for mum. and the kids.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4.16-18

{i haven't forgotten the promised wales stories. when time is not quite so expensive, i'll set up a temporary wales blog. for the 2 out of my 4 faithful readers who want it. until then, visit steph's.}

the return

{far more gorgeous than the photos show.}

{josiah outside the church with tea.}

{the jenkins. my fantabulous host fam}

Josiah and I are home. We were welcomed by warm, steamy, fl rain. How appropiate.

The whole team is back, without any "international incidents." Some are sick and Amber's foot is still healing, but we'd do it again in a heartbeat. The church in Merthyr is amazing. I was affected by them in so many ways. Cheesy as it sounds, I have to admit I fell in love with the entire church of 90. (how's that for an un-dams statement) My host fam, the Jenkins, were especially precious. They displayed such humility, service, generosity, and hospitality. All with spectacular accents, of coarse. ;)

Aside from seeing my wonderful family, I'm struggling with jumping back into life. Culture shock hits most when you're home. Everything is strange. The cars are huge, the roads are wide, the land is unbelievably flat, we drive on the wrong side, billboards are everywhere, there's ice in my drink, I think it's 5hrs later than it is... Seriously, America in general feels very superficial. I'm struggling to adjust. Partly because I don't want to. I don't really want to interact with the world. Oh the selfishness! That's my whole purpose. How can I reflect His glory if I don't interact? How I need His grace. Anyway I'm rambling. If I don't stop thinking about the 'Welshies' there might be some tears in my coffee...A quick-jet-lagged-and-still-recovering update. More to come. I'll figure out the best way to show you photos. All 655 won't fit on here.

The post beneath is of my fam, since my "welsh family" wanted to see them.

Relying on grace.

the wells fam

my american family:

Dad (brian). He provides for us and teaches us important things: ways to grow in godliness and how to throw a good spiral. He plays drums for Grace and keeps us laughing with the teasing.

Josiah, 15. {no photo avaliable}
Keeps us all laughing with his straight-face wisecracks and piano songs that highlight our crazyness. The protective little-bigger brother for all of us.

Breanna, 12. The best roomate ever. She's a spunky little thing, the animal lover of the family. Very determined, and she can win pretty much any race she wants to.

Noah, 9. He has enough energy for all of us. Thoughtful about others, but comes up with all sorts of crazy stunts.
Mum (sandi). Who serves all of us so selflessly and joyfully. I don't even want to know what chaos our house would be in without her!


"If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." ~ 1 Corinthians 13.3-8a

wales.

4 days.
Josiah and I depart for London Gatwick Airport Thursday afternoon and arrive 8am Friday morning. A few hours later we end up in Wales. Where we will be with our host fams until July 23. It hasn't quite sunk in...it doesn't seem real that we're actually flying across the Atlantic ocean...to the UK...wow!!! (maybe it's not that big of a deal. as one prone to wanderlust, it is pretty amazing.)
We're helping the church with their "Family Fun Day in the Park". {And going to a pub. yes i could order a 'pint'; but i won't. we don't know what would happen ;)}
If you think about it: Pray that we share the gospel most effectively. Pray for the lost in Wales, that God would soften their hearts. Pray that God would encourage His church there. And please pray that most of all, He would be glorified and we would proclaim that most wonderful of stories before and after our trip; that'd we view life as a mission field.
Thanks ya'll. (my faithful readers: beks, als, & mrs wilcox.)

I'll try and take some photos. I'm sure one or two will end up here...as for whatever God has planned for my heart; that usually takes some time to realize.

(apologies for the hurried writing and therefore atrocious wordage).

please pray

please, please lift up the haughery family in your prayers.

little alivia went home yesterday afternoon. it would seem the lymphoma was victorious. but we know otherwise--she is being held in the arms of her Savior.

independance day

{the 1st photo isn't spectacular, but it's one of the most wonderful pieces of paper ever written. the 2nd is kids playing soccer on the mall in DC. --captain obvious.}

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand

Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

~francis scott key. c.1814~

Here's my annual "I'm glad to be American" post.

Because our national anthem is the coolest. *haha.

No really. I won't claim that America is perfect or "christian." But I do think we had a stellar beginning. Our constitution & bill of rights are incredible. Yes, I'm cheesy and patriotic and I love my country. (now you canadians can enjoi your own patriotism in being glad NOT to be american.)