2 plus Shock to My System!

The kids may feel like "it's just like home" but I would call this phase of our transition
"A 2plus Shock To My System". WOW! This is just one of those things in life you just really can't prepare yourself completely for. It just happens and you have no real idea how your going to handle it all until you actually have to walk in it.
WHEW!!
However, the sight that I am currently looking out at is Absolutely BREATHTAKING!!! One trailer down from ours there is a business....this business has WIFI. Sitting here in the business parking lot, if you can completely look over and block out the two trailers the mountain view is absolutely gorgeous!! It's a view I've always dreamed about seeing from my own home since moving to this town. Though that didn't or hasn't materialized and you can't see the view from our trailer but can from this vantage point because the business sits alittle bit up on a hill. Anyway I never imagined this would be the conditions of my dream view but here we are and here it is and it's just Amazing!! I don't have my camera with me or I would take a picture of the view for you but I will and I'll post it later. I've go to go anyway because the battery on the laptop is about to die. Got to go plug it in for a while, put kids to bed and give Matt his WIFI time with the mountain view, if it's still light by then or else he'll be checking his mail up here in the dark. He doesn't seem to mind that but I don't like to be up here in an unmarked 12 passenger van in the dark by myself. And yes, Matt did ask the business owner if we could use his WIFI :)

Well, there's more to post but that's all I can get out for now! Thank you all for your love, calls, encouragement and support!! Keep it coming!!

"it's like home"

James said to me this morning while watching the sat. morning cartoons "Dad, when we first came here it was nasty, but now it's like home" I'm glad that he is comfortable and just enjoying life as it comes. Oh to be a kid again, how much I could learn from getting their perspective. As for us, life is going... I don't know how to explain it. There are moments of excitement and moments of extreme exahustion. We are basically waiting now to see what God does in building our partnership team. I am also lining up churches to speak at. I am speaking at Cornerstone BC here in McMinnville this Sunday Evening, and to Jon Kent's youth group in Alabama on July 9th. I am waiting on dates from a few others and praying for many more opportunities. I need to learn to take info with us wherever we go, cause everywhere people are asking "when are you going?" "what are you doing there?" and much more...



Please keep praying for us that we would all feel at home being in the Lords will, trusting that he is in control.

TOO MUCH GOING ON!!

Hey everyone, Sorry we haven't posted with so much going on. we appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I have been working hard on some email newsletters for all our contacts about our joining OM and now about raising the support to do that. If you didn't get them and want to please subscribe with this link.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

As for life, we have made it through a week in the "Chuck Wagon." It's tight, but we are managing. It is hard to try to get everything in order when you know that you won't be there for long, but we have to get it so we can function. Last week the boys went to a VBS at the methodist church. I have been working in the van and at the library. I have found a wifi spot just up the road from the trailer and will be asking the owner if I can use it. We also have some friends from Northside that live about a mile away that have wifi that we can use too. Still, it's not the same as sitting in bed and surfing the net. So many adjustments, so little time. We just heard today that a family from Kentucky came and took Amos to their farm this weekend. We pray he is happy there. The cat is doing well with friends, though she is adjusting to living with other cats. And we still have Zoe.
We have also matured some tadpoles into little frogs and tried to adopt a baby bird that fell from a tree. It did eat worms from us, but didn't make it long.
I put the old rope swing up in a tree out front and we have found wild blackberrys to pick. For the kids, it's like being at a great camp all the time. We even heard of a nearby pond to fish in. For Myra and I, we are overwhelmed with all we need to do and are having to put our trust in God, who is not at all surprised or overwhelmed. We have a lot to do as far as building a support team and raising the finances to go, but are looking forward to seeing God do more than we could imagine. If you know anyone that might want to join our team please ask them to join the mailing list. If you think your church might be interested in hosting or supporting a family of 7 that is going to minister to muslims in London please get in contact with us so we can see about lining that up.

Moving, Day 2 Part 2

4:34pm still here and only a few hours left to be out. Matt just took yet another load to goodwill and then we'll load up the last of the stuff to be taken out to the trailer. Ash, John and the kids should be here in the next hour or so....looking forward to a fun night with them.

Moving, Day 2 Part 1

Well, I made it overnight at the "new place" and now I'm back! Bed gone but internet still connected :). I'll be campin over here for most of the day I think. Finishing up getting everything packed up and outta here. Ahhh...it's nice to be back, even if it's just for the day, I'm in a better mood already. Looking forward to Ash and the Fam. coming in today for a night or so.

