What a difference a year makes...

This time last year we were in Richmond, Virginia for our "candidate conference." It was a huge step in our process of getting to Lisboa. We had several interviews, medical exams, lots of informational sessions and even some time to research our country. We were so excited to be there and very nervous as well. At the end of the week we got the "green light" to continue in the process.

We made some amazing friends that instantly became life-long friendships. They are now scattered all over the world and we miss them like crazy! It feels like we have been friends for way longer than a year... doesn't it guys!?! Oh, the stories... the Andrews waiting for us at the airport for hours, the Bredbenners pronouncing Massachusetts, the loud Apples to Apples game... oh the list could go on and on!

My sister, Letha, kept the girls back in TN for us. It was the longest I had been away from the girls, ever. But they did great and we snuck back in from the airport just in time to see Sahara and Bria be angels in the Northbrook Christmas program.

And now, here we are... in Lisbon, learning the language, meeting people, making new friends! It is hard to believe that we have gone from there to here in just a year.