from their village to be here during this time! Education of any sort is VERY valued...so this is a special time. They are learning many things as far as making relationships, decision making, cultivating conversations on HIV/AIDS with their peers as well as Biblical training. Please keep them in your prayers that this can be a sweet time of learning and developing their souls and hearts for others.

Village Adventures

Hello all! Not sure how many people still read this blog as I haven't been able to keep it up to date much as our internet access is few and far between!

I have posted a video on our site and pictures as well (under photo gallery). Feel free to check it out! Click on the right to be linked to our website.

Daniel and I seem to be busier with each passing week! This week is preparation for the "Hope for AIDS" (the project that I mentioned earlier that I am helping with) Peer Prevention Training that is starting next week for 2 weeks! 35 youth are coming from different villages to the Bible College close to us and will be in training sessions to learn how they can discuss with their peers topics of HIV/AIDS prevention! It's very exciting. It is just amazing to me how little HIV/AIDS education happens here...especially in the villages. 1 in 6 people have HIV/AIDS here in Malawi. Education is is life-altering. With all that said, we are expecting great things in the next 2 weeks.

October is proving to be a very jammed-packed month. October 30th-31st I will be traveling to a village called Ngabu. Ngabu is the newest location for "Hope for AIDS" orphan care program! SO EXCITING!! Before the program launches there is much training to be done. 2 weeks of training has already happened for the 30 volunteers in this village and towards the end of October there will be a 2 week training time for the 4 teachers. I will be teaching and training them on the topics of lesson planning and learning styles, child development, as well as the importance of establishing a good learning environment/classroom. It should all be very interesting as the probability of all 4 of the teachers having a highschool education is highly unlikely. It will be very basic teaching/training. I'm reminded that all the training they need will be enough to give the basic love and care to these Ngabu orphans that have been left behind due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Please pray for me as I prepare for this training time!

My Phingo Experience

Check out our blog HERE for my latest blog on my experience in the Phingo village. It was amazing...there is a video as well of the precious children.

Hello, world!

Hello, blog world...yes, I am alive and well here in Malawi. It has been a crazy busy couple of weeks for us. We moved last week from our temporary house to our permanent (if one year is considered permanent). It was WAY MORE stressful than we thought it was going to be. Basically we have learned that nothing is simple and easy when it comes to logistics or plans here in Malawi. Anyway, we are so thankful for this new place, the road it is on, the small little village/town it is near. One of the things that is a challenge living where we are is not having internet and feeling connected to what is going on in the world and at home with our family and friends. So we have just been able to take our computers when we have a little time and either walk up to our friends house (1/2 mile walk) and check email or take our computers into the office to check. So hopefully we will be able to get internet at our house soon but we are unsure when that will happen.

I just returned from 2 days out in the village with our "Orphan Care Program". I will be helping with the Orphan Care Program which is under the "Hope for AIDS" project that SIM has going on here in Malawi. I am so excited to be helping in this area as it is just fits my passions and fulfills my heart perfectly. I went out to a village called "Pingo" which is about 2 hours outside of Blantyre (the city where we live). Just imagine what you would think a village would look like in Africa and that is exactly where we were. It was awesome!! I was with another American from our SIM team (Sarah) and our "Orphan Care Coordinator", Gerald. Sarah and I stayed in a small, decent (aka no bugs) motel room in another little town on the main road. (pictures to come to our website soon). The best part of it all was the children! I will just need to write another post detailing my thoughts and feelings on the whole experience...so more to come on Pingo later! Just know that we are doing great here and are totally in love with the Malawian people...they are just so amazing!
Here I am pumping the water at the well in Pingo!

PS: Here is a picture of the latest addition to our family. His name is Blantyre (named after the city where we live) but we call him "Ty" for short. Most of you know that I love dogs from a distance, but I do LOVE Ty up close...he is so sweet!

A Few Favorite Pics

We seem to be getting a little more adjusted to Malawian life with each passing week. We have had a few busy days this week with getting our "feet wet" with ministry stuff and preparing to move into our permanent house next week. Which I should mention that moving in Malawi is a whole different ball game than moving in the US. Just getting curtains is a crazy endeavor but thinking through hanging mosquito nets, getting keys made, internet set-up (ha), refrigerator, all these things and more has kept our minds busy! Next week should be quite busy for all of us to try and get so many things in order and lined up.

