A call to Auntie Cat!

We had great fun tonight when Auntie Cat called from California. Keira has been "talking" up a storm today. So we gave her the phone and after a while she started walking around, having a "conversation" with Cat. Enjoy the little video below. Pretty cute.

We are in the last week before we leave for South Africa. The time has finally arrived. As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I am thankful for the time I have lived in the US, for my family here and for all friends I've made through the years. Because of who God is and what he has done in my life during my time in the US I have great hope for what God has for us in South Africa.

I came to America with a suitcase and a backpack 11 years ago. I now return to SA with a beautiful wife and daughter. A serious upgrade. I am thankful.

Time with Grandparents in Seattle

Keira has been having a great time with Granma and Grandad. Playing games, reading and going the park.

Above we are off to see the fishies....


We had a great time as a family on this special sunny, fall day. Of course Keira made it extra special and watching her get excited about the fish was fun.

Chrissy Here!

So this is my first post, I know it has taken me a long time but here I am! Here are some pics of Keira having fun with Larry at the dinner table! It is such a gift to be able to stay with the Passmores and share Keira with them, it is home!! We have had such a great time this week connecting with friends. It is just sad to know that this is goodbye for a very long time.

I feel so greatful for the relationships that we have here and the influence they have had on our lives. Being here this week has really solidified God's call on our lives as it has helped us remember where we have come from. We still have a few days here before we go to the coast so we are taking advantage of the rest and reminising before we leave Corvallis.

Goodbye Benni the Beaver

As you know we are in Corvallis Oregon this week on our farewell tour. So, we had to stop and introduce Keria to Benni. She is really into animals. The house we are staying at has about 14 different animal carvings around it and Keira can name them all. She is having trouble the the hedgehog though. The first thing she says when she wakes him is horsie, horsie and off we go.
It was fun walking around the OSU campus remembering all the times we spent here. This is where Chrissy and I met, and the start of this next adventure.
I will post some more picture from our time with our adopted parents in Corvallis, Cathryn and Larry Passmore later this week.

Harvest Party

Parties are so much fun when you get to experience them through a child's eyes. Keira has such and innocent joy about her as she takes new things in. She was enthralled as we went to a Harvest Party at a local community center. We met our good friends the Sommer's (Above) there and had a great time watching our kids have fun in their costumes. Keira was a crocodile. Coc O Dile...as Keira says.
This was our last night in Portland after a week of packing. We are tired but glad to be done for now. We are so grateful for good friends to spend our last days with.

Ironheads Party!

These are some pictures from the Ironheads party. We had fun getting dressed up and hanging out with everyone. This was our farewell to the team as we leave Portland in a week. Our hosts Dave & Ann went to great lengths to throw a great party. Their whole house was decorated. Apparently Ann spent a whole week decorating. Amazing. We will miss these new friends who we spent all year training and racing triathlons together.

Fall Fun

I had so much fun with Keira today. Playing in the fall leaves in Salem. It was just beautiful in the park and Keira was having a blast playing in the leaves and chasing the crows and squirrels. Get it, get it.....

Having fun playing in Fall leaves...

It's time to go!

The time is here! After much waiting and preparation, our time of departure has arrived. Our tickets are booked for December 2nd. We will however, be leaving Portland at the end of October to spend some time in Corvallis and the Oregon coast before heading up to Seattle to spend our last two weeks in the US with Chrissy’s family. As we reflect on our time here in Portland, we are so thankful for the plan that God has for our lives and are confident that He always knows, better than we do, the way our paths should go.

This season of investment in counseling and our relationship has been invaluable, as we have been learning how to live out the vows we promised each other, before God, at the forefront of our marriage. As vulnerable as it is, to have outside input into our relationship was very helpful. As our sessions came to a close it was clear how Jesus had been transforming our hearts by peeling away fear, lies and false perceptions. We have discovered a newfound peace in the sober reality of leaving our family, friends and comfort to follow Jesus’ call on our lives.

In August we had the privilege of meeting with other Servant Partners team leaders in Mammoth Lakes, California. There we spent time in scripture, worship and reflection, as well as talked about the future of the organization. It was really helpful to be able to talk to team leaders that are already on the field, so close to when we are leaving, to ask last minute questions and process our journey so far as well as gain some insight into what to expect as we leave. Although we are new to the organization, and feel we have a lot to learn from those who have gone before us, we feel so welcomed and assured that we are in the right place when among this team. There is a true sense of fellowship and wonderfully apparent value for families.

As our time is drawing to a rapid close we have been doing our best to end well, and say goodbye to our friends and to Portland. October 5th participated in the Portland Marathon and did his “farewell lap” of Portland. We have several gatherings planned to get together with friends and donors here in the Portland area. When we think of all the people there are to say goodbye to we are overwhelmed with thankfulness. We have been deeply impacted by so many who have left lasting imprints on our hearts. We have no doubt that Jesus knows what we need, when he places us in the families He has. It has given us such an abundant depth of joy that we can’t help but be thankful. You will be greatly missed!

Please cover us in prayer as we continue to prepare to go:
Oct. 13-31: Packing, selling cars and moving out
Nov. 1-10: Corvallis visit
Nov. 10-13: The Oregon Coast
Nov. 14 –Dec 2nd: Seattle with Chrissy’s Family
December: Living with Trevor’s Mom before moving into our new community.

With love,
The Davies
Trevor, Chrissy and Keira

To donate to our ministry go to: www.servantpartners.org/give.php

Packing

Well we are packing up our last things. Keira is having a good time, climbing into everthing...

Her closet...

Daddies shoes...

and of course, our tubs...

The community centre

This is the community centre we are working with in South Africa. Check it out.

I am going to try and convince Chrissy that this will be a fun thing for us to do. To record our journey and share it with others on a more regular basis. 
Especially as we get ready to leave for South Africa in Dec and try to find ways to connect to our friends in the US.

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This is from our Servant Partners trip to Mammoth Lakes. It was a great hike except having to carry Keira for 5 miles.

Getting started

Well I am trying to get into this blog deal. I know it will be great to stay connected as we leave. The question is, can we have the discipline to write regularly and post pictures.
Here is a fun picture of Keira. She is growing up fast.