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!
Luke celebrated his 6th birthday a little early with a few friends at Chuck E Cheese! He was really excited and had a great time, but was very shy when Chuck E came out!! His real birthday was on March 5, and we celebrated with cake and went to the zoo in Greenville, SC! Luke has grown up so much, and we love him dearly!!
This basketball season we were able to go to few home games, and it was a lot of fun! We are a bit sentimental, and so the last game we were able to go to, we took all four kids even though it was a Wed night at 8:00! We must be crazy! But it was fun, and the kids enjoy being at MSU, and Sam says "Mississippi State" the cutest way when we drive on campus. They also love the ice cream, and are sad there won't be MSU ice cream in Peru. It was a fun night, with some NCAA records broken!!
Sweet DoDad, my dad, celebrated his 60th birthday on February 17th! We got to have a night out with my parents, Rebecca and Justin, and Katie and Talmadge, and celebrated together in Oxford for dinner. We love DoDad so much, and appreciate all that he has done for all of us. He is a wonderful person, and has been a great father and grandfather! 
Luke lost his first tooth last week! It had been loose since Christmas, and so we had wondered if the Tooth Fairy and Santa would come on the same day. But he was hesitant to pull it, and waited until it was falling out. We aren't sure why he lost a top tooth first, except that a lot of wrestling had been going on that encouraged it to loosen up! Well, yes, one day it was bleeding just a little after the boys were playing! Well, anyway, he is proud! And the funniest part is the Sarah Caroline (aka "Sissy" or "Sisso") pulled it!! She was so patient and said, "I'll pull it! Just tell me if it starts to hurt and I"ll stop. Well, she just hung on to that tooth until it was gone.
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!!
MARCUS & WHITNEY
Ben, Sarah Caroline, Luke & Sam
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