What does this day entail?

Dear family and friends,

I feel in many ways that I've slayed a giant!

We have been in the throws of trip planning which takes an enormous amount of time. A great opportunity to trust God. You would think we have an army rather than four children. Making reservations for four is an enourmous struggle while remaining in our budget. God has been very gracious.

I now have train tickets/secured apartment for Paris next week. A motorcoach reserved for Ed's two weeks off in April so we can drive to our hearts content in Great Britain and see all the history we want. I promise you a picture of our children on Hadrian's wall!

New friends are including the children and I in a trip to Morocco in June and all I have to do for that one is write a check and show up with bags that aren't overweight and with children that are cheerful. I have a fantastic luggage scale thanks to mother and a faithful Saviour who's doing exciting things in all of our lives. So hopefully the second will also be possible! Stress always reveals the sin in our hearts and traveling always has a certain amount of stress until we really get rolling.

So today...cooking, running to Sainsbury (my local grocery), math, Bible time (next), conferencing papers for our books (middle children), inviting Italian boy over to play with Jefferson on Saturday, parenting, preparing for our guest who's coming for dinner, and I need to get make my bed and get dressed. Pray I can honor God every step today. I want to honor Him in the enourmous, the miniscule, and all the life inbetween!

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

New computer on the way. Our old one overheated last week so I'm limited on sharing pictures until it shows up. My sweet man ordered me a RED one! I'm not sure that should be as exciting as it is...a RED one...

Remember my new "short" goal?

Dear family and friends,

I'm about to go and fall into bed.

Dear friends took the children out to dinner and home for games on Sunday night so Ed and I could have a little prebirthday celebration. It was the first time since October that we were alone in our own home. What a treat!

The children had a blast. Maggie and Rick Coleman are amazing friends that we look forward to knowing for a long time.

Tonight we were invited to the home of a Saudi Arabian Naval officer. His wife and seven children were delightful. The feast was amazing, the conversation stimulating, and the hospitality was unwavering.

Can I just tell you how grateful we are to have a telephone? Just want to keep thanking God publically for that one!

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

How can you start a new adventure when you've not completed the one that you are on?

Dear family and friends,

Another special night in London town...

How can you start a new adventure when you've not completed the one that you are on? I think it's a great question. All part of life...changes, dreams, excitement, planning, and relationships.

London has been an amazing experience so far, with so many more months to go. Again, looking forward to the future, yet not willing to even wish one day away. Hands down, the relationships are where it's at.

All of this to say. The Thomas Troops family menu for February 26, 2010:

Rice, Stir Fry, Salmon, and Hot Chocolate

We can hardly wait to see all the relationships God lets us be a part of in Alaska!

You will be relieved to know that God's provision is already abounding. The ALASKAN salmon was the only fish on half price this week. You would be so proud of how I boldly went to that cash register. It was amazing by they way, and I hope I never pay that much for fish again.

We are looking so forward to serving Elmendorf Air Force Base!

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Thomas Troops

Why were you toting a dog around London?

Dear Brettaboo,

In January I saw Queenie Pup and immediately knew just the girl to love and care for her. She's so excited she's about to meet you and I wanted you to know a little bit about her before she becomes a permanent part of your heart and home.

Queenie Pup is one special dog. She was born of royal descent and bred to live in the palace (the one right down the street from Aunt Dinah of course). Queenie had heard about that rebellious colony with great fascination. When I met her it had always been her dream to travel across the pond. When she heard about you Brett, I knew it was a perfect match.

Queenie wanted a few final pictures before she came to live with you as she wanted you to have a little preview of her homeland. I hope you enjoy them!

I am so pleased with you Miss Eleven Year Old! It seems just like yesterday that you were nuzzled in my arms. I love you so much Brett! I can hardly wait for you to come and see me...

Love in Christ,

Aunt Dinah for The Troops

Queenie Pup with The Thomas Troops, out for a day of adventure!

Waiting patiently for her Coke at her favorite Irish pub - "MC Donald's".

Queenie Pup was so excited to be with the Thomas Queen Mum. You know how Nana has that special knack of making anyone feel comfortable.

