The Ueltscheys Going To Peru!

We are officially joining Peru Mission! After much thought and prayer through the past several years, and more so in the last year, our plans are to go to Peru! We are committing to an 18 month period of time, three months of which will be language school. Marcus and I have been to Peru two times with this wonderful mission team, and have prayed for an opportunity to serve for longer than a week. God's timing is perfect timing, and now is the time! It became more clear to us last year that we were being led to go, then we returned to Peru in April and began to take the steps necessary to make plans. We were officially accepted this fall, and hope to move in early summer.

It was really so much fun telling the children, because God had prepared them! When we told them we had some fun news, Ben guessed, "Are we moving?" Then we asked, "Where is somewhere you have been asking us to take you on a trip?" Sarah Caroline guessed, "Are we moving to Peru??" as she was jumping up and down with excitement. Only God could make them so excited about leaving their comfort zone, family, and friends to move to a new country!

We have much to do - sort through "stuff", sell our house, learn Spanish, and raise financial support. All while we continue with the daily routine of raising four children and have work commitments, church activities, Christmas plans, school, piano, Scouts, soccer, etc. Please pray that the details will fall into place and that we will continue to trust the Lord to provide the way.

When we get there, Marcus will be working in an existing medical clinic, as well as continue to build a relationship with the Peru Ministry of Health. I may assist him at times with Physical Therapy needs, although my main goals will be to homeschool. We hope to serve in the orphanage and local church for two reasons - ministry and service, and also for the children (and myself) to practice our Spanish. We also hope to recruit others to come visit!!

Peru Mission is so wonderful - you can read more at www.perumission.org. They do church planting, English as a Second Language, Seminary training, college ministry, economic development, and more. It is wonderful to see what God has done with this wonderful group of people, and we look forward to joining with them!

Halloween Fun

Look quick at the horse! Because it didn't last long! Sam wore his horse costume for about 5 min Wed night to a festival, and 20 min Thurs night, and 5 min on Halloween. Thankfully I had thrown in a pumpkin sweatshirt so at least he looked festive, but he really didn't care. He really just cared about how many suckers he could eat in an hour! We had a great time at Lawndale's R eformation Party then on to Katie and Talmadge's to hang out and eat with some of their friends. Sarah Caroline got to spend some time with her best buddies in the neighborhood. So thankful the candy is almost gone now!!

The Moment I Want to Scream

One day I thought I might scream - the boys were chasing each other around and around the house and being very loud. Isn't that what boys are supposed to do?? I'm still learning, even after 6 1/2 years of having a boys (growing up with sisters is VERY different!). Just when I thought I was going to lose it... this is what I see. Ben and Luke at being dogs. Lapping water out of bowls. On my newly mopped floors. And instead of going crazy, I started laughing and grabbed the camera. This is what I'm going to miss in a few years. This is what I'm going to remember the most. This is what I love about having them!

MSU Fun!

Go Dawgs! We have had fun this fall going to the State football games!! The kids have enjoyed being at State and learning about football, and it is some fun family time!

Sam's School and Stitches

Sam started two year old preschool after Labor Day, and as the picture shows all three boys now have had stitches. He fell as he was climbing on the kitchen counter (and I was right beside him) and busted his chin. Once again, it was a weekend, so we went up to Marcus' office and he stitched him up. He said he liked school, but he is not much of a talker. I asked him a million questions on the way home, and he answered "yes" to them all with a groan, like "please leave me alone!"

Back to School

Wow! We can't believe we suddenly have 3 out of 4 children in school! It is so hard to believe that this time has come. It is bittersweet - much easier for the day to day life, and fun to see them becoming more independent. But also sad that the time has gone by so quickly. It was just yesterday that we were all piled up at home playing with nowhere to go and no schedules to follow other than lunchtime, naptime, and bedtime! We are so blessed to have three great teachers this year! We also love our neighborhood tradition of walking to school together the first day. It is fun for the kids and parents to go as a group, although sad for the older girls this year they had to change schools and leave Church St. But they all are enjoying their school years very much and we are so grateful!

