at the Cascade Falls

Itsy Bitsy Spider...

I have been trying to blog for a couple of days now, but having trouble.
I have to remember that "I'm not in Colorado anymore."
I think that my problem is patience. It takes a LONG TIME to download a picture, I will keep trying.

We are still in Port Vila. We will not leave for the village until next week.
Erik will leave on Thursday and the rest of us will follow on Friday.
Since Erik had to leave very quickly because of his emergency appendectomy not everything was put up and the rats have probably been into things. I know that he wants to make sure all is in order when I get there.

Michele has been shopping for supplies. They will send them out on the boat Tues and they will arrive on Thurs. or Friday.
Shopping here is quite the adventure I will try and write about it at some point.

We have been to the Cascade Falls and the beach to snorkel. The weather has been good, warm without rain. The South Pacific is a beautiful place.

I will end this post with a drama from last night.
I was getting ready for bed straightening out my sheets when I saw a big spider hanging out on the wall.

"Sierra, is that spider real?"
It was so big that I thought it might be one of those fake ones.
"No grandma, it is real."
Hmmm.
"ERIK," I shouted loudly.
He slowly walked into the room.
"I really would be more comfortable with that spider gone. He is close to my head."
"That is a wolf spider and it will not hurt you, he eats other bugs."
Not comforting...I want him gone.
Erik comes back into the room, with a broom.
He swats at the spider before I get my camera.
It jumps, I scream ,and it disappears.
Questions is where did it go? It was not dead so
it is under my bed, across the room, or in my bed.
Erik shrugs.
Sierra laughs, " In Tanna, there will be spiders bigger than that in the bathroom."
And that is why I do not turn on the light I think to myself. What I don't see will not hurt me.
At that point I shook my sheets, and went to bed I was to tired to worry over one little spider.

South Pacific Time...

The people on this side of the world go by their own time. They call it "not white mans time."
Being on time doesn't matter to them and they don't seem to mind when a 10 minute task takes a hour or two.
Since I'm the opposite in this area, I find that I have to ignore when things don't go according to my time schedule and instead go with the flow of whatever is happening because my stressing over it will not change it.
So that when we were leaving Fiji yesterday and because the line was so long that it took an hour to get to the counter, and then when they were printing out our boarding passes the computers went down for another hour, and then our 11:10 flight was moved to 12:40 and 1:30 until it got cancelled completely due to computer failure that I decided to be thankful and meet some of the interesting people that were missing the flight with me.
At that point they decided that in order to get to Vanuatu they would take us to Honoria which is in the Solomon Islands almost to Papau New Guinea, and then from there we would fly back to Vanuatu.
And without further ado we flew for 8 hours, with two meals, and lots of seat changes, that
Sage and I decided to look at it all as an adventure.
I was very thankful though when we finally arrived in Vanuatu around 8 p.m. and my whole family was waiting.
I have spent the day marveling that I'm actually on the other side of the world, that we made it here on the day we were scheduled and thanking God for this time.

What Day Is This?

We just crossed the international date line. This means that it is now Monday morning, and we just lost Sunday.

They are collecting money on the plane for the "Poor" in Fiji. They have never done this before. I wonder if it has become a very bad problem. \
And so it begins...The poverty of the countries that we will be staying in.
This part is really hard for me, I just want to help, I have so much. \

I love this trip. I love Vanuatu. I can't explain it but sometimes it feels like I'm coming home. It may be because part of my heart lives here. My son, his wife and 4 wonderful grandchildren.

Now I am starting to get excited. Feels like Christmas morning!! :)

Bula (Hello)

I declare, that taking off in that big huge Boeing 747-400 is such a thrill.
Maybe that is the feeling that God is describing in Is. 40, when He talks about those that wait on Him will rise up on wings of eagles. :) just a thought. It's exhilarating.

We are flying on Air Pacific Airlines/ The official Airlines of Fiji. I cannot say enough good things about them. Last time when our flight was cancelled due to mechanical failure they covered all my expenses. \

The Fiji people are dark skinned with dark hair and eyes. Their faces are broad with broad features. Our flight attendants are all beautiful both the men and the women. \They greet us with a "Bula", and a smile. Our flight is 11 hours over the ocean. I do not even think about all that water.
Our accommodations are small and cramped, and sleeping is hard, but since I'm so exhausted it comes quickly to me. \I am awakened around 3 hours into it by a tossing and turning grandson. The boy weighs around 175lbs. so that when he moves everyone in the row was disturbed.
\"I can't get comfortable," he complains.
"Duh?" I want to say this but I don't \
"This is why we are staying in Fiji, so that we can resttomorrow," I tell him. \

Finally when I am about to "smack him" Okay not really, just kidding. He falls asleep, fitful, but asleep.
.

Where The World Meets...Bradley International Airport..LA, California

Its Been a Long Day and I am tired so I will keep this simple...

• Had a early start
• I was tired /I didn't sleep well
• went to post office
• had to go back home and get what Sage forgot
• 4 checked bags, all the exact weight :) yahoo
• 4 carry on
• Sage hungry /Panda Express
• Good flight/ slept/ finished book,The Soloist
• Los Angeles/ 75 degrees/nice
• walk/ wait
• Sage hungry/ Mexican meal/ french fries/ smoothies
• wait
• Sage watching movie on I Pod
• Check in , international flight at 6:30/4 underweight bags/ x-rayed bags
• Security Check in
• walk/ wait
• Sage bored and hungry/ McDonalds mcnuggets
• found Internet access /that will help Sage to sit still
• many people going on this flight, speaking many languages
• tired/excited
• leaving on time 11:30 p.m.
• See You In Fiji..
  

