July already?

Wow, how time seems to fly!

Since our last post we have moved, graduated, moved again, and celebrated a family wedding.  Currently we are living in Morgantown, West Virginia where Dean is taking a 6-week Tropical Medicine course at the university.  Adjusting to apartment life has been smooth thus far -- definitely good preparation for our upcoming stent in Africa.

Unfortunately, we are having technical difficulties with our phones -- which also serve as our cameras these days -- so we cannot upload any new photos to help share our experiences over the last month.  We will try to post a "photo update" as soon as we get our latest techno issue resolved.

MOVING:  Ahhh...so nice to be on this side of the task.  Family was a major help with our move out of our Wichita home and into our apartment on the St Francis hospital campus.  We are blessed with access to a 4 bedroom apartment as part of Dean's international medicine fellowship.  Shortly after this move (and before truly settling in), we packed again for a 6-week stay in West Virginia.  Gracie and Dianna return to Wichita the last week of July, and Dean follows the first week of August.

HOME OWNING:  Lord willing, we will be homeowner's no longer come September 2011.  This has probably been the most stretching, challenging, humbling, and stressful part of our last 3 months.  Our home in Charleston, SC (which we have rented the last 3-4 years) is under contract and after MUCH negotiation should close July 18th.  Our home in Wichita is in the process of selling; the contract is in the works.  We are amazed at God's provision during this time.  He has reminded us to rely on Him, to trust Him and His timing throughout this process of maintaining, renting and selling homes.  We are happily entering into our new role of tenant without any plans of resuming the role of homeowner or landlord any time soon.  We are excited to see where God takes us next.

GRADUATION:  Well, after 3 long, intense years, our family medicine residency is complete!  Dianna's parents (who prefer the titles Nana and Papa these days) and Dean's mom (who goes by "MA") joined us for the occasion.  A dear friend of ours, Dorenda, also joined us at the official graduation dinner.  Our residency class has been amazing; we have made many friends who we will miss.  We look forward to keeping in touch and hearing how God uses each of these amazing doctors to touch lives throughout the U.S. and world.

WEDDING:  Congrats to Darol and Cheryl Kubacz!  Dean's older brother married July 3rd in San Diego, CA.  All the Kubaczs were in attendance, and we really enjoyed time with family.  It is truly a feat to gather everyone together -- Josh, Michaele and Anabel (11 months) from Australia; Jeff, Cherith & Reippe from South Carolina; Ann from Colorado; Darol & Cheryl from Arizona; Jonathan from Oklahoma; and us from Kansas.  Adventure always unfolds when the crew is together!

Gracie and Anabel especially enjoyed their time together.  From wagon rides to ocean waves, naptime to bathtime, sharing room service to hotel room napping, these girls kept us on our toes with smiles on our faces.  The pictures share more than our words can describe and will be posted as soon as possible.


So, as you can tell, we are very blessed.  This season is different and exciting for us.  We feel we are nearing the lifework God has called us to and designed us for.  During the next couple of months, we have interviews with a couple mission agencies, and we are prayerfully seeking God's direction for the next years of our life.

Thanks for praying along with us!

Free in Christ,
DD&G