tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335486202024-03-12T22:26:43.225-05:00Musings from GracelandElysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.comBlogger2399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-75523466916234391782018-06-09T14:05:00.003-05:002018-06-09T14:07:50.962-05:00I'M BA-A-A-AAAK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well hello there!<br /><br />Long time no see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we moved to Swaziland 4.5 years ago, I had every intention of faithfully chronicling our new life and all the stages we were going to go through as a new missionary family. Well, it didn't happen. We didn't have Wi-Fi at home for the first few months and then when we finally got it, I had it in my mind that I needed to go back and blog about EVERYTHING that had happened and that just overwhelmed me. So......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />I didn't blog for years.<br /><br />And a year ago when we moved to another place in Swaziland we didn't have Wi-Fi AGAIN. In fact, we didn't have it til a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br />Y'all, the last years have been good and bad and fun and hard. Living on the mission field overseas is in many ways like living back in America. It is also very different. This last year or so has been a hard season for our family for too many reasons to go into right now. Just take my word for it. Last month, I was in America for a couple of weeks ago and did a lot of crying and whining and verbally processing. One of my dear college friends, Janet, encouraged me to start blogging again. And then the other day, I was talking to my grown daughter Anna ---- who, by the way, now lives with us in Swaziland --- and she also encouraged me to take it up again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />So here I am.<br /><br />I probably won't ever get to share all the things I wish I could share with you about the first years of living here BUT, I can just start again. So many times, we don't do what we'd love to do or need to do because we think we have to do it perfectly. Well, that's just not reality for most of us in most situations. Sometimes, we just gotta start with where we're at. Sometimes we gotta do like that sports company slogan counsels and "just do it".<br /><br />Okay, I'm just doing it. <br /><br />I don't think I'll ever be back to blogging every single day like I did back in the day. I do hope, though, that I'll do it regularly enough to help me feel a bit more connected with the outside world, have a place where our family happenings are recorded so our loved ones far away can keep up with us better, help me work through what's going on in this life, and maybe bless and encourage a few readers in the process.<br /><br />And hopefully, all this will be done with a big ole heaping helping of grace...grace dumped on y'all and grace dumped on me.<br /><br />Because really, in this world of filters and pins, we all need to be reminded sometime that life is a gift even if it is messy and crazy and always imperfect. We need to do the things that make our hearts sing and our spirits swell even though we probably won't do it as well as we'd like.<br /><br />And that's my corny, cliche'ish, yet true Musing from Graceland for today.</span>Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-16233353901800209812013-12-27T12:13:00.000-06:002014-08-23T12:14:24.332-05:00I KNOW THIS SAYS "DECEMBER"Let me let you in on a secret. The date for this blog post says I am writing this in December of 2013 but that isn't really true. It is actually August of 2014 and I'm playing catch-up big-time.
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When I first started blogging years ago, I blogged daily. In fact, I blogged daily for years, rarely missing a day. I might have to take a temporary hiatus due to a vacation or mission trip. For a season, I blogged erratically after our house fire when we didn't have internet access. Then I moved to live at We Will Go and our life cranked up exponentially. Some days were just too busy to blog and some days I was just too tired at the end of the day to try to put words together in any semblance of order or interest or humor.
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And then the move month happened.
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All of a sudden the craziness increased even more. On top of all the regular ministry and mommy responsibilities was added all the activities related to moving our family to another continent. Our days were crammed with packing and going-away parties and seeing friends "one last time" and shopping and taking care of banking issues and on and on and on. Oh...and I mustn't fail to mention that it was also Christmas so we were also buying gifts and attending holiday functions and making Christmas yummies and...
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Well, you get the point.
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It was insane.
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And then we moved to Swaziland.
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We didn't have internet at home for nearly 4 months so grabbed bits and pieces of internet time at restaurants and friend's houses as we could. There was never time to blog as I was using that precious time to try to answer emails, send pictures to folks back home, communicate with our university daughters, and go through days and days' worth of Facebook notifications.
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So now we have internet and I've put off updating my blog for 8 months now because I'm just awesome that way. Did I mention that I also broke my finger back in June so that also put a crimp in my typing abilities.
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ANYWAY....that is a very long way of saying that this procrastinating, easily-overwhelmed, slightly OCD-about-my-blog-posts girl is now committed to blogging again. I don't know if I will ever be able to blog again every day, but I can do better than once every several months.
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So what's my plan? I am going to go back and post summaries of the past season of our life beginning with the last few weeks in America and working my way up to the present. I will date them and write them as though I posted as it was happening. Hopefully once I break thru this mental hurdle, I will not feel like a little ant trying to eat an entire Thanksgiving meal and can easily post updates on a more regular basis.
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Rev your engines readers, we're about to race through 8 months.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restoration Church's women's ministry Christmas party.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going away party we threw at We Will Go and had friends from many different parts of our life including my Troubadour little sister from my MUW days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restoration Church's going-away party.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura, Merry, and Travis participated in the church Christmas service. Travis had a solo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye at We Will Go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry and Amy Lancaster at the WWG Christmas Party<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extra time with our "other son".</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More packing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shipping day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final night of GAs and RAs at 1st Baptist Jackson.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moved into a WWG bunkhouse for the last days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch out with my bestie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More goodbyes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91EwRrbJvXc/U_jGG2bgKrI/AAAAAAAABX8/swXQleAibIc/s1600/702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91EwRrbJvXc/U_jGG2bgKrI/AAAAAAAABX8/swXQleAibIc/s320/702.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And last times of visiting with neighbors at the ministry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobbit movie then milkshakes at Sonic while visiting on the Gulf Coast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special Christmas service at my growing-up church, 1st Baptist Gautier, and the Swazi flag used in their Lottie Moon campaign every year.</td></tr>
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And that's it for now. The last month in America to be continued because I've already been working on this one for a few hours and the kids are begging for the computer. Ugh. This catching up might take a really long time.
Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-36880636187070657152013-12-10T10:45:00.000-06:002013-12-10T10:45:11.669-06:00FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH!?!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YIKES! Friday the Thirteenth has never held so much significance for me as this one will. On this day, just 72 hours from now, a big ole shipping container will be brought to our house and strangers will begin to load up beds, photo albums, books, toys, and family heirlooms to begin their long and perilous journey to our new home in Manzini, Swaziland.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Packing for the Africa move and reminding myself that Jesus and His little ones are worth it. #packingforafrica #jesusisworthit #journeytolivinginswaziland #lifeatwewillgo #savethechildren" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/11310049274_c326b2d47a.jpg" width="500" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime, we still have packing to do. A <i>lot</i> of packing.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm gonna be real here, I am feeling anxious about this. Ask me to throw a party for a hundred folks or organize a ministry event requiring scores of volunteers and I'm fine. Ask me to pack up a house and I want to just curl up in a ball with my dark chocolate and iPhone.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We need your help.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you live locally and come help, it would be so amazing. I will do a jig, ply you with good food, and name my first Swazi cat after you. Even one hour would be such a big help. I need folks who can take the stuff that we're deciding we're keeping and wrap in bubble wrap or just fit in the shipping bins in an efficient way. It is as easy as that but it just all takes a lot of time. We have been working on it for months but we are down to packing up last big chunk of stuff. We've got kids who still need mama to do stuff and neighbors who knock on the door and still need sweet, not-crazed ministers to give them a meal, drive them to AA on a rainy night, or just pray for them. Again, even an hour or two of donated time would be such a help.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But if you aren't local but if you are and your schedule just won't allow you to come help, then please pray. Seriously. Pray.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray for folks who can help to come and help and pray that I won't get overwhelmed, lonely, stressed out, and start feeling sorry for myself. Pray for all of us that we'll just keep our eyes on God as our provider and not turn on each other. It is easy during times like this to start snapping and stressing and yelling and blaming. Pray that we'll trust in the Lord and seek ways to feed our spirit and keep the joy alive. Pray that I won't get all poor-me-this-is-lonely-and-doesn't-feel-like-Christmas. I mean it. Happy Pollyanna Elysa is hard to find during tasks like this. It has gotta be HIS Spirit because mine is just ready for this to be over.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enough of the raining on your Christmas parade.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love to you all and praying that you'll also find the joy and provision of the season and not just the stress and tiredness.</span>Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-71590325959001393012013-12-09T21:55:00.000-06:002013-12-09T21:55:03.884-06:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRICK!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11263663283/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Happy birthday, dear Patrick! by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11263663283/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Happy birthday, dear Patrick! by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Happy 15th birthday, dear Patrick!" height="200" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/11263663283_c4004da756.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I pray that this coming year is your best ever. I know that moving to Africa is not without potential stress and there are some aspects that seem less than ideal to you, but I'm praying that this year will be the first year of an amazing adventure and that God begin showing you the unique giftings and passions He has put in your life as you start to get a glimpse of how He wants to use you to impact the places He sends you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He has put into your life so much and as your mama, I'm blessed to be seeing how those things are starting to come to life. When you sat up all night just a couple of weeks ago with that cold neighbor, that was truly being Jesus to that man. I was blown away by your compassionate heart. I can't even begin to imagine whatever acts of love and sacrifice you will do in the days, months, and years to come.<br /><br />Don't settle for less, Patrick. Live your life to the fullest as He has planned. People are going to be in awe by what God does in and through your life.<br /><br />I love you!<br />Mom</span></div>
