PA folks really know how to throw a party! What fine folks they are. Anytime you are with PA you can always count on great music and fun professional photos! Just few a the PA perks.
The children on the day of Ed's going away.
Saying goodbye is just out and out hard. Mrs. Waters (orange shirt) was so precious to host a little sushi party that night. "So let's get together and make sushi...oh and by they way, since you have a house can we do it there?" Emily was a fantastic neighbor and an amazing woman. Sushi making, frog disection, what does this woman not do? We are so grateful for dear friends on base and church. Nikki (black sweater) is Melanee Kate's violin teacher...and more importantly a dear part of our family!
Major had all the children out riding on Thanksgiving morning. Never a dull minute on the ranch!
For anyone who doesn't know another unique quality about are family is we have uniforms galore! Major has a collection that will knock your socks off. I felt a little queasy about my children running around the front yard in authentic uniforms that I could not replace, well, if we're going to send them to college anyway. Caroline had asked if they could take pictures and the dressing up began! We have tons of them, but this is my favorite. The Taylor children were more than happy to jump right in...
Major also built us our very own Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfire the night we played t.u.! Now is that service or what?
Ed has been friends with Paul and Ginny Baker since his Belton days. When the four of us became friends in Colorado we had three they had one. Since then we've added one and they've added three. Neil, Rachel, Ryan, and Luke will just about steal your heart. God has been good to let us see one another over the years despite the distance. This is the second time we've been able to see them in Belton since we've left Colorado. We've also seen them in Colorado and when we lived in Montana they were precious to meet us in the thriving metropolis of Thermapolis, Wyoming...now there's friendship!
The infamous picture of Ginny and I is on it's way to London. The babies were days away from coming...we look SO MUCH livlier here. Paul and Ginny came into my heart right after I announced to Ed as we were leaving Italy, that I was done making friends.
Deanna Castello and Amy Allert met me for one of sweetest brunches I've ever had. These two woman are so special. They are willing to go with me deep, quickly...what precious encouragement!
If you know me, you understand this picture clearly.
This could be a very long blog in and of itself. This picture here is a small miracle. Long story short...I am not a runner. God has had me running. The furthest I'd ever gone on the ground (instead of a treadmill) was two miles with my mentoring runner friend Beth the night before we left Hawaii. This day I ran with Susan (who has done two half marathon's in the past two years) for 3.3 miles~what victory. God is teaching me that it's good to do hard things! This was the first annual Dunn Thomas run.
When we first met Susan and Jeff we'd only been married 8 months. Shaw was 20 months old and could say Mama, Dada, and bus. He's the enormous one in the back. Morgan is 6 months older than Caroline and is as precious as can be. What a GREAT time to reunite, fellowship, and worship. Thank you for walking through life with us...
These are eleven great great grandchildren of my great grandfathers. We had gone to church with the Permann's (my sweet sister's family) and in walks our cousins. Isn't God good to let us worship in His house together! I'd love to think that my great great grandchildren would be in church together while actively growing in the Lord!
We're only missing Royal and his family. These moments are such treasures! The children were STARVING and after this shot we ran out for great mexican food.
This is so typical of my family growing up, well and the family I'm in today as well now that I think about it. Always ending up in the smallest of places. Our family usually conferenced in my parents small bathroom when I was a child. Poor Aunt Melly...just trying to do laundry. There's always room for more!
We celebrated Christmas early with Aunt Susan (my fathers aunt)...nothing like a good story and Starbucks!Dear family and friends,
Since I've blogged we spent 12 crazy days on Oahu finishing up all that needed to be done in order to move, a great week out on Ed's parents ranch, three nights with our best friends in Louisiana, and a week with my parents in Dallas. Both of our sisters came to Texas with their entire families to spend time with us. I could spend a whole blog on that alone but I'm going to have to let pictures take care of that.
As of today a new chapter has begun. One that will unfold slowly before our eyes, but is already fully known to our Father. I thought I would share my thoughts today as I wrote in my travel journal on the airplane:
"Landing is not far away. We are moving to London today. After all of these months of preparation, toil, and excitement, it's really here. I'm all over the map at this moment. Certainly excited, tired, and a tiny bit overwhelmed. This fall God has been teaching me that when I feel overwhelmed in any way, shape, or form- I need to let Him help me refocus- on Him! My God is always so faithful. I am grateful to serve Him...