Moving, Day 1 Part 4

Application:
What have I learned about myself through all this:

• I am a creature of habit( I think I knew this already).
• I am homey....not homely, Homey....meaning I tend to like to be at home. I'm an extravert so I LOVE to be with people but I love being home just as much and home with lots of people is THE BOMB!
• I have a thing with smells.......meaning I can easily be drawn to them(nice ones) or REPULSED by them.......hopefully by the time I get there the trailer will be smelling much better. we have put alot of things into play, candles, air fresheners, coal in metal tins(Thx Carla!), super-d-duper air filtration device, room spray, fans to circulate air, etc. So hopefully all these tatics or at least one of them will work :) I didn't realize how smell sensitive I was until now.....things that make ya go hummmmm....
• I'm alittle more flexible than I used to be and not as spoiled I guess. Is that a good thing? I hope so.

I have worked between posts.....worked a lot! packed a lot, organized a lot, thrown away a lot. But still so very happy to still have my bed and this laptop.....though my mom just called me on my cell phone and said that my home phone has been disconnected.......aaaaaaaaaaaaaa....it's all really happening! I guess that means I won't be able to post this, I'll save it and post it later. WOW! I just called my home phone 931-815-8335(just post that number as written reminder of what our number was for 8 years here) and it said "this number is no longer in service"......sad. We were supposed to keep voice mail for a few more months so that we could leave a forwarding message and number and recieve messages for a bit longer....guess that didn't happen but I think Matt is calling the phone company now to check.

oh, wait...it posted.......huh....ok cool!

Moving, Day 1 Part 3

Ha! This is fun! I know I may overwhelm people, as Matt says with too many posts but it's for my record keeping anyway right?...if you want to read, read, if not don't.

You know how very busy people say "We are NEVER home!" I don't know if they are proud of that fact or not and for these purposes it doesn't really matter but that's is going to be my motto for the next 6 weeks :) Matt, take it easy, This may not be true, it's just how I'm currently feeling. I still workin' on that right perspective. This helps me to get there, really it does.

p.s. if your reading moving days you might want to start with Day 1 Part 1

Moving, Day 1 Part 2

Matt suggested that I label these part 1, 2, etc. because he said "who knows how many times you might need to post today." True and so it is.

The guys returned, ate lunch, loaded again and headed back out. Home alone again.....ahhhhhh. I don't know that I've been alone this much in my own home in 8 yrs :) I'm sure I have, it's just been awhile. What makes me most happy? That my bed(which I'm in) and the laptop(which I'm on) are still here and I'm still connected :) What makes me sad? The next trip the guys make might have to included both :( This COULD be the last post from this "post" forever. I've done A LOT of posting from this position.......EARLY mornings, Late Nights, MIDDLE of the nights, mid-day.........when things were good, when things weren't so good, etc. This is just my most favorite place to be, in good times and bad, in my comfy cozy room, in my comfy cozy bed at the end of the house w/ WIFI as such an extra added blessing!

Can you tell I'm going to fully enjoy it until the VERY last second?

I've checked on the cat and she's managing......under beds but managing. Oh yeah, the children too are doing very well and 3 are having a great time a Gi's. I'm kinda glad their not here to see all their beds and things being moved out and away, Rachel especially, she's been a bit emotional lately. Thanks Mom!

P.s. The new owners have already been by twice, last night and today....i think they are anxious to get in, or getting working on it, I know I would be too. I let J.(new owner) know I was staying until he drug me out :) I think he knew I was kidding.

Moving, Day 1 Part 1

Yeah! My internet connection still works and I'm still at the house......alone I might add, it's kinda nice. I've figured out that if I'm here I'm fine and doing really well packing and boxing everything up. I am just stalling, delaying and putting off being in the new place AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!

Matt and Chris just drove off with the first MAJOR load of BIG stuff, the two oldest boys went with them to the trailer(a.k.a. the chuck wagon) and John-John and the girls were going to be dropped off at moms for awhile. This is good. Everyone's happy and I'm still at home :) Ok, here' s alittle sad part....with just 2 pets now. Kirsten came and got Naomi about an hour ago and those were the first tears of the day. Most moved by it....me and James, least moved by it.....Matt, Rachel and John-John (only b/c Rachel and John-John had no idea that anything emotional was taking place at the moment b/c they were playing in the party van). Josiah was sad only because James and I were sad, not b/c he would miss the cat, he didn't really like her awhole lot anyway. Rebekah is/was kinda in denial and saying "bad Naomi" I think just so she could get through the moment. And then she said "and Dad said we could get a new cat in England and you'll be so proud of a new cat." We'll be keeping intouch with Naomi's new family and maybe even get to go visit before we leave the states.

