Monday, August 13, 2007

He is finally home!



Here he is! My boy! He has finally arrived home from his mission trip. They arrived back on Saturday, at 10:35 pm ( arrived at the airport). It was so good to hear his voice and see him!Big hugs from mom!!!

To my delight, he had a great time, and wants to go back. This was so good to hear because he was nervous about going. Sierra Leon Africa is not known for peace and harmony amongst the people.

The trip was hard and exhausting for them all. Sleep they got little of, rain was in abundance. That was hard. Travel was always long. 200 miles took them 19 hours by bus. Their travels and journey took them to villages and towns assisting in schools, painting and playing with the children.... showing the Jesus film and holding VBS. The kids and adults had an amazing trip and I cant wait to hear from the rest of the group.


Now the trip originally was from the 22nd through the 6th.... but they had a HUGE miss hap with scheduling and they were routed to Tourqy UK. This was a treat! They were able to sleep in homes eat warm meals and tour the country side some. They were able to go and see Stone Henge as one of the stops. How cool is that?! Funny thing.... the freeway is Right behind it! Shawn said here you were looking at these massive rocks and the beauty of the country side and you turn and you see cars driving by... and across the freeway... sheep farms.... wasn't really what he expected... *Ü* but it was good.

Rylee missed her big brother so much! She made Paula Deans brownie Pizza for him as a welcome home treat... but the sad thing is.... when we walked out the door to go to the airport.... my Mary Poppins dog.... Gidget... remember her?? well... she ate it!

My husband came home from an errand and freaked..... called us on the road and told us the bad news.... RyLee was crushed and cried.... :(

Her dad... the hero in the story, ran down to the little store close to our house, bought another brownie mix and re made Rylees surprise for her brother.



All was well in the Turek household.... well... all except Gidget who spent the night outside in the kennel. She has been demoted as the dog who is practically perfect in every way.... Mary Poppins of dogs no more....

11 comments:

Jennefer said...

Lisa,

Wow! What an amazing experience. I want each of my boys to go on an overseas mission trip at least once before they go off to college. Africa would be my first choice. I would love to hear more about his trip. Would he do a post on your blog? :)

Also, the story about the brownie cake...awwww, how sweet all the way around. Rylee making that for him in the first place and then your husband making a new one. Wow!

I appreciate all your kind words and continual encouragement. You bless me with all those cute smilies too! :)

Jennefer

Lisa~ said...

Thanks Jennifer! Ya know what? I will ask him! I bet he would! If he does, I will have him post some pictures too! Good idea!

I love Africa! I went to Ethiopia 12 years ago for 3 weeks with my husband. What an experience! It changed my life! I was a new Christian back then....and seeing God move the way he did while we were their..... My faith GREW leaps and bounds!

I am also grateful I have been to a place like Africa.... my son is experiencing a bit of reversal culture shock right now.... I can remember what that was like... clear as day.... we have had a few good talks so far.... It takes time to process a trip like he was on……

It’s strange, but reality... we live in a culture that is give it to me... I need it now.... the bigger the better..... so many others live on so little... and yet still find joy.

This is not a new concept for Shawn, he has been to Mexico twice and the Dominican Republic as well.... but nothing moved him as much as Africa. He wants to go back.

My boy turns 18 tomorrow.... :( not so much a boy anymore..... It’s sad and exciting all at the same time! He is becoming a young man…. A man of the Word…. Now don’t get me wrong…. The boy has soooo much to learn still…. But I am excited at what is to come…. The not so perfect parts that come with this life too…. He is working out his salvation so to speak and it gives me great joy.

Thank you somuch for the note! I will make sure to let you know when he posts.... Im sure he will.

Lisawa

Darcy @ m3b said...

I just discovered your blog. I've followed your comments on the WTM boards for a couple years. It's so nice to "meet" the fam! :)

Lisa~ said...

Thanks! I discovered your blog not to long ago too! From Jessica
Trivium. *Ü* I'm so new to all of this.... but its been fun and
therapeutic! lol

Thanks for visiting me at the blog! *Ü* I look forward to reading
yours more......

Lisawa

Hen Jen said...

wow, what a neat experience for your son! so cool about the detour they got.

the pizza brownie looks awesome, wow-and so sweet about your husband re-making it.

poor Gidget, I guess you are on to her hidden alter ego that is less then perfect...

Lisa~ said...

Hi Jenny in ca...

I know... the detour was a blessing in disguise for this group of teens. *Ü*

Yup... Gidget has officially been put on the top 10 most wanted naughty dogs list.... RyLee was so crushed.... she worked hard on that pizza... and no help from us.... it was all her!

Dad is the hero for sure.

Lisa~

Tina in WA said...

Man... I can't believe Gidget did it again! Thank goodness she didn't get sick.

And way to go Dan! And I want that recipe!!! It sure looks GGGGOOOOODDDDD!

I am so happy for you that you have your little (ok big) boy back safe and sound. And you have so much more to "share" with him (mission trips to Africa and so much more)!

Blessings to you all!

~Tina

Lisa~ said...

I can.... I even pushed the darn pan back on the stove, and what I thought would be out of reach..... she scarfed it down in less than 3 minutes.... we passed DH coming out of the driveway! lol

The Brownie Pizza is Paula Deans.... its really good....

Lisa~

Rachel said...

Just wanted to let you know that I loved the brownie pizza as well as everyone at the church activity I made it for. I couldn't believe it tasted as good as it looked, so thanks for the link and picture.

Rachel (via WTM boards)

Lisa~ said...

That’s great! Don’t you love crowd pleasers! I love just about anything that woman makes.....

Glad it turned out so good! Thanks for sharing about it.

LisaWa

Unknown said...

LisaWA,

Enjoying your blog. So sorry about Ry's nail. Ouch! I had to comment here, though - I have a dog (standard poodle) whom I call my Mary Poppins, because she is Practically Perfect in Every Way. :^D But her real name is Delilah. I've just never heard ANYONE else ever refer to their dog as Mary Poppins!

Glad you "introduced" yourself on SHS. I'm enjoying getting to know you on your blog.