The Unfamiliar Becomes Familiar

For the first several weeks we were here in PNG, life was just so “unfamiliar”, nothing was “normal” to us. In the last few days things are finally becoming “familiar” to us. We’re starting to get names and faces and families figured out! Most things have found a place in our new home. Knowing what the store has and doesn’t have is becoming more routine. Knowing where people live and places are and getting to know the short cuts in the community is helping a ton since you have to walk everywhere!!!
We have settled into a pretty good daily routine at least for now. All 3 girls enjoy school and their friends and activities.
Meliah is in softball and doing “Soul Purpose” which is a youth group and also a small group of girls that meet another night a week. It seems someone is always having a movie night on Friday nights so Meliah is a part of that also.

Annakah is playing trumpet, getting horse riding and horse care lessons at least 1x a week. Her friends are over here, or she is over there any chance she gets.
Kiernan is enjoying every minute of being 6 ½ yrs old and loves to annoy her sisters. She has been to 2 birthday parties already and lots of play dates. She loves to read to us and play school.
Chad is working as a programmer and trying to figure out where he fits in there. He does a Tuesday morning bible study with a group of guys. He’s anxious to get out and ride his newly acquired bicycle on some trails off center on Saturday. He is all signed up to climb the biggest mountain in PNG (Mt Wilhelm 15,000ft) in September.
We are both involved in a small group on Tuesday nights, so that is so nice to get some adult time in.
I’ve just started being a parent volunteer 1 morning a week in Kiernan’s class. And I was just asked to join a Wednesday morning ladies bible study which will start next week. And then on Wednesday afternoon I meet with a couple ladies from our small group just to be together.
In the last few days we have had to say our first goodbye since we’ve been here. Our fellowship family Loren & Kensey Ledebuhr went home to the states for a year-long furlough. Our families hit it off so fast and well that it was a hard goodbye. But with them leaving we acquired there dog to babysit. Her name is Inca and she is great with the kids but her bark keeps rascols away (rascols are bad guys). Also with Ledebuhrs being on furlough we have done a “car swap”. We will use their car here in PNG and they will use our van while traveling in the states. So God again knows what we need before we do!!! We have made some great connections with other families here in PNG. And are truly amazed at how our kids have adjusted. They act like this has been this way their whole life.
Thank you all for your continued prayer support! We love you and miss you all!