tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313278292024-03-27T09:37:32.581+03:00 Fader 7 in UgandaServing God with all of our hearts no matter where we areFadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.comBlogger733125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-30782830812500892942024-03-03T11:46:00.005+03:002024-03-03T11:46:54.444+03:00Why does sickness like to hang around so long???<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpB83LgSG9_-0DSEXjtMrpkmkVglc3KJ1XRpDq7Ey5Vt_c-PYJlghB1Dv5ACxzxtc6hKXxgMMQiYRI6BMXFKBLMO9zjlIJyidMGJ70-cZRFQHPfbEmFP45n9mhjsReTUNWCa4MoDS-rudSShRjbIT6m25wHwSpquXBGX-GuWxQOtiayra-N-V/s363/IMG_20240225_121806_584-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="363" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpB83LgSG9_-0DSEXjtMrpkmkVglc3KJ1XRpDq7Ey5Vt_c-PYJlghB1Dv5ACxzxtc6hKXxgMMQiYRI6BMXFKBLMO9zjlIJyidMGJ70-cZRFQHPfbEmFP45n9mhjsReTUNWCa4MoDS-rudSShRjbIT6m25wHwSpquXBGX-GuWxQOtiayra-N-V/w400-h400/IMG_20240225_121806_584-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Only a few days after returning from our trip to Kenya, Judah started spiking high fevers. We took him to our clinic here in town for blood work and they found no malaria and no sign of infection which is all good news. But it means this is a virus and it has been 8 days of fevers! Thankfully it's been almost 24 hours since his last fever but he's not eating and really can't afford to lose any more weight. Will you please pray for healing for Judah? Carson is also slowly recovering and has been low energy this last week which has made homeschool and normal life challenging. Needless to say, this mama is worn out and running out of patience. I'm fighting discouragement as I've been stuck at home for the last 9 days. <p></p><p>I have a big women's conference I'm planning for March 13-15 and it's been nearly impossible to put any work into it. I tried to meet with some of the ladies who are organizing it with me yesterday and Judah whined through the whole thing. Please pray for victory over every obstacle and that I can gain some refreshment these next two days since Eli will be home to hopefully give me some reprieve. </p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-7807864627770621842024-02-23T15:32:00.000+03:002024-02-23T15:32:06.188+03:00Experiencing school life in Kenya<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOahhFoP7PVESGaHDEnuOLLkJFKiG2Lg4EHOuP1qVhuYeuAuZ58ib5wzCOKkZo2gva2fPb8iOziUbknVn6OcauMxNO7yMkPR5ypMbe5Wa4Bv8V9ZqLLsDSm5BU0QjzD47i2sQ_z0Dm6u4bzI2lZ33SE-4JGCEv7vIv-xFO_6HNgfKP7ixDM-VL/s3264/IMG_20240221_081630_264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOahhFoP7PVESGaHDEnuOLLkJFKiG2Lg4EHOuP1qVhuYeuAuZ58ib5wzCOKkZo2gva2fPb8iOziUbknVn6OcauMxNO7yMkPR5ypMbe5Wa4Bv8V9ZqLLsDSm5BU0QjzD47i2sQ_z0Dm6u4bzI2lZ33SE-4JGCEv7vIv-xFO_6HNgfKP7ixDM-VL/s320/IMG_20240221_081630_264.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We don't love the bus but it's the way we have to travel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On February 12th we surprised Evan and Josh and showed up unannounced at their school in Kenya! We didn't get a chance to see them over their midterm break because Eli was traveling so we went the week after. My favorite thing about last week was that we got to experience every day school life with both of them. We watched basketball practices, spied on Josh in the weight room, participated in class night, hung out with their friends, even got to take them and a big group of friends an hour away on Saturday to swim in a nice pool and eat a good lunch.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCZ6ZQz_fTP1r2kSMZ-S_PKV39b5W1wCNvasXiv1WQ9qxP2jgmwZ7Uu-Dcc2UVxzslhx2_2Gwl7uGZ_0yhGPu7wJ_93h0vHbc1aFXd-IErmzQGDL8beuCteBu8zFbQUy-qd2zN0NRaSu6ZUUhS1jycDjyxk0a_H5MTOUV7QBTRyX3CycpQuKh/s4608/IMG_20240220_112625_343.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCZ6ZQz_fTP1r2kSMZ-S_PKV39b5W1wCNvasXiv1WQ9qxP2jgmwZ7Uu-Dcc2UVxzslhx2_2Gwl7uGZ_0yhGPu7wJ_93h0vHbc1aFXd-IErmzQGDL8beuCteBu8zFbQUy-qd2zN0NRaSu6ZUUhS1jycDjyxk0a_H5MTOUV7QBTRyX3CycpQuKh/s320/IMG_20240220_112625_343.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judah LOVED the playgrounds! His face says it all, "Am I in heaven?"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi2xlCQ6OYdWM1VvcZwvG87Iteol1HyGQCvUYtxvpmUJgK4EvW4p5wbvkEH778nvxx2tHVY8BGH5Z9rKX92tgHyi0kBzsUFGMCEn4vDsIERnFwEcjUmHEUwFPnerFXI4TvaLUD1pYiLZX-gtBb8TPLDFU6Kx4LPcxP5-FQNXKMAgNKS50G9gJ/s4608/IMG_20240220_104537_356.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi2xlCQ6OYdWM1VvcZwvG87Iteol1HyGQCvUYtxvpmUJgK4EvW4p5wbvkEH778nvxx2tHVY8BGH5Z9rKX92tgHyi0kBzsUFGMCEn4vDsIERnFwEcjUmHEUwFPnerFXI4TvaLUD1pYiLZX-gtBb8TPLDFU6Kx4LPcxP5-FQNXKMAgNKS50G9gJ/s320/IMG_20240220_104537_356.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>We tried to see the boys every chance we got. The photo above was during their "Chai/Tea Break" that they have half way through the school morning.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYuPuTfr6qdzfGMeZfsnvnXdiXMJE9nZ2GTAZ0R0yyISJr7LF-_ku1d94TQ1PqLSOpVR2NdbNB0dqRElxwh4MZYeurhmc-sn2OYK79gnQghI7XaclxDKpFB_R4FkxrDdpEMnS_8DOqzJfG655iVcI6q3WKdp7VdZE2FTeX2YumaaLr20Q0uVk/s4608/IMG_20240219_175442_435.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYuPuTfr6qdzfGMeZfsnvnXdiXMJE9nZ2GTAZ0R0yyISJr7LF-_ku1d94TQ1PqLSOpVR2NdbNB0dqRElxwh4MZYeurhmc-sn2OYK79gnQghI7XaclxDKpFB_R4FkxrDdpEMnS_8DOqzJfG655iVcI6q3WKdp7VdZE2FTeX2YumaaLr20Q0uVk/s320/IMG_20240219_175442_435.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked all over campus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL_SxzbcvktAapHINVWck_5tQERQbOMkXOrfMmSDplT6eF2rWMY_WrnlgK4oeoMbtibRsMJdgytzV8s7jmjkRMmq51S2MENa7xPsFUKA5nLmfYqsuMpNXhGmMxlXsDDnGJnpkwDB4uZzT3x8y9cxXD5pfVXAgKSU68RoHI3jkcYmQXKWlxWSR/s4608/IMG_20240219_170020_108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL_SxzbcvktAapHINVWck_5tQERQbOMkXOrfMmSDplT6eF2rWMY_WrnlgK4oeoMbtibRsMJdgytzV8s7jmjkRMmq51S2MENa7xPsFUKA5nLmfYqsuMpNXhGmMxlXsDDnGJnpkwDB4uZzT3x8y9cxXD5pfVXAgKSU68RoHI3jkcYmQXKWlxWSR/s320/IMG_20240219_170020_108.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh in the weight room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wn6O5IJd4mgmGDiFpQPly3jrRyxPM1tiejGjngDFHs_uRqwMCyPSHyvi3loluJqE3aOQ664CU5jiqlpTBshxMjf1RMMhJgjGbywqJv-s4WNSSckntAqB1yiLM7dtcLwCFK-sdVzIaV8U2obT7leNZXQpn7QUIrluqJc77gM7sWkZB8RU2oDc/s4608/IMG_20240219_165843_646.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wn6O5IJd4mgmGDiFpQPly3jrRyxPM1tiejGjngDFHs_uRqwMCyPSHyvi3loluJqE3aOQ664CU5jiqlpTBshxMjf1RMMhJgjGbywqJv-s4WNSSckntAqB1yiLM7dtcLwCFK-sdVzIaV8U2obT7leNZXQpn7QUIrluqJc77gM7sWkZB8RU2oDc/s320/IMG_20240219_165843_646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and his friend Silas are already getting ready for rugby season next term!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpFRWFZmUxGuDA4pMmnnPonVCmA44VHhJV_NffMrtRx6Tc_z7hvwJIp5M8WdVVzv-I-am1aa2tcGqrjttZRLLrgnF9NVdZQQDfEWfJCuaSyww_5N2d_FO8mqPQOpGc7ouWqSGeejVj7u-INyktQsT_3qnSk0J6_-zZ9qzbZXAXcr1o06BiFRQ/s4608/IMG_20240219_162843_532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpFRWFZmUxGuDA4pMmnnPonVCmA44VHhJV_NffMrtRx6Tc_z7hvwJIp5M8WdVVzv-I-am1aa2tcGqrjttZRLLrgnF9NVdZQQDfEWfJCuaSyww_5N2d_FO8mqPQOpGc7ouWqSGeejVj7u-INyktQsT_3qnSk0J6_-zZ9qzbZXAXcr1o06BiFRQ/s320/IMG_20240219_162843_532.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evan at basketball practice</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecw5shs158xEijTwACr3k8gNGqrwyi0D2FpaSXdxzqsW3wXCHj6QVvVgoa_LHVxUfs3JZ0fLwDX9IHvnhTbGrxgJMiBSyRjsBRlNh3OFWIzIGN9ZXSOGZHnWXXBcOSFyvNgOSV_ucuWlT8V7R2_fd2YHINqx8hUkD6Q_CZKZHqiNIm8TxSmzE/s4608/IMG_20240219_162829_163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecw5shs158xEijTwACr3k8gNGqrwyi0D2FpaSXdxzqsW3wXCHj6QVvVgoa_LHVxUfs3JZ0fLwDX9IHvnhTbGrxgJMiBSyRjsBRlNh3OFWIzIGN9ZXSOGZHnWXXBcOSFyvNgOSV_ucuWlT8V7R2_fd2YHINqx8hUkD6Q_CZKZHqiNIm8TxSmzE/s320/IMG_20240219_162829_163.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet little spectator</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVcmSVneQ4yWAdBGEI7NONppQY1u2PS_7uttGscqtVza5Q6m9mYkTqyvu5_Od6m9RQLXKQuAMgFodP_uzVrm1mkJgpxIJWvb3VOBjQF6xXOVawGJbw1LUV_t3AfB0F_Px0-n7bg8A-IAocwCoWVZlq7ZiT3gjv-ZqZLxRcjEw-5rOoBGOBhhe/s4608/IMG_20240218_194451_716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVcmSVneQ4yWAdBGEI7NONppQY1u2PS_7uttGscqtVza5Q6m9mYkTqyvu5_Od6m9RQLXKQuAMgFodP_uzVrm1mkJgpxIJWvb3VOBjQF6xXOVawGJbw1LUV_t3AfB0F_Px0-n7bg8A-IAocwCoWVZlq7ZiT3gjv-ZqZLxRcjEw-5rOoBGOBhhe/s320/IMG_20240218_194451_716.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing at the house where we stayed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b4OZjnfkxQBm5OvNnZ4gZFsWkwNIExCZLAC5OQJ2H51A5rLcIxBz_BdVPGesqvB57trwJUdFQaT_AqX_Cqy9Uyo0NF-GfHMOmuSk1ujQm_hwjroASOub_EvCkWneafhmi1dSR49EU_SbaGYFrvuZFtJP29GA8TG7GfxzSnzA7GeHJaMv4TCR/s4608/IMG_20240218_192846_099.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b4OZjnfkxQBm5OvNnZ4gZFsWkwNIExCZLAC5OQJ2H51A5rLcIxBz_BdVPGesqvB57trwJUdFQaT_AqX_Cqy9Uyo0NF-GfHMOmuSk1ujQm_hwjroASOub_EvCkWneafhmi1dSR49EU_SbaGYFrvuZFtJP29GA8TG7GfxzSnzA7GeHJaMv4TCR/s320/IMG_20240218_192846_099.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture says it all. It just felt soooo good to be together!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />One of the special events we got to participate in at school was Sophomore Restaurant. Joshua and his whole class hosted a restaurant for staff members and upper classmen to have a good meal and and an evening "out". The theme was Kung Fu Panda and the food was so good: potstickers, salad, sweet n sour chicken, and delicious chocolate cake for dessert. The night before restaurant, I got to help Joshua and the rest of his class with prep work in the kitchen. It was so good to hang out with his friends.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLbfVnjnJGJHZ9-c-HbfRkieyYc1qw2EhjJJ6PvV7l1bpEArF3lH5_ndRq51lYTFbl9fjy19c6cF53ov19c6J4-mHuP_lhuOUGzuV9aHnEy9mkiyQ1pAKPITzayyfTCOwCzF9hn2WO-mDsLQ0VBxPCHtmsvrnBYhP1kBq3Wj7OuKO6lY8y5mg/s4608/IMG_20240216_221147_228.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLbfVnjnJGJHZ9-c-HbfRkieyYc1qw2EhjJJ6PvV7l1bpEArF3lH5_ndRq51lYTFbl9fjy19c6cF53ov19c6J4-mHuP_lhuOUGzuV9aHnEy9mkiyQ1pAKPITzayyfTCOwCzF9hn2WO-mDsLQ0VBxPCHtmsvrnBYhP1kBq3Wj7OuKO6lY8y5mg/s320/IMG_20240216_221147_228.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and Silas doing dishes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4h64Ma-ULBgCf6owKKiH6Y5gmxXr3NxXJfseLfr9PTkjtWvYQQTOQMnJnoWQ3Cc1kfAQDLvm6U5Aer38Mq7ETF0S-nMnb6yovx6a1wpTh_t1nex34cfG_QpxUhEa78yjbyYG47C3pKVDDAXtW9je8zOnTtx_00MTPY-J1n1g4yvCQeG23sUu/s4608/IMG_20240216_215710_060.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2577" data-original-width="4608" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4h64Ma-ULBgCf6owKKiH6Y5gmxXr3NxXJfseLfr9PTkjtWvYQQTOQMnJnoWQ3Cc1kfAQDLvm6U5Aer38Mq7ETF0S-nMnb6yovx6a1wpTh_t1nex34cfG_QpxUhEa78yjbyYG47C3pKVDDAXtW9je8zOnTtx_00MTPY-J1n1g4yvCQeG23sUu/s320/IMG_20240216_215710_060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10th grade dudes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNtw8K8Uek2LRSjbIHpmV4tNRnGN4l0y4G8KaBDCA5-41xdHEzyNqhCyo3U7UbozBSxzCBNij9wzWiiNcECnFlTcfbLu3AIcPzP84278ugoBsnUod6i3ydYCgI64gI1T3dllVKUFKWvhAOkZo2EyOtX8H8HNExB4zYGwOHNQumwUsU3Isxub0/s4608/IMG_20240216_194419_008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNtw8K8Uek2LRSjbIHpmV4tNRnGN4l0y4G8KaBDCA5-41xdHEzyNqhCyo3U7UbozBSxzCBNij9wzWiiNcECnFlTcfbLu3AIcPzP84278ugoBsnUod6i3ydYCgI64gI1T3dllVKUFKWvhAOkZo2EyOtX8H8HNExB4zYGwOHNQumwUsU3Isxub0/s320/IMG_20240216_194419_008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2c12dgu83XCdiSJ9MgKA64ZBNTTc0ASi7k1A8q-Yel4NoeVnMfqE09GPfaK3lueiBeheTrqHFQ3jzGLTLPhcQQd73ngiNNkkVI-zV3WsrAeU6TB7F0A4fAs9zcg3vAnfHBe0JGkVHyu_cVJBUkgmjdlF1doI_t7IWmbyN09Eevf34czZQRgW/s3586/IMG_20240217_185136_386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3586" data-original-width="2184" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2c12dgu83XCdiSJ9MgKA64ZBNTTc0ASi7k1A8q-Yel4NoeVnMfqE09GPfaK3lueiBeheTrqHFQ3jzGLTLPhcQQd73ngiNNkkVI-zV3WsrAeU6TB7F0A4fAs9zcg3vAnfHBe0JGkVHyu_cVJBUkgmjdlF1doI_t7IWmbyN09Eevf34czZQRgW/w244-h400/IMG_20240217_185136_386.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited to have a date night!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-lh-M_gJusupcSc9Mf8ZctcIJOJHyHAs8uR-0_0Acv_4AGGTVOTmQGKEjHXnXkOHD0wQjl72PyKrq2H0WZonKF_ze8T6bzdXf38Z3KkIWiU7jiHzo1kD4BwcF445D8dSAsHrOmXXX5CDyKtOGz6QW2QvLbCZ94c0xqKsNEcwmIvT4OPFGWPh/s3968/IMG_20240217_191118_533.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="3968" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-lh-M_gJusupcSc9Mf8ZctcIJOJHyHAs8uR-0_0Acv_4AGGTVOTmQGKEjHXnXkOHD0wQjl72PyKrq2H0WZonKF_ze8T6bzdXf38Z3KkIWiU7jiHzo1kD4BwcF445D8dSAsHrOmXXX5CDyKtOGz6QW2QvLbCZ94c0xqKsNEcwmIvT4OPFGWPh/s320/IMG_20240217_191118_533.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fun table for the night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8RUk_MOICEsUr_ntpY0_L05OdQEF1V79GK-RAB03qJkjPnJFEf3vjbmQpmEXg7gKrI93oMu1tApchx7nwJmtzR7eObdU8RfqcgMtAhLu_Feo9pi9v2P9nrjLVesKUgri-yT2p7D2v0kFJU8dTmfqKmF2DcWybcODqJYEi8e56UigqDBuTzdO/s4608/IMG_20240217_185100_529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8RUk_MOICEsUr_ntpY0_L05OdQEF1V79GK-RAB03qJkjPnJFEf3vjbmQpmEXg7gKrI93oMu1tApchx7nwJmtzR7eObdU8RfqcgMtAhLu_Feo9pi9v2P9nrjLVesKUgri-yT2p7D2v0kFJU8dTmfqKmF2DcWybcODqJYEi8e56UigqDBuTzdO/s320/IMG_20240217_185100_529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our niece Abbie (on right) and Esme (Josh's girlfriend) offered to babysit Carson and Judah so we could have a date night.<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvk1Hvgdc0dVJQFft7RzUE7e10GrjizgkjtK63uZvCcUi3ctX1t7DdJUuCNKmmMuIUCMZS3dyMxM3_7UbldAVxhUCrLq4YumAnKQkK3vsRLuJZFYZB1lJmVltxmpvmh9F0NeDvbJUgXleAcJNxSAmDGSBnvKoUdQDwXFnkNkXMa7pUjBPSRQK/s4608/IMG_20240217_142137_676.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvk1Hvgdc0dVJQFft7RzUE7e10GrjizgkjtK63uZvCcUi3ctX1t7DdJUuCNKmmMuIUCMZS3dyMxM3_7UbldAVxhUCrLq4YumAnKQkK3vsRLuJZFYZB1lJmVltxmpvmh9F0NeDvbJUgXleAcJNxSAmDGSBnvKoUdQDwXFnkNkXMa7pUjBPSRQK/s320/IMG_20240217_142137_676.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday was Pool Day<br /><br />Evan's basketball game was cancelled on Saturday so we took our kids and a bunch of other friends to a pool an hour away for the day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjO6XFz_O_FAj3nlaVssiqBI7S1vwx_bIeHQt4LoY44bx3GhWVzDGbWC6blSHtGYW9836lz8EPmA1HTBskV-pM4tjnn2Pp_4zC9_qooxzWOiqavD8zd7Jds3R7qMQO4aofPwzTCLMHFpJGKV27IV0jQqPAdhlzzE4NcCibRXvipIMYFj8iVaV/s4608/IMG_20240217_113010_446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjO6XFz_O_FAj3nlaVssiqBI7S1vwx_bIeHQt4LoY44bx3GhWVzDGbWC6blSHtGYW9836lz8EPmA1HTBskV-pM4tjnn2Pp_4zC9_qooxzWOiqavD8zd7Jds3R7qMQO4aofPwzTCLMHFpJGKV27IV0jQqPAdhlzzE4NcCibRXvipIMYFj8iVaV/s320/IMG_20240217_113010_446.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKQxe5dMcrC6LMGvmokyL-vCvs84pL1QTZtTsuTEplrop222Grp4RzYxAgX1P33bgwLkifdTOPKLDOd2sys3e17-gHltYbKimXeRBi4-jJ50l_RZijxJa_BZbOD9WNRuB3_GBX_QV6t-sq_VYpcgkU_HEeyI56rzIAOO3ETZh7UAWXODdW1FE/s4608/IMG_20240217_112917_747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKQxe5dMcrC6LMGvmokyL-vCvs84pL1QTZtTsuTEplrop222Grp4RzYxAgX1P33bgwLkifdTOPKLDOd2sys3e17-gHltYbKimXeRBi4-jJ50l_RZijxJa_BZbOD9WNRuB3_GBX_QV6t-sq_VYpcgkU_HEeyI56rzIAOO3ETZh7UAWXODdW1FE/s320/IMG_20240217_112917_747.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evan & the Senior boys</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MhLPavfo1HSNR776Qu-VuVeSML6RgG_TgO1BpB-iLnLM7LnIumcYN9pnnQ46HrXAEm95DEV5Ehn0g3CzkfQIkWCvRxC4ebo3uzEFynDbSbU8QwRkK1hep3OIUiSdeKlsCU5eWELCseTKNEUlqXo3D_Y17la5ofnYZy11Qkj6Z_fYlJogGSYX/s4608/IMG_20240216_162815_786.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MhLPavfo1HSNR776Qu-VuVeSML6RgG_TgO1BpB-iLnLM7LnIumcYN9pnnQ46HrXAEm95DEV5Ehn0g3CzkfQIkWCvRxC4ebo3uzEFynDbSbU8QwRkK1hep3OIUiSdeKlsCU5eWELCseTKNEUlqXo3D_Y17la5ofnYZy11Qkj6Z_fYlJogGSYX/s320/IMG_20240216_162815_786.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Josh helps coach rugby for the titchies (elementary kids) so he invited Carson to join in. See Carson in the background?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgkgdN3p7DEhjkXLwVecUnb5KTxY1kKukJuYnDMCpwGOqI0-BL84nIEzAycept1gn1HcHFVa5T9NOOtjHracB2AAp533dp2MfwZw6qM1dL5iEjP7XaHj-IqPTR0PEqQOAsYL_LrG6CEFdFHQbUN_pfUVjAeXLC18ke3F1HKudbENSjVNyXTeY/s4160/IMG_20240216_161648_176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgkgdN3p7DEhjkXLwVecUnb5KTxY1kKukJuYnDMCpwGOqI0-BL84nIEzAycept1gn1HcHFVa5T9NOOtjHracB2AAp533dp2MfwZw6qM1dL5iEjP7XaHj-IqPTR0PEqQOAsYL_LrG6CEFdFHQbUN_pfUVjAeXLC18ke3F1HKudbENSjVNyXTeY/s320/IMG_20240216_161648_176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgFtpw2LV431J1j62FM6nfoVguGd4XdYeuNbc4to1DiIXFJEz_r0_lYTya4wCOhIv-9mj6DJH2QxRMlh6PGUjNOxNImtPcvsqIaofkceMAxZFnrbL5zp134GQ440cRE2j9eGNk9qaOHvkstFQ8gyY02IL5zL5757tao3dMwLG-TYdOa02tcGp/s4160/IMG_20240215_163635_065.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgFtpw2LV431J1j62FM6nfoVguGd4XdYeuNbc4to1DiIXFJEz_r0_lYTya4wCOhIv-9mj6DJH2QxRMlh6PGUjNOxNImtPcvsqIaofkceMAxZFnrbL5zp134GQ440cRE2j9eGNk9qaOHvkstFQ8gyY02IL5zL5757tao3dMwLG-TYdOa02tcGp/s320/IMG_20240215_163635_065.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing tackles<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIx2XPu4KJesDIBcIQUmQsS5Hgx-lVRQYWXAkuRB4uP4_-CsTr4czG2yYxEQ6dbHMW7Ye_aYoddouBKpMss3jMPtvqugb00pnHogDX7BwbN8xuxZR6DpfhhBBTfT798scXseIiHqd8a2aAu4B1Ao_flqL-rWUTSKB3s9V-c33MFpNKw0w9tPL/s3968/IMG_20240214_094136_041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="3968" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIx2XPu4KJesDIBcIQUmQsS5Hgx-lVRQYWXAkuRB4uP4_-CsTr4czG2yYxEQ6dbHMW7Ye_aYoddouBKpMss3jMPtvqugb00pnHogDX7BwbN8xuxZR6DpfhhBBTfT798scXseIiHqd8a2aAu4B1Ao_flqL-rWUTSKB3s9V-c33MFpNKw0w9tPL/s320/IMG_20240214_094136_041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><div>One of Carson's favorite things to do on campus was challenge Eli to a chess game on this lifesize chess mat. Judah liked to add his own moves too.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the end we had one full week at Rift Valley Academy. We enjoyed weather 30 degrees cooler, staying with good friends, chats with Evan and Josh's dorm parents, teachers, and coaches, and most of all, observing their life, their friends, and being assured yet again that this place truly is the best thing for them even though this mama was sure sad to come home without them.</div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-61566421411306101652024-02-08T10:59:00.000+03:002024-02-08T10:59:15.297+03:00Literacy Training<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvKV6gXUTaJdJNfGeVQ2n0rH27FTYnBkJK1ZYgvj1d9DRXqOziiEBZEOEfrsQwq9OeYe37IQ0RPOSHU1nA7vYSwp5cX8f_nxA-oTuTTxh7x-0KQzt2NeP6naDcIciwJASyD5HpWr6YKk7xb_MXfh0de4Kk7okq83un-RS8Uyqnjg_q3cMfjwO/s3968/IMG_20240201_113755_447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="3968" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvKV6gXUTaJdJNfGeVQ2n0rH27FTYnBkJK1ZYgvj1d9DRXqOziiEBZEOEfrsQwq9OeYe37IQ0RPOSHU1nA7vYSwp5cX8f_nxA-oTuTTxh7x-0KQzt2NeP6naDcIciwJASyD5HpWr6YKk7xb_MXfh0de4Kk7okq83un-RS8Uyqnjg_q3cMfjwO/s320/IMG_20240201_113755_447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Last week I branched out from homeschooling my kindergartener to train early childhood teachers. Teaching children how to read and write phonetically is not a well known concept in Uganda and teachers aren't trained to use that method. It was so exciting to share the methods I've used to teach not only my own children, but students in South Sudan and Uganda too.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD6dPVaozWPCNwcPtlFEhToyYg0oi8URcQUmwSA0OjrpiPrEo42Lxfxtk5PMUmBJKzFJAreaVyYJ5iqzi3joiSJ8ATUK8Nx1PJdZD1R4n9qDoHo4C0B2nERJxDUfHJmUCOIHOtWIU_H_kdhL14IPuxQ_NlxmUNN6oEVWzoqQvmkioN2MUWhbT/s3968/IMG_20240201_113750_169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD6dPVaozWPCNwcPtlFEhToyYg0oi8URcQUmwSA0OjrpiPrEo42Lxfxtk5PMUmBJKzFJAreaVyYJ5iqzi3joiSJ8ATUK8Nx1PJdZD1R4n9qDoHo4C0B2nERJxDUfHJmUCOIHOtWIU_H_kdhL14IPuxQ_NlxmUNN6oEVWzoqQvmkioN2MUWhbT/s320/IMG_20240201_113750_169.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>4 moms with babies attended and I was so impressed that they didn't even cause a distraction!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkFTPbXB6O9kG2tSYRjBAoQqj8Zcl_pXTECHmTCu8cAelXgXyuFiC2Qzv5g7suNZSl87Oz1-akjhKZ79DeJUn-0uboZMHQlJc4ZlgzOVnojvzPbAG1pDNKccPOEqQOKKBqDJ6EjiUMNVXd5QjZOL3a-_TXP0GDYQgNJ25A-UHAmBYjqWmOOWT/s4160/IMG_20240201_113810_012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkFTPbXB6O9kG2tSYRjBAoQqj8Zcl_pXTECHmTCu8cAelXgXyuFiC2Qzv5g7suNZSl87Oz1-akjhKZ79DeJUn-0uboZMHQlJc4ZlgzOVnojvzPbAG1pDNKccPOEqQOKKBqDJ6EjiUMNVXd5QjZOL3a-_TXP0GDYQgNJ25A-UHAmBYjqWmOOWT/s320/IMG_20240201_113810_012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAAbDW-uSl4O69K8A3eQnMEOyKwRzWMFm95JJu8BZgy4QWU9TZxJBvDVVpBSQAGl-depdTxjioC8K-HFCVpHPAPm1cLtTB2FbMcYGNxgXB_9hs4UtKF5bDFbMXSo_ab7YyynnfvQOB4gZhdIR0c3cnE_hNguI2I_tlz42wSBjCSue5lId-2z9/s4608/IMG_20240202_101528_131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAAbDW-uSl4O69K8A3eQnMEOyKwRzWMFm95JJu8BZgy4QWU9TZxJBvDVVpBSQAGl-depdTxjioC8K-HFCVpHPAPm1cLtTB2FbMcYGNxgXB_9hs4UtKF5bDFbMXSo_ab7YyynnfvQOB4gZhdIR0c3cnE_hNguI2I_tlz42wSBjCSue5lId-2z9/s320/IMG_20240202_101528_131.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On the 2nd day I did a demonstration with Carson and his buddy Jonah, teaching a full lesson to them while the teachers watched. Carson and Jonah modeled it perfectly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc25wQNYRKa62ZZItXtqDJolXfZaFAypzjEXIfoNrHIMAPbfrQUZMz4GQXSH61_WQiKirqkBjRY7g6385yk4mo1M6B2tN9-wNciRjZ0hlU_prz5qnR0FvUTaJQigksO6qnkxN-Zbtw_a9pjW6IgsOU2GezdgJ5MzzBFRDb99etUDa6hCjr2RC1/s4608/IMG_20240202_124020_951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc25wQNYRKa62ZZItXtqDJolXfZaFAypzjEXIfoNrHIMAPbfrQUZMz4GQXSH61_WQiKirqkBjRY7g6385yk4mo1M6B2tN9-wNciRjZ0hlU_prz5qnR0FvUTaJQigksO6qnkxN-Zbtw_a9pjW6IgsOU2GezdgJ5MzzBFRDb99etUDa6hCjr2RC1/s320/IMG_20240202_124020_951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On the last day, every participant was required to teach their own lesson and it was so much fun to see their creativity and own ideas and training come together. How wonderful it could be if children in Uganda could begin learning how to read this way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRE__oVBeeuRf3HRmjJ5XX2enjF2g7hLym0ozivvanzezuAQVpoG7HKRTjxShBKuKNv3zpB0XdsHdZJy_2kHRSJLUoKLdLQBy3o3hULKOW0p2WIlAgTh6cwOZVNqvWup1I2AD5-xsLgD7UQ0lvthwocZkCkgSb4Ot1QAzw2zUPVSXhVi6VC90/s4608/IMG_20240202_161009_599.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRE__oVBeeuRf3HRmjJ5XX2enjF2g7hLym0ozivvanzezuAQVpoG7HKRTjxShBKuKNv3zpB0XdsHdZJy_2kHRSJLUoKLdLQBy3o3hULKOW0p2WIlAgTh6cwOZVNqvWup1I2AD5-xsLgD7UQ0lvthwocZkCkgSb4Ot1QAzw2zUPVSXhVi6VC90/s320/IMG_20240202_161009_599.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The icing on the cake for me was that after the workshop, several teachers who are teaching in preschools here in Adjumani told me they are going to incorporate phonetics into their curriculum and they even asked if I'd come observe them in their classroom so I can offer more feedback and advice. Isn't that awesome?!</div> <p></p></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-84550533863798588452023-12-19T13:36:00.001+03:002023-12-19T13:36:46.079+03:00Why oh why did God make cobras???<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykN2FsgWYi8ZfYvwvbqfVZZgQtzGjFHkVdwvuRyrb9cePNKWhfNGoOo_7OBnrZGZQOHaQ65zJrhl_IucE_T7IpJWgRQB6nxQ4qi96RrNV0tzaqSY9BPZ1J-8IvS9gpKYJH7I_JWwbpEyYqNY3YFGd99hEKoiwaUCkHC5Fi3UtWqucZeaHvcFm/s275/cobra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykN2FsgWYi8ZfYvwvbqfVZZgQtzGjFHkVdwvuRyrb9cePNKWhfNGoOo_7OBnrZGZQOHaQ65zJrhl_IucE_T7IpJWgRQB6nxQ4qi96RrNV0tzaqSY9BPZ1J-8IvS9gpKYJH7I_JWwbpEyYqNY3YFGd99hEKoiwaUCkHC5Fi3UtWqucZeaHvcFm/w400-h266/cobra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I know I know. I hate snakes and I hate photos and stories about snakes but please just let me get this out! Today we had a cobra in our yard. I didn't take the photo above. It was all so intense I didn't have time to take a picture. But I believe it was a brown spitting cobra. Let me tell you the whole story!