Kate's Birthday Party

I made it to Richmond, Virginia after driving over 7 hours in pouring rain. all the way through North Carolina it just poured. Ugh. Not the greatest day to travel, but by His great mercies I made it back safe and sound.
My heart is filled with mixed emotions as my family and I travel through these major transitions in life. Even good changes come with uneasiness and trepidations. The unknown of what the future well really look like and feel like can bring fear into my heart if I'm not careful to guard my thoughts. I can run down a bunny trail in my imagination faster than you can say imagination. I tend to run down the trails that images of doom and destruction lurk around every corner then the fear creeps in. Taking control of my thoughts and wanderings is a top priority now a days. I have to laugh at myself sometimes for the complexity of imagination then turn my thoughts to the many joys and blessings here for today, focus on the Truth and move forward.
Oh, how silly I can be even during a time of celebration...
I forgot to tell you about a party we had for Kate who is in our class. Elizabeth and Lindsey planned a surprise Birthday Party for her at a local paint your own pottery in Rutherfordton. The surprise was actually pulled off and all involved had a great time. If you wonder why I'm in none of the pictures in the slide show it is because I was taking the pictures. I look much better behind the camera then in front. :o)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm heading over to my middle sister's house later this morning to do BBQ chicken for the family gathering we are having to celebrate Sarah's leaving for Navy boot camp. I've said it before but I'm going to say it again. What a true gift and blessings from heaven my two children have been. They have made me want to be a better person and I can't imagine my life without these two precious people. I am humbled and amazed that I have the privilege of being their mother.
I'm so proud of my sweet baby girl for joining the Navy. She will excel in anything she puts her mind to. She has been richly blessed with so many gifts and talents. Of course I will continue to pray for her especially her safety..

Celebration - the act of celebrating.. May my life be a celebration to the wonderful joys and blessings I've been graciously given.
May you enjoy the many blessings and joys given just for today, and May your joy bubble over to all those you meet today..
Love
Vicki

On The Road Again!

Marc & Sarah Aug 2008

My "babies" all grown up!!
How did I get to be the short one in the family? I carried the two of the together for so long. Marc in the backpack and Sarah in the front pouch. How time flies.


Good Morning Dear Friends and Family:
I'm up and trying to gather up what I think I might need for the weekend, throwing it in the car, and preparing to head north. There is some shortage of gasoline here in western North Carolina, but I have a full tank of gas so should be fine. I've checked and the Richmond area seems to have plenty of gas.
I stayed up later than usual talking with one of the staff and even though I'm very excited to be seeing my sweet baby girl I'm a little sad to be leaving here. I have tons of homework but it is the friendships that are building and the information that I am learning that is touching my heart that makes me not want to leave. I'll be missing out on some of the activities and fellowship. I never imagined I would feel so close to a group of people or that what I was learning would excite me so.

Tomorrow there is a family gathering at my middle sister's house. My youngest sister is coming in from Missouri. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone. My heart is also beginning to ache for my daughter. Oh, how I've missed my kids while here. Marc has been out on his own since last May so I've gotten use to phone calls, emails and less physically seeing/being with him. When I've made previous trips to Kazakhstan I've been gone for two to three weeks, but knew I then would be back. This time I know when I leave Sunday to come back here it will be my last time with my daughter for a long while. Oh, how I will miss her.

My Mother, my sisters, their families & Marc, Sarah and I Christmas 07
I'm excited and extremely proud of her and her decision to serve her country, but she is my baby.. It is official my children have grown up and headed out to define their lives. I've been known and seen myself as Marc & Sarah's Mom for 20 years.. How do I define myself now. I'm still their Mom, but my role is shifting.. I know I am held tightly and there is a future full of joys and adventures so today as I prepare for the shifting I remember my sweet "babies" and look forward to seeing how they grow in their lives..

I will keep close to my heart these precious memories, treasure the gifts that they have truly been in my life.  Enjoy this weekend with family and friends.
May you each enjoy the many blessings and joys given just for today, and May your joy overflow to all those you meet.
Love
Vicki

What happened to my weekend?

It's Monday morning and I'm trying to figure out what happened to my weekend. A time to catch up on homework, reading and projects due.




