Sending Forth

Tonight we had our send off ceremony. It was another beautiful day in Fort Collins, CO. We had an afternoon shower (only lasting probably 10 minutes) Wes and I were walking across campus with the sun shining and just a few sprinkles when we spoted a double rainbow. Beautiful!!

Comissioning by defintion is the act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty. In the picture below you can see the teachers lined up across the front. We are all setting out to be excellent teachers in various parts of Asia.

Afternoon Training

This afternoon our training instructor let us go a little early to do an activity outside of the "classroom" setting. We were assigned to go to a any place that we could sit alone. First, we were instructed to clear our minds and sit in silence before the Father. I choose a spot on campus that was in a little valley area with big green hills surrounding a small pond. The picture above hardly captures the beauty of CO.

Lunch today

Lunch today!! With our training being held on CSU campus-- we have been eating at the Campus Dining Hall... let's just say- I really MISS cooking our own meals!! Today, with an extra long break, Wes and I ventured into Fort Collins and landed at Pizza Casbah. DELICIOUS!! Just thought I would share a slice of heaven with you!!

Another Goodbye

Today, we said goodbye to our Candidate Counselor, Erin. She has been such a support and source of encouragement to us. I was remembering our first phone conversation -- wow. I knew when I got off the phone, Teaching in China was for us!! Thank you Erin for all of your support and love. We will miss our weekly phone dates!!

Training

Since Monday, we have been in training. Great training as a matter of fact :-) the picture above is the group of teachers preparing to go. Our state side training is taking place on Colorado State University's campus. Most of the training sessions are wonderful!!

Above you will see a picture of our good friends from NC with us in training. Jon depicts the facial expressions of the less interesting sessions :-)

Wes and I love training. Each day we walk campus hand in hand and we talk about how happy we are.We are so excited and a truly treasuring each day!!

CSU is a beautiful campus!! The weather is absolutely amazing. Zero Humidity. Highs in 90s (feels like 80s) and lows in the 60s. We are hoping to explore the Fort Collins area and maybe go hiking on our day off. We'll keep you posted. For now- we TRAIN :-)

We made it to CO

We made it to Colorado and so did all of our bags!! Last night after the great water balloon fight and midnight swim... we had a wonderful time talking to Barry and Karen. Cherish the time... but it did cut into sleeping time... in fact it eliminated sleeping time. Once we wrapped up the conversation and looked at the clock, it was somewhere around 2:00 am. Since we had to be at the airport at 4:00 am... we decided that sleeping was overrated and went to the Waffle House for a fill of grease. Not the brightest idea we have had... the grease kicked our stomachs for quite some time. The flights went amazingly smooth. I know our family was lifting us up. We made our connection and landed in Denver around 10:00. We are running on roughly 1.5 hours of sleep... but the adrenaline and butterflies are carrying us the rest of the way. No doubt we will knock out tonight!! Love to all.

Last bit of Thomas Family Fun... Karen and I were watching TV, we saw a commercial that had people throwing balloons filled with paint. We got to talking about how much fun it would be to throw those :-) Then Karen said "I have balloons" One idea lead to another and "hello water balloons." We decided to do this without the boys knowledge. We got them to agree to go down to the pool and then balloons started flying. 24 balloons later and a nice late night swim, we capture the night with a photo in our suits. Great fun!!

Hardest Goodbye EVER

This morning we said "goodbye" to my parents.
It was really hard to give a hug that needed to last for 2 years. I truly have the BEST parents a girl could ask for. We got to spend 4 days with them... simply hanging out and relaxing. One thing we did in our time together was tie-die :-) As you can see above... we all proudly rocked the tie-die shirts. I'd say they turned out pretty good!!
I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!

My little Friend

Leonard was sitting on the driveway baking... literally about to fry when I rescued him!! I first cooled him off with a blast of spit. Then gathered him up on a stick. He is the most adorable lizard you have ever seen. Had it not been for a plane trip in less than 72 hours... Leonard would be our first pet. At first Lennie was shaking and clinging on for dear life when I got him on the stick to show him to Wes. Immediately, Wes took him in the palm of his hand (such a boy) Mom insisted that Lennie had a better life in the outdoors world, in fewer words, don't bring that in the house!! Sorry you will never feel AC or see China, little buddy.

The Golden Eagle

After two adventures with camera and binoculars in hand... we captured the Golden Eagle (by photo that is) Different than the Bald Eagle, the Golden Eagle is dark brown with gold on his head and neck. Very majestic!!!

