Tickets in hand...

 Greetings from Lindale, TX...

It’s been quite a while since we’ve updated this blog, and a lot has happened since we moved into our temporary home on the Mercy Ships campus in Lindale, TX.  So, bear with me as this post will be a bit longer than usual.

Once we moved into our home and realized that we were likely going to be here for the whole summer, we began trying to figure out how we could make the most of it.  We opened ourselves up to the campus to help with any needs that might arise, and we began filling our schedule with fun activities to help this season feel a bit more like home.  Here’s a quick overview of what we’ve been up to with pictures below.

Family, Friends, Faith, and Swimming...

Right after we arrived, the girls joined the Tyler Rose Aquatic Club swim team.  They had a blast swimming with friends, setting personal bests, and meeting their goals.  Rosie even ended up making it to the final meet of the summer and joining the best of East Texas against Louisiana (two gold medals, I might add).  

After asking God why our stateside time had been extended again, we began to see how blessed we were to spend some extra time with family.  In May, we met family in West Texas for a turkey hunting trip for the men.  It had been eight years since I’d seen my Aunt and Uncle who drove from Colorado.  Later in the month, we took a quick trip to Houston to see Jeff’s Aunt who flew in from California and spend time with the Houston Scaces, including Jeff's 89 year old grandmother.  July Fourth weekend took Ava, Rosie, and me up to my favorite childhood destination in upstate NY.  We were able to spend time with my mom, my brother and family, and my niece and nephew.  It was one of the trips that the girls had the hardest time accepting they wouldn’t get to do had we gone to the ship; so needless to say, we were very excited to be able to go after all!  We spent another weekend with Jeff’s sister and family exploring a beautiful part of Texas we had never seen and loving on our two little nieces.  Jeff’s brother and family blessed us with a visit to Lindale all the way from Seattle.  They are expecting a little boy in November.  Knowing we will likely miss his birth and baby showers, we threw a little shower for them while they were here.  None of these trips and memories would have been possible if life had gone according to our plan, but God knew how precious these visits would be and blessed us with them and more to come.

In June, the girls were invited to participate in Kids OnBoarding again.  If you remember, we all did OnBoarding in January, but the girls had an abbreviated version and they were the only two kids.  A lovely family from Canada arrived mid-June with two little girls close in age to Ava and Rosie.  The girls joined them, and some wonderful teachers and staff for 4 weeks of training.  During this training, they learned about the ship, culture, faith, feelings, etc.  To say that this training was invaluable is an understatement.  They also developed a special bond with their two new ship-bound friends.  Having friends that they enjoy spending time with who are going through the same transition as us has been a huge blessing.  Lucky for us, their parents are great too, and we are getting a glimpse of community living.

Jeff's new role...

Another big event to happen in June was a change in Jeff’s duties and responsibilities.  He initially signed on to Mercy Ships as the Supply Manager.  This was not the job he had originally applied for, but he was able to fill the need and the job qualified us to come as a family.  Once here, a director position in medical capacity building opened up.  This position will be one that takes him into the community during the field service to help the local leadership develop medical education, leadership, structures, and systems that can continue after Mercy Ships has moved on to the next country in need.  This position was another way for us to see God’s plan for Mercy Ships in our lives.  Jeff spent many years in the Army training on North African languages, customs, cultures, etc. in order to do capacity building with the Special Forces.  Because of 9/11 and the shift to the Middle East, Jeff was never able to put this training to use in North Africa.  Until this position with Mercy Ships opened, Jeff thought all of that training had been a waste of time.  Seeing that God was preparing him for this years ago, has been such a faith building experience for both of us.  

Tickets purchased, but still in God's timing...

This week, we got the approval from the Mercy Ships leadership to start planning our move from beautiful East Texas to the ship.  We now have our ticket confirmation for a September 21 departure date.  Though we know to hold these dates loosely, we are starting to see our journey to the ship become a reality.

The Bible is full of seasons of waiting.  Sometimes we get glimpses into how the characters live during that season, but many times we don’t.  Waiting is hard, and between all the wonderful things I’ve written above, there were many days that were a struggle.  I can see so many reasons for God keeping us here, but I know there are many more that only He knows.  Each member of our family can identify character and faith building experiences during this time that would not have been possible anywhere else.

We are excited to see what God has in store and will be sure to update more frequently as things begin moving.  As always, we could really use your prayers.

1. Pray for a smooth transition to the ship.
2. Pray for the new ship, the Global Mercy, to have a safe sail to Antwerp, Belgium.
3. Pray for the volunteers who are moving all over the world to get to and from the ship.

Dinosaur Valley State Park - Enjoying some of the sites of TX we have never seen.

Tom didn't stand a chance.  Jeff with his turkey in Llano, TX.

Ladies time while the men are hunting.  My Aunt Sue who I haven't seen in 8 years!

Six Scace women in one photo, including Grandma Scace, age 89.

The girls planned a summer party with some of their friends from Mercy Ships.

Jeff helping out with Basic Fire Fighter training.  Caleb looking tough.

Kids OnBoarding Round 2!  Ms Beth is back for more teaching fun alongside Ms. Sarah. 
These teachers are incredible.  They loved on these girls and taught them so many life lessons.

Time:  5:30 AM EST
All those able, gathered in the Oasis Dining Room to watch Mercy Ships
take official possession of the Global Mercy in China.  

Tyler Rose Aquatic Club Swim Champions.  I'm so proud of how hard they worked this season.

Kids OnBoarding field trip to the zoo!

The unofficial women's running club on Mercy Ships campus. 
All three ladies with me will be joining me on the ship.

Family 4th of July 5K in Tyler, TX.  

Getting candy from the candy store in Galway, TX, with their cousins.

Non-stop fun with their cousins in Galway, NY.

So grateful we got to spend this extra family time together.

Kids OnBoarding ended with an open house.  The girls hosted the open house for over
50 people and told them all about what they had learned.  They are pictured
 here with two teachers who are also ship-bound.

Caleb is enjoying the extra time to play in the dirt, roll in the sand, and climb on hay bails.

Rosie and Ms. Beth at her meet representing East Texas.  She took home two
gold medals and multiple personal bests.

Extra family time with the Popes; enjoying TX and my sweet nieces.

Our first guests in our Lindale home all the way from Seattle. 
Impromptu baby shower for baby Scace due in November!

As always, if you’d like to support us financially, please use the donation link below.  A big thank you to all of you who have come alongside us financially.  All donations are being held for us in our Ship Account that we will have access to when we arrive.  

DONATE HERE