Gwyneth's Hero Parade at School

Yesterday Gwyneth had a Hero Parade and All Saint's party at her preschool. You could either dress up like an everyday hero or like a hero from the Bible.

Gwynie dressed up like Queen Esther....

I tried everything I could think of to try to get this crown to stay

on her head. Finally I had to just give in and realize that it wasn't

going to work and threw a different crown together out of foil.

Queen Esther all ready for her Hero Parade!!

"I make this foil look goooood!"

Gwynie's class all dressed up!

The class had to cut their naps short for the parade.

Gwynie & her friend Ty didn't agree with that decision.

Hey, it's not easy being a hero!

Here she comes!!!

Hi Queen Esther!

Just like a true hero she made it through!!

Gwynie's class All Saint's Party!

Mmmm...This is good stuff!

Lance is HOME!!!

It's been 10 long days, but Lance is back home safe and sound. There were some mishaps with connector flights, so his journey home was even longer than expected, but the important part is that he is HOME!!! The girls and I met him at the airport where we got to greet him and 2 other team members (Kris & Todd). Because they missed their connector flight in Miami the team was split up into 4 different groups coming in at 4 different times. We were all very happy to see each other. After we left the airport we went to dinner, took the girls for ice cream and got to hear all about his AMAZING trip!!!

Thank you to everyone who sent letters for Lance and to those who called to check-in on the girls and I while Lance was away AND for all of your prayers. Here are a few pictures of the girls greeting Lance and the airport...

Waiting at the airport for Daddy!

Here he comes!!!

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDY!

We missed you!!!!

Welcome Home Daddy!

Gracie's Kindergarten School Picture

Here is Gracie's first official elementary school picture. It turned out really cute.

Below is her picture from Preschool and her Kindergarten picture side by side for a little comparison. I didn't realize until I put these two pictures together that I put her in purple again with the same bows...ha! I guess we can tell the difference a straightening iron makes.

This next picture is a hoot! I knew I had Lance's kindergarten picture already scanned into the computer, so I called my parents and they were nice enough to emailed me mine. I put all of us side by side to see if we can see any similarities. I don't know, what do you think...

Lance is Starting His Trip Home!!!

I haven't heard from anyone in Peru, but I figure no news is good news!!! Last night was the team's last day in Cabanaconde. They were scheduled to have a work day, school visits and to host a Fiesta for the kiddos. This morning they will be taking a bus back to Arequipa. They will spend the rest of today in Arequipa then they will start the trek back to the states tomorrow afternoon. Please keep the Team in your prayers as they make the long journey home.



I made the girls a count down calendar and Gracie has been tearing a page off each morning. We are all VERY excited that Lance comes home it just 2 more days.

The Girls are Getting a New Baby Cousin!!!

You can read all about the exciting news on Kathy's Blog:

The Wrights of Passage

The Hike

Today will be Lance's second day in Cabanaconde. Their itinerary has scheduled a work day & school visits. I'm sure the kids will LOVE Lance, they always do!!

Tomorrow is a big day for a portion of the team. Those who feel healthy enough will be hiking from Cabanaconde to take supplies to the remote village of Llanca.


The extreme altitude change effects everyone differently, but if Lance is at all physically able, I know that he wanted to be on the hike team. They will leave very early Tuesday morning, spending the night in Llanca and then hiking back to Cabanaconde all day Wednesday. I have spoken to friends at church who have been on the hike on trips past and they say that it one of the toughest things (physically and mentally) that they have ever done. This is a picture of "Padre" a.k.a. Father Alejandro pointing to villages across the canyon. I can't tell you for certain that Llanca is one of the villages he is pointing to, but it gives you a good idea of the terrain that the team will hiking.

Please join me in praying for the mission team.

Father, I pray that your will prevails. I also pray that the team remains safe & healthy so that they can bring glory to you and your kingdom through their efforts. I ask this all in Jesus name, Amen.

Lance's Fellow Team Members

I came across this photo in my email just now so I thought I would post it so that you could have names and see faces of the missionaries that have answered God's call to go to Peru.

Front Row (left to right): Kathy Decker, Todd Atwood, Laura Morgan, David Arnquist

Back Row (left to right): Rhonda Colgrove, Kris Austin, Art Corcoran, Lance, Troy Lindsey, Ron Aday, Sam Garrett

Hey Lance...What's for Dinner?

I got this picture emailed to me on Lance's first night in Arequipa. I know that the picture is very blurry, but guess what he is about to eat?


It's Guinea Pig!!! It's very common in Peru. He told me he was going to at least try some while he was there. I didn't expect it to be his whole meal though. I don't know if that is what I would have decided to eat before I headed into the Andes Mountains for over a week, but hey...when in Peru! He emailed back later that night and said that it wasn't too bad, but a lot of work to eat.

We Heard From Lance!!!

Well, the girls and I are thrilled because we just got an email from Lance!!! I didn't think that would be possible where he is, but it was. He said they are in Arequipa right now and are enjoying visiting with the people...they got to see a cool parade that they call the Parade of Saints. He said he is excited because they were heading back to where they are staying to take showers!! They are meeting Ron & Vickie (permanant missionaries to Peru) for dinner. They head to Cabanaconde bright & early tomorrow morning. He did say that he figures that this will be the only email he is able to send until they come back to Arequipa later in the week. We sent him a quick email back to let him know that his message made our day and that we loved him and that we had some more good news for him: A&M 25 Texas Tech 43!!!

Lance is in Peru!!

Lance landed safely in Lima, Peru about 4:15 this morning, thanks be to God. They then had to spend the next 7 hours in the Lima airport. Please say a prayer of patience for Lance. All the waiting was a big concern for him. According to their flight status on the internet they are now back in a plane leaving Lima heading towards Arequipa. They will stay in Arequipa tonight to acclimate and then take a early bus to their final destination of Cabanaconde. For those not familiar with Peru I went ahead and posted a map so you can have an idea of the locations of the mission team.

Cabanaconde is literally located on the edge of the Colca Canyon.

If I hear anything from the team I will keep you posted. I will probably post a couple more times even if I don't to let you know what the team's "plans" were for that day.