Into Uganda and Almost

 After 21 hours of flying we landed in Entebbe around 11:00pm. No trouble at all with customs and we are safely at the hotel. Tomorrow morning a regular driver for SOS will pick us up and drive us the 3 hours north to SOS facility. Both of us slept a few hours here and there on the flights, but we are looking forward to a full night sleep (hopefully, as it is now 2:38pm CA time). Nicki is already out, so I will try to follow her good example.

Over Greenland (Whiteland?!)

The first flight was a fun route. Up through Canada, above Hudson Bay and over Greenland. Just before we finished crossing Greenland the sun came up. It was spectacular to see the mountains filled with snow.

After getting past the mountains, the ocean was filled with little ice packs. Then 3 hours later we landed in lush green Amsterdam. Flat and beautiful country.

Uganda Trip Day 1

After Charlie was most punctually picking us up and safely bringing us to the airport. We made it in with no issue. We are now in our seats, soon to take off to Amsterdam (10 hours) and then Entebbe (10.5 hours).  We are pretty sleepy, so I expect we will sleep most of this first leg.

Christ Community was abundantly generous as we ended up bring 13 x 50lb checked bags. Many books for leisure reading, 63 textbooks for the seminary, lots and lots of tasty food, a couple chainsaws and tree climbing gear. Friends of SOS are sending much love in 50lbs cases to spread the love of Jesus to Uganda.

Each step of the way and each item done on the check list, the Lord has been our shepherd thus far. We look forward to follow His leading over the next 10 days. From getting phone calls at just the right time, to sending some letters from the airport, the Lord provided just enough time to complete everything He had planned. 

Whit, Thad, Rosie and Rusty are most excited to now spend 10 days with grandma and grandad! We miss you’al all ready. I am sure they will have many stories to tell when we return.

See you tomorrow from Amsterdam!

Backyard Transformation

Nicki is the most content women on the planet. To provide for our family, the Lord has had us at our current home nearly 7 years. Never once do I remember Nicki ever complaining about the size of our backyard. It is not huge, but we have strategically planted a trampoline as the centerpiece. 

”But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.“

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It has taken sweat and toil to dig, contruct and repeat many times. But with 4 fabulous children who can dig like moles and who love to help every way possible, we have made it fun for the children and comfortable for guests. 

I must say, the greatest gain i have found from being content with a small yard is a darling wife I would happily spend a lifetime with, even if it meant living on a postage stamp!

Six years ago today, April 5, 2018 we completed the basic yard with a make-shift trampoline in a hole.

The following year in 2019 we added rings, a swing, a hammock and log platforms to jump on the trampoline. This lasted 3 years until all the logs rotted and we had to remove them.

Here is the yard with some snow March 15, 2021

In  May 2021 we tried putting a pool in the trampoline hole. But with old rotting plywood and mud, it was a mess and it put holes in the pool many times.

 So we did an upgrade. Including adding a 55 gallon barrel 8 feet below ground level for a drain we regularly pump out.

January 2022 we added a block wall and a trampoline designed to be installed in the ground.

Summer of 2022 the second pool was much better success.

The patio cover and tile we put down in 2019. Also notice this is the original fence that came with the house in this picture spring of 2023.

Our last big project last summer 2023 was to replace the fence and add a couple more tiled patio areas.

There is always more on the list to-do. But we are ready with my amazingly industrious wife and 4 creative and hard working children.

Chainlink fence v. Oak Tree

The wonder of God’s creation is daily meant to wow us. Many times I have seen tree’s grown on a fence, but never this much. Many tree’s would not tolerate such and invasive collision with this fence, but this oak tree has completely meshed with this fence. May this tree today turn our eyes from the wonder of creation to the wonder of our Creator, who made this tree able to adapt a fence intruding through the entire middle of it’s trunk!

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

http://customtreecare.blogspot.com/

Oak Tree Trimming

This tree doesn't appear to be big, but likely it is near 200 years old. The trunk is well over 6 feet in diameter at the base. It is trees like this that are really fun to trim. By previous cuts, it looks like this tree was last trimmed 20 years ago. There is no evidence it had ever been trimmed before that. To gauge perspective of the size of this tree, look at my 9 foot tall chipper truck parked underneath and the 16 foot ladder at the base just to get into the first crotch!

Check out more pictures here: Custom Tree Care

Before

After

We're Back!

 It appears once Nicki started to have babies, the speed of time increased! Well we are back. 

More then just posting pictures and keeping people aware of our life, this blog will be a tool for sharing what the Lord is doing. The Apostle Paul told Titus to speak the things fitting for sound doctrine. The goal with this blog will be just that. As the Lord speaks to us through his word, this blog will repeat what we have learned.

I look forward to sharing our life and sharing the grace of God he has displayed in our lives.