My Mom in PNG....

Before we left PNG, my mom was able  to visit with us for two weeks.  This was a God-sent!  I cannot describe how meaningful and practical it was to have my mom there right before we left.  On one hand, I was able to show her my life...how I have lived these past 2 1/2 years.  She met my friends (my sanity), she flew on the small, scare-you-to-death planes we had to travel in, traveled the unpredictable roads, went to market with me....she saw so much and will understand me better now that she knows "what it was like".  Then, on the other hand, having her there just "made sense" in retrospect.  She was there for the kids.  She was able to help me hold Mel and entertain her.  She brought toys for Ben.....which he desperately needed as we made him sell or give away all his toys.  She babysat the kids so that we could have dinners with the friends we will miss greatly.  And, she helped us as we traveled back to America.  Having one extra adult than child made a world of difference.  Plus, she brought tons of fun American snacks for us to enjoy on the long flights.

Here are some random pictures from her time there in Ukarumpa with us.

We were there waiting for my mom when her plane arrived.....with signs!!

Almost immediately, we took a day trip to Goroka to show her what a PNG town/city was like.  We took Leslie and Kaela (twoof my grade 12 girls) with us.  And, we were able to visit with Alex, Kelley and family....to say "Good-bye".

Mom got plenty of time with the newest addition to the family: Little Miss Melanie

 And of course, she was able to see first-hand how BIG Ben has gotten....

She met Emmy (pronounced Amy)

Took a picture of our view:

Saw how everyone adores Mel:

 Met Eva, one of my really good friends who is moving to Moresby:

Saw Ben in his natural environment, surrounded by friends at all times:

And, went to a PNG mumu....where we were the only expats there....what an experience!

 The bridge to get to the village:

 The village house we had the mumu:

 And more family time:

 Here are pictures from her visit.  Mom, I love you so much.  Thank you for coming.  Thank you thank you thank you. You will never know how much it meant to me to have you there.  I am in tears just typing this.  Thank you to Mom's boss for letting her go.  Thank you, Aunt Jean for getting her to and from the airport.  And thank you, Paul and Andrew, for your unselfishness and willingness to let her go.