</p><p>This afternoon I'd just made a sandwich for Carson's lunch when one of our puppies started barking. He's a good watch dog so I went to see if maybe someone was here. The fur on his back was all raised. I looked back where he was looking, in a corner of our yard and y'all I just about fainted! First I saw the tall grass move and then I saw a cobra's crazy head rise out of the grass and the snake started trying to climb the wall!!!! I was frozen for a few seconds and then hurried in and closed the doors and stuffed towels under the cracks. Then I ran next door to get our neighbor Sebit who is only 5 ft.4 and probably just a little over 100 pounds but soooo brave. He came with two other guys and together they killed that snake. It wasn't easy and our dogs kept wanting to play with it and that was super scary because it's a cobra that spits and I was so afraid it would get them! But the guys managed to kill it and then poured petrol on it and burned it. I guess that's how you do it here. </p><p>So yeah I'll be walking around the yard later making sure all yard debris is burned or picked up and that we do away with any good snake hiding spots. The neighbors think it came looking for a cool place since it's been getting hot this week, up to 100 today! We have some drain pipes that take water from the yard out of the compound and we're going to be blocking those up for the dry season!</p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-10166432709325890432023-12-14T21:16:00.000+03:002023-12-14T21:16:47.402+03:00What is a Ugandan wedding introduction like?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEIg03n2l_fyU_r0Txo-hNNBFynkIHi6ThQakjTkZYyZ8noRg9Hry3pePg6L4o4GM7sie4MtNQcpsX_HiRyMM3kbUarJ4daWFBKrqVC8j99dpNdUcoXeCWD9AoCCeC1BJow3sVtVohi1HQvDYIAmza6vPULfhapYgYvyNF6rhfe7DdYygexzL/s3264/IMG_20231209_164904_788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEIg03n2l_fyU_r0Txo-hNNBFynkIHi6ThQakjTkZYyZ8noRg9Hry3pePg6L4o4GM7sie4MtNQcpsX_HiRyMM3kbUarJ4daWFBKrqVC8j99dpNdUcoXeCWD9AoCCeC1BJow3sVtVohi1HQvDYIAmza6vPULfhapYgYvyNF6rhfe7DdYygexzL/s320/IMG_20231209_164904_788.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Last weekend Eli and I got to attend a special wedding introduction for the daughter of Eli's colleague, Anthony. I want to share a few details of what these celebrations entail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gV3YV8EoIHbceva46O7_FKVz6ljQpKT48ve1ar_DXODURSPGuMDISWuqj74Zw_u42ZosiArBfJFrPMu6Bgx2omzbpvTCcQBmqsjmlYuNRFyc5jitF8P70WY1fDfvjQjBO6GzVD4PgF5SNvZrX6U7uFT7HO70G0kKQND6mn0Ev7DxmoUfXFqK/s3264/IMG_20231209_164926_041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gV3YV8EoIHbceva46O7_FKVz6ljQpKT48ve1ar_DXODURSPGuMDISWuqj74Zw_u42ZosiArBfJFrPMu6Bgx2omzbpvTCcQBmqsjmlYuNRFyc5jitF8P70WY1fDfvjQjBO6GzVD4PgF5SNvZrX6U7uFT7HO70G0kKQND6mn0Ev7DxmoUfXFqK/s320/IMG_20231209_164926_041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Yes, the "Women of Good News" (women's group from our church) all dressed in our matching dresses.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG34RZ5YqEtW8LQprUYmRVgaGAEI7Tpi7VNBAVdoXWF01ryw2LvWczml6d_LpiofNvoFXu3psJr1AWSGVGdAhV6AvnFwPOqAox1OuWnwX0rE_TthXd9_iibA9z0HI_2TDrJZr01UeivTOgaDDdBWysV1FO0JgTXJ5KPb97ZN79Mpu1aR2YGX6n/s4608/IMG_20231209_165056_570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG34RZ5YqEtW8LQprUYmRVgaGAEI7Tpi7VNBAVdoXWF01ryw2LvWczml6d_LpiofNvoFXu3psJr1AWSGVGdAhV6AvnFwPOqAox1OuWnwX0rE_TthXd9_iibA9z0HI_2TDrJZr01UeivTOgaDDdBWysV1FO0JgTXJ5KPb97ZN79Mpu1aR2YGX6n/s320/IMG_20231209_165056_570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love it when married couples actually sit together!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix-jUmhuqKzS7vvsdv-OLWsQDhOSMJPu5i644PvMsmxBfXuwGWsbK3RbRxGSnhTXrMJDahayWS-UnzdAWZWMHMmRsvirn2lzIHCsaxn3SASuCh47Ewr38Y6xCUCCWQLDInYeS4mbC2RMDjyYJSrp06yu1A8v5yIEi-RTIkD5TybjQHJtc-7CV/s4608/IMG_20231209_165218_526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix-jUmhuqKzS7vvsdv-OLWsQDhOSMJPu5i644PvMsmxBfXuwGWsbK3RbRxGSnhTXrMJDahayWS-UnzdAWZWMHMmRsvirn2lzIHCsaxn3SASuCh47Ewr38Y6xCUCCWQLDInYeS4mbC2RMDjyYJSrp06yu1A8v5yIEi-RTIkD5TybjQHJtc-7CV/s320/IMG_20231209_165218_526.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBJDWMVs-3Z9FnLfPUJd5gpFfGLH-B3rVbKkOxenzAHHsLUBkOelxLRQf7D3C6y_b0mZkzFmnqlXJMYo1LHOxk835CXyYL5hiUYjqEeRyuevLovJt9KrbAbarnb9AaifJ-RHevSjcZ1VOPVKx7N6CMclaZmxkU0Fr0yh1LhO-1-2VYma_B-6y/s4608/IMG_20231209_172430_075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBJDWMVs-3Z9FnLfPUJd5gpFfGLH-B3rVbKkOxenzAHHsLUBkOelxLRQf7D3C6y_b0mZkzFmnqlXJMYo1LHOxk835CXyYL5hiUYjqEeRyuevLovJt9KrbAbarnb9AaifJ-RHevSjcZ1VOPVKx7N6CMclaZmxkU0Fr0yh1LhO-1-2VYma_B-6y/s320/IMG_20231209_172430_075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #050505; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A wedding introduction is actually a several day affair. It begins with the groom's family/relatives coming to the bride's family with the dowry (cows, goats, gifts, money etc) and there are meetings for hours even days until the families agree on the marriage. Once the dowry (bride price) has been accepted by the bride's uncles, the next day is a big party to celebrate their official engagement. It's almost like a wedding. First the groom to be parades in with all his friends and brothers/uncles and then the bride and her entourage parade in - dancing to music and making a grand entrance. There are speeches by at least 10 people, coupled with celebratory songs and dancing. At this one, our pastor gave a short message and then they exchanged engagement rings (this was my first time to see rings exchanged) Afterwards there was a special prayer for the couple as they prepare for their marriage and then guests and family members could present their gifts to the happy couple. To do that, we came down the aisle, dancing while carrying the gift and giving it to them. At the end, a grand meal is served. This one was supposed to start at noon but didn't finally begin until almost 5 pm and ended right before 10 pm!</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasgpqIUqLzRWders-dWblQcey7SorrnQZW3PbjUHY2ZiQtr82-jPCsW5QTfgDTW3XloRwyqCaO1ec5JJRSgSe2YBFP5PG3oKETffkdN6NjeZXHNb0x76c8mEnpbagxu5VRa1EysJui83lMVjs-HnU-1TcJjeGhQzBBzqhrg4r_4Zi7JWpOOV_/s4608/IMG_20231209_181919_936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasgpqIUqLzRWders-dWblQcey7SorrnQZW3PbjUHY2ZiQtr82-jPCsW5QTfgDTW3XloRwyqCaO1ec5JJRSgSe2YBFP5PG3oKETffkdN6NjeZXHNb0x76c8mEnpbagxu5VRa1EysJui83lMVjs-HnU-1TcJjeGhQzBBzqhrg4r_4Zi7JWpOOV_/s320/IMG_20231209_181919_936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXHH0C_iPaApWY_YHgYiGO6dt-L37fpGME2gBf5fz4J4oS_Mx7dOvISYUx2cXRuzRxlgWZeTJAE46kA0zhyOF7l6uNtuWqNkRUqU4kZTDw7eya4KOAxyrl7ULXM9DpKIkm8dSbFFSaFtb44f1SMw3krU9-Pv-dMODucBaMOdeUFZpq5WYCqgo/s4608/IMG_20231209_181946_388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXHH0C_iPaApWY_YHgYiGO6dt-L37fpGME2gBf5fz4J4oS_Mx7dOvISYUx2cXRuzRxlgWZeTJAE46kA0zhyOF7l6uNtuWqNkRUqU4kZTDw7eya4KOAxyrl7ULXM9DpKIkm8dSbFFSaFtb44f1SMw3krU9-Pv-dMODucBaMOdeUFZpq5WYCqgo/s320/IMG_20231209_181946_388.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cutting the ribbon to allow the party to begin!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC1AL10NY1CHNw1gLv6tiLOIr5bN0URt1MzmK5iG95BtabGxWqGAByYNC-NeOVaoyvAVTNEQMMjOeGQY_jXymVDt9yiwqSAMVfNRtLtp0O6q63_dJlEo4link1DjqLlgV-MA9zsKIQjbK-bnn8dxP436aeFpx_OgIAQJ_v_WAht9zaoGYd3gQ/s4608/IMG_20231209_182356_387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC1AL10NY1CHNw1gLv6tiLOIr5bN0URt1MzmK5iG95BtabGxWqGAByYNC-NeOVaoyvAVTNEQMMjOeGQY_jXymVDt9yiwqSAMVfNRtLtp0O6q63_dJlEo4link1DjqLlgV-MA9zsKIQjbK-bnn8dxP436aeFpx_OgIAQJ_v_WAht9zaoGYd3gQ/s320/IMG_20231209_182356_387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cWLs4RSp2C2GPre1dmFSn6S6ZB4SheP1J0YsSD3e_RTnOSh3HJwYKlZFjtavirH6FKu0wjCYWpeEOm1zqTEGjVRfyUZhFvsTkfSG8Qw6l3MMXWUgJG0bmVso8kCd6Dw7xz1v3H18Gf8O98DA_RfqPfZi_5q6hHObI7UGeEmjFRxKFc5k-ToH/s4608/IMG_20231209_182733_935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cWLs4RSp2C2GPre1dmFSn6S6ZB4SheP1J0YsSD3e_RTnOSh3HJwYKlZFjtavirH6FKu0wjCYWpeEOm1zqTEGjVRfyUZhFvsTkfSG8Qw6l3MMXWUgJG0bmVso8kCd6Dw7xz1v3H18Gf8O98DA_RfqPfZi_5q6hHObI7UGeEmjFRxKFc5k-ToH/s320/IMG_20231209_182733_935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgB5iqXz4DU-ubLiK9Bwm48tHhufE9cvh0znpRe5UMY6LstEOe4A6yN7sr_mXyTZCnm9zoc77Y6B2A_gSsFppvtzmRV_wQR3pLkn0Dj0Metp6FCz87SkA9QBu_27kGOaIU9T-mEVRZ4w7o9c1XVpmBhWvjz5Ju9pBqoAHJVVsl7UrNWEkv4Mn/s4608/IMG_20231209_183000_882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgB5iqXz4DU-ubLiK9Bwm48tHhufE9cvh0znpRe5UMY6LstEOe4A6yN7sr_mXyTZCnm9zoc77Y6B2A_gSsFppvtzmRV_wQR3pLkn0Dj0Metp6FCz87SkA9QBu_27kGOaIU9T-mEVRZ4w7o9c1XVpmBhWvjz5Ju9pBqoAHJVVsl7UrNWEkv4Mn/s320/IMG_20231209_183000_882.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBQSRRxOGKdyw8vhMkCu4EL18QGXiJjm-AzGWKn8bEvYLH2RAWHrE6wFlb2ZlJiA6j7w4ibapXeukcIozXJJdRfQtwwrQPXbAaFaPbSP1rJWQ2VjQEYijHcd1tOKZhQudcurYIXxr97hIrOZ4NIl_YcfVnEP344YcSrdtZfFedaKhc5rUSUXM/s4608/IMG_20231209_193256_907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBQSRRxOGKdyw8vhMkCu4EL18QGXiJjm-AzGWKn8bEvYLH2RAWHrE6wFlb2ZlJiA6j7w4ibapXeukcIozXJJdRfQtwwrQPXbAaFaPbSP1rJWQ2VjQEYijHcd1tOKZhQudcurYIXxr97hIrOZ4NIl_YcfVnEP344YcSrdtZfFedaKhc5rUSUXM/s320/IMG_20231209_193256_907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-86740585207029349482023-12-07T13:52:00.001+03:002023-12-07T13:52:12.720+03:00Answered Prayers: Above and Beyond<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgnwNSqbcmidSU9_Bm6awXTvjVEwP24hlpDu4DwTSUcbAOPtVkxOXR8uoZ9ng_3ncb1zJ0B8G2vZ-t84HmjqaHx4CrjY5eu1OTY8PQjmoIz6oO-JFO-fPr1GPVCJAeHBN2o1PmqgaVmu89e-5Xl0sgniH0SXPcTE0esQAU9US-ZzGWNH8B1cN/s225/above.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgnwNSqbcmidSU9_Bm6awXTvjVEwP24hlpDu4DwTSUcbAOPtVkxOXR8uoZ9ng_3ncb1zJ0B8G2vZ-t84HmjqaHx4CrjY5eu1OTY8PQjmoIz6oO-JFO-fPr1GPVCJAeHBN2o1PmqgaVmu89e-5Xl0sgniH0SXPcTE0esQAU9US-ZzGWNH8B1cN/w320-h320/above.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>God continues to work in some huge and very personal ways since my last post. First of all, an update on Susan after eye surgery. The doctor originally told us before surgery that she'd probably need surgery on her other eye as well after she recovered. However, when they've checked her eyes multiple times since surgery, her eyesight is perfect. The doctor said he's never seen this happen before. It healed on its own (rather, we know The Great Healer went above and beyond to fully correct and perfect Susan's eyes. At age 19 she can finally see properly!!! Praise God. As I type this Susan and her sister Florence are on the bus heading back to Adjumani. Florence hasn't been home since January of this year!! It will be a very very special homecoming.</p><p>Another way that God has gone above and beyond in answering prayers was with my friend D (for her privacy.) On Friday I got a phone call from my dear neighbor friend that another friend of ours was in a dire situation. She asked if I could come and talk with her and pray for her. So on Saturday I went over and heard D's whole story. She used to live in our neighborhood at the beginning of this year and got involved in our church and some of our weekly classes. Her four children were always coming over to play at our house. She's from a different tribe in Eastern Uganda, near Kenya, but married a Madi from here. I knew her husband was a difficult man, using all their money for alcohol, running off for long periods of time and life had been a struggle for D. About 2 weeks ago her husband took off without leaving any food or money in the house. The landlord ended up coming to collect rent because they were two months behind and since D didn't have even a single coin, the landlord locked them OUT of their own house with all their belongings inside! All they had were the clothes on their back. By the time D came to our neighbor for help, they'd been wearing the same clothes for a full week and moving from one friend to another's to spend the night. She looked very thin and her lips were all cracked. She reminded me of the story of Hagar in the Bible - when Hagar was out in the wilderness with her son and they ran out of water and food and she had given up hope and was ready to die.</p><p>But my sweet friend Justine took her in even though she can barely feed her own family. That day with D, the Lord gave me encouraging words to share: that God loved her and even though her husband abandoned her, God would never abandon her. I prayed with her and encouraged her that we would find a way to help her. She was hoping to somehow raise enough money to take the bus back to her village, to her relatives. I took over clothes for her and the kids and gave her some money so she could go to the landlord to pay some of the rent so they could get their stuff out of their house.</p><p>On Sunday, D, Justine, and the four kids came to church. D seemed to have a glimmer of hope on her face. And guess what God did? D's husband showed up back home, discovered it was locked up, went to a neighbor and found out where D was staying. When he arrived, he was changed. He sat down with his wife and explained everything: he can gone out to the woods to burn charcoal. He took a young man with him to show him how to do it. That young man turned out to be a follower of Jesus and shared the Truth of the Gospel with this man and he came to Christ. He repented of his alcohol problems and other bad habits that held him in bondage and he gave his life to Jesus! He couldn't wait to tell his wife everything. Later when D recounted all of this for me, I'll admit, I felt skeptical. But D shared that she's never seen her husband like this! He is a new man! And he is begging her to stay so he can prove to her that he's changed.</p><p>So in a matter of a few days, D and her husband have reconciled, D has decided to stay in Adjumani and try to work things out, God provided a hut and kitchen hut in our very neighborhood and he's going to continue charcoal-making and she will sell it from home at the roadside! Many of us have encouraged him to join a church so he can grow and learn more about God and the Bible. He and his family are going to start trying out different churches to see what will be a good match for them. We are praying fervently for him to stand strong because the temptations will come again (for alcohol and his old life). And we're praying for this precious family to rebuild with Christ as their solid rock.</p><p>I admit that this wasn't the "ending" of the story I was expecting. I expected we'd be putting D and her kids on a bus, never to see them again. But instead God went above and beyond and grabbed a hold of her husband's heart and made a new creation. What an awesome God He is!</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1nxx_F-7xLZobaPdDg30qibcgEKP-eL9OJifv27IuYBUx4kji7yf5e9B_NiyygAro_-l98xU2K5lA8xPtCE7VfVQQfa3y4MfbZLUV6ryQgIhrI2AwkOASVywo_5nkY75y3XV8hHdbxf1J9shzvYXtYYe0JULWFnP0QA9ydl2kf6WYz3IpjC0/s2477/A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="2477" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1nxx_F-7xLZobaPdDg30qibcgEKP-eL9OJifv27IuYBUx4kji7yf5e9B_NiyygAro_-l98xU2K5lA8xPtCE7VfVQQfa3y4MfbZLUV6ryQgIhrI2AwkOASVywo_5nkY75y3XV8hHdbxf1J9shzvYXtYYe0JULWFnP0QA9ydl2kf6WYz3IpjC0/s320/A.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their new home</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-81592018346665591602023-12-01T21:07:00.000+03:002023-12-01T21:07:39.748+03:00A Million Little Miracles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyif8NUpDyH7beGuUGGsC09Dus1wwY83awJMMJrl8CCdULFu_s3NPI1oCiDrEj2zr_f6Pll9-ZyLBijhDCwEHA1K0cHw9ShWPCIY8niRz-5lNjvJtR0CxJwXqoZsZ_4eUU2X3lW9J-9qwQozNGd43i4rp0R7Pb1g08l0QJFP-Qbwsw6M82w_p/s3264/IMG_20231129_082658_799.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyif8NUpDyH7beGuUGGsC09Dus1wwY83awJMMJrl8CCdULFu_s3NPI1oCiDrEj2zr_f6Pll9-ZyLBijhDCwEHA1K0cHw9ShWPCIY8niRz-5lNjvJtR0CxJwXqoZsZ_4eUU2X3lW9J-9qwQozNGd43i4rp0R7Pb1g08l0QJFP-Qbwsw6M82w_p/s320/IMG_20231129_082658_799.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>God has shown up in some HUGE ways this week and I can't help but share it with the world to give God all the glory! His provision is always above and beyond what we even ask for.</p><p>Let me start by introducing the two lovely ladies in the picture above - Florence on the left and Susan in the middle. They are sisters and members of our church here in Adjumani but originally from South Sudan. We're sponsoring them to go to a good school in Kampala, the big city. Florence wants to be a women's rights lawyer and Susan wants to be a vet. These young ladies are world changers let me tell you!</p><p>This last week we were in Kampala to pick up our older boys who were all coming home for Christmas (the month of December). I went to a doctor appt for Susan because she's had squint since she was young but didn't realize corrective surgery was a possibility. She's been seeing this eye doctor all year. Finally they said they were ready to operate so I went with her on Tuesday. We waited FIVE hours to see the doctor. <b><u>Miracle #1:</u></b> there was one slot left for surgery the very next day which was ideal because I wanted to be there with her and we were planning to travel back north soon.</p><p>That evening I told Eli how much the eye surgery was going to cost. We didn't know until Tuesday but the beautiful thing was that we didn't even have to discuss it. We planned to pay for it out of our own pockets. Wednesday morning I met Susan and her sister Florence at the hospital for surgery. <b><u>Miracle #2:</u></b> While we were sitting in the waiting room, before I'd even paid, I got a notification on my phone from a dear friend that she'd sent a very generous amount of money (even more than the surgery cost!) for whatever needs we might have at the end of the year. I couldn't believe it. I called Eli right away! Then I turned to Susan and said, "Someone just paid for your surgery. God just sent the money!" We both sat there with surprised and stunned grins from ear to ear.</p><p><b><u>Miracle #3</u></b>: While we were waiting for Susan's name to be called I overheard some ladies speaking in Arabic and smiled to myself thinking, "Oh, they must be South Sudanese." Fast forward an hour or so and Susan was called back at the same time as one of the Sudanese women with her young son. We sat in the same little cubicle to get IV's put in for the anesthesia. The doctor started asking the young mother questions about her son and quickly realized she didn't speak English. I asked the lady in Arabic if she spoke Arabic and she said yes so Susan and I were able to translate for her. Such a God thing right? The cool thing is that the nurse called Susan back a few more times to help with the other Sudanese patients because they too didn't speak English. I love how God coordinated for us to be there on the same day so we could help translate!</p><p>That was Wednesday.</p><p><b><u>Today's Miracle:</u></b></p><p>Yesterday (Thursday) evening Eli came home from the office to tell me he'd received an email from good friends in the States who had read our last newsletter and wanted to send money to help some young people with their educational needs. It was easy for Eli to think of who we wanted to give that money to - 2 different young students in our church. One is a young man on fire for the Lord who tirelessly works with the kids ministry, teaching Sunday school and leading the children's choir. His father died earlier this year and he had to drop out of school. Another gal just started her first year of university which is an incredible feat for young ladies in our Northern Uganda. Her tuition is covered by scholarship but living cost in the city has been expensive so we thought we could offer to pay her rent each month for the next 6 months. I emailed the couple today to explain who and how we hoped to help with the money they gave. Today they wrote back saying they are going to DOUBLE the amount they sent! I can't tell you how our hearts are bursting with praise and thanks to our God. He is encouraging the hearts of so many dear people who love Him and follow Him and it is such an honor to be the middle man and see the joy and blessing that it is for them. </p><p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-33340211521720708412023-11-10T16:56:00.003+03:002023-11-10T16:56:48.162+03:00Harvesting rice<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDiCR5stbjd-nsSf09BXiYeGksQTsdtsEQFvLic8aIJv4w5N0zHcf3tN96phsdUD8pVix-NeJv4v4hIZ1egofOPr4H7V-1t_Vkv9FjKpGhm1UWq68r4C6rsD46hDHOiAs10G4daaFyqCsiKHGUZEe3zcMXbKS9Sce6YAhecR541RVhnLSJno-/s4608/IMG_20231110_080450_443.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDiCR5stbjd-nsSf09BXiYeGksQTsdtsEQFvLic8aIJv4w5N0zHcf3tN96phsdUD8pVix-NeJv4v4hIZ1egofOPr4H7V-1t_Vkv9FjKpGhm1UWq68r4C6rsD46hDHOiAs10G4daaFyqCsiKHGUZEe3zcMXbKS9Sce6YAhecR541RVhnLSJno-/s320/IMG_20231110_080450_443.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh and ready for the garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Today we learned a new skill: how to harvest rice. Our church has a farm and the rice crop was ripe so as many of us church members that could go, went to "bring in the sheaves." You guys, I'm so exhausted I can't even tell you!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhDBpmp6EACSmfemfGFhgPueDK7s65gEcp4SLLFqZ0YhV7T6ap3B6an-rCI5aLzh1bCftWI5M1x797q-8H0qYUTWl42Gq7ytammZBylh30czNMyItvs7x7VtJQzmEgu-FHKEszPft4RbYpiUksu66yclKgTOQR7KQ7u9Ou75RIV-gHmEnaD4i/s3688/1699622166773.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3688" data-original-width="2820" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhDBpmp6EACSmfemfGFhgPueDK7s65gEcp4SLLFqZ0YhV7T6ap3B6an-rCI5aLzh1bCftWI5M1x797q-8H0qYUTWl42Gq7ytammZBylh30czNMyItvs7x7VtJQzmEgu-FHKEszPft4RbYpiUksu66yclKgTOQR7KQ7u9Ou75RIV-gHmEnaD4i/s320/1699622166773.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I learned how to grab handfuls of rice and slash it with the sickle, I kept thinking of the story of Ruth in the Bible, when she would glean behind the harvesters and collect anything that was left behind. (There actually is a lot that falls to the side.)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkusv5aXXUKXolK1k-33RuhBHmP1EgySZuU-UFdBhECQ8QvTIYWK36O-qPyCE3eq5-dpwyVoZwtCs_Xa1SFXwTw7b08WT_iqnHxSzcarJ0Bps2WTyzMTTRk8T9MhuCnOWZ2F5YJy04lq3mLLbONCcrtH1si_qKUGkmI3a4k72zqKImgHoIUmv/s4608/IMG_20231110_084617_194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkusv5aXXUKXolK1k-33RuhBHmP1EgySZuU-UFdBhECQ8QvTIYWK36O-qPyCE3eq5-dpwyVoZwtCs_Xa1SFXwTw7b08WT_iqnHxSzcarJ0Bps2WTyzMTTRk8T9MhuCnOWZ2F5YJy04lq3mLLbONCcrtH1si_qKUGkmI3a4k72zqKImgHoIUmv/s320/IMG_20231110_084617_194.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Growing crops like rice is how people can pay their kids' school fees and feed their families. Just like Ruth and Naomi, the harvest is their livelihood.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKq0fSyJmmdfIQ_YxsBQ4g6rbUaHPIZV_YjSGzcqlJl5Ve6DCnYf8DEVZjVOtJ6eTRnLwx2peD0aYr0sMImFHQI2jSBCkcrEjz6uW765rgKSnsnEmxFbCi8kLY-15TuweMG5Hc6mG60x7RX93a4nA2zic3m7HlTMiQWqZMcgu15ZzIS-KPLFp/s4608/IMG_20231110_084625_845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKq0fSyJmmdfIQ_YxsBQ4g6rbUaHPIZV_YjSGzcqlJl5Ve6DCnYf8DEVZjVOtJ6eTRnLwx2peD0aYr0sMImFHQI2jSBCkcrEjz6uW765rgKSnsnEmxFbCi8kLY-15TuweMG5Hc6mG60x7RX93a4nA2zic3m7HlTMiQWqZMcgu15ZzIS-KPLFp/s320/IMG_20231110_084625_845.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsusXCe_ff_PFYFXe85lZ8fiUSg1EqypSGjm2gIi1b60BeHxBYyMk1bHMiy_ZyFEBz2zRxyjlruKA-dcBWo8Bf1B-eCrRSC9lQo2yuOm5N4mw8ybObZGgTEzGN5aVE7Fq1LRVBwo8PdBThyphenhyphenx0E961iSaOwRBWo4P2aGiM5Qif1Dx_msMt7EDZ/s4608/IMG_20231110_084659_540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsusXCe_ff_PFYFXe85lZ8fiUSg1EqypSGjm2gIi1b60BeHxBYyMk1bHMiy_ZyFEBz2zRxyjlruKA-dcBWo8Bf1B-eCrRSC9lQo2yuOm5N4mw8ybObZGgTEzGN5aVE7Fq1LRVBwo8PdBThyphenhyphenx0E961iSaOwRBWo4P2aGiM5Qif1Dx_msMt7EDZ/s320/IMG_20231110_084659_540.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It really is a beautiful thing how hard work and God's provision of rain and sunshine, can yield this delicious outcome!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnYXMpPVtM1tkaiQbAB1iJRlLoi8DxM686egZBtUtltSEn88L8jX7hSm2dpbjPu0Gp4m5It-Bea6CXdwoK57tJUAJFKn1velf44BCn8gczSRr_0ku7SeJunF-53lO8Y8Q3py9_JfuijEhdlDpAl387M7peztn65z5PdknDPdOpjS1F9qAcUji/s4608/IMG_20231110_090902_741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnYXMpPVtM1tkaiQbAB1iJRlLoi8DxM686egZBtUtltSEn88L8jX7hSm2dpbjPu0Gp4m5It-Bea6CXdwoK57tJUAJFKn1velf44BCn8gczSRr_0ku7SeJunF-53lO8Y8Q3py9_JfuijEhdlDpAl387M7peztn65z5PdknDPdOpjS1F9qAcUji/s320/IMG_20231110_090902_741.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I loved that Carson wanted to join in and learn how to use a sickle. He is such a hard worker.