Another Trip

Four days after returning from Disney, we loaded down our new mini-van and set out for the 11 hour drive to Midland, Texas. During those brief four days we were involved in the Candidate Assessment Program for World Impact where nine candidates went through an intensive interview process in hopes of becoming missionaries with World Impact. This is probably the most busy week of the year, involving all the missionaries in Wichita. Much of our work for it was done before our Disney trip, but Ryan teaches a session each year and I put together a slide show of their week to be shown at their commissioning service as well. It was a whirlwind four days since we had those responsibilities along with laundry and packing and dealing with two little boys that didn't know what schedule they were on!

The road trip went really well! I admit I was anxious about having a barely potty trained little boy along for the 11 hours, but he did great. We did stop and have him pee out the side of the van (thank goodness for boys) about four times on the way there and a few on the way back. It never failed that he needed to pee about 20 miles before our next planned stop, but when he needed to pee, we stopped!

The whole reason for the trip was to witness my sister, Candice, joining her life with Joshua Wood and his little girl Abigail (almost 5 years old). We met Josh and Abby for the first time at the rehearsal dinner. If he is all that Candice says he is, we know that they will live happily ever after. They married the day before our seventh anniversary so that was neat to share our weekend with them and them with us.

Ben is always willing to help in the kitchen with wedding prep! Some was "yum" and some "not yum!"

Mani-pedis with the sisters!

Candice and my mom are such faithful customers of this nail salon that the owner made homemade egg rolls for us as a wedding gift. They were fabulous and we took a picture to commemorate the generous gift.

Trisha and I gave them a family themed wedding gift complete with matching "Mrs." and "Miss" aprons for Can and Abby, a box filled with suggestions of things to do together as a family, the complete Chronicles of Narnia to read together and some young kid friendly card games. We wish them hours of family laughs together!

Candice and Abby in their aprons.

Moments after the above picture was taken, Ben said, "me turn" and begged to wear Abby's apron. Oh my!

Sisters!

They had a very small outdoor ceremony at a gorgeous chapel. Small and outdoor can mean disaster for having two little children along, but they didn't make a peep. Someone left a box of markers on the front row and Ben listened and did not touch, but he got awfully close.Ben has a real love affair with his Aunt Can Can! She is happy to oblige.

The Wood Family

A brief moment of down-time with Mama D.

Ben always takes Nate's toys!

On our last day there, after the festivities were over, we got to spend a little time in a friend's pool. It was scorching hot in Midland!

No trip is complete without a project. Ryan had the help of Ben and Abby in installing a light over my mom's sink and fixing the lock on her backyard gate.

Ben quickly warmed up to my mom's dogs and insisted on getting in the dog's cage himself. I tried to keep him out, but he just kept going back. If he's happy, oh well.

While in town we also had the opportunity to speak in a church about our ministry with World Impact. We also held a "thank you gathering" for all our friends and family that support us in Midland! We greatly enjoy our ministry with World Impact and love the opportunity to tell people about it!