June 27

Dear Friends,

This is not a real update-- just a quick note!

We are thankful to have arrived safely in Minnesota after several days in Washington DC (staying with relatives, and sightseeing!) and several days in Charlotte, NC where we had medical appointments and interviews with SIM USA folks. We are thankful for the structure and support provided by SIM, and we will be telling you more about that in the days ahead.

We were happy to be greeted by friends and relatives in Minnesota last Thursday, and have been enjoying fresh strawberries, blueberries, and other yummy fruit we don't often see in Senegal! It's fun to have Joey with us now, and we are looking forward to Danny's arrival next week.

Deckers in Annapolis!

We had a great time visiting with our friends, who rented a boat and took us to see Annapolis from the water! Jacob drove us up the Severn river.


















We enjoyed looking around at the US Naval Academy, and seeing amazing bits and pieces of our nation's history.

Deckers in Washington, DC

We arrived safely, early Tuesday morning. Wednesday, Beth took us to the metro station and we rode into Washington DC. We saw so much that amazed us. The beauty of the architecture, the history, and the words of our heritage carved in marble... it was wonderful. More pictures to come in the days ahead... but for now I'm pretty tired!

packing up...

What goes with us for seven months in the States? What gets stored here for when we come back? What gets given away, sold or thrown out?

June 10: amazing creation

One more day of enjoying God's amazing creation here in Dakar!

fun with friends

Jacob has been enjoying some time with Mitch, and their friend Ethan who has been gone from Senegal for about two years, and is back for a visit.

June 8: sad day

Our little cat, PoohBear, had asthma which was causing progressively more serious attacks, and was not responding to available medication. He had a very bad attack on Friday morning, and had to be taken to the vet. The sad decision was made that it would be most merciful to have him put to sleep, as his suffering would only increase. We loved him, and will miss him.

June 6: update...

It's been feeling a little hectic around here! I posted this picture on my other blog, feeling like we are climbing "the cliffs of insanity"! (Watch Dave's all-time favorite movie to understand the allusion if you don't... oh, you don't know Dave's favorite movie? Not sure what to tell you then.)

Yesterday was Jacob's last final, and this morning was the school awards ceremony. Ask Jacob to tell you about his awards! And tonight is graduation, to be followed by the traditional all-night party for the seniors, and our own traditional party on the roof with some friends who will not be together again for quite a while!

And in five days... we will be boarding the airplane for the States!