AFRICA!!!!

Okay, I am actually here in South Africa. A land that I have always wanted to visit! I feel like I have gone to the ends of the earth! It is so beautiful, but there is something so familiar about it! It really reminds me of California. I have seen huge calla lilies (like the ones I used to have growing in my backyard in San Bruno), seafoam statice, birds of paradise, and California poppies! The weather is very similar to San Francisco. The first day we were here it was sunny and warm. The next day it rained all day! Today has been windy, but sunny. I have really loved all of it! Yesterday we drove to Hermanus Bay to a whale festival. We sat out on the cliffs and watched all the whales swim by. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was! I saw 2 mothers with their babies. Today we went to church at Westwood Baptist Church. The service was amazing. The service was about sacrificing all to Jesus...not giving Him the left overs. Then we got to go to our classrooms to set up for VBS. Tomorrow we start! I am so excited to meet these kids and tell them about God's love for them. I know the enemy is not happy about us being here, because we have already experience things being stolen, and a few injuries. I am not sure that I will be able to post pictures after all, but I will get some up when I get home. Well, right now I am sitting in an internet cafe, and it is time for dinner. I will try to update again in a few days! God is so good, and I am so happy to be here for Him!

God is always so good!

I want to share with you about an opportunity that I have been given this year. Actually, it is an
opportunity that I have been given before, but this is the first time I have accepted it! Let me start by
giving you a little background info:
About a month after we started going to our church here in Georgia (and about 3 months after we
moved here in 2005), I listened to a lady talk about a trip to South Africa that she just got back from.
The purpose of the trip was to help run a Vacation Bible School for kids in a poor township outside of
Cape Town. She and her family had been doing this for 15 years at this point. I remember her talking
about loving on these kids and teaching them about Jesus, and looking at the pictures of the sweet
faces, and I turned to Jon and said, “Someday I would like to take a trip like that!” Well, over that next
year, I got to know Tracie and her family better and was invited to go along the following year. I really
wanted to go, but fear held me back. I wasn't ready to travel internationally (which at that time I hadn't
done yet) or leave my family for 12 days. Again in 2007 I chose not to go, even though I knew in my
heart that God wanted me to. As most of you know, 2008 is when Jon, the boys and I lived and worked
in Turkey for a month. God dealt with a lot of my fear issues on that trip. On our flight home, Jon and I
had many hours to sit and debrief the trip. I really felt God tell me that I was to go to South Africa this
year. I felt it so strongly, and yet when the trip was first brought up to me again about a month ago, I
was looking for reasons not to go. The fear was rising up again. There was also the possibility of
another ministry trip that Jon and I might be able to do together, but at this point that has not come
together, and I've decided in any case to not let that stand in my way.
The group that is going to South Africa has needed a helper for the first grade class (which is the age
group I LOVE to work with) and here, a month later, they were still looking for this helper. Again, I
heard God tell me that I was to go. I do feel like God kept anyone else from filling that position so that
I would be able to do it. Jon and I talked about me going and prayed about it. I wanted to make sure
that he would be okay with the kids for 12 days while I was away, and I wanted to know that he would
support me in doing this trip. Which of course he does, because he has wanted me to do this for the past
few years! I have a great husband! :)
So that brings me to the reason for this letter. I have decided to go. I am asking you to please pray for
me while I am away. I will leave on September 23rd and return home on October 4th. This is the first
trip I have taken by myself and the longest I have ever been away from my family!
I am really excited to see what God has planned during this trip. I can't wait to spend time with these
kids and teach them, and also see what they have to teach me!

Summertime!

