Leavin' on a jet plane . . .

I don't have a ton of time to explain the madness that has gone on over the last few days, but wanted to update my blog before I leave. Leave, yes you heard correctly:) I will be flying off to Nigeria tomorrow. Karen and I both received our passports/visas just in time today. The glory goes all to God, because it's a miracle that we were able to get them today. I don't say miracle lightly either. When I get back I'll have to explain the series of events that had to take place in order for our fedex'd items to make it safely to two different destinations from the east coast:) Please keep us in prayer over the next several days. I can't wait to share all the experiences with you guys when I return!

The saga continues . . .

Oh, boy!!! The passport/visa has yet to arrive. I got a hold of our friend at the Nigerian embassy who reports mailing the packages on Wednesday for an overnight delivery (which would be this morning), so obtained the tracking numbers at that time. Well through many phone calls and investigating from Karen and I it appears that they were scheduled to arrive on Monday AM!! Not good when we leave Sunday PM!! Finally got Fedex to put a tag on the computer system to rush deliver on Saturday, but they couldn't give a definite answer that it would arrive Saturday. So, here we sit, still waiting. I will have to say that it is going to be an amazing story to tell of this miracle that is going to happen when we get on that plane on Sunday!! Please continue to believe with me in prayer that we both get our packages in the mail by tomorrow. I was reading this afternoon as I was sitting and waiting (not so patiently:) and ran accross the story of Lazarus. I figured if Jesus can show up after Lazarus is dead and raise him from the dead when everyone thought it was too late, the he sure can intervene and get our passports here by tomorrow!!

Yahoooo!!! Happy THANKSGIVING!

I have lots to be thankful for today!! Thanks for all the prayer support!!! I heard from my friend Muhammad at the Nigerian Embassy today that my visa/passport is on its way and should arrive in Bellevue on Friday morning! Some sort of "computer glitch" . . . Well anyway, I will be even more excited and relieved when it is actually in my hands! The issue now is that it has to be signed for when they deliver, and Katie and I will be working and the rest of the family will be out of town. But praise God it's worked out so far, so I am sure that it will all work out in the end. I keep you all posted, and again thanks for the prayer!!

The pictures are of my new little very first real Christmas tree that I picked out with the rest of the family at the farm on Sunday! Katie affectionately calls him Michael:)

Have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Nigeria Update

I'm off today because I am working this weekend. I think I could get used to having a day off during the week all the time:) Just sitting here trying to get caught up on the little things (ie. organizing, reviewing car insurance quotes--you know the fun stuff:) But the real fun begins when my new washer and dryer arrive anytime now. I will be doing laundry, and for the first time in my life actually be excited about that:) Although, if you have followed my blog for a while or have heard my stories, then you know I will probably miss my laundromat experiences!
Anyway, the point of my blog is to send out a prayer request. You know I leave for Nigeria is a little over a week. Well, I have yet to receive my visa--not to mention the passport and immunization record that I had to send to the embassy in order to receive the visa. Karen that I am traveling with is in the same boat also. I am confident that God is in control of this situation and all will work out. I would however, like to pray that it would come sooner than later, and am asking for prayer in that direction. I know there are big things ahead, and I can't wait to share all of the stories with everyone when I return!
I'll keep you updated, but appreciate the prayer support in the meantime!!

The big Move:)

Saturday my pod arrived around 10:00 and by 11:00 the contents had been emptied into my new apartment! Thanks to Mom, Dad, Katie, Andy, Michelle and friends. I can't imagine how many trips it would have taken without all the hands helping! It took me less than 10 minutes to get to work this morning--just about as long as it takes me to walk from my parking lot into the building that I work in--what's wrong with that picture:) I posted a few pics of the new chick pad. Mom, Dad and Katie helped me unpack many of my boxes on Saturday. I almost hate to post pics until it's all decorated, but was excited to share. I have yet to use the workout room, but it will need to become my new hang out after the last several weeks. The rooftop deck will have to wait for a BBQ until the temperatures reach a normal level again--just think we've only just begun for the season! Oh, almost forgot the funny on myself . . . so I received my keys to the place on Friday, so naturally I ran up the stairs to scope out my new place. Walked into the kitchen/living room and thought "someone must have put a pole in there in the last week, because I don't remember seeing it when I toured the place the first time" I guess we choose to block out the things that we don't want to remember:)

FYI: I talked with Karen tonight, and it sounds like every minute of our 2+ weeks in Nigeria is going to be packed full! I am so excited that words in this measly blog could not even come close to describing, so you'll have to trust me on this one.

Chow for now!