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Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-2921382769694926022013-12-08T00:00:00.000-06:002013-12-08T00:00:09.128-06:00WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So what does the next bit of our life look like as we prepare for moving to Swaziland?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11226913684/" title="Pretty merry about her new rolling carry-on that just got delivered. #preparingforafrica #futurewgirl #odyowl #muwbound #missionarykid #owlstuff #skiphopzoo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Pretty merry about her new rolling carry-on that just got delivered. #preparingforafrica #futurewgirl #odyowl #muwbound #missionarykid #owlstuff #skiphopzoo" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/11226913684_799d9b6fd1.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We now have 21 days left til Jim and the 5 youngest kids board the plane that will fly us away from Mississippi. Anna and Betsie will have left just 3 days before. They are going over early to help get some things ready for our arrival and also add some time to their trip on the front-end since they'll have to be leaving just a week or so after we arrive to get Betsie back in time for the beginning of her new semester. Anna doesn't start quite so soon but we wanted them to be together on what will most likely be an emotional journey.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How will we spend these last few weeks? Well here goes:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week we must finish up our packing. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be full-on effort as the shipping container comes this Friday. We are packing up some of our furniture, most of our books, some of the kids toys, lots of photos and sentimental stuff, Christmas ornaments, and other things that we want for our new home but can wait the month or two or three or more til it arrives. The things we will need right away, such as clothes and homeschool books, will go into suitcases. If you would like to come help us pack, it would be super, super appreciated. I might be willing to even name my first born African pet after you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anna and Betsie are taking finals this coming week and then will come home on Friday or Saturday morning. Just in time to miss all the purging and packing. Aren't they lucky?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Patrick's 15th birthday is Monday so we might give him a slight reprieve for a minute or two. I think we'll have to make it up for him in some way. Maybe no dishwashing that day?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next Saturday, the 14th, are two going-away parties. The first is from 2 to 4:30 here at We Will Go. If you wanna come, shoot me a comment or find me on Facebook and I will tell you the details. We would love to have as many of our friends and family there as possible. As I said in the last blog post, leaving behind loved ones is definitely the hardest part about moving to Africa. The second party is being thrown by our Restoration Church family. It will be a time set aside to just love on our spiritual family and get loved on by them. They have been so incredibly supportive of us along this journey.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next week it really gets crazy. Even crazy by our standards.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What we want for Africa but didn't ship will be all in suitcases and taken over to Base 2 at We Will Go where we will be staying in one of the guest houses. Monday through Wednesday, the 16th - 17th, will be spent getting rid of all the stuff that we are not taking. We will be opening the house up and having a giant moving sale. The pots and pans, furniture, school supplies, knick-knacks, house plants, and all the other stuff will be sold or given away to whoever wants it. Spread the word if you know of someone in need or want of what we've got! On that Thursday, some friends are coming to box up and take away all the stuff that is left. And then that afternoon or Friday morning, we'll give the mostly empty house a good cleaning.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On Friday, December 20, we'll be driving to the Gulf Coast where we will spend time with family and more friends. That Sunday, the 22nd, my mom is hosting an Open House for us from 2 to 5:00. If you live down there and want to come, again, shoot me a comment or Facebook message and I'll give you the details. Before that, we'll be lunching with the Harvey side of the family.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Monday, December 23, we'll go up to Hattiesburg to see Jim's sister's family and parents one last time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then Christmas Eve, the Macs will be participating in the First Baptist Gautier worship service. We'll also go there the Sunday before. Hope to see many of my sweet FBC friends then. Maybe some old friends will be home for the holidays.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christmas Day will be spent at my mom's and at my brother's.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Boxing Day we will take Anna and Betsie to the New Orleans airport then drive back to Jackson.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday, December 28 is the annual W-friends get-together at Keifer's. You know the routine by now if you wanna be there.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And our last day, Sunday the 29th, will find us at Restoration for church in the morning, at We Will Go for the first 20 minutes or so of the afternoon service, and then it will be time to fly out. Our plane takes off at 6:30. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We will travel for two days with a layover in London that will allow us some sight-seeing time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The last day of December will see us landing in Johannesburg, South Africa. We will catch a shuttle (with our 21 suitcases and 18 carryon pieces) to Swaziland where Anna and Betsie will be waiting for us. We will spend New Year's Eve in our new home even if we are eating off of Styrofoam plates and sleeping on air mattresses. Then the very first day of 2014 will find us waking up in our Manzini home.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that's it! That's what the next few weeks hold for the MacMinions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We'd love to see you between now and departure date if possible. If you can't make the official functions, we are definitely open to lunch dates and supper invitations. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And you know I'm not going to turn down offers to come help pack.</span></div><br />
</div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-6064653058089645142013-12-07T15:00:00.000-06:002013-12-07T15:00:08.203-06:00SO WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN BLOGGING?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides the obvious reason --- we've had tons of stuff to do in preparation for moving to Africa --- there is another reason that I went about a month with no new blog posts.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have really been struggling.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the last five or six years, I have been dreaming of moving to Swaziland. At times, I have been downright giddy. Okay, a lot of times.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once God told us over three years ago that we were moving for sure, we've been preparing. After all, last year we sold our farm and got rid of all our pets so we could move here to We Will Go for a time of training and transition.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But all along, the reality of the move seemed so far away. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People would say "wow, what a sacrifice you are making" or "I could never do what you are doing" and I would respond with something like, "this isn't hard for me because it is a dream come true --- I feel like I've won the sweepstakes".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now don't get me wrong, I am still fully committed to moving to Africa. I have not doubted for even a second that we have heard correctly from God. I just didn't anticipate how hard the actually leaving and going would be. I knew it would be hard to leave my college daughters behind and other friends and family, but until it is actually getting close to the real goodbyes, it just doesn't sink in.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last month in Swaziland we were faced with a lot of realities. The huge magnitude of what we were doing hit us square in the face. The ministry aspect --- how do we juggle all the demands and focus only on what GOD wants us to be doing --- as well as the everyday life aspect. When I lived in Swaziland in the 80's as a single missionary, it was Disney World compared to this. The Baptist Mission board and missionary family took care of so many of the details for me. I didn't have to choose insurance, sign lease contracts, buy a vehicle, or factor in a family full of children in the equation. It was just little ole me. Now there are a whole lot more people impacted by the decision.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jim says that he "counted the cost" back when he first heard God calling him to move to Africa. I didn't. I was so focused on the sweet babies, the beautiful girls, the fatherless boys, the struggling widows, and the amazing Swazis serving the Lord faithfully that I didn't think about the cost. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since our trip last month, I have been counting the cost. I've realized that I will most likely never attend any of Betsie's parent-daughter weekends at MUW. I've realized that many of the people who are a part of my life will never be seen again this side of Heaven. We're not making any plans to move back Stateside. At this point, we are moving for good. Unless God tells us differently somewhere down the road, we will be buried in African soil. That means we don't put stuff in storage for someday. We have to get rid of a lot of stuff. Stuff like Jim's grandmother's bedroom furniture and the dried flowers from a bouquet he sent me as a new bride. We're not going off for a two year Journeyman adventure, we're making a new life. A life all the way across the ocean very far away from our parents, our grown daughters, our friends, our church, our colleges, our hometowns, our American lives.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have cried a lot these last few weeks. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have purged and packed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have thrown away and bought needed things.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have cried some more.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And said a lot of goodbyes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have also held on tight to God and what He has shown me and taught me. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is worth it all. He is so worth more than all of it and more.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everywhere I turn, there are songs, sermons, and quotes that remind me of the real reason that we are doing this.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read once that if you go be a missionary because of the orphan or the homeless person or the trapped prostitute that in the long run, and when it gets really hard, that they won't be enough to get you through. It <i>has</i> to be because God told you to go and you love Him too much to not go.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I love those sweet Swazi children. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I really, really love my own two daughters and so many others here in America.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I will be brutally honest here, there have been two or three times this past month when I have said "lord, only because of You am I going".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jim and I both have said that though this is probably the very hardest thing we've ever done, there is no turning back. We know, know, know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is absolutely God's will for our life. We know that there will be times when our hearts are breaking with missing our kids and other loved ones. We know that there will be times when ministry seems to be failing and the culture seems overwhelming. We know that there will be times that we don't know where the provision is coming from and we're scared and confused. We know there will be times of anger and stress and sadness.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we cling to the anchor that is Him.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is the God who has lead and equipped and provided and will continue to lead and provide and equip.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know that He has spiritual children waiting on us. We know that He has plans that He has designed just for us to walk. We know that His plan and His ways are so much better than ours. We know that the life that He offers is so much more satisfying than the one we have now, even though it will not always be easy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know all these things and yet we grieve. This is a season of mourning mixed with celebration.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are letting go of a wonderful, rich, love-filled life for something new.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We both expect our new life in Swaziland to also be a wonderful, rich, love-filled life but it will be different. It won't be here. And that is both good and hard.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you see us this month, don't be surprised if we laugh, cry, rejoice, and lament all in the same conversation. I am so thankful that Jesus walked this earth. He empathizes. He knew on this earth what it costs to follow His Father. That path of obedience led to the cross.