Yesterday we (the four of us) were asked to organize the sports fellowship day at EBCom (which is the local bible college). They basically do a sports day (students vs. faculty) once a semester. It was so much fun! We introduced Ultimate Frisbee and Capture the Flag! Let me tell you that I quite enjoyed Ultimate Frisbee once I got into it! Here are a few of my favorite pics of the day of a few children that stay on the campus with their parents. There is a small daycare that keeps the children while the parents are in class throughout the day. I will be starting to work there one morning a week when I am not working with the "Hope for AIDS" program out in the villages. I'm really excited about it and thankful that I had time yesterday to meet a few of the children on the campus. For more pictures check out our "photo gallery" on our site...we have been posting pictures of our last couple of weeks.

Videoging

Watch our first "videog" (aka video-blog). We posted it on our website. It literally took us 30 minutes to upload it to You Tube...seriously, our internet can be pretty slow at times. Click HERE to check it out.

Rainy Day

It has been one gloomy and rainy day here in Blantyre. I'm sitting here super cold. It just makes me laugh that it is so cold in Africa right now (at least in the south). I'm not complaining, because it could be colder and it could be really HOT. It is about 66 degrees outside and inside too. Yes, the buildings here are made out of brick and cement...just like they were in India. So when it is really hot, the coolness of the evening hours traps inside and keeps the inside at least remotely cool while the outside is hot. We are coming out of winter here in Malawi and soon will be in the "rainy season". Humidity + Heavy Downpours each and every day = Rainy Season. I'm sure the rains plus our hilly, dirt road to our house will make for some interesting posts and pictures in the future! :) We love being here and are so thankful for the cool-down before the heat and rains come! Chabwino! (Chechewa for "alrighty...or good")

Week Two Pictures

Malawi week two pictures are posted on our site! We know it is difficult to know what is going on in the pictures (some of self-explanatory) so we are trying to figure out a way to put captions under each pic to explain. Hope you like just the pictures for now.

Click HERE to be taken to our website photo gallery! Enjoy!

Another Day at the Market

I realized that I haven't posted many pics here on this blog. For one reason, our internet is pretty slow at times...its better early in the morning or late at night. So we have just stuck to posting most things on our McCollums in Malawi site. (Please visit if you haven't already.) However, I don't want to completely neglect my blog here. So...I leave you with one pic. This is a view of the market here in Blantyre that we walk to for some of our food (the fresh veggies and fruit...so delish!) The clothing market is attached to the food market...this is where the Malawians mostly buy their clothes, shoes, etc. We haven't yet walked through as it seems a bit overwhelming...we just marvel at it as we make our way to the food market!

Facts on Malawi

Check our site for a new blog post. We have been in great orientation and language lessons this week...uh, my brain hurts from cramming too much in. It has been great though. Check out our site for some facts on Malawian culture.

Pictures from Malawi

Hello my blogger friends! I still can't believe that we are here in Blantyre, Malawi. We have had a wonderful week especially after receiving our luggage on Saturday afternoon. (Just to clarify, Daniel and I had 4 pieces of luggage and Kayla and Jonathan had 4 pieces which equaled the total of 8 pieces of luggage that I mentioned in my earlier post.) Being without luggage for 4 days actually puts a lot of things into perspective on how much you really NEED to survive...which ends up being very little.

My wonderful husband uploaded our pictures from our first week onto our website. We hope to upload once a week--so check our website often. Here is the link to our media gallery. There are no captions to the pics--maybe next week. Enjoy!

Click here.

Across the Pond

Well...this is my first post from MALAWI! We arrived this afternoon (it is 6+ hours difference...so afternoon here while it is morning there in the US). It actually was a pretty successful 18 hour trip. Yes, 18 hour flight from Washington Dulles to Johannesburg, South Africa...it actually was 24 hours. 18 hour flight + 6 hour time difference= 24 hours. YIKES! So the flights went well...and the next morning (this morning, Wednesday) we flew from Jo-burg to Blantyre..and NONE of our bags (8 total pieces) made it to Blantyre...funny huh? Well, not as funny as it is slightly annoying, but it will all work. The great thing is that the next South African Air flight doesn't arrive into Blantyre until Saturday, but hopefully they will be transferred to another carrier that might come tomorrow.


That is all I have for now...there is so much that we are taking in today and tomorrow that I am sure I will have more to update later.

Thanks for the prayers and thoughts.

Last Week: Part 4

It always felt like this day was a long way off...but here we are, less than 24 hours before we board the airplane for our 18+ hour plane ride to Johannesburg, South Africa. Ya-ow, that is a long time, eh?