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-St6wB_zpTF5zFRQqJiIsDY0TZF-qoTubQ-KXWbZdF78pbyv1Ou2DAcVGbX4ZO_V2TrC5tbun_SbX4OfF5cttrHwpO4Mty2NipHvShK9FqpURWZS6ZmIeW3XYGve00Gk1gzqJWLq_w2ZPwr9anRKFiodRctOkaoLkPoZm3qHoJnn_y-2fRzt/s4608/IMG_20231110_090925_308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-St6wB_zpTF5zFRQqJiIsDY0TZF-qoTubQ-KXWbZdF78pbyv1Ou2DAcVGbX4ZO_V2TrC5tbun_SbX4OfF5cttrHwpO4Mty2NipHvShK9FqpURWZS6ZmIeW3XYGve00Gk1gzqJWLq_w2ZPwr9anRKFiodRctOkaoLkPoZm3qHoJnn_y-2fRzt/s320/IMG_20231110_090925_308.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_jldOyeYqQ1boOyOeaCfAU641qEGL61D1Dgl9spM41JY-ofD0b2NmQC-AfBAnrurVUMqjAJXElSmOnO8XwnlFcKaqTZu8r3vE59xz5rwTHxaO-VUa4pDRKwb2-K66cWaihIMrp9wggKQQKmmVticxt4HRr58__T-XgvrYxWnHrXC6wRVSbPA/s4608/IMG_20231110_105156_493.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_jldOyeYqQ1boOyOeaCfAU641qEGL61D1Dgl9spM41JY-ofD0b2NmQC-AfBAnrurVUMqjAJXElSmOnO8XwnlFcKaqTZu8r3vE59xz5rwTHxaO-VUa4pDRKwb2-K66cWaihIMrp9wggKQQKmmVticxt4HRr58__T-XgvrYxWnHrXC6wRVSbPA/s320/IMG_20231110_105156_493.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Eli's job was the threshing. He took handfuls of rice still on the grass, and beat it on this contraption made of bamboo and as he beat it, all the kernels of rice fell off and were gathered below. I can't begin to express what hard work this is and to to mention, in the blazing heat. I am always amazed at our friends here and how many days they spend in their gardens digging, planting, weeding and harvesting. They work sooooo hard. They are so strong. And we love it when they let us join hands and learn from them.<p></p></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-17498653446078147032023-11-02T10:25:00.001+03:002023-11-02T10:25:50.270+03:00Prayer Mountain<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tdrB6ZFYvb8fqOGWA137uFxS0-42GpYe3qkns6BBcFyNURewd_Qcksk7ywnLfgn9jRPbfl7TfYuOU5_x6cwcr3v_Q1ljQhYkIVgckm8x2w_VdrSoz2w4r9DlVNJmufGtoNPQSKK8fdchHt8PISfDqasg3LL5D2GvKrDbcz7-jcKoXntPBwSr/s4608/IMG_20231026_172653_078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tdrB6ZFYvb8fqOGWA137uFxS0-42GpYe3qkns6BBcFyNURewd_Qcksk7ywnLfgn9jRPbfl7TfYuOU5_x6cwcr3v_Q1ljQhYkIVgckm8x2w_VdrSoz2w4r9DlVNJmufGtoNPQSKK8fdchHt8PISfDqasg3LL5D2GvKrDbcz7-jcKoXntPBwSr/s320/IMG_20231026_172653_078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Last weekend I got to go on a retreat for women in ministry. It was clear across the country but Eli was gracious to release me and take care of the boys and everything at home. An extra blessing was that I arrived a whole day earlier than the rest of the ladies so I had some quiet and alone time. My main prayer was that I would be able to hear whatever the Lord wanted to tell me.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlLYFPFb3rXLGpZozu2RL_OksLBL1IemqywPZ-MQq6dRKYDnkyWbBKIBFEPH6ew1_vB1wZj1rq389bCrHAUx5A7uJIeInB8sSHjya4vQF4koikZn9LoMifObdiv6Nil7UT9mUZhe-gMjV2hGbH6I45tT9ZJqNoO6hMoWfz_-U0RP98cp2EKey/s4608/IMG_20231026_172850_836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlLYFPFb3rXLGpZozu2RL_OksLBL1IemqywPZ-MQq6dRKYDnkyWbBKIBFEPH6ew1_vB1wZj1rq389bCrHAUx5A7uJIeInB8sSHjya4vQF4koikZn9LoMifObdiv6Nil7UT9mUZhe-gMjV2hGbH6I45tT9ZJqNoO6hMoWfz_-U0RP98cp2EKey/s320/IMG_20231026_172850_836.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The place was beautiful as you can see. I spent the first afternoon walking around, sitting and soaking in the view and praying. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8Q42W77MheKZ1NIe60kFbXCc99geg9Af90tSZ0MtLiV84BaE9DaozXCNNGW2YhVx9JBhNaTGlevJCojsC0fMJp2w5HYOqjPkmDbEweCshnaZT5od6TlwriNrptCD945PsXWshe5c8_bkgxedee3SZC4_LlqzqHNkndC9phaWZdsdaZjHBwYa/s4608/IMG_20231026_180035_853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8Q42W77MheKZ1NIe60kFbXCc99geg9Af90tSZ0MtLiV84BaE9DaozXCNNGW2YhVx9JBhNaTGlevJCojsC0fMJp2w5HYOqjPkmDbEweCshnaZT5od6TlwriNrptCD945PsXWshe5c8_bkgxedee3SZC4_LlqzqHNkndC9phaWZdsdaZjHBwYa/s320/IMG_20231026_180035_853.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BEOt6L7f6imNKiIIcNqgDsSsGkC9h_bWgMBE8vkCfc-wB6ghb_cxu5ORJRtx79-Qi5-JCt2xHvB3V81EXWodUEzUsQWXk5v8b7MBZOTTg6a256rdUncVUfAI8TDW1tjPNEFJgA9HoMjK0uUplIZA04HTL3w9ik2FUhkYpqRzEtLMU_9GL_U-/s3264/IMG_20231026_173039_322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BEOt6L7f6imNKiIIcNqgDsSsGkC9h_bWgMBE8vkCfc-wB6ghb_cxu5ORJRtx79-Qi5-JCt2xHvB3V81EXWodUEzUsQWXk5v8b7MBZOTTg6a256rdUncVUfAI8TDW1tjPNEFJgA9HoMjK0uUplIZA04HTL3w9ik2FUhkYpqRzEtLMU_9GL_U-/s320/IMG_20231026_173039_322.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSDk_jr0dkvhja4HFSFXSoCV9njxJKp16uk6HmJissNAOCXQo0CNITBTcoVJd2w_pxI-CK6Ebwnh4Lu-Pepxu6wUqMpwCnlAocvVzM_FMpFRhzlTK9K4VYcAuxiix3oOvvr4AxysQOyjHgTw4qrp1U1y7PonqcyKTcVM9St5XZ6oyhYARIbD9/s4608/IMG_20231028_193000_944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSDk_jr0dkvhja4HFSFXSoCV9njxJKp16uk6HmJissNAOCXQo0CNITBTcoVJd2w_pxI-CK6Ebwnh4Lu-Pepxu6wUqMpwCnlAocvVzM_FMpFRhzlTK9K4VYcAuxiix3oOvvr4AxysQOyjHgTw4qrp1U1y7PonqcyKTcVM9St5XZ6oyhYARIbD9/s320/IMG_20231028_193000_944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> One night we enjoyed a bonfire and worshipping the Lord who shines light in the darkness.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VjpksPpx8iwaLivtP2ZSTRWQREJ56wx2Xg94H21oqD_ountDyTQvrBoGmelrUTrtNtL_GJWFfPNIHtdEmrbM6u2OIJ0ApNwglyaU3EbP-CD-APmAPzyCT3ATFoSkt7qY6Gf5omn3JjtZft6DFFjME9vcNc79RXQ_z12zjn7ugw4NjOWcVu3w/s2000/flower%20photo%20collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VjpksPpx8iwaLivtP2ZSTRWQREJ56wx2Xg94H21oqD_ountDyTQvrBoGmelrUTrtNtL_GJWFfPNIHtdEmrbM6u2OIJ0ApNwglyaU3EbP-CD-APmAPzyCT3ATFoSkt7qY6Gf5omn3JjtZft6DFFjME9vcNc79RXQ_z12zjn7ugw4NjOWcVu3w/s320/flower%20photo%20collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help but take pictures of all the beautiful flowers!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, did I hear from the Lord? I sure did and His message to me was convicting and comforting at the same time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> #1: I need to sing a new song</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> I realize that since this year began I'd been dreading it knowing that Isaac would graduate and move back to the States for college. Instead of celebrating how far he's come and that he's a capable adult thriving in his new life in America, I dug myself a pit of self pity and have been feeling sorry for myself. Especially with Evan, our 2nd born, also applying for college this year, the "song" on repeat in my mind has been, "Life is hard, I'm sad, I don't want things to change." The Holy Spirit showed me that it's OK to grieve and feel sad but that shouldn't be the narrative constantly setting the mood for each day. I can rejoice and grieve at the same time. And God has been soooo good and I have sooo much to be thankful for. So my first big lesson is that I'm working on shifting my heart "song" to more thankfulness so I can recognize all the beauty in my life and family.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> </span><span> #2: I am enough. God loves me no matter what.</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Over the years that I've been in ministry I have consistently battled lies that I'm not enough. I'm not doing enough. I should be doing more. I'm failing. I can't do it all but I want to do it all. Instead of finding contentment in the beautiful things I've done each day: raising my toddler, homeschooling my kindergartener, mentoring my house helper, and all the other things that God gives me to do each day, I focus on what I didn't do. I didn't call so and so. I should have gone to visit so and so. Another repeated message in my head of what I didn't do and how I fell short that day instead of being content with what I did do (which is usually quite a lot!)</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> I still have some work to do on this one. I need to dig into God's Word to see what He says about this and write them on posters or notecards as reminders to preach truth to myself every day. I know I can't do it all and I'm not meant to. My calling is to do what <b>God</b> wants me to do each day. <br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span>So that was my incredible retreat. I am so grateful for that special time away and I came back so refreshed and recharged. My circumstances and life hasn't changed but I have deeper joy and renewed passion for my season of life.</span></span></span></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-29049269301870169912023-09-04T13:42:00.000+03:002023-09-04T13:42:11.180+03:00Ministering out of my God-given identity<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxLYowMuS1oEumPBL1ZKkUIJrDMKfDFTfU9A0-BGrbGne7zDseVpr3liNfG-y-duAbY0FQu-BFcaa0mR0ZbzLwOXh9oOqjoPGwRX7E0Ko1IkJWubZFQ1SKKgxc8kEmICfps8LCsUdhwY2FlOj_rLjsnzuoNj3uRgm6bHWD2lw8I7CEpWcvux3/s1080/mom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxLYowMuS1oEumPBL1ZKkUIJrDMKfDFTfU9A0-BGrbGne7zDseVpr3liNfG-y-duAbY0FQu-BFcaa0mR0ZbzLwOXh9oOqjoPGwRX7E0Ko1IkJWubZFQ1SKKgxc8kEmICfps8LCsUdhwY2FlOj_rLjsnzuoNj3uRgm6bHWD2lw8I7CEpWcvux3/s320/mom2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mother.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Besides being a daughter of the King, being a Mother is the identity I'm most passionate about. I LOVE being a mom. In fact, when we began filling out paperwork to hopefully adopt a child, we were asked WHY we wanted to adopt. The answer I kept coming back to was: I'm passionate about being a mom and for me, it is the most impactful way to serve the Lord: raising up children in the Love of God.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>I've heard so many women, especially missionary moms, say, "I'm just a mom." Or, "I'm just at home with my kids." How can we belittle that? I'm not trying to be all feministic but truly, when you think of all that a mother, a really good mother does, it truly is a work that only the Holy Spirit can do through us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Waking in the night for feedings, handling stinky and disgusting messes, sacrificing alone time, always thinking of the best ways to feed, discipline and teach our children...the list goes on and on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfXeB7D_jxlzS0SxGSzDP6KdvGERZGwbWBQRHJ-e-PudZRpXsnvLTrDo-9VnkpAqPrha1ZyQBSxXVr-zDv_0W5zVvcqErj1pVsEBR_JZXS-2lCk01SkgZftDpGg-mzMnxTCUVf_g_FU8E3GDv9DAIzaqF_RhYGhxTfyaRt07Z3PiHHCJUbykY/s3264/mom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfXeB7D_jxlzS0SxGSzDP6KdvGERZGwbWBQRHJ-e-PudZRpXsnvLTrDo-9VnkpAqPrha1ZyQBSxXVr-zDv_0W5zVvcqErj1pVsEBR_JZXS-2lCk01SkgZftDpGg-mzMnxTCUVf_g_FU8E3GDv9DAIzaqF_RhYGhxTfyaRt07Z3PiHHCJUbykY/s320/mom3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my "daughters"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>I have been reading a book called Serving Well by Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter and came to the realization that being a "MOM", not only to my own children but to so many others I pour into, truly is my calling. Elizabeth Trotter mentions 1 Thessalonians 2:7 where Paul talks about his ministry and said, "We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children." Paul saw the value of mothering, nurturing, and gentle love and care.</p><p>"This motherly care is not weak. It's not unnecessary or irrelevant or dispensable. It is strength. Resiliency. ESSENTIAL." - Elizabeth Trotter</p><p>For so many years I thought that real ministry is when you have an official program like a Bible study or a class or discipleship group. But in the last 5 years or so I've realized over and over again that the way Jesus ministered on earth was through relationships. Showing love, caring for needs, teaching and correcting, and serving everyone he met. And it's so exciting because that is what God has gifted me with! I LOVE people and "mothering" comes so naturally to me. In our years here in Uganda we seem to take so many youth under our wings. Whether through sponsoring them through school, one on one time in which we counsel and pray with them, or playing with them in our yard along with our other children.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKAw-oqx9kIHdRAMeBldtflxItAJ4RUK1nmu8-XwPJV-rU8sAB8cceIcRZmmrnhrvK1klfrBpPgwEaXhgnv_9gDej0HNw3HPLEsoJsv93c7fi8rvNf0K7dPEjxrRO7de50WMur55aYcJygfiRBRTtP3bPm5I3LtDOI5TXGyv3m258FzImGIT8/s3411/20230214_131236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3411" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKAw-oqx9kIHdRAMeBldtflxItAJ4RUK1nmu8-XwPJV-rU8sAB8cceIcRZmmrnhrvK1klfrBpPgwEaXhgnv_9gDej0HNw3HPLEsoJsv93c7fi8rvNf0K7dPEjxrRO7de50WMur55aYcJygfiRBRTtP3bPm5I3LtDOI5TXGyv3m258FzImGIT8/s320/20230214_131236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson and his best friend Jonathan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Just yesterday we had about 15 kids playing in our yard, some on the trampoline, some cooking pretend food in the playhouse. I heard angry crying and came out to discover 2 four year olds whose fighting over guavas led them to punch each other in the nose! I sat down to talk it out, holding each of their hands in mine. By the end I had them say sorry to each other and hug. All the other children had gathered around at that point and watched the whole thing. When I returned to hanging laundry, I had to smile to myself at that cool teaching moment God had given me.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbCOFII2eIorlSC3EuigVnogjvY0gS3mxxK-lWJGiAq150X-w70nZ_WNiLV-C5gkLdIk4V4bOj0W2jnJEosK_bP18lFXBR0XSNo6SOV0JjB6su54d_A7yDlDQv9Ubq1Ry-7-kWUPjjU8dSPHgm03CfnphXyxErLUB5CzUk5bAENjsWBUrhgmQ/s2919/mom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="1449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbCOFII2eIorlSC3EuigVnogjvY0gS3mxxK-lWJGiAq150X-w70nZ_WNiLV-C5gkLdIk4V4bOj0W2jnJEosK_bP18lFXBR0XSNo6SOV0JjB6su54d_A7yDlDQv9Ubq1Ry-7-kWUPjjU8dSPHgm03CfnphXyxErLUB5CzUk5bAENjsWBUrhgmQ/w199-h400/mom4.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Florence. We are sponsoring her through school so she can follow her dreams of being a women's rights lawyer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;">I hope that you hear my heart and know that I'm not trying to pat myself on the back for all we've done. I wish I could express how life changing this has been to realize that yes, this is my identity. This is who God made me. A woman who loves to mother and care for others. So it's OK, in fact, it's WONDERFUL that I'm using that gift in other peoples' lives. I don't need to belittle it and tell myself I'm not doing enough. Stepping up to care for someone and nurture them through this hard life when they're feeling alone and hopeless can surely change a life around. I've seen it time and time again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsx-H-H8jFbgC1i1j0K2LrpQHbHhvE4bHwJxDL6MdJLlrr1Pp18zdYgqPHEiok9Fay0iiujvrITXPSD9844VullR1DS3hBxxaBBvd2tLT3zDfA235zPMreOG7amB432iob_Pxso965_pioIsVNtBUV_KQ9Yi0mj0iPWGFlEkVr03xgZTKn2CL/s4000/mom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsx-H-H8jFbgC1i1j0K2LrpQHbHhvE4bHwJxDL6MdJLlrr1Pp18zdYgqPHEiok9Fay0iiujvrITXPSD9844VullR1DS3hBxxaBBvd2tLT3zDfA235zPMreOG7amB432iob_Pxso965_pioIsVNtBUV_KQ9Yi0mj0iPWGFlEkVr03xgZTKn2CL/s320/mom5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Godfrey is another "son" we have sponsored through school. In this photo we took sodas and birthday cake to his boarding school to celebrate his birthday.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p>Those of us who have children know that from the time we find out we're pregnant, we have to eat and care for our bodies for the sake of those little babies growing inside of us. And then when they're born we have to continue to eat well, drink enough, and get enough sleep in order to keep up our milk supply to nourish our babies. The final point the author of Serving Well made is that in order for us to serve and love others, we need to make sure getting our spiritual nourishment. Time spent alone with God, in prayer and in His Word is so critical to serve and give of ourselves.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf8yIp0J-rR34vbH1p9znHgVrTV_e8a6B31DMBeK0aYd5NO52eR5zz7CBzoEd0VjVML_yfVuFB4qNiHAkoqfYGvjZT7ZVIhGHK7cKUddcsMhEwBSJ9lxXTvII24VYvt92ylnatH3fZsxsYptKgIWJmPAbp3mPj1M2zBm9wduYnvssP3aZnV3s/s4032/MOm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf8yIp0J-rR34vbH1p9znHgVrTV_e8a6B31DMBeK0aYd5NO52eR5zz7CBzoEd0VjVML_yfVuFB4qNiHAkoqfYGvjZT7ZVIhGHK7cKUddcsMhEwBSJ9lxXTvII24VYvt92ylnatH3fZsxsYptKgIWJmPAbp3mPj1M2zBm9wduYnvssP3aZnV3s/s320/MOm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Just today I was holding our neighbor's baby boy, who was diaperless of course and when he peed on me his mother was horrified and embarrassed. I quickly waved at her and said, "Don't worry my dear. I'm a mother. I'm used to this."<p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-29543548724816297592023-08-28T15:07:00.000+03:002023-08-28T15:07:53.307+03:00Summer Catch up<p>With September right around the corner, I am finally carving out some time to sit and update all you wonderful readers about our summer. It's always so helpful and healing to sit and process what beautiful ups and downs these last months have held.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhxgJIVb_cEFJo9gNNIqMjCzViG8sCMDkx5nY2GuOMy4K3tXBUt3QlZlVjjCytMYam7UjdPJFWb3J73eb_aVfXkHPPGJrN6dF_VzZAXv4jN2nAs6mvteaiWH5bCFGmUKS5A1nywXyDAz9Z-dOS5hD4W9Ftc-fOqdUf3at4eheDKtCynq6e3ca/s4000/20230605_100431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhxgJIVb_cEFJo9gNNIqMjCzViG8sCMDkx5nY2GuOMy4K3tXBUt3QlZlVjjCytMYam7UjdPJFWb3J73eb_aVfXkHPPGJrN6dF_VzZAXv4jN2nAs6mvteaiWH5bCFGmUKS5A1nywXyDAz9Z-dOS5hD4W9Ftc-fOqdUf3at4eheDKtCynq6e3ca/s320/20230605_100431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>In June, amidst ministry and the beginning of rainy season, we got to travel to Kenya to see the big boys for their midterm break. The week was full of rugby games, lots of EATING and getting to know the boys' friends and life at school.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXVOYIxwPYt8v2EHUTbKztVaOjEHBoJ49LIgByBCzuuDgjE_GwHd2q2rrLW_W6LnoeywNdit0zNJNqXbu1ubh7MCHShwtIno3phbi4h2fgaml8duX34N-6Ju67DUB7GKXoOS_DQoarhpue3oXbGHyy1WtsFu7R4qZirMF6vPBjcV4IEzN63UO/s4000/20230612_100747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXVOYIxwPYt8v2EHUTbKztVaOjEHBoJ49LIgByBCzuuDgjE_GwHd2q2rrLW_W6LnoeywNdit0zNJNqXbu1ubh7MCHShwtIno3phbi4h2fgaml8duX34N-6Ju67DUB7GKXoOS_DQoarhpue3oXbGHyy1WtsFu7R4qZirMF6vPBjcV4IEzN63UO/s320/20230612_100747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>With more rain in June, digging/gardening/weeding season begins in our part of the country. We count it such a privilege and joy to come alongside our friends and help them in their gardens. They think we're a hoot, trying to work like they can, but it's meant such bonding times.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJY9MTslRWXyVCLOdu9YiW1EJd24vvW42of3xuyARSkcOGlKGE8VJEgpSBbR80lnaArR5bKmmMLHOhg_d8LyPb-d6qFb4bm-8KcTVkiOLCfznxzWKLbkc7zeQcNsRgPZ0QRe9kAUn5mlGl6V86Pp9KmxNsPwsPFzzy4HOt-ZIlP4_PlNTQbDJ/s4000/20230622_083121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJY9MTslRWXyVCLOdu9YiW1EJd24vvW42of3xuyARSkcOGlKGE8VJEgpSBbR80lnaArR5bKmmMLHOhg_d8LyPb-d6qFb4bm-8KcTVkiOLCfznxzWKLbkc7zeQcNsRgPZ0QRe9kAUn5mlGl6V86Pp9KmxNsPwsPFzzy4HOt-ZIlP4_PlNTQbDJ/s320/20230622_083121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We've also spent time in our church garden plot with other church members digging and planting. This year we are growing maize and rice.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8MWGQs5TLsxupYDZD03aS5DXyn_DSEKX9ZeGgLPQK1wDbvuEhs93U-LPEYTXLl6temQRUHJYaGxL0k_YNcpM1VkSDfv_1Hxe_hyPdzK_j_xwvmADQOTd4kNRAvq7CurCJKXt3Y3XLTNY7xx3X5TQ8VbPuFAxFT_tR44GAKh1Id4S6AtoyQyJ/s4000/20230622_083132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8MWGQs5TLsxupYDZD03aS5DXyn_DSEKX9ZeGgLPQK1wDbvuEhs93U-LPEYTXLl6temQRUHJYaGxL0k_YNcpM1VkSDfv_1Hxe_hyPdzK_j_xwvmADQOTd4kNRAvq7CurCJKXt3Y3XLTNY7xx3X5TQ8VbPuFAxFT_tR44GAKh1Id4S6AtoyQyJ/s320/20230622_083132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Eli and I celebrated our 21st anniversary digging for most of the day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU3fF0nlxyLVIikkFDgdoTv0FeOT6vPFR25hkBcCZ8wxBhUNeH336jY8Xt-AYOBdrtNpMqmnuRtzKM8Hiu_HzAqv1BK040iUwcwBKIi-zr85CcJeK5KNFHMPjYdDSc7hId4CtLYJq8-8FktbT8gZ5XDGxbPTw6KyWoLJgcNrNmAGgjTGC9tCH/s4000/20230622_083209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU3fF0nlxyLVIikkFDgdoTv0FeOT6vPFR25hkBcCZ8wxBhUNeH336jY8Xt-AYOBdrtNpMqmnuRtzKM8Hiu_HzAqv1BK040iUwcwBKIi-zr85CcJeK5KNFHMPjYdDSc7hId4CtLYJq8-8FktbT8gZ5XDGxbPTw6KyWoLJgcNrNmAGgjTGC9tCH/s320/20230622_083209.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Battermann family (SIM missionaries also sent from our home church in SC) have been long time friends and their son Landon came to spend 2 months in ministry with us in Adjumani. He was such a joy and jumped into anything we asked him to. Our community loved him.<p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07U2J-aXmxiQfag5YkHCFKN-Ka7QRRlSc5kcKJ2SPTXGZBUIZc-3FHTJ21ATrNumGOYNJOC0iirtZZbXRhq4nu_rXYySs07KRlCtdahPpDJzwVB2ox91EuDNYAhGZmB59SUn9PP0m9H_S0vmG6Br5unuQ_3stFp3IpCyVYGwbss1YZT3y5VYP/s4000/20230622_103245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07U2J-aXmxiQfag5YkHCFKN-Ka7QRRlSc5kcKJ2SPTXGZBUIZc-3FHTJ21ATrNumGOYNJOC0iirtZZbXRhq4nu_rXYySs07KRlCtdahPpDJzwVB2ox91EuDNYAhGZmB59SUn9PP0m9H_S0vmG6Br5unuQ_3stFp3IpCyVYGwbss1YZT3y5VYP/s320/20230622_103245.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic breakfast at the garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5ruPncgYBEWk2kzWZQl3VwtNd3ghyKaQzgRBbKCtmyredLrugM5zG15GCChmmrc6RtjpTEUBrcjvUETBh7ISsjARKQdkmvAWF412JzFHRLuv6QKo4IVr_lLtAAABZWFmVCVlkMkfUNbLQjwECTb6T_KCZZgC_yrGkSZ3dohrCj-iULz6aUQX/s4000/20230622_104425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5ruPncgYBEWk2kzWZQl3VwtNd3ghyKaQzgRBbKCtmyredLrugM5zG15GCChmmrc6RtjpTEUBrcjvUETBh7ISsjARKQdkmvAWF412JzFHRLuv6QKo4IVr_lLtAAABZWFmVCVlkMkfUNbLQjwECTb6T_KCZZgC_yrGkSZ3dohrCj-iULz6aUQX/s320/20230622_104425.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m9d1fjFm1hCLpllqnn7gQFc2udBQSG_AwnP_oCuSpmlqt84LRlniqkUgJdhqgyoMx_A6lmkry04fjdBVtoCQYgHlV1SaX1ttrfLjhZOdMO1mGb8BTc6A4gpY8DRREDd_dFV1yux0e7eoxWT0a6BMMR3MRR-LIJIgmRY1B4wBeufzeQMv9yB9/s4000/20230620_130120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m9d1fjFm1hCLpllqnn7gQFc2udBQSG_AwnP_oCuSpmlqt84LRlniqkUgJdhqgyoMx_A6lmkry04fjdBVtoCQYgHlV1SaX1ttrfLjhZOdMO1mGb8BTc6A4gpY8DRREDd_dFV1yux0e7eoxWT0a6BMMR3MRR-LIJIgmRY1B4wBeufzeQMv9yB9/s320/20230620_130120.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson and Judah continue to love life in Adjumani with their little friends</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iAc34DoGaev8tmN20TOWjF89Im9Wu9LHEK-y1i27r9ejWpWwW8SzYGFH0y2h5FaQVcfGjcjFxiyR9H-aBaPSrwvtdu9OzMKHhGTOpksCwp9JGpxSRYkahEKEbfAyM1J_0hDEONJeHdWbGJBWH_mgJUHUM_kfpgncyXJ8NDG8ehlXJwhnN3rb/s2218/20230704_170920~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="2218" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iAc34DoGaev8tmN20TOWjF89Im9Wu9LHEK-y1i27r9ejWpWwW8SzYGFH0y2h5FaQVcfGjcjFxiyR9H-aBaPSrwvtdu9OzMKHhGTOpksCwp9JGpxSRYkahEKEbfAyM1J_0hDEONJeHdWbGJBWH_mgJUHUM_kfpgncyXJ8NDG8ehlXJwhnN3rb/s320/20230704_170920~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Another ongoing ministry of ours is mentoring and loving on the young people we sponsor through school. Above I'm pictured with Godfrey who about to complete secondary 4. We also have several young ladies working hard to get through upper secondary school and hoping to go on to University.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFLk_fLAA0Yw04iW4I92K1INTOWQ_RQecagi3APZonL0-dhoice0HO2OPDVN26I7mrG3gaoWPpFetu_RzxR-AL6B9muIaQQ0hW5-ejWwxx26NfyJOebYBS2LGc26g7vh1wKRuuH8Air6UcvOdbFsJnWqjgcbHE3a3TclYixZ6AY4TDXGJ7cFN/s4000/20230708_171127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFLk_fLAA0Yw04iW4I92K1INTOWQ_RQecagi3APZonL0-dhoice0HO2OPDVN26I7mrG3gaoWPpFetu_RzxR-AL6B9muIaQQ0hW5-ejWwxx26NfyJOebYBS2LGc26g7vh1wKRuuH8Air6UcvOdbFsJnWqjgcbHE3a3TclYixZ6AY4TDXGJ7cFN/s320/20230708_171127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The month of July was jampacked with more fun and excitement than I can remember in a LONG time! I think I'm still recovering from it all! We traveled by night bus to Kenya (broke down at 2 am in the middle of nowhere in Kenya and our trip stretched to a 20 hour drive.) The days leading up to Isaac and our niece Anna's graduation were full of sports events and other activities where RVA alumni and students competed against each other. One of our favorites was the rugby game when Eli and Jason (Eli's brother) played against our three: Isaac, Evan and Joshua. