Good Bye to Trujillo

After many days of packing, packing, packing we are ready to hit the road to Lima. Tomorrow morning we plan to make the 8 hour drive to Lima where we will attend the Fetzer Memorial Christian Academy (FMCA) graduation exercises. Saturday morning we will also attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the school. David is the first graduate of the high school so we thought it would be nice to attend. His dad helped with the beginnings of the school and construction. We homeschool under FMCA. On Monday and Tuesday we plan to do some sightseeing and then on Wednesday night we fly out to the USA. We will see how much sightseeing we get done. Last night at church we were playing a game (the church had a good bye social included in the service) when I felt something snap (like a rubber band breaking) inside my left heel. The pain was immediate and excrutiating. I have had significant swelling and discomfort. I spent most of the day on the second floor working on our suitcases and giving directions. This is not what I had planned for my day and am so thankful for older children who are willing to help out doing whatever needs to be done. We were able to buy some crutches to have in Lima and possibly on the way to Lafayette. Oh my, sigh... Anyway, it is somewhat better but I still can't walk on it. Hence, we may not get much walking about Lima accomplished. Tonight we had supper with my in laws and Jon and Julie's family. It was an early birthday dinner for Dad S., he will be 65 on Sunday!! David is now at his last deacons/leaders meeting making sure everything is turned over and ready for the next year. We are anxious to see many of you very soon.

Our Last Saturday in Trujillo

Today we spent our last Saturday in our city. Actually we were invited by another family to go with them to a restaurant/park place out in the country (about 30 minutes from here up into the mountains a bit). It was a great time. They have one daughter, younger than Jacob. We had guinea pig and trout for lunch and then played some games. While I was kind of stressed about leaving my packing and busyness, it was refreshing and fun. We needed the break! While it was drizzling and cool here at home, up at the park it was sunny and hot. Nice!! We will be in Lafayette in 12 days, 2 days after my brother and sister in law, Steve and Molly arrive. Look out Lafayette, here come the Stilwells :) There will soon be an invasion of 12 of us!

"Surprise" Birthday Party

Each year the ladies at Victory Baptist Church celebrate my birthday. They always try to make it a surprise. The surprise is wondering what time of day it will happen. But regardless of the time, I love them all. We have really grown together this year. We have gone through some difficult times together. I am going to miss them during this next year. The picture is kind of grainy, probably because the battery was about dead.

The Stilwells in Peru

They're Growing Up

Since we had to get a family picture taken for our prayer cards, we decided to have protraits of each child taken as well. They are growing up so fast. We will post the family picture when we get it.

Benjamin is 15

Rebekah is 13

Abigail will be 12 next week

Jacob is 9

It Has Begun

What you may ask, has begun? Well, the packing has begun. Now, I do not relish packing all of our belonings every 4 years, storing them for a year then come back to Peru to unpack and start all over. We will be leaving Trujillo on June 27, spend a few days in Lima and then fly to Indiana on July 2. Please pray with us that God would provide the funds necessary to build a house here in Peru. With a house of our own we would not have to pack up everything every 4 years. Please also pray for us as we pack and finish up A LOT of things. We have 2 1/2 more weeks of school and David has seminary classes to wrap up. I had my last ladies meeting at church today. Our will miss our ladies, I care for them so much. There are many things we would like to finish up at Victory Baptist Church as well.