Well, it is summer here in Georgia. High 90's with humidity just as high! The last week my kids have hardly even gone outside to play, it is just too hot for them (unless we are headed for a friends pool!). We started off our summer this year with a much needed vacation. We were on a plane as soon as the boys got out of school at the end of May. Our first stop was the Bay Area, just for about a day! Basically it was just a stop over on our way to Hawaii. We were blessed enough to spend 12 days on 2 different islands with my parents. What a blast! Jon and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon, but haven't been back since...and that was 16 years ago! The boys got lots of beach time and body surfing! They were at a great age to do something like this! It was also great to be able to spend time with family again! It had been a very busy first part of the year for Jon. He had already been to Turkey/Lebanon for 2 weeks, 2 different trips to California (5 days each), and Germany for 3 weeks. So it was nice to have some quality family time. We were only home for a week when Jon had to leave again. This time it was Hungary for 2 weeks. As I write this, he will be getting on a plane in about 4 hours to come home. It has been a strange 2 weeks. I thought it would be easier with the boys out of school and Jon gone...no schedules or night time activities that we had to go to. But, I have found it to be the longest 2 weeks EVER! The boys have been good, but it is not easier when they are out of school! Hopefully this will be the last time for awhile that Jon will be gone. I have really been focusing on the bible verse, "This is what the Lord says to you, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but Gods" 2 Chron. 20:15

Other fun summer things...Ty turned 11 last Sunday! I can't believe he is growing up so fast! What a fun loving young man he is becoming. He has such a great heart. He is really developing a love for music as well. He saved up all his birthday money and bought himself a new ipod nano (it's blue!). Today he spent most of the day getting all his music on it. It was fun to watch him, but I kept wondering where my little boy went! He starts middle school in August and is very excited about it. He doesn't seem nervous at all...even though his 2 best friends are going to 2 different private schools! I think that is a good sign that he is confident on who he is. What a joy he is!

We are also eagerly waiting for later this month when some good friends are coming out to visit us here in Georgia! We love getting visitors and showing them around our new hometown! They are from San Bruno and used to the fog, so we will see how they handle Georgia heat in July! Yikes!

I will end this with a few pics of Hawaii and a video of a song that I heard today. It is an old Amy Grant song from Lead Me On. I had forgotten all about this song, and it came up on my shuffle today and stopped me in my tracks! I remember listening to it as a teenager and having lots of romantic thoughts about being married to a musician. I also have always loved music and thought it would be cool to marry a musician...well that is what God gave me. I now know that is it a lot harder to have a spouse who travels...but I love the way that Jon is following God, and leading our family. Anyway, enjoy this oldie but goodie!








okay, I couldn't find a video for this song, but here are the lyrics

When I was younger
I used to dream a lot
Staring into my coffee
About how you'd love me
And write me poetry
And want to be with me, yeah
Well, Momma done told me
You might wander far, yeah
But nobody warned me
The road would own your heart

And so I'm saying
If you have to go away
I will be waiting by the phone
And if you have to go away
I'll put your records on
Pretend you're still at home

Now that I'm older
I sit at home a lot
With the kid we've got, yeah
The radio's playing
He really loves his wife
I hear the D.J. saying
Well Momma done told me
You might wander far, oh
As long as you hold me
More than you hold that guitar
I'll keep on saying

If you have to go away
I'll leave your shoes beside the bed
And if you have to go away
I'll want to be with you
I'll be with me instead
If you have to go away
I won't be sleeping very well
But if you have to go away
I will be loving you
Till it's cold in hell

Maybe you'll write me this time
Maybe you'll call on a static line
Saying don't you ever worry your pretty mind
Cause you and me are gonna be fine

And so I'm saying
If you have to go away
I will be waiting by the phone
And if you have to go away
I'll put your records on
Pretend you're still at home

If you have to go away
I'll leave your shoes beside the bed
And if you have to go away
I'll want to be with you
I'll be with me instead
If you have to go away
I won't be sleeping very well
But if you have to go away
I will be loving you
I will be loving you
If you have to go away


If You Have To Go Away by Amy Grant

100 years

Have you ever heard that song "100 Years" by Five for Fighting? I have been obsessed with it lately. I think I listened to it on my ipod about 5 times in a row when I went to bed the other night. By about the 3rd time I was totally crying (and yes, I still listened to it 2 more times!). I have had a lot on my mind lately about my life, and how fast it seems to be going. Part of me just wants everything to stop so I can enjoy it, but another bigger part of me really is enjoying every minute of it! Does that make sense? I think a big part of this is watching Ty finish up elementary school. Here 6th grade is considered middle school, so next school year he is changing schools. This has both excited me and terrified me at the same time! Terrified me because I remember middle school years (we called it Jr. High). They were awful. That strange place of still being a child, but wanting to be so grown up at the same time! Trying to be cool with my friends and thinking I knew more then my parents. These were the years that I tried smoking for the first time and tested out the occasional swear word. The pressure of wearing the right clothes, and having the right hairstyle was exhausting. But it is also exciting to me because Ty is such a sweet, smart, caring boy. He is the one to befriend the underdog and I love that about him! He loves God and isn't afraid to let people know that. I just hope and pray that he doesn't lose that! I dread the day when he doesn't want to hug me in public.

