Update by word...

...without any pictures.  Sorry!  We've posted so many pictures and haven't really said anything!  So here goes...

We have had a blast since we got home from Kenya the beginning of November.  We've been to West Virginia for our big family Thanksgiving, which was so much fun.  We got to meet some of the new additions by marriage to our family, and we had a great time hanging out, playing pingpong, eating, and watching the kids run on the treadmill.  After that, we travelled to South Carolina to see the Facendas, which was a great time, too!  It was there we realized how much fun Thomas trains could be.  Then, on to Wake Forest to see the Chilsons and the Singletons.  The time spent with all our friends over there was so much fun, we won't forget the excitement!  From there, we've just been in and out of our "home base" here in North Wilkesboro for day trips, weekend trips, etc.

The kids have been doing great!  They have taken all the new people in perfect stride and have loved on all of our family and friends.  It's been so cute!  They do have their moments of tiredness and grumpiness, but we're thankful for "our house" in North Wilkesboro where they can just be themselves and crash and rest when they need to rest.  They really enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all points in between.

Candace and I have also had a great time.  It's been so much fun being able to catch up with some friends that we haven't seen in a long time.  Nathan's been able to speak at a handful of churches about how we are serving in Kenya with Samaritan's Purse.  We're also working on our documents for the dossier portion of the adoption.  It is harder than we thought...perhaps because we just aren't as gung-ho as we thought we would be.

We are so thankful to so many people that have made our transition back to the States so much easier than we could have hoped.  Our church family at Fairplains Baptist Church had "our house" all ready and waiting for us, and helped us get started with groceries.  We also want to say thanks to Center Baptist Church for letting us stay in their missions house...it really has been such a blessing to have someplace to call our "own" and be able to relax in the "quiet" and comfort of a home.  Thanks also for our friends who have given us gifts and asked how they can help us, both here and with the ministries of AIM AIR and Samaritan's Purse in East Africa.

We love you all and hope that the Lord will show Himself evident in your lives in the new year to come.

Blessings!