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoraGI5O-_AawxORBDvwiJCZi2GQ9oelObe6cShzvhkOXp96zCZs9gbC1DM9CBSkXICK62FF4djl34H81GrweWUqJgxJwAhRVVkaJMKOWcfCV9VXZSHk0mp2Jb6TbRGViQW-BpVPSd2Y080fWmBEyk5h9Eai3Kg8VA1qXw-Gt9uFRFUIxmgY8/s4000/20230710_174803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoraGI5O-_AawxORBDvwiJCZi2GQ9oelObe6cShzvhkOXp96zCZs9gbC1DM9CBSkXICK62FF4djl34H81GrweWUqJgxJwAhRVVkaJMKOWcfCV9VXZSHk0mp2Jb6TbRGViQW-BpVPSd2Y080fWmBEyk5h9Eai3Kg8VA1qXw-Gt9uFRFUIxmgY8/w320-h240/20230710_174803.jpg" title="Isaac and his girlfriend Leah" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac and Leah after a dusty bike ride</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>We were also thankful for time to get to know some of the boys' friends including their girlfriends.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YP3ykV4BpSsmKKfUOgtbTDui5nreiU5YX2dFz3DNwFQypvIx7NbJb5itdld6rP8HDws1W8JSxABQURkLXUhxl8w_kaMSinqfdi_77k4wiUmGuCntZHNT4HqP0w1bC7qrg7F-tXNa1SxeC-6RFIIc9zHxUhsFkPMEKtfI9vEaLVlpnPVqi1tX/s1195/B%20singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1195" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YP3ykV4BpSsmKKfUOgtbTDui5nreiU5YX2dFz3DNwFQypvIx7NbJb5itdld6rP8HDws1W8JSxABQURkLXUhxl8w_kaMSinqfdi_77k4wiUmGuCntZHNT4HqP0w1bC7qrg7F-tXNa1SxeC-6RFIIc9zHxUhsFkPMEKtfI9vEaLVlpnPVqi1tX/s320/B%20singing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I got to participate in an alumni choir and we sang a special song the Sunday before grad. I even sang a solo!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TRbeXrcGnQ8sJkZsoYwizClfZje6ZXn8H0nBC0dPU-7zEV-KCeofT4slHqEBRdydOt8ursnTixsw5HN4cXPYr9u8Y38T2E5YpxdDhVVCfChLr6tyo87H4LwsfRFbkeY5nhdE7pHwJRf6JHY9FX-OIqktI_jkrBduxLE0oBRi9UEHt8Ht7oQu/s1000/IMG-20230713-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TRbeXrcGnQ8sJkZsoYwizClfZje6ZXn8H0nBC0dPU-7zEV-KCeofT4slHqEBRdydOt8ursnTixsw5HN4cXPYr9u8Y38T2E5YpxdDhVVCfChLr6tyo87H4LwsfRFbkeY5nhdE7pHwJRf6JHY9FX-OIqktI_jkrBduxLE0oBRi9UEHt8Ht7oQu/s320/IMG-20230713-WA0006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Graduation was absolutely just what it should be. Lots of photos, hugs, smiles, even some tears. What made this day extra special was that my parents plus ALL of Eli's siblings and parents came to celebrate with us. 2 Fader kids were graduating so it was an excuse for a "Reunion to Remember."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCwfe2pG-oDSgPiIr_hihb4KnLDGAhkgyOGWOaaERPma-8T0YdJl27LSvBH-v1OkmeyWwl5fix6Jaq0nIVipV9d5B2_uYNrNI27CwgNjxOlhc7oLrDtCO47fuXyY0iLGE2Afp0aoPh-LD7SiO4KxcLWbMaTZ_eS3m9w6S2iIAQw-6f_yCiIur/s1080/IMG-20230711-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1080" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCwfe2pG-oDSgPiIr_hihb4KnLDGAhkgyOGWOaaERPma-8T0YdJl27LSvBH-v1OkmeyWwl5fix6Jaq0nIVipV9d5B2_uYNrNI27CwgNjxOlhc7oLrDtCO47fuXyY0iLGE2Afp0aoPh-LD7SiO4KxcLWbMaTZ_eS3m9w6S2iIAQw-6f_yCiIur/s320/IMG-20230711-WA0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNGrX6ZwJJDw3pf_zPJsmAF-6OejfPfeEvVrLyWNVxj1_zDPPgC1iRkmvfhd3cf63HzzTR8PtiMsaBKEL1EKwAvpAjWwyc6JEL1-hyXPxE75f1QaED3S7qKZByn83vCKNm9VjzzZiCezA0W5lt-458cbR_KLeLVBDUmxGLUAX60Bk4uAb-zo9/s1000/IMG-20230713-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNGrX6ZwJJDw3pf_zPJsmAF-6OejfPfeEvVrLyWNVxj1_zDPPgC1iRkmvfhd3cf63HzzTR8PtiMsaBKEL1EKwAvpAjWwyc6JEL1-hyXPxE75f1QaED3S7qKZByn83vCKNm9VjzzZiCezA0W5lt-458cbR_KLeLVBDUmxGLUAX60Bk4uAb-zo9/s320/IMG-20230713-WA0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oRBd5aE-4Dp0mn_fUAUUWN1pbWm5fpn89AkwoMfKTZdfjnx4jb4hT2FAHI6EHOfGTs3XJy3m3wYOv5MKqj2ZYSPUotkq-LcrvT8BiEUDU79G5Qywmke0S7qxoc9vaWRSVJ0i0QZp1KWIqYNbhvkdObKDqEZe6cCoETHye4QYcugd8v-31qgx/s1000/IMG-20230713-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oRBd5aE-4Dp0mn_fUAUUWN1pbWm5fpn89AkwoMfKTZdfjnx4jb4hT2FAHI6EHOfGTs3XJy3m3wYOv5MKqj2ZYSPUotkq-LcrvT8BiEUDU79G5Qywmke0S7qxoc9vaWRSVJ0i0QZp1KWIqYNbhvkdObKDqEZe6cCoETHye4QYcugd8v-31qgx/s320/IMG-20230713-WA0009.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cousins</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2stvrcaf4wKVpcatqKA6IMmqsma85o19qbk0McIUT1QfJigPo2MsdR1O2peTr4QtpIVZGrDqc_9VSgQTbnKgq89NduWSzeajMR2qzmBVjAqpCbthMbMU-Rciq3YJu-Dc-3hF2_F8ObFZrRmKy5HlN45c0_OyJdNCMckX9OFBn9_P3sGlSKjho/s1000/IMG-20230713-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2stvrcaf4wKVpcatqKA6IMmqsma85o19qbk0McIUT1QfJigPo2MsdR1O2peTr4QtpIVZGrDqc_9VSgQTbnKgq89NduWSzeajMR2qzmBVjAqpCbthMbMU-Rciq3YJu-Dc-3hF2_F8ObFZrRmKy5HlN45c0_OyJdNCMckX9OFBn9_P3sGlSKjho/s320/IMG-20230713-WA0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud we could burst!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day after graduation the whole Fader Clan traveled to the Kenyan coast to enjoy a week together at the beach. The weather was perfect for swimming, snorkeling, eating, playing cards, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LcI8PkqSkkC5rmpzfcHfltCgvOBM0eZIA5qGKBMpj3sL71kDG9nzpLUyN_MJHOxM9ER-PWp4tPoZfGeT06f2xkwzYdbjPov-lAZH78vfymbllJ7RtOgmD9fSQ5_spx9vzKiipxLaApzhmH4n_QCLB1DkGMU5ipmBcUI5JrSavJofC-mmHmL3/s1000/IMG-20230714-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LcI8PkqSkkC5rmpzfcHfltCgvOBM0eZIA5qGKBMpj3sL71kDG9nzpLUyN_MJHOxM9ER-PWp4tPoZfGeT06f2xkwzYdbjPov-lAZH78vfymbllJ7RtOgmD9fSQ5_spx9vzKiipxLaApzhmH4n_QCLB1DkGMU5ipmBcUI5JrSavJofC-mmHmL3/s320/IMG-20230714-WA0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson and his cousin buddies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuic7qR-eeshwq-PFEhdMl40EvA_jozrLBKdGDJx9ncTbNHJpYHjEwlbgXK_tukP27iInRRWC1hluGHYlwZ-qanE3d20MglshylNMUs46OiwoPJOrdDAb4WpacVskys9uj8_CDU3yEk4o-QCUFYq_rg9ouJ2oDlnPCssOPp31kjvt0y5ZPsF59/s1024/IMG-20230716-WA0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuic7qR-eeshwq-PFEhdMl40EvA_jozrLBKdGDJx9ncTbNHJpYHjEwlbgXK_tukP27iInRRWC1hluGHYlwZ-qanE3d20MglshylNMUs46OiwoPJOrdDAb4WpacVskys9uj8_CDU3yEk4o-QCUFYq_rg9ouJ2oDlnPCssOPp31kjvt0y5ZPsF59/s320/IMG-20230716-WA0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole gang</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDOEM5pTsZD41uxfokLOU-WaNq63WIlC1E3hvV6K8yNXlQMRmbZ5INrDMSLq9AxdpYohCe_Ao9PtNI1LfCroNKPsNyPwavfzuiNapHcEWRJp7qPkouMQPiGe_6CV-7vgAawFe75_ZvGlkPubYQJEZeqPtAIKzBqGyy9H86pkR1L-NFWsi5Na5/s2016/IMG-20230718-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDOEM5pTsZD41uxfokLOU-WaNq63WIlC1E3hvV6K8yNXlQMRmbZ5INrDMSLq9AxdpYohCe_Ao9PtNI1LfCroNKPsNyPwavfzuiNapHcEWRJp7qPkouMQPiGe_6CV-7vgAawFe75_ZvGlkPubYQJEZeqPtAIKzBqGyy9H86pkR1L-NFWsi5Na5/s320/IMG-20230718-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fader ladies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBWE-xl8_W1cZibU0oKYn6YwQEnapiId7qmy7Qfxh8LuuF2fApvJc00sQGB0ypT4k-Blbdvpu6_qpJHeCqpXVeT7uSz8jVB8jfhnNhRw25Qr2BlM13xeciKBr0Mz8oMZbkAlLeVyp1h673YcvNX2FDwtKdeV2E6PT25kkKTEhSmOVT_hYVgrJ/s2048/IMG-20230718-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="2048" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBWE-xl8_W1cZibU0oKYn6YwQEnapiId7qmy7Qfxh8LuuF2fApvJc00sQGB0ypT4k-Blbdvpu6_qpJHeCqpXVeT7uSz8jVB8jfhnNhRw25Qr2BlM13xeciKBr0Mz8oMZbkAlLeVyp1h673YcvNX2FDwtKdeV2E6PT25kkKTEhSmOVT_hYVgrJ/s320/IMG-20230718-WA0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat trip to go snorkeling</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIwimp9ZCD6QdY3V-OiYqxe8VQ1gNGqv85M373CCRC7H9BKpqhthfaCl8WfcA5e2nfrq-fMrbnKK2IFX1nN9iaRKi4IK_1POnh-P4QyL45Pu1uJckprWbhQVDm4DlF3RZOwBXuvVEdk0pSw_m_ph1I3DtJNF-JbqyooQoL-5vgVcS_t4HcH_a/s1024/IMG-20230719-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIwimp9ZCD6QdY3V-OiYqxe8VQ1gNGqv85M373CCRC7H9BKpqhthfaCl8WfcA5e2nfrq-fMrbnKK2IFX1nN9iaRKi4IK_1POnh-P4QyL45Pu1uJckprWbhQVDm4DlF3RZOwBXuvVEdk0pSw_m_ph1I3DtJNF-JbqyooQoL-5vgVcS_t4HcH_a/s320/IMG-20230719-WA0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCegzmDZlRsmpPZBRa48GK6YMPp4JE9g61loPao5vTrWSdxbiZhzcDcmX9toed-gU4IVj39GTzapUeELK2uWWVTvsQrIxqaqrdcfyuAtgiC2anwBvIvuASwc-OVpYH6VKhYhGZPKiOgFSK9g4FFuGInGG-qTIjM3vcfeBgyDP8zDuYd1iRK5Z5/s1024/IMG-20230719-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCegzmDZlRsmpPZBRa48GK6YMPp4JE9g61loPao5vTrWSdxbiZhzcDcmX9toed-gU4IVj39GTzapUeELK2uWWVTvsQrIxqaqrdcfyuAtgiC2anwBvIvuASwc-OVpYH6VKhYhGZPKiOgFSK9g4FFuGInGG-qTIjM3vcfeBgyDP8zDuYd1iRK5Z5/s320/IMG-20230719-WA0016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> </div><div>After a blissful week at the beach together, Eli and the other four boys headed home to Uganda while Isaac and I flew to the States, landing in Washington state, to get him ready to start university. As I've mentioned many times, Isaac has begun the Moody Aviation missionary pilot training program in Spokane, WA. It's a new area for him but we are so thankful to have good family friends who have "adopted" him into their home and are keeping an eye on him.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIQGXuCe2AjSgPFR_ye4a_aCt1-OjbSQslsxy_ZQi9m0lUDaXTDbiue6SPYVMzk0zWJsVdEvgn3e9KiGeJ6ykDc5ZJuVQ8AoKjEFPONrNMFBCW59yL8fhzcAgOxBJqsbvpgyrHh1vnNS1gfws3_uSC9Cc0vOTyZOcOpjaFXz5cBLIPAG1jMSv/s1080/IMG-20230724-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIQGXuCe2AjSgPFR_ye4a_aCt1-OjbSQslsxy_ZQi9m0lUDaXTDbiue6SPYVMzk0zWJsVdEvgn3e9KiGeJ6ykDc5ZJuVQ8AoKjEFPONrNMFBCW59yL8fhzcAgOxBJqsbvpgyrHh1vnNS1gfws3_uSC9Cc0vOTyZOcOpjaFXz5cBLIPAG1jMSv/s320/IMG-20230724-WA0001.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>We had quite the list of things to do to get him set up for life in America. One of them was buying a bicycle for him to get around town. We also opened up a personal bank account, shopped for new clothes, set him up with a US phone number, etc. These 10 days with my boy were some of the most precious I will treasure forever.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhX4FKQ435zOh19V973Oay-B3OvQ2IHqXF0fkQx2Tgr8SRWtpIznwviwjjdHsMvzoZS-Wpobzi-jrYyx-jsVckgQ5Tbe3X9DlgGWWPeB19ontKSV4byczimDVZ3QNiaaf9804yG9byshQGS_Uax_I9yTWi7GWSa9DQXT18mTd3b2sSRhAYiyHY/s1000/IMG-20230725-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhX4FKQ435zOh19V973Oay-B3OvQ2IHqXF0fkQx2Tgr8SRWtpIznwviwjjdHsMvzoZS-Wpobzi-jrYyx-jsVckgQ5Tbe3X9DlgGWWPeB19ontKSV4byczimDVZ3QNiaaf9804yG9byshQGS_Uax_I9yTWi7GWSa9DQXT18mTd3b2sSRhAYiyHY/s320/IMG-20230725-WA0003.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we treated ourselves to the yummy things we'd missed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i4iP6yyEJc3DIIiAGbwmv0Pd9F7OxgIRergggAGYncI2zULSws6i5WFIQFJJDTKM5IFO5d8SMkH4zK4VD4SYznE3JZ5U0tT2XsGzsl92-l-jAR4wflqIx_ouZdObPLJPuFiw6Zhcgc-QHDY42Ggi6z4xYdbPZOEVazO76n68VHqpYq2TWHlr/s1080/IMG-20230727-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i4iP6yyEJc3DIIiAGbwmv0Pd9F7OxgIRergggAGYncI2zULSws6i5WFIQFJJDTKM5IFO5d8SMkH4zK4VD4SYznE3JZ5U0tT2XsGzsl92-l-jAR4wflqIx_ouZdObPLJPuFiw6Zhcgc-QHDY42Ggi6z4xYdbPZOEVazO76n68VHqpYq2TWHlr/s320/IMG-20230727-WA0010.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Before I flew out to return to Uganda I got to help Isaac move into his house that he shares with 6 other Moody students and attended new student orientation with a full tour of the campus/hangars/airfield.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchPoPSQmRsdx1GmWrEJ94-2W4REOqKpC1N2_Wt95s1a8opYoC1s4w9c3-DjEAQZqRJwz-hUXVuwi3OiSSyyT_lDC-vahoIM8tcTuYkPVZMdjBUkZPWVrEYD161AX7jh9sGWWAEn-qmzvhxGH5d2rM3lQAuMXAzb9z9ExQKa0gjRJgFHz95DAJ/s1000/IMG-20230728-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchPoPSQmRsdx1GmWrEJ94-2W4REOqKpC1N2_Wt95s1a8opYoC1s4w9c3-DjEAQZqRJwz-hUXVuwi3OiSSyyT_lDC-vahoIM8tcTuYkPVZMdjBUkZPWVrEYD161AX7jh9sGWWAEn-qmzvhxGH5d2rM3lQAuMXAzb9z9ExQKa0gjRJgFHz95DAJ/s320/IMG-20230728-WA0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving Day</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewgv4C9YkyD91pGCxR5K9EyTmUsxI_GAacx5Mt4VNs5piy_QOjEIo4WY68ABPThDWZUg7zBXguNpWwgShLYXSQwp_NB3MDr9K5VQ0ymIQygOtzfkSz59UuG9CxAWo2s_ukt63rvbF-mlydVDm0zDLKUDWccrrXrMRXm7eenXNcjWLkcW1XAVy/s1000/IMG-20230728-WA0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewgv4C9YkyD91pGCxR5K9EyTmUsxI_GAacx5Mt4VNs5piy_QOjEIo4WY68ABPThDWZUg7zBXguNpWwgShLYXSQwp_NB3MDr9K5VQ0ymIQygOtzfkSz59UuG9CxAWo2s_ukt63rvbF-mlydVDm0zDLKUDWccrrXrMRXm7eenXNcjWLkcW1XAVy/s320/IMG-20230728-WA0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac's home for this year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8nSqO-WNiSFVen3cZJ_YiamuDDNLqRxIdw0574rNpH3d4Qu7fzjlXgVji7hINgIfPE2Gqcx1L4w5zQ237JNXk2eR03PBX345zr3i1oottChyuMc8SCUIlcP6GyVRW9ddNMnKNYuoLkhjoBOieSn1MXm_y8y0X-fj9KxHFBt8_nX47hfZBLKe/s1000/IMG-20230730-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8nSqO-WNiSFVen3cZJ_YiamuDDNLqRxIdw0574rNpH3d4Qu7fzjlXgVji7hINgIfPE2Gqcx1L4w5zQ237JNXk2eR03PBX345zr3i1oottChyuMc8SCUIlcP6GyVRW9ddNMnKNYuoLkhjoBOieSn1MXm_y8y0X-fj9KxHFBt8_nX47hfZBLKe/s320/IMG-20230730-WA0003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Spokane is a really beautiful place with plenty of trails to explore and hike, rivers to swim, and mountains to climb. This place has proven to be an ideal fit for Isaac and hearing how he's thriving and already enjoying his first month of school so far, makes the distance not feel so bad.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEMuzi-aCAMEzCdfQV947_DJWfzm9elABbNQ7XhsMeOs8O4PCWPaU9QgkUE1yjX6NZZhbY5MbpSDmx1xgrtekG4OMJNTbnL7mjJ0vXhtefhFvwQpoabUAjI3AiRbzzmWUKyY-_Ww-Hy-dhSaKyj2OtsQ-hMLvxdT0W-klknq-lh5-vizOLE0o/s3329/20230808_171850~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3329" data-original-width="2234" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEMuzi-aCAMEzCdfQV947_DJWfzm9elABbNQ7XhsMeOs8O4PCWPaU9QgkUE1yjX6NZZhbY5MbpSDmx1xgrtekG4OMJNTbnL7mjJ0vXhtefhFvwQpoabUAjI3AiRbzzmWUKyY-_Ww-Hy-dhSaKyj2OtsQ-hMLvxdT0W-klknq-lh5-vizOLE0o/s320/20230808_171850~3.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day I got home after being away for 2.5 weeks!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lxL2XfmHIKjFa-2gqGVVJeLK1Z2CdQiFOLULz_HmtY87Cd7PUfqejrZKVeJfShrqO7GyF8HKVF1OPSloqmIGhVkhIFVTZY4WVxVLDWFi09GhStPrB_8l-g4YzVxR8NThu2EfjzfSQMELLzPYj6vYdcjX94gJ7cFH0t8LKtYj6QWDFoO2LYpw/s4000/20230810_085508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lxL2XfmHIKjFa-2gqGVVJeLK1Z2CdQiFOLULz_HmtY87Cd7PUfqejrZKVeJfShrqO7GyF8HKVF1OPSloqmIGhVkhIFVTZY4WVxVLDWFi09GhStPrB_8l-g4YzVxR8NThu2EfjzfSQMELLzPYj6vYdcjX94gJ7cFH0t8LKtYj6QWDFoO2LYpw/s320/20230810_085508.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli prouding wearing his Moody Aviation shirt - a gift I brought back for him.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I got home with only 2 and a half weeks left of Evan and Josh's summer break at home so our days were packed. I cooked up a storm and we worked hard in the day (projects around the house and at the church compound next door) and played hard at night (games or movies.)</div><div>One of Evan's best friends from school, Aidan, who lives in Kenya, came to spend those last weeks with us in Adjumani and he loved it. We gave him lots of first experiences - a great intro to village life.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_yAmjzZKcpTNP6M4va4R9Yl2wjfheigX648BT53ERkqP-4zFVK2yptC0rX-tQkMAoYnkFOvlc_8OIw0pcYNl3pm109OtW8ZrVZuujInF4UfcmvuekMnXZAUKsLd7QNdt9iD56pyMgjyN0gtPgbVvrJs-hPDJ57RYdl3pmbfuBJ7z2JjRg-P2/s4000/20230810_101325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_yAmjzZKcpTNP6M4va4R9Yl2wjfheigX648BT53ERkqP-4zFVK2yptC0rX-tQkMAoYnkFOvlc_8OIw0pcYNl3pm109OtW8ZrVZuujInF4UfcmvuekMnXZAUKsLd7QNdt9iD56pyMgjyN0gtPgbVvrJs-hPDJ57RYdl3pmbfuBJ7z2JjRg-P2/s320/20230810_101325.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day: Butcher 3 chickens, clean and put in deep freezer. Check.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5916XWwZ17CRLo7o_5g37thehdyl7uDH8yr9UsdIDNYLD7cHpcuJsrh9uO8S36IbrqtWZCwrmyU6gpq-HcSfO7kZDsXZdijNq_WyYsLWPrUYGLdfjBEIhw7tTy0A8sbdDi2Rak3CFnGu4IjbI1x35hMcu8P44vqSDGBhv0gpRjs7s1H160z9/s4000/20230811_144601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5916XWwZ17CRLo7o_5g37thehdyl7uDH8yr9UsdIDNYLD7cHpcuJsrh9uO8S36IbrqtWZCwrmyU6gpq-HcSfO7kZDsXZdijNq_WyYsLWPrUYGLdfjBEIhw7tTy0A8sbdDi2Rak3CFnGu4IjbI1x35hMcu8P44vqSDGBhv0gpRjs7s1H160z9/s320/20230811_144601.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As always, motorbike rides every day: to Mt. Otce, to the river, to hot springs, and to the caves (all local places our boys have found by exploring.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tVlBHPFJBm3_uAznqwE4bj0Oc-PR8BAmBV2sc8IwADKVe9dsDpaINXolbwtAGMTvmZ8ySrykCA3DUHBdE5q4UI3VGuSAgZgFKmaiahUdg8EHq3S6rasQkYU1IRpLV9PzfyyTTMilf5sI7h5wq0S0ogOjEDTlLCUMmsTrRQdN9FqzbN88eLPL/s4000/20230811_174617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tVlBHPFJBm3_uAznqwE4bj0Oc-PR8BAmBV2sc8IwADKVe9dsDpaINXolbwtAGMTvmZ8ySrykCA3DUHBdE5q4UI3VGuSAgZgFKmaiahUdg8EHq3S6rasQkYU1IRpLV9PzfyyTTMilf5sI7h5wq0S0ogOjEDTlLCUMmsTrRQdN9FqzbN88eLPL/s320/20230811_174617.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Card games with neighbor kids</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk1Ke-AgwC8i8i7hldi3sQPh7O_H5UpR87iWzcZ0O1Wvasp3l6iqt9pELk2r_PY0sbYbQjcTFmcN9JRK2cA_VTFG3qq3Zr5TLbavw_ihlXhdrfFOc7HDguUN5I0LMRsarYLAoavirxuNONcf_H_Y9tj9CfEwCH9xZiXuySFkjJW47_e-Bxwlt/s3968/IMG_20230802_173734_116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk1Ke-AgwC8i8i7hldi3sQPh7O_H5UpR87iWzcZ0O1Wvasp3l6iqt9pELk2r_PY0sbYbQjcTFmcN9JRK2cA_VTFG3qq3Zr5TLbavw_ihlXhdrfFOc7HDguUN5I0LMRsarYLAoavirxuNONcf_H_Y9tj9CfEwCH9xZiXuySFkjJW47_e-Bxwlt/s320/IMG_20230802_173734_116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evan always fixing or building something!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJLxJ-96jaOKfpexDovN9MVcyJW4AbpVZ4RXceljgLUHZF7dH_9Lo4Sln3jTkkKGV9IpDMW2w2oLi5vvZOiLpSi6KsPliEjV9KnYRF4Wrc0qoRH4PvyP_NRF8BU5gdjeqa-qWHQOYf5mPnLCt7DQpEg0o_yiidL_JGG9OW9ljbffns0W7AydD/s3968/IMG_20230814_112549_366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJLxJ-96jaOKfpexDovN9MVcyJW4AbpVZ4RXceljgLUHZF7dH_9Lo4Sln3jTkkKGV9IpDMW2w2oLi5vvZOiLpSi6KsPliEjV9KnYRF4Wrc0qoRH4PvyP_NRF8BU5gdjeqa-qWHQOYf5mPnLCt7DQpEg0o_yiidL_JGG9OW9ljbffns0W7AydD/s320/IMG_20230814_112549_366.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking through Zoka Forest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZM2LkUheMBiH7V00ajJUjPcT4f4D-WDQ4QlKv2kwmRBJp2uI_3ham0osEOBERjvEOM2Zo7Y_VSQv9ksDgpsmy7a0ajWd8Xw3uUm_Wq-uMBh6q6qe3pDygkW6sgaKS1xicBeqA_twuPshgGK4XzZc1JIBb4Pp5muUgLNGwwJirY4lJw8Aulhl/s3968/IMG_20230815_174136_850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZM2LkUheMBiH7V00ajJUjPcT4f4D-WDQ4QlKv2kwmRBJp2uI_3ham0osEOBERjvEOM2Zo7Y_VSQv9ksDgpsmy7a0ajWd8Xw3uUm_Wq-uMBh6q6qe3pDygkW6sgaKS1xicBeqA_twuPshgGK4XzZc1JIBb4Pp5muUgLNGwwJirY4lJw8Aulhl/s320/IMG_20230815_174136_850.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor Lizard chase</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So the boys were just chilling one afternoon and Evan heard a rustling in the garden. He looked and spotted a monitor lizard (kind of like a small iguana) slinking through the green pepper plants. I was inside visiting with a friend and we suddenly heard the boys screaming, hollering and laughing! What I saw right out my kitchen door was quite the surprise! Evan had caught the monitor lizard by the tail and it was hissing at him! They begged me to let them kill and eat it. Of course I didn't love the idea but thought it would be a great experience for Aidan so I gave the go ahead.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgwZCXHyK2rYJtDThHjPo0Le8d-BIiQ6qCgQQMvwTDCodpL0B9DrJdbvNm84nNM0kJjubJ8NM-BXu8qWp6b4ZQUYlCPHBnWq1fGkjdiFj6unAUBhzUMYucJg0cRhHClm4YauXuolK1jDXDeLdx0QFP2vndRtMTXCLViP1h4ITF7_enSMQR2yi/s3968/IMG_20230815_183830_443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgwZCXHyK2rYJtDThHjPo0Le8d-BIiQ6qCgQQMvwTDCodpL0B9DrJdbvNm84nNM0kJjubJ8NM-BXu8qWp6b4ZQUYlCPHBnWq1fGkjdiFj6unAUBhzUMYucJg0cRhHClm4YauXuolK1jDXDeLdx0QFP2vndRtMTXCLViP1h4ITF7_enSMQR2yi/s320/IMG_20230815_183830_443.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>They were serious! Not only did they nicely grill the meat and all of us tried it - quite tasty and tastes like chicken - but they dried the skin to use for a phone case for Evan. Meanwhile Josh preserved one of its claws and made it into a key chain which he took back to school with him to hang on his backpack. Oh brother! Y'all this is the very definition of being a Boy Mom.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwOmlU8_0B6rnkLs7PRk9VHwV1cre3X4kqAzxYws2aZLzpvS0791SdiCCAeI-w6u5RqKXDiVkGE4memWh-6MD7zn1rbpLiDbopKfsClpsCgzXxPX8i0aAakucliF-xxwQaHsPiOC5gHr7w7UR1ijruQ4YZLLhiqnhH87cnNtkdZmUCcIZsVQw/s3968/IMG_20230815_185040_232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwOmlU8_0B6rnkLs7PRk9VHwV1cre3X4kqAzxYws2aZLzpvS0791SdiCCAeI-w6u5RqKXDiVkGE4memWh-6MD7zn1rbpLiDbopKfsClpsCgzXxPX8i0aAakucliF-xxwQaHsPiOC5gHr7w7UR1ijruQ4YZLLhiqnhH87cnNtkdZmUCcIZsVQw/s320/IMG_20230815_185040_232.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Well all good things must come to an end sadly. After some great weeks with these awesome teenagers, we brought them back to the city and put them on the bus back to Kenya for a new term and a new school year. Evan is a senior this year and Joshua is a sophomore. It's weird that we only have 2 at RVA now and our family is spread across 3 countries! Thankfully when Evan and Josh come home for Christmas break, we hope to fly Isaac home to Uganda too.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtMfoZKK6rasJ-Ye4X8CdAmgTaP5wc_eL1un7PhQdHeJ7nWYz_V6sbEVlWWBtFVEB3cVb_JbKHmkIQhD5REFQoWK1s4ONMA0-ZfjeRbqAWP4C94fcqFOVzUVUjImxHPtk5eS6Aa48nfNZhtQQKMCOqas9hPoh5INNO88tWZhC60MrMmY-H1Eq/s1024/josh's%20first%20day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtMfoZKK6rasJ-Ye4X8CdAmgTaP5wc_eL1un7PhQdHeJ7nWYz_V6sbEVlWWBtFVEB3cVb_JbKHmkIQhD5REFQoWK1s4ONMA0-ZfjeRbqAWP4C94fcqFOVzUVUjImxHPtk5eS6Aa48nfNZhtQQKMCOqas9hPoh5INNO88tWZhC60MrMmY-H1Eq/s320/josh's%20first%20day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of school pics taken by dorm moms :)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5giMk0abjASjQv761p6MBmD1jFm6grLs8ETUzKznWrZoc58LmEA02gXIiI1F72rlgFIQqTWinnam_oZXwZE3u8ybYTsHdpJx9mrHhXkA7cmQLnd50K88BW_82YCN2PLutC4yTrm_Tsq4sgs-YvbjkajUoKr03fMVIX5pqnc3eXBGrs8wMv7yP/s1600/Evan's%20first%20day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5giMk0abjASjQv761p6MBmD1jFm6grLs8ETUzKznWrZoc58LmEA02gXIiI1F72rlgFIQqTWinnam_oZXwZE3u8ybYTsHdpJx9mrHhXkA7cmQLnd50K88BW_82YCN2PLutC4yTrm_Tsq4sgs-YvbjkajUoKr03fMVIX5pqnc3eXBGrs8wMv7yP/s320/Evan's%20first%20day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-79886908412286518402023-05-10T17:11:00.002+03:002023-05-10T17:11:47.519+03:00May is for Mangoes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkQ-oh2_FjUQqj54kQHE62rUj6aljPVvKIaW7zHF8IU_aYsgtZzNiig9y_QnG90Opfd5LMUqCVJuScttavLmexXTJG25q-DWYucXsZaaZeyBgkDclOA7lOdtksmkD0mVBGLcrimRc15oIohzrsIYr0ukejwnb3sVbV3v8zre7M17kuBgIyg/s1080/mango%20collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1080" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkQ-oh2_FjUQqj54kQHE62rUj6aljPVvKIaW7zHF8IU_aYsgtZzNiig9y_QnG90Opfd5LMUqCVJuScttavLmexXTJG25q-DWYucXsZaaZeyBgkDclOA7lOdtksmkD0mVBGLcrimRc15oIohzrsIYr0ukejwnb3sVbV3v8zre7M17kuBgIyg/w400-h308/mango%20collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the end of Mango Month. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've harvested mountains of mangoes since April and it's been wonderful. We've had them in smoothies, juice, popsicles, mango crisp, even fruit leather (think fruit roll up!) It's a fun season that we can share from our bounty with our neighbors. We even take them in buckets to Sunday service so people can take them home after church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today reminded me that mango season can also be very dangerous. Many many children get injured and have even died falling from the trees while climbing high up to pick the perfect mango. This morning I was over visiting a friend when we heard something heavy hit the ground nearby. We heard shouting and a teenage girl was saying a boy's name over and over like she was trying to wake him up. I rushed over and discovered that not only had this 7 year old boy fallen from high in the tree, but he'd had a whole mango, seed and all in his mouth when he fell and it had lodged in his throat so he couldn't breathe. Y'all in those moments adrenaline kicks in and somehow your mind can think even when you're panicking. I flipped him to his front and worked for a while and finally got the mango out to where he was breathing again. Then I called Eli and asked him to come quickly with the car; there was an emergency. Eli arrived and we sped off to the hospital with his older sister and other siblings in tow. Thankfully the doctors didn't find any broken bones, blood or even head trauma. They gave him a very firm talking to about not climbing trees anymore and we were able to take him straight home. The most dangerous part of this story was the mango almost choking him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not really sure why I'm sharing this story. Maybe as a way of processing the intensity of the experience for me and that awful feeling of being the one responsible to save his life. But it also shows that here in Uganda, we NEVER know what crazy thing is going to come up in our day. Never! </div><p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-44156230335661539442023-04-19T20:29:00.000+03:002023-04-19T20:29:01.279+03:00Giving him Wings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9wiJV1njWiaCLivDW9wFr9KXNGluH5UciDpqfrX4skLcLnI4g-QgTyiWb4MaZm_mSknN8Mqy_KsmS-ENOQXBxrCmDXiTUGF00I1ZGyVYaMysW1NlvQXmWfZIZP-h1xml7_HFnOChpoSO4SPyo9k6uM6qbs32cKqPjxeX4wVydkb4FOFfhg/s1280/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-04-19%20at%203.21.26%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9wiJV1njWiaCLivDW9wFr9KXNGluH5UciDpqfrX4skLcLnI4g-QgTyiWb4MaZm_mSknN8Mqy_KsmS-ENOQXBxrCmDXiTUGF00I1ZGyVYaMysW1NlvQXmWfZIZP-h1xml7_HFnOChpoSO4SPyo9k6uM6qbs32cKqPjxeX4wVydkb4FOFfhg/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-04-19%20at%203.21.26%20PM.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isaac concluded his time shadowing the pilot life yesterday and drove safely home to us today. He had an amazing time and we are so proud of him and thankful to our pilot friends who went above and beyond to allow Isaac to experience and learn all that he could!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3Mt-r0AKMDudf7RzoAKwGV7OEgbFS7yGZsvVFqEFBanYLhP3PGDx6p6c24iJI_HjL_3Xq3rW-1I-1VC9blM2irQhunnUKhwblmrK4_6DUcvX6MLJ2SGOnbrIKRY47s50qKIL6xV8Aiz7mCMitsOKMMt9sGNhE1oPujVekKePzSUSb6lb_g/s1080/IMG-20230419-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3Mt-r0AKMDudf7RzoAKwGV7OEgbFS7yGZsvVFqEFBanYLhP3PGDx6p6c24iJI_HjL_3Xq3rW-1I-1VC9blM2irQhunnUKhwblmrK4_6DUcvX6MLJ2SGOnbrIKRY47s50qKIL6xV8Aiz7mCMitsOKMMt9sGNhE1oPujVekKePzSUSb6lb_g/s320/IMG-20230419-WA0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isaac says this week in the cockpit confirmed that he wants to be a pilot mechanic, meaning he will be trained to do both. But he's most excited about being a pilot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8so2MWMIPKYwyFIy_s7yp6SQCqAAs9O_YDorF1ZR4SwL24nE3QbMYYLbCc1KNaC8m5JCwmz6y5G7v7XyJ8vEFIIK0Xm5d3CHHstScx4WHxz_LFhsp6RNz8KCfyCRvN4NShxDnU2U0lkLJ-kXOYSat_ZT46-ZOys9AVvrpMSKbE13XFmsqsA/s1080/IMG-20230419-WA0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8so2MWMIPKYwyFIy_s7yp6SQCqAAs9O_YDorF1ZR4SwL24nE3QbMYYLbCc1KNaC8m5JCwmz6y5G7v7XyJ8vEFIIK0Xm5d3CHHstScx4WHxz_LFhsp6RNz8KCfyCRvN4NShxDnU2U0lkLJ-kXOYSat_ZT46-ZOys9AVvrpMSKbE13XFmsqsA/s320/IMG-20230419-WA0014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp2onJUKcKYf2-44xIgq0pdye6dwpM-ilay4djtOK_V4U7R2zX91o-Zl209vSiqw4rAu42g4lPZ4DrHiqJeH1WBYWN3zMrkfgvUj6dGvbOsTCpybmS-tbG9qlyyuq0H8b4qts7cZKwi_MBpXXP9X39kSOfG_SRsaVEdRJuuG8scHiT77z8w/s1080/IMG-20230419-WA0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp2onJUKcKYf2-44xIgq0pdye6dwpM-ilay4djtOK_V4U7R2zX91o-Zl209vSiqw4rAu42g4lPZ4DrHiqJeH1WBYWN3zMrkfgvUj6dGvbOsTCpybmS-tbG9qlyyuq0H8b4qts7cZKwi_MBpXXP9X39kSOfG_SRsaVEdRJuuG8scHiT77z8w/s320/IMG-20230419-WA0021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Tonight is our last time together in our home in Adjumani. It's hard to believe. We drive to Kampala, the big city, tomorrow and then the boys take the bus on Friday to Kenya. It's especially meaningful to me that as Isaac "found his wings" this week, we as his parents are seeking to give him his wings and release him out of our "nest."<p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-49668409064669334382023-04-12T16:08:00.003+03:002023-04-14T20:58:00.378+03:00Chance of a Lifetime!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YBmaNjeRJk8HS3Zy9vOey18s-N5TI_aOK97MwCevguQEpiIah0K3AJczxr2e0rDdmUi0yRRfA00oFkd64bozWuDbHnrT2qzzlBjTEc1KUrd3GhGuhCK8f5y1FcyhOt3UnpJ9PbBWjouycLOgvLOBhJzcp-clQGr1CsdBd1CC9XhBKbxAoA/s1280/IMG-20230412-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YBmaNjeRJk8HS3Zy9vOey18s-N5TI_aOK97MwCevguQEpiIah0K3AJczxr2e0rDdmUi0yRRfA00oFkd64bozWuDbHnrT2qzzlBjTEc1KUrd3GhGuhCK8f5y1FcyhOt3UnpJ9PbBWjouycLOgvLOBhJzcp-clQGr1CsdBd1CC9XhBKbxAoA/s320/IMG-20230412-WA0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our oldest son, Isaac will be graduating from high school this summer and attending Moody Aviation in WA state which is a program preparing missionary pilots and aircraft mechanics. Eli and I smile and LOVE that this is the path he's chosen because from the time Isaac was ages 3-12, he flew between Sudan, South Sudan, and Kenya on these missionary planes. We've been on the receiving end of the impactful ministry these pilots have on missionaries and people in hard-to-reach, remote parts of Africa. Now Isaac is training to be one.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjdQ0DaHg-lMkMUxDbCkyMv4g0o5Pchv3nE03dZJEWZxy75RSIIzcPuADq0jH093r87L8JhZRtcf0AulCXGjbNy4biTdlV2XOAsXVrm93-FGYBbwOXzOAWjWRItircoidyN4iBCIyVwl7atjGATjXM-zn48Metnw7dbyQDwwlq16BxF0LIg/s1080/AIM%20AIR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjdQ0DaHg-lMkMUxDbCkyMv4g0o5Pchv3nE03dZJEWZxy75RSIIzcPuADq0jH093r87L8JhZRtcf0AulCXGjbNy4biTdlV2XOAsXVrm93-FGYBbwOXzOAWjWRItircoidyN4iBCIyVwl7atjGATjXM-zn48Metnw7dbyQDwwlq16BxF0LIg/s320/AIM%20AIR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Elisha Stock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div>About a month ago, an opportunity came up for Isaac to travel across the Nile to Arua where our mission has a base for flying planes into Congo, Kenya and South Sudan. The organization is called AIM AIR and we are friends with some of the pilots. We asked if Isaac could come learn from them for about a week and get a taste of aviation to make sure this is really what he wants to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been amazing to see how God has orchestrated the trip! This morning around 9 am Isaac set off on his motorcycle for a 6-8 hr trip to Arua. He will spend the night with our pilot friends and tomorrow he will begin a 3 day flight based in Northern Kenya and going in and out of South Sudan, flying pastors to their remote locations. This will be the first time for Isaac to return to South Sudan after our last evacuation in 2016. I think it's so redeeming that he gets to return in one of the planes he grew up traveling on, back to the place of his early childhood, almost foreshadowing the future God has in store for him.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNMBGIRUZUtkzYeDEFarD6ysEARoUCIHwAPTjxYYcFre3bE5Yx0cNU3AbjKEPFS6lY5eEF3PC7-bifXKBU9IgUNr98mETBNI8uS0HnYAHW3Tl99fOSYS0xWTxK9EWgoJD5j_y2vK9akiribFXwk9NSHLAWEXicK-PQ3_Wjmw3-odf3JMbjA/s1350/FB_IMG_1681302756708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNMBGIRUZUtkzYeDEFarD6ysEARoUCIHwAPTjxYYcFre3bE5Yx0cNU3AbjKEPFS6lY5eEF3PC7-bifXKBU9IgUNr98mETBNI8uS0HnYAHW3Tl99fOSYS0xWTxK9EWgoJD5j_y2vK9akiribFXwk9NSHLAWEXicK-PQ3_Wjmw3-odf3JMbjA/s320/FB_IMG_1681302756708.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />More photos and updates to come...stay tuned.<br /> <p></p></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1GlKelZ7-Vp4LntoP1NPzwDuYsOFjmxk9lbHDbQNaVwHF7XDD7nhcHO6VpiPCy_7q0cvvd4-CZvFS2MDLWQlkKHXBHXP4bWgKtNYfVNvgWCILvpWUHuggaqGpDjXh2yGcrvw93CRGbHl4DMshLY0yNpH1wzLOYgHrotij-WCGRzsn8b4Xw/s1280/IMG-20230413-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1GlKelZ7-Vp4LntoP1NPzwDuYsOFjmxk9lbHDbQNaVwHF7XDD7nhcHO6VpiPCy_7q0cvvd4-CZvFS2MDLWQlkKHXBHXP4bWgKtNYfVNvgWCILvpWUHuggaqGpDjXh2yGcrvw93CRGbHl4DMshLY0yNpH1wzLOYgHrotij-WCGRzsn8b4Xw/s320/IMG-20230413-WA0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJlPAVKSz25T8OUEZsKdepU0AqJxfr4Fsbvo6AemNvhsLXbUSEg-Onyc0DBiO1lioTQtJyKiBngI4ycL694dKvUxTJ_uiGoV7omITRaWTiyHLbdRkW8NODU_yWwmuuuAFLV4M0iC4FggzLKN4xBrD84G1P44Ne9gWTzpoHvzw2Ka-sM7PDw/s1280/IMG-20230413-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJlPAVKSz25T8OUEZsKdepU0AqJxfr4Fsbvo6AemNvhsLXbUSEg-Onyc0DBiO1lioTQtJyKiBngI4ycL694dKvUxTJ_uiGoV7omITRaWTiyHLbdRkW8NODU_yWwmuuuAFLV4M0iC4FggzLKN4xBrD84G1P44Ne9gWTzpoHvzw2Ka-sM7PDw/s320/IMG-20230413-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac can fly?!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-49669914893260266042023-04-03T13:20:00.000+03:002023-04-03T13:20:54.084+03:00Skills Training with our community<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_vwa4hYr314t2o1jCx_StWi5PxO7eqXbplmbfj_WVztq3dwkneJkYAjVgiwgPXPUlrh10GIjOa44JFhUfyuxk6t7gFswbnRXHrNm0UY_zL-2Jls3hl0MKziPZ8HPCQR8iQn5VmUZtxQZzPMcx0nkXCuaIuGuHVZChTfJSkcnPdEOOtxn0w/s320/soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_vwa4hYr314t2o1jCx_StWi5PxO7eqXbplmbfj_WVztq3dwkneJkYAjVgiwgPXPUlrh10GIjOa44JFhUfyuxk6t7gFswbnRXHrNm0UY_zL-2Jls3hl0MKziPZ8HPCQR8iQn5VmUZtxQZzPMcx0nkXCuaIuGuHVZChTfJSkcnPdEOOtxn0w/s1600/soap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AIC stands for Africa Inland Church</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In February Eli started up a new program in our church to provide some skills training for members of our church but also neighbors and others in our community. I was hesitant at first because it meant adding one more thing to our already very full lives but it has proven to be a really amazing and timely ministry. It is rumored that after many many years the UN is going to stop giving food and money rations to the refugees in Northern Uganda by next month. This will be a very heavy blow for our community because many of them don't have land to farm or any substantial way of making income to support and feed their families.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first skill taught was soap making. You can see one of the specimens above. They also learned how to make liquid soap, detergent for washing clothes and bath soap. It's quite the process so the training took all of February, meeting every Wednesday but those who attended were thrilled to find that all the materials needed to make soap can be found in our town and it is a much needed commodity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjmPK_foVWuWTuIpwdjlkbYWuVTNeRFP0yI3K_ia2Q7aO-xsZcGaf-fcP0xw46babgVA8bj64mmN3uS4o2R7E0lqHjCzyWdY2XQZfB0SMyIe2vqMPDZbU3nbK-f0ZpKgqYCW2hObji5eUDNZOA3g3zywpKWNtvF6WyfiSa--aEhY4YpYE-A/s1280/IMG-20230403-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjmPK_foVWuWTuIpwdjlkbYWuVTNeRFP0yI3K_ia2Q7aO-xsZcGaf-fcP0xw46babgVA8bj64mmN3uS4o2R7E0lqHjCzyWdY2XQZfB0SMyIe2vqMPDZbU3nbK-f0ZpKgqYCW2hObji5eUDNZOA3g3zywpKWNtvF6WyfiSa--aEhY4YpYE-A/s320/IMG-20230403-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making mandazi doughnuts</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>On March 1 we did a class teaching how to make mandazi which is a local doughnut that many buy for breakfast. The daughter of one of our church members went to catering school and came to teach the group. The students were divided into groups and they each made their own batch. Eli also taught some basic finance and budgeting in order to help them know how to spend the profit they make (how much to save, how much to use for ingredients for the next batch, money they can pocket, etc.)<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ipdkDH9-qf5JmrTGxXGCUzBFET4qOifryiPnw2frIoyoYpeZRjP8LkkZwJOPAPVj8RxV9W_WZH5sBrwYv5EB29FSRz9p9NiAlGRBnM1A59zTEMDTOApME86rXwf7Mac6uLH4epIZh1GwIQBGNVnxQf7WzBragF2PNiQNXn37r1AuMV4pEQ/s1280/IMG-20230403-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ipdkDH9-qf5JmrTGxXGCUzBFET4qOifryiPnw2frIoyoYpeZRjP8LkkZwJOPAPVj8RxV9W_WZH5sBrwYv5EB29FSRz9p9NiAlGRBnM1A59zTEMDTOApME86rXwf7Mac6uLH4epIZh1GwIQBGNVnxQf7WzBragF2PNiQNXn37r1AuMV4pEQ/s320/IMG-20230403-WA0001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v_A6SrodbRHzunUA-xubaVaYfySFQnCAhSn-Hn-Mx-i51zq8ecOAubRHDfzKbgOc2BUvwCgMNyHv2JNbjy-34CCzNJj20umexwlgabHkiRfOm1jlP56Kdh8wpPyKZj5aiJNSTLqgaWwWlsmmQYT87W5DsjLaHuWBctGyuHX0gw0dQz-Hmg/s1280/IMG-20230403-WA0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v_A6SrodbRHzunUA-xubaVaYfySFQnCAhSn-Hn-Mx-i51zq8ecOAubRHDfzKbgOc2BUvwCgMNyHv2JNbjy-34CCzNJj20umexwlgabHkiRfOm1jlP56Kdh8wpPyKZj5aiJNSTLqgaWwWlsmmQYT87W5DsjLaHuWBctGyuHX0gw0dQz-Hmg/s320/IMG-20230403-WA0002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Several groups from the mandazi class have continued to make mandazi every other day and are excited about the profit they're making. Another woman in the class makes Sudanese bread and sells it by request.</div><div><br /></div><div>After several weeks of being asked if I'd teach Cake Baking, I taught a two week course. First week cake baking and 2nd week, cake decorating. I really didn't think it would be a good money maker. There are only a few people/businesses in Adjumani who bake cake and a single cake is sold for 50,000 Ugandan shillings which is about $13. Most people can't afford this. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, what do you know, I found a recipe that doesn't use butter, eggs, or milk (all more expensive items here) and we discovered we can bake a cake for only 7000 shillings, about $2!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBCfSClk4ARBhmzcCQgcABrHjdaLKPGwPWPSytYIZKJO06n-O-Cgkrj6ObCZuVHkWMibe9rudvMhzNmfx4KJvPQDV7EQ9-dsrN7xBa7XT19UHtVhAWenaxaZE0hQCsAKBRgDABVkkLEhz6EcY_CsOwb8zCcy3wxRhdS7p9XKfrf8JJT1mLA/s4000/20230322_142628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBCfSClk4ARBhmzcCQgcABrHjdaLKPGwPWPSytYIZKJO06n-O-Cgkrj6ObCZuVHkWMibe9rudvMhzNmfx4KJvPQDV7EQ9-dsrN7xBa7XT19UHtVhAWenaxaZE0hQCsAKBRgDABVkkLEhz6EcY_CsOwb8zCcy3wxRhdS7p9XKfrf8JJT1mLA/s320/20230322_142628.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set up for my demonstration</td></tr></tbody></table><br />First I showed them how to measure all the ingredients using cups and spoons that everyone has here. Then I divided them into two groups and they each mixed one on their own.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-wvKTzf5NZ5YFwbpHh1KROQuwOP04bWe3Jd_K0QrGCCwDm_PN2JzuWf9KmPxG46hx5i08DVbNngooRFgEuBTsIYnnsvQADi9UDnQqNo-mkSohYk7MHYxHNg5yy1rqTX0exT71YXWZrKyIbl25Dei6eRYP9e_BdpHlTCoRCsIRZGK2CRvfg/s4000/20230322_153623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-wvKTzf5NZ5YFwbpHh1KROQuwOP04bWe3Jd_K0QrGCCwDm_PN2JzuWf9KmPxG46hx5i08DVbNngooRFgEuBTsIYnnsvQADi9UDnQqNo-mkSohYk7MHYxHNg5yy1rqTX0exT71YXWZrKyIbl25Dei6eRYP9e_BdpHlTCoRCsIRZGK2CRvfg/s320/20230322_153623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeARgts2cM1ttmoNFi48EZJG9t8Wr_HZd19wIgs3xcPppL4Kadke9UCZo42ub3lHPmQYuQQUFMk3BccvCnrsDrPK2JyUGJ6nOG3u1uFdB-0yJi-PuV43HPIzxxNmHXYpCaVqYnLxRiOS5hei644vDvb-lZBDGrKZ0K_k88m7DJrf00rC_bw/s4000/20230322_153722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeARgts2cM1ttmoNFi48EZJG9t8Wr_HZd19wIgs3xcPppL4Kadke9UCZo42ub3lHPmQYuQQUFMk3BccvCnrsDrPK2JyUGJ6nOG3u1uFdB-0yJi-PuV43HPIzxxNmHXYpCaVqYnLxRiOS5hei644vDvb-lZBDGrKZ0K_k88m7DJrf00rC_bw/s320/20230322_153722.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>No one has a propane oven like I do so I taught them how to bake their cakes on charcoal which is what they all use at home to cook. This is a technique I learned and used during our years in Sudan and South Sudan.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ24lRwS9tz9DXFjWXBLmIglzLRseNx65fTeKDo9Qw2-s09KnhZnT9u6T1AqTbnztPtpPtf4hAQSRZaVOlo77Izu27ZyOAVeViHTYSW47_3X5fI9-GIz8vqIJlG9YEQvcuAMdZ36m9oKTjgkNG6lv4cWC8_7POUFyXV3jpAOTlgJM_zwoBQ/s4000/20230322_154849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ24lRwS9tz9DXFjWXBLmIglzLRseNx65fTeKDo9Qw2-s09KnhZnT9u6T1AqTbnztPtpPtf4hAQSRZaVOlo77Izu27ZyOAVeViHTYSW47_3X5fI9-GIz8vqIJlG9YEQvcuAMdZ36m9oKTjgkNG6lv4cWC8_7POUFyXV3jpAOTlgJM_zwoBQ/s320/20230322_154849.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Class moved outside where we placed an insulation layer of sand in the bottom of a large metal pan, then our cakes, followed by a metal cover with hot coals on top.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Do2iqQV2NBdoNU6U-2MnezyYHMbZykhxXN4bQnCTvrRxe2_U_5DTYdgWGW-RQb5cjeLVOm7uBi9knAiiVd5oNlOcIv47txFS_jM-dnEpZScKewq0ltlFmIeZGwF0myVSIk0Ld4cqB1iNfRVj4NK1PL2vlXjtmJub1l2REgdr1AysLUYHXQ/s4000/20230322_155817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Do2iqQV2NBdoNU6U-2MnezyYHMbZykhxXN4bQnCTvrRxe2_U_5DTYdgWGW-RQb5cjeLVOm7uBi9knAiiVd5oNlOcIv47txFS_jM-dnEpZScKewq0ltlFmIeZGwF0myVSIk0Ld4cqB1iNfRVj4NK1PL2vlXjtmJub1l2REgdr1AysLUYHXQ/s320/20230322_155817.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B1N0E4-BLNk_c5wwvFPmnayoX5sqMB3meoy5mPXJOWjOpBxgqZD7ihfd-FE6ifUxAmptAniXj9haOOzSlC2ZBFDVuD_Pt-jH8ugqxE7M05iH643O5_i5cCcH7jIi2NNQ56ztGpQ3MjdBi5OzIKIY05lw1kD6SR0kQi9xDMZUze7J6V5i_A/s4000/20230322_160827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B1N0E4-BLNk_c5wwvFPmnayoX5sqMB3meoy5mPXJOWjOpBxgqZD7ihfd-FE6ifUxAmptAniXj9haOOzSlC2ZBFDVuD_Pt-jH8ugqxE7M05iH643O5_i5cCcH7jIi2NNQ56ztGpQ3MjdBi5OzIKIY05lw1kD6SR0kQi9xDMZUze7J6V5i_A/s320/20230322_160827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Everyone crowded around as the delicious smells started seeping from the pots. Since we baked 3 good sized cakes I thought they'd be able to take some home for their families but these ladies enjoyed the cake so much, every crumb was gone by the end of class!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogVImd1u7_BbdBt-sH_AgNI7_n2_7CcEh_R2jypcHJ7uQifBL_8xCmM9mwp0-atOub9uZcAeUlrePcJgRtfRTaq3OzIAIvviMWSJwsIhNCkWNjFtcT4E-tZAlT6df3XPeudFRMrE_j4I6SlfoFRGnXlWM0Jg2uZYHnImU4DdY5GZ0pcxymQ/s4000/20230322_165506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogVImd1u7_BbdBt-sH_AgNI7_n2_7CcEh_R2jypcHJ7uQifBL_8xCmM9mwp0-atOub9uZcAeUlrePcJgRtfRTaq3OzIAIvviMWSJwsIhNCkWNjFtcT4E-tZAlT6df3XPeudFRMrE_j4I6SlfoFRGnXlWM0Jg2uZYHnImU4DdY5GZ0pcxymQ/s320/20230322_165506.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdCWYVOkaJZmI4KmLRTwkXlz5COA8BBGGEPrviXAMqrApQxSfwaDoBKpKK7mXzqkbvXLbY6hWw-4DA1ZWAZSL6q53HwjC9DorVoPwOkxl_57HFGH37Ok2xVOhp4N4kBGaWinE1ih8UNHt4NUo714zwf77ZZr0ZR_oaRft8Viotk8hhCzjvA/s4000/20230322_165527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdCWYVOkaJZmI4KmLRTwkXlz5COA8BBGGEPrviXAMqrApQxSfwaDoBKpKK7mXzqkbvXLbY6hWw-4DA1ZWAZSL6q53HwjC9DorVoPwOkxl_57HFGH37Ok2xVOhp4N4kBGaWinE1ih8UNHt4NUo714zwf77ZZr0ZR_oaRft8Viotk8hhCzjvA/s320/20230322_165527.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfobw5RxbY8JR_eogA42Ua_h92nQJVALG5wYHXsO5oKUP-LIQfJPMuhamCIKbrErDYqeubffzM8lOasW_11k78as-n0z6fBfaKBJKjCtSP7LhtzryMs0I_x_a0e23ZryGRE8zfqq3l91oLE-H351ZRhHFYN1wmRcnitMahXCvJ1PTGklgNkw/s4000/20230322_165551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfobw5RxbY8JR_eogA42Ua_h92nQJVALG5wYHXsO5oKUP-LIQfJPMuhamCIKbrErDYqeubffzM8lOasW_11k78as-n0z6fBfaKBJKjCtSP7LhtzryMs0I_x_a0e23ZryGRE8zfqq3l91oLE-H351ZRhHFYN1wmRcnitMahXCvJ1PTGklgNkw/s320/20230322_165551.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The following week I came to class with two already baked cakes and a recipe for frosting. This is the expensive part because margarine, powdered sugar and food coloring are more pricey. Frosting for one cake costs almost $4. But still, the ladies were delighted to discover that the profit for selling a whole cake amounts to 20,000 shillings/$5.50 (This is double the daily wage here!)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIF9wSBbIiXlYs8whCooUtqa_HmbDHVOmLQbR0m9xapl07C0KgG0oRiFBvdvKfZaWpNbMAl5FnU9yRr17uafL08utENMOcE8S-lIk7kOU9slCR1D9U3ZYx_m5DE6D0KgnCcLnKzJ7db87thaqJDFRcsvQxn0Yys34RSM-Yb7L4GU0heTe_w/s4000/20230329_151705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIF9wSBbIiXlYs8whCooUtqa_HmbDHVOmLQbR0m9xapl07C0KgG0oRiFBvdvKfZaWpNbMAl5FnU9yRr17uafL08utENMOcE8S-lIk7kOU9slCR1D9U3ZYx_m5DE6D0KgnCcLnKzJ7db87thaqJDFRcsvQxn0Yys34RSM-Yb7L4GU0heTe_w/s320/20230329_151705.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The ladies loved the bright colors and put together some gorgeous designs. We used local plastic bags for the icing to pipe different designs and it was so fun to see what they came up with!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNs328T5G-G6Lx2Y-RwlzNdIgKHlZRtYWrukODN2mZtEVCQ8G6XYwFeZb_MKKT_rrtK3aBOALNScnyWRYMFSk4-cMkmtcBuLc0X84n82hFOV3v-QijqglTcf-MmHthJ7VrGpnzQxyyebRLIzn0Z-O8PKpCNhLCfUiaPK8ki4A6t4zFRT2Tw/s2920/20230329_153721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="2086" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNs328T5G-G6Lx2Y-RwlzNdIgKHlZRtYWrukODN2mZtEVCQ8G6XYwFeZb_MKKT_rrtK3aBOALNScnyWRYMFSk4-cMkmtcBuLc0X84n82hFOV3v-QijqglTcf-MmHthJ7VrGpnzQxyyebRLIzn0Z-O8PKpCNhLCfUiaPK8ki4A6t4zFRT2Tw/s320/20230329_153721.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Igk-TBh9BMW8b32anT0A92OhXr_8Y_SMuw6YLYwNt9urM-UwbF45edRbKj6xYpMBDD1zhqf1V3gHKPnz7uqX8WB-9OpgN2kvK5kxFv-P9aK84pUwQfzC40sN_aXxMaEwPS23Q3LHYV0cS2vjCIk7y7uynP-tchEocDWoTjE4sbKsWa6svQ/s4000/20230329_154304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Igk-TBh9BMW8b32anT0A92OhXr_8Y_SMuw6YLYwNt9urM-UwbF45edRbKj6xYpMBDD1zhqf1V3gHKPnz7uqX8WB-9OpgN2kvK5kxFv-P9aK84pUwQfzC40sN_aXxMaEwPS23Q3LHYV0cS2vjCIk7y7uynP-tchEocDWoTjE4sbKsWa6svQ/s320/20230329_154304.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBBy3l-6vkymModOlPGdey2zsm6uTJ1iWTXyt1279qofrJ-L2ltDv-e11PggFlKXjePsLGGAxX7dOKL5WQ5MPnKFWGyTKtwK7puLN3PZHpjlVPDyTaK7Tapm0ok6WN2_8Nf_CK1O6fxTlzWclVSRPgsRk3oybxF9wAIzU5xhho2Cl5qAQvg/s4000/20230329_154416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBBy3l-6vkymModOlPGdey2zsm6uTJ1iWTXyt1279qofrJ-L2ltDv-e11PggFlKXjePsLGGAxX7dOKL5WQ5MPnKFWGyTKtwK7puLN3PZHpjlVPDyTaK7Tapm0ok6WN2_8Nf_CK1O6fxTlzWclVSRPgsRk3oybxF9wAIzU5xhho2Cl5qAQvg/s320/20230329_154416.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R8HFIEmCJpcQ8Ld3ebdpfdE9N0FhPNexulUeSINUZJmTjTUCXmeav-dlVpFxpMHDGDE-4uK_33uKVU98fna2z-LCrpREJNailG51bXWM-fVhtj83dBcYNxPJCZ0t4jKsx3ADNXCxP67BRNRpq1bDKeRDWDc5KPrAiFeCJkNR5W9fFazvWQ/s4000/20230329_154913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R8HFIEmCJpcQ8Ld3ebdpfdE9N0FhPNexulUeSINUZJmTjTUCXmeav-dlVpFxpMHDGDE-4uK_33uKVU98fna2z-LCrpREJNailG51bXWM-fVhtj83dBcYNxPJCZ0t4jKsx3ADNXCxP67BRNRpq1bDKeRDWDc5KPrAiFeCJkNR5W9fFazvWQ/s320/20230329_154913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When the cakes were complete they cut them so everyone could take a beautifully decorated piece home to give to a neighbor so they can begin advertising what they can make. Baking cake is a business per request here. So if someone has a birthday or wedding, they can order cakes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday after church the women had a meeting about an upcoming baby celebration in our community. They plan to bake several cakes to serve at the event, again to advertise their new skill!</div><div>I'm so impressed with them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1KW8B3P5yONoQWW-ankw5CWD6YjBlbOM2i0XFUyh6z5qxz9SC7kBRO8aSY2gMgwL1s7weZuTt22vQYoboOah9iX0uHbR8KRAq_x6cwKgEwk6mhfNsQl7dJcy_Lonxd417AFPNMl7FwEZDxzgWev3Nz2jGdGBy9z7keKZG1lf3dslwW-Zqw/s4000/20230329_155314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1KW8B3P5yONoQWW-ankw5CWD6YjBlbOM2i0XFUyh6z5qxz9SC7kBRO8aSY2gMgwL1s7weZuTt22vQYoboOah9iX0uHbR8KRAq_x6cwKgEwk6mhfNsQl7dJcy_Lonxd417AFPNMl7FwEZDxzgWev3Nz2jGdGBy9z7keKZG1lf3dslwW-Zqw/s320/20230329_155314.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So if you want to try a delicious slice of cake come visit us in Adjumani!