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now in no way do I compare my life to the life of Jesus. He left Heaven and its glory for this earth and then gave his life in a brutal death. God asking me to move to the beautiful nation of Swaziland to live and love is no comparison. But what it reminds me if Jesus understands. He knows I'm just a mere mortal. He knows how it is to love and leave behind. He knows the pain of watching his loved ones mourn his departure. He is so sweet and merciful to me. He understands our pain. What a gift that is and just another reason why He is so worthy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is worth it. Worth it all.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the things we are giving up, all the culture we are leaving behind, all the people we'll be apart from, all of this and more ... He is worth it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pray that through this season, we will learn to love Him even better. I pray my kids will learn to love Him more than anything. I pray that we will always, always, always be willing to go and do and be whatever He wants because He is so incredibly worth it all.</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10797392854/" title="Thankful to have Pastor Dumasani to lead the way for us. He truly is walking out His faith. #lovelookslikesomething #siyahamba #walkinginthelightofgod #maliyaduma #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2012 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Thankful to have Pastor Dumasani to lead the way for us. He truly is walking out His faith. #lovelookslikesomething #siyahamba #walkinginthelightofgod #maliyaduma #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2012" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/10797392854_905cb5e7cb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Take up thy cross and follow Me," I heard my Master say; </div><div style="text-align: center;">"I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today." </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know, </div><div style="text-align: center;">And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I'll go. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It may be thru' the shadows dim, Or o'er the stormy sea, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so; </div><div style="text-align: center;">he is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go. </div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-4057087237993497012013-12-06T17:09:00.000-06:002013-12-06T17:15:06.259-06:00"COUNTDOWN TO SWAZILAND" UPDATE<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So we got back from Swaziland about four weeks ago and since then, it as though someone put time on fast forward. It is absolutely insane how fast these weeks have flown and we still have so much to do before we pile into that plane on December 29.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thought I'd give my faithful readers and friends a quick overview of what's happened since we returned and what's facing us in the days ahead.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We arrived back from Africa on Saturday, November 16 and had our ordination service at Restoration Church the next day. My mom was already here taking care of the kids but my brother and a nephew drove up for the service and Jim's parents came down from Columbus. We also had an abundance of sweet friends there to support us including the majority of the We Will Go missionary family and some of Betsie's Troubadour sisters.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10928315346/" title="What an honor to be blessed and ordained by this group of servant leaders. One more big step towards living and living in Swaziland. #ordinationservice #cfn #missionaries #blessed #praying #restorationchurch #journeytolivinginswaziland #sundaymorning by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="What an honor to be blessed and ordained by this group of servant leaders. One more big step towards living and living in Swaziland. #ordinationservice #cfn #missionaries #blessed #praying #restorationchurch #journeytolivinginswaziland #sundaymorning" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/10928315346_7692da4bd7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10928587114/" title="Jim's parents drove down from Columbus and Anna drove up from New Orleans for the big event. #ordinationservice #restorationchurch #sundaymorning #family by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Jim's parents drove down from Columbus and Anna drove up from New Orleans for the big event. #ordinationservice #restorationchurch #sundaymorning #family" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/10928587114_42768626b8.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10928533016/" title="So blessed to have my only sibling at the service and his youngest. Connor said he wishes that Patrick could be his brother. #ordinationservice #sundaymorning #restorationchurch #family #brothers by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="So blessed to have my only sibling at the service and his youngest. Connor said he wishes that Patrick could be his brother. #ordinationservice #sundaymorning #restorationchurch #family #brothers" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/10928533016_654e08b753.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10928646954/" title="It was great having a huge crowd of We Will Go folks come out for the ordination service. They are family for sure! #ordinationservice #wewillgo #sundaymorning #restorationchurch #lifeatwewillgo #journeytolivinginswaziland #family #friendsareapricelesstr by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="It was great having a huge crowd of We Will Go folks come out for the ordination service. They are family for sure! #ordinationservice #wewillgo #sundaymorning #restorationchurch #lifeatwewillgo #journeytolivinginswaziland #family #friendsareapricelesstr" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/10928646954_771aeb56ed.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10928923506/" title="Karen McGivney has been such a helpful friend over the years, whether babysitting my kids or helping me move into our house at We Will Go. I am very blessed to have her in my life. #ordinationservice #restorationchurch #sundaymorning #blessed #friendsare by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Karen McGivney has been such a helpful friend over the years, whether babysitting my kids or helping me move into our house at We Will Go. I am very blessed to have her in my life. #ordinationservice #restorationchurch #sundaymorning #blessed #friendsare" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/10928923506_d26be6849f.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10928676004/" title="Three of Betsie's Troubadour sisters came down to celebrate the event with us. #ordinationservice #troubadoursisters #wgirls #troubadoursocialclub #blessed #sisters #friendsareapricelesstreasure #sundaymorning #restorationchurch by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Three of Betsie's Troubadour sisters came down to celebrate the event with us. #ordinationservice #troubadoursisters #wgirls #troubadoursocialclub #blessed #sisters #friendsareapricelesstreasure #sundaymorning #restorationchurch" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/10928676004_e164f4f91f.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10929153664/" title="Wow! #ordinationservice #restorationchurch #cfn #sundaymorning #journeytolivinginswaziland #missionary #whatanhonor by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Wow! #ordinationservice #restorationchurch #cfn #sundaymorning #journeytolivinginswaziland #missionary #whatanhonor" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/10929153664_60b183bac6.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the departure date quickly approaching, we've been doing lots of packing and getting rid of stuff. A sweet gal at church put on two rummage sales for our benefit. We provided lots of things to sale and she did most of the work. It was a huge, huge blessing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10986571763/" title="Loading up stuff for tomorrow's rummage sale at Restoration Church. #journeytolivinginswaziland #gettingridofstuff #rummagesale #fundraiser by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Loading up stuff for tomorrow's rummage sale at Restoration Church. #journeytolivinginswaziland #gettingridofstuff #rummagesale #fundraiser" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/10986571763_f9a630378a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amidst all the purging, packing, and tying up loose ends, we've taken time to do fun things, such as go to the Doctor Who movie.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11059156936/" title="At the DOCTOR WHO movie with David Tennant, Tom Baker, and Matt Smith. #doctorwho #davidtennant #tombaker #mattsmith #whovian #drwho #doctorwhomovie #doctorwho50thanniversarycinemaevent by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="At the DOCTOR WHO movie with David Tennant, Tom Baker, and Matt Smith. #doctorwho #davidtennant #tombaker #mattsmith #whovian #drwho #doctorwhomovie #doctorwho50thanniversarycinemaevent" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/11059156936_674ce4065a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Eat out with friends, like my Troubadour sister Audra.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11216035094/" title="Crazy faces at my favorite vegetarian restaurant. I was so psyched that Audra agreed to go there with me. #troubadoursisters #wgirls #muwalums #audrasvisit #nachosalad #highnooncafe #happyfoodie #foodiemama #eatingclean #eatyourveggies by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Crazy faces at my favorite vegetarian restaurant. I was so psyched that Audra agreed to go there with me. #troubadoursisters #wgirls #muwalums #audrasvisit #nachosalad #highnooncafe #happyfoodie #foodiemama #eatingclean #eatyourveggies" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/11216035094_4fb2ef9387.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Take the kids skating with the homeschool group.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11193312345/" title="Skater chick. #verylasttime #skatingday #homeschoolers #florencerichlandhomeschoolgroup by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Skater chick. #verylasttime #skatingday #homeschoolers #florencerichlandhomeschoolgroup" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/11193312345_25cfd0f2ec.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walking on the beach with the big girls.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11128263083/" title="Anna, Jim, and Betsie. #thedayafterthanksgiving #walkalongthebeach #oceansprings #mississippiautumn #thanksgivingholidays #daddyandhisgirls #walkingofftheturkey #beachatnight by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Anna, Jim, and Betsie. #thedayafterthanksgiving #walkalongthebeach #oceansprings #mississippiautumn #thanksgivingholidays #daddyandhisgirls #walkingofftheturkey #beachatnight" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/11128263083_da45b896e6.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Visiting Delta State with David so Jim could see it for himself.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11179693163/" title="Planning for the day. #dsubound #dmi #deltamusicinstitute #deltastateuniversity by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Planning for the day. #dsubound #dmi #deltamusicinstitute #deltastateuniversity" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/11179693163_8f726a56bb.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And continue to enjoy the every day life here at We Will Go, whether that's serving in the clothes ministry or celebrating a birthday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11181787705/" title="Just surprised this neighbor with a birthday party. No longer Little Mario but Manly Mario. :) #surprisebirthdayparty #21stbirthday #lifeatwewillgo #prayingbigthingsforthisguy by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Just surprised this neighbor with a birthday party. No longer Little Mario but Manly Mario. :) #surprisebirthdayparty #21stbirthday #lifeatwewillgo #prayingbigthingsforthisguy" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/11181787705_54f59130bb.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We also spent a few days over the Thanksgiving week with Jim's family up in Columbus and then my family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11107058246/" title="And now the dessert. #thanksgiving2013 #lastthanksgivinginamerica #macthanksgiving #desserts #pies #aplethoraofpies #pumpkinpie #pecanpie #applepie #kingcake #southerntradition by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="And now the dessert. #thanksgiving2013 #lastthanksgivinginamerica #macthanksgiving #desserts #pies #aplethoraofpies #pumpkinpie #pecanpie #applepie #kingcake #southerntradition" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/11107058246_26130856a8.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11108426126/" title="Lazy Thanksgiving afternoon. #thanksgiving2013 #macthanksgiving #lastthanksgivinginamerica #feelinglazy #desserttime #cousins by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Lazy Thanksgiving afternoon. #thanksgiving2013 #macthanksgiving #lastthanksgivinginamerica #feelinglazy #desserttime #cousins" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/11108426126_cd0d7ff100.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11128045556/" title="The men folks --- Jim, his dad, his sister's husband, and the five grandsons. by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="The men folks --- Jim, his dad, his sister's husband, and the five grandsons." height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/11128045556_26df430fb7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11135408754/" title="Pancake feast at my brother and sister-inlaw's. #saturdayafterthanksgiving #breakfast #breakfastfeast #family #pancakes by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Pancake feast at my brother and sister-inlaw's. #saturdayafterthanksgiving #breakfast #breakfastfeast #family #pancakes" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/11135408754_c86540a558.