More McVentures...at Home

Dramatics. What a fitting description of McGehee-land! The Lord is teaching me so much. Whatever I thought I knew, or understood, or even fathomed is now a personal battle of the wills of my heart. I could list all of our issues just for a laugh, but that would be a digression. God is revealing my weaknesses in every area and complaining is one of them!

Things are going well at home. We still covet the prayers of our Colorado Family in this regard. Mom and Dad are working so diligently to improve Papa's quality of life. They care for him with a determination that I admire. I am often concerned about their health (physically and emotionally).

Collier is approaching his sixth week at ALERT. Last week was survival week, where the men learned how to do a high angle river rescue. They also went on their solo hikes. Thursday, April 30th was a day of fasting and prayer for the rest of us. At 6am the men set out on the 24 hour hike. They couldn't really eat, they didn't sleep, they had breaks of 10 minutes or less every few hours. They hiked 59 miles. According to Captain Pendergast's wife, they can not make it through the hike without relying completely on the Lord. We received word from her early on Friday morning that all of the men completed the hike.

I was thrilled to have invitations to the births of Williams baby #7 and Terrell baby #3. I was with the Williams' when Jesse was born last year. They will be in Boston when the new baby arrives. I was also with the Terrells when their daughter Gabi was born in 2007. They want to stay in Mexico for this birth to avoid travel expenses. These are two incredible opportunities for me and I am anxious to schedule these trips later in the year (if schooling and finances allow).

Mom and Dad are plugging along without much excitement. Mom is a full time chauffeur, cook, and scheduler (sometimes she really does spend all day getting the calendar filled with necessary activity for the week). Dad is in the midst of a quest to quickly loose poundage before he is measured and tested in the yearly fitness exam (I am attempting to keep up with him). We figured that we couldn't let Collier show us up when he gets home, though I think he will anyway. Dad is also anxiously checking daily to see if he made "the list" for O5/Commander promotions this year.

We send hugs and literally warm greetings to our Colorado family. We miss all of you so much!

For the McGehees,

Chelsey