Hi all,
The day is almost here. Now that our visas are ready to go and our flights have been set, leaving for Ecuador seems more real and exciting than it has before. This past 6 weeks have , gone by like a blur and I know that it will continue to do so. Highlights from the past 6 weeks include our road trip, buffalo, caves, fishing, hiking, reading, painting, and, of course, my brother's wedding.
Our road trip took us through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho, and back to California. This drive was quite amazing as it gave us an opportunity to see more of the beautiful creation of our Lord within America. I am including a few pictures from along the way.
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| Twin Lakes Colorado |
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| Zion Park Utah |
Today was our orientation with the SIM office here and it was a great day of learning and meeting wonderful workers for the Lord. Plenty of people that have lived for years in other countries and committed their lives to missionary work. Truly a blessing to Kim and myself.
Kim: We are sitting here on our beds at the SIM guesthouse in Charlotte, NC counting down the hours until our departure. Only 10 hours until we leave for the airport! After a layover in Miami, we'll be on our way to Quito, and the trip we've been praying for and planning for the last year will officially have begun.
Like Doug, I find myself with mixed emotions- excitement, nervousness, anticipation, you name it. The only one that is conspicuously absent is fear. We were reminded in one of our meetings today with SIM staff members and missionaries of Joshua 1:9, which says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." This is a verse I know I will learn well over the next nine months! I know we will go through difficult times during this journey, but how reassuring it is to remember that God is right there by our side no matter where we are or what we're doing. Let the adventure begin!