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11135412706/" title="Happiness is ... #pancakes #saturdayafterthanksgiving #breakfast #breakfastfeast #hellokitty #happinnessis by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Happiness is ... #pancakes #saturdayafterthanksgiving #breakfast #breakfastfeast #hellokitty #happinnessis" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/11135412706_5e77703c8c.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11145689206/" title="Me and my mama. #saturdayafterthanksgiving #breakfastfeast #breakfast #thanksgivingholidays #icraveprotein #foodiemama #christmascups by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Me and my mama. #saturdayafterthanksgiving #breakfastfeast #breakfast #thanksgivingholidays #icraveprotein #foodiemama #christmascups" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/11145689206_73f810d3fa.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11159746823/" title="Three cousins and some cookies. #saturdayafterthanksgiving #mandmcookies #thanksgivingholidays #cousins #family #familytradition by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Three cousins and some cookies. #saturdayafterthanksgiving #mandmcookies #thanksgivingholidays #cousins #family #familytradition" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/11159746823_da41cd6794.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11161933285/" title="Instagram Queen Mama and her Instagram Princess Niece. #sundaylunch #thanksgivingholidays #sundayafterthanksgiving #auntandniece #igers by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Instagram Queen Mama and her Instagram Princess Niece. #sundaylunch #thanksgivingholidays #sundayafterthanksgiving #auntandniece #igers" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/11161933285_3f0f61e81a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And now we're right smack dab in the middle of final preparations for Swaziland while also juggling Christmas activities (obviously pared down) and spending as much time with friends and family as possible.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/11229949836/" title="Our teeny we're-moving-to-Africa-this-month Christmas tree. #christmasseason #christmas #imdreamingofawhitechristmas by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Our teeny we're-moving-to-Africa-this-month Christmas tree. #christmasseason #christmas #imdreamingofawhitechristmas" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/11229949836_3a2ea9b289.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pray for us, PLEASE! We have got so much to do in the next 23 days. We have to finish packing, make a thousand decisions about things we never even thought about before, move out of our house, visit family and friends, throw a going-away party, and on and on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will post more about this in my next post and give y'all some dates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This really is the biggest, craziest thing we've ever done. And that's saying a lot for <em>this</em> family.</span></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-59151807442413286332013-12-05T00:00:00.000-06:002013-12-06T15:49:56.123-06:00THE REST OF THE WEEK IN SWAZILAND and BEYOND<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And what did we</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">do the rest of the week in Swaziland?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To be honest, it is all a blur as that was about a month ago. Jim and I hit the ground running as our return to the States meant we had about a month and a half til our move date.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To say that it has been crazy since returning would be an understatement, but here are a few photo highlights from the rest of the trip.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We were able to deliver food to a homestead outside of Manzini.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10820547695/" title="This baby had to weigh almost as much as the girl carrying her. #swazikids #precious #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2013 #jesuslovesthelittlechildren by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="This baby had to weigh almost as much as the girl carrying her. #swazikids #precious #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2013 #jesuslovesthelittlechildren" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/10820547695_7ab3fed7aa.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We ate out with the Donaldsons.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10825348713/" title="The small dessert napkins were folded into fans and put on our diminutive forks. Inge and I enjoyed our cheesecake though it was very different from American style. It was lighter. More like a cross between a jello dessert and a cheesecake. #cheeseca by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="The small dessert napkins were folded into fans and put on our diminutive forks. Inge and I enjoyed our cheesecake though it was very different from American style. It was lighter. More like a cross between a jello dessert and a cheesecake. #cheeseca" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/10825348713_5eda187194.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Got our made-for-rough-and-rugged-African-roads vehicle.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10837342845/" title="Ta-da! We are now the owners of a beautiful, God-provided vehicle. Now we HAVE to come back to Swaziland! ;D #buyingthenewvehicle #leitestoyota #fortuner #manzini #swaziland #soexcited #firsttimeever #thankyoulord by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Ta-da! We are now the owners of a beautiful, God-provided vehicle. Now we HAVE to come back to Swaziland! ;D #buyingthenewvehicle #leitestoyota #fortuner #manzini #swaziland #soexcited #firsttimeever #thankyoulord" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/10837342845_a53896e47c.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jim scrubbed black mold off the ceiling of the Donadson's bathroom.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10832773944/" title="Jim spent a chunk of yesterday scrubbing black mold off of the bathroom ceiling in our host's home. This man is GONNA find work to do. Anyone wanna bring over a gallon of Kilz paint? O-o #hardworking #hunkyhubby #ilovethisman #servantheart #blackmold #n by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Jim spent a chunk of yesterday scrubbing black mold off of the bathroom ceiling in our host's home. This man is GONNA find work to do. Anyone wanna bring over a gallon of Kilz paint? O-o #hardworking #hunkyhubby #ilovethisman #servantheart #blackmold #n" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/10832773944_4c02203488.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Purchased insurance for said vehicle.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10837372755/" title="Getting car insurance. #preparingformovingtoafrica #journeytolivinginswaziland #insurance #swazilandroyalinsurancecorporation #livinginafrica by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Getting car insurance. #preparingformovingtoafrica #journeytolivinginswaziland #insurance #swazilandroyalinsurancecorporation #livinginafrica" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/10837372755_a42b7a3b88.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We surprised a Swazi friend by dropping by her office for an unplanned visit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10842950016/" title="Stopped in to surprise this sweet friend while we were just in the neighborhood dealing with the car business. Can't wait to see her on a regular basis. #sisterinchrist #swazifriend #swazibeauty #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Stopped in to surprise this sweet friend while we were just in the neighborhood dealing with the car business. Can't wait to see her on a regular basis. #sisterinchrist #swazifriend #swazibeauty #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/10842950016_f5e0ef4e59.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jim and I lunched at my very-favorite-in-the-whole-wide-world Chinese place for lunch.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855245076/" title="A delicious lunch in front of Kowloon's as we wait for the estate agent's office to open up after lunch. Here, the business lunch hour is from 1 - 2. We ordered egg fu yung, samosas, and spring rolls. When the owner found out that I used to eat at Kowl by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="A delicious lunch in front of Kowloon's as we wait for the estate agent's office to open up after lunch. Here, the business lunch hour is from 1 - 2. We ordered egg fu yung, samosas, and spring rolls. When the owner found out that I used to eat at Kowl" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/10855245076_187f5daeb1.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Manzini Craft Market was where we bought a few souvenirs for the folks back home.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855339846/" title="We always visit Cezar at the Manzini Craft Market. This Mozambican always has a gentle smile and a warm greeting waiting for us. He is the one who had sold us many souvenirs over the years including toy machetes, batik cloths, wooden cats, a drum, woode by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="We always visit Cezar at the Manzini Craft Market. This Mozambican always has a gentle smile and a warm greeting waiting for us. He is the one who had sold us many souvenirs over the years including toy machetes, batik cloths, wooden cats, a drum, woode" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/10855339846_8553b7cd2d.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Time was spent pricing groceries and looking around at what's available.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855307495/" title="Yesssss! Peanut butter made from 100% peanuts. No extra oil. No sugar. No extras. Unfortunately it is pretty pricey at a little over $4 a jar. I am thinking I might need to start making homemade. #organic #cleaneatingpeanutbutter #protein #woolies #wo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Yesssss! Peanut butter made from 100% peanuts. No extra oil. No sugar. No extras. Unfortunately it is pretty pricey at a little over $4 a jar. I am thinking I might need to start making homemade. #organic #cleaneatingpeanutbutter #protein #woolies #wo" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/10855307495_42d46e0187.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the kids' sake, we checked out the country's only movie theater so we could tell them about prices and offerings once we got back home. Wednesdays are half-price tickets and you can see a movie for around $1.50. Popcorn and a soda together cost less than $5.00. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855628344/" title="After we made our orders, Inge and I went walking around a bit. First stop was the only movie theater in Swaziland but it is a nice one and super cheap by American standards. Regular admission is less than $3.50 and on Wednesdays it is half-price. You c by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="After we made our orders, Inge and I went walking around a bit. First stop was the only movie theater in Swaziland but it is a nice one and super cheap by American standards. Regular admission is less than $3.50 and on Wednesdays it is half-price. You c" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/10855628344_df71fb4c1c.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And on our way back to the States, we ate very nice food. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tex Mex for me and lots of meat for Jim at the Spur upon arriving at the Johannesburg airport on Thursday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855491455/" title="The marketing worked on Jim, my favorite warrior. #spurrestaurant #warrior #lotsofmeat #carnivore #lunch #meatlover #rsa #southafrica #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="The marketing worked on Jim, my favorite warrior. #spurrestaurant #warrior #lotsofmeat #carnivore #lunch #meatlover #rsa #southafrica #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/10855491455_1e16b25788.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855648164/" title="Why yes, I AM eating Tex Mex as my last lunch in Africa. #spurrestaurant #texmex #thisisafrica #nachosmexicana #imasuckerforguacamole #lastdayinafrica #thursdayafternoon #tamboairport #swazilandtripnovember2013 #rsa #southafrica by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Why yes, I AM eating Tex Mex as my last lunch in Africa. #spurrestaurant #texmex #thisisafrica #nachosmexicana #imasuckerforguacamole #lastdayinafrica #thursdayafternoon #tamboairport #swazilandtripnovember2013 #rsa #southafrica" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/10855648164_eec008ccf3.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lovely bakery items for dessert.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10855495855/" title="Those who know me in real life, are you sitting down? Yes, me ... the "sugar police" mama ordered all these and ate 3/4 of what you see. Jim and I both agree that this is probably the most sweet stuff that I have eaten in years, if not ever. #myhappypla by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Those who know me in real life, are you sitting down? Yes, me ... the "sugar police" mama ordered all these and ate 3/4 of what you see. Jim and I both agree that this is probably the most sweet stuff that I have eaten in years, if not ever. #myhappypla" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/10855495855_6beb11eb9c.