The "Finnster, et al."

Well, I am tackling the enormous task of blogging about my mission trip to Uganda.  I do want to say that this post is mostly intended to remind me of the trip and is not strictly informative in nature. I say this to make it perfectly clear that anyone other than myself may find this post tedious and boring. But because I loved this trip so much, I really wanted to write down as much as I could remember – for sentimental reasons.   I have decided to break the post into four (4) sections: Travel to Uganda, Clinic, White Water Rafting/Kampala and 4) Travel back home. Before talking about the trip specifically, I want to state how much I loved every moment of this experience; the people, the climate, the work; and the team.  The Lord led us on a great adventure (que Steven Curtis Chapman) and I am so grateful. Now, to the task at hand. Upon our arrival at the airport, we all met at the American Airlines ticket gate.  We each came with two (2) large suitca...

The day Erin left, Gran took the boys, and I had dinner with them at her house before bringing them home. Friday, we all got ready, and I took them by Gran's then went to work. Gran took them to the zoo then brought them by the office. They got to ride both the escalator and the elevator up to my office for a minute before we went home for the day to rent Big Hero Six. We also hit up McDonalds for some foul mouthed minion toys before heading home to watch our movie from our bed on the floor. Saturday morning, we went to Chuck-E-Cheese. James and Gran met us over there after a while to play some games and handle some pizza. The boys really enjoyed the trip. After naps, we hit up the pool for a bit before going home to make cookies and watch some wrestling. Finn generally understands that Erin will be gone for a while-we count the days down at bedtime. I think Sam knows Erin will not be back, but he has asked every time we pull back into the driveway where she is. I'd guess her c...

“Mama’s at Africa” says Sam with confidence when asked where Erin is.  Where are you Sam?  “at your Nana’s” he says.  I met Michael in Murfreesboro after church Sunday to pick up Finn and Sam while Erin is in Uganda on a medical missions trip.  We met at Thornton’s and before I got back on the interstate I got a text from Michael that said, “I forgot the goggles, sorry.”  No problem right?  (more on that later) When we arrived at the house we spent the afternoon playing, and watching “Timmy Time.” Since we were going to church that evening we didn’t get in the pool.  Upon hearing that we were planning on going to church Finn responded with, “nooooooooooooooo, I don’t want to go to church.”   “ Why are you going to church Nana, you went this morning?”   Yes, Finn, but you didn’t, I responded.   “But Daddy said we didn’t have to go to church when we are on vacation.”   But ...

Well, today I leave for Uganda. We started our voyage at Chik-Fil-A where Todd (the owner and proud member of out team) fed the whole crew.  It was tough to leave the boys, but I was so happy to have then there to send me off. Finn cried a little as I left, but Michael and Gran where there to take his mind off of my leaving. I hoped in a truck with Elena, Dustin and Elizabeth and we took off for the airport.