Slightly sunburned,Rest completed, Visas arrive.

(Lynn, Grayton Beach, Florida)

We've enjoyed some "heavy rest", to quote Van Morrison. We spent four days in Gulf Shores with my folks, drove through Pensacola and visited the Naval Aviation Museum (home of the Blue Angels), and have been at my sister's house in Grayton Beach for the past seven days. Mainly we've slept, prayed, played, swam, crabbed, eaten more than exercised, and just spent time with family and one another. We've all had a blast, but Andrew, with his love of all creatures and his admiration for older brother Phillip, has been ecstatic for days capturing fish, crabs, lizards,etc. and having brother and mommy to himself. I believe this pause in the action was ordained.

We will swing through Alabama today and see my grandparents on our way back to Knoxville.

Our visas arrived two days ago- so now we are set to fly out this Friday. Please pray we'll stay healthy and make the trip.

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." -Psalm 92:1-2

I will miss you!-Claire

Hey it is Claire!I want to thank everyone for suporting us.I personaly, want to thank my third grade teacher and class for everything they did.I miss you guys soooooo much. I hope to see you in 5th grade!
Also Mountain Ridge Church(the Hardestys and Mrs.Turrel) for the kids program at church and church in general.The Hardestys and my family have come so far from when we met.I will pray for you guys while in New Zealand for what you guys are going through.I will also miss you guys sooooooooooooo much!
Also some of my close friends(everyone is my friend but, my close friends)Morgan Borreli, Kaity Cornwell, Phoenix Fogarty, Rachel Hardesty,Abby Hatmaker, and Hadely Turrel for being my friends.I love you and will miss you girls soooooooooooooo much!
Best of all everone, again for supporting us.I will miss all of you sooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SINCERELY,
Claire Nichols

Delayed 2 weeks!

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7

No visas, no travel.  We found out on the way to our "last supper" with family that the medical council still had not processed our paperwork completely.  We took it as a sign to rest from the hecticness and will be visiting my sister in Florida.  The only problem is I sold my SUV one hour before getting the news and don't have a car which can carry 4 kids- so a shout out to the Turrells for trading a car for a van for awhile.!

-The Nichols

2 days until departure!

Thanks for checking back with the lamest bloggers on earth! 3 weeks with no entry- it will never happen again. We have had some wonderful farewell parties from family, church family, friends and coworkers. Between parties we have completed mountains of forms and numerous other preparations.  Thank you all so much for the encouragement, gifts and, most of all, for your love for our family.  Dawn told me today how truly touched she is by the outpouring of love we have experienced- it only solidifies for us the fact that this is our hometown and, no matter how far away or how long we're away, Knoxville is where we long to return and finish raising our children around our loving families and great friends.  Please pray for us as we travel on the 17th and we will be back blogging once I find an internet connection in New Zealand.

We will continue to use my previous e-mail:pnichols@summithealthcare.com

(Thanks for posting messages!)

The Nichols