The Africa Mercy sailed into Cape Town and we've been 'home' four months.

 We have now been back in the States for four months. We miss our Africa Mercy Family terribly and our hearts long to be serving in Africa, but we know without a doubt we are exactly where God wants us to be right NOW. The boys are happy, healthy, and thriving. They love spending time with their Grandparents and they...wait for it...wait for it...are liking school a lot! If you know the Bullock Boys 'liking it a lot' is high praise indeed.

 Mark took a job with Abilene State Supported Living Center working with individuals with developmental disabilities. He is loving his work as it is both fulfilling and challenging while still offering plenty of time for family. I started working on my Texas Teacher Certification at McMurry University. I should complete the program in May 2015.

Jacob recently turned 11. He is enjoying 5th grade and has made friends and shared about Mercy Ships with his class. He says the highlights of being home are dove hunting and fishing with Mark and spending time with his grandparents. He is trying to get us to commit to visiting the Ship over Christmas :) We've said, "Maybe next year."

 Caleb is a 2nd grade Star. He is making the adjustment to land based school with flying colors. He has discovered a love of drawing dragons and reading Garfield comic books. His highlights are camping, ice cream, and spending time with grandparents.

Matthew turn 9 years old this summer. Crazy! He is doing well in his new school and has made a new best friend. He wants me to make sure I tell you that his new friend does not replace his old friends. He has decided his teacher is 'huggable' and is becoming quite the comedian. His new favorite book is 1001 Best Jokes. He is making amazing progress with therapies at the West Texas REHAB. I am so blessed by the team at the REHAB and how well they love children!

We are so thankful for the time we got to spend on the Africa Mercy and are looking forward to what the future holds!

The Status of Our Hearts

 When God asked us to join the Africa Mercy we didn't know if it would be for two-years or forever. Mark and I both agreed, at Gateway Training in 2012, that whether it was a season or a lifetime we wanted to serve God with all our hearts. It turns out that our Mercy Ship adventure was for a season. We have complete assurance from God that it is time to head back to the States. That assurance does not make the leaving any easier. We will miss the community on board the Africa Mercy and we will miss serving the people of this great continent, but we know that God has great plans for us and we will continue to seek to serve Him in everything we do. Please pray for our family as we make this transition back to the States. We leave May 24th. I will leave you with some pictures of the last month here in the Republic of Congo.

Myriam and me with yummy desert at the End of Year Teacher Dinner. I am going to miss my sweet French speaking friend. (True Story: I am crying as I type this.) Myriam is a fantastic friend and teacher!

Me dancing in the Spring Recital.

Visiting the orphanage with Matthew.

Overwhelming...trying to decide what to fit into the five duffles bags that will accompany us back to the States.

A few of my sweet ballet students. They were amazing at our Spring dance recital.

Moriah has been an amazing blessing to our family, our sweet son Matthew and to me. She is a lovely ballerina, a gifted teacher, a compassionate friend...I could go on forever.

My incredible friend Dianna. We solve all the worlds problems every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday as we run through the port. She is an awesome mom and an absolute joy to have as a friend. Words cannot begin to describe how much I will miss her.

Lunch with our Gateway group...it used to be a lot bigger.

 Today at lunch I asked the boys how their hearts were. Without missing a beat they all three put their little hands over their hearts. Jacob said, "Mine is beating really fast." Matthew said, "She means, are you healthy.?" Caleb said, "No, are you happy?" I rephrased with, "Are you sad?" They all answered that they were a little sad, but really excited to see their grandparents. We have great grandparents!

Then Caleb sat down in my lap and asked me how my heart was. I told him truthfully that I am incredibly sad to be leaving this place and the friend we have made. He smiled and said, "But you were just laughing. That was joyful." I love when we get opportunities to teach truth to our children. I told him that I am joyful, joyful and sad. That joy doesn't come from our situation or circumstances. It comes from God, the love he has for us and the trust we have in him.

So, for now the Bullock Family is trusting God as we prepare to say good-bye to the Africa Mercy and walk down the gangway one last time a week from Saturday.

A Few Snap Shots of Our Life

I love when I catch them reading together.

They love when I let them play in the rain on Deck 8.

They say it is better than going swimming.

The boys love when we walk by the Lion on our way to have lunch at Cactus Cafe. I love that Cactus Cafe has a double bacon cheese burger that tastes a little like home.

Saturday after visiting the orphanage...naps are in order.

Caleb and Mark are excellent nappers.

The Republic of Congo is a truly beautiful country.

