Ew.

We were given the happy news recently that a new pump/filtration system has been installed and is now up and running.

  

Believe it or not, our water IS clearer now...  ;)

MMMmmmmm.

Titus was happy to once again have his favorite PNG meal: knock-off RAMEN.

Surprises, Surprises...

For those of you who don't know, before coming back to the U.S. we had packed up all of our belongings and put them into a storage unit here on center because - 1. We wanted to save money by not having to pay rent during our time away and 2. So when we got back we could move into an apartment of sorts that is newer and smaller than our old place but where we'll have neighbors so that when Aaron has to travel, security won't be as big of a concern for Kara.   

SO... despite being anxious to get back simply so we could have our feet planted on soil after a long trip, we also knew that we'd have a LOT of work to do hauling and unpacking once we got to our new home.

We got the key to our apartment and opened the door to find the place not only unpacked and set up but PLASTERED in sticky notes!?  Surprise!

 

Some friends from our Bible study had gotten the key for our storage unit and our house and moved us in.  Then, just to make their evening more fun and interesting, they decided that it would be funny to label EVERYTHING (and I mean everything!) either with simply the name or description of the item or otherwise something humerous.  I think they even are holding a contest to see who could find the best hiding place for a sticky note - aka - whichever one we find 'last'.

 

Unfortunately, they are so good at their 'game' that I don't think the winner will be known for months or years to come as we keep finding more and more with each passing day.  At least we know we're loved, right?  :)

Yu gat hamas kilos?!? (You weigh how much?!?)

A huge 'perk' of being back in the States was getting to enjoy some good home cookin' and eat at a sampling of our favorite restaurants.  We kept joking with one another that we'd know exactly how fat we got during our time in the US because we pay for our flight from the capital city to Ukarumpa by weight (so much per kilo - both luggage and body weight).  Aaron was shocked to learn that (according to the scales) he put on a whopping SEVEN kilos (that's like 15 lbs!) in less than six weeks at home!  At least we enjoyed ourselves, right?  ;)

Born to FLY.

 

 

4 airlines.

8,000+ miles.

60 hours.

...Each Way.

Whew!  We are SO thankful that God gave us such an easy-going kid.  Titus awesome on all of our flights and lay-overs to and from the States.  (Thanks for praying!)  He loved schmoozing the flight attendants and weary travelers along the way too.  :)

You know you're in PNG when...

There is a poster in the bathroom at the airport, explaining how you shouldn't stand up on the toilet seat, but sit down to use it.  (It also tells you not to bathe in the sink or spit your buai on the walls and floors of the bathroom.)  

Funny.

Zoo Day, HOORAY!

On our last full day in the States, we decided to squeeze in one last adventure: taking Titus to the ZOO.  He LOVES animals of all kinds and if all of his pointing and grunting is any indication, he had a blast.  :)

Aaron's Top 10 (or Time with the Willems Family)

10. Shingled half of my mother's garage

9. Watched some good (and some not so good) movies

8. Visited a Prairie Restoration National Park with 

Titus' Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Willems

7. Helped with siding the high sides of my dad's new house

6. Spent time at some different city parks

5. Went to a butterfly garden in Ames with

 Grandpa Paul and Grandma

 Jeanean

4. Played Settlers of Catan with my brothers

3. Witnessed my mother's house the cleanest it has ever been! (Done for Titus, of course)

2. Made some late night caramel apples to celebrate Kara's worst game of bowling - 

EVER! (She scored a 37...)  :(

*****************************************************************************

1. Got an EYEFUL of Titus enjoying the creek

An Evening with the Willems - Westwood Church

Thanks so much to those of you who took the time to come out to Westwood Church and hear about our experiences living overseas and the exciting things that God is doing in Papua New Guinea.  Hope you all had fun!

A Special THANK YOU...

To Firth Reformed Church for the special offering you took towards the printing of scripture booklets.  We were blown away.  Because of your giving, more Papua New Guinean men, women and children will have access to portions of the Word of God in their own languages.  Our hearts feel like Paul as he spoke of the churches in Macedonia:

"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the priveledge of sharing in this service to the saints."  - 2 Corinthians 8:3-4

"...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."  - Isaiah 55:11

Hong Kong meets PNG meets Nebraska :)

After many hours of planning and scheming, we were able to pull off what was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of our lives.  Katie flew with her three kids (by herself!) from Hong Kong to surprise Kara's family - first her parents, and then the rest of the family.  While we expected lots squealing and excitement, most people just stood around crying!  It was so much fun to spend 2 weeks of our time at home with our two nephews, our niece and Kara's sister. 

We love you guys!

Introducing Another...Mr. & Mrs. Willems!

The main reason we came home was to be a part of the wedding of my twin brother Nathan to one of Kara's college roommates, Angie Nearpass.  The wedding was beautiful, the time with

 family was invaluable, and we are so very thankful to have been a part of the opening of this new chapter in their lives.  

Congratulations Nathan and Angie!