Welcome to Columbus !!!

There were four unique welcomes as we moved back to Columbus, Ohio.

1) The friends who came to help unload the truck...HUGE THANK YOU!! to Brian Swauger, Sally White and Carl Neu. Carl drove the truck out to Ohio for us. Then he stayed for a few days and he and Sally helped us work through the first few days of fixing many items that needed attention...plumbing, lights, really messy garage, etc...You two deserve extra blessings because of going way beyond the call of duty!!

2) The bills that were waiting for us in the mailbox the very first day we arrived! How do they do that ??!! When I checked the mail and told what I found there, Brian said..."Welcome home!"

3) The many friends that warmly greeted us at church. That was a great joy to us. Many were surpised that we were actually here to stay for awhile before heading to Belize. Over the last four years, I have only been able to make about 3 quick stop in visits so many were pleasantly surprised that we will be able to make time to visit and catch up this time.

4) The fourth was not so welcome but on the side of town that we live on - this kind of thing does happen, sometime Saturday night, someone smashed the rear passenger side window of my truck. Looks like a crowbar was the culprit's tool of choice. Nothing was taken, thankfully. I was not the only vicitm either as a number of cars were targetted down the alley where we live. This was disturbing to our sense of welcome and security and put a brief damper on our day.

All in all though, the move has been really good. We have gotten a LOT accomplished with Sally and Carl helping. We are already making our mark on our side of the the duplex and should have it nice and comfy cozy soon.

Of course, before we get a chance to finish, we will leave for Singapore! So, we will have to catch up on more unpacking later in September.


A SUPER HEART FELT THANK YOU to everyone who made our farewell from Cape May so fabulous!!! We felt so loved and appreciated and seriously cherish all the cards! We read them over the next few days a little at a time and hope to find a nice book or something to keep them in. They are precious to us because they are your sentiments, your words and your hearts - being freely shared with us - we never really knew just how much we had impacted so many, until we read it over and over and over again. Wow!

The Bible says, "You are our letter, written on tablets of human hearts..." This has never seemed so true! Thank you seems so inadequate but we truly do "Thank you!" from the depths of our hearts!!

We love you!!

Ray & Becki