A week long day

Monday Feb 10 I watched as Dean took three of our kids to school and say, "See you in 10 days."
Not long
after Emma and I loaded up in the van and drove Dean over to our Selah Fire gathering home where our mission team was to leave on our usual yellow bus.

Honestly after four years of going to Peru my emotions were that of a Dairy Queen blizzard.  The coldness I felt as I had a tinge of jealously Dean was going and I was staying home. The smell of the sweetness was that of all the hugs Dean would give from the both of us.  Can not forget the yummy candy and that is of my husband who was going to be off on a 10 day mission trip.  Ten days of doing God's work. 

I knew he would not be stuck in some factory welding.  Trying to make money.  Earthly treasure.  While I missed the routine of him coming home each night after work I knew each day he would arrive back at the Casa de Paz, orphanage after a treasure hunt/prayer walk and would love on the children/family there.

Each night I had to hurry the kids to bed as I was so tired.  As my head hit the pillow I would think of how tired I was those years I went to bed but knowing I had done Gods work all day so made it worth while.  As I closed my eyes I felt proud knowing my husband was out doing that work.

Day after day would go by.  Kids were in school.  Two major projects to complete.  Reading to do.  Two Brownie meetings to lead. Hot tub to get rid of (surprise for Dean).  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... they all went by all 10 of them. 

Those around me said how fast the days went as we approached the night before Dean.  I felt as though I had no response.  Ten days did not feel quick nor long.  So much had happened and been full busy days that the first feeling that popped in my head to describe our ten days home here in Drayton was a week that felt like one big day.

I love what God is doing our little family.  Mission trips are like no other experience.  We do not build homes or schools but rather relationships with God right dab in the centre.  Our family in Peru have invited us to their weddings and to their child's baptism.  A few of our friends have flown up to stay with us here in Drayton.

As I have the Oscars on in the background I can not help but think of a night where missionaries go up to receive a heavenly treasure and the only person we thank in our acceptance speech is God.  For He plans our steps.

Goodnight

Day 4 treasure hunt

Tradition in our house when it comes to Peru mission trips.

Five years ago I made my first 24 hour trek to Pacasmayo Peru. In preparing to leave I felt as though I needed to somehow talk to my kids (3 at the time) while I was gone in  way that did not involve the phone. 

Putting the brain on the move I came up with making a web cam movie with a message and a prayer for each day I was gone.  Also in the message highlighting what I would be doing at the orphanage each day.

To make it even more fun I hit treasures each day for the kids to find.  Leaving clues behind they must find them.

This year Dean left on Feb 10th for his first ever  mission trip on his own.  I have gone on three Peru mission trips myself and Dean and I went on the last one together. 

Right now he is probably snoring away on his mattress on the floor.

The picture below is the kids with the clues to find today's treasure (so far yummy treats)

We end up down  in Troy's room and Bella found the treat in Troys closet under some clothes on the shelf.

 A little pack of suckers enough for two each. 

 

While daddy does his Treasure hunts for God our kids are having fun doing treasure hunts for their daddy.

 

We love and miss him but we are all so proud to have a man in our life that is down in Peru doing what he is doing for God with an amazing group of people from Selah Fire and our amazing family who live in Peru.  HUGS HUGS HUGS