Almost There

Stephan and Leah welcome baby brother

November 6th, 1978, Samuel Dale was born. Phase One of the waiting was over. But, oh so much work remained before our departure from Omro to Virginia on Thanksgiving Day. How did we do it all? How did I survive surgery, nursing a baby, packing, and travel? There is a phrase that comes to mind from the Old Testament "for he was greatly helped" (2 Chronicles 26:15) I know we were greatly strengthened and  helped in the midst of the chaos.
These photos offer clues. They were taken Thanksgiving Day. We must have spent some time at our dear friends, the McMullins, and a high school friend took Stephan and Leah to play in the snow for a last time before heading for milder climates aboard the M/V Doulos.

Last snow for five years

Travel details have mostly faded. Baby and I flew while Daddy and the other two crammed into an overstuffed Suburban and drove to meet the ship and prepare for my arrival. I spent some time with my parents in Winona Lake, IN, before continuing on to Virginia.
It was not easy getting around the airports alone with a two-week old. People helped me along the way.
And it certainly was no easier for Michael, traveling with two young children, moving all our belongings on board and trying to settle into two small cabins before picking me up at the airport.
Those first days and weeks were difficult.  Would things get better?

Waiting...

Where to begin?
So many memories,
overwhelming almost.
But begin I must.
Why not from the beginning?

So I dug out a letter written October 11, 1978, from our little mobile home on 25 Cameo Lane in Omro, Wisconsin where we settled for over a year after returning from Europe.

W A I T I N G is the word that characterizes the months since I last wrote...

Right now we are waiting for a special blessing--we are expecting a baby in less than four weeks. On November 6th, if not before, Rita will have a Caesarian section.

We have been waiting and praying about joining the Operation Mobilization ship Doulos... but were always told there was no room for families. And yet the Lord never showed us any alternative plans so we just kept waiting. Mike was asked to go to Europe to attend the September conference, help out in the electronics department and talk to the leaders when decisions were being made for the following year.He spent four weeks away from home in London aboard the Doulos and at the end the leaders agreed to accept us.

The M/V Doulos will be in Tidewater, Virginia, November 10-28. We hope to meet her there toward the end, before she leaves for Mexico and South America.

Our time in the US is almost over. As we look back we are overwhelmed. We feel connected now to wonderful people. Two highlights, among the many blessings: the Iowa OM conference in June; and the two-month house-sitting opportunity this summer. It was wonderful to reconnect with OM friends and hear about all the challenges ahead. And the very big air-conditioned house and pond to swim in a welcome change from the hot trailer. We were especially grateful for the confidence of our dear friends who asked us to look after theri new house while they went to their summer home in the northern woods.

Stephan went to summer school two hours in the morning for six weeks to improve his reading. He is now in second grade and and really looks forward to school on the ship. His two front teeth are missing now.

Leah goes to Kindergarten this year and seems to enjoy it. At first she said there was too much noise and she never wanted to get up in the morning, but she loves to learn.

Both Stephan and Leah are looking forward to the baby. The only problem is that one wants a brother and the other a sister.

Waiting on the LORD,

Mike, Rita, Stephan, Leah, and ?