Summer Is Almost Here

Duncan and I spent the weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains with about 15 other young adults from North Avenue. It was a really great weekend both for renewal of our own spirits and the company of friends who are also seeking Jesus and that we can laugh with and share joy with.

Count down to Africa is on: Only 58 days until we depart. The good news is that we have officially raised all of the money to send everyone on the trip (and we even picked up an additional youth in the last few weeks).

Right now we'd really appreciate prayer for our preparations, both as we're planning elements of the trip, and for our hearts as we inch closer to experiencing a new part of the world. I don't doubt that we're going to have to face some difficult scenes while in Lesotho. Please also remember Duncan in your prayers as he begins his internship at Grady next week. It's going to be a crazy, full, and life-changing summer. Thanks for being a part of it with us.

The Uber-Update

Wow, a lot has happened since our last post, so here is an uber-update (told mostly through photos).

First, this isn't an update, but just a reminder. Our cat has more personality than yours. This photo montage should explain why (and point out the fact that we definitely don't have kids yet, so make blog posts about our cat).

1. Our cat gives kisses.

2. Our cat has a signature pose called the reverse meatloaf.

3. Our cat uses this signature pose in every day life, as you can see here. Even when we're ignoring her (or secretly photographing her), she is still hilarious.

4. She sleeps on her back, people. That's funny.

5. She has a sixth sense when a camera is on her.

6. And even when she notices that we think she's funny, she continues the reverse meatloaf.

7. Then she will glare into your soul.

8. But she really doesn't care about what we think, so she just goes back to sleep.

And thus concludes the reverse meatloaf series... for now.

In way of Africa preparations, our biggest fundraiser was the dinner silent auction, and Duncan snapped a few photos of the set-up. The event really really well, and over the course of selling tickets to the dinner, auctioning of items at the event and post-event, we raised more than $9,000. Wow! Thanks to everyone who contributed items, came, and prayed about this!

I also received my updated passport, so I think I'm officially a Meadows on all of my legal documents. Is it sad that it took two years to get that done? Oops. (We also celebrated two years of marriage since the last update). We also went to our local health department and got immunized for against all kinds of scary diseases. That was one of those "to-do" items that was every looming, so it was a relief to finally get it done. And by the way, wow, it costs a lot to have people stab you with sharp objects.

One morning, Duncan and I were scurrying around the apartment getting ready, we noticed that the cat was in the office... in her box... laying on her back... surrounded by tissue paper... all by herself in a different room than us. Oh, cat. You're funny.

Last weekend, our neighborhood had "Super Trash Day" in which people left all kinds of treasures out for us poor folks to rummage through. We have no shame, so we found all kinds of stuff to bring home, not the least of which was this amazing cat scratch pad.

Moki conquers all.

Lastly, we've been volunteering with a new family through World Relief, and they have the cutest kids ever. Today I (along with good friend Chandra) took mom and the kids to Piedmont Park for a day in the sun. Seriously, look at how cute these kids are.

Like continues on. Duncan just finished his last classes of his middler year, though he has a few finals left. In June he starts his Clinical and Pastoral Education Experience at Grady Hospital, basically chaplaining. He's excited, so hopefully we can get him to actually update this blog some time.

That's it for now. More to come soon!

P.S. Love you, Moms! Happy Mother's Day.