Ok so there’s just been so many things happening and some are exciting and some are frustrating but basically that means I don’t get around to writing on here like I want to.

Last Wednesday morning, Mom, Morgan, and I left for Mackay to go visit Madison. We got to drive through snow part of the way which was the only exciting thing that happened the whole way there. We went to Uncle Mike’s for supper Wednesday evening when we got there and then to the tiny house Madison and her co-teacher live in. It’s very cute and small and perfect except for the little demon kitten that terrorizes the inside of the cabin. The weather was beautiful with lows around 5* and the mountains were full of snow and so pretty. We saw all kinds of places to park our bus on future trips and that’s exciting to think about. Thanksgiving Day lunch was spent at a young couples, Krystan and Lesleigh Stoll’s house. Whoever was around Mackay came for lunch there and we had a really neat time being with friends and making new ones. In the afternoon we hiked up to “the swing” as the locals call it. Its a short hike up through the trees and snow to a clearing where there’s a huge tree with a swing you grab onto. Then you run and jump holding onto the swing bar and fly around the tree. Unfortunately while we were at the swing, Madison’s dog Shasta wouldn’t come when we called and she’d chased away after an animal somewhere on the mountain so we spent a stressed half hour searching and calling while it got dark. We had a special prayer then and ten minutes later she came running up the trail, full of ice and scared and cold. It was an answered prayer for sure, and the late tomato soup supper definitely hit the spot. On Black Friday we stopped at Pickle’s Place in Arco for delicious breakfast and then drove to Idaho Falls and did some Christmas shopping. Pickle’s Place is this local spot where everyone goes and they have amazing food and you usually see pretty crusty locals there. It’s fun. Overall it was a delightful time and we were sad to leave Madison and the mountains. Madison is actually coming out this weekend for a wedding so it’s just five days apart but stillllll.

On that note, we were HOPING to get in our bus this week, and it’s still a possibility but I guess we’ll see. We still have a list of things to do and Morgan’s been working really late nights there with Levi and Abe. I told them we’re going to have to feed them suppers for a year since they’ve been so dedicated to helping Morgan! Our bar stools were delivered this week, Morgan got our composting toilet ready, the bathroom wallpaper is up, the flooring is in, the tile is in the bathroom, and we have the cutest woodstove of all time going every night. Of course with all that gets done there are things that don’t work out either. Like our oven/stove has a propane issue, and our door guy didn’t work out so we are left trying to figure out Plan B, and we can’t find all the plumbing parts. And I knicked the counter with the file when I was working the other night so that made me cranky. Anyways, we are so excited about getting into the bus that we are trying not to let ourselves just move in unfinished and then we don’t get baseboard on for the next 6 months. We all know how this goes, right?

This week is also possibly the worst for trying to move. Madison and my Uncle Jeff’s arrive this Friday so obviously we don’t want to be busy the entire weekend they’re here. And we of course have friends coming for the wedding from Michigan and everywhere else so we want to be in it and be able to have our people over for fire’s and stuff. So yes. Busy busy.

Other good things are: 1. Dillon and Renae had their little baby boy, Max Anthony. The best name and he has dark hair and that’s about what we know! We also know that Madison and I are proud to be aunties and Mom is overjoyed to be a Nonna. Dad would also be very proud of Dillons and little Max, and that’s hard on me that he’s not here. 2. Morgan and I bought tickets to go see them leaving December 29. If you’ve made it this far, please pray that our tests are negative and we can get into Mozambique! Our plan is to fly into the capital, Maputo, where Dillon’s are currently, and drive back up to their house in Tete while helping with the baby and stuff. We already feel we’ve had prayers answered. Dillon had taken our papers into the Embassy and been told they didn’t know when he’d get them back since it’s all backed up and people still haven’t got papers from a couple months ago. Anyways he called back two days later and said we’d got our letter of visa approval in 1.5 days and he was shocked! We are so thankful we have that on our side! So I’m working on getting a yellow fever shot also, which is limited supply so I have to drive a couple hours to get it. 3. I got to substitute teach yesterday and it was f u n to be back at school again. 4. My Christmas shopping is on point this year. Like I have come up with ideas that are exactly what that person could use. We are doing stocking stuffers this year for gifts so it will be a fun, simple Christmas here at Mom’s. 5. I finished my few Christmas cards and sent them away.

I hope all of you have a safe week♡