Friday evening I went for a walk with some of the other women after spending an afternoon working on homework. The scenery is beautiful as we walk down the roads.
Friday evening Pat who is going to China came over with her selections of movies and we watched a movie and ate popcorn! My favorite food.
Saturday we headed to Asheville to work on an assignment for class. Asheville, NC is a beautiful town with a downtown made for walking. Public Art is everywhere with an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. There is also a large homeless populations and my heart ached especially for the young kids living on the fringes.
I got some great pictures of all sort of things.




A shopkeeper in a Himalayas Import store was friendly and shared so many interesting things about his country. I hadn't realized Singing Bowls were used in healing. When he placed a bowl on our hands we could feel the vibration through our bodies. He travels between the two countries several times a year. www.himalayasimport.com

I made a terrible mistake and upon entering a Celtic shop asked if the woman was from Ireland. Now, in my defense I did see a book in the window on Ireland. Quickly I was put to the test of why would I assume Celtic meant Irish and not Scottish... My mother would be ashamed. I am of Scottish decent. I was able to humbly express my apologies and receive a history lesson in return. I'm so graceful with inserting my foot into my mouth.. When will I ever learn.
We ate lunch at THE MELLOW MUSHROOM and had a fabulous pizza on the patio. When I asked about soy in the food I was presented with a small printout showing exactly which foods had soy or soy oil in them. I'm only guessing, but I'm thinking soy allergies are on the rise since it was listed along with peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and eggs.
Sunday I went to church and was invited by a couple to come RIDE there horses.. YEAH!!!! They have 11 horses and always need someone to ride them. I am so excited.

After church I came home and had the privilege of taking photos of THE WILSON FAMILY. What an amazing sweet family. Getting 8 people to look at the camera and smile all the while being eaten alive by mosquitoes was a bit tricky. Of coarse I received not one bite since the bugs and mosquitoes preferred the sweet blood of all the kids.


Jen is a hairdresser and shaped my hair after I had finished transferring the pictures to my computer. Sarah, you will be happy when I see you. My hair looks lots better then when I take the clippers to the back.. :o)
I had the privilege of staying for dinner until I remembered I had left laundry in the dryer and had a ton of homework to do and it was now dark outside, so like Cinderella I ran home before something turned into a pumpkin...
A great weekend, but not nearly enough time to get everything done..
Still Missing everyone back home, but making some great new friends.
Love
Vicki

Union Mills, North Carolina

Here is the outside of my home for the next 9 weeks. The accommodations are quite nice. A small two bedroom, full kitchen, bath, and living/dinning room. Each of the apartments are a little different, but I have way more room than I've been having and more than I expected to have. I think I'm settling in a little and not so overwhelmed with all the newness, lack of responsibilities.
I've had an enjoyable mostly relaxing weekend. The local community center host a twice monthly breakfast that I went to Saturday morning. Good country cooking - grits, liver and gravy, biscuits, pancakes, eggs, country ham, sausage, bacon, coffee and orange juice. It was very good. Then I went to the big town of Forest City to pick up some groceries and I stopped on Main Street in Rutherfordton to window shop before heading home to study.

Today I'm finishing up studying and preparing for class tomorrow. I walked down the road to the Post Office in Union Mills. If you are driving down the road and blink you would miss Union Mills, but there are some great old Victorian homes and the post office is picture perfect..

Well, I have to get back to studying, but wanted you to see what the surrounding area looks like. It is very beautiful and the local people are friendly and helpful when I get lost.

Missing my children who seem not to be missing me if I take their lack of communications as any indication. Missing my friends at the same time making new ones. Thankful for the many blessings and joys given each day.
Love
Vicki










The view as I walked to the post office


View from down the road a short distance.


Charlotte - the zipper spider who lives outside our apartment next to apartment #3

The Fun has begun!

Wednesday was a day of getting to know those who are here to study too. We had classes in the morning, lunch, met with our advisor, and before the rain started played some volleyball.