Anyway, back to the song. The writer goes through years of his life, remembering different things. It made me go back and look at my life. I got married when I was 20. I have no regrets about that, I don't feel like I missed out on anything. But my early 20's were with Jon, and we were still becoming who we are now. You still are changing so much during those years. My later 20's was spent having my babies. The years up till about 31 are a blur. Lots of diapers, baths, rocking in the middle of the night, singing, you know, all that stuff that goes along with babies, and toddlers. Again, I loved every minute of it! Now I am in my early late 30's, and the boys are much more independent of me. Which I know is a good thing, it means I did my job somewhat well when they were younger. I like having actual conversations with both Ty and Devon. They make me laugh, and yes, they still can make me mad and need discipline, but for right now, it feels like a really good place. They are such good boys. Jon and I are at a different place now too. We have been married 16 years, and no it wasn't all easy, but he truly is my best friend and I can't imagine my life without him! Funny, how all this came out of listening to a song. Story of my life...music plays a huge part of how I deal with emotions. Maybe that is why I married a musician!

We are finishing up our last days of school. The boys get out on Friday. Next year holds a lot of unknowns, but I think I am finally ready for them! Someone told me not to long ago when I said I wasn't ready for Ty to move on, that when the time came, I would be ready. I didn't really believe her at the time, but now I do. Bring it on!

Why I love being the mom of boys...

Okay, I totally stole this from someone else's blog ( Passionate Homemaking) but I love it, and I wouldn't be able to put it into better words! Being the mom of boys is never boring!





Boys are so sweet. Boys love their Mamas like crazy. Boys think their Daddys are the best. Boys….ah boys. Boys bring such joy.
Whoever said that only little girl clothes are cute…and that you can never find any cute little boy clothes…never saw all the adorable outfits at my blue baby showers.
And I dare say…there’s a little something to be said for being able to run a comb through their hair real quick before dashing out the door. No bows or braids or hair doo-dads to keep track of.
I love how boys play (now that I’m used to it!). Our house is usually noisy, rough and fast…there’s not a lot of tip-toeing or sitting down quietly to color pictures at the table.
Generally…I find that the male greeting (between my boys and all of their friends who come over to play) has little to do with words…and a lot to do with grabbing onto and pulling one another down to the floor into an immediate wrestling match.
I’ve learned to look the other way…smile…and shake my head about so many things that I used to fear would turn into a trip to the Emergency Room. Boys play rough…they can’t help it. They make noise…it oozes out of their pores.
Rolls of wrapping paper become swords or light sabers. Toast and grilled cheese sandwiches are chewed into the shape of little guns. Math books become drums. Little pink erasers become race cars.
Everything (everything) becomes a competition…who can finish their milk first…who can put their jammies on the fastest…who can get from the kitchen to the living room without touching the floor.
It’s one big, loud, ball game at our house all day long…and I wouldn’t trade it for all tea parties in Boston.
I consider it a huge honor to be the mama of boys. Boys who we pray will grow up and be Godly leaders some day. Boys who we pray will be Godly husbands and daddys some day.
Oh…and some day…I’ll have daughters. Some day…four (2 in my case!) of your daughters will grow into godly young ladies who will marry my sons. I’ll take them shopping and we’ll cook and do hair together.
Until then…I’ll just continue to feed mountains of mashed potatoes and huge stacks of pancakes to all these boys while they make all the noises with their armpits that they are so good at making and while they laugh at all the things boys can’t help but think are funny.
They are…boys.
Boys who have completely and totally won my heart.

