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Habitually broken vehicle finally fixed (ish), but on the hunt for a second and more reliable vehicle. Brian and Ray off to the US. Weeks apart with new decisions needing to be made about the chronically ill dog. Shifting people in and out of the Cockatoo Perch during this busy travel season for missionaries. Brian and Ray home from the US. Rush rush rush to find a suitable vehicle, fix things around the house, call pest control, plan and prep for Brian’s PNG trip, meetings for both of us, more people in and out of the Cockatoo Perch and homeschool in the midst.

It’s been a marathon two months, but also wildly rewarding. Brian was gone four weeks, home three, and is now gone again for another three. That in-between time was critical for both getting some important tasks knocked off the list and for our family to get quality time together. Brian is diligent at getting major tasks done and finding the most random of activities to enjoy with the girls. We had a car bought within three days of him returning from the States, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Days before he left we put homeschool to the side and went to the circus. We enjoyed it last year so off we went again to have some belly laughs together. The girls were over the moon impressed this time. Last year things didn’t really go off without a hitch. The camels did half a trick and proceeded to roll around on the ground unwilling to get up. Ponies just, well, they were agents of chaos with zero tricks swirling around in their tornado of personal fun. I wasn’t sure they weren’t going to hop over the tiny barrier and start trotting through our makeshift bleachers!! But this year. THIS year. The ponies managed their one trick, though (not surpisingly) the running in circles around the ring was a bridge too far and the chaos eventually reigned. The camels were a sight to behold, flawlessly executing every task asked of them. “Jack Sparrow” walked a tightrope above the crowd and was just the right speed of silly for our girls. We had such a lovely time together, feeding the soul of our family with pure fun.

The start of this trip was a bit rough for the girls and me, but we’re righting the ship today. Brian is getting his body readjusted to Madang heat (it is winter in Cairns after all, and we’re hitting temps in the 50s!) and prepping to hit the ground running tomorrow. He’s going to manage the office while the director is out of country on home assignment. It’ll be back to his old haunts and ways, but without any longterm decision making attached. Pray he would be of sound body and mind to serve the PNG branch during his time there! And prayers for us at home, that we would keep things steady and be ready to welcome him back home.