All was going well then my roommate's knee cap popped out and she fell. She actually had hurt her knee Tuesday while loading her belongings into her car in Tennessee. She thought at first it was okay, but then her knee began to swell and she had trouble getting back to our apartment. I p

repared a bag of ice for her and tried to find the staff who were in a staff meeting. We are all starting to know each other so I wasn't sure who else to go to. I decided to try Joe & Mary who are across the court from us and are about my age. Well, as "luck" would have it Mary is a Physical Therapist... How cool.. Just what I needed. Plus it gave me a buddy... It was decided to run Elizabeth up to the local hospital for x-rays. My station wagon worked perfect for hauling someone with a hurt knee and armed with a small map we headed out for our newest adventure..
Driving in the rain on winding mountain roads is an adventure in itself and the major roads have practically the same name. (74 business, 74 bypass, 74 alternate and 74 and there several 221 and everything is off these two roads, but which one by which big ol'e tree!!! Rutherford Hospital is much bigger than any of us expected and Elizabeth was seen not long after we arrived. The staff was very friendly and efficient.

Now, Mary and I both being Mothers (hers 20 & 21 yrs - mine 18 & 20 yrs) we both jumped into the roll of being Elizabeth's surrogate mothers. The nurse even let us go back to the room with Elizabeth. I'm not sure they didn't think there was a little to much laughter going on. Melinda, our nurse finally started asking questions since it was obvious from our accents we weren't from around here. Elizabeth's accent probably would of pass, but neither Mary or I have "southern" drawls. When it came time to leave Melinda asked where we were from. Her face was priceless when we said - Virginia, Tennessee and Florida - to which she replied "Did ya'll meet in the parking lot?"
Elizabeth has a bruised knee and they gave her some crutches, told her to ice it for 48 hours and if it didn't get better contact her physician or an orthopedist. We think she'll be fine in a couple days. Her parents and her heart are both relieved that they didn't find anything else more serious. It was a great time to get to know to very amazing women as we could share some of our "stories" as we waited in the hospital.


I've been in North Carolina all of two days, but I've been to the Wal-Mart!!! and the Hospital!! and now know where all the major things are here. Mary and I felt like we are expects on how to get places now...
Mary's husband, Joe saved us food so when we arrived back at 9 o'clock we could have some dinner after our big adventure.
Here are some pictures of volleyball and some of the kids that are here with their parents.

Thank you each for your encouragement and support. Without that I wouldn't be here.
I am missing my friends and family, but am enjoying making new friends and have found a kitty cat to love on too!
Love
Vicki

I Arrived Safely in North Carolina!!!

I didn't sleep well due to all my excitement, anticipation and slight nervousness as to what lay ahead. Dear Edith drove all the way over to see me off. Sarah got up and Doug and Cathy came out to send me off with their blessings, hugs and good wishes.

Edith, Cathy and Me


Sarah, Cathy, Edith and Cathy's dogs

Doug & Cathy Sarah & Me (this has been our family for most of the time this summer and where Sarah will stay till next Wednesday when she'll head out to her Dad's for a visit)

This sweet baby girl use to fit in my arms. Not any more!!!!

I arrived safely after driving through pouring rain the last 30 minutes. I am in a "holler" as they would say in West Virginia. Winding roads with the land rising sharply up on both sides with the heavens opened wide dumping water so fast it puddled in the road. A road on an incline I might add. Right before I made the final turn down a small road the rain let up so I could see the final turn then slowed to a drizzle as I pull in to their parking lot. I was able to unload my car before the heavens opened up again. By supper time the skies had cleared.

My accommodations are great. I am sharing an apartment like space with Elizabeth from Tennessee. We have a living eating area, a bedroom each, a bath and kitchen to share. A lot more than I was expecting. The view all around is beautiful and I'll post pictures soon. Elizabeth and I made it to the only Wal-Mart in the area. I received the strangest looks followed by "you're not from around here?" when I asked for directions. I thought it seemed pretty obvious when I was asking for directions. Then I had to get them to clarify what they were saying. "Turn right on the 4 way." Is that a 4 way stop sign?? No, it is a 4 lane road... Oh.. said the lost me... Elizabeth and I made it 15 minutes away from our new home and back in one piece with our groceries. We've made our beds, put our groceries and clothes away AND figured out how to get the internet working.. I'd say a good day all in all.