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UPCOMING TRAININGS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carpentry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Welding</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beekeeping/Honey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p><br /></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-14555668921850129652022-12-13T16:58:00.004+03:002022-12-13T16:58:46.544+03:00Our Big Happy Family<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SFsrS3wuXksxf6xExGGBB1q03YP9XSnsvklINgjmHLU0NvDXu1r040n_xoPTxx5O85_sK1sbDhHaUOlnjFwOKWjkpKFvoEInw0_C1IHUVe4TYxjqfeQOLzFe_DAnzPeerYNHoDSRlvFppJOUQUGxFSiluN8RCcHZZR5UisMun4VohhUk3A/s4000/20221212_100920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SFsrS3wuXksxf6xExGGBB1q03YP9XSnsvklINgjmHLU0NvDXu1r040n_xoPTxx5O85_sK1sbDhHaUOlnjFwOKWjkpKFvoEInw0_C1IHUVe4TYxjqfeQOLzFe_DAnzPeerYNHoDSRlvFppJOUQUGxFSiluN8RCcHZZR5UisMun4VohhUk3A/s320/20221212_100920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys before an epic 3 day motorcycle trip</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>This month has been very full with ALL our children at home. It's meant LOTS of cooking, cleaning and laundry. But it also reminds me how grateful I am for every member of our family of seven. During this time of year it's so meaningful to reflect and consider all that God has done in our family and all that He's given us. <div><br /></div><div>I wanted to post and share some of the highlights of our last few weeks:</div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTBkDa_Imh2Erx7hyLU4MihJytd1sDnscRIxjHf7REhRuIr3sZBaDih9O72L5WOpBygUDTxwcB1vj42qPfaasnY4iAx7gA-AoZGdDXAClnfOlLHG6rqEr0NK6T6I1xj76z2CQFaDnu2RAtsbLNThhkyMxeAESul3QSRT9Kyi-0LP51wRRqQ/s4000/20221211_094701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTBkDa_Imh2Erx7hyLU4MihJytd1sDnscRIxjHf7REhRuIr3sZBaDih9O72L5WOpBygUDTxwcB1vj42qPfaasnY4iAx7gA-AoZGdDXAClnfOlLHG6rqEr0NK6T6I1xj76z2CQFaDnu2RAtsbLNThhkyMxeAESul3QSRT9Kyi-0LP51wRRqQ/s320/20221211_094701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best we could do at getting a family picture last Sunday before church :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlsxVGtsm-0vo51tzf60AVSvJmUdOLHV_uRuV9igEiFguAr-O6CssNlUXUNHunnQqDJ2yVSDCt9tzJ4p0NpAalnnt_59S5pADxwuvp573NAXIFYjLwXQHpQP686A2YuWBE-F6NkH4DWn_nwT9FeM04rvC7A8oDu4EhXxG1dPsXW7zDmbhoA/s4000/20221210_162936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlsxVGtsm-0vo51tzf60AVSvJmUdOLHV_uRuV9igEiFguAr-O6CssNlUXUNHunnQqDJ2yVSDCt9tzJ4p0NpAalnnt_59S5pADxwuvp573NAXIFYjLwXQHpQP686A2YuWBE-F6NkH4DWn_nwT9FeM04rvC7A8oDu4EhXxG1dPsXW7zDmbhoA/s320/20221210_162936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thankfully the boys like to help in the kitchen. Isaac and Evan have both taken an Advanced Cooking class so Evan even made enchiladas for dinner one night without any help from me. In the photo above they were busy rolling out gingerbread and sugar cookies.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6CkvRZKu2CgUC9nEjMxDX_Q5MWRKZEpLXPwVgFmxwzhzyCeHg82L0PJnxeM3bBLfXq2tX7iwmLypO2YQ4mTfwdA66_VpZjhOu2OUlMJSiFB8uzOwACKAIK9n5FGCd00jYkISufN-SdSMTYfPhYDAkCBROjqNer1xUnxsOhu9cQ9vJvZi6A/s4000/20221207_173008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6CkvRZKu2CgUC9nEjMxDX_Q5MWRKZEpLXPwVgFmxwzhzyCeHg82L0PJnxeM3bBLfXq2tX7iwmLypO2YQ4mTfwdA66_VpZjhOu2OUlMJSiFB8uzOwACKAIK9n5FGCd00jYkISufN-SdSMTYfPhYDAkCBROjqNer1xUnxsOhu9cQ9vJvZi6A/s320/20221207_173008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Last week we threw a special party at our church to welcome back all our youth back from a challenging year of school. It wasn't easy for many to pay school fees and pass their grade level after being out of school for 2 full years due to Covid. So we wanted to give thanks to the Lord and honor our teens. Our time was complete with speeches, prayer, singing, testimonies, games and of course 3 kinds of meat!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoLLoLkV7eVFVBKc9uED6xedaDJ2veTPe0ddc-jn9NX6UenidfxNl0VkChC13eS4DpIvdqQ3RwOCUmCcyKOfXNq3WxUG-ONJKhdDVYZPkZ75sFY8cLqEToCPjUIsolRQ1LhEgATGa3O__RrWvPch97jBsbgzKPstn1zYbBQo30RwoWn9bzw/s4000/20221207_123854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoLLoLkV7eVFVBKc9uED6xedaDJ2veTPe0ddc-jn9NX6UenidfxNl0VkChC13eS4DpIvdqQ3RwOCUmCcyKOfXNq3WxUG-ONJKhdDVYZPkZ75sFY8cLqEToCPjUIsolRQ1LhEgATGa3O__RrWvPch97jBsbgzKPstn1zYbBQo30RwoWn9bzw/s320/20221207_123854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6juswD0AqhuoW6d6wml-PAG2p-13b8dd2zqw_7m8GeD0DllqS8iWCjjItxj6BqI-2VWRp3qF4A8LxxCyfS4cX04PzYVKfmhfHV87_GJVUigMrx6g2sQcCL7Emiw6Wis-WgJqV4Bj5wit_Gyrmo8ehSICpImu2fTRKDWlBZywR9EKy4GJ3mg/s4000/20221207_104711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6juswD0AqhuoW6d6wml-PAG2p-13b8dd2zqw_7m8GeD0DllqS8iWCjjItxj6BqI-2VWRp3qF4A8LxxCyfS4cX04PzYVKfmhfHV87_GJVUigMrx6g2sQcCL7Emiw6Wis-WgJqV4Bj5wit_Gyrmo8ehSICpImu2fTRKDWlBZywR9EKy4GJ3mg/s320/20221207_104711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love when I can join in with the women of the church to cook for special occasions.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VkKyhAAmyFT0qb0fzD9u_Op6lLghtihWnoK0omqv1p5ycpv8vliT8nu-qTJhbjo9SKhMaxfMwl4rc5xNCSKzfvXrHlzZz3V03vBKz5CIkl5p8SbvlsZq4EwZRZUIEf0Myov9KiKDenQENPjqXG9fPSgz70In7yiiUUEURKBjiLts5g0uMA/s4000/20221205_151922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VkKyhAAmyFT0qb0fzD9u_Op6lLghtihWnoK0omqv1p5ycpv8vliT8nu-qTJhbjo9SKhMaxfMwl4rc5xNCSKzfvXrHlzZz3V03vBKz5CIkl5p8SbvlsZq4EwZRZUIEf0Myov9KiKDenQENPjqXG9fPSgz70In7yiiUUEURKBjiLts5g0uMA/s320/20221205_151922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Even though this is a very full season for ministry and friendships we are trying to take special time as a family. Can you believe we have this fancy pool spot right in our own town?!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxZbE8aZbaoeD2WRfdtum8Pp00NvoVxM2mbmCgRAC4GxpBsHbfGkI0ur2QMKi_GFgFVLFxk1LJjEJES4_0L39zVkeWCuYZjXKVreDmc-CqSWLHcRIAw2PoetxRjECD83chNUI1Ld4ih6b6A7oqD1J0T1v5-00dTd3zcS0pi5f5EwYNOWuyg/s2745/20221205_142643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="2105" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxZbE8aZbaoeD2WRfdtum8Pp00NvoVxM2mbmCgRAC4GxpBsHbfGkI0ur2QMKi_GFgFVLFxk1LJjEJES4_0L39zVkeWCuYZjXKVreDmc-CqSWLHcRIAw2PoetxRjECD83chNUI1Ld4ih6b6A7oqD1J0T1v5-00dTd3zcS0pi5f5EwYNOWuyg/s320/20221205_142643.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TtvQNJl1s7UXK0O-I1cqwYva60hHXlaQczrSTPPl9ETnKzdDTs3Dw5w8FqBjCkLtkVL-j9psXZT3VVZ7by5u9P97uExI52oNwO1MWRglmfORQds3708j6EU1yULVX3h3jJ01E8rrfRYvR8k9umr1idf8hWJRTJxb-KX_qX4qTZiCCqA4Ig/s4000/20221204_184850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TtvQNJl1s7UXK0O-I1cqwYva60hHXlaQczrSTPPl9ETnKzdDTs3Dw5w8FqBjCkLtkVL-j9psXZT3VVZ7by5u9P97uExI52oNwO1MWRglmfORQds3708j6EU1yULVX3h3jJ01E8rrfRYvR8k9umr1idf8hWJRTJxb-KX_qX4qTZiCCqA4Ig/s320/20221204_184850.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYRWQrCvYg89Y_4aAeL264wvZPDcHtHdPeJnsCE7qSentrMbhKftDEooWRLeBOLHUOwUicsfXwsjKU6dfVOqo36get0bLj_OU6NuK8GTExYu3jH6_wJLYM8yRVdClNzxkF5_a0Qa_IM4Vr1giWYoRhoVCqlF-DMRXBun7itJvZ4NoW1i1Vw/s4000/20221203_184510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYRWQrCvYg89Y_4aAeL264wvZPDcHtHdPeJnsCE7qSentrMbhKftDEooWRLeBOLHUOwUicsfXwsjKU6dfVOqo36get0bLj_OU6NuK8GTExYu3jH6_wJLYM8yRVdClNzxkF5_a0Qa_IM4Vr1giWYoRhoVCqlF-DMRXBun7itJvZ4NoW1i1Vw/s320/20221203_184510.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another highlight has been watching the World Cup games and projecting it on the wall. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRzZyhW3mpwmAYPK7sEJ49UJKI1F6KC8scAsFHNCOSopqCMC2FAAJr7XLEDe4caTzqdvLxeBUHbMvQFWD7HjHGfOoy349X62M7WNQynr7vjDrXEvWkqOcRkfvCQZauAGIkWlaPmf7lJCW2szwaFD8KFxW5qcyJfUgqKQiiP0_n9397xp3pQ/s4000/20221202_120016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRzZyhW3mpwmAYPK7sEJ49UJKI1F6KC8scAsFHNCOSopqCMC2FAAJr7XLEDe4caTzqdvLxeBUHbMvQFWD7HjHGfOoy349X62M7WNQynr7vjDrXEvWkqOcRkfvCQZauAGIkWlaPmf7lJCW2szwaFD8KFxW5qcyJfUgqKQiiP0_n9397xp3pQ/s320/20221202_120016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is always a common scene when the BIGS are home - tools out all the time and some kind of project going on. The boys spent a few weeks getting their motorcycles in perfect condition for their 3 day trip that they've been dreaming of taking for at least a year now. This mama will breathe a sigh of relief when they're all home safely!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiTIFFSziFJ_74EJHL58rVQ7ApbVkrLa4TVChERi0X99BbJA5zoDjNHYq0CzMS6n4TkKhQhmVH8ukuyj40EcJYG6aqNOoum8bgJ8pIwWmYFOcBcHVPf6CvwLO6bOjQbU-Ni9PgDaGQ738-LyymAN2DdXJu4AHqQhiLqwygI-ZeiI-utgLzw/s4000/20221202_115902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiTIFFSziFJ_74EJHL58rVQ7ApbVkrLa4TVChERi0X99BbJA5zoDjNHYq0CzMS6n4TkKhQhmVH8ukuyj40EcJYG6aqNOoum8bgJ8pIwWmYFOcBcHVPf6CvwLO6bOjQbU-Ni9PgDaGQ738-LyymAN2DdXJu4AHqQhiLqwygI-ZeiI-utgLzw/s320/20221202_115902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> And last of all, this is the sign that the hot season is coming: the two Littles cool off in basins of water on our porch. Judah is a year old now and we're hoping he starts to walk by Christmas.<p></p></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-22002212064459317672022-11-12T11:23:00.000+03:002022-11-12T11:23:46.458+03:00Judah's Adoption Story<p> On October 11, 2021 I wrote an email to our adoption agency saying that we were going to wait for only one more month before closing our profile. We had originally planned to return to Uganda after Christmas. Only 11 days later, on October 22, 2021, we got a phone call from our agency saying there was a couple interested in placing their child in our family. We talked with them on the phone and seemed to connect. A few minutes after our phone conversation we received confirmation that they chose us. We were in total shock! The baby girl was due November 27, 2021 so we had a little more than a month and that was all!</p><p>On November 12, one year ago today, we got a phone call around 1 pm that Mama L was in labor and on her way to the hospital. We weren't expecting it to happen this soon but it didn't take us long to call Eli's parents to come stay with the boys and pack our bags. We drove through the night to get to the state of his birth and on our way got the phone call that he was born and we heard the news: "It's a BOY!" We laughed out loud because we knew we were just destined to be a house full of boys. :)</p><p>We checked into a hotel when we arrived and got a bit of sleep. Around 2 pm we went to visit the parents in the hospital with a basket of treats and snacks for their hospital stay. It was our first time to meet face to face and very surreal but we hit it off and had a nice visit. We found out that Judah was in the NICU because he'd had some breathing problems shortly after being born. We didn't get to meet him that day but Judah's first parents invited us to come back the next morning.</p><p>That evening we also got a call from their lawyer that we needed to be back at the hospital by 9 am the next morning because they were ready to sign the adoption papers. We couldn't believe it! The next morning was a Sunday and shortly after we arrived at the hospital, we met with the lawyer and signed papers. The birth parents had already signed their papers. I kept thinking, "Is this really happening?!" After signing the papers we went up to visit with the parents again. Mama L offered to take us up to the NICU to see him since we still hadn't met him in person and he was already 2 days old. We had all signed the paperwork but the hospital was working on how to get Eli and I our own ID bracelets so we could be with the baby in the NICU now that we were officially his legal guardians. Mama L was so gracious to take us up to meet him. He was so tiny in his little isolet. We couldn't see much of him. He was swaddled tightly and the pacifier took up most of his little face. The first thing I noticed was all the blond fuzz on his little head and I was instantly head over heels in love! We didn't get to hold him but we sat and watched him sleep for a bit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-LhVhKQbccEl7B79ioaErE89ZNano1-pxiEEOsPhXOBQGrmm0SY1Fo3didZkZpysl_Wvn1P1gKLrAHohojFu-PHouApXbzs_KHEVYRlTLkYmlYOJkH6mv3HrWcPUt-tvdz-0Hu-SBeVJMjXlxD6GMch8Y0zNeNmptHHn423W010Rs_KZ-Q/s4000/20211114_134926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-LhVhKQbccEl7B79ioaErE89ZNano1-pxiEEOsPhXOBQGrmm0SY1Fo3didZkZpysl_Wvn1P1gKLrAHohojFu-PHouApXbzs_KHEVYRlTLkYmlYOJkH6mv3HrWcPUt-tvdz-0Hu-SBeVJMjXlxD6GMch8Y0zNeNmptHHn423W010Rs_KZ-Q/s320/20211114_134926.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Since it was the weekend the normal hospital social worker wasn't working so the hospital told us to come back Monday morning so they could figure out how to get us ID bands to go up to the NICU to stay with Judah. It was hard to leave him but we went back to the hotel to get a good night's sleep so we could be back bright and early the next morning. They gave us our bracelets and we finally got to hold our boy. We had to wear gowns, gloves and masks, but it still felt soooo good to cuddle our new little 5 pound son.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYN_-ZVecEb9PiiUyPRdG-KnuFlVVPharKQPJIWzi56n5qMoP_Qi9pmnS2SZVgi5vvl3OM_F4lLzQ3NySZkF_cH8EltC1aO9T9AgrHIG5xA-d7ckl4kiedd1nsWx8VuSL0piB1tevOqTnQrMuSYjvcDHHwVJWYB4gzpRLPbJIVqDJk7iKUg/s4000/20211115_122137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYN_-ZVecEb9PiiUyPRdG-KnuFlVVPharKQPJIWzi56n5qMoP_Qi9pmnS2SZVgi5vvl3OM_F4lLzQ3NySZkF_cH8EltC1aO9T9AgrHIG5xA-d7ckl4kiedd1nsWx8VuSL0piB1tevOqTnQrMuSYjvcDHHwVJWYB4gzpRLPbJIVqDJk7iKUg/s320/20211115_122137.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first time holding Judah<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>When we found out he was a boy we knew we wanted to name him Judah and had a middle name picked out as well. Judah's birth parents had originally told us they wanted us to choose the name but in the hospital we found out they had named him Caleb. So to honor them we kept Caleb as his middle name. What a beautiful name: Judah Caleb<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQtl0ijH6Xvuu3cTU9uUHlbSWm2GCCxmfNNKgHNMlxYq15k2VKy9NHK8WG8cMJIwpoYcQjCZQxWfOqazdVXtQnfEElS0zhM6GsvZ4GGm_p7SiMQZ32g-9Zjm2H_axHkRP3MowvUWr7VzQ9PjNl-5oNjcRnEjsb1J3wzYgNtpQEFBBASnuRA/s617/ELi%20and%20Judah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQtl0ijH6Xvuu3cTU9uUHlbSWm2GCCxmfNNKgHNMlxYq15k2VKy9NHK8WG8cMJIwpoYcQjCZQxWfOqazdVXtQnfEElS0zhM6GsvZ4GGm_p7SiMQZ32g-9Zjm2H_axHkRP3MowvUWr7VzQ9PjNl-5oNjcRnEjsb1J3wzYgNtpQEFBBASnuRA/s320/ELi%20and%20Judah.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We learned that we could stay in the NICU with Judah from 8 am to 6:45 pm but then we had to leave for the night. It was hard to leave him every night but we made sure to enjoy our last nights of solid sleep. Eli and I realized that as much as we loved holding and caring for Judah every day in the NICU we also needed time to go home and shower and eat, so we started a routine where I would take half the day and then Eli would take the other half. We're so thankful we did this because we ended up being in the NICU with Judah for 8 days.</div><div><br /></div><div>On November 23rd. we went into the hospital as usual and found out that Judah would be discharged that day! We called his birth parents to see if they'd like to come see him before we left the state because we also heard that we'd be clear to leave the state the following day. They came and we gave them time alone with Judah for about an hour and then we all signed discharge papers together and left the hospital together. So bittersweet. Sweet because Judah was finally healthy and ready to leave. Bitter because I couldn't imagine the feelings his first parents were feeling.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day we were cleared to leave the state. It was a long drive with a newborn stopping every few hours for feedings and diaper changes but in the wee hours of Thanksgiving Day we pulled into our home in SC! What a way to start our Day of Thanksgiving!<br /><div><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-2572292620605394612022-11-10T14:33:00.003+03:002022-11-10T14:33:56.279+03:00Judah's Birthday Week - Part 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq76psTQflaShTXaZfz6Qcx3XKsrRhOaw0ccmVqwdXfDNpKLwGoLACE9UWhVgM4AFLbwGEBgxuiayu5qINnF1oHMkm1FG5t4jQCvRXec0kDzvryVyP9liWIDAX5ARNXEYL0wfgLgj2slOuVxSjn2RLYH_nxqqoLvFh5fAm3cSHrKankuCGew/s4000/20221104_160040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq76psTQflaShTXaZfz6Qcx3XKsrRhOaw0ccmVqwdXfDNpKLwGoLACE9UWhVgM4AFLbwGEBgxuiayu5qINnF1oHMkm1FG5t4jQCvRXec0kDzvryVyP9liWIDAX5ARNXEYL0wfgLgj2slOuVxSjn2RLYH_nxqqoLvFh5fAm3cSHrKankuCGew/s320/20221104_160040.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> In honor of National Adoption Awareness Month and in order to feel all the feels that this week brings for our family, I want to share a bit of our Judah story. The picture above sums up our adoption story: 2 beautiful sons I love more than life itself! I never could have dreamed that I'd have the joy of being their Mama but I'm so thankful!<p></p><p>Judah will be one year old on November 12 and we had an early birthday celebration because Daddy is going out of town for a while and will miss his actual birthday. So I would like to write a few posts of the next few days to share how Judah came to be a part of our family. Adoption stories come with so many layers and personal details so I will hold those precious parts back but I would like to share more of his story because I haven't on my blog yet.</p><p>Stay tuned for more...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaDMgqvTdi7Vz9zAkIiH4LmloU_Lm2NSqwD0OmU85a2QHO7bLfo0qBK4G18k5j5qDW-lSLZBXju5G-CyLoqjLp24FhgYP7HAWGtcjMQrgCEQX8AtlC4kGVQNxkz1ZIF6s875F0yyjb5On51IVZAPezGp-FQt1e4FELSmqbyyCMPCDoh_wgQ/s4000/20221109_171229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaDMgqvTdi7Vz9zAkIiH4LmloU_Lm2NSqwD0OmU85a2QHO7bLfo0qBK4G18k5j5qDW-lSLZBXju5G-CyLoqjLp24FhgYP7HAWGtcjMQrgCEQX8AtlC4kGVQNxkz1ZIF6s875F0yyjb5On51IVZAPezGp-FQt1e4FELSmqbyyCMPCDoh_wgQ/s320/20221109_171229.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a double birthday party with Judah's friend Donovan who turned 1 the day before!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSYVjmRQC2GnXInZeH4QugJ8pVmXU-WuPBjgFVXfg0J7gYVfQYc6tilfDlaZiMJLbzpXT1511ABxIZuleCKwI5pl-7JuB_JqbGa2JCwRWQPCnFepOa-y5JkmVZWpRACXXQ8Ra2D4UBDSlV5MxroRrpk_1yiN6DBkXGyKuahWQAMtKSzPpGw/s4000/20221109_170922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSYVjmRQC2GnXInZeH4QugJ8pVmXU-WuPBjgFVXfg0J7gYVfQYc6tilfDlaZiMJLbzpXT1511ABxIZuleCKwI5pl-7JuB_JqbGa2JCwRWQPCnFepOa-y5JkmVZWpRACXXQ8Ra2D4UBDSlV5MxroRrpk_1yiN6DBkXGyKuahWQAMtKSzPpGw/s320/20221109_170922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHSS7il2NCnvDajBQYKVZOyhXSziMpuYC3pT_l5jK03Ussar2T8aQzmoXuYAI9TDbb1s-FUf5-OorDfpnfVE3m6TFAYZmzzzDUVENQHcyqHf3ewTYlHBKkUL0y7X2jdKkXqMv613IWIULxZ9KqlZxFbswnzMAl8a1AlmhU39FyRqvrbqq8Q/s3960/20221109_162943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2410" data-original-width="3960" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHSS7il2NCnvDajBQYKVZOyhXSziMpuYC3pT_l5jK03Ussar2T8aQzmoXuYAI9TDbb1s-FUf5-OorDfpnfVE3m6TFAYZmzzzDUVENQHcyqHf3ewTYlHBKkUL0y7X2jdKkXqMv613IWIULxZ9KqlZxFbswnzMAl8a1AlmhU39FyRqvrbqq8Q/s320/20221109_162943.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two 1-year olds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-17998195725043055382022-11-03T11:35:00.001+03:002022-11-03T11:35:58.337+03:002022: The Year of Being Humbled<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9Vy9rIxF0Fz7d8T8UBm2nzNZgsu482YMnHnH7ZWOSoIY4C6wUf_OwT6KYkauGDc_IRWpEWtjIfuptOd235x2wk31UCv61_W0HkpvB0NMH-KKhwhYZiTOrWqh-9n5ykZ3aOO6q8Ui-KIXArZZr6sQwBK3orIkUoAOg8lqvIRgnzCeFNDkAA/s293/humility.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9Vy9rIxF0Fz7d8T8UBm2nzNZgsu482YMnHnH7ZWOSoIY4C6wUf_OwT6KYkauGDc_IRWpEWtjIfuptOd235x2wk31UCv61_W0HkpvB0NMH-KKhwhYZiTOrWqh-9n5ykZ3aOO6q8Ui-KIXArZZr6sQwBK3orIkUoAOg8lqvIRgnzCeFNDkAA/w320-h188/humility.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">2022: The Year of Being Humbled<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t it funny that when you hear the word “humbled” you
immediately think of negative things right? Thankfully in the course of this
year, even though I have been in the “crucible” of humbling, as I ponder all
the ways that I have been humbled in 2022, they are all very good things and
I’m so thankful God is taking me through this process.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The beginning of 2022 I was adjusting to having a new baby.
I knew adopting another newborn would bring extra work but I also somehow thought
we would all just go about normal life and the baby would come along. But
that’s not really how it worked. We had to go through quite the transition. It
was wonderful but I remember it took a while before I admitted to myself that I
didn’t really have it all together and this was harder than I thought it would
be. Level 1 of Being Humbled.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In March we moved our family back to Uganda, with our three
older boys back at Rift Valley Academy and the four remaining Faders in
Adjumani. I figured we had made this transition so many times over the last 15
years of being on the mission field, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But it took
months to adjust!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition, silly me, thought I could continue doing all
the things I’d been doing in our church and in our community BEFORE we adopted
Judah. It took me at least 4 months to finally realize that I couldn’t. I was
in a new season of life. I had a 4 year old who needed lots of training and
discipling and a baby who was adjusting to the heat and wouldn’t let anyone
hold him but Eli and I. One by one I had to let go of things and remind myself
that I was in a season. A sweet season. A season in which I needed to stay home
and pour into my littles. The harder lesson I had to learn was that <u>this is
enough.</u> This is all God was asking of me. I had to release the guilt. Stop
worrying about what people would think. And make the most of these fleeting
days when my littles are still small. Level 2 of Being Humbled. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me just say though that I lingered in Level 2 for quite
some time. God used several really good books (one of which I’ve already
mentioned on our blog) to re-center me and remind me of truth that I
desperately needed to hear. I so easily get caught up in DOING and what I’m
DOING for the Lord and for others. I find my value in what I’ve done. This is
an awful trap that sucks the life right out of us and I learned that in the
book, “Finding Rest when the Work is Never Done” by Patrick Klingaman.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I began to sit in the truths of WHO I AM in Christ from
Ephesians chapter 1 and as I began to rest and be still before the Lord, He
helped me recuperate from a pretty weary place of self-bashing. I also read
another great book called “Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge in which he
shares a bunch of “graces” or things we can do in our days to bring more
stillness and peace instead of the stress and crazy rat race that so many
people get caught up in. It was so refreshing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the month of October sickness hit our house for a solid 3
weeks and that further humbled me. Not only was every minute of my time used
for nursing my sick baby but it got to the point where even Eli and I were sick
and we just locked ourselves in our compound and laid around so as not to pass
the germs. We weren’t doing anything of value by worldly standards and yet I
could feel Level 3 of being humbled and I knew it was good. What better way for
you to realize how unimportant you are than to be sick. You can’t cook. You
aren’t much fun. And you definitely can’t help anyone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of being unimportant. You would think I had learned
this lesson already but I haven’t. And that is that I am not everyone’s savior.
It sounds so wrong to write it out. How could I ever believe that I am anyone’s
savior? And yet when I really think about it, I take it upon myself most days
to try to fix peoples’ problems and help them in any way I can. The thing is,
sometimes yes, we need to do something to help. But sometimes God has a
different way. And I’ve also had to continue this testing of my heart this
year. Several of our close friends here are in the middle of really tough trials.
One of my closest friends’ brother was in a terrible motorcycle accident and
the hospital ended up deciding to amputate one of his legs right below the
knee. He’s only 22. Another good friend’s husband is slowly dying from painful
neck cancer which is spreading to his spine and who knows where else in his
body. They’ve had to sell so much of their business and livelihood to pay for his
chemo treatments and doctor appointments in the big city. They have two young
children and her husband is a new believer wanting to live his life for Jesus.
But now it looks like his life will be cut short. Everything inside of me
wishes I could take this suffering away. I spend hours each week pondering what
my role is and what can I do to help? And again, part of God’s humbling me is
helping me remember again that it’s not up to me. I’m not the one who can do anything.