Dark Gives Way

I promise to blog more by Monday...(maybe on Monday). But I wanted to let you all know that Jon just released his newest CD, Dark Gives Way. Go to our website and order a copy (please)!

www.BugNogMusic.com

Only in the South

Tonight we went out to one of our favorite Chinese food places here in Georgia. Yes, I know we complain about the Chinese food here, but this place is pretty good (our other favorite here is Panda Express...I know...sad). We were given a gift this last week, which we used along with a $10 off coupon I had here at home already, and took the boys to dinner. Well, we were sitting and eating dinner and there was instrumental music playing in the background (nothing odd about that), but then I noticed that the music was "Awesome God". I told Jon, really, only in the south are you going to go into a restaurant and hear Christian music playing and nobody is getting upset or offended about it. Granted, it was instrumental, but still, we have been to plenty of places where it is not instrumental. Anyway, I am starting a new thing to my blog about things that are unique to the area where God has put us. On a side note, we tried a new chinese fruit called Litchi tonight...it kinda looks like a very large, hallow, white grape (with no skin), and kinda taste like an orange. Very interesting!

Random

Okay, this is the first post of 2009. I would tell you about all the great resolutions I have made...but I don't make them anymore. Too depressing when you can't follow through on them. I am going to TRY to eat better, exercise more, and read more this year. Maybe I can get better at keeping the house cleaner as well...but I guess time will tell. I have always wondered how many books I read a year, so this year I have started a list. So far I am on my third book this month. I just finished reading, "The Last Lecture", by Randy Pausch. Awesome little book. I won't give away any of the details, but it had me bawling at the end. I highly recommend it. After that, I had to read something fictional, so I just started "Last Kiss" by Luanne Rice. I have loved all of her books, and so far this one is just a good!

Anyway, on to family stuff. Ty, our 10 year old now has a blog. I am sure he will be much better about updating his then either Jon or I are about ours. I love how he describes himself. He says he is "The son of a missionary, a 10 year old bassoonist and a Jesus Freak." I think it will be great to see what he writes about...what is important to a 10 year old. Anyway, you should check it out...www.tysimpson.blogspot.com. Leave him a comment...he will love it!

Devon is doing well. Still big time into video games. His newest obsession is the game Spore. Our family got it for Christmas. I still haven't played it...kinda looks fun though. If he is not playing video games, and the weather is anywhere above freezing, he is running around outside with all the neighborhood kids. If it is too cold outside, he is up in his room playing legos . He is such a fun, crazy, energetic boy. He is starting to get interested in email and all that, but not as much as his brother.

Jon is gearing up for a busy February. He will be gone most of the month. First he is doing a trip will Bill Drake to Southern California, and then he is going overseas to do another co lead on a tour. I will post detail on that at another time, but please be praying for safety for him while he is away, and for the boys and I at home. He is also getting ready to release a new CD. I am so proud of all the work he has done this year on this album project and can't wait for people to be able to hear it!

I am still working at OM part time. I am thinking about getting my Southern Living at HOME business started again, just so we have a little more spending money. I am enjoying my family, and miss my family from CA and OR all the time. I look forward to the times when I know we are getting visitors. I am also determined to start working on my scrapbooks again this year.

Well, this seems like it has kinda turned into a Christmas letter...the one I never did get out this year! You might have noticed that I changed the background to this blog. I really needed something colorful. The winter here in GA is very brown...no leaves on the trees, lawns go dormant, no flowers...I find it very boring and ugly! I love when spring gets here, you see such a difference! Anyway, that is the reason for the colorful background! Hope you enjoy it!

Devon being silly (on Thanksgiving)


The sun rising over our backyard

Reflections of Christmas

I love Christmas. I love everything about Christmas, the decorations, the food, the songs, buying gifts for the people I love, and even receiving some myself! This Christmas I am back home in the house I grew up in, and it has brought back lots of happy, family memories. I can't wait for my whole family to gather here again to celebrate. It has been over 2 years since I have seen some of them. I am more excited about that this year then anything else. The gifts are way down on my list this year of what I am looking forward to. As I get older, I realize that family, and memories are way more important then the "stuff" we get. I hope my kids learn that lesson as they grow older as well.