Amos is going to try and spend the night at his new home tonight, it's in the neighborhood. I was going to take him to the trailer but I'm just not too sure how that would work out. His new owners I have a feeling will be having to come back here to 76 Melanie St. to pick Amos up until he realizes we're not coming back and they'll be the ones feeding him from now on. He's smart he'll figure it out but not too sure how he'll like it at first. I know I'm not likin' givin' him away! More tears to come but as I told James as we were sitting in the garage crying about Naomi, "it's ok to cry and be sad and you feel better afterwards," he nodded and said "yea, afterwards."

Off to pack more stuff while it's quiet and there's no distractions....sure wish I was basking in the sun at the pool playin with my kids. We'll be there soon just maybe not today.

The Not So Fun Part

Ok, so this is the "not so fun" part. Last night was our last night here and today will be full of "lots of lasts" at 76 Melanie St. We'll be moving most everything out today, having our first night at the other place and moving whatever is left out tomorrow. Wow, this is NOT the easy part.

I think my sister and her family may be coming up from b'ham tomorrow, that will help. And I just want to forget all this and go to the pool!! I just have to keep telling myself it's not as bad as I think it is(my new living conditions).......and it really isn't, it's just my perspective is stuck in the old and needs to be embracing the new. I'm workin' on it.

Off to pack and move......who knows when I'll be able to post next or even check my email for that matter b/c we're going back in time where those things don't exsist or cable either :)
No, we'll go downtown once a day or so and be able to access free WIFI, just pray for us and be patient with us :)

Lunch Round Table Discussion

The boys and I were talking over lunch, well actually this convo. started over dessert....brownies and Ice Cream left over from Woodard birthday celebration last night......HAPPY BIRTHDAY M & M!!! Ok, I digress......

John-John: One day, Mom, Ms. Hannigan(from the movie Annie...which they watch often and watched yesterday) might turn into a witch.

Me: Huuuuuuu! John-John, I hope not! Not if she gets Jesus in her heart.

James: I doubt that.....

Me: JAMES, you never know. Someone may tell her about Jesus and she might accept Him into her heart and then become like Him, instead.

James: I don't think so, she's worse than Satan.

Me: Worse than Satan....I don't think so, he's the worst.

Josiah: Ms. Hannigan is Satan's wife.

Me: WHAT? SATAN'S WIFE! I would hate to be his wife.....(thinking)...but I guess if you're not married to God then you're married to someone else....(thinking)....uggggggg....I would hate to be Satan's wife! He's a horrible husband!

All of us: LOL.......

Me: I've got to write this down.......

The things kids say and that we talk about :) I'm glad we talk and I love my kids!!!

From This to That

Ok, Family.....if you can't handle it don't look or read and come back when you can. I'm ready to post the first pics. I'm trying not to be too emotional yet so I'll probably not comment too much on what the "this" picture means to me and on what the "that" picture means either. Let's just process the pictures for now so Here we go..... From this:

To This:

See it's not that bad and they both have their "pro's and con's". We'll talk about those later. The kids love it out there at the new place and the horses are a definate bonus!! Even if it's just for 6 weeks :)

The Chuck Wagon

Well, yesterday we went out to see our "new" home for the next 6 weeks. On our way there James referred to it as the "wagon", which I found kind of humorous and fitting and by the time we left the kids were calling it our "new home". Wow, they transition fast. I'm not quite there yet. Pics to come but I'm not quite there yet so you'll have to wait for the pics.

I'm a bit overwhelmed as to how we're going to get the environment we're moving into ready to be moved into in the next 5 days AND how we're going to get all our stuff out of here and into there in the next 5 days. BIG TASK AHEAD! Better get started.......

Wow, this is hard and humbling. However, after viewing our new home I saw a new friend of mine and they are 11 people living in 1,100 square feet. We can do it, I know we can it's just not easy.

One of the greatest comforts and luxeries I have been having a hard time with lately is giving up wireless internet. I LOVE my bed and I REALLY LOVE wireless and my bed!!! Well about two weeks or so ago, one morning we were waking up and Matt was checking his email in bed....the baby was between us and she just accidentally and not really hard "heeled" the laptop and the whole monitor went black. A week later we find out we just need a new monitor and order it. There was a message on the machine when I got back this weekend that said for some reason the order was or has been canceled....uggggg....I was hoping it would be all fixed when I got home this weekend and I could enjoy once again my bed and wireless. Now it looks like it won't be fixed before we have to move out and then we'll have no internet connection AT ALL. We'll be going downtown for free WIFI. We thought about hooking it up for 6 weeks but I'm not sure how much that would be or if it would be possible or wise. At least I'll still have my bed.....for now at least.