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A peaceful and lovely breakfast at the Frankfurt airport on Friday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10877732195/" title="Such attention given to lovely details...from the blue water bottle to the chocolate beside the coffee cup. Really charming. #deutsch #germanrestaurant #frankfurtairport #fridaymorning #fridayinfrankfurt #chocolate #coffee #freshsqueezedorangejuice #bluea by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Such attention given to lovely details...from the blue water bottle to the chocolate beside the coffee cup. Really charming. #deutsch #germanrestaurant #frankfurtairport #fridaymorning #fridayinfrankfurt #chocolate #coffee #freshsqueezedorangejuice #bluea" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/10877732195_bb4574e047.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And Laughing Cow cheese on the plane ride across the Atlantic.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10877868816/" title="He's laughing on the inside. #laughingcow #cheese #planefood #flyingfromEurope #swazilandtripnovember2013 #thethingsthismandoestohumorme by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="He's laughing on the inside. #laughingcow #cheese #planefood #flyingfromEurope #swazilandtripnovember2013 #thethingsthismandoestohumorme" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/10877868816_3d35012b04.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had an overnight layover in Houston on Friday so we stayed with some friends whom I have known since I was a teenager. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10880062685/" title="What a true blessing this picture represents. Not only are Jim and I getting to actually sleep in a bed tonight, as opposed to airport chairs or a seat on a plane, but I am getting to spend time with one of my best friends from college. Laura and I live by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="What a true blessing this picture represents. Not only are Jim and I getting to actually sleep in a bed tonight, as opposed to airport chairs or a seat on a plane, but I am getting to spend time with one of my best friends from college. Laura and I live" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/10880062685_366cb2e8fe.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And after teary-goodbyes with the Grahams on Saturday morning, it was on to Jackson where, as stated previously, we hit the ground running.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next post I write will be an update on what's gone on since and what is facing us in the weeks to come.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But before I close, let me say a big THANK YOU to all of you who prayed for us while we were there and supported us in other ways. We couldn't have done it without our friends helping out with banking, folks who looked after our kids, and all the others involved in various ways. This really is a team effort and that team ain't just us Macs. I am so grateful for the people God has put in our lives. We need each of them. We need you.</span></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-5201936641883275692013-11-11T22:00:00.000-06:002013-12-06T15:05:17.940-06:00MONDAY IN SWAZILAND<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday was paying the deposit on our Swazi home...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10800476386/" title="Paid the deposit on our new home in Swaziland. Very thankful --- and excited --- about the Lord's provision. #PraiseGod #thankful #journeytolivinginswaziland #vjrrealestate #manzini #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2012 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Paid the deposit on our new home in Swaziland. Very thankful --- and excited --- about the Lord's provision. #PraiseGod #thankful #journeytolivinginswaziland #vjrrealestate #manzini #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2012" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/10800476386_ebe8024527.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...prayer walking through our new neighborhood (that's our house across the way)...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10800843633/" title="Another shot of our house. Ours is the one-story part. You see the guest flat stretching to the left and the main house to the right. #ournewswazihome #journeytolivinginswaziland #blessed #manzini #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2012 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Another shot of our house. Ours is the one-story part. You see the guest flat stretching to the left and the main house to the right. #ournewswazihome #journeytolivinginswaziland #blessed #manzini #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2012" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/10800843633_5a443af5c8.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...doing the finishing paperwork on our new built-for-African-roads vehicle (just pray for the money to come from our Stateside bank now) ...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10800825446/" title="First time getting behind the wheel of our Toyoto Fortuner. Oh the adventures God will take us on in this beauty. Now to just trust Him to work out the financial details. Our stateside bank hasn't released the funds yet. Please pray for it to happen s by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="First time getting behind the wheel of our Toyoto Fortuner. Oh the adventures God will take us on in this beauty. Now to just trust Him to work out the financial details. Our stateside bank hasn't released the funds yet. Please pray for it to happen s" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/10800825446_2d7e00ba16.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10802754674/" title="We got wheels, and we know how to use them. Well, we'll get to use them once we finish up the buying process. Praying for favor from our bank! #toyoto #fortuner #journeytolivinginswaziland #preparingformovingtoafrica #prayerrequest #leitestoyoto #swazilan by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="We got wheels, and we know how to use them. Well, we'll get to use them once we finish up the buying process. Praying for favor from our bank! #toyoto #fortuner #journeytolivinginswaziland #preparingformovingtoafrica #prayerrequest #leitestoyoto #swazilan" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/10802754674_8bc8e48573.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...taking friends home to their rural home...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10804013825/" title="This is why we are buying a tough vehicle. #africanroads #swazilandtripnovember2013 #swaziland #countryroads #maliyaduma #thisisafrica by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="This is why we are buying a tough vehicle. #africanroads #swazilandtripnovember2013 #swaziland #countryroads #maliyaduma #thisisafrica" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/10804013825_bebf5d9c0b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...passing out sweets to neighborhood children who are used to Dudley coming to visit...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10804691533/" title="Sweets for the sweets. #swazikids #bundledup #cooltemps #rainyseason #cloudyskies #rainyday #swazisummer #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sweets for the sweets. #swazikids #bundledup #cooltemps #rainyseason #cloudyskies #rainyday #swazisummer #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/10804691533_0f479a54c7.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and then Mama Mac's Miracle Potato Soup for supper. It was a hit with both the Americans and the Swazis. I tell you, this stuff is amazing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10804901124/" title="Happiness is... ...yummy soup on a cool, rainy day and a sweet, Swazi friend. #mamamacsmiraclepotatosoup #swazismile #halfswazi #halfamerican #blessed #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Happiness is... ...yummy soup on a cool, rainy day and a sweet, Swazi friend. #mamamacsmiraclepotatosoup #swazismile #halfswazi #halfamerican #blessed #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/10804901124_21ca9754f2.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-1004131153323431212013-11-10T22:00:00.000-06:002013-11-12T05:42:57.274-06:00SUNDAY IN SWAZILAND<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was definitely a highlight of our trip thus far. Not only did we get to attend worship service at a rural church, which is a great blessing in itself, but I got to hold one of my favorite five year olds almost the entire service. Little Programme definitely has snatched a chunk of my heart and getting to spend time with her and the family who takes care of her is a gift indeed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10779725456/" title="One of my favorite kids ever. #sundaymorning #goingtochurch #maliyadumazionistchurch #swaziland #ilovethisgirl #blessed #jesuslovesthelittlechildren #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="One of my favorite kids ever. #sundaymorning #goingtochurch #maliyadumazionistchurch #swaziland #ilovethisgirl #blessed #jesuslovesthelittlechildren #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/10779725456_4389c62675.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10779725456/" title="One of my favorite kids ever. #sundaymorning #goingtochurch #maliyadumazionistchurch #swaziland #ilovethisgirl #blessed #jesuslovesthelittlechildren #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The service lasted 3 to 4 hours but didn't feel that long at all. We were able to do a lot of visiting afterwards and walked to a nearby homestead afterward.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are photos from our Sunday:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10779696283/" title="This is my kind of welcome. Hello Swaziland Sunday! #maliyadumazionistchurch #sundaymorning #goingtochurch #zionist #swaziboys #bobhuti #swazilandtripnovember2013 #thisisafrica by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="This is my kind of welcome. Hello Swaziland Sunday! #maliyadumazionistchurch #sundaymorning #goingtochurch #zionist #swaziboys #bobhuti #swazilandtripnovember2013 #thisisafrica" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/10779696283_5bdbe86108.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10785905324/" title="Giving of offerings, some of which is going to build a carepoint for ministering to the local orphans. #maliyadumazionistchurch #carepoint #offering #sundayafternoon #churchservice #swaziland #lovelookslikesomething #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Giving of offerings, some of which is going to build a carepoint for ministering to the local orphans. #maliyadumazionistchurch #carepoint #offering #sundayafternoon #churchservice #swaziland #lovelookslikesomething #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/10785905324_6755315f2b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10797392824/" title="Peace out! #maliyadumazionistchurch #swazismiles #blessed #happinessis #swazikids #swazilandtripnovember2012 #sohappytogether by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Peace out! #maliyadumazionistchurch #swazismiles #blessed #happinessis #swazikids #swazilandtripnovember2012 #sohappytogether" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/10797392824_2cbeb7f42e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10797500893/" title="Blessed is the man who walks with a Godly companion. #brothersinchrist #walkinginthelightofgod #swaziland #maliyaduma #swazilandtripnovember2012 #siyahamba by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Blessed is the man who walks with a Godly companion. #brothersinchrist #walkinginthelightofgod #swaziland #maliyaduma #swazilandtripnovember2012 #siyahamba" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/10797500893_43143d1125.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh! And must include this last shot, a photo of our popcorn and movie night. A relaxing way to end the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10800306956/" title="The teenagers are on Facebook, the grown ups are watching Courageous, and we are all eating some of my world famous popcorn. #moviesandpopcorn #courageousthemovie #swazilandtripnovember2012 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="The teenagers are on Facebook, the grown ups are watching Courageous, and we are all eating some of my world famous popcorn. #moviesandpopcorn #courageousthemovie #swazilandtripnovember2012" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/10800306956_dfaf4c597e.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div></div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-90580881781231782362013-11-09T22:00:00.000-06:002013-11-12T05:14:55.401-06:00SATURDAY IN SWAZILAND<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quick overview of what we did on Saturday. After going to see the potential house again on Friday morning as well as another one in Madonsa that afternoon, we went this morning to buy some furnishings for our future home. An American family, the Taylors, are leaving Swaziland so we were able to buy many practical items such as two twin beds, a kettle, silverware, an indoor clothesline, a gas cooker for when we don't have electricity, a crockpot, and even clothes hangers. We also bought some fun items such as two bikes for the kids.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the afternoon, we accompanied Dudley Donaldson to go to the Pick-N-Pay where he bought food for some families needing food. While there, Jim and I continued to price items that our family regularly uses and looked over options available here. Many things are cheaper (such as fruit and veggies), some are the same (meat seems to run about the same), and some things are more (such as cheese).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10765405856/" title="Jim helps Dudley get the food for the hungry families. #picknpay #lovelookslikesomething #loveyourneighborasyouloveyourself #amazingmenofgod #jesusfollowers #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Jim helps Dudley get the food for the hungry families. #picknpay #lovelookslikesomething #loveyourneighborasyouloveyourself #amazingmenofgod #jesusfollowers #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/10765405856_2814999ff3.