Happenings at the Lowe House

We have only about 2 more weeks left here in Buna. I have not yet started packing. I guess that I am procrastinating. It's just so hard to realize that is actually time to pack up the house (sniff, sniff). But I have been throwing away stuff. Lots of stuff. And I'm going to go at it again today...




Also, Levi has been very sick this week with a stomach virus. Out of our almost 8 years of parenting, I think that this is the worst that I have seen any of my children. I also think that Jeff and I have a touch of it as our stomachs have been kinda yucky lately, too. Just as long as we don't get the full blown virus that Levi had. He is doing better. I am up to giving him about an ounce of liquid every 30 minutes to keep him hydrated. He's not yet eating but is up playing with his sisters.


So, next week - I will actually try to begin packing. We have 700 cubit feet of space in which to pack/crate. So, we are limited by space, not weight. That means all areas will be packed in - such as our fridge, dryer, stove, box springs, chest of drawers. We have to fill every available space to get it all in. We are going down to Houston on Monday to buy our large appliances at an International Appliance sore then on Tuesday, I'm going shopping (Look out!!!) so - yikes! - that means that I won't actually start packing until Wednesday. Oh well, nothing like a deadline (April 13) to get you going!!!

Here is a picture of 200 cubic feet. So basically, we will have 3 and a half of these. You can kind of get an idea of how big it is by the person standing next to it. So that's that!

ARRIVAL!

We have arrived back in Buna, TX from Greenville, SC. The trip back was about 14 hours. We got home about midnight last night. I don't need to tell you that it was a very LONG trip. Sad to say that in about a month, we will pack back up (this time for good) and drive another 20 hours to VA but we will stop to visit friends on the way and hopefully, I will get to see the Biltmore in NC before we go. We went right passed it on the way to SC but for some reason, we didn't realize it before hand and did not factor in time for it. Anyway, we had a great time in Greenville as we met the 87 other people who were appointed with us on Wednesday, March 18. It is incredible how you can meet people from all walks of life - laypeople, dental surgeons, pastors, seminary professors, stay at home moms, software I.T. guys - and we share such a sense of family and communion. We are all in the same boat - leaving family and friends, walking out into the Unknown but walking with indescribable peace. It is nice to be reminded that we are not alone as we prepare for overseas missions. Do you know what impressed me the most this week? I had somehow forgotten just how wonderful the staff, directors, vice presidents and even the president of the IMB are. They all have such beautiful hearts and are so willing to serve the Lord in their position. They had genuine concern and consideration for all of us. They prayed over us and prayed for our future. We (those new missionaries appointed) are truly heading out into Satan's territory and into the battle. Praise the Lord that we already know who has won the war, though. Many heartfelt thanks to the IMB. They truly are some of our most dedicated cheerleaders and prayer warriors.

Road Trip!

Can you guess where we are heading to tomorrow at about 4am? If you guessed Greenville, South Carolina - you would be correct!! We will drive 13 hours to Knoxville, TN so my Mom and Step-dad can pick up the kids then Jeff and I will head on (3 more hours) to the IMB's Appointment Week in Greenville, SC. This will be a week of meetings, meetings and more meetings that will culminate with our official appointment as missionaries with the International Mission Board on March 18th at First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. It starts at 6:30 pm. Do you want to come? We'll plan on seeing you there. :-)

We will leave on Thursday, March 19th and hope to return on the same day back in Buna. We will then have about 3 weeks to pack up and crate our stuff as we prepare to go on another road trip to VA. So, come join us for the journey.

We're counting on your prayers!

Modest Week over at Joy's!

Go on over to Joy's blog to check out the beginning of Modesty Week. Sign up for the great giveaway, too!

Aerial Pictures of Lukulu!

More pictures of Lukulu - taken on Tuesday of this week. These were taken by our team leader, Daniel, as he flew over in a Flying Mission 6 seater airplane. ENJOY!!

This is the town of Lukulu. Looks like 'Main St' at the top right.

You can see a little more of the spread of the town. You can see the Zambezi River's flood plains at the top of the picture.

The mighty (and beautiful) Zambezi River.

Tell me where Lukulu is again...

Many people have been asking where Lukulu, Zambia is. I had posted a map earlier but it has gotten buried in the older posts so here is another map of Zambia. Lukulu is in the western province. You can see the red dot indicating it's position right under the "L" in Lukulu.

Great New Blog That I Have Found

Go over and check out one of my favorite new blogs hosted by Joy in Indonesia.

Introducing the Upper Zambezi Team of Zambia

Just wanted to show you a picture of the Upper Zambezi Team that we will join in June. From left to right: Daniel Scott, Sky Scott, Gerri Helton, Melissa Frady, Amy Smith and Mike Smith with Evie and Tyler Smith. Please look closely at these precious people and keep

bringing them before our Father.

COME AND VISIT LUKULU!!

I am so excited to show you some actual pictures of Lukulu that were taken just last week. I know you are going to say that only God could make her excited about these pictures but I AM - Praise God, I really am!! Hope that you enjoy them. Get a feel for where we will be living and start to pray for us. Also, the logistics coordinator for the Baptist Mission of Zambia and our Team Leader, Daniel, will be flying back out to Lukulu on Tuesday (remember they are about 8 hours ahead of us) to look for possible housing arrangements for us. Please pray for them that they will be blessed with a safe and productive trip and that they will have wisdom in making the decisions about our home. Remember, I'm counting on YOU!

Motivate Me Mondays!

I have found a great new website. Go and check it out!