We were told about it and we were trained for it, but nothing could prepare us for the feeling of total helpless in a place so new and so different.
We have had to rely on our team for housing, for food, to go anywhere, to help clear our container, to schedule picking up our dog, to know who to contact to help get our new home ready, to go to the market or to the bank or to the supermarket… Continue reading
A few months ago, we had lunch with some friends who are doing amazing ministry with the homeless community in Boulder. They are missionaries, serving in their community, so I feel blessed to learn from them. Our conversation still comes back to me and is a daily reminder.
We were talking about how easy it is to get overwhelmed with the need and desire to serve everyone, to minister to everyone, to love everyone. Continue reading
In mid-October, we returned to Texas from our cultural training in Colorado and we hit the ground running. Our hope to have a garage sale the weekend we returned was postponed due to severe storms all weekend. But, after some creativity, Continue reading
That has been the question most frequently asked. And I hesitate every time 
it’s asked. While I know God has called us to Uganda and He has been incredibly faithful and affirming to lead the way for us, our team is excited and encouraging about us coming soon, and we have so many people praying for us on a daily basis, I am still processing through all that it means for us to move across the world… Continue reading
We have said our “see you laters” to our friends and family in the Boulder area. We have packed our stuff and loaded our car. We have sent Jezebel back to Texas with Leland’s parents until we return from training. We have been so blessed by our time here. It has been 
so encouraging to reunite and build new relationships with so many loving and caring people. Continue reading
I don’t know about you but there are times as a mom of a toddler that I feel like I’ve failed. Unfortunately, more times than I want to admit. I only have one child, a little girl, but she’s enough. Leland and I were married 8 years before Adalyn was born so we remember very clearly what life was like before we had a kid. We remember how easy it was to go out on a date, to meet friends on a whim, to get ready in the morning, to run errands whenever we wanted, to live life fairly uncomplicated. And then we had Adalyn… And while we absolutely adore her, life is different and life is sometimes hard. Continue reading
My daughter is pure adventurer. That or a klutz. Adalyn runs everywhere. Everywhere. She jumps and plays and runs. And that means she falls. Often. And so she has bruises, scrapes, cuts, bumps, and boo-boos. They happen. 
And I don’t want my daughter to think that boo-boos are bad or something to be scared of. So one day, I told her that “Boo-boos are signs of adventure.” I don’t know if I made it up or pulled it out of a memory that I had forgotten. But it has stuck in our family. Continue reading
We currently call Colorado our home for the next few months while our stuff resides in Mesquite, Texas with Leland’s parents. We didn’t anticipate all that it entails to be in transition and “homeless.” We are blessed with people who love us and allow us to stay with them, but not having a place to call our own has been challenging. Continue reading
It has been an emotional week. Got to attend some of our Nichols Family Reunion and see family I hadn’t seen in years. Marked the two year anniversary since my Pops, Steve Piland, died and all the stories and tears that brings. Moved away from our home of seven years in Belton to take the first major transition towards Uganda. Continue reading
We have been studying about “people of peace” – those people that are receptive and open to not only hear the message of the gospel but who are willing, eager, and in position to share it with others. They are connected in their communities, families and friendships. I can think of some people off the top of my head that love everyone, talk to everyone, welcome everyone, and share Jesus with everyone. Those are people of peace. Continue reading
Sawyers In Uganda 