Timber and Missions

Landing on the Truck

Flying timber, and agricultural flying in general: WOW! When you learn how to fly a helicopter, you never realize where it can take you. Flying timber means spraying a logged area to kill the weeds so that the new trees have a chance to grow and mature. It's very technical flying because the terrain is rough and usually there is tall timber all around. You're also at a high altitude, with hot temps, and heavy with spray and fuel, combined with being "out of ground effect"; all things that make lift harder to achieve.

THEN, on top of that, you need to land on and take off from a truck because there is nowhere suitable on the ground to put a helicopter. This truly is the most difficult flying I have ever done. I feel that this type of flying will prepare me well for the missions field where situations could be similar; high, hot, and heavy over a heavily treed area. I believe that God has all along been directing my flying career path, and this step is no exception.

We're back in the Banks/Newberg area again and I will be flying 1,000 acres of timber over the next week or so. RV living has been comfortable and easy so far. We love not having all the utility bills and still have all of the comforts of home wherever we are. We have a bigger back yard than we ever have (Stub Stewart State Park) and the kids and the dog are loving it.

If you think of it, please pray for my employer and I, that we are able to communicate effectively and that I can be a witness of God's love to him.

Michael

Gypsies

Our good friend Ralph recently dubbed us as "gypsies" and we rather like it. We even considered having Michael wear a poofy shirt and a big gold hoop earring for our first blog picture, but that was just taking it too far. Especially if you know Michael very well.

We're officially on the road!

"What?!" you say? "What road?" Well, a variety of roads, really. Mostly in the western part of the country. Most of you know that we've recently moved into a 5th wheel (pictured on the right) and are living "on the go". We've been at it 5 days now and are in our 3rd campground. We are having a lot of fun. All 3 of the parks have been really cool, covered with trails and creeks.

The BEST part so far has been the process of drastically reducing our personal belongings. We went from a 2-story 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in the country (aka, lots of storage) to a 45' 5th wheel and a 10'x15 storage unit, which also houses a small car. We had what Adria called a "humungo" garage sale and sold, then donated, it ALL! What a feeling of freedom and relief. We know the Lord is preparing us for something special. Even the kids have enjoyed the process of cleaning out and passing their stuff on. They loved to see other kiddos treasure their toys and stuffed animals (and it didn't hurt that they made a bunch of money, too!).


Newberg, OR will still be home base, and we will be in and out over the next year. To all of you out there with the all-famous "socialization" question, the kids are still signed up for soccer and PE and school groups, etc. No worries! Over the winter months, we'll be there a lot. Unless we can get to Florida and Haiti. ;) We are now in Eugene, OR and are gradually moving south, while Michael sprays timber (keeping weeds down so newly planted forest can survive easier). We don't know what's next, and we are liking it that way. After all, we're on an adventure!

Homespot #3

Kitchen (the door goes to kids' room)

Living room (door goes to master bedroom)

Washer/dryer! SO cool!