Sixty hours before we leave. An almost empty house, and two children pass the time: Ten year old Noah constructs Star Wars Lego spacecraft and twelve year old Hannah blows bubbles while reading.

Last Friday: one last trip to Michigans' Adventure. Can you spot Hannah, Noah and Renita upsidedown on the Corkscrew? (Hint, Hannah is in the first car with Anneka, Noah in the second with Hope, and Renita all by herself in the last car.)

Last Thursday: A gathering of Liberians and North Americans discussing ways to collaborate in in peacebuilding efforts there.

The Executive Director of CRWRC, Andrew Ryskamp, makes a point at the Thursday meeting.

Renita and other members of the "Nehemiah-Liberia Group" plotting and planning after the meeting ended. From the left is Renita, Rev Sam, pastor of Liberia's oldest church, Theo, Justine, and Dr. Ron.

Saying Goodbye, part one

The goodbyes are beginning. With about ten days to go, we are finding ourselves saying goodbye to nearer and dearer people. Last Saturday, it was the Wilcox family. Dan, Beth, Hannah, David, Emily. My dearest friends, even though I hadn't seen Dan in fours years, and the rest of the family in eight. They drove to Grand Rapids from Manhattan Kansas to see us.

Sunday, it was most of my family, some who came in from Kentucky and Ohio. I try not to cry during these goodbyes; I just don't like losing it every time I turn around. But its getting tougher, and tears are starting to make it out of their safe little ducts. Here are some shots of the family, after that the Wilcox clan.

Our Family and available Spouses. The siblings are, from the left Steve with wife Patty above, then above is Don with wife Carolyn, Mom with husband Keith below, Sandy w/o husband Rick, Bryan standing, no longer married. From the right in front is me with Renita. Last we come to brother-in-law Dave, front in the gray shirt bewteen Steve and Keith. His wife, my sister Brenda, was killed in an auto accident in December. Much loved, her absence was painfully felt all day. Several times we wept with each other.

We were honored to be able to give a presentation of sorts to my family, to give them an overview of what we'll be doing there. Here is Renita taking a portion of it. She's a great speaker.

Hannah and cousin Emma explore the river Uncle Don enjoys as part of his back yard.

Hannah decides to fully immerse herself in the moment, with cousin Bailey looking on.

Of course, Bob must grok the river himself.

Renita, Noah and me resting near the end of a happy sad day.

Pre-flight family foto. Where did Noah get this need to clown around during pictures?

My Mother, Lucille and I. If you look close, you can see two things: The worried look of a mom in her eyes, and the completely full-of-life look in her grandaughter, my daughter Hannah, cutting up in the duistance.

Next is the whole Wilcox-Reed bunch from Saturday. Seated are The Blessed Children are from left: Noah, Emily, Hannah, Hannah, and David. Standing behind (A multi purpose metaphor) are the Saintly Parents: Renita, Bob, Dan, and Beth

Emily and Hannah the First (Their Hannah).

Dan, my friend of 22 years and son David. Note the respectful and expectant gaze in David's eyes. Note Dan drinking out of a two-leter bottle on Mountain Dew.

Beth Wilcox with Hannah the Second (Our Hannah)

At Noah's request, a non-posed shot as we normally look.

Renita in our former dining room, surrounded by boxes ready for shipment. Believe it or not, she's reading an old love letter she wrote me just a month after our first date-- fifteen years ago. Ahh, the Magic remains.