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10773267605/" title="Get your eggs then buy a bike to take them home. By the way, those eggs are 60 for $6. #swazifood #swaziland #picknpay #thehub #juxtaposition #wewillbeeatingalotofeggs #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Get your eggs then buy a bike to take them home. By the way, those eggs are 60 for $6. #swazifood #swaziland #picknpay #thehub #juxtaposition #wewillbeeatingalotofeggs #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/10773267605_3d5c4bfc8b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Afterwards, we were able to spend time with the Swazi pastor that Jim will be teaching with at the Zion Bible College and his wife. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10776992625/" title="This is the Bible teacher who Jim will be teaching with when we move here. Sangweni and his wife Thembe are a blessing to the ministry of Zion Bible College. #zbc #zionist #zionbiblecollege #manzini #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2013 by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="This is the Bible teacher who Jim will be teaching with when we move here. Sangweni and his wife Thembe are a blessing to the ministry of Zion Bible College. #zbc #zionist #zionbiblecollege #manzini #swaziland #swazilandtripnovember2013" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/10776992625_0279dfb8c1.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For supper, one of the Swazi girls living with the Donaldsons helped me make a cabbage and beef dish that a Swazi had taught me how to make when I lived here back in the 80's. It was fun spending time with her. She was a pro with the knife and cut the cabbage a lot better than I did.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10778276835/" title="Happy with our finished product. #happyfoodie #swazifriend #swazifood #halfswazi #halfamerican #saturdayevening #swazilandtripnovember2013 #foodiemama #cabbage #eatlocal #localtarian #eatyourveggies by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Happy with our finished product. #happyfoodie #swazifriend #swazifood #halfswazi #halfamerican #saturdayevening #swazilandtripnovember2013 #foodiemama #cabbage #eatlocal #localtarian #eatyourveggies" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/10778276835_d91cbdc27a.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite times in Swaziland definitely involve spending time with beautiful friends, each one precious gifts from the Lord.</span></div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-83606839384999453132013-11-08T16:12:00.001-06:002013-11-08T16:12:23.315-06:00NEED YOUR PRAYERSDear praying friends,<div><br></div><div>Jim and I need you! As you know, we are in Swaziland to lease a house and buy a vehicle since we are moving here next month. We are hitting major obstacles with getting the money from our account in America to the bank and car dealership here. Please pray for this to be taken care of. But even more than that, pray that we won't worry or stress out but instead trust The Lord.</div><div><br></div><div>It adds to the difficulty because we are without our own transportation here. We did not rent a car this time because our vehicle was waiting on us, deposit already paid, and just waiting on the balance. We are dependent on our friends to drive us places and they already have very busy schedules. We do not want to add to that.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you!</div><div>Elysa</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsoH5tg3qZY/Un1hxA-R7CI/AAAAAAAAA9I/3162Uh_lkkE/s640/blogger-image-718331386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsoH5tg3qZY/Un1hxA-R7CI/AAAAAAAAA9I/3162Uh_lkkE/s640/blogger-image-718331386.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-28563160631720801472013-11-07T15:20:00.001-06:002013-11-07T15:20:40.199-06:00LET THE RECORD SHOW<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Let the record show that though we left Mississippi on Monday, spent all of Tuesday walking around Frankfurt, flew overnight to Johannesburg, arrived Wednesday morning with only about 6 or 7 hours of sleep in total since Monday, and then we had about a 4 hour drive to Manzini, I have experienced no jet lag. I have been, in fact, bright eyed and bushy-tailed today, going to sleep last night at the proper time and getting a wonderful night's rest.<div><br></div><div>Let it also show for the record that this happens every time I come to Swaziland.</div><div><br></div><div>And thirdly, let it also show for the record, that the reverse does NOT hold true. When I return TO the States, it often takes DAYS before I readjust and sometimes I am even downright physically ill.</div><div><br></div><div>Obviously, I am created for Swaziland. And if that dissertation isn't enough to prove my point, here are photos from the last day and a half.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-02X__wqzSWo/UnwEJdRfPDI/AAAAAAAAA84/UPWZBfJb3oI/s640/blogger-image--717493434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-02X__wqzSWo/UnwEJdRfPDI/AAAAAAAAA84/UPWZBfJb3oI/s640/blogger-image--717493434.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2uAuMqMxOWo/UnwEBB9IOKI/AAAAAAAAA8o/uVZk6RyGLww/s640/blogger-image--342653022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2uAuMqMxOWo/UnwEBB9IOKI/AAAAAAAAA8o/uVZk6RyGLww/s640/blogger-image--342653022.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zmXRIf8Xyqo/UnwEFYhRAnI/AAAAAAAAA8w/ShYGnW0mzsU/s640/blogger-image-602000349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zmXRIf8Xyqo/UnwEFYhRAnI/AAAAAAAAA8w/ShYGnW0mzsU/s640/blogger-image-602000349.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And even Jim has known to get bubbly in Africa so you KNOW it is a God thing for sure.</div></div></div></div>Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-52445041303261877652013-11-04T12:53:00.005-06:002013-11-04T12:53:57.745-06:00TODAY WE FLY!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In just a few minutes, Jim and I will be heading to the airport. We've got 4 suitcases and extra carry-ons filled up with clothes, graduation caps, balloons, Mardi Gras bead necklaces, chocolate chips, Twizzlers, and even a tiara. Some of the stuff is for us, some is for missionaries, a lot of it is for precious, beloved, Swazi children. The children that God has called us to serve and love.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/6462433083/" title="Swaziland Elysa with little girls at Fikile's framed by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Swaziland Elysa with little girls at Fikile's framed" height="271" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6462433083_47a9f93817.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
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I had written out a whole list of prayer requests for our trip and they have just disappeared. We are literally going out the door now so let me just make it really simple....<br /><br />PRAY!<br /><br />Just whatever comes to mind, whenever, pray! <br /><br />Thanks!</span> </div>
Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-51716495798407888062013-11-03T21:38:00.001-06:002013-11-03T21:39:57.909-06:00WE'RE STILL HERE<div style="text-align: justify;">Even though we move to Swaziland in less than two months and will actually be going there tomorrow to lease a house, buy a vehicle, and make other plans, we are still living here in downtown Jackson. We still have neighbors who knock on our door needing food, we still have people who come and volunteer to help, we still prayer walk in our community, we still help cold homeless folks get a blanket or coat, we still live here. We still love here. We still serve here.<br />
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Please pray for us over the next two months that we will be able to balance both preparing for our move and also still loving the people here that God has called us to be with. We want to finish our season in Jackson well. <br />
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One of our fellow missionaries, Levi Gill, recently made this video (with the help of our son David). It explains what we do at We Will Go. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it will help you better know how you can pray, not just for us, but for the whole We Will Go family....the missionaries and volunteers who serve here as well as the folks who come here every day needing a variety of things, but ultimately, needing to experience the love of our Father.</div><br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W4KjKNPDnHU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-35456273592362986152013-11-03T20:52:00.001-06:002013-11-03T20:52:08.127-06:00SATURDAY CELEBRATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Tuesday, our oldest daughter turns twenty. Since Jim and I will be in Frankfurt that day en route to Africa and Anna will be in New Orleans, we are celebrating her a few days early.</div></div><div><br></div><div>Tonight, with the help of our missionary neighbors, we threw a birthday party complete with a yummy supper, some dancing, lots of laughter, several gifts, a time to do "give 20 adjectives to describe Anna" as we'll as "20 favorite memories about Anna", and a Star Wars movie to complete the evening.</div><div><br></div><div>It wasn't the fanciest of parties, but it was definitely one of the nicest of Saturdays. But then, how could it be anything less with such a high-quality young woman to honor.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4jYKJe1luOg/UncLgHJWt3I/AAAAAAAAA7k/8CPeBfJbuKE/s640/blogger-image--1522023687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4jYKJe1luOg/UncLgHJWt3I/AAAAAAAAA7k/8CPeBfJbuKE/s640/blogger-image--1522023687.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O4Rv7TA7aGg/UncLyoy9a7I/AAAAAAAAA8M/KvHOAFQrPP0/s640/blogger-image--708270760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sbT0MprjGB0/UncLq7S6c1I/AAAAAAAAA70/rwdoG-wceTQ/s640/blogger-image--312243350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sbT0MprjGB0/UncLq7S6c1I/AAAAAAAAA70/rwdoG-wceTQ/s640/blogger-image--312243350.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sbT0MprjGB0/UncLq7S6c1I/AAAAAAAAA70/rwdoG-wceTQ/s640/blogger-image--312243350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gof8lG3Mn0I/UncL1vAxG4I/AAAAAAAAA8U/gf4lK6JJnu4/s640/blogger-image-1912052776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gof8lG3Mn0I/UncL1vAxG4I/AAAAAAAAA8U/gf4lK6JJnu4/s640/blogger-image-1912052776.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gof8lG3Mn0I/UncL1vAxG4I/AAAAAAAAA8U/gf4lK6JJnu4/s640/blogger-image-1912052776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dypkc8alflk/UncLngbgo_I/AAAAAAAAA7s/z9uC5kO8FKU/s640/blogger-image-1552108556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dypkc8alflk/UncLngbgo_I/AAAAAAAAA7s/z9uC5kO8FKU/s640/blogger-image-1552108556.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dypkc8alflk/UncLngbgo_I/AAAAAAAAA7s/z9uC5kO8FKU/s640/blogger-image-1552108556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VKayHJPRtQ0/UncLwYPCSrI/AAAAAAAAA8E/v4rrRxJCuYA/s640/blogger-image-530034096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VKayHJPRtQ0/UncLwYPCSrI/AAAAAAAAA8E/v4rrRxJCuYA/s640/blogger-image-530034096.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VKayHJPRtQ0/UncLwYPCSrI/AAAAAAAAA8E/v4rrRxJCuYA/s640/blogger-image-530034096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s1yvaxEi_cc/UncLt-7ppyI/AAAAAAAAA78/jufXFW_yaDk/s640/blogger-image-924010798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s1yvaxEi_cc/UncLt-7ppyI/AAAAAAAAA78/jufXFW_yaDk/s640/blogger-image-924010798.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-71940166612102801032013-11-01T23:27:00.000-05:002013-11-01T23:27:02.885-05:00THE GIRLS ARE HOME!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Woo-Hoo! Big THANKSGIVING celebrating going on at the MacFaith House tonight. Betsie <i>and</i> Anna are both home for the weekend. Anna is home to celebrate her 2oth birthday a few days early and Betsie is here, as a surprise, to help us celebrate her sister. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Supper with the big people. So glad to have my girls home. #fridaynight #lovemygirls #familyfun" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/10619405505_1703a848e0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Supper with the three oldest and their very proud daddy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bersie reunited with her brother-of-another-mother.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10619405505/" title="Supper with the big people. So glad to have my girls home. #fridaynight #lovemygirls #familyfun by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
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</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tonight it was supper at a new Asian buffet in Richland followed by grocery shopping at Kroger. Lots of birthday food needed plus food for the kids and my mom while Jim and I are in Swaziland. Now its back home for a superhero movie with all the teenagers before this happy and thankful mama gets some much needed sleepy. This weekend is going to be good and full.</span></div>
Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-11110358957424386792013-10-31T10:39:00.000-05:002013-11-01T23:13:45.856-05:00A GREAT START TO THE THANKSGIVING SEASON<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around the MacHouse, we really love Thanksgiving. We love that it is less commercialized than most holidays and usually doesn't involve as much running around. We love that it involves family circled around a table loving each other and loving some fabulous food. We love the stories of the pilgrims and the Mayflower which has a direct link to my husband's ancestors as he had family that were part of that motley crew. And we love Thanksgiving because of the reason it even exists, to set aside time to thank God for all He has done and provided over the last year.
