Final Days

Between our orientation and our first field placement, we were given 3.5 weeks of down time. So, how did we spend it? Well, we did a little bit of everything.

For the first couple of days, we unpacked and squeezed in the necessary doctor visits. We also went to visit our friends at the co-op that we’ve been a part of for the last 4 years. It was fun catching up with our friends over lunch, though one hour wasn’t nearly enough!

Then, we packed up and headed to the beach for 7 days with my parents. While we were there, we had a great time. We read, worked puzzles, played games, and explored the Outer Banks. We also spent lots of time on the beach building sand castles and boogie boarding by day and chasing ghost crabs by night.

While there, we visited a local lighthouse,

explored the Wildlife Center,

ate hot, yummy, made to order donuts,

Climbed the sand dunes at Jockey's Ridge,

And explored the local souvenir shops.

After we returned from our beach trip, it was time to work. We rolled up our sleeves and spent about 4 days packing, purging, repacking, repurging, and getting our luggage down to this pile.

We were hoping for 14 suitcases plus carry-ons, but instead we ended up with 17 checked pieces, 7 rolling carry-ons, and 7 backpacks.

After all of that hard work, it was time for another break, so we headed to Knoxville, TN to visit some friends. They gave us the opportunity to share with their congregation about the journey we’ve been on the last couple of years. It was fun sharing about what God has been doing in our lives.

While we were there, we celebrated Abe's 4th birthday for the first time.

From there, we headed to Cherokee, where we spent some time with some great friends.

The kids had a blast playing in the hot tub by night and exploring Cherokee culture by day.

Lizzy and Alexa found themselves in the middle of a Cherokee dance line (surprise, surprise!)

The kids enjoyed the tour, but they girls got the giggles when we figured out, quite by accident that the guides undergarments, or lack thereof, were authentic too!

How cute is this baby? I must admit that his flopping head made me a bit nervous!

Celebrating Abe's birthday for the 2nd time!

Gorgeous view from our cabin!

After that visit, we drove 30 minutes to Maggie Valley to meet Ryan’s parents. They had borrowed a cabin from a friend and we met there for a few more days of mountain fun.

Lily and her Nana

Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Some of the many elk that we saw during our day of hiking in the park.

Abby and her Nana

Sweet sisters

This was taken just minutes before the "accidentally" got wet in the creek. They were soaked by the time it was all said and done!

40 years these precious people have been married!

Did I mention the fact that the mountains were amazingly beautiful?

Finally, we headed back to NC for the final round of laundry, carry-on packing, our last day of worship at Faith Baptist Church for the next few years, and of course...

Round 3 of Abe's birthday celebrating!