Every year as Christmas approaches I also start to think about the reason we celebrate. The wonderful thing that God did for us. The ultimate gift. That he would humble himself to send his son to be born here on earth. To live as fully God and fully man. It really blows my mind. I have been thinking about Mary a lot this year as well. After becoming a first time mother myself(10 years ago), I can imagine a little more what she went through. Except for the fact that she was a virgin and was actually giving birth to the Savior of the world. I am sure she was scared, as most new mothers are, until that moment when we hold our babies and realize everything is going to be okay, but can you imagine how she felt knowing her baby was the Messiah? Wow. Well, I guess I feel like I am rambling a bit. I hope and pray that you reflect on what Christmas is all about. The whole reason for it, is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our King. There is also a great article someone read to me this year called Mary's Reflections by Beth Moore. If you can, take time to read it as well, and let me know what you think!

Our favorite Christmas song this year...

I guess this is an old song, it was recorded in 1950 for a zoo that was raising money to buy a hippo...but I just heard it this year. The kids and I love it and find ourselves singing it all the time! Hope you enjoy it as much as we seem too!

to decorate or not...

This year Christmas is a little different at our house. We leave on Wednesday to travel to California and we won't be home again until after New Years. Usually I go all out in my Christmas decorations and they stay up from the day after Thanksgiving until New Years Day. This year I made the painful decision to only take a few decorations out to put on the mantel, and a wreath on the front door. I decided that I didn't really want to come home and have to take it all down. I thought I would be okay with this decision, but I am going through major Christmas tree withdrawals! I am hoping my mom will have her tree up and decorated when we get there! Funny how we cling to our traditions. We are very excited to be going home for Christmas, we really haven't spent any quality time in California for 2 years now. The boys will get to see their cousins, and aunts and uncles and Great Grandma for the first time in 2 years! We are also very excited to see all our friends there! If we haven't set up and time to see you yet, and you want to see us, please contact me! Well, this week has been full of Christmas time business. We started the week with our OM Arts Christmas party, then the next night we had a Boy Scout Christmas party, then church on Wednesday night, I had my mom's group Christmas brunch this morning, both boys had Christmas feast at school (Jon went with Devon and I went with Ty), tonight is Ty's Christmas band concert, we are skipping a Christmas party tomorrow night, Jon and I have a babysitter for Saturday so we can go spend some time with some great friends here before we leave...and I am sure there is something on Sunday that I am just forgetting at the moment! With all this we have to get our kitchen ready to have some work done on Monday, and finish cleaning and packing to leave on Wednesday! phew! I will be ready to relax on the plane! Anyway, I hope to blog again sometime this month, but if I don't I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love this picture...

Hey everyone!
We are full into winter here in GA. We have had below freezing temps for a few weeks now...okay, not all the time, but it has been cold! In a few weeks we leave for a partner trip to CA, and I can't wait! I don't like being cold. I hope we see all of you while we are there. I wanted to post a picture of Ty that he took on our computer...I really just love it! I will post some videos of them soon as well!

To make you giggle...

Okay, I came across this today and it made me laugh... I thought a lot of you could use a little giggle as well.


Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.
Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A . Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.
Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.
Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.
Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. (Groan...)
PS. Did you know it's not a woman's job to make coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible. It says...'He-brews'

Okay, now back to your serious life! More on what the Simpson's are actually up to soon...I promise!

Ty takes over

Hey, it's me, Ty and I am taking over this blog! Don't tell my mom about this! She hasn't been blogging that much, so I don't think she will notice this post. I started 5th grade a couple months ago and am getting really bored. During the time I have outside of the educational world (a.k.a. school and homework) I have taught myself how to do some skateboard tricks. I have learned how to jump and do a wheelie. I have started band also. I am leaning to play the bassoon and I am thankful that God has provided a free bassoon and private lessons for me. I am also finishing up Cub Scouts and looking for a Boy Scout troop. What should I put next? Oh yeah,I am also playing soccer, and have scored 7 goals so far this season! Here are some pictures for the blog.



Peace out and good night!
Ty

oh, one more thing, I found this video on youtube and I wanted to see how many of you like it. If you are reading this, watch the video and then comment on it.