Anyway, we have had a great time with my family here in NoVA. It feels like we are on vacation and that we are heading back to Charlotte tomorrow...however, all our many, heavy pieces of luggage proves that we are not heading back to Charlotte but onto another place. We are so excited to be doing this!

Thanks to everyone for the sweet comments and prayers our way! We are thankful for thinking, praying and supporting us! Don't forget to check out website for updates and blogs. We don't quite know our internet situation until we get settled in, so I am not sure how often I will be able to update this blog...but for sure we will be updating our Malawi blog/website whenever possible since most of our supporters and family read that site. Click on the right button or go to www.mccollumsinmalawi.com

So...I guess this is it for my last post from the good ol' US of A. Pray for us as we travel tomorrow...we leave tomorrow (Monday) and arrive in Malawi on Wednesday...so think and pray for us as you go about your next few days...I'm sure they will be very long days for us! :) Peace out, blogworld...love to all.


We will be missing these two girls for sure...

...and this one too! As well as sweet little Emma-girl in Charlotte from the previous post.

Last Week: Part 3

We are enjoying our relaxing time with my family in NoVA. What a change from the craziness that we have had going on these last 2 months. Here are a few pics of the morning that we left Charlotte. What a difficult time it was to say goodbye to Daniel's family--we love them so much!

Can you believe we only have 2 more days before our big trip? Wahooo! We are excited!

Here is Emma sitting on top all of Uncle Daniel and Auntie Jamie's luggage! 4 HUGE pieces that weigh exactly 48 lbs. each...hmmm, hope they weigh the same when we leave on Monday, I have a feeling we are going to make another Target run this weekend.

We were able to take a few more pics of the Charlotte skyline from the plane as we waited for our turn to take-off on Wednesday afternoon. Charlotte, we love you and will miss you!

Last Week: Part 2

Today was our last day in Charlotte! At least for only a year, right? Hmmm...you never know what a year will bring.

Most of the day was running around town, like we have been doing the past 4 days...so many things to do, you can't even imagine. Power of Attorney, bank, safety deposit box, DMV, Target and somehow another Wal-Mart run ended up on the list of things to do...gah, Wal-Mart two days in a row for small stuff is a nightmare to me. I never know where anything is in that store, and I end up roaming around just about every aisle...it will just be worse when I get back from Malawi, I am sure of it. At least I have enough toothpaste, Dramamine, Advil, Melatonin, crystal light packets, taco seasoning and deodorant to last me a year. :) Thank goodness for that, right?

Last night we had a big family dinner with Daniel's family. It was like Christmas except for no presents...well, there is always presents when Grandma McCollum visits town. She is the sweetest. And by "sweetest", I mean that she always brings sweets as gifts to us when she comes...she never visits empty handed, that is for sure. It was so thoughtful of Daniel's grandparents to make the 5 hour drive from the mountains to Charlotte. It was a very memorable time together!

Daniel, Emma (our niece) and Tim!
Tonight, our great friends threw us (McCollum's plus Kayla and Jonathan) a going away party! It was such a wonderful evening. I can think of no better way to leave Charlotte then to leave going out with the prayer and love that we received tonight from our friends! Ahhhh....we love them so much and will miss them like crazy!

Some of my girls: Rachael, me, Ashley and Kendra...plus baby girl Miller due in September!
So we are onto Virginia tomorrow afternoon to spend time with my family...yes, I will be sure to take some pics of our luggage as per some of my blogger's request.

Last Week: Part 1

Are you tired of my countdowns yet? A week from tomorrow we leave! Isn't that crazy? You should see my in-laws house...or at least the guest room and dining room where we have taken over! I was in a slight panic this morning when Daniel and I got serious about the packing order and layout. And then there was the seemingly 2 hour Wal-Mart run that I did this afternoon where I picked up even more stuff to pack. Oh my word, I am contemplating taking everything back and simplifying it all into one suitcase only! I can't believe the amount of stuff we are taking...okay, I am being a little extreme because we are only taking 4 suitcases to live out of for a year...a YEAR as in 12 months. It really isn't that much stuff, but it seems like a lot since we are trying to pack everything into neat little piles and baggies.

On to a more important subject, Daniel and I enjoyed what was known to be our "Last Sushi Supper" tonight...and it was so delicious! We enjoyed our time with Daniel's brother, Tim, and his girlfriend. Only a few more days here in Charlotte...so sad! It was very hard to leave Watershed this morning too for the last time for a year...we will miss it so much!