With much reluctance, Aunt Dinah let Queenie Pup have the coveted first sip.

Jefferson and Queenie Pup waiting for our carriage.

Queenie Pup riding by Westminster Abbey.

Queenie Pup and Big Ben!

Queenie Pup at Trafalgar Square, be careful darlin', Lion's can be quite ferocious!

Don't fear, Wyatt's here! Wyatt saving Queenie Pup from the jaws of a lion's mouth. The struggle was long and arduous. Wyatt was so brave, you would have been so proud.

Melanee Kate sitting in front of the National Gallery comforting Queenie Pup. She may always be a little leery of lions so you'll have to be careful with her if you come upon any.

Queenie Pup with Nana and Aunt Dinah in front of Buckingham Palace.

Queenie Pup taking a rest after a long fun day in London town!

Why are you saying Gung Hey Fat Choy?

Dear family and friends,

Gung Hey Fat Choy...Happy New Years! Today we've been invited to spend the day with a Chinese officer and his family. We are so honored and excited.

We've done our homework, google style and are grateful for a little knowledge, but are looking forward to an education. We are all wearing red, have our gifts ready in just the right number with the right color of paper, know to not speak of death or the number four.

"How many children do you have?", will be answered with, "Well, first we had three, and then we had one more." Now that took some thinking but we're excited we have our answer.

Hopeful for the lack of an international incident...we'll keep you posted.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops

Are you going to throw your own Burns night next year?

Nana kept Master Jefferson for a night of pizza and movies.


I'm thinking about adding a child who plays bag pipes into our family. It would add such variety to our music. This gentleman was playing outside the Scottish club and we could hear his music echoing across the square as we were walking to the party.



My feet automatically go into a two step as do my husbands. My father paid a lot of money for me to learn a good two step at Texas A&M and I know he'll be glad he's still getting his money's worth.


This is our friend General Diab! He did a great job. There were WAY more men than woman due to so many gentleman not bringing their families for the shorter school course they are having this year. This made our girls quite popular as you will see.

Now this is my idea of line dancing. Standing in a line, yet meeting those men in the middle for all kinds of twirls, gallivants and stomping. They did a fantastic job of teaching us the dance and then calling it out for us as we went.

These are our dear Irish friends, Tonia Armour and her son Patrick. Notice Melanee Kate going for a twirl in the background.

Wyatt also does a great job dancing. Here he's waiting his turn patiently as he's up next. You should have seen the beautiful Brazilian woman who he danced with. Had I not known she is a lovely young lady I would have had to intervene.

The Thomas Troops and the Armour's minus Jefferson and Erin. Already having families in our own home made this night so special for all of us!

I think anyone could enjoy dancing under this ceiling. I would love a ceiling like this in my living room...my sweet Edward would have to dance with me every night.

Dear family and friends,

Why yes we are! A Robert Burns party will be thrown next February wherever we live and you are all certainly invited. Poetry will be read, accents will be a flyin', men and women will be dancin', and maybe we will even serve up some mighty Scottish Haggis.

The moment we find out where will be moving locating a great man who can blow the bag pipes will be a priority. Well, maybe not. I've never heard Amazing Grace played so majestically. It made me worship.

Love in Christ,

Dinah for The Troops

Can you make them short?

The parks are as beautiful as everyone always says. This is Saint James park which is in front of Buckingham palace.

Nana and General Diab join the troops for a little Texas BBQ. GREAT evening...Mother is always willing to jump into anything. Making new friends is one of my favorite things to do.

Dear family and friends,

I'm going to really try to start writing some short blogs! Is that possible? Only time will tell...

Mother is here, we still don't have Internet, we love where we live, we love Ed's school, lots of little overseas challenges, and we've been invited to spend Chinese New Year with one of the Chinese officer's and his family!

Have already had new friends over from Ireland, Australia, Lebanon, and two families from Texas.

We are taking the three older children tomorrow night to Burn's Night. We didn't know if we'd be able to take them to anything formal while in London. We are looking forward to an evening of friendship and Scottish dancing. Oh, and the children have been quite funny asking if we'll ride the bus in our formals.

Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops