...cute milestones!

Our middle son just lost his 2nd top tooth!
This is one of my favorite stages that kids go through!
I just have to squeeze him when he shows me that
toothless grin!

...new discoveries!

We didn't have our weekly meeting at the mission 

headquarters this week so we decided to take off 

and try to find this lake that everyone talks about.  

Well, we found it and were so excited that we did!

 

The Lord's amazing creation has a calming effect on us.

Busy city life and schedules are forgotten for a time. 
Is it the same way for you??????
***

There was also a brand-new playground that all 

the boys just loved!

 

 (The boys wanted me to capture them in mid-air!)

We didn't expect to find such a treasure...

we'll be packing a picnic next time!

...a special day to celebrate my husband's life!

My boys and I have an extra special man living with us...
and he turned 40 today!

One thing he loves is music - it encourages him.

I was able to get him a small speaker system while 

we were in the USA (with input from friends!).
I think he liked it!

 About 40 family members and friends sent him their 

favorite/encouraging song...

below you can see him reading the list.

It was pretty special to him!

Another thing he loves is food!

Among his favorites are: 

chocolate chip cookies,

 taco dip,

and Paraguayan asaditos 

(chicken or beef grilled on a stick).

He also got some special visitors, gifts from the boys

and lots of hugs!

We hope you felt extra special today, Mi Amor!!!

...our friend and her gift!

 This young lady is a friend of ours, a fellow missionary.  

A while ago she took me to a cute little coffee shop 

where we had some good food and good fellowship!

The Lord has recently guided her back to the USA 

as he has placed a godly young man in her path!  

We cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for her life 

but how we will miss her!

 Before leaving, she gave us her keyboard!  

We were all so excited! 

I have loved playing again (relearning!) and I love how much 

interest our boys are showing in wanting to learn!

Thank you so much, Friend!  You are a blessing!

...indoor plumbing!

Welcome to our humble abode!

Below you can see my kitchen sink.
It is a metal basin resting upon two small brick walls.  

No hot water is available here.  

When we first moved into this house, 

I thought this was the laundry room 

because it was so primitive!

And this is our shower.  

It does have hot water when you flip a switch.  

To make the water hotter, you turn down the water pressure.  

This morning was very cold so I wanted pretty hot water...

I was basically standing under a drip!

Does it sound like I am being thankful?

Well, I am VERY thankful for what we have when 

the Lord reminds me of even more primitive places 

we have visited this past year.

  

I'm thankful for our washing machine!

 

I'm thankful for running water inside our house!

I'm thankful for our indoor toilet!

I'm thankful for our indoor shower!

(For many, this stream is a bathtub.) 

...challenges and accomplishments!

 My husband has been attending full day meetings (7am-10pm)

 and it has been very different around the house without him!  

It's always a good challenge 

for me when I can't lean on him for help and 

a huge accomplishment 

when we finish the day with smiles, 

full bellies and a relatively clean house!

At our house, this is only accomplished through

teamwork (the boys do more than their normal chores)

and prayer!

After our work was done, 

we had some Friday night Lego fun! 

We owe our successful day to...

...a porch full of kids!

 Three neighbors kids came to visit yesterday.

The kids had a blast making themselves dizzy on the swings

and playing soccer!

...discouragement.

Are we EVER going to learn Spanish?

I'm deeply thankful for discouraging times because 

I can only look up.

To the One who offers hope.

To the One who cares.

To the One who is always there.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you;

He will never let the righteous fall."

Psalm 55:22

"Encomienda al Señor tus afanes y Él sostendrá;
No permitirá que el justo caiga y quede abatido para siempre."
Salmo 55:22

...our North American heritage!

We celebrated the 4th of July by talking about and 

making the USA flag.  

It's important to us to instill in our boys an appreciation

for the freedom the USA enjoys and 

help them understand that not all countries have this freedom!

In the evening we set off a couple firecrackers. :)
This day and Christmas are among the hardest times to
live away from family...
but because of the freedom Christ offers to all mankind,
it is a privilege to be on the other side of the world!