Off to the eye Dr.

Happy Birthday Rachel

More details and Pics to come........

Home Sweet Home!

Matt and the kids met me in Chattanooga last night. I knew I wanted to start back home ASAP after the conference but I knew I was too tired to drive all the way. It was a sureal reunion......undescribable the feeling of seeing them and loving on them after being away all week. We stayed up late swimming in the pool and watching cable!

We got up this morning and drove straight into town, stopped at the farmers market and then went to John-John's T-ball game. He had one last night too but when Matt asked him about going to it vs. coming to meet me in Chattanooga he said "I've already played enough games for them anyway." How cute! So we made it back in time for his game and then came home! Home, Home, Home!! Now it's pack, pack, pack. We have 10 days to be out.

Night 4 - OM Training week

Last night we decided to put up the tent and sleep outside. We took these pics while Myra was on the phone. Rachel and Josiah were already asleep.

Yea, I'm a softy, I took the air matress out and slept on it instead of the ground. Rachel and John-John joined me. Once they were asleep I moved to the other end, but Rachel found me in the middle of the night and joined me, wiggling all night long. I don't care, great memory making moments
It was fun. I really wanted to celebrate (we finally closed on the house) with Myra with a nice dinner or something, but since shes not here, we did the next best things in a kids world. Eating at sonic and camping out in the backyard. Now we have 10 days left in our house, then we have to be out. Lots of emotional days to come I'm sure. It will be hard to leave this place, and I guess we will be giving away at least Amos now too. Maybe we can keep some of the pets till we leave, but not sure. One step at a time.
Rachel was up with the birds at about 5:15. So, its gonna be a long day. Probably going swimming, then Johnathan has a t-ball game at 8:10, which with delays will probably be later. He said he would take a nap today to have energy for the game. he is fun to watch, he gets just about every out playing "pitcher" and running each hitter down before they make first base. he has also hit a few "home runs". We are hoping Myra will get done early and make it back tonight, but if not, should be home tomorrow before lunch. Yea!!!

Day 4 OM Training

I'm tired! This is hard work but good. There's not going to be much meat to this post because I'm just that drained and have to turn in soon. Today was a lot of study.....bible, countries, self, a great deal of prayer and some really wonderful connections and communications with people. Let me tell you "People make the world go round!"
This has been an incredible week....one that I will never forget! I'm so blessed and so thankful for this time and was just in tears in worship tonight because I wished that so many of YOU could be here with me!
I am also SOOOOOOOOOO ready to come home!!!! Tonight I spoke to 3 of the 5 before bed, 2 had already fallen asleep. Here's the convo. Rebekah and I had
R: Hi, mom
M: Hey bek bek, how are you? Did you have a good day?
R: Are you coming home now?
M: No baby, I'm still working, in a meeting. I'll be home soon!
R: You're taking too long
M: Awwww.....I know, I'm sorry, I'll be home soon. I love you!

It's hard to be away but I'll be home soon!!

Day 3 - OM Training

what a day - Myra says that I'm doing to much. I guess I just like to keep the kids active, then they don't get board and either fuss and fight or whine about stuff. yesterday we went swiming twice, and went to the river to catch some tadpoles. Today we went to walmart for some duct tape for tonight, then to the pool for an hour, then home for lunch. Girls took naps while the boys and I watched "the Game Plan" Then the boys went down to the nieghbor's house at 3 to play and swim. The girls got up at 3:15 and I took them down too. I then put together a hashbrown casserole and took my first real shower since myra left (I have been swimming). Then got everything ready and picked the kids up to go to church. when we arrived I realized I had left my copies for the night at the house, so I dropped the boys off and the casserole and went back with the girls. we got back at 6 and ate, then had FamilyTIME. Chris was leading tonight so I was able to just chill out and enjoy the night. here are some pics of our Tower Building contest. we are talking about humility for the month and tonight was about the Tower of Babel and how God humbled that proud people. We split the kids into three groups and gave them a sheet with instructions in spanish, french, dutch, italian and sweedish. We told them to build. It was fun to see the team dynamics and in the end we had three really good towers. the tallest one fell down before we started awarding points so they didn't win, but still the object lesson made its point as the story was told.