It’s our Mighty God. Level 4 of Being Humbled. Realizing I’m not superwoman and
I can’t fix peoples’ problems. Releasing that responsibility to the Lord is my
friends’ best hope but also such a relief to me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well it’s only November<sup> </sup>and we still have 2
months of the year left so I’m sure there is more humbling to come. I will try
to embrace it and allow the Humbling Process to continue, trusting that the
results of this humbling will be worth it.<o:p></o:p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-24278154036752250522022-10-04T15:18:00.001+03:002022-10-04T15:18:28.581+03:00Just Trust<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-szeekWc2Bu_4cTvpfLo33W3roCwaPEFK6Ix_gQNeQoJSirX5eLfVmK72yewg7iRYez_N1rw-QhcInuPdSonIns2t4Jb3AEAz4PkrBXvv1gmK9DT8xpWob7P-GH0_GOrP0wWMgpKhaooj1-jH0P2ms0igg5u7ibSJsnBJK4f6Z4KAT9Ao2Q/s4000/20221002_182136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-szeekWc2Bu_4cTvpfLo33W3roCwaPEFK6Ix_gQNeQoJSirX5eLfVmK72yewg7iRYez_N1rw-QhcInuPdSonIns2t4Jb3AEAz4PkrBXvv1gmK9DT8xpWob7P-GH0_GOrP0wWMgpKhaooj1-jH0P2ms0igg5u7ibSJsnBJK4f6Z4KAT9Ao2Q/s320/20221002_182136.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Eunice </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's been a little more than a month since I last wrote on our blog. During that month we had more visitors from the States and different people staying with us. I love to host so it's been fun but there have definitely been some days of exhaustion. Thankfully, Eli and I are slowly but surely putting new practices into action, trying to pay attention to when we're feeling weary so we can give ourselves space and a chance to recharge so we can always be ready for whatever and however God wants to use us here. It's still a learning process but we've had much encouragement as we attempt new rhythms of rest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet8HT5_QLfK5rmuOlZSCeQmoPMBSNPy888VcTPXR9ZocY5f9hCNUYWmjUcvY6JmqwYOIWBn4hkfXFetXhu8AaG88XHGSQlhUYRb7Vh08V_P3Gy3C8dQ4K8EIRlijjTN__s6SYAd1L3QyLlr8yf6KCUaIdKo5z55b07SJ692YHEmLH4AJrGQ/s4000/20220928_111210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet8HT5_QLfK5rmuOlZSCeQmoPMBSNPy888VcTPXR9ZocY5f9hCNUYWmjUcvY6JmqwYOIWBn4hkfXFetXhu8AaG88XHGSQlhUYRb7Vh08V_P3Gy3C8dQ4K8EIRlijjTN__s6SYAd1L3QyLlr8yf6KCUaIdKo5z55b07SJ692YHEmLH4AJrGQ/s320/20220928_111210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli showing Carson a chameleon he found on the road. Carson wasn't thrilled.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Life continued as usual for the month of September with a few new additions. I began homeschooling Carson - we are only doing preschool so it means less than an hour of school work every day but it's been a special time for the two of us while Judah is napping.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Eli continues to gather his research for his PhD dissertation while also traveling to different refugee settlements to check on the theological training centers. We are so encouraged as these students continue with their education. The diploma program is also going strong with a steady 11-14 students.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kuXIl8VhLis4zsXiOV3xJ98qZ7skYbUTBxEjBeoTL9OSavbUwlCRenZ7-StSrMrTSym7oEw5yV_i6S4R7k1bB-f9lQvA56dlx-CQHlMouQ283wNbYSk3DOAVMowU4mLj_nRn-w9dr6VZhtuk6yZLsSnzShCH444uwhthRYqkOdJk3EK0jA/s4000/20220927_101507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kuXIl8VhLis4zsXiOV3xJ98qZ7skYbUTBxEjBeoTL9OSavbUwlCRenZ7-StSrMrTSym7oEw5yV_i6S4R7k1bB-f9lQvA56dlx-CQHlMouQ283wNbYSk3DOAVMowU4mLj_nRn-w9dr6VZhtuk6yZLsSnzShCH444uwhthRYqkOdJk3EK0jA/s320/20220927_101507.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson writing his A's<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLYJqKG8raCA0MN-PCVeEbrXIy5b-ZF0-ahGV45GhM2Hfy7rWrsW6YWsuF_m9br7rsbNk64DZ_nV-v-IOgj6M4Ob_KbYNKc-Qbw3xOU2ngclcSNtxavApOEnGsBzNDoG-Fw3xLTbgCfU9TuGZV0gea16L-vB2aQmZm1KkaEBFwdHAwyVbMQ/s4000/20220927_144419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLYJqKG8raCA0MN-PCVeEbrXIy5b-ZF0-ahGV45GhM2Hfy7rWrsW6YWsuF_m9br7rsbNk64DZ_nV-v-IOgj6M4Ob_KbYNKc-Qbw3xOU2ngclcSNtxavApOEnGsBzNDoG-Fw3xLTbgCfU9TuGZV0gea16L-vB2aQmZm1KkaEBFwdHAwyVbMQ/s320/20220927_144419.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Both Carson and Judah are growing so fast. I can't believe that Judah will be one year old next month! Carson's new thing lately is that he loves to help. He loves to help me in the kitchen cooking or washing dishes, he helps Eli feed and care for our chickens and dog and he especially likes to help take care of his little brother.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGtMGRnP3ca5Ktz5yJSaynYBG2atc-GJ5ivEsb2DsltqRMZhrc_wE9sHPfIg1BymP_IHA_wOHSQjVF_YshbAmqsgd0GiSawxn1CjBiuQQ6WfODorHba974ulo71yey0bbQ-4hFPx2_EX27oZ-8BqAR9YDwDiv7pbnvH2C10o-e5Q-XMVltw/s4000/20220925_163842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGtMGRnP3ca5Ktz5yJSaynYBG2atc-GJ5ivEsb2DsltqRMZhrc_wE9sHPfIg1BymP_IHA_wOHSQjVF_YshbAmqsgd0GiSawxn1CjBiuQQ6WfODorHba974ulo71yey0bbQ-4hFPx2_EX27oZ-8BqAR9YDwDiv7pbnvH2C10o-e5Q-XMVltw/s320/20220925_163842.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a popsicle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ78Bkd0Cn999C6siZsVV3uIMwzcaa3rJmRVfVpnwU8Gps2g8paUVF7h0DYAx10Hh3YLAM8T5C__LwiiseAP4SPtESJEZEeiBQPRMo5ZBzOX8X4bBp5WSxYXNBbjGJVaxy3RSgepSNNBVJAA7Ixzp-_EUJPsSbdiRo3WZtxk0vOSD1esBsLA/s768/Isaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ78Bkd0Cn999C6siZsVV3uIMwzcaa3rJmRVfVpnwU8Gps2g8paUVF7h0DYAx10Hh3YLAM8T5C__LwiiseAP4SPtESJEZEeiBQPRMo5ZBzOX8X4bBp5WSxYXNBbjGJVaxy3RSgepSNNBVJAA7Ixzp-_EUJPsSbdiRo3WZtxk0vOSD1esBsLA/s320/Isaac.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac in a game against their big rival school</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are happy to report that Isaac, Evan and Joshua continue to thrive at school in Kenya. All three boys are playing soccer this term and trying to keep up with heavy class loads. Isaac is also filling out college applications, FAFSA forms and applying for scholarships. Please pray for him with all these big life decisions ahead of him. This weekend Isaac, Evan and Joshua will bus overnight to Kampala where we get to spend 4 full days with them for their fall midterm break. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to normal life I am continuing to grow in my thoughts about rest and more recently TRUST. I feel almost silly sharing what God has been teaching me because it's so elementary and simple and yet it's making big, good waves in my heart right now. I was recently talking to a friend about my stress and feeling frustrated that I can't cope better with slight changes in my plans or things out of my control. Don't we all know that as much as we wish we had control, we don't?! WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL! But who is? God is. I know, it sounds so cliche but it's true. Only God is in control. Can I trust that He is always in control and working for my good? Yes I sure can. That means it won't be MY way. It will be HIS way. So instead of getting bent out of shape when something or someone doesn't "go my way" and I'm not in control, the phrase I'm repeating to myself is "Just Trust." <br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw959K9-LmyFwZK5CGTPWJzoo3LoYQ7bhYqxv9m9vqytZ-WwlBHZavIvI2PJ7momkE40AbYxiiA5qB5Xqvfg2dyLbhFGNvYVLHGm6o61Ldj5Nykscw2q-yI20d-MU5aCMiC_FdeadIRjR0U9OUUagxugPBE196oIO66O45ihSsXYNxK5QpQ/s640/Just-Trust-tosblog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw959K9-LmyFwZK5CGTPWJzoo3LoYQ7bhYqxv9m9vqytZ-WwlBHZavIvI2PJ7momkE40AbYxiiA5qB5Xqvfg2dyLbhFGNvYVLHGm6o61Ldj5Nykscw2q-yI20d-MU5aCMiC_FdeadIRjR0U9OUUagxugPBE196oIO66O45ihSsXYNxK5QpQ/s320/Just-Trust-tosblog.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">That same friend reminded me of the Serenity Prayer below. Read it:</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiySPjWPo-9pmI7Jat47eSa5GiJmZNS2ODaR5b0iHKGq2CBVn7m5sRawgC1DYxlM0WYZzCSKNg5JYmMQvqLbdRA6vVE0S67bpNTXic9H6yv1HiCDI8kvDezIMix8C8cYulzB0D-hMI3KVKZygxP8ho50M47WUJTmPcNZ5oVsI2LD4SW6ICOw/s864/wq-rel-001_blk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiySPjWPo-9pmI7Jat47eSa5GiJmZNS2ODaR5b0iHKGq2CBVn7m5sRawgC1DYxlM0WYZzCSKNg5JYmMQvqLbdRA6vVE0S67bpNTXic9H6yv1HiCDI8kvDezIMix8C8cYulzB0D-hMI3KVKZygxP8ho50M47WUJTmPcNZ5oVsI2LD4SW6ICOw/s320/wq-rel-001_blk.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /> So my mission in my personal spiritual growth is working to ACCEPT what I can't control and what I can't change and have the courage to trust. God is absolutely trustworthy. I just need to live like He is!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55dY9s_2HmIz7eoSYhZNqDtMHWGmnbzyQVs0BmUiCDzi5132aac8BJHqobEuL5NAyV1OMDCdr8r3KbfBiZv8qC2nkntIpRyD_LOjhIiYoSZhsL-BbTXES_r2VsAWABfUjfQBKaaslZq22E0niSfRdueQFJb9vXKcPLcqLyth-Dn3XXNwpKA/s441/floral-black-border-260nw-51691171%20(1).webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="441" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55dY9s_2HmIz7eoSYhZNqDtMHWGmnbzyQVs0BmUiCDzi5132aac8BJHqobEuL5NAyV1OMDCdr8r3KbfBiZv8qC2nkntIpRyD_LOjhIiYoSZhsL-BbTXES_r2VsAWABfUjfQBKaaslZq22E0niSfRdueQFJb9vXKcPLcqLyth-Dn3XXNwpKA/w320-h186/floral-black-border-260nw-51691171%20(1).webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-38771225719545072432022-09-03T15:39:00.001+03:002022-09-03T15:51:41.542+03:00Rest<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBhTuXZvKxFc6YN3P7O8MGXMHXyySUlb1EwrswlPdKP2WEXYSkW-9fK-mU83E8lwf9AU9UjT-S3eAroVOEvBFNrDHuMl0w-2SfQPi-hnRAk-jGeKocW8gL4_43O1iB8duay0VrI4XOW0W-cDqAqceUkM-AmBUkVM3tRG9s_Kp094Gglf1vQ/s320/20220822_161757.jpg" width="320" /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOqVSBuKMdhJR_0naVSOs8cMH5IS0Ma9WHFzqqYG7gP3mFlh1fq46KJMsc8Cbv9AvT-zn0xZqD3_JEvHv-_v_pfWfkXUAZjMx_V3J3lJ54RvpGGZpPCRsTgn7uUZwJr5EJnw1vyJ_ZIVikLGJjZV2apiAIe5XPU_Zrx0qvBEqR4TlVlKGdA/s4000/20220822_161625.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">The computer and I are not getting along very well this afternoon but I'm so determined to write this post. I'm going to ignore that the text is red and underlined! We just got home to Adjumani on Thursday after being away for 10 days. We wanted to have a special family vacation away with our three older boys before they headed back to school for this next term. We stayed at a beautiful camp right on Lake Victoria and had a most wonderful time.</a><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOqVSBuKMdhJR_0naVSOs8cMH5IS0Ma9WHFzqqYG7gP3mFlh1fq46KJMsc8Cbv9AvT-zn0xZqD3_JEvHv-_v_pfWfkXUAZjMx_V3J3lJ54RvpGGZpPCRsTgn7uUZwJr5EJnw1vyJ_ZIVikLGJjZV2apiAIe5XPU_Zrx0qvBEqR4TlVlKGdA/s320/20220822_161625.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gje-UdxSuwP-n0LkGByRJNVYJsb0KfggavvwgdzI5sZJgjC7Je0zhtzJSyIhZhTnDfpo0a4CnKtFb8F8uztqyFREmyQ7ruY2seWMR4n1mvKpazjUkmzJmCTuPMS6gxrS3E_hNHar_h2DIWJY3R_887KO_JaqqBUeiHBJoodl4IaOxiw2IQ/s4000/20220822_165945.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gje-UdxSuwP-n0LkGByRJNVYJsb0KfggavvwgdzI5sZJgjC7Je0zhtzJSyIhZhTnDfpo0a4CnKtFb8F8uztqyFREmyQ7ruY2seWMR4n1mvKpazjUkmzJmCTuPMS6gxrS3E_hNHar_h2DIWJY3R_887KO_JaqqBUeiHBJoodl4IaOxiw2IQ/s320/20220822_165945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR8rcYbPmhIlpFHqCxMN1CUgbux-dLZnNFD4Be4tlOGEb0Ic3oZpyc1_kBZ_r_GAlZ40kVEtOspGjwszyc1bekRGskACAKBM0zYzk0zyx5OvgDmn7VbGiLukvYhrKCZBCoRQT-A4YvvgQMTDB36eOrza6Mo0ywI-VAhlLyyGhenqpXUtrOw/s4000/20220822_170009.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">We spent most of our days swimming, canoeing and hiking through the lush rainforest.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR8rcYbPmhIlpFHqCxMN1CUgbux-dLZnNFD4Be4tlOGEb0Ic3oZpyc1_kBZ_r_GAlZ40kVEtOspGjwszyc1bekRGskACAKBM0zYzk0zyx5OvgDmn7VbGiLukvYhrKCZBCoRQT-A4YvvgQMTDB36eOrza6Mo0ywI-VAhlLyyGhenqpXUtrOw/s4000/20220822_170009.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR8rcYbPmhIlpFHqCxMN1CUgbux-dLZnNFD4Be4tlOGEb0Ic3oZpyc1_kBZ_r_GAlZ40kVEtOspGjwszyc1bekRGskACAKBM0zYzk0zyx5OvgDmn7VbGiLukvYhrKCZBCoRQT-A4YvvgQMTDB36eOrza6Mo0ywI-VAhlLyyGhenqpXUtrOw/s320/20220822_170009.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ypv8dh1DbqmSGLFEC3D2QTczKGZDVX2OPXIUBXgByMUmW3cGwJ1KJWkmzx34eeDkBtvR5bBVCUa-sw78XcYKI5Aq0g4nAAWZLxOgQRBDnXpO0z9M_T9W2B9oLKWIfxxsL-kEl4gOR4W9DAvYpjT1zd37njq0uoT7jTH7pxhr7EEA4nm-YQ/s4000/20220822_170416.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ypv8dh1DbqmSGLFEC3D2QTczKGZDVX2OPXIUBXgByMUmW3cGwJ1KJWkmzx34eeDkBtvR5bBVCUa-sw78XcYKI5Aq0g4nAAWZLxOgQRBDnXpO0z9M_T9W2B9oLKWIfxxsL-kEl4gOR4W9DAvYpjT1zd37njq0uoT7jTH7pxhr7EEA4nm-YQ/s4000/20220822_170416.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ypv8dh1DbqmSGLFEC3D2QTczKGZDVX2OPXIUBXgByMUmW3cGwJ1KJWkmzx34eeDkBtvR5bBVCUa-sw78XcYKI5Aq0g4nAAWZLxOgQRBDnXpO0z9M_T9W2B9oLKWIfxxsL-kEl4gOR4W9DAvYpjT1zd37njq0uoT7jTH7pxhr7EEA4nm-YQ/s320/20220822_170416.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAl18js5DODXUAEuceyt79QMw3O4SLrNg6AkvxTNJ48xMTJZpJoV7bWO4jP9okwTeSD12daPirPVghAVtO0nmjuEZNFKcn9QERsTiaL9Tm6p7EarjfkVa_DATDValx3yQubQ4mJc-QpdqqFq07t0Id6t6OSzs7Xnx_cbOX0LxjHmkqOQ-P_g/s3174/20220822_171549.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">It was so good to have time to sit and be still, enjoying watching my boys play together and soaking in God's creation. It's amazing how helpful it is to get away. It's like you can suddenly see your life from new eyes and can be so helpful for evaluating how we're doing and what we can be doing better. These last few months have been soooo exhausting and I've been reading a very insightful book called "Finding Rest when the work is never done" and it opened my eyes to see that I've actually not been functioning in a very healthy way and I need to make some changes.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAl18js5DODXUAEuceyt79QMw3O4SLrNg6AkvxTNJ48xMTJZpJoV7bWO4jP9okwTeSD12daPirPVghAVtO0nmjuEZNFKcn9QERsTiaL9Tm6p7EarjfkVa_DATDValx3yQubQ4mJc-QpdqqFq07t0Id6t6OSzs7Xnx_cbOX0LxjHmkqOQ-P_g/s3174/20220822_171549.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3174" data-original-width="2003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAl18js5DODXUAEuceyt79QMw3O4SLrNg6AkvxTNJ48xMTJZpJoV7bWO4jP9okwTeSD12daPirPVghAVtO0nmjuEZNFKcn9QERsTiaL9Tm6p7EarjfkVa_DATDValx3yQubQ4mJc-QpdqqFq07t0Id6t6OSzs7Xnx_cbOX0LxjHmkqOQ-P_g/s320/20220822_171549.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PcILg2yrimmNRCncg6wKQAiiCGTGWYekn_NIghpo-lgG70KQSsyPE--nddDDmld_2v-FbJhRueKT_BM0kOmYIxKTNvJ_NY0CZEwe8maU5jnuQr4MQ1lOv3v943PJBcdTIEQeuDzDHFwyyqrqigQkRe5YSCv4UyIrsbeTtCbfQnhFPSH_Nw/s4000/20220822_172522.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PcILg2yrimmNRCncg6wKQAiiCGTGWYekn_NIghpo-lgG70KQSsyPE--nddDDmld_2v-FbJhRueKT_BM0kOmYIxKTNvJ_NY0CZEwe8maU5jnuQr4MQ1lOv3v943PJBcdTIEQeuDzDHFwyyqrqigQkRe5YSCv4UyIrsbeTtCbfQnhFPSH_Nw/s320/20220822_172522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBWI4F2gyl-RvzwuX_26x8D6k0irNZ_MhEVDUmxr--B0yIRtlUQnI393c0qp88QcnGgv-1O0LvaPz1i97j_Kd0vLuEe7Z4GUaPbmSVTFYor5ZI92mbbWkklHUr4mMVdMIhixQ6ggGPt9jx4eIAJsBfx_JCdPGVrSgxqUSb0L4y6sq2aO0Fg/s4000/20220822_173200.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBWI4F2gyl-RvzwuX_26x8D6k0irNZ_MhEVDUmxr--B0yIRtlUQnI393c0qp88QcnGgv-1O0LvaPz1i97j_Kd0vLuEe7Z4GUaPbmSVTFYor5ZI92mbbWkklHUr4mMVdMIhixQ6ggGPt9jx4eIAJsBfx_JCdPGVrSgxqUSb0L4y6sq2aO0Fg/s320/20220822_173200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E5QQXKrJ-HgnuKEsl1HC3cuiT82zjivYktxvinKcpzukbLsFHBf9hw77Q1ZJn0xsphjxqJPGF6VKPDif224eDt4ijqkG3pcd2RW9qZ5hN6tFS__Jt7p4xgGEEgUybgBtEm5knwMR5ImrWjP1yRav8pen83DVf63-frqSVaF2RAP7tEY9Nw/s2583/20220822_173204.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">Carson is already greatly missing his big brothers but we're so thankful for all the little friends he has here in our neighborhood.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E5QQXKrJ-HgnuKEsl1HC3cuiT82zjivYktxvinKcpzukbLsFHBf9hw77Q1ZJn0xsphjxqJPGF6VKPDif224eDt4ijqkG3pcd2RW9qZ5hN6tFS__Jt7p4xgGEEgUybgBtEm5knwMR5ImrWjP1yRav8pen83DVf63-frqSVaF2RAP7tEY9Nw/s2583/20220822_173204.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2583" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E5QQXKrJ-HgnuKEsl1HC3cuiT82zjivYktxvinKcpzukbLsFHBf9hw77Q1ZJn0xsphjxqJPGF6VKPDif224eDt4ijqkG3pcd2RW9qZ5hN6tFS__Jt7p4xgGEEgUybgBtEm5knwMR5ImrWjP1yRav8pen83DVf63-frqSVaF2RAP7tEY9Nw/s320/20220822_173204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr5nQc5QrTfANDjhvHPko-JqX3x8Xpmdr6Zq703vfy7feiUAF025x6kLT65UqMw9wh1oBJo96MpM1kJscTtBQYUOjBa-oNyqdGY-Ug3-Py3njCEN8U58YHdDT9iNWqWADvRmIjGvhQv0BaWlPxKiAabaWTOmypyfwbhlAkVusj8AXPwu4KQ/s4000/20220822_180213.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr5nQc5QrTfANDjhvHPko-JqX3x8Xpmdr6Zq703vfy7feiUAF025x6kLT65UqMw9wh1oBJo96MpM1kJscTtBQYUOjBa-oNyqdGY-Ug3-Py3njCEN8U58YHdDT9iNWqWADvRmIjGvhQv0BaWlPxKiAabaWTOmypyfwbhlAkVusj8AXPwu4KQ/s320/20220822_180213.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL49CshuQmocaK9AC2wzg2bSc12PwX3WhND2V7Mq2wz87m08sNW8KZrfmcPE3yrlWjSHtrbMvxYxFb4KtC_ImV09BOLhkfXsvKnD9Zj0IX77Ei7PxkHhlTYCz9D4xyRIdFKBN7FOaITAdbu0MkDsCST-iX-05CQOXA3HtzUL-yC9Di38cgyw/s4000/20220823_081933.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL49CshuQmocaK9AC2wzg2bSc12PwX3WhND2V7Mq2wz87m08sNW8KZrfmcPE3yrlWjSHtrbMvxYxFb4KtC_ImV09BOLhkfXsvKnD9Zj0IX77Ei7PxkHhlTYCz9D4xyRIdFKBN7FOaITAdbu0MkDsCST-iX-05CQOXA3HtzUL-yC9Di38cgyw/s320/20220823_081933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepOjbDWfkxMm4d-qnbNqq30VHM2Ez31bYRwoT2Yz4dkcyLnifE1a-OkYSScSrCbDdEXpNF9OisLBuBBW3O35Mtwd9irY85WYkMJ9UYjPA-adrGk4EeOXivm6d8wK4abNJPtcxOt54guG3CgKOpxfbPQnT1Qhupa08Z5yOvSkSmNRGErh3rw/s4000/20220823_161221.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">This was my favorite right here. Waking up early to have coffee and sit with Jesus. Reading His Word, journaling and one thing I did differently this vacation was to spend more time listening to Him than speaking.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepOjbDWfkxMm4d-qnbNqq30VHM2Ez31bYRwoT2Yz4dkcyLnifE1a-OkYSScSrCbDdEXpNF9OisLBuBBW3O35Mtwd9irY85WYkMJ9UYjPA-adrGk4EeOXivm6d8wK4abNJPtcxOt54guG3CgKOpxfbPQnT1Qhupa08Z5yOvSkSmNRGErh3rw/s4000/20220823_161221.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepOjbDWfkxMm4d-qnbNqq30VHM2Ez31bYRwoT2Yz4dkcyLnifE1a-OkYSScSrCbDdEXpNF9OisLBuBBW3O35Mtwd9irY85WYkMJ9UYjPA-adrGk4EeOXivm6d8wK4abNJPtcxOt54guG3CgKOpxfbPQnT1Qhupa08Z5yOvSkSmNRGErh3rw/s320/20220823_161221.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4ACfjxwaeydAgzRVsotLTM_YEQ8hZy2SKIcf3U3qBpuSrbSsCrhaQXhwE1ZxELzdghnbJ59F51ZqJ-LnADPlZscDk3_XkyhkXRnlVGvpg2_UJx8jOKItJUjszX0aOwCgOQK97QQp0mXOoZBbvt-cPQwI5ks52_cffl0ijE4hoB6YlztQzA/s4000/20220823_164004.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4ACfjxwaeydAgzRVsotLTM_YEQ8hZy2SKIcf3U3qBpuSrbSsCrhaQXhwE1ZxELzdghnbJ59F51ZqJ-LnADPlZscDk3_XkyhkXRnlVGvpg2_UJx8jOKItJUjszX0aOwCgOQK97QQp0mXOoZBbvt-cPQwI5ks52_cffl0ijE4hoB6YlztQzA/s320/20220823_164004.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNT0T-lpf_jTKNZJqZepHECV-InBYJz46ZJ7Q8wGJGIX-oYF0kGTXcXTfyLT3xDwGSA-uJwttuarimiDy6Oc1Q7UqgaMd3vS48o0nnIT93UcjEBAeoK0PyAA8O4n31PXKVB0-j6RzBKnF_TdNPxTwEwkAdd4jD7ZZBKdbrAub70e5MEp_bw/s4000/20220823_164714.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNT0T-lpf_jTKNZJqZepHECV-InBYJz46ZJ7Q8wGJGIX-oYF0kGTXcXTfyLT3xDwGSA-uJwttuarimiDy6Oc1Q7UqgaMd3vS48o0nnIT93UcjEBAeoK0PyAA8O4n31PXKVB0-j6RzBKnF_TdNPxTwEwkAdd4jD7ZZBKdbrAub70e5MEp_bw/s320/20220823_164714.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BxDXhYs2LreidXpJCIYbso_30IqijmWmEFOjuMhT6efhat-DhXumq9EmhU-Wmty55PYPR5M3sdxXH44KJ0rmladxA0LzL1LqxUVf98sqNOAr9fEzmBZx6gIrar_hte6cK6wMnGMUaYqCaw_J27Owf0eyuyloW6mqJ8-P0f4YfitwJJfRbg/s4000/20220823_164809.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BxDXhYs2LreidXpJCIYbso_30IqijmWmEFOjuMhT6efhat-DhXumq9EmhU-Wmty55PYPR5M3sdxXH44KJ0rmladxA0LzL1LqxUVf98sqNOAr9fEzmBZx6gIrar_hte6cK6wMnGMUaYqCaw_J27Owf0eyuyloW6mqJ8-P0f4YfitwJJfRbg/s320/20220823_164809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluh8bQY_hjhR7jNT61_nnnMpj8Lz4F3sov0xwV82PZzGX3SFQt_sioEup1N2iIh_dX8NEZITqM_TAG0M7tottbMwc9Ynk6JNcvBigQ5bhuT64SVMWLyNwixT6uM1t6led_9Bh9dKuT_FM-m2ZEQOpNZjyC8ih3uqTC2gvugiznwIy9hmiyQ/s4000/20220824_113439.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluh8bQY_hjhR7jNT61_nnnMpj8Lz4F3sov0xwV82PZzGX3SFQt_sioEup1N2iIh_dX8NEZITqM_TAG0M7tottbMwc9Ynk6JNcvBigQ5bhuT64SVMWLyNwixT6uM1t6led_9Bh9dKuT_FM-m2ZEQOpNZjyC8ih3uqTC2gvugiznwIy9hmiyQ/s320/20220824_113439.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrVahsLwm8yxfCJdDJh2NNllTYix4VKv8Mms7g34FJ7eYG3WL9hY00FcBLdJbbQE5Q8GanI8Mytyp8R2K_Xq-Rh0bI2WjH5-4k7krmkEcqAXyfmUajBs1CHSNwRLp1-zguhJodtkreN0tI1nlbV8jVH1vTOG9g_8jWnlF39TkjPbhGFGN4w/s4000/20220824_115106.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrVahsLwm8yxfCJdDJh2NNllTYix4VKv8Mms7g34FJ7eYG3WL9hY00FcBLdJbbQE5Q8GanI8Mytyp8R2K_Xq-Rh0bI2WjH5-4k7krmkEcqAXyfmUajBs1CHSNwRLp1-zguhJodtkreN0tI1nlbV8jVH1vTOG9g_8jWnlF39TkjPbhGFGN4w/s320/20220824_115106.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXW4Rwyoo1SpZvb3aL3SHGkY8spu4PJdOFKHFNItIFQQe4ujl17I9vPkjH3Krsx1au6omVSSbQ6CuDQUA5LnpsT0qfH_RMS4MjdF-MVdubfa9fh_rHZdRmiv6O99sz3Vx9n6C9-Ex8XqfFE_0_l3dze5abiLICVhOycXiJqTm1PrNA5R-Xw/s4000/20220824_115157.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXW4Rwyoo1SpZvb3aL3SHGkY8spu4PJdOFKHFNItIFQQe4ujl17I9vPkjH3Krsx1au6omVSSbQ6CuDQUA5LnpsT0qfH_RMS4MjdF-MVdubfa9fh_rHZdRmiv6O99sz3Vx9n6C9-Ex8XqfFE_0_l3dze5abiLICVhOycXiJqTm1PrNA5R-Xw/s320/20220824_115157.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1jHunBMziEZbu9okC2r_vLcoD02KfTNmmc_93nv3poxQ_a1AZebH4nsZofT7PJYf8uxH1RNGsIEZRbUnAUnFxDn_MjhlTAWwOpyunfgwSPK5KIWEJaFbXIvz3vTGys0W47vkPjopyshWbDKftRUPstSJydMZkTseVU_nu6-ROzZe6DGB7g/s4000/20220824_194709.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1jHunBMziEZbu9okC2r_vLcoD02KfTNmmc_93nv3poxQ_a1AZebH4nsZofT7PJYf8uxH1RNGsIEZRbUnAUnFxDn_MjhlTAWwOpyunfgwSPK5KIWEJaFbXIvz3vTGys0W47vkPjopyshWbDKftRUPstSJydMZkTseVU_nu6-ROzZe6DGB7g/s320/20220824_194709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK2vxWZBfkdg65hvdAynNJH02Jgxky3w9osBf-rnTZkCT6-KmwgB8JVzS7txi1CxMy9GOmtgwJatW-1aL8QqlO_IaT6dWyVQGmqy2I-oefjSEXf-Tjc2TMLxpNxT5WBmNd7XgxCl9JRCYdTn9Yl_6jhnTpZqtWcTHplh8mtSMFG85k-rD-Q/s4000/20220825_114345.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">While the littles were sleeping we sat around the campfire with our 3 big boys and talked about the new school year ahead;</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK2vxWZBfkdg65hvdAynNJH02Jgxky3w9osBf-rnTZkCT6-KmwgB8JVzS7txi1CxMy9GOmtgwJatW-1aL8QqlO_IaT6dWyVQGmqy2I-oefjSEXf-Tjc2TMLxpNxT5WBmNd7XgxCl9JRCYdTn9Yl_6jhnTpZqtWcTHplh8mtSMFG85k-rD-Q/s4000/20220825_114345.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK2vxWZBfkdg65hvdAynNJH02Jgxky3w9osBf-rnTZkCT6-KmwgB8JVzS7txi1CxMy9GOmtgwJatW-1aL8QqlO_IaT6dWyVQGmqy2I-oefjSEXf-Tjc2TMLxpNxT5WBmNd7XgxCl9JRCYdTn9Yl_6jhnTpZqtWcTHplh8mtSMFG85k-rD-Q/s320/20220825_114345.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn8_4zuelp2JBs9BAuNff_PxQeiluFgO-o2edHsrfLQdHjXxmT8hbz5pT8HGWJ96Tkq3G1DVz5b2QSKkqOBckpMbqFOA1fNNH-VtV0oD5w9CiZgDAZe3Kk-f5g6DBV9clU6jTuJu2zrf44gkY82u8gfmEbvTCoHMtu2EtpuUyHefvsRXYcw/s1905/20220825_120158.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1905" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn8_4zuelp2JBs9BAuNff_PxQeiluFgO-o2edHsrfLQdHjXxmT8hbz5pT8HGWJ96Tkq3G1DVz5b2QSKkqOBckpMbqFOA1fNNH-VtV0oD5w9CiZgDAZe3Kk-f5g6DBV9clU6jTuJu2zrf44gkY82u8gfmEbvTCoHMtu2EtpuUyHefvsRXYcw/s320/20220825_120158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP7tKoCPo9OSsdLAzSkWfCIfOhpzUydEbUuOI3feMAfPUrjKdGWn9hA25vozbB3UpuVf-7Gu833nhrtoFl0Fo28FkMhYDRhwFe8ZI_hCMatJMH8_4-LMJLkpnNGyoveQOu4geqbEP-W1SQHULxsCCDj2HPW1u2q73qPBRyWAWZnmxEKTIXQ/s4000/20220825_120600.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP7tKoCPo9OSsdLAzSkWfCIfOhpzUydEbUuOI3feMAfPUrjKdGWn9hA25vozbB3UpuVf-7Gu833nhrtoFl0Fo28FkMhYDRhwFe8ZI_hCMatJMH8_4-LMJLkpnNGyoveQOu4geqbEP-W1SQHULxsCCDj2HPW1u2q73qPBRyWAWZnmxEKTIXQ/s320/20220825_120600.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3phwtJtiOpYsJeNwEXSrkYAtwTbO2pHCEtJ3jhGyvIeB4hPV19lap-mEnZd9lhgwqRaQZv0O5TU4bHva8wqLyRxXbSqTahE7FLdyl3rg7oM5BFx4gLMGJLYTg4PMUMplyb5_alDyZc-cK_ExqPbBI71_Lb4Zug22imL-gLwEd1L6b8nizw/s1784/20220825_120608.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3phwtJtiOpYsJeNwEXSrkYAtwTbO2pHCEtJ3jhGyvIeB4hPV19lap-mEnZd9lhgwqRaQZv0O5TU4bHva8wqLyRxXbSqTahE7FLdyl3rg7oM5BFx4gLMGJLYTg4PMUMplyb5_alDyZc-cK_ExqPbBI71_Lb4Zug22imL-gLwEd1L6b8nizw/s320/20220825_120608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlw5Vy-eDfX_NTTKHGsyvJrBSpC-kEN-OG9L_O-P-f5Xk8yzyY0f-V6ZnK8LBbqALJWBZvbUNACMyf-bGNadbQ4rN0W2pRtI7YOieC5t5NJsyf34xdIniT6Sd86R0JMXCtXZM9hgQBLK6lVYEeYl525-xpL7QD11sMAdtZlzqZxzGjhWtWg/s4000/20220825_120711.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlw5Vy-eDfX_NTTKHGsyvJrBSpC-kEN-OG9L_O-P-f5Xk8yzyY0f-V6ZnK8LBbqALJWBZvbUNACMyf-bGNadbQ4rN0W2pRtI7YOieC5t5NJsyf34xdIniT6Sd86R0JMXCtXZM9hgQBLK6lVYEeYl525-xpL7QD11sMAdtZlzqZxzGjhWtWg/s320/20220825_120711.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRAMFX9K2IqGMTEbSWPmIXEoUdgONuWWFOz5sZ7Usr4PvytWAwTNF3hm-ZY2LCXdx66QD_hlRCfyWSXcirqN5hfh8I01fXACIu7EUIU6IH4JQoyNm12uCoFfsUvPWR6T0PMGJvBpYdQuXmonllNfc9eu4SMpCDcH3Qo5msMhxiq7h963CGA/s4000/20220825_135517.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRAMFX9K2IqGMTEbSWPmIXEoUdgONuWWFOz5sZ7Usr4PvytWAwTNF3hm-ZY2LCXdx66QD_hlRCfyWSXcirqN5hfh8I01fXACIu7EUIU6IH4JQoyNm12uCoFfsUvPWR6T0PMGJvBpYdQuXmonllNfc9eu4SMpCDcH3Qo5msMhxiq7h963CGA/s320/20220825_135517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZPwCR_lxvfyNH9Nt9Bzt61Yul2-kcgFLvJX2ZJ4CMZ9r_9XeI6vv_t4BDq6U_65KTJLJSQsvbtOtZ0iCCO9Rz2_wMJ5mK0EK8gMXAicI4kozW4fTTY4xbkVTFqwQlL3sekmwg5rgHEDwuhpn0gL1gg9vv2yTDtg2j7JZ_lAUiVlJpAAaDQ/s4000/20220825_173626.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZPwCR_lxvfyNH9Nt9Bzt61Yul2-kcgFLvJX2ZJ4CMZ9r_9XeI6vv_t4BDq6U_65KTJLJSQsvbtOtZ0iCCO9Rz2_wMJ5mK0EK8gMXAicI4kozW4fTTY4xbkVTFqwQlL3sekmwg5rgHEDwuhpn0gL1gg9vv2yTDtg2j7JZ_lAUiVlJpAAaDQ/s4000/20220825_173626.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZPwCR_lxvfyNH9Nt9Bzt61Yul2-kcgFLvJX2ZJ4CMZ9r_9XeI6vv_t4BDq6U_65KTJLJSQsvbtOtZ0iCCO9Rz2_wMJ5mK0EK8gMXAicI4kozW4fTTY4xbkVTFqwQlL3sekmwg5rgHEDwuhpn0gL1gg9vv2yTDtg2j7JZ_lAUiVlJpAAaDQ/s320/20220825_173626.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZPwCR_lxvfyNH9Nt9Bzt61Yul2-kcgFLvJX2ZJ4CMZ9r_9XeI6vv_t4BDq6U_65KTJLJSQsvbtOtZ0iCCO9Rz2_wMJ5mK0EK8gMXAicI4kozW4fTTY4xbkVTFqwQlL3sekmwg5rgHEDwuhpn0gL1gg9vv2yTDtg2j7JZ_lAUiVlJpAAaDQ/s4000/20220825_173626.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">So yeah, we had a marvelous family time away. We put the boys on a bus back to Kenya, spent a few days in the city doing some errands and came home on Thursday. I wish I could properly explain all that God is doing in my heart as He speaks to me about margin and being still and that He loves me no matter what and that doesn't depend on what I "do for Him." I'm 41 now and been a missionary for 15 years and yet I feel like God is still teaching me some very basic things about who I am. I'm trying to peel back layers to figure out what the root of my crazy overdrive is. Both Eli and I are "ALL IN" kind of people plus we're people pleasers and have a hard time saying "No" so that is a recipe for a cycle of fatigue/burnout that I'm just so tired of facing. I know there's got to be a better way.