Let's go to... Iowa & Missouri

So far, so good.  Many different places, many different faces.  Our trip has been very enjoyable thus far.  I have really enjoyed seeing and meeting everyone we have come across over the past few weeks.  Some may think we are nuts for traveling around for a month with two little ones.  Maybe we are.  Although, so far, it’s gone really well.  Sure we’ve had our ups and downs with the kids, especially when they don’t get to bed until after 9pm after only having a short nap or no naps at all.  They can get a little fussy, but really they haven’t been any worse than they would be at home.  I think they are really enjoying going to new places, meeting new people, and seeing lots of family along the way.  

Family picture in front of my grandma's house 

We’ve gone from churches surrounded by cornfields to a historic church in the city to Mission Central.  Mission Central is located near Mapleton, IA on an old farm.  The big red barn has been converted into an International museum of religious artifacts from missionaries around the world.  Old Missionary Gary, founder of Mission Central, seems to work day and night, along with his many volunteers, to raise money and support for LCMS missionaries around the world.  We were privileged to spend our day at Mission Central with Christian motorcyclist as well as a few of our supporters.

We’ve gotten the chance this past week to spend a few days with my side of the family, in between a few church stops.  We’ve spent time with my grandma, aunt, parents, & sister’s family so far and in a week will catch my brother’s family.  We also had the chance to stop at the Lutheran Campus Center of Northwest Missouri State University, where I lived during college.  My senior year at Northwest, I crocheted a blanket with the letters NW on it.  Below is a picture of the kiddos and I saying goodbye to that blanket.  One of many things I have decided to pass along instead of packing away in storage for (who knows how many) years.

Samuel picking shiitake mushrooms at Grandpa & Grandma's.

 4 Cousins playing at the park.

This trip really reminds us a lot of our extended travel team that both Micah and I were on about 10 years ago with Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ: traveling from state to state, going from church to church to present, staying with host families at night.  Leading up to the trip, I was afraid we would be eating fast food most days.  I should have known better, as we’ve been very blessed. We’ve only had to eat out a few times thanks to amazing churches and wonderful hosts.

We even took a picture with the church sign at Pastor Mueller's church (who was also on the extended travel team).  Just like we did at all the churches 10 years ago.

One final unrelated note: For the first time, I can definitely feel baby (17 weeks along) moving while writing this post!