Myra seems to have had a good, long, fun, and exhausting day. They have been put into tribes (groups) for the week and they were all taken to the airport and give $15 to get to centenial park. In the process they had a list of "tasks" they had to do. then at the park, they went out sharing the gospel. they had lunch at a church that some OM friends go to and we have actually been to before. Myra go to catch up with our friends, then got back and Myra "hung out" for a while. She seems quite tired and needs sleep, but there isn't much time for it. I am praying for rest, focus, and Joy overflowing for her. Looking forward to how God uses all of this for us and our future. Trusting that God is in control and looking forward to being back together.

Day 2 Training Week OM USA

I don't know how much I have left to give tonight but I hated to miss a day to say something and especially if I say anything at all it's THANK YOU!! Thank you for praying for me, loving me and being what you are to me. I would not be here without you.....it's a team effort and I have such a wonderful team!! Beginning first and foremost with my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ who has saved and redeemed my life and my story. I would NOT be here OR be able to make it through this week without Him. Next, my incredible husband......I don't need to say much because all of you that know him KNOW how incredible he is and how much he does for me, my kids, family and SO many others. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him and we wouldn't be considering OM or them considering us if it wasn't for him and his family. Matt, thank you! I know EXACTLY what you mean when you say it's(my job, kids and stuff) easy if that's the only thing you have to do and your soul purpose for the week......isn't it freeing???? AND FUN!!! I miss it, you and all the kids MADLY!!!
Believe it or not, it is easier that what I am having to do this week. I'm totally out of my element and comfort zone most of the time here. It's a great deal of soul searching, which I love don't get me wrong, but painful what you find and have to deal with and process. Sometimes all by yourself and sometimes one on one and sometime with a whole group of people. You all know I love people but I don't trust easily......here it is bare your soul to complete strangers and leave it there not knowing how your heart will be received or treated. I've been hurt already and I've been healed, and there's just more of that tomorrow and the rest of the week. But that's not really something to look forward to. Necessary but not welcoming.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings......Lots of sitting, lots of eating both of which bother me in large doses and I have yet to be able to get a run in......ugggggg.....I run at home whenever I want and I have 5 kids and a husband and 3 pets and lots of things that keep me very busy but I still manage to get a run in and have yet to find time for one yet. I get antsy if I can't run and I have to sit still too long and eat too much :) I'm being tried and trying to remain true :)

My favorite part so far........so many wonderful and incredible people and stories!!! Some of them would just blow your mind!! And put you in complete tears.

Keep praying for my eyes and I miss my life back home!!!!

Day 1 - OM Training Week

Usually Myra is the one that keeps everyone up to date on the goings on for us Jacksons, but she is in Atlanta this week at the OM USA base for training and I am in McMinnville with the kids. Yes this is a reversal of how it has usally worked in our lives, but I guess its about time. Myra left this morning around9 :45 with the plan to be at OM USA by 3:30 eastern time. She struggled with her eyesight and was frustrated by barely being able to read road signs till they were right up on her, but only missed one turn and that was more cause she was on the phone that because of her eyesight. Thankfully it was in the neighborhood of OM, so she realized it and turned around and called me. It sounds like she is wore out from a long day of travelling and now being treated like a single (rooming with the singles in the bunk house) rather than like a mother of 5. When people see the 5 kids they give some extra grace and love, but without them, I'm guessing she is seen as just another girl who is setting out to be a missionary. As young as my wonderful wife looks, they probably think she just got out of college too. I'm sure Myra will have fun telling the real story. I really wish that they would have just let our whole family go. The leader of the conference assured me that they are working on that, but right now there is just nothing for the kids and it isn't fair if some families get to come and some have to leave their kids behind. I understand that.
So anyway, as for here at the homefront: First, I am thanking God that we are still at the homefront. If we weren't still waiting to close on the house we would have been moved out this past weekend and in a new place without all the comforts we now here. Hopefully we will close this week. I jumped through a few hoops for the FHA inspector this weekend and think that we have done everything we need to do now to finish this process.
The kids and I had a great day. I realized already that it is much easier to be with the kids all day, when that is what I am planning on doing and not worried about anything else. They all played great together. Then I got about an hour break while they went down to a neighbors house, then one of the neighbors came up for dinner and a bonfire. The boys are so into legos right now that they are spending hours in their room. It will be so worth it to me to use up a whole suitcase of space just for those legos when we move. The girls borrowed a "Kidsongs" video from the neighbors and watched it three times already. That's good, because they need to learn a new song other than "A, B, C...." I love that they love to sing it, but it seems like that is all they know and Rachel just sings it at random all the time.
Well, they are all sleeping soundly and I'm ready too. Praying that Tomorrow is just as good for me and way better for Myra.