SURPRISE!!! Furlough in Texas.

For the past few months we have been planning our furlough in Texas. Through prayer and discussion we also decided to surprise our families with a much needed extended time during the holidays. We shared with our family that we would be returning on Dec 4 for Christmas but bought tickets for Nov 13. This would allow us to also spend Thanksgiving with our family and friends. As we put out our need for transportation, housing and finances there was a need of secrecy for the surprise. This created a particular challenge since we couldn't use the typical means of communication through social media etc. Through prayers of many to our Father, finances for our airline tickets and transportation was provided quickly. Father decided to notify us of our housing on Nov 12 the day before we returned. He always has perfect timing.
This set the stage for the video above where there was a birthday party planned for Jeffrey's brother Chris at a restaurant. Jodi's parents were also invited to the same restaurant by some friends for dinner. To both of the families surprise they were at the same place on the same night. Our flight landed at 4:15pm, some friends met us at the airport and drove us to the restaurant where we waited to see everyone arrive. As you can see from the video it was a sweet time of basking in the love from our family our Father has provided. Thank you to all that prayed for this time and continue to pray.

Celebrations & Surprise!!

As we ended a week with what seemed like disappointing news, we were able to celebrate our time here with some close friends and family. Jeffrey's parents threw a party to have some time of "goodbyes" with our friends and family. We know this is particularly hard for them with us moving and taking the grand kids so far away. We also have mixed emotions saying goodbye without a set date to leave. They also decided to have a surprise birthday party for Jeffrey at the same time. Great surprise!! We had an awesome time with great food and time spent with everyone. Thanks,MOM and DAD!!

On Sunday we also celebrated Jodi's grandmothers 80th birthday in Gatesville. Again, great time with family and some goodbye's. We are looking forward to celebrating Jeffrey's grandmother's 88th birthday this week. What awesome lives lived!