We're Outta Here (#peaceouttour)

So you may have already heard, but we are leaving Aggieland. Bryan, Carter and I have decided to be adventurous, and move overseas. Yep, you read that right, the Townsend's are leaving College Station.  We'll be moving to Doha, Qatar.(Doe-ha, Quh-tar) Bryan and I will both be working on the TAMU-Qatar campus.

For a better "look" at where we'll be here is where Qatar is located:  

I will be leaving on Tuesday, March 26th! Bryan and Carter will hopefully follow a few weeks behind, so Carter can finish school.

The shippers come tomorrow to get all of the items we'll be shipping. It's an exciting time for us. As soon as I get over there, and get over the jet lag, I'll post more on our new blog. Not only are we moving from Aggieland, we'll also be moving, and renaming our blog. You can find us on www.ourdohalife.blogspot.com. There is nothing on there yet, but I'll work on it when our life slows down a bit!

Here are a few pictures that we took on our recruiting trip over there:

http://1stqatartrip.shutterfly.com/

We can't wait to see how are lives change. and show you everything going on in our lives. We'll be sure to blog more often once we get over there.  Please keep in touch!

-Val

T.I.A

This is Africa....that was the them of the trip. That and Pitch Perfect, and of course helping people and spreading God's Word.

Pierce and I reading while we're waiting for devotion

Hadley and I drinking our shakes at "The Keep" She nicknamed me "Valerina"

Sweet, sweet baby in Mafubira

Some of my favorite kiddos in Mafubira

Some of the leadership at Mafubira

Mafubira Kiddos - don't know how to flip it! Sorry!

Baby Joseph  - Orphan at Welcome Home

 Here are a few of my favorite pics from the trip. This was an amazing opportunity, and I'm so glad we were able to help the people in Uganda. Words can not describe everything I was able to do. If you want to hear about it, just let me know. I'm willing and glad to share with everyone!

Here is what we were able to do the following:

• De-worm more than 450 children
• Administer care to a little over 100 adults
• Malaria testing, and found at least 12 cases
• Love on so many village kids
• Go to an orphanage and love and learn about the children there

Technically Cheating

I know that we have been MIA for a little while. I mean, I haven't updated this blog in a REALLY, REALLY  long time. Those of you who keep up with us IRL know why that is. Those that don't will find out very soon, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. One of the most important, meaningful things I've done recently was visit Jinja, Africa. My journey started when I wrote about refusing to sit around. You can read about that here. In the meantime, here are a few pictures, to fill you in on our 2013....so far. I know that this is "technically cheating" because each one should be their own blog, but "Ain't nobody got time for that." 

Warning: There are a LOT of pictures, and I'm hoping to have my Africa pictures up on a share site soon, I'm just waiting for a few of the girls to finish uploading them! You know who you are girls...

So here is what we've been up to, in no particular order...

1. Celebrating the life of a very special man. Bryan's grandfather went to be with his Savior, & we said goodbye to him. You can read all about the service on my sister's blog here. She wrote a wonderful synopsis of the event. I was in Africa, so wasn't able to attend. I know that I'll look back fondly on all the memories I have of him in the short 14 years I knew him.

Saying goodbye to one of the greatest men I've ever known.

2. Celebrated Carter's 11th birthday. yes, he's 11!!!!

At Freebirds, birthday meal tradition.

  We actually celebrated twice, once as a family and once while my in laws were here:

 3. It was girl scout cookie time.....

 4. Celebrated 15 years of being together. I love my husband so very much!

 5. As usual, lots and lots of sporting events:

Aggies BTHO OU, but again, I wasn't able to go because I was in Africa, but CJ and Bryan got to go!

  Superbowl, was low key this year. So low key, here is Bryan and Carter...

My boys uring the Superbowl 1/2 time show

 CJ played basketball again, for the city league.

He was able to wear the 1st pair of Jordan's I ever bought...for myself...in high school

and of course, lots of Aggie sports....

Waiting for BT to park the car

Aggie Women's Hoops

Aggie Men's Hoops

Aggie Baseball

Aggie Baseball

6. Making lists (this will make more sense later, and yes, I know it's 2013...I'm a little behind) and rearranging things.

Removing CJs posters from his wall

CJ's new room

Organizing

7. Africa, lots of Africa. Here are a few pictures. I was finishing up the last half of my trip in January. It was the most rewarding, touching, emotional, absolutely blessed experience I've had up to this point. I was sad to leave, and dearly miss everyone one I met there

My buddy, Karson

He didn't want us to leave :(

Super technological patient list

White water rafting on the Nile!

Typical morning or evening with the Segner kiddos.

 And lastly, watching waaaaaaaaay too much Pitch Perfect, if that's even possible :).

 Side note: When we were in Africa our entire team had the majority of our electronics stolen. iPads, iPhones, cell phones, cameras, backpacks, etc etc. (This was further solidification that we were doing what we were supposed to in spreading God's word, and doing works for Him. We all took it so well, and were able to laugh and joke about it that same night. I'm so glad for the group of girls that I was able to share this experience with). Anyway, among these items was my laptop, and in the DVD drive was my copy of Pitch Perfect. I was soooo sad about it, since I really love the movie (I may have been more upset about the movie, than the computer). It did, however, lead to a re-enactment by myself and Janell when the electricity was out.


When I got home, Bryan and Carter had gotten me a few welcome home gifts. They are the best!

A muppets "Together Again" balloon, cause they are my favorite!

Funyuns, Big Red (not pictured, because I was already drinking it)

A new copy of Pitch Perfect (DVD, Blu Ray, and digital copies)

Well, that's all for now. My next blog will be super exciting, and contain information you won't want to miss...I promise!