Marching on...

Well, time certainly is MARCHing on!  How has another 6 weeks past since we've posted?  Once again being on the move has kept us distracted from our blog BUT has kept us enjoying God's call for our life.

February seems a blur.  One of the highlights was celebrating Missions' Month at Heartland!  We were blessed to hear how God is at work around the world (Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia) as well as right here in Wichita.

In between Heartland events and our work schedules we managed to MOVE all our things out of storage and into a new 2 bedroom apartment in northeast Wichita!  We have loved living with our dear friends, the Cardwells, and will cherish the times we shared and memories we made these last 6 months (as well as ones still to come...just not necessarily under the same roof!).

Gracie now has a BIG girl room -- Pink and Ponies -- her latest favs!

G's 1st Impression!

She has done very well with the transition, not only out of the crib and into a daybed but also another preschool change.  We are very thankful for this adaptable, spirited child the Lord has given us!

And since we didn't think this was enough activity for February, we completed the month (and started March) with 3 back-to-back mission conference weekends in South Carolina and Kansas.

Aside from an unprecedented FOOT of snow which delayed our departure by a day, our travel was smooth and uneventful.

Shoveling Snow with Daddy

A lil' taste (another frosty smile)

The first Global Impact Celebration was at ECBC in the Charleston area.  Our flights were rerouted directly to Charleston (opposed to original plan for overnight with Dianna's brother in Coumbia), so Nana & Papa met us at the airport with hugs (and a vehicle)!

The conference allowed time to reconnect with old friends while making new friends, too!  Gracie enjoyed spending time with M & G in our host family's home : )

Then a drive to the upstate to see Nona and Papa Jeff as well as our dear Clemson friends who hosted a share time for folks to learn more about Chad.

A tractor ride at Nona's house

Followed by time in Aiken (Dianna's hometown) for the second Global Impact Celebration at MBC.

Flag display at MBC

During our brief stay in Aiken, we certainly didn't want to miss celebrating Dianna's grandfather's 88th birthday!  Looking forward to more...

Great grands helping him blow out the candles on his "88" cupcake-cake

We returned to Wichita for a brief day and half of clinic before driving west to Pratt, KS for the third Global Impact Celebration at 1st UMC!

Exploring Pratt's wildlife museum...trying to "pet" the fish

G helped color cards for children's mission outreach 

Singing "This Little Light of Mine" at rehab center

"Lighting" their world (conference theme) by delivering cards
 and goody bags to the center's residents

Thanks to everyone who hosted us and helped make these conferences special!

A week ago we returned to Wichita and unpacked our bags (for a while at least).  Whew...

It has been busy, yes.  Oh but SO encouraging and exciting!  The reality of our coming departure is sinking in, especially when we take time to look at the calendar.  Lord willing in 4 months we will leave Wichita and return to TEAM headquarters for our final pre-field conference.  Then we are hopeful to spend 3-4 weeks in SC with family and friends before departing for French language school at the end of August!!

As we reflect over the last year -- we were in Chad on a vision trip exactly 1 year ago -- it is amazing and affirming to see how the Lord has provided and paved the way for these next steps.

Marching on in Him,

 DD&G

Merry with Thanks!

This title seems fitting for our combined Thanksgiving & Christmas post -- we are merry and full of thanks!

For Thanksgiving we drove to Kansas City for fun-filled family time with many (not all) of the Kubaczs.  It truly is a blessing to have family close by which draws more family near during the holidays : )

Gracie enjoying the feast!

Girls with Uncle Josh

We attempted a photo shoot with the girls in matching outfits...

which turned into a playground photo journal (as expect for two two-year-olds).

Although not pictured, we enjoyed spending time with Nona, Boppy (aka Papa Jeff), Darol, Cheryl as well as JAM (thanks for hosting)!

Upon returning back to Wichita, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Christmas party (hosted by our church and a local international student outreach) for some of the refugees we have met over the past few months.  We shared some Christmas traditions with them -- giving gifts, making ornaments (with the kids), eating Christmas cookies -- and read the Christmas story.  

It was a sweet time of fellowship.

Dean chatting with some of the men.

Ladies visiting after the gifts were given.

Decorating star ornaments

Gracie helping unwrap a gift...she couldn't resist : )

For Christmas we headed east to South Carolina for more fun-filled family time.  
But before we went, Gracie got to see this winter season's first snow.

We -- as we're sure many of you can relate -- celebrated Christmas in many "parts" this year.

Part 1: pre-Christmas time with Kubacz's at Nona's house

Ginger-Barn
Baked by Nona
Designed by Cherith
Assembled by Cherith & Dianna
(not pictured but..decorated by little girls)
Eaten by ALL

"Alphabet Train" puzzle time with Boppy!

Horse ride with Nona, Uncle Josh & Anabel
"Pinky is my favorite" --Gracie--

Part 2: Plyler "extended" family Christmas

No photos but we had fun reconnecting with Dianna's Aunts, Uncles & Cousins.

