We’re back from America the Beautiful and our whirlwind trip…from one to another that is! A week after we got back, a short-term missions trip landed here in Bangkok to work with our team from the 8th through the 18th…and Andrew’s parents are a part of that team! They are from from the Kirk of the Hills Church in St. Louis, MO.
Our trip to the States was kind of dreamlike as we only had a few days in each place and there wasn’t much soaking in and processing what we were doing or the time we were spending with people we haven’t seen in over a year. And it was coooooooold!!! I am not accustomed to the cold, as it is eternal summer here in Bangkok…and I just dont like coldness anyway.
We enjoyed seeing Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and Westminster in Dallas. We are trying to work out how that might work financially and logistically if we would start summer of ‘08, which is obviously very soon! We are still praying and considering many things for this decision.
The Global Missions Conference in Atlanta was such a treat and wonderful to hear Richard Pratt speak boldly to his audience of 2000+ people. Very convicting and motivating as well. Thanks for prayers for our partnership meetings, seminars, and recruitment as well. We hope other families, couples and singles will commit to serve in Thailand after meeting our team and hearing our stories.
And…DC was great and wonderful getting to see the Bronson siblings! Here are our attempts at getting a Christmas card pic…
Bethany was smart and cut herself out….and here we have the (what appears to be) normal one.
I LOVED seeing Fall in the South (Atlanta) the Northeastish (DC) and the Midwest (St. Louis). Look at those colors. We just dont get that in SA!
We had fun being in Old Town Alexandria too, and especially seeing Jimmy D our good friend.
In SA, we loved getting to see all the Rogers clan. Here we are at Thanksgiving with the Rogers who could make it! 
The boys went to the ranch and enjoyed the new hunting truck. 
We were even able to take it for a spin in our neighborhood. (Overheard: “Are they driving from the TOP?!”) The girls stayed and made sugar cookies, 
ate Mexican food (yippee), 
dressed cute dachshunchs in Santa outfits, and relaxed!
In Dallas we were able to see friends, visit Westminster and enjoy meeting new babies and new fiancees!
By Number: 2 weeks, 2 seminaries visited, 4 new babies met, 2 friends from college engaged, 9 Mexican meals consumed in 5 days, (4 lbs gained), 11 flights taken, 60 hours spent in the air, 5 cities visited (does Sarita, TX count? if so, 6).
What a whirlwind!! We are glad to be back. Thanks for your prayers about my Thai test I took 2 days after we arrived back. I did start falling asleep during the multiple choice section, but Im so glad its over and realized how much I have learned in the 3 month preparation leading up to it.
