Countdown has really begun!

The holidays are over and we are getting down to the "nitty-gritty" of moving to Africa!  We are thinking through all the details that still have to be addressed before our move in June (homeschool curriculum for Cameron, health insurance, Austin's plans next year, Mark's business, what to move, etc...)   And it feels like time is just flying by.  We realized over the holidays that we will need to send our first "round" of belongings (beds and other furniture we can live without for 8 weeks) around the first week of April.  That is only about 2 1/2 months away!!!  Blow-up beds here we come..... 

We had hoped to be able to take our major appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer) with us as these are very expensive over there.  However, here in the US our electricity is 110v/60 hz and in Swaziland it is 240v/50hz.  Bottomline...our appliances would be destroyed.  The good news is that we figured that out now - not after we got there! :)

On to more exciting news....Mark has recently been asked by Heart for Africa to help make the farm on Project Canaan profitable by stepping in as the new Director of Economic Development.  Mark is thrilled with the challenge and is jumping in with both feet.  Last month he toured several egg farms in Iowa and may be going to Swaziland in February to look more in depth at the profitablity of egg farming.  (Mark says it's a natural since he thinks he's always been a chick magnet!)  This new position truly is an answer to prayer as we have been praying for a way to become self-sustaining missionaries.  As the farm becomes profitable, Mark will be able to draw a salary, no longer making us dependant on financial support from overseas!  Yay!  Mark is also looking into fish farming as well and potentially getting some universities involved. 

This will definitely be a busy 5 months for us...in addition to our move in June, Austin will be graduating high school, ,Cameron will be "graduating" from elementary school (5th grade) and of course much golf and lacrosse!  We know it will be hectic much of the time, but are so excited to see what doors God opens next.