Twin Lakes Camp

We were so blessed to spend a week at Twin Lakes Camp this summer! It was so much fun for the whole family! Marcus was a camp doctor, which was actually a fair amount of work the first day, but a nice vacation after that. Ben and Sarah Caroline were campers, and Luke and Sam and Marcus and I stayed in a great lodge next to the infirmary. We were ready to move in permanently!! The entire week I did not have to think about when or what we were going to eat - we just walked over the the dining hall, sat down, and got up when we were finished!! I did not have to clean or cook or go run errands all week!! We played and took naps and read - what a treat!!! It was fun watching all of the campers have a blast! They loved it! The most fun was watching the boys on "boys only night" get ready with war paint, learn how to march, go through a mud pit (which by the way smelled horrid!). Thankfully they went through hoses and a slip and slide before they went back for showers. The staff are wonderful, godly people and it was a joy to get to know them! What a great way to spend a week of summer vacation!!

Summer Pics in November?

I do realize I continue to post pictures several months behind, but I do not want to miss having these fun memories on my blog. MAYBE one day I will catch up and stay caught up, but for now I will just keep posting very late!!

Smith Lake Fun!

We had such a fun trip this summer with Mimi and DoDad to Smith Lake! The past few years we have had a great lake trip with the Bullard family all together, and this was one of the most fun! The home that we stayed in was beautiful, and with the kids being a little older it is a little easier to enjoy it all! Sarah Caroline almost got up on water skis, and Ben, Luke and Sarah Caroline loved knee boarding. Sam even rode in the inner tube behind the boat! VERY SLOW!! Uncle Talmadge was very patient to entertain us all with driving the boat! Luke became very independent with the kayak, and was pretty content kayaking around the cove by himself most of the time. Sam and Graham took more notice of each other, which was fun for us to see. And of course we ate a lot! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a fun vacation! Thanks, Rebecca and Justin and Katie and Talmadge for putting up with us and our kiddos for several days!!

Not the best picture, but Katie insists we have pictures made despite our appearances, after all, how will we remember these fun times with no pictures!

Mimi celebrated her birthday while at the lake, and we won't say what number. But we have pictures of her skiing, and how many grandmothers out there water ski???. We are so proud of having such "youthful" grandparents!!

Sam and Graham checking each other out!

Sarah Caroline is wondering why there are no pics of her on the knee board or skiis. ???? She really was there. I think I was videoing the events, and I don't know why Marcus and I didn't split that job up better. We never are very organized about this!!

Ueltschey Reunions

In June we had a weekend full of reunions in Forest. The most interesting was a ceremony and reception to reveal a new historical marker for the Ueltschey Tannery in Morton. We had the chance to see many several Ueltschey cousins as well as visit with several state senators who came for the big event. This marker had been destroyed over time, and over the past several years the Morton Homemakers raised the funds to have the sign replaced. Marcus shared with the group the history of Albert Ueltschey, his great great grandfather, who founded the tannery during the Civil War. We were all relieved when the sign was "unveiled" that the spelling of the family name was correct!!

There was also a family reunion later that same day with another part of the Ueltschey family, which Marcus and his brother and two of our kids made an appearance for. That same night, he had a small get together with some high school friends who were in town. What a weekend of reunions!

Special Father's Day

Our kids certainly do love their Daddy, and this year he was given a really special gift! Luke had the idea that Daddy needed a new "toy" rifle like his real one, so that they could all play guns together. But also part of the deal was that Ben and Luke needed some new guns too! Of course I thought it was a great idea so Luke and I did some special WalMart shopping this year in the toy department. What a fun gift! I think he was thrilled, but I know the kids were glad to get new toys too! Is that being creative or manipulative? Let's just say it was creative for the sake of fun!

Beach Bums!

We started summer a little early, and left for the beach before the last day of school! After the piano recital we drove to Mobile to get a head start on the drive. We had a great little visit with Rebecca and Graham. We loved where we stayed this time, and were close to the beach and could bike ride to Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach. It was so much fun playing in the sand, biking, eating, and swimming. We also had a great time to worship at the church at Rosemary Beach. We had sweet Mea with us, so Marcus and I got to go on a date too! It was hard to come home after such a great trip!

Piano Recital

We were so proud to see Sarah Caroline perform at her first piano recital! She did so well, and all of Mrs. Ginger Howe's students were so talented! Sarah Caroline and her special friend Sally Grace also played a duet together. I was most nervous about this part of the recital, as many of their practices were filled with giggles. But they did great and it was good to learn some teamwork!

TBall Time!

Ben and Luke had so much fun playing tball with their friends this year! They have improved so much from last summer, and it was great watching them play! They think they are ready for coach pitch now!

Happy Birthday, Sam!!