Godspeed, bill leahy, jr., on your flight

from jon's blog...

our circle of friends has shrunk by one this past week, and this world has lost a good guy. our hearts and prayers go out to our dear friends (wife, children, mother, father, brother, sister...) who are experiencing such a greater sense of loss than i can imagine. may the confidence we carry in the hope of being reunited someday bring light to this too-often overcast world.

redwood city daily news article

kntv news memorial

Happy Birthday Dev!

My baby boy is turning 8 today. Unbelievable. He is turning into such a remarkable young man. Anyone who knows Devon, knows that he is artistic, funny, silly, cuddly, smart, and ACTIVE! He will talk your ear off, and he is always making us laugh! God has given us such a gift with Devon! I am excited to watch Devon grow and become the man God wants him to be. I pray that this year is full of new, exciting adventures for our Noggin! Happy Birthday Devon, we love you tons!



The picture is of Devon wearing his favorite color and eating his favorite snack! I think we will be going out to dinner tonight (Chick-fil-a), since Devon wants nuggets and fries, and since he is not big on cake, I will be baking him an apple pie for dessert!

Funny

You know your from Georgia if...

1. You know Atlanta is pronounced ADD-LANNA, not AT-LANT-A

2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

5. Stores don’t have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.

6. You’ve seen people wear bib overalls at weddings and funerals.

7. You think everyone from a Yankee state has an accent.

8. You measure distance in minutes.

9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.

12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

13. You know someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

14. Almost everyone you know is either Baptist or Methodist.

15. A Mercedes Benz isn’t a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Crew Cab with extended bed is.

16. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressing.

17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

18. Ironically, you only crave Chick-Fil-A and alcohol on Sundays . . when neither is sold.

19. On one side of the road there’s Wal-Mart and on the other is a cotton field.

20. The directions to your house include “turn off the paved road.”

21. Fried chicken is a major part of your diet

22. Krispy Kreme doughnuts are the only kind of doughnuts you eat.

23.. You call it a cold Christmas if you don’t break out in a sweat in your new sweater.

24. When a single snowflake falls, the entire state shuts down, even if it doesn’t stick. The radio and TV news will make snowstorm reports every ten minutes and the grocery store will be completely sold out of bread, milk, bottled water, toilet paper, and adult drinks.

25. People actually grow, eat, and like okra!

26. You know the difference between a hillbilly, a redneck, and a Southerner.

27. Your dog and your wallet are both on chains.

28. Panama City Beach, Florida, is a big deal.

29. You understand that at least once a year your car will turn yellow with pollen.

30. You know at least one Bubba, and maybe a few guys named Bo.

31. You say “tuna fish sandwich.”

32. You use “Sir” and “Ma’am” if there’s a remote possibility that the person you’re talking to is least 30 minutes older than you are.

33. Braves=good. Yankees=bad.

34. You love sweet tea, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and all Southern comfort food . . . and Southern comfort.

35. You know the whole peach state thing only applies to those below the fall line.

36. You have a flip-flop tan year-round

37. You use “The Big Chicken” as a basis for all directions.

38. You get dressed extra nice TWICE a week . . . once on Sunday morning for church, and once on Friday night for the football game.

39. Y'all is a word...and plural is all y'all.

And finally . . . 40. You are 100% Georgian if you have ever had this conversation: “You wanna coke?” “Yeah.” “What kind?” “Dr. Pepper.”

Home Sweet Home

Okay, it took me a few days to post again...but we are home. Our flight from Istanbul to JFK was fine, until we landed. We then had to sit in the airplane for an hour and a half until a gate opened up. I guess there had been tornados and thunder storms in the area all day and it really messed the airport up. After clearing customs we rechecked our bags and ran to our next gate, at the other end of the airport! We got there only to realize that our plane was delayed. Our 7pm flight didn't board until 9pm and then sat on the runway to wait out a storm until midnight! We landed in Atlanta about 2am. Then we had to wait for all the luggage to come off the plane until we realized that Jon's guitar did not make the flight! So, we made it home (thanks to our friend Nigel who was willing to come get us at that ungodly hour and then wait at the airport for another hour while we did the luggage thing!)at 4 am. We all went to bed and slept for about 5 hours. Today is our 3rd day home, and I think the jet lag is starting to go away! It is amazing to me how the boys seem to be able to jump from time zone to time zone and it doesn't seem to affect them too much, but Jon and I are dragging!
Today is also Jon's birthday. No big plans, just spent the day together. I am grateful to God for putting Jon and I together. He is my best friend, and I love being on this journey of life with him! Happy Birthday Baby! I pray that you continue to let God guide you this year and that you continue to become the man who God created you to be! I love you lots!

