Twas the night before departure...

Cassie here:

Sleep? Nah. Let's update the blog instead.

Tomorrow is the big day. We depart from Tulsa at 9:50 a.m. We've said a lot of goodbyes already and have a few more to go. I've said goodbyes to all my family, and so the past 48 hours have felt like one punch in the stomach after another. It's amazing, though, what a major life event can bring to your attention. I always knew that my family was a ton of fun, full of love and support (along with a healthy dose of sarcasm, competitiveness, and constructive(ish) criticism), but our leaving has, of course, made all of those things seem so much more precious than ever before. And is it possible that, just in the last few days, all our nephews and nieces became about 2 ounces sweeter and cuter than just a few months ago, all our siblings more wonderful, and our parents wiser and kinder than ever before? Well, perhaps not, but I will say that I am grateful for the new insights into our relationships here that this move has brought.

Anyway, enough mooooshy. Here are the facts: we will (Lord willing) land in Santa Cruz, Bolivia around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Some very competent people, who have planned our first days in Bolivia, will pick us up from the airport, and we'll spend two days in SC doing basic orientation, meeting folks, and getting used to being in a foreign country (during these few days we expect to have access to reliable internet, and should be able to post and inform you all that we're safe, sound, and not experiencing any culture shock, adjustment anxiety, or homesickness of any kind...right?). Then, we'll pack up and be driven to Moro Moro on Friday, where we'll meet Brian and Krista (the couple we're replacing), and possibly be placed with a host family. For the following few weeks, we'll be learning our trade from the folks who have been doing it for the last few years, as well as learning the basics of life in Moro Moro (where to find food, how to go to the bathroom, where's the bumpin' night life, etc. etc.). Oct. 7 is the beginning of a retreat for all MCC service workers in Bolivia. We'll attend that, then go back to Santa Cruz for intensive language study for some undefined period of time, before settling in Moro Moro for good.

Here's a photo to give you some idea of the cuteness we're leaving behind. This doesn't even include all the wee ones, and doesn't include our wonderful siblings and parents.

Thanks to all who have given us words of love and encouragement. We absolutely could not handle all this change without you.