What did Dianna unwrap at the annual Plyler family gift exchange?

A pink microwave bacon cooker!

(for those unaware, Dianna was the only vegetarian present)

A visit with Mary (Dianna's college roommate) & Brandon topped off the evening...thanks for stopping by!

Part 3: Plyler family Christmas

This year we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve morning -- the 2-year-olds present didn't seem to mind celebrating a day early!

Electric guitar dogs
definitely a hit!
(Good job Papa!)

Nanny & "Great"-granddady
We are SO blessed by all the time we share with them.

Gracie & Dylan

Part 4: Annual Plyler Christmas Party

It was fun (and nostalgic for Dianna) to celebrate Christ's birth at Millbrook Baptist Church's candlelight service followed by Jesus' birthday party.  This has been a tradition for the last 20+ years and has made countless memories.  Thanks, Mom & Dad (aka Nana & Papa), for always making Christ's birth a celebration in our home!

Part 5: Kubacz Christmas

Mid-morning on Christmas Day, we headed back to the upstate for another round of Kubacz family time.  Nona hosted a lovely dinner party, and we were able to connect with 3 (out of 4) of Dean's siblings, his Aunt & Uncle, and a couple cousins, too!

Story time with Aunt Cherith

 Part 6: LeGrand Family Christmas

Back to Aiken in order to spend some quality time with Dianna's cousin, Derek, who drove up for a quick visit.  Then more gift exchanging at Nanny & Granddaddy's house.  

How blessed we are to have this wonderful time with family!

And even more, how blessed we all are to have reason to CELEBRATE:

Christ is BORN!

And after all was finished, we attempted to catch G in this year's Christmas dress smocked especially for her by Nana...

Classic pose for our little girl!

A very MERRY Christmas to each one of you!

Love, DD&G

Frosty Smiles

Yep, the morning frost has started already in Wichita, but that's not what gives us frosty smiles.

Gracie was excited to trade in her Wendy's frosty coupon (thanks Nana & Nanny) for...

a delicious ice cream treat!!

Now THAT kind of frost makes you smile : )

What other Fall favorites bring a smile to this sweet face?

PUMPKIN Pancakes!!

We have really been enjoying Fall this year.  

Aside from fun Fall-themed treats, Gracie went on her 1st camping trip with Daddy!!

Our church arranged for a Father-Child Campout a few weekends ago.

Dean thought this would be great Daddy-Daughter time as well as...

a perfect chance to try out the new tent (replacement)

that came while we were in Niger.

Gracie enjoyed playing outside, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows,

But she was NOT interested in sleeping IN her sleeping bed.

ON her sleeping bag was as close as she got!

Other exciting Fall events:

GMHC (Global Missions Health Conference)

Once again we were blessed to participate in this annual conference.  We enjoyed quality time with dear friends including our annual meal with the Edmunds (thanks again!), reconnecting with folks from Galmi AND hanging out with Darol (Dean's brother who lives in AZ -- missed you Cheryl!!).  Topics of conversation centered on West Africa, cross-cultural ministry, community health ev@ngelism (CHE), sharing Good News with M.s, processing (and praying) through loss.  We were encouraged; we were challenged; we were enriched!

While we travelled to Louisville for this 3 day conference, Gracie stayed in Kansas City with cousin Anabel, Uncle Josh, Aunt Michaele, Nona & Paisley.  She had a BLAST!  Thanks JAM & Nona!!!  We are looking forward to more fun times in KC over Thanksgiving -- and hopefully we will remember to take pictures.

We will leave you with one final picture of G...

in flip flops for Fall!!

(a true Carolina girl at heart)

With Fall smiles,

DD&G

Trunk or Treat?

Yep, that's right, TRUNK or Treat!

Thanks to an invite I received from a co-worker, Gracie and I were able to experience this fun Halloween alternative hosted by 

Central Community Church in Wichita.  

And boy did we have fun!

A little Pink Poodle again

Still cute, even if Mommy did forget
to get the pants out of storage!

A brief explanation for those who are unfamiliar with "Trunk or Treat":

Trunk or Treat is a safe Halloween alternative.  Sponsors (in our case church members) gather in a large parking lot where they park their cars, open the "trunk," decorate the vehicle and hand out candy.

Gracie braved the spider's web to get this treat.

A quick trip through the BUS.

And on to G's favorite "TRUNK"

The Wichita Fire Department's bucket truck!

Even got a closer look!

And to complete the evening...

the cool pink poodle eats
a Hot Dog!

We were thankful for this unexpected activity tonight, although we missed having Daddy along.  Also we missed our sweet friends the Carrigan's with whom we have trick-or-treated the last two years!

Who says you have to wait for October 31st to dress up anyway?

G dressing up the Boyz...
Love the Headbands!

Trunk-or-Treat!