10 Days and Counting

We just finished up our 2 week mission training at the SIM USA headquarters! It is hard to believe that 2 weeks has just flown by...wow! But what great time we have had here meeting new friends and soaking in so much cross cultural knowledge...I feel like my head is going to explode! Even though I have lived overseas before on a couple of occasions, there is still so much more to learn. We have made friends with so many here--about 40 people total and everyone is going to different places around the world to share Jesus' message of love and justice and to do different occupations. I think the best way to describe these 2 weeks is "mission camp"...its been kinda like summer camp with your youth group, except that we are all adults and going out to crazy places like the middle of Africa, or the mountains of Peru or the cities of China. Its been a great time together!

We are off to stay with Daniel's parents until we leave Charlotte on Wednesday to spend some time with my family. August 3rd is when we leave the country! 10 days...can you believe it? So many little things and loose ends to tie together...it will all get done, so I am told!

Here is a pic of Daniel and I with the Malawi flag...more pics of our 2 weeks to come later!

Mission Training

I realize that I am posting this pic at my own expense. But it cracks me up, mostly because it looks like I am being super dramatic about my shot yesterday...but I totally wasn't. Kayla was taking pics of me getting shot up and this was one that turned out pretty funny. I had 3 more shots yesterday, I think I might be done with them for now. But, man, does my arm hurt.

So, we have been at our mission training for a week now...and have another week to go before a few days with Daniel's family and our friends here in Charlotte...and after that, a few more days with my fam in VA and then its off to Africa we go.

That's all I have for now...maybe I will get around to blogging all the other thoughts and feelings that I have been thinking and feeling this week. It has been a bit difficult...but exciting at the same time. We know that this next year will fly by, there will be so many great things that we will experience and so much of God's provision and blessings. I can't wait to share with you all! Please be praying for us and the coming days and weeks as we continue with our preparations.

3 weeks from today

Three weeks from today we will be heading over the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Malawi, Africa!

We arrived to the SIM USA headquarters this past Saturday night. I think I have mentioned it recently that the SIM USA offices are in south Charlotte...so it wasn't a long road trip. Ha. Most everyone else that we have met here is from different states...even as far as Seattle. It has been nice to meet so many missions-minded people that are headed to other countries. There are a few young families here that are planning on moving to do missions as "long-term'ers"...meaning a minimum of 2 years. Most everyone that is here doing training with us are relatively young--in their 20's-40's. However, we have had opportunities to meet some SIM workers who serve here in the USA office but have served overseas previously--some of them for 50+ years in African countries. This career committment to missions totally blows our mind! Daniel and I just can't comprehend what 1 year looks like for our family, let alone the next 40+. We are so thankful to meet so many that have lived such full lives of committment to God's Kingdom in this fashion! Their stories are unreal and their love for justice and mercy is so pure!

So, I have been taking a lot of pictures this week so far...but my laptop is still at the "shop" being fixed before we leave, so I will have to do a picture post later. I just had to give a little blog update! And let me tell you there are some good pics of Daniel and I getting our first round of immunizations! Sheesh, it has been 10+ years since I did my immunizations for India, and I wish immunizations didn't have an expiration dates! I received 3 shots the other day and have 5 more to get later this week...YIKES!!!

Amazed

I can't write much, since my computer is undergoing a quick pre-Malawi operation, I did want to give a quick Malawi update. WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL!!!!!!! We have raised all the funds to meet our budget to live in Malawi this next year! My heart is completely amazed at all that has happened these last few weeks, well really these last 10 months since we started fundraising! It is amazing to watch God provide for this dream that He put on our heart a few years back. There is one thing that we found out recently and that is the fact that we will also need to purchase a car to use among the 4 of us. We didn't know about this originally, so it wasn't included in our budget that we have been plowing towards this year. Once again, we are confident that God will lead us in the right direction and will work out these details out. We head out tomorrow morning for the two week long training at SIM. I will hopefully get some time on Daniels computer to do some blogging. I feel so helpless wihout mine. thank you for being happy for us and for the
many who continue to be so generous towards our mission to Malawi.

Moving Day

Moving Day 2009 has come...and gone...without a hitch! We had pizzas ready around 1pm yesterday when about 12 of our family and friends showed up for a few hours of fun together! Luckily, Daniel and I had worked hard leading up to the day with everything packed and ready to go...it was all very organized! We couldn't have done it without the great company and help of our family and friends here in Charlotte!

