Pics from Longview!

4th of July
Okay, let it be said Longview, Washington knows how to celebrate Independence Day

We started the day watching a fabulous town parade.
Marching bands, cheerleaders, cars, dogs and most
importantly bags full of candy being thrown into the street
for the taking!

Lunch at Gramma Gillihan's


And then at dark the real festivities started
Fireworks everywhere, all night - way to celebrate!

Summertime in Vancouver

I got to celebrate some more June birthdays with the Bustrums!

Along with lots of fun in the sun!

I had forgotten how beautiful the northwest is, not only the nature but the weather. You can enjoy every moment outside in the sun

I look like I helping, don't I?

Did I mention before that these two are the cutest boys ever?

You can just imagine how amazing this palace once was

We are pretty sure we found the "secret passageway"!

The view from the gates looking at the fort

Golkonda Fort

Exploring the ruins

I found another great "door" picture to add to my collection- the view at the top of the fort looking out at the city was more than impressive.

The DeLaughter's

I had the best visit, next year I may have to visit Europe but then I will be back!

Some Pictures from Around Town

Lunch at KFC - We also ate at great Indian restaurants, but sadly I was more interested in the yummy food than taking pictures for later.

I am so glad I will never have to drive in India. I was very happy to sit in the back and watch the crowds go by. David has excelled in the art of pushing his way through. David is the one who originally taught me to drive - in a wood paneled station wagon - for those of you who remember "Woody", but I wasn't about to get lessons in this new art of driving.

See how much fun the back seat was?

And this was taken at another western food stop - Pizza Hut - Wesley slept through the event. Now I can say I have also tasted Pizza Hut in three countries.
Enjoy - I have one more set of pics from India then I will travel to Canada and Washington. For great pictures of Heidi's reception - she just posted some at www.lovelyfelix.blogspot.com/

A Little bit of culture
We spent a fun night out

Riding Camels

Watching a puppet show

And enjoying dinner.

As you can well imagine Kara excelled at the dance lesson. I kept getting told to listen to the music and stay with the beat. There was also a play, a magic show, henna art, and more dancing - this is India. It was a fun evening with Kara as we left the boys at home.

Fun for the whole family!

June 14, 2008
Isaiah's Birthday!

I was so excited to be there for Isaiah's birthday. We decorated the room and surprised him with a fun Transformer themed party. Go Bumblebee. Then we decorated cupcakes, sang happy birthday and opened presents. Uncle Mark and Auntie Hannah had sent fun transformer toys for both boys.

I am back in North Carolina. I have had a wonderful summer traveling about the globe. So let me start from the beginning. The first week of June I traveled to India to see the DeLaughter family. The first week we jumped on the train and headed for the beach! Fun times. Enjoy the pictures - I will share more soon - I have about 400 pics from India, and just as many from my trip to Canada and Washington so there will be more - Letha

Out for lunch. So sad we can't go back to this restaurant. At least until the next visit to India!

The cutest boys anywhere! Enjoying the train trip.

North Carolina
I officially became a North Carolina resident this week. I have very mixed emotions about this move. Who would have thought I had become so loyal to Tennessee? The man at the DMV took my driver's license without a second thought, it was fast like pulling off a bandaid. But then I had to change my license plate. My Tennesse plate is sitting out in my room, a familar reminder of the good days. I know melodramatic.
Seriously I was dreading this occasion, not because I anticipated the grief of leaving behind TN. I was dreading it because it brought back all the encounters I have had with legal officials in getting visas and exit visas in Aden. So I had to talk myself into getting this task completed. I set the whole week aside, anticipating all possible hurdles. I got my packet of information together. I not only had my proof of residency, my social security card, my proof of insurance and my driver's license; I also had my passport, shot records, nursing license, mulitple proofs of residency and personal ID, they could make no excuse I wasn't prepared for.
So I arrived at the local DMV ready for a battle. The man at the front desk greeted me kindly, I was shocked. He asked for the required papers and gave me a number, no bribe asked for? I sat ready for a long wait, before I could even read over the testing material I was called back. This time to talk with a very nice lady! A lady working at a government office, who would have thought! She also did not ask for a bribe or even hint at it! She also spoke english. So nice. She was professional and quick. I was nervous about having to take the written test again, she encouraged me and let me know I would do fine. The amazement never ended.
So I did pass the test and went to the next station. This would be the test...time to pay...the man again was so nice, he took the money and even had the correct change in his drawer! Change! I would have never imagined this could be possible. And again just to emphasis, he also spoke english and did not hint at a bribe to insure proper paper processing. I got my picture taken and in less than one hour was walking out with my new drivers' license! Do you all feel my amazement? I was in shock! How could this process be so easy? I knew that registering my vehicle, now that would be a hassle. Wrong again - I arrived at the office prepared for anything. The lady gave me papers to sign, took my money and gave me a receipt! A receipt - again who would have thought? Then she handed me my new license plate, just like that - magic?
But..I did have to get my vehicle inspected in the next 10 days, of course this would be a hassle right? My car is older it won't pass the test. So I went yesterday morning - it took about 15 minutes and I now a completely legal - I have the sticker in my car window and the paperwork to prove it. I never would have thought it could be so easy. I like living in America today.
Sorry this is so long - I cut out so many details, but had to share some of my amazement with those of you who do read this blog
Enjoy Letha

