Life between 2 different continents

When we were in PNG we lived our lives fully in that country.  There would be times, of course that our minds would be more occupied with stateside matters than others- when hearing of a sickness or death or a struggle of some kind of a loved one.  But we were fully invested into our work there.  Being back state side for the last 6 months has been a surreal experience.Trying to assimilate back into our home culture and navigate all that it entails has been a challenge.

A time for....... (sorry this is on the long side)

While thinking about this blog I kept repeating this over and over again.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

We have experienced many different seasons of life, some to be expected, some much UNEXPECTED. This will be one of those blogs of living life in the season of unknowing, unsure, unsettled, and uncomfortable. I hope that King Solomon is not rolling over in his grave at my interpretation of what he wrote in Ecclesiastes.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

PRAYER

PRAYER 

Please be praying for the body of Christ in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea!  Since we have left in June we have heard countless stories of  trial after trial going on.  Many of which has affected people personally and as a whole community.  The latest occurrence happened a couple days ago as a pilot in training was in a very serious motorcycle accident on his way back to the center from the hanger.  He has since been medivaced to Australia for further medical treatment. To follow their story please click here 
http://theleedahls.com/2014/10/

This is a serious injury and this is a young family as they have 3 young boys.  Please pray for Jon and Andi Leedahl as they are walking through this huge storm in their lives.  Pray for wisdom with the doctors and for peace for all the family.  

Luggage

In the last few weeks, the to do list has had on it, to write a new blog. I have written out a couple while we were doing our travels but nothing has actually made it onto the computer.  Then today as I read my last blog post preparing for this post, I was surprised that I had already talked about our crazy first weeks in America- yea the brain has started to go!

  So I won't bore you with the continuing Michael family travel sagas.  Only to say for those of you who are keeping track-please tell me that there is someone else out there that likes to keep lists of these type of things,or have I gone over the edge,finally??  

When a missionary family returns....

When a missionary family returns to America after being gone for 3 years

  Ok we all knew and anticipated life was going to be crazy once we landed in mainland United States, but in reality it has been beyond crazy!!!!  Since we landed not quite 2 weeks ago this family of 5 has had 24 different appointments.  Here is a quick run-down on those appointments; So we have 3 less teeth, 1 in braces, 1 in orthodontic appliance (and another appointment made for more work on their mouths in a couple weeks), 2 in contacts, 1 that doesn’t need glasses at all, 5 teeth cleanings,3 cavities filled,7 chiropractor adjustments, 4 well people visits with an unsuspected ear infection found, 1 shot and 1 TB skin test taken and read. Getting 2 kids signed up for online schooling and all that entails. We also have thrown in a Welcome Home party for ourselves at a local park. An added stress of trying to get all these things done before we leave on Aug. 8^th to start the journey of Meliah starting college- which in itself is major stress. 

Pictures to tell of our busy lives the last few months

The much anticipated Banquet of 2014 happened this last weekend here in Ukarumpa.  

 Chad was involved in many different aspects of Banquet.  Chad made a cannon shooting booth. It was called Cannon Blast. Chad was also in the skit that the parents put on to honor the grade 12 students.  Chad was also asked to be a waiter for the dinner that night.  

Mom was apart of some of the Banquet prep for the week and had lots of odd and end jobs the night of, helping with serving up food, taking pictures. 

Lots of hard work from the parents went into making the Teen Center transformed into "Treasure Island" There were boats made, a Tiki bar, Bowling with coconuts, a couple different craft things to make, sword fighting wii play, lots of different things to keep the grade 11 and 12 busy all night long. 

An Exciting Announcement!!

NO Ruth is NOT pregnant!!!!  NO we are not adopting a new child into our family!!!

As of the beginning of May we are now home owners in 2 different countries!!!   We were able to buy a house here in Papua New Guinea from a family that has lived here for 20 yrs.  He has worked in the Aviation department as a mechanic. She has worked in the schools doing various tasks.  They've  had 1 son graduate from UIS and their daughter is graduating with Meliah's class.