It was a bit surreal for me when I came back to the empty condo. Daniel had run a few errands and took the U-haul back, so I decided to get started on the vacuuming and cleaning. That's when the tears started. There I was in our empty home...trying to wipe away the tears and keep my vacuum lines as straight as possible (I tend to be OCD about vacuum lines.) My thoughts were all over the place...mostly remembering all the great memories that we have had in our first home together these last couple of years! I feel like the older I get the more sentimental I become...it's true.

Then my thoughts started changing to our many friends that helped us move. How many of my happy thoughts and memories of our first home actually included so many of our friends too! We are incredibly grateful and blessed to have many friends who we love so deeply. We enjoy doing life together...even when life gets messy and uncomfortable!

I know we are only moving away for a year--but what a year it is going to be! We can't wait! Just to give a little Malawi update: We had our international airline tickets bought last week and are still planning on departing the US on August 3rd...27 more days. Daniel's last week of work is this week. We start our 2-week mission training at the SIM USA headquarters (located here in Charlotte) on Saturday. AND We only have $3,000 more to go to meet our support needs.

We will miss you, Charlotte

Daniel and I took a break from packing last night and headed out to a yummy pizza dinner. It was an awesome night, so we decided to stop by the park outside of our neighborhood and take some pictures of the view of Uptown. Below are a few pics from our time at the park. After the park, we decided to walk around the next neighborhood over, called NoDa. There's nothing like a night in NoDa. I used to live in NoDa before I moved back to VA for the year. (NoDa stands for "North Davidson" the main street that runs through the neighborhoods on this side of town.) It is a small area, but very eclectic. On certain nights during the summer the small area of NoDa turns into a huge outdoor concert/open house for the art galleries that call it home...love it! What a relaxing place. We will miss NoDa...as well as all our other spots around Charlotte.

Tomorrow is moving day...so i need to get my PACKING on this morning, so we can enjoy fireworks later!

Wading through boxes and bins

STILL PACKING here in Charlotte...whew, seriously, you really would think I am exaggerating about all this packing since we do live in a 1 bedroom condo. I feel like I have to have everything organized and labeled perfectly...and, at the same time, I am trying to figure out what we need to pack for the next 30 days of living out of a suitcase (we are living with my inlaws for a few weeks and then at SIM for 2 weeks of training) and then pack what we need to take to Malawi. I know those should be one in the same, but Daniel is still working for another week, and basically I will be wearing dresses and skirts for 12 months, so I don't want to pack away my shorts, capris and jeans yet.

I think I am getting there...basically, just the bathroom and kitchen and Daniel's tools are left! I'm so sad to leave our little place here. I have LOVED this condo in the city...it has been so perfect for us these past years. Daniel moved in when we first started dating, so I have always thought of it as mine too. We even got engaged here in the living room...ah! :) There will be many more memories in other houses to come. Well, thanks for the break...back to packing I go!

Happy Anniversary

Two years today I married the most wonderful man! I can't believe it has only been 2 years...life has gone by so fast! What a perfect day it was--straight out of my dreams. Daniel was the one who I waited forever for...literally, ha! We both started at Liberty in 1997 and we finally met in Jan 2006, engaged in Oct 2006 and married in June 2007. There is much more to the story--ha, but I will save you from the drama details. :) We could have met in 1997 (we were in the same class at one point), but God had different plans for our lives. Daniel went off to serve in Moscow, Russia for two years and I travelled back and forth to India for a few years and moved all over the east coast before meeting him in Charlotte, NC.

He truly is my best friend...we are having the time of our lives and look forward to the many years ahead...especially this year of moving to Malawi. Whether we are in Malawi or Charlotte or wherever, our life together will always be an adventure that we pray will always be honoring to God. I love you Daniel!




I know I posted this video a few weeks ago...but I just love this Jason Maraz song...Taryn even sang it for us at our Fundraiser Event 2 weeks ago...Love it.

the TODAY Show

I might have mentioned Daniel's work before...he LOVES his job. (It has definitely been an act of faith for him to walk away from it for a year.) Daniel works for NPower Charlotte, which is a non-profit that helps other non-profits in town within the realm of IT and websites. One of the reasons we love Daniel's work is because it allows us to know about the non-profits in town and the work of so many that are giving back to the community.

One of Daniel's clients is "Community School of the Arts". He has been working on several facets of IT for this organization. About a month or so ago he found out that they had been chosen by the Today Show and Al Roker for Al's summer series called "Lend a Hand". Maybe you have seen him do this? He has been traveling around the country highlighting a non-profit in each city. How exciting. The producers visited a few weeks back to take footage of CSA and their work. Then we found out about a week or so ago that Al was going to be LIVE last Friday doing his part of the show and interviewing LIVE Daniel's client and executives. I was already planning to be in VA, but had I not been in VA I would have been there with a sign that said "My Husband Made the Website!". :) Just kidding.

