Another ridiculously long update

So, time is flying by. I try not to think too much about it or I start getting butterflies in my stomach!

I’m trying to think what has gone on since I last blogged.

Well, the evening that we bought our tickets we had some friends over for dinner. My mam made a delicious meal and we had great company to go with it. Below is a picture of us that we almost forgot to take until they were at their car! Phil & Heather and his parents came over. Phil & Heather just got back from Haiti where they worked on the construction of a new missionary home. The day after they got back, they were invited to Walkill for six weeks, with the possibility of staying longer, so we managed to find an evening to have them over. It was really encouraging to see their slide show, and hear their experiences, and talk about our plans. It’s great to have friends who are in somewhat of the same boat, and share the excitement. So, that was a lovely evening. 

With Phil & Heather, and Phil's parents Bud & Phyllis

We had a nice anniversary dinner with my mam and dad that week too. They’ve been super generous with us, and we are now the proud owners of our very own GPS complete with a map of Nicaragua in it! We’ve already programmed in the coordinates of our new Kingdom Hall, and one or two other places. We have discovered that if you borrow something from someone enough times, they eventually get sick of your borrowing it and they buy you one!!! Hahahaa!!!!! There’s your handy tip of the day!

Charley gave his last public talk at our hall. And it was our group’s turn for hospitality so we had a nice time stuffing our faces over at someone’s house. Good food, good times! I also took pictures for a family in our hall whose oldest son graduated (see a few below). We had a great time. Here are a few of the shots. The photo book I made arrived yesterday and although I say so myself, it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! 

 

 

 
 

Last Friday I enjoyed one last lunch with a couple of friends who also work downtown. We went to Le Peeps for old times’ sake and all ordered the same thing we would always get there! It was nice to see them, and they also delivered a suitcase that their parents didn’t need anymore, so now we only need one more and we’re good to go!

And then the weekend was spent down at Charley’s mam and dad’s house. We had a BLAST!!! They had a going away party for us on Saturday evening. About 30 from our congregation came along too. We had some really delicious food, and a hayride, and the kids played until they were exhausted, and the adults danced until our feet hurt! We did some Scottish dances that we always did when I was younger in England. That was a good time. The last dance Charley almost swung me off my feet. I barely managed to hang on!!! I’ll try and get a little video clip of that. He’s really very good at those dances!!! I hadn’t danced that dance so hard since I was about 17. It almost killed me – I’m not 17 anymore that’s for sure! We also had a bit of a yard sale on my mother-in-law’s front porch for those at the party and we were very successful in getting rid of more stuff. It’s amazing how much stuff we decide we can live without every time we go through it all! My family worked really hard putting the party together and it was a HUGE success. Everyone had a GREAT TIME!!!!  Here are a few pictures below. To see them all click here.

 

Sunday we went to the meeting in the morning. We were tired, and almost late, but present! And the talk was EXCELLENT. It was actually given by the brother of our friends down in Nicaragua, so it was nice to see him and his wife before we head down there to live about 45 minutes away from his sister. The rest of the day was spent chilling, and trying to tidy up from the party. Monday we stayed down there too. Charley’s youngest sister started pioneer school in Evansville, so she left early Monday morning, and then his other sister and her boys went home later in the day. We spent quite a bit of Monday taking all the tents down and cleaning everything up from the party. Took quite a bit to get it all sorted!

So, Charley’s last day at work was last Friday, so he was enjoying being fast asleep when I got up for work this morning! But I just have two more days at work left so that’s very exciting. Charley is in charge of feeding Spanish pioneer school tomorrow, so that will keep him busy in the morning. And on Thursday morning we’re going to take the class picture. This is the first year that Spanish Pioneer School is in Indianapolis, so it’s exciting to get to have a little part in it although I always get nervous about taking the picture since it’s a big deal to get it right! Oh well, if they don’t like the picture, I’ll be too far away for them to get at me!!! Friday, some people at work are treating me to lunch. And then after work I’m going to get a massage from a friend – yay! Can’t wait for Friday!!!

We still have two more going away parties, one at my mam’s house, and one that our congregation is organizing, so lots of eating and dancing still to come! And Charley is taking a backpacking trip for a few days with his sister and brother-in-law. It’s just not my scene, so I figured they’d be better off without me! I look forward to hearing their stories afterwards!

We’re also going to Columbus, OH to visit some friends who we haven’t seen in a long time. And everyone in our congregation wants to have us over for dinner so our evenings are filling up fast! And somewhere between all that partying and socializing, we will try to remember to pack!

Well, as usual I included way too much detail! Before we all know it I’ll be blogging from Nicaragua!