Ten Years Ago

March 31, 2004 was a Wednesday. I finished teaching an advanced lyrical dance class, went over the receipts for the evening and locked up the dance studio. I was looking forward to giving my sweet baby boy a cuddle and then reading him a bedtime story before laying him down for the night. I was worried about paying April rent as we were several hundred dollars short. I was two days shy of 24 year old.

Earlier that day thousands of miles away my brother was killed. He was doing his job as a 1st Lt. in the United States Army and while performing that duty he lost his life.

I walked into a dark house. Moments later Mark would tell me that my parents had called and that my brother was gone. It was a shock. One that would take me and my family years to fully internalize and one which I will never fully understand.

What I do know is that my brother loved God, his family and his country. There is nothing more honorable than these. He taught me about honor, dedication and perseverance. He told me that I must always be able to laugh at myself and not take the "little things" too hard. He gave the best hugs and I knew I could always count on him. When I was embarrassed to two-step around a dance floor he lifted me off my feet and swung me around. In college we talked on the phone for hours sharing stories and dreams of the future. I can still remember the difference in his voice the first time he spoke about Leslie, the girl he would eventually marry. He became one of my husbands best friends. He wasn't just my brother. He was my friend.

Today, I remember Doyle. Brother. Hero. Friend.

Today is a day to remember his sacrifice. It is also a day to remember God's faithfulness, love and compassion. Recently a friend wrote a blog post with a quote about scars. Something about how the scars tell us we are still alive. I believe that if you took a picture of my heart it would be full of scars, places that are only held together through faith. I grieve the loss of my brother and in the same breath I praise the Lord for his life. In church tonight we sang Blessed be Your Name.

You Give and Take Away

You Give and Take Away

My Heart will Choose to Say

Lord, Blessed Be Your Name

I am thankful that ten years later I can truly sing these words. I may cry while I do but only because they are true. Thank You Lord for walking with me through life's trials and blessings.

Thankfulness

This last container took a very long time clearing customs. It was worth the wait as it contained three care packages. We have been so blessed this field service by all our supporters. We have felt prayed for and loved.

Jacob was particularly excited about the buffalo wing seasoning packet. One of the many blessing of serving on the Africa Mercy in Congo is learning the lesson of delayed gratification and really truly savoring the small blessings. Jacob is waiting patiently and anticipating the day we can get our hands on some chicken tenders to make boneless buffalo wings. We made tacos this past weekend and they were AMAZING!

Caleb was downright jubilant when I laid out the contents of the third box. To everyone who supports us with prayers, love, financial support, care packages, and e-mails, Thank You! We are so blessed by all of you. It is so encouraging to know that people are thinking of us and caring about our family. Thank You!

Visit to an Italian Aircraft Carrier

Mark and Jacob can add another chapter to the book titled, "This one time on the Africa Mercy..." An Italian Aircraft Carrier came to the Republic of Congo. They very generously offered tours to the entire crew (those older than eight). Jacob loved the visit and it was all he talked about for several days after the tour.

Jacob was overwhelmed by the jets, helicopter, and machine guns!

Great Memories in the making!

Saturdays in Congo

Every other Saturday our family takes a group of people to a local orphanage. Ngoyo Orphanage is a Mercy Ministries site. Around 30 children live at the orphanage ranging in age from 2-20. We sing worship songs in French and teach a lesson to the children. Then we do a craft and everyone spends about an hour playing with the children.

Paka is an amazing translator. He speaks five languages which is difficult for me to wrap my mind around.

One weekend our activity was play dough. The children were so focused on their individual projects. They created elephants and alligators. They spent all of the play time working with the play dough.

Sometimes the boys play a little soccer game.

Jumping rope is another favorite activity.

Working hard on their color sheets.

Jenga gets played every week.

Sometimes I get my hair done.

We are enjoying getting to know the sweet children who live at Ngoyo Orphanage. The boys say their favorite part of the weekly visit is the chickens that run around the yard. I think my boys would be happiest living on a farm!

Benedict's Birthday Party

We were invited to celebrate the birthday of one of Mark's day crew, Benedict.  We gathered at Benedict's brothers house and were able to fellowship with day crew and dental team members. Matthew enthralled Eber with a reading of Calvin and Hobbs.  Matthew read the entire 60 page collection to Eber.

We hung out on the front porch and enjoyed sandwiches and snacks.  I enjoyed getting to know Mark's team better.

Magalie made friends with Caleb. Caleb enjoyed eating more than his fair share of pretzel sticks.  All the boys were sweet and practiced their French with the day crew.

The candle was amazing!  The boys thought it was the highlight of the day.

And we had cake. It was a lovely Saturday and I hope that we can gather together with the dental team again soon.