So long story even longer....the whole thing got bumped due to Michael Jackson's death on Thursday and the media frenzy that circled that event. Al Roker was still here in Charlotte but they didn't show anything about our beautiful city or interview any of the CSA peeps.

So with Al Roker back in NYC this morning, they only were able to show this 5 minute video...feel free to watch it. It is a great non-profit that serves many children and adults alike here in our town. We are so proud of Charlotte's non-profit community.

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Making Memories

My brother, sister-in-law and two nieces came for a visit to Charlotte this past weekend. My brother left on a Sunday to get back for his work week and my sister-in-law and nieces stayed for a few extra days. We had such a great time together--doing something different each day. Then on Wednesday, I drove back to northern VA with Sophia and the girls, stayed a few more days up there, celebrated my other brother's birthday and came home to my husband on a Friday night flight. This is a little schedule of what we did each day.
Friday Night: Justin and Sophia (and girls) arrived and checked into the brand-new "Great Wolf Lodge" here in Charlotte (well, its actually Concord). For those that don't know GWF is a hotel + an indoor water park. Its pretty cool. So we did the waterpark pretty much all day Saturday.

Bella and Daniel in the hotel room.
Saturday: GWL waterpark pretty much all day!
Saturday night: All 6 of us camped out at our house. What a sight!! Keep in mind that Daniel and I live in a 1 bedroom condo in the city. Ha. It was a great time! Loved every crazy second of it. The girls "camped out" in sleeping bags on the floor in the bedroom. I should have taken pics.

Daniel "wrestling" with the girls on the air mattress.
Sunday: We went to our church, Watershed. Anna was in the "Diggers" class...she loved the name and told me all week, "Remember when I was in the Digger's class at your church...I never did that before." Daniel and I took Anna out on his parents boat with our other niece, Emma. Emma is our niece from Daniel's side. They had a blast together!! Later after dinner we took the girls to Ben and Jerry's for ice cream w/ sprinkles and a trip to the neighborhood park to get some energy out.

Daniel and Anna in the lake.
Monday. Daniel went to work in the morning. Sophia and I took the girls to the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville. It was awesome. I had never been to it before, but what a great place. It is a "safari" that you ride through in your own vehicle. You can feed the animals too from your windows with the animal feed. We tried to "feed" the animals but ended up rolling up the window pretty much every time an animal got really close. What can I say, we were a bunch of girls. Ha ha...except the one time that the deer's head was all the way inside the van trying to eat the food.. We were all screaming and laughing so hard....later Anna said, "that was la-larious (hilarious)." She cracks me up with her expressions. The Safari and a trip to the mall wore us out.




I forgot to mention that we all went to Amelies (the local French bakery up the street) after dinner for desserts...here is Bella wanting everything in site...like Auntie, like Bella.
Tuesday: We rode the Light Rail train in Uptown Charlotte to the Children's theatre/library for a time...then rode the Light Rail again to meet Daniel for lunch at Pike's. Anna loved riding the "frain" (she can't quite say her t's yet...so cute). She kept saying, "I never rode a frain before!" We LOVED meeting Daniel for lunch. After lunch it was to Latta Park, a great playground in the city that has a "spray ground"...we changed the girls into their swimsuits and let them play in the water.

I had some throw-away cameras for Anna to take pics throughout the week (a Blog-girl in the making). She loved taking pics, but I think this camera was accidently left on the train...oh well.

Anna and Daniel at Pike's.



Wednesday: We packed up and headed back north to Virginia. The girls did great--I drove and made it in 6 hours flat with only one stop! :) Sophia and I planned it perfectly. We stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee on our way out of town around 10am, and a donut for the girls. That kept them occupied for a while. Gave them a little snack around 12:30pm and then stopped for lunch around 2pm, we were home at 4pm. Perfect!
Thursday: Thursday was Jeremy's (my older brother) birthday. The fam came over for a birthday dinner. It was great to see Jeremy, Teresa and Chloe too. I love seeing these three nieces interact together! They are going to be quite the Three Musketeers one day.

the best pic of all three of them that I could get.

Playing dress-up with Auntie on Friday morning...here is "Snow White" helping "Cinderella" put her shoes on. :)
What a week it was! I loved every minute of it!