Taylor, Amanda & Lilly are moving to Zambia

We've known for a while now that Taylor, Amanda and Lilly are moving to Zambia with Family Legacy Missions International.  In fact they stayed until Lindsay's daughter, Emma, was born so they could meet her.  It has been quite difficult emotionally knowing this time was coming.  We have expressed concerns for their safety, for Lilly's well being, for emergencies, etc., but they really feel it is where they are suppose to be.  As they have prayed for this situation, the Lord has revealed himself in every little detail.  When we thought they could never lease their car to someone else, it happened. When we thought they put their house up for lease too late, it wasn't (3 or 4 offers came the 1st week). I can't help but think that my trip to Lusaka last year was part of preparing me for their move there.  I was able to see Taylor work there and saw the joy he had in doing so.  I also have a feel for the land, where they will be living and working, and what the people are like. The Lord also gave me a real peace overall about them going and that's powerful.

It was tough though helping them pack up the house and arrange schedules for everyone to see them 1 last time, but we never expected what happened the afternoon they left.  I think it was yet another way that Lord took our concern and sadness away because there was no time for that.  As we were headed out to the airport it began storming.  Then right before we got to the terminal it started to hail.  The airport went into lockdown and I've never seen hail look like snow before.  It was awful.  After parking the car, I found them tucked back in an alcove waiting for the storm to go over.  Lilly was so good, hanging out in her stroller and eating whenever someone offered her something.  So after waiting a good while, it was determined that their flight may still be on time which was amazing.  They were anxious for the good byes to be over and went on into the checked area.  We then left the airport and found out that they actually left just 3 hours late, and because of all the other flights being off schedule, they didn't have many passengers on their flight which allowed them to stretch out.  Lilly was great on both that flight and the one the next night to Lusaka.  The following morning I checked on their house and they would be having a new roof put on.  Right down their entire neighborhood was a total mess.  Broken car windows, broken skylights and yards that were torn up.  Yes we were moving on to other matters before they hardly got into their new home.  And the good Lord continues to give us peace about them living there.  They've met some wonderful people, have a new church home and Lilly is growing like a weed.

We will surely miss them but for the time being, they've only committed to 1 year.  We'll see come April of next year if they are here for vacation or to move home.

Please pray for them as they serve the Lord in ministry to the orphans of Lusaka, Zambia.  You can also visit their website at www.smithmissions.com to see what's going on.  They haven't blogged much which means they must be pretty busy.  If you have any questions, please ask or visit www.familylegacy.com to see what it is all about.