Busy, Busy, Busy!

After almost 3 months of being back in Scotland, things are really picking up pace in the Swanson home!

This week is a crazy mix of last minute shopping, strategic bag packing, final farewells, and as much quality time with Heather and the kids as I can squeeze in before next Monday! After patiently waiting for the last few months, we got word a couple of weeks ago that my work permit approval had come through and that we could book tickets for travelling to Uganda! They have now been booked and I am all set to travel to Uganda next Monday, the 3rd March. ...Monday isn't far away!!

It isn't going to be easy saying goodbye to the family for such a long time. Since I sat my exams last September, my daily work routine has been "unconventional", so I have been about the house much more than usual, sometimes helping, sometimes getting in the way ;-) Either way, it will be hard for Heather not having extra hands about the place, and hard for the kids not having dad there day by day.

We are definitely doing the right thing though, and as well as letting the rest of the family catch up on a few doctor's appointments, and giving the kids the stability of finishing the school year here, it will make the transition into African life a bit easier. I will be starting in the hangar as soon as all my paperwork is in order, but I will also be able to set the ball rolling on finding a car and a house, and generally getting my bearings around town before the rest of the Swanson clan arrive... I can't imagine having my first Ugandan driving experiences with the kids shouting in the back seat!

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Psalm 139 v 9-10

The week ahead is going to be busy and emotional, and we would appreciate your prayers for everything that is going on with us right now, and as we work through the next few months.

• For all the plans to come together, all the last minute "i's" to be dotted, and "t's" crossed.
• For the kids to be able to understand as much as they need to about what's going on, and where dad is heading.
• For all my travel arrangements to work out.
• For me to settle quickly into our new home town of Kampala.
• For Heather to cope well with running the family on her own while we are apart.
• And for all the doctor's appointments to pass by without need for any more work.

Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers - it is, as always, appreciated!

I can't imagine having too much of a chance to write again this week, so the next blog post may well be from Uganda!

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