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today was the perfect kick-off for the season of Thanksgiving as it was filled with good friends, special time with family, fun happenings, and time for worship and testimony.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10592305693/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="At IHOP with the boy. It is his month to go out with Mom and he said he wants to experience IHOP before moving to Africa. #coffee #ihop #breakfastwiththeboy by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="At IHOP with the boy. It is his month to go out with Mom and he said he wants to experience IHOP before moving to Africa. #coffee #ihop #breakfastwiththeboy" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/10592305693_b26f066e26.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Breakfast with my oldest boy.</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10599959596/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kroger was giving away free candy bars at the check-out today and I wasn't going to get one til my son said he thought I'd get a Heath Bar since it is healthy. Hmmmm...just one letter difference between Heath and health. I think I'll pretend he's right. by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Kroger was giving away free candy bars at the check-out today and I wasn't going to get one til my son said he thought I'd get a Heath Bar since it is healthy. Hmmmm...just one letter difference between Heath and health. I think I'll pretend he's right." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/10599959596_1cb226eb0c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Free chocolate at Kroger.</em></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10602976364/" title="Take 2 #littlehouseontheprairieparty #homeschoolers #makinglearningfun #rainydayfun #oldfashionedfun #history #lauraingallswilder #1800s by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Take 2 #littlehouseontheprairieparty #homeschoolers #makinglearningfun #rainydayfun #oldfashionedfun #history #lauraingallswilder #1800s" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/10602976364_2754d0bc45.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Little House on the Prairie party with our homeschool group.</em></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10603151316/" title="The kids on their way to our church's LIGHT THE NIGHT event. #superman #batman #princess #lightthenight #restorationchurch #siblings by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="The kids on their way to our church's LIGHT THE NIGHT event. #superman #batman #princess #lightthenight #restorationchurch #siblings" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10603151316_cc5996d527.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Kids dressed up for Restoration Church's LIGHT THE NIGHT event.</em></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10603344234/" title="Princess Laura home with her royal haul. #lightthenight #restorationchurch #princess #toomuchsugar by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Princess Laura home with her royal haul. #lightthenight #restorationchurch #princess #toomuchsugar" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/10603344234_ebeb0047df.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10603474153/" title="#fellowshipsupper #wewillgo #innercityministry #lifeatwewillgo #chili by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="#fellowshipsupper #wewillgo #innercityministry #lifeatwewillgo #chili" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/10603474153_040f105124.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Night of testimony, worship, fellowship, and yummy food at We Will Go.</em></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10619979076/" title="Twins! #missionaries #whitehats #twinkies #lifeatwewillgo #smiles #sheinspiresme by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Twins! #missionaries #whitehats #twinkies #lifeatwewillgo #smiles #sheinspiresme" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/10619979076_1e0d695ab9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enter his gates with thanksgiving
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give thanks to him and praise his name.</span></div>
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Psalm 100:4</span></div>
Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-43658464752098840982013-10-30T22:43:00.001-05:002013-11-01T10:21:47.001-05:00THE COUNTDOWN IS REALLY ON<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our oldest daughter Anna posted on Facebook today that her family is moving to Swaziland in sixty days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's me and Jim and our kids. We are really and truly moving to Africa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wow, wow, wow.</span></div>
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Elysa MacLellanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123078398282579908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-34881230119206120842013-10-29T22:31:00.001-05:002013-10-29T22:31:48.153-05:00TWO MONTHS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Woah.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two months from today, we move to Swaziland, Africa. And one week from today, Jim and I will be en route to our new home where we will spend several days buying a vehicle, leasing a house, and starting to purchase furnishings for our new home. Our new African home.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/6816464722/" title="P1210116 Cropped by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="P1210116 Cropped" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6816464722_af8f208e5d_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I could not make this stuff up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Truth is truly stranger than fiction...and so much better...when God writes your story.</span></div><br />
</div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-3405539989193370892013-10-28T22:20:00.000-05:002013-10-29T22:35:01.680-05:00CAN'T IMAGINE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sandra Chesterman is a missionary in Southern Africa. She recently shared this on her blog and I wanted to share it with you here at Graceland.</span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAQWHDN20KI/UnB6hLRytRI/AAAAAAAAKWA/xxwYijZEwPM/s1600/Sandra+Sparks+Chesterman+Swaziland+missionary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAQWHDN20KI/UnB6hLRytRI/AAAAAAAAKWA/xxwYijZEwPM/s320/Sandra+Sparks+Chesterman+Swaziland+missionary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even after living here (meaning Africa) almost 6 years some days it still hits me that as much as I know about and interact with the culture, I really can't imagine what it is like.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was a couple of weeks ago when I saw for the umpteenth time people waiting out in the rural area for a kombi "comb-bee" which is the local mini van/bus system.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But then it hit me, can I even imagine having to walk long distances to stand and wait for a ride that might come in 5 min or 2 hours or not at all that day? How would I plan my day or my life if that was my reality? I honestly, couldn't imagine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then, my list started to grow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine sleeping on a mattress or foam pad on the ground?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine coming home after a day at a CarePoint with a layer of dust all over me and be unable to take a shower or bathe to get it off?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine only bathing or doing laundry or dishes from water collected at a neighborhood tap?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine being cold and scared and not be able to do anything about it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine not having food to eat?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine not being able to see a doctor when I was ill?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And I never will. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even if I tried to go and live in the rural area I would always know I could walk away. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It wouldn't be the same.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Many of you, I'm sure, can't imagine living in Africa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But then God took my eyes off the physical and made me go deeper.....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine going through my life without having a personal relationship with Jesus?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine being confused and not having the Bible or the Holy Spirit to guide me?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine being alone in Africa, without Him?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine living without the joy, the peace or the lack of worry because I trust Him?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Could I imagine dying today not knowing what is after death?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't imagine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am thankful beyond what I can describe, that I don't have to.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But what about you?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Can you imagine? Or is this your reality?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm relooking at the world around me differently. Not that I didn't think of it before but because I have let myself be distracted by the cultural and economical differences. I need to refocus on the eternal differences. I don't want anyone to not know Jesus intimately. I couldn't and wouldn't be where I am today without Him in my life. I don't want to be in anyone's face but I do want to be a better reflection of Him. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to be more conscious that some people live a life I cannot imagine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want people to know the One who is not from my imagination. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Christ who is alive and real and loves you!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you don't know Him or believe in Him, message me. I would love to talk.</span></div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aIHt4ozjau4/UnB40tmH0rI/AAAAAAAAKV0/3RHUsz9rB9I/s1600/Sandra+Sparks+Chesterman+Swaziland+missionary+with+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aIHt4ozjau4/UnB40tmH0rI/AAAAAAAAKV0/3RHUsz9rB9I/s320/Sandra+Sparks+Chesterman+Swaziland+missionary+with+kids.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>To read more about Sandra's life and what God is doing in and through her life, visit her blog:</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><a href="http://sandrachesterman.blogspot.com/">http://sandrachesterman.blogspot.com/</a></em></span></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-8248591008654838082013-10-27T21:51:00.000-05:002013-10-29T21:52:10.070-05:00SIMPLER FORMS OF FUN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the things I am looking forward to the most about moving to Swaziland is a slightly slower pace of life. With frequent power-outages, less night-time places to go, and more emphasis put on relationship other than activity, we should have more nights at home and a return to simpler family past-times. We are choosing to make-do with less electronic devices in Swaziland (bye-bye Wii and X-Box) and spend more time playing board games, putting together puzzles, listening to radio theater, pursuing hobbies and arts, having friends over for dinner parties, and expanding our card game repertoire.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the games we'll be taking with us is <i>Rivers, Roads, and Rails</i> by Ravensburger. I love that this game is fun but it is also less cut-throat than most and doesn't lend itself to the wildness that so many games turn into when played by the MacLellans. After all, <i>Spoons</i> becomes a contact sport when played within our abode.