Africa in a nutshell

I do not know how to properly sum up my trip to Africa. It was the first of many trips my family will take and I made relationships that will last a life time. The ministry we partner with, Tree Life Ministry, is run by some of the most amazing, precious people and I miss them so much more than I imagined I would. I was afraid I would be overly emotional most of the trip and unable to hold it together, but the people (despite their circumstances) are so extremely joyful that it is just contagious. The only time I cried was when I left. The thought that it would be a year before I would be back was and is so hard to swallow.
I didn't know how I was going to pick what pictures to put on my blog, but after watching the slideshow that Chuck Pope put together of our trip I decided to just post that. Enjoy all the precious memories I made with my Wonderful SalSaf Team - Blair and Lauren Robinson, Shelly and Bre Patrick, Chuck Pope, Jake Kelley, and my amazing husband, Jeremy Hendrix.
Thank you Jeremy for all your hard work put into planning this trip and the work you have already begun for 2010. I love you. And thank you sooooo much Jake, for keeping me sane. You made this trip so much more memorable for us! We love you tons!

Uganda Slideshow from Melissa Hendrix on Vimeo.

I can't post about Africa without thanking the wonderful people I can count on to take care of my most treasured boys. Toby and Bear spent a week in Gulf Shores, AL with Pam and Steve (the amazing in-laws) and Chris and Nikki (bro-in-law and girlfriend) and then spent a few fun days with their Aunt Jen. Thank ya'll so much for taking care of my babies and thanks to all my friends for your willingness to be on-call just in case. I am sooo blessed with such a big support team! I think I could leave my boys for a month and not worry once about their well-being. Missing them would be the issue! All in all I did really well being away from the boys. I had a year to pray about it and, as usual, the Lord came through with flying colors. I have to say the reunion at the airport was amazing...
My three boys in full embrace
PawPaw made shirts for the boys to wear to the airport The boys in their shirts How cute are they??? I will devote an entire blog to the trip to Gulf Shores. It's too cute to cram into this post! Talk at ya soon.

So...I've gotten quite a bit of flack for returning from my blogging hiatus for Michael Jackson, so I feel compelled to appease.


Let me update... We have moved into an amazing house in Irving. I really love it. We've already made many memories here. For example, on Bear's first birthday (Superbowl Sunday), I was feeling the loss of my mother rather strongly so I didn't really get in gear and have a party for him, but my sweet friends came to the rescue. Melissa, Janelle, amd Krystal came with their wonderful families and we had cake and made it a birthday to remember. Thank you friends.

More recently, my oldest baby turned 5! Yes, you heard me right...5! He had a combined birthday party with friends, Titus Burger and Ben Norris. It was a blast!
Here's the Birthday boys. Ben, Toby and Titus!



Man, How time flies! Look at what a difference just a few years makes...
This is Toby at Chuck E Cheese at his 3rd birthday, hence the 3 fingers.

And this is Toby at 2 yrs. old at Six Flags. Look at those cheeks!


We leave for Africa in 5 days and I am so afraid to see the changes in the boys when I return. We will only be gone a few weeks, but while Jeremy was last in Africa Toby went from grunting for juice to stating full out, "Mommy, may I have juice please." It was the strangest thing! I truley do want to just freeze time.
Well, this is just a little catch up...Until next time.