The Trip....Update

WELL.....
Tomorrow is the day of departure. It's been a long couple of weeks trying to put it all together.
I have been collecting clothes for the village. In the last week clothes have been rolling in.
I have 2-50lb. bags with village clothes.
I have clothes from infant to adult skirts and shirts. I am very excited and happy, but a little
stressed over getting it all there. Thanks to all who have so graciously donated.
It is a good thing that Sage is already 6 foot and strong. We would be in so much trouble if he was
8 and little. I only have a small concern that he is 14 and sometimes completely in his own world.
I am sure he will step up and be taking care of grandma on this trip :)

We took typhoid pills as part of our drug regime.. Last time I took shots, but the pills are cheaper and they last longer, 5 years instead of 2. I think that they made me sick over the last week that I took them. I had migraines and aches and pains, and more tiredness than usual. Art says I am just stressing, but I think it was more than that, Sage handled them just fine.

I collected and packed Michele's list. I have hot sauce and chocolate chips in my carry on.
I added two more books to the Kindle this morning. I cringe at the Kindle bill, but Michele will love me cause she can inhale a book in a very short time.
For those who don't know a Kindle is an electronic book that can be downloaded it is a perfect way to travel. Art surprised me on my birthday.
Check out Amazon.com if interested.

Sage is excited, like I said it is a good thing that he has grown 5 inches in the last 6 months so he will be able to lift those bags, but the boy eats constantly.
"Can I bring snack?" he asked last week.
"If they don't weigh to much:)"
We couldn't carry enough snacks to keep him going for three weeks.
Maybe he will fall in love with sour sop or yams, coconuts maybe?

On the Vanuatu front, Joel is doing better. His leg appears to be healed. At one point last week
Erik considered just coming home and having me cancel the trip. I will not tell you my reaction to that suggestion. Thank Goodness God understands me.
After the docs saw him this week and the x-rays they determined that he is fine.
They are still not sure what caused the bone infection, and I know that troubles Erik, but we are thankful for healing.

And last but certainly not least. Several months ago I shared my struggle with getting off 20lbs. for this trip.
I am excited and thankful to God that I have accomplished it and strengthened my knees with exercise. I should be able to handle the long bouts of walking. I am taking the walking stick just in case though.

So As I take leave I ask for your prayers.
Pray we stay safe and well.
Pray that the trip goes easily with all this baggage.
Pray for Art he always misses me lots when I am gone.

I will try and keep the blog updated with pictures at least while I have Internet access.
Karen

Congratulation....Sage....8th grade graduation

Let me introduce to those who don't know us, my grandson Sage. He graduated from 8th grade this week and is moving on to highschool.
This is me, my husband Art, and my grandsons Sage and Cole.

Here's My Boy....

Picture of Joel taken last week...

He is doing better, but still some concern about his leg

Please continue to pray for healing and wisdom for docs and

Parents.

Just Thinking...

Yesterday I read a devotional that started with the question: If you were going to meet the queen of England and you were told to bring her a gift would you take the time to pick out something special or would you give her something that you had around the house?

Seems like an obvious answer doesn't it? Of course I would put time and effort and pick the perfect gift for the queen.

Then the author compared this to how we sometimes prepare packages for the missionaries without any thought or by sending something that we have around the house that we don't want or need.

Us POM's know that our children are easily satisfied and thankful for most anything they receive, but I also know that it especially delights them when they get something that they want or especially need. Being a POM gives us the oppurtunity to share what we know with those in our church body that want to send something to missionaries.

This has gotten me to thinking about the people in the village. I have been collecting clothes, for them, to take with me . I have used clothes in all sizes, and I know that these things will be appreciated because there is a real need for clothes.
The last two times I went to Tanna I left my old clothes for the people, but I'm thinking that this time maybe I should take a couple of my favorite shirts and skirts and leave them. It's easy to leave my old clothes, but if I'm honest, not as easy to leave something new or something that I really like. But I'm thinking that I am going to try and change that this time. Mamma Ellen would look very pretty in one of my new t-shirts.

On Thursday Night....I am...

Sitting....on the couch with my computer in lap.
Considering.....which things to send and which things to take with.
Wondering.....how I'm going to get it all done.
Reading.....Same kind of different As Me....I am loving this book.
Needing....to get scrapbook page done for my nephew's graduation.
Dreading....weighing my suitcases.
Weary....tired tonight I had long day.
Thinking....about what to give my mom for Mother's day.
Changing......my wake up time in the morning so I can babysit Toby tomorrow.
Amazed....at how gracious God has been to our family this month.
Intending.....to make Sierra a couple pairs of shorts and skirts this week.
Bracing.....for the long plane trip ahead.
Wanting....to find more time to pray this week.
Compiling.....my lists so that I do not forget anything...
Convicted..... about worrying about some things I cannot change.
Rejoicing.....that I get to see my grand children soon.
Thankful....for my husband.
Hoping......to stay on my diet this weekend in spite of planning to go out several times.

Much Praise.....

Joel came home yesterday. He is doing pretty well, still favoring the leg some.
He will be on antibiotic for another week but we are all very thankful..
I cannot wait to see him :)

Joel Update....

He continues to get better. He is still walking with a slight limp.
They have had to give him shots in order to get the medicine
in him and last I heard they will try and get the IV back in.
He only has a few more days in the hospital.