Sam is two!! On May 19 we celebrated his second birthday with our family, with a fun frog theme. He loves all things frog, mostly his frog ("fog" as he calls it) that he sleeps with. Frog has gone most everywhere with him, including swimming lessons and on a kayak. Sam also loves his frog hooded towel, which he asks for after bathtime. So we had a frog cake, a frog outfit, and played pin the fly on the frog! Also, he got a fun radio flyer scooter and a tball set from his grandparents, so that he can be big like his brothers. He rides the scooter and hits the baseball really well for a two year old! He really does think he is so big, but he is a baby to me!!

Congratulations, Ben!

Ben graduated in May from Kindergarten at Calvary Baptist! They had the cutest program reviewing all they had learned this year. He loves Ms Elizabeth and Ms. Fredda so much! He already misses his special friends from school! It is hard to believe that my second child is so big! He and Luke both will be going to "big"school at Church St. this year!

Fishing at Mawmaw's

Sam thinks he is 12, not 2! Mother's Day weekend we spent time fishing at the pond at Mawmaw's house, and Sam insisted that he have his own fishing rod like his brothers and sister! We all had fun catching fish, but thankfully none large enough that we had to have a fish fry! Maybe next time!

Ueltschey Runners

Now, when I say we have Ueltschey runners, I am not talking about myself! I am doing really good to run 1/2 mile with my sister Katie. But the kiddos, on the other hand, have taken after their speedy daddy! Ben and Sarah Caroline did the 1 mile fun run at the Gum Tree Festival, in the yucky rain. They both loved it! Since then, Sarah Caroline has won two 5K's in her age group. She won the TieDye/Healthworks race and a few weeks later won with a 31 minute time at the Elvis Presley race. She doesn't practice running yet, but we (Marcus) should start working with her. At this point she is pretty motivated by competition. It is fun to see what our children enjoy!

Fun Summer!

We have been so busy since May with end of school parties, kindergarten graduation, piano recital, Sam's birthday, tball, tennis lessons, VBS, vacations, and pool time! It has been so much fun, and I am so grateful to have our four fun children to spend time with! We are at a good phase of life right now, with it being a little easier to travel than it used to! Also, the kids aren't so committed to any activity that we can't go somewhere. We have more fun in store July and August before the real world starts again!

Surfing in Peru!!

I know we are here on a mission trip, but we had a little recreation time at the beach today! And I learned how to surf!!!!! I still can't believe I did it, and got up several times!!!! One time was "pretty", but probably not the other times. It was one of the most fun things I have EVER done!! It was great!!!

We have been staying with my new friend, Alleen McLain, who has just moved here from Jackson to be short term missions coordinator. She is so much fun and we have loved spending time with her!

We are currently still in Trujillo, although we were supposed to be in Lima now getting on a flight to Atlanta. We have loved it here and had a fabulous week, but it would be nice to get home! We are attempting to fly to Lima at midnight and then will not get to fly to Atlanta until midnight Saturday. All that aside, it has been great!

An update on our weeks activities: Tuesday night we had dinner at the Eby's beautiful home, and had a great time of fellowship and hanging out with their kids. Josh and Robyn are here with Peru Mission working with college ministry as well as many other things!

Wednesday we worked at the clinic in the morning, and did a clinic in the afternoon in the village of Clemintina. This community was even poorer than the one on Monday, but they were so sweet and appreciative! It is hard to imagine living in such extreme poverty. I saw two ladies washing their clothes in plastic tubs. Really all they could do was rinse them out, and they must be dirty because there is only dirt everywhere. They have a great sense of community, and work together to provide for their families.

Once more we had a great night out at this fabulous Japanese restaurant, Ka. It was amazing and was so beautiful. It didn't feel like we were in Peru...... maybe New York, or maybe even Japan! What great fellowship we had with the Ellisons, Bradfords, Alleen, and some of the interns.

Thursday was back to the clinic, then I met with some physical therapists at a rehab clinic. They were so sweet and kind, and begged us send them supplies. They also requested some therapists to come and teach them some continuing education.

We visited an orphanage that Peru Mission has just become affiliated with, called House of Hope. The doctors did some physicals, and we mostly just played with the precious children! Some of the boys were "playing doctor" and had so much fun diagnosing us all with "rabies", "tumors", and "having no heart"! They were so much fun!

Once more, we went out for dinner with all of the missionaries and had a great time! There is such a great group of people that God has brought together!