Carolina to Canada to Carolina to Karen in California!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Karen and I are reunited in Southern California! Yay!

Orange County Airport Baggage Claim

The weather report from Long Beach, is 75 degrees, cloudless blue sky, and "plentiful sunshine," with ocean breezes every afternoon. And it is absolutely wonderful to be back together as husband and wife after six weeks apart. Mom's doing very well, thanks to your many, and ongoing, prayers. Lynette, my sister, returns to Arizona tomorrow and we plan to be back in NC late Thursday evening. Let me bring you up to speed on the past few weeks.

Carolina to Canada for Candidate Orientation
Our latest Candidate Orientation Week (Feb 4-10) in Canada went very well! Our entire crew of orientees is already serving, or soon will serve, in Africa. Two families in Uganda, one in Tanzania, and another in Sierra Leone. While it was odd to conduct the orientation without Karen, I somehow persevered, covered my nine training sessions, and survived driving a week in multiple inches of snow. Thankfully there really wasn't any ice to contend with.

Our Africa Crew

Discussing partnership portfolio design

 Canadian Icicles

My car when I returned to our US Office.

Canada to Carolina to California
I made the twelve hour drive back to NC, washed my clothes, handled some business, then jumped on a plane to California where Karen and my sister had been caring for mom after a fall.

On-board my connecting flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Orange County (SNA).

Mom's surgery went well, she's has made tremendous strides toward full recovery, and her long-term prognosis is very good. Here we are visiting with mom yesterday.

Karen, Marie (niece), me, mom, Lynette

California to Carolina
We have a few more healthcare details to finalize out here before we return to Graham, NC next week. We look forward to being home again and spending time with our furry family member, Tucker. Tucker has been somewhat confused by Karen's absence and my travel. Lord willing, we'll all be back together in Carolina very soon!

Tucker

Special thanks to our Tucker Care Team: Brenda, Scott, Laurie, and Steve!

And special thanks to each one of you who faithfully support us with your financial gifts, prayers, love, and friendship. We couldn't do any of this without you by our side!