A Whirlwind Week!

So much has happened the past nine days. We've waited for a mission call for four+ weeks, received a mission call, had relatives over to open the mission call, and then tried to get used to and accept the mission call. In addition, we've attended three graduation events for Billy: Commencement, a luncheon in the Skyroom, and Convocation. He graduated with his MPA (Masters of Public Administration). The next day, he sent his girlfriend off to Ghana for three months. On Saturday, April 25th, I had the last piano recital with my piano students. On Sunday, we had a birthday dinner for Zack at our house, but Jenny and Ryan cooked the meal.it was time to pack so that we could get on the plane on Monday, April 27, to go to Detroit to see Matt and Stacie, Jacob and Owen. We've spent the last week with Matt and Stacie enjoying their new little Owen and Jacob. We were able to celebrate Matt's 31st birthday with him on April 28th. That was also Amy's 38th birthday. Today, May 2nd, we had Owen's blessing. Scott Dalebout surprised us and was here for a Detroit Tigers ballgame last night, stayed the night, and was here for the blessing. On Monday, May 4th, we leave to go home. Whew! It's been busy!

Our mission call to the Democratic Republic of the Congo was really not too much of a shock, as we had corresponded with the mission president, Don Livingstone, for a couple of months. But, still it boggles the mind to think that we will be so far away for 18 months in a country we know very little about. IT WILL BE AN ADVENTURE! We are really going to have to step up our French. We will be able to go to the MTC and be tutored in French three days a week. Plus, we have to get all kinds of wonderful shots: yellow fever, cholera, DPT, MMR, and we have to take malaria pills every day all our mission. Doesn't it sound fun. We do know that we will be working in the mission office. I will be President Headley's secretary. Dick will work with finances and taking care of the missionaries. We will also probably teach English and maybe I will be teaching some keyboarding. It's very hot in the Congo because it's on the equator. The average temperature is around 90 degrees with 94 per cent humidity. Forturnately, we will have a two-bedroom apartment with air conditioning, and the mission office is air conditioned. We go into the MTC on July 27th, so we do have a little time.

Billy graduated and it was a happy time for all of us. He doesn't have a job yet, but he continues to put feelers out and apply for jobs that he knows are available. His girlfriend, Amy Brennan, left for Ghana for three months. So, he'll be lonely.

I was able to hold my last piano recital with my piano students. I have real enjoyed teaching these kids over the past three years. They are great kids and I will miss them alot.
Because Dick and I were going to Detroit to see our newest grandchild, Owen Scott Dalebout, we had to have a birthday celebration for Zack before we left because his birthday is on May 2nd, and we would be gone. So, we celebrated Zack's birthday on Sunday, April 26th.

We have had a wonderful time in Detroit, enjoying two cute little boys. Owen is so cute and is a good baby. Dick and I took Jacob to the zoo and had a great day. We celebrated Matt's birthday with the family and enjoyed a good meal at Buca di Peppo's. We also visited Henry Ford's home, which was very nice and interesting. Last night, Matt, Dad and Jacob went to a Detroit Tiger's game. When they arrived there, Scott Dalebout was there and surprised Dad. Matt knew he was coming but neither Dad nor I knew. Scott had been in Columbus, Ohio, with his work for Space Labs and drove up to see the game and be here for Owen's blessing. We were pleasantly surprised that he was able to be here. We had a nice day.

All in all, we have been on the move. And, I don't anticipate that things will change when we get home. So, we'll just gird up our loins and dig in our heels and continue all our preparations.