Thank everyone for their thoughts today for my safe travel and for the encouraging words.
I am missing being near the ones I love, but excited to be in the middle of this adventure..
Love
Vicki

The next part of my adventure begins this morning!

It's 5:30 a.m. and I've been up since 4:30. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time and am feeling silly about that. I'm only going 5 or so hours away in North Carolina and I'll be back 17 days for the weekend to see my baby before she heads off for boot camp. I've gone to Kazakhstan for longer so I've been away from my kids for that long. I think knowing that life as the three of us have known for the last 20 years is about to radically change for all of us in weighing on my heart. I'm excited, know this is the path we are suppose to be on, but also a little hesitant. We are standing on this cusp of what was and what will be. Change is always uncomfortable even if good change and that is where I am at the moment.
Yesterday I was fretting about if I was taking to much stuff with me. Edith laughed and said "how much can you possibly have to take? You have narrowed your entire world down to an 11 x 14 shed!!!" I think sometimes I just obsess just because. Oh, how silly I am.
The morning should dawn clear giving me perfect driving weather and when I drive home the end of Sept I should see some pretty fall colors on the trees. I'll be in the mountains of North Carolina which will be beautiful..
Oh, a note on hiking boots. My sweet cousin Amy gave me some hiking boots that Alex (her son) had out grown. They are a little big, but I think they will work. I'm still holding out hope that I will find my old boots, but thank you Amy and Alex so much..
Thank you all dear friends for your love, support and encouraging words as I travel along the path laid before me..
Love
Vicki

A visit with Family!

I leave Tuesday morning for NC for 9 weeks of training. The my next step before heading to Kazakhstan. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

My sweet baby girl leaves for boot camp on 29 Sept. I can hardly believe it. I have been given special permission to come home that weekend to say my good-byes. My Mother has invited all kinds of family to come over to celebrate and say their good-byes too. (This next year holds many changes for Marc, Sarah and I.)


Mike decided I need to be in a picture. He doesn't understand one of the reasons I take pictures is to stay out of them. Look at my hair. Really what happened!?!?! The gray hair comes from the Hickman side of my family.. ugh!! (notice my Uncle Pete's hair!!! and even my Mother's. This all comes from Their father, Julian Hickman)




Alex, Amy (my cousin), Mike & Amanda, Neva (my Mom) Marc & Sarah (my kids) Cindy & Pete (my Uncle)


We are waiting for Amanda, but you can see Molly, Uncle Pete's dog. She goes everywhere with him.

Uncle Pete (my Mother's brother) and his wife Cindy will be in Ecuador on the 27th and miss the big party, so they drove over from Staunton, Virginia to have dinner with us last night. His eldest daughter Amy and her husband Mike and two beautiful children Alex and Amanda came too. It was great to see everyone and catch up on all that has been happening in their lives. Alex and Amanda are articulate, bright, and funny. I hadn't seen them in about 5 years and they had really blossomed. My Uncle Pete and Cindy have traveled extensively around the world and it was fun to compare notes. I have a family heritage of adventure loving people who have traveled and explored cultures near and far. I think it must run in our blood. Most of us seem to crave meeting people and experiencing foods.

I don't think the food is much different in North Carolina, but I will be in the mountains and that will be fun. I will continue to have internet and will keep posting what is happening. Tropical storm Hanna blew through Richmond, Virginia with little winds, some rain, but thankfully not much damage from either. Today I will try and finish packing my belongings, pack my car, and get things ready so tomorrow I won't be running around like a mad woman. I'd like to spend some quality time with my Sarah. Marc and I had the great opportunity to work together last week and I'm thankful for the sweet time together.
As I prepare to leave the relationships I have here become sweeter and sweeter. I have been blessed richly with some very dear friends and will miss being physically near them, but am very thankful for the internet.
I am thankful for all the support and encouragement I have received so far on this journey half way around the world. I know I will treasure them even more the more miles I put between us.
Love
Vicki

P.S. No, I haven't found my boots!!! I'm still hoping I will find them mixed in another crate, but so far not a trace of them. Edith and Sarah both remember me putting them in the "to keep" pile that day in June when I was packing the last of my personal belongings up. Oh, well... not the end of the world... but very sad for me.. :o(