...heart-to-heart talks and tears.

     I about had to force my middle son into the kitchen.  I wanted him to help me bake but he didn't like that idea today.  So, I let him sit on the counter and watch me.  We've been noticing that he doesn't speak as much Spanish as his older brother and I wanted to find out what was going on in his little heart.  While I got ingredients together, I began to talk to him and ask him questions.  He confessed, as he stirred the batter, that he's much more comfortable with American people.  He doesn't feel like he speaks Spanish very well and doesn't know how to answer people when they ask him questions.  *Big brother bursts in and wants him to play soccer.....  "Well, I'm helping Mom right now."  (My heart smiles.)

   

     As tears rolled down our oldest son's cheeks, I decided to push phonics aside the other day and just talk.  He had gotten up early in the morning with Daddy and taken another missionary family to the airport.  And this morning, as I hugged him, that airplane was carrying some of his good friends far, far away for a while, back to the USA.  Instead of picking up my teacher's manual, I picked up a small book we have about Jesus (designed to help kids through changes), and curled up to read with my grieving son.

          These are some of the hardships that MK's (missionary kids) face.  Our little guys have been troopers: we've lived in 9 different houses, 3 different states and 2 different countries in their short, sweet lives.  I used to ask myself, "Is this really fair to drag our kids around like this?  Why don't they get the privilege of living close to their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins?  Will they be stable men when they grow up or are we going to ruin these little guys by moving so much?"  But the Lord has shown me otherwise (oftentimes through my husband's wisdom)!  The Lord has not just chosen my husband and I to go overseas, but our whole family.  He's a good God and He will take care of these things I tend to worry about! 

     I cherish these tender moments, like the ones above.  I love to listen to them pour out their hearts.  I also love to remind them what a privilege it is, even though there are sacrifices, to serve our God! 

...how special God made our second son!

7 years old today!

You're getting taller, losing your baby teeth,

you can read, write, add and subtract but you still sit on my lap!

You're also learning how to choose a good attitude,
how to obey better and how to be selfless!

We are so proud of you!

What a special day we had together, celebrating you!

 Breakfast with Mom in the truck bed!

(I know it sounds funny but the boys all love the 

opportunity to spend time there!)
(this time was SO precious to me!)

 A special morning with Dad!

(McDonald's and the park)

 Your favorite meal!

(macaroni & cheese and fried chicken...

don't forget the ketchup!)

 Dirt cake!

 

New legos!!!

Cards and messages from far-away 

Grandpas and Grandmas made the day extra special!

 

 We love you!!!!

...11 years of marriage to my best friend!!

"Time has a way of making love more beautiful."
(quote from DaySpring cards)

We decided to celebrate as a family this year!
Our anniversary fell on a Saturday so we had a picnic
at the park, passed the baseball and relaxed! 

We just love marriage!

We think it's one of God's greatest inventions!  :)

With every passing year,
even as we work through our differences,
 it seems we learn how to love one another more

and learn how to work together better!

It's just cool growing in God's love and grace together!

...moments of rest!

 Now that we have returned from our trip, 

busy life returns as we get into our routines again 

and work hard at finishing up our Spanish study.

But this morning...

somehow the boys and I finished school early and

lunch was already prepared

so we drug some cushions out to the porch 

and curled up together.

 It was, what I would describe as, 

a perfect summer day in the USA 

(even though it is still winter here).

  The sun was so warm the boys changed to shorts.

The wind gently blew our hair and we watched 

as the ambay and palm tree branches 

rocked back and forth.  

A pair of pigeons would settle in our yard, 

until "little guy" would try to sneak up and get close to them!  

The ants were busy munching on some of our 

popcorn leftovers we threw in the yard.

The scent of the grapefruit tree blossoms was amazing!

 It was refreshing to rest and just observe 

God's creation with my little ones!

fellowship and fun times in the tribe!

We've been back from our Chaco trip for almost 

a week now but I still have more pictures to share!

I know I already mentioned that we got to visit
three different missionary families but here are just a few more
details of our stay with one of those families. 

 We started with a tour of the village.
(I tried to snap a few photos unnoticed 

so these aren't the best quality.)

We learned how to say hello in their language 

and got to meet a few of their good friends!

(Below is a soccer game.)
We didn't hang out there too long because our family obviously
didn't know the language, but it's always interesting to see!

 Later, the boys enjoyed some fun times together, including: 

sling shot practice, 

finding and tasting honey from a tree, 

and playing hockey in the back yard.
They all had a blast!

 While the boys were out, we girls painted toenails 

and had some good talks!

 

It was fun to be with our friends in their home

and also see how they have been building relationships with 

these people over the last 3 years.

Soon these people will have the opportunity to hear Truth - 

pray that their hearts will be prepared!

...the families we got to visit in their tribal ministry locations!

It is so important for us, 

while living in the big city studying Spanish, 

not to lose sight of our purpose for being here in Paraguay: 

taking God's good news to those who have little or no 

opportunity of hearing His Word in their own language.

We had the privilege of visiting and staying with 

three different families who live in tribal locations!  

We just "eat up" the time with them by asking tons of questions!

We want to prepare for our future ministry by gleaning 

from their wisdom, by learning from things they have 

already been through and learned!

 What does your day look like?

How do you handle it when people stare into your windows?

Do you feel safe out here?

How have you started to prepare the people to hear the Gospel?

What do the people eat here?

What steps do you take to build relationships with the people?

We had a GREAT time and learned a lot!

...a well put together Education Camp for the MK's!

One reason we traveled to the Chaco was for a 3-day
Education Camp for all the missionary kids (MK's)!
Two subjects they studied were medieval times
and the armor of God!
(Go together well, huh!...knights and armor!)
At the close of the last day, all the families
came together for a medieval feast and entertainment!  

The kids announced it was meal time and 

served the food to the waiting "lords" and "ladies"!

We had to follow certain rules:

no elbows on the table, 

throw all chicken bones on the floor and,

of course, eat with your fingers!

Our plates were actually pieces of bread!

Our boys learned a TON!

They made some awesome medieval projects,

enjoyed having new teachers and 

got to be in class with their friends!

Many, many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. E and Mr. and Mrs. P
for the many hours they spent preparing for those fun-filled 3 days
and thanks to the teens who helped out too!