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10524291936/" title="Rivers, Roads, and Rails #familygame #fridaynightfun #riversroadsandrails #ravensburger #lifeatwewillgo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Rivers, Roads, and Rails #familygame #fridaynightfun #riversroadsandrails #ravensburger #lifeatwewillgo" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/10524291936_dd1b394dac.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So what are you favorite board games or other non-electronic ways to spend your family's free time? We've got decades ahead of us to fill with simpler, fun times and memories.</span></div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-36754718005409686322013-10-26T22:59:00.000-05:002013-10-29T10:59:43.606-05:00SATURDAY...SORTING the SENTIMENTAL STUFF<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With just two months til we move to Africa and one month til we ship our stuff, the pressure is on to sort, purge, and pack. This Saturday work-day for me, Jim, and Patrick meant a whole lot of that. And this is the slow work. The work that really no one else can do as we were going through old papers, memorabilia, and photographs mostly. One plus is that we were reminded of a lot of good times and even got some great laughter out of the process.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10536442524/" title="Going through the sentimental stuff, especially the papers and photos, takes a long, long time. #journeytolivinginafrica #gettingreadytomovetoswaziland #purgingandpacking #recoveringhoarder #boxesofbooks #lifeatwewillgo #motherslittlehelper by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Going through the sentimental stuff, especially the papers and photos, takes a long, long time. #journeytolivinginafrica #gettingreadytomovetoswaziland #purgingandpacking #recoveringhoarder #boxesofbooks #lifeatwewillgo #motherslittlehelper" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/10536442524_c53bdc13e4.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10536694443/" title="Carefully packing one of the few vintage kitchen items that I will be taking to Africa. It is a glass chopper with a cute, painted design on it. Very cheery and with the red accents I love. #gettingreadytomovetoswaziland #journeytolivinginafrica #purging by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Carefully packing one of the few vintage kitchen items that I will be taking to Africa. It is a glass chopper with a cute, painted design on it. Very cheery and with the red accents I love. #gettingreadytomovetoswaziland #journeytolivinginafrica #purging" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/10536694443_26fdb72d45.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10536437563/" title="My great grandmother made this 41 years ago. I am deciding to give it to another relative here in the States to keep as our floors in Swaziland will be tile and concrete. A houseful of kids, concrete floors, and precious breakables is not a good combina by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="My great grandmother made this 41 years ago. I am deciding to give it to another relative here in the States to keep as our floors in Swaziland will be tile and concrete. A houseful of kids, concrete floors, and precious breakables is not a good combina" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/10536437563_3ea1a0686b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10536311414/" title="While packing for Swaziland, we are coming across so many precious reminders of past events. This is a letter written by my mom to my oldest daughter @annachrys just before she was born. #memories #sentimentalme #journeytolivinginafrica #gettingreadytomo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="While packing for Swaziland, we are coming across so many precious reminders of past events. This is a letter written by my mom to my oldest daughter @annachrys just before she was born. #memories #sentimentalme #journeytolivinginafrica #gettingreadytomo" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/10536311414_a2d6c1eecb.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10536939506/" title="I can't remember the last time I saw these photos from a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, that I made with Margie Hynd. She was one of my best friends when I lived in Swaziland. Her father and grandfather had been the royal family's physicians for decad by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="I can't remember the last time I saw these photos from a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, that I made with Margie Hynd. She was one of my best friends when I lived in Swaziland. Her father and grandfather had been the royal family's physicians for decad" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/10536939506_9a4b3b97fd.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10536179054/" title="Scene from our Saturday work day. #purgingandpacking #boxesofbooks #gettingreadytomovetoswaziland #journeytolivinginafrica #bookaddict #saturdayworkday #lifeatwewillgo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Scene from our Saturday work day. #purgingandpacking #boxesofbooks #gettingreadytomovetoswaziland #journeytolivinginafrica #bookaddict #saturdayworkday #lifeatwewillgo" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/10536179054_ccb85a6771.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10525723345/" title="Packing for Africa and coming across a lot of great old pictures including this sweet one of @annachrys and her daddy. #memories #daddyandhisgirl #childofthenineties by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="Packing for Africa and coming across a lot of great old pictures including this sweet one of @annachrys and her daddy. #memories #daddyandhisgirl #childofthenineties" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/10525723345_af3657dbce.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God has blessed us with a good life here in America. I can only imagine what photos and memorabilia we will have in the years to come to reflect our new life in Swaziland.</span></div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-80048906883524898682013-10-25T22:40:00.000-05:002013-10-29T10:49:37.823-05:00FRIDAY'S SIMPLE FUN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes, the simplest (and even cheapest) things can be the most fun. Today, I picked up some items from Dollar Tree and impulse bought a pack of Bloonies. You know, that squirt stuff that you use to blow bubbles with a straw? I remembered them from my growing-up years but my kids hadn't ever tried them. I'm glad I did. The four youngest Macs --- and their kid-at-heart mama --- spent a good chunk of time blowing bloonies on a beautiful autumn afternoon here at We Will Go. It was definitely one of the best spent dollars ever.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10486164346/" title="Blue for Troubadours. #blueisbest #bloonies #justaregularday #lifeatwewillgo #fridayafternoon #smile #ilovethisgirl by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Blue for Troubadours. #blueisbest #bloonies #justaregularday #lifeatwewillgo #fridayafternoon #smile #ilovethisgirl" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/10486164346_3f9677620d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10486188245/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="So how does this work? #bloonies #fridayafternoon #outsidetime #lifeatwewillgo #huh? by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="So how does this work? #bloonies #fridayafternoon #outsidetime #lifeatwewillgo #huh?" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/10486188245_a5264e252a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10486746983/" title="These two! #bloonies #dollartree #simplefun #siblings #lifeatwewillgo #familyfun #fridayafternoon #autumnday by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="These two! #bloonies #dollartree #simplefun #siblings #lifeatwewillgo #familyfun #fridayafternoon #autumnday" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/10486746983_e5353971f0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10486593516/" title="It kind of looked like a heart. #bloonies #outsidetime #fridayafternoon #dollartree #simplefun #lifeatwewillgo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="It kind of looked like a heart. #bloonies #outsidetime #fridayafternoon #dollartree #simplefun #lifeatwewillgo" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/10486593516_b2da5a5c2d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10517531633/" title="Back to the Baloonies. #fridayafternoon #simplefun #baloonies #dollartree #bubbles #lifeatwewillgo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Back to the Baloonies. #fridayafternoon #simplefun #baloonies #dollartree #bubbles #lifeatwewillgo" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/10517531633_8f2de4220f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10517644033/" title="#fridayafternoon #autumnday #sunshine #shedidit #fall by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="#fridayafternoon #autumnday #sunshine #shedidit #fall" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/10517644033_d8f570bf6d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10520105365/" title="Our faces... #bloonies #fridayafternoon #simplefun #kidathheart #dollartree #foreveryoung by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="Our faces... #bloonies #fridayafternoon #simplefun #kidathheart #dollartree #foreveryoung" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/10520105365_7502d00af4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23586970@N03/10520450083/" title="The triumphant triumvirate. #siblings #simplefun #fridayafternoon #familyfun #bloonies #dollartree #autumnday #fall #lifeatwewillgo by elysamaclellan, on Flickr"><img alt="The triumphant triumvirate. #siblings #simplefun #fridayafternoon #familyfun #bloonies #dollartree #autumnday #fall #lifeatwewillgo" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/10520450083_6c3aee74a1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div></div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33548620.post-14614410763062705602013-10-24T23:04:00.000-05:002013-10-24T23:04:51.839-05:00WAY TO GO, B!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just gotta to do a little bragging at Graceland today. My Betsie is not only beautiful and charming but also super smart and talented. But then, most of you probably already know that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, I know. I told you this was going to be a brag post.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But she really is. Case in point, she received a very prestigious award today at Mississippi University for Women. Betsie is the first place winner of The W’s Common Reading Initiative essay contest and was officially recognized tonight at the opening of the annual Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69XTPAfFhCg/UmnsjmCkzOI/AAAAAAAAKVc/GdOgQPT95cM/s1600/Betsie+Winnie+Winceline+Elizabeth+King+MUW+The+W+award+winners+essay+contest+Welty+Symposium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69XTPAfFhCg/UmnsjmCkzOI/AAAAAAAAKVc/GdOgQPT95cM/s320/Betsie+Winnie+Winceline+Elizabeth+King+MUW+The+W+award+winners+essay+contest+Welty+Symposium.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of her homeschooled high school friends, Winnie Clegg, was the third place winner. You can read more about these girls and their accomplishment at this website:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://web3.muw.edu/news-events/972-common-reading-initiative-essay-contest-winners-announced#.UmlQh8VVtDo.facebook"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://web3.muw.edu/news-events/972-common-reading-initiative-essay-contest-winners-announced#.UmlQh8VVtDo.facebook</span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4V5NMqTlAc/Umns7B56LVI/AAAAAAAAKVk/tnA-HHUtO08/s1600/Betsie+award+winner+Welty+Symposium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4V5NMqTlAc/Umns7B56LVI/AAAAAAAAKVk/tnA-HHUtO08/s320/Betsie+award+winner+Welty+Symposium.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not bad for a girl straight from the sticks and the 'hood, huh?</span></div><br />
</div>Elysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14417564858613501645noreply@blogger.com2