the COUNTDOWN is ON!

We are getting so close to our departure date that I can almost taste the fresh sea air and hear the booming of the bass on the big old Samoan buses...Tuesday morning we take off for our 2-week adventure!

We have a lot of things prepared and taken care of...travel insurance, vaccinations, some packing, a plan for our 9-hour layover...but still I can't help but feel a little apprehension. So many unknowns! But I guess that is what an adventure is, isn't it? My hope is that through the ups and downs this trip will be an unforgettable memory in our family life, and it will bring us closer together. I also hope that there are no delays on the flights, children throwing up or tantrumming, traveller's diarrhea, incessant arguing or near-death experiences. But I choose to focus on the prior.

It will be such an amazing moment when Nu's parents finally get to hug Mekaia and Matalena. And I can't wait for Nu to show us around his island, especially to some of the places he 'forgot' about last time. We're hoping to swim with the sea turtles, see the lava flows and banana plantations and maybe a crater or two.

Nu and I have been beyond blessed to see our friends and family joining with us in getting things together to bring over to Samoa. We had no idea the response would be so generous and over the top. In addition to household items and necessities, we've also had various people donate about 2/3 the total cost of the fridge we were wanting to buy for Nu's Mom and Dad. Amazing!!! We are so honored to be able to deliver all of these little treasures to Nu's family and others in his village, who will be so so appreciative. We feel so blessed to have such incredible family and friends in our lives. Here's a glance at some of the things we've assembled so far.

If anyone is wanting to pray for us while we're gone, here's a short list of suggestions:
-Health
-Safety
-God's love, impossible to earn, given freely, would shine through and we would be able to bless people there
-Family relationships
-Kids would adjust well to the heat, etc...
-All the details would work themselves out!

Thank you....and can't wait to post a bunch of beautiful tropical photos when we come back!!