I like math.

Seriously, I like math. I was so excited tonight when Heather had a math question for me. I stopped what I was doing and got out my pen and paper to figure out the fractions. You know why I like math so much? It has an answer. None of this essay, complete sentences, multiple options stuff. You are either right or wrong, you either know the formula or you don't. There is no room for any fluff.
On the other hand, all the classes I been taking over the last few months, they are not math. They don't use the same kind of logic that my mind works in. I miss math questions. From this rambling you may see how very excited I am that I have finished my first semester of graduate school. I don't feel any smarter, I am just realizing how smart I am not. I questioned myself this week. What am I doing here? Why did I ever believe it would be useful to get a masters? I am so ready to get on an airplane and get back to the people who hold my heart. The land God has given me a passion for. Yet, here I am.
I know there is a purpose for this semester and the next one to follow, I know I am continuing to be challenged and grow closer to the Lord. So tonight I will find my peace and purpose in God alone. Once again I am learning patience, I am learning to be still before the Lord, I am learning to be and not just do. This you cannot learn in any textbook or classroom. It is found only in daily walking with Jesus.

What has God given you a passion for? I think it is amazing to think that God has created me for a specific purpose and He has equipped me for that purpose by giving me a unique set of experiences, skills and interests. Dan the Animal man came to our class and shared with us his passion for animals. A passion that he uses to share the gospel message with hundreds. As you can tell by the pictures this was one of my favorite classes of all times. I love looking at and learning about how God's creation is so perfectly made. I sat there wondering why I had changed my degree from Biology to nursing. If you ever have the opportunity don't miss going to one of Dan's events. You can find more about his work at his website http://www.creaturesofcreation.org/ I forgot to bring my camera but thankfully my professor took pictures to share with us. Enjoy

Happy Mother's Day!
Didn't want to let the day pass by without sending a big thank you and lots of love to my Mom, and all the other moms who have made an impact in my life. Thank you for always giving of yourself and putting others needs before your own. Thank you for knowing how to simply love and being a constant example that I can look up to in so many ways.

Blessings
Just wanted to take a minute and share a few of the many blessings of the last few weeks.
1. Beautiful Spring weather
2. Good time with my friend Nancy and her husband (who helped get my computer back and running!)
3. Time with Mom and Dad in TN
4. Time with Bustrums in TN and NC
5. Safety in travel to and from Jackson, TN
6. Visited Union University's campus and was amazed by their quick rebuilding after the tornadoes.
7. Was excited to have the opportunity to visit with my former nursing professors.
8. My car went to the mechanic and he found and fixed the problem, something related to the ignition switch, so I no longer have to fear my car might randomly stop running while on the road!
9. Fun visit with Joanna on the way back to Wake Forest, and Heather's company on the 10 hour drive
10. Finished two major papers with the help of Dad and Kara's editing.
11. Bought my tickets to go to India in June! And got my passport back with visa, so I am ready to go!
It's always good to stop and think about all the many blessings recieved from God, and sometimes I am simply overwhelmed at His goodness to me. Letha