On our own

Today the team (minus the boys and I) drove 3 hours to the city of Bursa. They left this morning, will have a concert tonight in a bar (which is why the kids and I did not go!), and will be back here in Istanbul about 4 am! This is the last concert of the tour. So, the boys and I had a really lazy day at the apartment. We played computer games and watched some tv...The Weakest Link on BBC! Then we left and went for a walk down by the Sea of Marmara, it is so beautiful! I love being by the water again. The boys stopped and played at a park for a while, and then we went to a local restaurant and had dinner and a really yummy piece of cheesecake! Then we walked back home. We only have 4 days left before we return home. The time here has gone so fast! In many ways I am ready to return home, and in some ways I wish we could stay here longer. The feelings for going home do out number the ones for staying! I will miss the food here! God has given us such a special gift with this experience. Even though the ministry side of things didn't go as expected, with all the canceled concerts, I really have seen God move. Last night we were invited to join a 24 hour prayer service. Jon with the band lead worship for an hour. There was about 40-50 people there, and man...they were singing out praises to God! It was so uplifting to just be in the presence of these believers! I think it was knowing that here we were in a country with only a few thousand believers in it, and to hear this small group of people praising was something I will never forget! You could just feel God in the room! It was exciting! I just found myself praying out for these people, to be strengthened, and encouraged. For them to just be able to go out into the city of Istanbul and bring more people into the Kingdom. How cool would it be for a full out revival to start in Turkey! Anyway, that has been my prayer these past few weeks. We may not have been able to do what we came here to do, but I still think that God has used us, and I know that I have a bigger view of God now. I have been changed. The next few days will be filled up with more site seeing here in Istanbul, last minute shopping and saying goodbye to our friends here. I am sure I will post again before we get home!

More Changes...

Well, we were supposed to leave today to drive back down to the Izmir area. But the show that we thought we had down there, was canceled...once again we were denied by the local government. It is becoming something like a broken record with this tour! We were all feeling a bit disappointed, frustrated, and not sure what to do next. We came together as a team to pray and worship. It was an awesome few hours of worshiping, and crying out to God for this country and it's people. Also, really just asking God what He wants us to do now. So, it was decided for us not to make the 9 hour drive down there for a bar gig that we had lined up just to fill a night while we were there. The bar was called and they understood that we could not afford to come just for that night (they weren't paying us)and now we are still in Istanbul. The leader of our team reminded us that for this tour, we were trying things that have never been done in Turkey and of course the enemy is not happy with us. We have felt that at every turn. So with all that, we are also not going to see Ephesus. I was really disappointed about this at first, but quickly decided that there is not anything anyone can do about it, and that I was still enjoying everything I have seen here in Istanbul. I really just had to pray for God to take away my disappointment (it took a few times praying it, because I wanted to keep taking it back!), but I think in the long run it worked! I am completely okay with missing Ephesus...it will just give us another reason to visit again someday!
Today (Wednesday) we woke up to a little rain. Jon had to be at a band practice and the boys and I decided to go with another team member to go sight seeing. We were going to go back to the European side to visit the Sultan's Palace. So, we took the train to the ferry stop, got on the ferry, and about half the way over there, it started to STORM! Thunder and lightning and lots of rain! Of course when we got off the ferry we had to walk. By the time we got to the palace, we were soaking wet, and cold. We decided not to go inside after all (it cost 10 lira per person). We decided that we would enjoy it more on a dry day when we weren't so miserable! So, we walked back down to the ferry, and went home. We were supposed to meet up with the team this evening for the band to do some street music, but decided against it because of the weather. The boys and I decided to have Burger King for dinner. Funny, it taste the same as it does in the States...you can take that to be good or bad! We have been here 21 days now, and my stomach has been fine, until tonight...thanks Burger King! Tomorrow we are meeting as a team again for more prayer and worship. I will try to write again tomorrow night!