A NEW YEAR'S UPDATE!

2011 - Wow! We haven't anticipated a new year as much as this one! After our year of transition in 2010, we are so excited for all the new 'news' of this year.

• new country
• new language
• new mission work
• new relationships
• new style of worship
• new home
• new foods

How thankful we are that with all of these new experiences and challenges we have the same God leading us on this incredible journey He has called us to. Thank you to all who have joined us on the journey! Happy New Year!!

WE HAVE A DATE!

Okay, so we have a TENTATIVE date to leave for Africa...January 22nd! We are sooo excited. So why is the date tentative? Two reasons - visas and support.

VISAS: To live in Tanzania we need residency visas. Our applications for these visas have been submitted and we are waiting for their approval. We really have no control in this process. The wait is a little frustrating, but we are trying to be patient.

SUPPORT: We are down to raising the last 10% of our sustaining monthly support and the one-time cost of purchasing a vehicle worthy of driving in the African bush. Just in the past week we have had 6 new people join us as monthly supporters of our new ministry work!

Please continue to pray for our children as our departure time approaches, for the remaining support to pledged, and for the approval of our visas. Thank you!!

Update of 'Bucket List'

Back in August, the children came up with a list they called their African Bucket List. Basically, it is a list of things they want to do before we depart. Several people have asked recently about the list so I thought I'd share an update.

In Colorado, Heidi got to go horseback riding.
The girls visited an American Girl store.
We've eaten at both Chili's and Olive Garden.
They had a sleepover with their best friends - the Wilsons.
Morgan will soon be going on a "take as long as you want" trip to Barnes & Noble. (Thank you, Charlene!)

So today...Heather's Aunt Janie treated the kids to Chuck-e-Cheese. Really, we didn't think anybody was crazy enough to do this! We're just glad we didn't have to take them :)
They spent several hours eating pizza and playing all the games with 60 tokens each! The manager found out it was their last visit to Chuck-e-Cheese for a long time and donated some extra tickets and cotton candy! THANK YOU AUNT JANIE for making a wonderful memory for the children.