The Lake House

During our last days in NC, we have spent time with Barry and Karen hiking waterfalls, getting pedicures and eating at fabulous restaurants that we will dearly miss in China. After a good Thomas family time we headed for to the Lake to retreat with the Cress'. Only 40 miles away from busy Raleigh but once at the house, on the porch or down by the dock it feel like you are millions of miles away.
The picture above shows the view from the porch. If you stand outside, you will see the birds moving from tree to tree, baby frogs leaping and deer boldly moving around. We have seen 2 buck in velvet antlers, 6 doe and 1 baby with spots. Yesterday, we took the boat out for a cruise to "the big island" or in my family "the cress island." Upon our arrival, about 5 feet in front of the boat there were 2 bald eagles snacking on their fresh catch - a 5 pound strip bass that they left for us on the sand. We napped on the island the sun chasing us out from shaded spot to shaded spot. Eating a picnic lunch on the water and having our fill of sunshine, we cruised back to the house. As mom and I headed out for a couple errands, she took me to the spot where a Golden Eagle lives. Sure enough, he was majestically perched up in the tree. I am planning on returning later today... hopfully a pictures of these amazing creatures to follow.

Sweet C's Package

Yesterday a DELICIOUS package arrived from a dear friend in SC and is pretty much gone by 10:07 the next morning. Sweet C's is a new business providing baked breakfast treats to the Lowcountry area. Specialities include scones, cinnamon rolls, muffins and tasty cookies!! Check out the website-- http://www.sweetcsllc.com/
Thank you Christine for letting us be a test package-- I would say definite success!!

What are we taking??

The number one question we get (after "are you kidding me?") is what are you going to take with you?? Answer-- see above :-) This picture proudly displays everything we own... all packaged nicely in 4 suitcases, 2 carry one and 2 bookbags!! The total weight= 375 pounds. Pray for our backs :-)

Fun on the Lake

Since I was a child... water has been a part of my life. The Brad Paisley song "Water" makes me laugh because many of us have a "love affair with water" :-) or if your part of my family... you just say you have the "water bug." All that being said, LOTS of fun times happen on and around water. The picture above is from July 4 and tubing fun!! Part of the fun is being thrown off, drinking half the lake, through your mouth while the other half goes up your nose :-) Wes happens to be an expert at jumping, bouncing, roughhousing and eventually getting himself and all tubing partners in the water!! Just thought I would share some fun we have on the water!!

Top 10 Reasons We Can't Wait to Get to China

10. Eating for under $3.00 per day

9. Learning that people are not deaf... they just don't know English. It doesn't matter how loud you say it... the results are the same :-)

8. Washing clothes and letting them drip dry

7. People wanting to play/touch my hair

6. Cooking everything in a wok

5. Every day looking like a chance of rain

4. Not having to drive in traffic or sit at Red lights

3. The peace sign in all our pictures

2. Reuniting with Special Agent Booth and Tempie on Season 6 of Bones bought without U.S. copy right laws and it being ok

1. Watching Wes eat dog and cat while I enjoy a melody of vegetables :-)

Community Send off

Our Community Family specially recognized us today and lifted us up in our send off. We are 15 days out from departure. Only 2 gathering opportunities left with Capital Community. Our family came to the service and I think even shed a few tears for us :-) In the picture above (left to right our parents and us) Karen, Barry, Wes, Avery, Mark and Linda. Our parents have done so much to support us!! We love them dearly and will miss them like CRAZY!! Thank you for all the love and care you have for us!! As all gathering do... an great lunch followed at Pei Wei. YUMMY YUMMY Asian Fusion. Oh how I will miss you in Hengyang. The picture below is our Fellowship leader, Leon Tucker. Thank you for all you have done to support and affirm us.

Wes' Last Day of work and First day off :-)

Rental Property Team

Wes had his last day of work on June 30. He is saying good-bye to a fabulous group of people at Ammons Pittman Property Management. They had a nice pizza party lunch saying farewell!! I know he will be missed. Wes has an outstanding work ethic and truly enjoys work!!

Left to Right - George Pittman, Wes, Jason Pittman


On his first official day off of work... I took him to celebrate his 29th birthday (which is July 3) He has always wanted to go to Dave and Busters. D&B is a restaurant and arcade. The only one in NC is in Concord. So my birthday present to him was a night of food and games. This boy of mine... LOVES to shoot stuff. We joined Rambo and Tom Cruise on adventures and even took down aliens :-) Rambo thought that Wes was prized companion and told me I was "awful" Guess I don't have the arcade game talent. We played skeeball, basketball, Wheel of Fortune, Trivia, Pool... it was a fabulous night. We won 900 coupons... these were traded in for a nice brown D&B t-shirt to remember the night by. Happy Birthday Wesley!!