The preparation for this particular move has been mind boggling. I've always said you can multiply an overseas move times seven. With very little support on the ground in London, I'd say fourteen.
As of yesterday the van is no longer ours, so all of our loose ends in Hawaii are now tied. All that is left for us on that island in the Pacific are dear friends and sweet memories. Two things to surely be treasured.
Our time in TX and LA flew, as we knew it would. It was wonderful seeing so many people that we love. Our time in Dallas was packed with gathering clothing, shoes, and other items. My parents were so sweet about how hard we needed to work. I appreciate their, yet again, servant attitudes. Mother is coming in February and I'm already looking forward to her visit.
Being out of pocket this long can be a little unsettling at times. It's an incredible reminder that ultimately, this is not our home. When that feeling creeps up out of the pit of my stomach I have to stop and gain perspective. Do houses, cars, and belongings provide me comfort and a feeling of belonging? Is it wrong? Do we look for security in things that can never provide it? Of course we do. There are times God uses things/people to provide comfort, but ultimately the deep peace that passes understanding only comes from our Father.
Thank you Lord for peace, may it be ours as we serve you. Thank you for letting us go all over the world to proclaim your goodness and truth. Please help us to serve in a manner that will bring you glory. We love you deeply and look so forward for all that you have waiting around the corner. May it be all about you..."
I hope to post pictures from our Texas trip this week. Caroline already has some up on her facebook page. Off to bed. Tomorrow morning we'll have our first opportunity to be in the Lord's house in England!
Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops
Since I've blogged we spent 12 crazy days on Oahu finishing up all that needed to be done in order to move, a great week out on Ed's parents ranch, three nights with our best friends in Louisiana, and a week with my parents in Dallas. Both of our sisters came to Texas with their entire families to spend time with us. I could spend a whole blog on that alone but I'm going to have to let pictures take care of that.
As of today a new chapter has begun. One that will unfold slowly before our eyes, but is already fully known to our Father. I thought I would share my thoughts today as I wrote in my travel journal on the airplane:
"Landing is not far away. We are moving to London today. After all of these months of preparation, toil, and excitement, it's really here. I'm all over the map at this moment. Certainly excited, tired, and a tiny bit overwhelmed. This fall God has been teaching me that when I feel overwhelmed in any way, shape, or form- I need to let Him help me refocus- on Him! My God is always so faithful. I am grateful to serve Him...
The preparation for this particular move has been mind boggling. I've always said you can multiply an overseas move times seven. With very little support on the ground in London, I'd say fourteen.
As of yesterday the van is no longer ours, so all of our loose ends in Hawaii are now tied. All that is left for us on that island in the Pacific are dear friends and sweet memories. Two things to surely be treasured.
Our time in TX and LA flew, as we knew it would. It was wonderful seeing so many people that we love. Our time in Dallas was packed with gathering clothing, shoes, and other items. My parents were so sweet about how hard we needed to work. I appreciate their, yet again, servant attitudes. Mother is coming in February and I'm already looking forward to her visit.
Being out of pocket this long can be a little unsettling at times. It's an incredible reminder that ultimately, this is not our home. When that feeling creeps up out of the pit of my stomach I have to stop and gain perspective. Do houses, cars, and belongings provide me comfort and a feeling of belonging? Is it wrong? Do we look for security in things that can never provide it? Of course we do. There are times God uses things/people to provide comfort, but ultimately the deep peace that passes understanding only comes from our Father.
Thank you Lord for peace, may it be ours as we serve you. Thank you for letting us go all over the world to proclaim your goodness and truth. Please help us to serve in a manner that will bring you glory. We love you deeply and look so forward for all that you have waiting around the corner. May it be all about you..."
I hope to post pictures from our Texas trip this week. Caroline already has some up on her facebook page. Off to bed. Tomorrow morning we'll have our first opportunity to be in the Lord's house in England!
Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops
