Day 1442. I once again went to bed late and was glad we had no commitments this morning. Unfortunately Sammy was up early anyway. I stayed in bed as long as I could, together with Tammy and Emmy. Emmy then got up, and eventually Tammy did too. In the end I got up as well and joined everyone out there having breakfast. I made hot chocolate for the kids and sat down with them. They had hardly eaten any breakfast, and in fact, Tammy didn't eat any at all. They soon started playing, and got to play all morning.
We're now exactly half-way into our 12-week US trip. We rented a car for the whole time, but the engine has been making knocking sounds, which worried Randy. Yesterday at church he was talking with someone and mentioned it, and it turned out that that guy was working for our rental company. He decided to help us and act right away, especially as we only had one day left in Wichita. So he arranged for Randy to bring the car in and get another car in its place. And so Randy emptied the car out completely, bringing everything in. The kids hadn't seen their little suitcase full of toys for a while and were really excited to be playing with them again. Randy left to drive to the airport to make the car exchange, and he only returned just after noon, just as we were about to sit down for lunch.
As for me, I was extremely tired all morning, having ministered yesterday and not had a nap in the afternoon, and then the short night. But as Randy wasn't there, I continued working in the living room, where the kids were playing. Sammy sat with the Mom of the house for quite a long time, then he wanted down, and he played by himself, while she went to the kitchen to make lunch. The other two kids got their tablets at some point and kept busy with them.
We had lunch together, eating spaghetti, which is something they like, as well as leftovers from the restaurant yesterday. And we were having a great time of fellowship with our hosts. The kids didn't eat very much, as usual, then went back to playing. I also returned to my computer to prepare my 2:30 lesson. I was done before it was 2 pm and then told the kids it was time for their nap.
I put them to bed and lay down with them. Thank God they all fell asleep today. Of course I didn't have time for a nap and got up just before it was time to start teaching. I taught my class in the living room, and could hear Sammy at some point. Nobody was in the room with them, but Randy then went in there. I finished my lesson, then we got ready to leave the house, which was later than planned anyway, just before 4 pm.
By 4:20 pm we had found the park that the ministry's secretary wanted to meet at. Thankfully it wasn't as hot as it's already been, and there was plenty of shade. The kids started playing, and we were there to help. I was extremely tired. Sammy wanted me to push him in the swing, as Daddy doesn't push him high enough. There was also a cool swing, where they were sitting like in an astronaut's seat. Emmy lay down on his belly on a regular swing and pretended to fly, which was cute. Then there was a rolling log that the kids had fun on. And our secretary had fun on there with them, later Randy had all three on it.
We also sat on the bench with our friend to talk, and she'd been so kind to bring some cookies and coolaid. She was having some fun with the kids as well. After two hours it was time to get going, so we said our good-byes. It had been great to see our faithful secretary again after so many years of not having been here.
We got back into the car and started our 20-minute drive to our next destination. A couple from church yesterday had invited us over for dinner. And it was their daughter who had spent a lot of time with the kids at church yesterday, so they immediately started playing with her again, when we got there. Randy was talking to the Dad, while I was talking to the Mom in the kitchen until the food was ready, and we sat down at the table. We were really connecting with them and having a great time. We were all enjoying the great food as well. And so time passed quickly.
They had some dogs that Emmy was afraid of, so they were locked up. In the end they let them out, and Emmy even threw a stick for them outside. They also had a little cat that Sammy really wanted to pet, but it was shy and kept running away. I did hold it for some time and let Sammy pet it.
After over 2 hours it was getting late, and it was time to say good-bye. We took a great picture, then put the kids into the car and left. Just after 9 pm we were back at the house to spend our last night there. I was so extremely tired, but the kids really wanted to go into the bathtub again, so I finally gave in. Afterwards they still wanted to hear a bedtime story, and they had a great book there to read to them, which I did. Then I prayed for them and put them to bed. It was nearly 10 pm once again. I encouraged them to sleep, and Sammy fell asleep quickly. Then Tammy did, and Emmy was last and needed a little more encouragement. I got up to sit on our bed to turn my computer on before he was asleep. I had pictures to download, choose and edit, and then a report to write. Now it's nearly 1:30 am, and I'm done and looking forward to another short night. What can I do.