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZPwCR_lxvfyNH9Nt9Bzt61Yul2-kcgFLvJX2ZJ4CMZ9r_9XeI6vv_t4BDq6U_65KTJLJSQsvbtOtZ0iCCO9Rz2_wMJ5mK0EK8gMXAicI4kozW4fTTY4xbkVTFqwQlL3sekmwg5rgHEDwuhpn0gL1gg9vv2yTDtg2j7JZ_lAUiVlJpAAaDQ/s4000/20220825_173626.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">I hope to share more along this journey. But for now, I'm over here in Uganda sipping coffee while my baby naps and trying not to feel guilty that I stayed home from a funeral for an elderly lady in our church.</a></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-38786471029966498762022-08-15T15:28:00.003+03:002022-08-15T15:28:24.512+03:00So many good months <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-myAnK0Ik35XvBIVqlwY3SipPf4d7cREmudaFPCR1JD6HokRHTsVCc1HIBSgHXZzFXI-yS4Uz5PQ86uvmZGomxeqgxE8GvHLvZOVkd64eTUqqMvQdZQg-v0GIJUwV26YOazVSbcpS3FNQ-c1YMdbpfS3W32B1ZNWfgndZkTvMNU3KRRFVNQ/s2993/PXL_20220508_062649761.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2993" data-original-width="2433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-myAnK0Ik35XvBIVqlwY3SipPf4d7cREmudaFPCR1JD6HokRHTsVCc1HIBSgHXZzFXI-yS4Uz5PQ86uvmZGomxeqgxE8GvHLvZOVkd64eTUqqMvQdZQg-v0GIJUwV26YOazVSbcpS3FNQ-c1YMdbpfS3W32B1ZNWfgndZkTvMNU3KRRFVNQ/s320/PXL_20220508_062649761.MP.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day photo with my youngest</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>It's been a really really long time since I've shared on our blog and I feel so bad about that. I know that I love being able to share what God is doing and give you a peek of our amazing life in Uganda. But alas, the theme for me these past few months has been OVERWHELMED. Many times in a good way but because my hands are so full, it's hard to sit at the computer and update our blog. So this post is to share some photo highlights of the summer so far.</p><p></p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDgj12oHMW7qDolHCoAifBzFP_lySq4pAlb_qKXC4v9NwpySnL2J2yE7eBHpSyPdoDLYvQGM5L6GR5O69pIRfCTQ1H__1Nd8BcsODF6YHb5AIOc6ADCCdo_kSH3bj9wxie802EbuBu2Z2NFPNp2McOE2KVQXGx3pC2TMTFrq7qEh3lskrBg/s4032/PXL_20220514_152614184.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDgj12oHMW7qDolHCoAifBzFP_lySq4pAlb_qKXC4v9NwpySnL2J2yE7eBHpSyPdoDLYvQGM5L6GR5O69pIRfCTQ1H__1Nd8BcsODF6YHb5AIOc6ADCCdo_kSH3bj9wxie802EbuBu2Z2NFPNp2McOE2KVQXGx3pC2TMTFrq7qEh3lskrBg/s320/PXL_20220514_152614184.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson really enjoys running errands with Eli on his motorcycle. As you will see in other photos, there is a great love of motorcycles in this family!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCadGv1IeHynczrueWDGrB4ULifd7Dfzl6ljy7FSD2-WgAIkKCQXirPZWSvNMPqN44V28bZjEOc8vwW3z4xKeuuV_zPw1YrMki-ntJ0w7XA4_Be3DJGnfBla4yWxyrmTYQ8JUCAI0TEj0PkpF7mX50LeMdT8l1t7DD9e7Hu_9mM9vb0UgGfg/s2576/20220622_173308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCadGv1IeHynczrueWDGrB4ULifd7Dfzl6ljy7FSD2-WgAIkKCQXirPZWSvNMPqN44V28bZjEOc8vwW3z4xKeuuV_zPw1YrMki-ntJ0w7XA4_Be3DJGnfBla4yWxyrmTYQ8JUCAI0TEj0PkpF7mX50LeMdT8l1t7DD9e7Hu_9mM9vb0UgGfg/s320/20220622_173308.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In June Eli and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and went on a beautiful ride through the bush.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCm0ERWhOwxwfvGxlgphYHS9Q9CqVrS3l7EYc-rCfTMFbGG9ktfUKmzYqb4sk8MIpNjABT4iWetv8khSLxZwbZ536nQxom_FQQoA6FDnHmUFhr1Le5ZHQy_XAtDJuB2ljkHCSyFhkt5xFY8ESqfvxNLMJeGWsc4oYK-A9_MVlm-hzsj1DHg/s2048/20220623_174021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCm0ERWhOwxwfvGxlgphYHS9Q9CqVrS3l7EYc-rCfTMFbGG9ktfUKmzYqb4sk8MIpNjABT4iWetv8khSLxZwbZ536nQxom_FQQoA6FDnHmUFhr1Le5ZHQy_XAtDJuB2ljkHCSyFhkt5xFY8ESqfvxNLMJeGWsc4oYK-A9_MVlm-hzsj1DHg/s320/20220623_174021.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are so thankful for new American friends in our town. A new family with three little kids came to do ministry here as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH8x8jUq6nYvbKt_d8tOCKCHODT1ClKSKSDedJFEn-J91qmw4vyeZIfhFIyK3hpdroDOyW3l05Jp3m6Mfa0M_EHed6UwRuVwSmaQlm-Ih6SY1kBP02t3fvXkbICKZqFIxnU-WTjv9sCbk-ac6XVf1myCPPLqlIxdLMItDTKjeajyegA1WJQ/s2048/20220623_174115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH8x8jUq6nYvbKt_d8tOCKCHODT1ClKSKSDedJFEn-J91qmw4vyeZIfhFIyK3hpdroDOyW3l05Jp3m6Mfa0M_EHed6UwRuVwSmaQlm-Ih6SY1kBP02t3fvXkbICKZqFIxnU-WTjv9sCbk-ac6XVf1myCPPLqlIxdLMItDTKjeajyegA1WJQ/s320/20220623_174115.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my new sister friend Abby</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcYqjND075-DGGbEhQytsDiUrYwMDXh6XXQ4iR6thttCrXB-mE2YkAWuUfBKOae9oS3aZM2Z30xzCLbYTvJQG3fA2Ctp6U8oYwtEFcMILxlwuNms8xF6e-k1-M3-JpfW7TMV0jbfzlOryb0oQo05zbqICEgglMBhn54Y41kAi0x1FDW68YA/s2048/20220627_175728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcYqjND075-DGGbEhQytsDiUrYwMDXh6XXQ4iR6thttCrXB-mE2YkAWuUfBKOae9oS3aZM2Z30xzCLbYTvJQG3fA2Ctp6U8oYwtEFcMILxlwuNms8xF6e-k1-M3-JpfW7TMV0jbfzlOryb0oQo05zbqICEgglMBhn54Y41kAi0x1FDW68YA/s320/20220627_175728.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My season of life - everything with a baby on my back<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxYJVGQQs2a_uCQVpGaYh2DD6Jm0bVAiwf_HfGoE_a_MaCLmBBTVdPkCyC-ol-tdnkhnMGypeZ9eXUO0zVgrVXPxhcYKGWLx5xre6n20m1K2WadPlSEw1Bk58_n_YjQnVMKDhPPxnh0kORpeEOi_M75CqURIngBF68PBYjRmVxYvi-aHOKw/s2048/20220713_130845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxYJVGQQs2a_uCQVpGaYh2DD6Jm0bVAiwf_HfGoE_a_MaCLmBBTVdPkCyC-ol-tdnkhnMGypeZ9eXUO0zVgrVXPxhcYKGWLx5xre6n20m1K2WadPlSEw1Bk58_n_YjQnVMKDhPPxnh0kORpeEOi_M75CqURIngBF68PBYjRmVxYvi-aHOKw/s320/20220713_130845.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac brought some friends home from school to experience life in Adjumani for a week.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWd__-3E7qol5Q3V7SvVI-nciGJXCqMMTrSaAXoJO-ihKKBU1skcY1A5B13ZKKJSROHxEmLP-XFqJfoK1OfFCaJD9zklPb_b0HyoT2-OYp7f3_9zjz3loYLCUK6y2C6JxgV2CUjgREj_akAX8uk95T2QgAHlRyLPAHb4mCx8AoHxl_HDgIw/s2048/20220720_094705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWd__-3E7qol5Q3V7SvVI-nciGJXCqMMTrSaAXoJO-ihKKBU1skcY1A5B13ZKKJSROHxEmLP-XFqJfoK1OfFCaJD9zklPb_b0HyoT2-OYp7f3_9zjz3loYLCUK6y2C6JxgV2CUjgREj_akAX8uk95T2QgAHlRyLPAHb4mCx8AoHxl_HDgIw/s320/20220720_094705.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaac turned 18 in July and is entering his last year of high school - that is REALLY hard to believe!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju734gdoKoC-8MqqX_8zfukhvt92DihiTtXVKjDA1y_K4IhdWpFAd1naVgHdA7OKO7waCRJaq9J-OAlchENMlx36wjyTPNlxPgJQ5PvtYzkhwfyzwBf3fUUFCpCLD0-5RVs8I4Qp1Ehz3A4CbZ6m0vDK0rlqee9vDRDuuVmaS-wbpo_nHYQw/s4032/PXL_20220630_150341556.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju734gdoKoC-8MqqX_8zfukhvt92DihiTtXVKjDA1y_K4IhdWpFAd1naVgHdA7OKO7waCRJaq9J-OAlchENMlx36wjyTPNlxPgJQ5PvtYzkhwfyzwBf3fUUFCpCLD0-5RVs8I4Qp1Ehz3A4CbZ6m0vDK0rlqee9vDRDuuVmaS-wbpo_nHYQw/s320/PXL_20220630_150341556.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've made two new friends in our community who have babies born in the same month as Judah so that's fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGV7aNrZhIy1uGOZh5zcMzuEX8CMh4k69xfe5cGGnrMl9cOnvvSJQkV4Jwm-lDjOSksJPK9p3UbHwsCBpryX21ObBrtvHp5CHPzA_6CyOlbO5k3NnOpy0zU_ot_G_uWwUbMaZzGdAvHdZHG8iLynM52lorFPCustYzDr37cI0YDmhkHYBoA/s2448/PXL_20220704_145919615.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2104" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGV7aNrZhIy1uGOZh5zcMzuEX8CMh4k69xfe5cGGnrMl9cOnvvSJQkV4Jwm-lDjOSksJPK9p3UbHwsCBpryX21ObBrtvHp5CHPzA_6CyOlbO5k3NnOpy0zU_ot_G_uWwUbMaZzGdAvHdZHG8iLynM52lorFPCustYzDr37cI0YDmhkHYBoA/s320/PXL_20220704_145919615.MP.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg437kCXA8T3Lb2BiJ20pmfAd7iqMqGesc9yGuELPZDYLL2EE19SKYOQze9fdkIoqme2sKLWPg1q4sbabNNzfpDZWLsIw-necIurY5pcvCpZe-Zl5RkzSSPoaolZEeU3kjLvdjaNPvkNZE28ZmPjA3OyskFHYWYhy5xn1GCAWtSVAA7iV84Rg/s4032/PXL_20220706_091026334.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg437kCXA8T3Lb2BiJ20pmfAd7iqMqGesc9yGuELPZDYLL2EE19SKYOQze9fdkIoqme2sKLWPg1q4sbabNNzfpDZWLsIw-necIurY5pcvCpZe-Zl5RkzSSPoaolZEeU3kjLvdjaNPvkNZE28ZmPjA3OyskFHYWYhy5xn1GCAWtSVAA7iV84Rg/s320/PXL_20220706_091026334.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>My parents came to see us for a quick visit in July and spent as much time as they could with their grandboys.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei9-UBaAEYqHtd2bIhb-61DQdIojhbbJScYfvQ-1Xb0IKiv2hlH3LdqoyIOn0kqoFNzPKWGh7YtS-9gXa2V7Hdb0GCFfOQQlEudNTzJnS22KH3rhv116LOIYyuwhYH_oseqFcrJGCctKmNgXGAxkLWyo0ytEeClVxzRgi93HALXKJCXhx-Q/s4032/PXL_20220707_045556681.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei9-UBaAEYqHtd2bIhb-61DQdIojhbbJScYfvQ-1Xb0IKiv2hlH3LdqoyIOn0kqoFNzPKWGh7YtS-9gXa2V7Hdb0GCFfOQQlEudNTzJnS22KH3rhv116LOIYyuwhYH_oseqFcrJGCctKmNgXGAxkLWyo0ytEeClVxzRgi93HALXKJCXhx-Q/s320/PXL_20220707_045556681.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EVhKVAvVHAVqMeYBXIn1Y_1wPT90XpwiD3z7emdgRiTZx0TFqufuTn78DfJ7zFUrRoa_i3UJDsC1GNe4UXfDgLr-iYdXyxoIW0tmocjTK6fVVXO2dOw6UsaiGjfwiIMxGRC_RInE-UD7B5HXIapww6aUO3kD3lcoARHR60kdUCORYjTtQA/s4032/PXL_20220707_051004366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EVhKVAvVHAVqMeYBXIn1Y_1wPT90XpwiD3z7emdgRiTZx0TFqufuTn78DfJ7zFUrRoa_i3UJDsC1GNe4UXfDgLr-iYdXyxoIW0tmocjTK6fVVXO2dOw6UsaiGjfwiIMxGRC_RInE-UD7B5HXIapww6aUO3kD3lcoARHR60kdUCORYjTtQA/s320/PXL_20220707_051004366.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea with Mimo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VEK66wVz-hv7dPhWIkP9pbgNV30rjJbhmA_loWUqT6FKqcpJKPhAS6EnQmx2Lb780mt2MtywS5FNtnW-KoNWFb3TB8DJuJszRlbEFLE54cBxPC712IrXmJdyunU8WAHq-ObvEVz0E3XENLHbUKMgSNqMVWf7g5QVwLW8sMU4jyg3wixonQ/s4032/PXL_20220707_134102823.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VEK66wVz-hv7dPhWIkP9pbgNV30rjJbhmA_loWUqT6FKqcpJKPhAS6EnQmx2Lb780mt2MtywS5FNtnW-KoNWFb3TB8DJuJszRlbEFLE54cBxPC712IrXmJdyunU8WAHq-ObvEVz0E3XENLHbUKMgSNqMVWf7g5QVwLW8sMU4jyg3wixonQ/s320/PXL_20220707_134102823.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judah is finally interested in eating solid food!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21LuhP1dA53ryPi5d5C-lyG29JdduxktFvV9B5wiarna7uS_DYqi4dQtJ01rr3QxB4WXdlIiLEf2sry7h7_V3cf93LJOipAvFfDcEpbCBTMzz9xACiRbDOvbgLS_wStZ46RlJ7HYr62nv2omSCJxMIaVLleHlAi8nSY8D6TGncv9NhRkbvw/s4032/PXL_20220708_081716061.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21LuhP1dA53ryPi5d5C-lyG29JdduxktFvV9B5wiarna7uS_DYqi4dQtJ01rr3QxB4WXdlIiLEf2sry7h7_V3cf93LJOipAvFfDcEpbCBTMzz9xACiRbDOvbgLS_wStZ46RlJ7HYr62nv2omSCJxMIaVLleHlAi8nSY8D6TGncv9NhRkbvw/s320/PXL_20220708_081716061.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAy9mlsPfH_wWccLI_VNnSk6px17nW4Un2cStR3r24hFYDQBDmhOjT4SRvk1g4cQrlM7TvX8m9clwHGpiDtVQ0K7cysTiaRf5m_lBNdmIeFiwWisxcHe7EAymYVEo_PeJR0WuXsudDici9vG8IdGk73CppztiUGM6NHX1fac8c-tiaLpaDQ/s4032/PXL_20220708_121948231.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAy9mlsPfH_wWccLI_VNnSk6px17nW4Un2cStR3r24hFYDQBDmhOjT4SRvk1g4cQrlM7TvX8m9clwHGpiDtVQ0K7cysTiaRf5m_lBNdmIeFiwWisxcHe7EAymYVEo_PeJR0WuXsudDici9vG8IdGk73CppztiUGM6NHX1fac8c-tiaLpaDQ/s320/PXL_20220708_121948231.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Judah gets older it's so much fun to watch the two little brothers interact more.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuN4b3XZiFGhUdB3jVdgTmtY52XzYSiIztdowifhdI4y3DIxozGuaEvS9tFh14C0EJqmpnrMkQib8GHBZWJe2m6RfO4yQAyv2ZFRjSMw5SxAJKihPd77-CfvXA1uEJOd_jvO4dfXXpYvMAe2ajTsrvRzfDHcDNDcLLFA793RDlCZes5SF_w/s4032/PXL_20220709_052039488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuN4b3XZiFGhUdB3jVdgTmtY52XzYSiIztdowifhdI4y3DIxozGuaEvS9tFh14C0EJqmpnrMkQib8GHBZWJe2m6RfO4yQAyv2ZFRjSMw5SxAJKihPd77-CfvXA1uEJOd_jvO4dfXXpYvMAe2ajTsrvRzfDHcDNDcLLFA793RDlCZes5SF_w/s320/PXL_20220709_052039488.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson's personality keeps getting better!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9__ro1cykXV43FE3gFqFsp6srFvxCW7XHKSkCyjCYMwOyyJ1WMNE8L82NLFbYNyLF7PEM9FGpptFmF2fr3XYm102nL76HYXoi4eVSIYT4JoQ8Wyy7gDwXsU-QZ0oAxXyMl3ks4K6L1vdhUXTW1GxpNZ8_BQGBALo2nQzAtSszazK-I8PLaQ/s4032/PXL_20220711_151843416.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9__ro1cykXV43FE3gFqFsp6srFvxCW7XHKSkCyjCYMwOyyJ1WMNE8L82NLFbYNyLF7PEM9FGpptFmF2fr3XYm102nL76HYXoi4eVSIYT4JoQ8Wyy7gDwXsU-QZ0oAxXyMl3ks4K6L1vdhUXTW1GxpNZ8_BQGBALo2nQzAtSszazK-I8PLaQ/s320/PXL_20220711_151843416.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully after 4 months in Uganda Judah will finally let other people hold him</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHPrzzkJBf4WPjyGwXyqmUb4v7_QnZnlrI82caC-Bg1ChrkaDFTjTsei47N4C3DdgAz9BXypSkK6tUmDtWHNj17NdXTjDmK4lnJ5jptDsW3V3QAH2LtgaNS2x3icBkmv5Y1YUVqlTSC4kpqxiN8Zs7mloXWoyhBQLfOfb5iFKOng0yQR9IQ/s4032/PXL_20220715_085616278.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHPrzzkJBf4WPjyGwXyqmUb4v7_QnZnlrI82caC-Bg1ChrkaDFTjTsei47N4C3DdgAz9BXypSkK6tUmDtWHNj17NdXTjDmK4lnJ5jptDsW3V3QAH2LtgaNS2x3icBkmv5Y1YUVqlTSC4kpqxiN8Zs7mloXWoyhBQLfOfb5iFKOng0yQR9IQ/s320/PXL_20220715_085616278.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a new puppy named Mocha in July</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vu1cY8l7AbMfNerdlZFCHH_MiSVYP4sGgsLcaW8Wzg8KLpYevL0l9qqGQoMN75RgMBAGTygSUeisBLzn4vldrd2UmkfEWj_X5DUTIPJWo_Ts-2FEdoNokIFcFmhhJ6fcB8Syss_lBkxsGRkpbkie6wyVMXG7ve0Wq3NmbGFJxb066GHumg/s4032/PXL_20220716_094347753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vu1cY8l7AbMfNerdlZFCHH_MiSVYP4sGgsLcaW8Wzg8KLpYevL0l9qqGQoMN75RgMBAGTygSUeisBLzn4vldrd2UmkfEWj_X5DUTIPJWo_Ts-2FEdoNokIFcFmhhJ6fcB8Syss_lBkxsGRkpbkie6wyVMXG7ve0Wq3NmbGFJxb066GHumg/s320/PXL_20220716_094347753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAiiVK1JSTdNAwNY3uAQHLLixf-ojUQQaZ9OdETATrAuuSFdr39m4YQMkvGcsWRiqr6DozWeyMhqwUcHYuln5jdGl5az6Z6aINy1SVL7HZzV0ud_Q-YeNcInCZEcUkD0cRmBj3ocx6xIgo9CaJ_WqHss0T5Fveom1faTp_nJ54QrEqwSOzA/s4032/PXL_20220720_125815267.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAiiVK1JSTdNAwNY3uAQHLLixf-ojUQQaZ9OdETATrAuuSFdr39m4YQMkvGcsWRiqr6DozWeyMhqwUcHYuln5jdGl5az6Z6aINy1SVL7HZzV0ud_Q-YeNcInCZEcUkD0cRmBj3ocx6xIgo9CaJ_WqHss0T5Fveom1faTp_nJ54QrEqwSOzA/s320/PXL_20220720_125815267.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2Pf7UXoxL8lTs5TZ-6mxKhWwMYN4svf9VuptUqy_siOFNISgwx5NonzanvaChWZbEYdHF5aq0ivmMVxFPUWnai245yreQXppRWLdJ-kQkXlD1C-8e-SfM4O9XQqIj9CK7JrAZrN9hOr8hpp32Or9hI_dp1cF5ChC9MSq_0PrChc3mh6rVg/s2555/PXL_20220724_061914485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2555" data-original-width="1219" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2Pf7UXoxL8lTs5TZ-6mxKhWwMYN4svf9VuptUqy_siOFNISgwx5NonzanvaChWZbEYdHF5aq0ivmMVxFPUWnai245yreQXppRWLdJ-kQkXlD1C-8e-SfM4O9XQqIj9CK7JrAZrN9hOr8hpp32Or9hI_dp1cF5ChC9MSq_0PrChc3mh6rVg/s320/PXL_20220724_061914485.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As far as ministry goes, we are so thankful for the new things God has started this summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In June I started teaching a literacy and beginning English class for women. I teach twice a week and my students have been very disciplined coming ON TIME and prepared every class period. It's been great to see their progress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhWTFzvhMhsOc-ipMwrelv1Qf7zPZiyhLxTaNxsHGFS4AixEgyyJRjvTd36ZxubveaL-fVH1oWM0NmDdA_jxgqf9fDIl5EMSUiJnkgmRLuXBgm47RbF9wH2Jb-eLTkDjrOHLdz0ae9Tn0G76uu4aXBCZatwoe8Ql5fjjseTRsWAZ7ly61rA/s572/bethany%20teaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="572" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhWTFzvhMhsOc-ipMwrelv1Qf7zPZiyhLxTaNxsHGFS4AixEgyyJRjvTd36ZxubveaL-fVH1oWM0NmDdA_jxgqf9fDIl5EMSUiJnkgmRLuXBgm47RbF9wH2Jb-eLTkDjrOHLdz0ae9Tn0G76uu4aXBCZatwoe8Ql5fjjseTRsWAZ7ly61rA/s320/bethany%20teaching.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This month Eli started a diploma program for TEE students so that is exciting. We currently have 12 students, 10 men/2 women working on earning their diploma. So exciting!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>So there you go. Quite a photo dump. As you can see life has been full of so much good. The big boys have been home from school all of July and August and life is definitely crazier but sweeter. It means lots of cooking and laundry for me and lots of motorcycles, bikes, mechanics, football and friends for them. <br /> <p></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-43215531115402244302022-05-20T09:47:00.002+03:002022-05-20T09:47:21.069+03:00A New Sister<p> This last Sunday Eli was invited to preach at a church in a village not far from us. The pastor of that church is a graduate of the theological training program Eli is running here in Adjumani. He and his wife are an amazing team and a shining light in that village. During prayer request time a young woman came forward with her baby boy. She was obviously troubled. Though she looked timid, her story began pouring from her lips and the congregation listened intently as she shared a difficult past of growing up without a father, turning to men and then witchcraft to try to find peace and satisfaction in her life. Her life has come to the point where she feels at a total loss and while staying with a friend who is a Christian, that friend encouraged her to come to this church and ask for prayer. This young woman who I will refer to as Kate, even brought some of the items she'd been using for the witchcraft she'd been involved in.</p><p>At one point, the pastorcut her off (her story just kept going...) and came face to face with her at the front of the church and asked her point blank, "Daughter, are you here today to receive Jesus and turn from this old way of living?" She said yes. So simple and yet so life changing. The pastor explained the gospel and then led her to pray and confess her sins and believe in Jesus. He also asked her to bring those witchcraft things to the front so the elders could take them outside and burn them. While this young woman knelt and prayed to Jesus for the first time, tears streamed down her face and I could visibly see the relief and peace she was experiencing.</p><p>After the service I looked for Kate and gave her a big hug and said, "welcome to the family of God!" As we began to talk I realized I had met her before but it had been a few years. She knew where I lived so I invited her to come anytime so we can pray and encourage one another in our faith.</p><p>She came yesterday. She looked tired and sad. We both sat under our mango tree with babies on our laps and she continued to share her life story. I ached with her. As I listened I felt like the Lord was telling me to give her another clear explanation of the gospel and what it means for her life now that she believes. I explained that life will still be hard. Our troubles in this world will never be over until we go to be with Jesus in heaven. But we have HOPE. We have hope that this life isn't all there is. This is our training period when God is teaching us and growing us and using us to be light and share with others the Good News of Jesus' sacrifice for us. We don't have to carry the heavy burden of our sins anymore. We don't have to be in chains as she had been. We are free and forgiven.</p><p>I also rejoiced with her when she shared that she was no longer having the terrible nightmares at night since Sunday when we chose to follow Jesus. What a beautiful answer to prayer!</p><p>It was getting close to sunset so I prayed with her and walked her part of the way home (as is the custom here.) I cannot stop thinking of this new believer. So vulnerable. Struggling. Alone. And yet as I reminded her yesterday. She will never be alone again. God is always with her.</p><p>I have been blown away by her story. How God can change such a broken life and make it new. We all are broken too until we embrace Jesus and all He has done for us. Please pray for Kate in her new life with Jesus.</p><p><br /></p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-39288339974641973192022-04-25T10:47:00.001+03:002022-04-25T10:47:04.821+03:00More change<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmtixYGg_4v3WB8b2XZc-c7CGL2m4ifSYulA2_5NF-daESf6PaagwlfBSQ-GShsSftyUw9T_m6tyZlO_sQphoMW00j392Z90AwD7zBCNF8Ddu1rjCiH8do5l_JekLAHRV3_Wvj-Ru1Evba30V1HkO5zO6l270bJY2vmnWyZaCsCjkoCHplg/s1280/IMG-20220424-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmtixYGg_4v3WB8b2XZc-c7CGL2m4ifSYulA2_5NF-daESf6PaagwlfBSQ-GShsSftyUw9T_m6tyZlO_sQphoMW00j392Z90AwD7zBCNF8Ddu1rjCiH8do5l_JekLAHRV3_Wvj-Ru1Evba30V1HkO5zO6l270bJY2vmnWyZaCsCjkoCHplg/s320/IMG-20220424-WA0001.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /> This isn't the best picture but it was such a welcome sight for Eli and I yesterday. Saturday evening we put our three older boys on a bus to the capital and then arranged for a friend to pick them up and take them to the airport to fly to Kenya for school. This is the photo Isaac sent us Sunday morning after they were all checked into their flight. We are so grateful to the Lord for getting our boys through every step of their journey.<p></p><p>Meanwhile Eli, Carson and Judah and I are trying to adjust to the new normal of just the 4 of us at home. The house feels really quiet and I haven't had to cook since Saturday because we're just eating leftovers. As i move through the house a hundred things make me think of my big boys and my heart aches with missing them. I know we will all get used to this, it's just hard right now. We were just getting into a new groove back in Uganda life and now it's changing again. I keep trying to remind myself that change isn't bad. </p><p>Allow the sad moments, admit it's hard but keep pressing on.</p>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31327829.post-82631319032670916762022-04-09T20:26:00.000+03:002022-04-09T20:26:19.108+03:00Our first week back<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2kQopzmOTdOtZM7hGTaEcJ3hqd9npJnmjpmcATjqSJSJ_dgXWXKft3fwmgcLIma9bvF4UnK22s7rR5ZUOVv6VyVqp9Ug_Sa_iQNRUe3LRaK8mWQc34Q95nppG_nZa8YPBuu2lFG14erqeXKMZ4j7z_TM_Pi9h12HSHc4GqkZNCCgXrVyeQ/s4032/PXL_20220403_153043477.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2kQopzmOTdOtZM7hGTaEcJ3hqd9npJnmjpmcATjqSJSJ_dgXWXKft3fwmgcLIma9bvF4UnK22s7rR5ZUOVv6VyVqp9Ug_Sa_iQNRUe3LRaK8mWQc34Q95nppG_nZa8YPBuu2lFG14erqeXKMZ4j7z_TM_Pi9h12HSHc4GqkZNCCgXrVyeQ/s320/PXL_20220403_153043477.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <div>Just a few days after we arrived back in Africa, we were reunited with our three older boys who came home to Uganda for their one month break. Coming back to Adjumani has definitely required a lot of adjustments - mostly to the heat - but has been so sweet in many ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>After an 8 hour drive north, we arrived in our driveway, greeted by a group of men and women from our church singing, dancing and cheering for us! With many smiles, laughs and hugs we were welcomed back with such amazing love. Baby Judah was passed around and by day 2 he was given 2 Madi (local tribe) names: Opini (which means dedicated to God) and Anzo (meaning thanks and praise which is exactly what Judah means!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN3-C3gEGN21C1PX6IU-ud8j02WEoAmfG8C4DxrlEy-z9G1gFJ3BrOXm2KIPCeLEnpmUctEnp8uFrDblLCNDOtiPfzNkm5I4tmoPvEREHu0ZsyKvhLQohj4FmuZ8Q3ZSZUM_4F33nPK4JM6TyfnHRtVzeAZPkUEJpLZZadN78I5_YmGwD0g/s3288/PXL_20220405_065219763.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3288" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN3-C3gEGN21C1PX6IU-ud8j02WEoAmfG8C4DxrlEy-z9G1gFJ3BrOXm2KIPCeLEnpmUctEnp8uFrDblLCNDOtiPfzNkm5I4tmoPvEREHu0ZsyKvhLQohj4FmuZ8Q3ZSZUM_4F33nPK4JM6TyfnHRtVzeAZPkUEJpLZZadN78I5_YmGwD0g/s320/PXL_20220405_065219763.MP~2.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Don't be too fooled by this smiling face. The hardest part of our transition back has been the heat. But we are thankful that we are all getting sleep at night and so thankful for our solar system which powers our fans through the night. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0p6BKGk7lyGrGA5a2jLzpWrKaT-5SbDRyqlt1odpT4gZx-vMBwawzVRxLvaTFqr-FfeG9ObP5X6BqRgkgjipemCmakrxWM6svbPkuslIRqRT2WySmFsyWSGDuFjuFQOBdl7QURF3eQ-FLq95oao8PkD82pTAVpqmm_Nj-1WevA-8_eqXHg/s4032/PXL_20220406_084757695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0p6BKGk7lyGrGA5a2jLzpWrKaT-5SbDRyqlt1odpT4gZx-vMBwawzVRxLvaTFqr-FfeG9ObP5X6BqRgkgjipemCmakrxWM6svbPkuslIRqRT2WySmFsyWSGDuFjuFQOBdl7QURF3eQ-FLq95oao8PkD82pTAVpqmm_Nj-1WevA-8_eqXHg/s320/PXL_20220406_084757695.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Jumping back into life was like we never left. Back to cloth diapers and washing by hand.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_M0fdCsVzykva5r4HVaWyiRw2aZ3K04Ah9RenpTqY59I3Ui96uv2ut5ZdYclOKZPJ9YT7RxSJ7Q4LBiG4IvsMXWcJD0GBzsTO2rVqLjbXmih33dMneYZDIHIJCg_DnfaJYPyEkdbUErTLmUG0nv2JN4IsH0OkoLo6XmPR7CF_4CEGE9wXw/s4032/PXL_20220406_113712024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_M0fdCsVzykva5r4HVaWyiRw2aZ3K04Ah9RenpTqY59I3Ui96uv2ut5ZdYclOKZPJ9YT7RxSJ7Q4LBiG4IvsMXWcJD0GBzsTO2rVqLjbXmih33dMneYZDIHIJCg_DnfaJYPyEkdbUErTLmUG0nv2JN4IsH0OkoLo6XmPR7CF_4CEGE9wXw/s320/PXL_20220406_113712024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Day 2 we also spotted our first snake back where the boys were working on their motorcycles. Thankfully it's not poisonous and Isaac used his new knowledge from an interim trip at school to save the snake and simply transport it somewhere else OUTSIDE of our yard.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHeCb6lu0rG6_msatfPZljZNDFeVhabRdU-GcZoQQycrG7FoIHx0VblDIPpnyaQV8SPyFN0MpaVvjMaakNYhtrJ83gsiWlTJlkDNvBB9sHuK1j0HVGtOwm03nXMu89gmpSOLByWx3vZ7GUDp4Rzcj4SffptERw-14m9GzqVtKHVtGnN6_Ww/s4032/PXL_20220407_075116423.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHeCb6lu0rG6_msatfPZljZNDFeVhabRdU-GcZoQQycrG7FoIHx0VblDIPpnyaQV8SPyFN0MpaVvjMaakNYhtrJ83gsiWlTJlkDNvBB9sHuK1j0HVGtOwm03nXMu89gmpSOLByWx3vZ7GUDp4Rzcj4SffptERw-14m9GzqVtKHVtGnN6_Ww/s320/PXL_20220407_075116423.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Carson remembers a lot about life here. He quickly reconnected with his old friends. In this picture Judah is joining Carson and Jonah playing under the mango tree.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgHEmhUa-KwcxgnxLqhfo1kBZCMzwzTIWvDGoc_ZWDWuW0AeQ4UBPeMBujUVXDRb2-6X3mU7Z1dmcSmqj40iuDD0-1_uqnYO0VVVFAiNESmenyl54D3vYHSwdx_vXDSHM9wyePmenqDcUtg8YKcQ70ZTJpjW_PLH4aobt35GZ0vNM4s50TA/s2133/PXL_20220407_082511334.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2133" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgHEmhUa-KwcxgnxLqhfo1kBZCMzwzTIWvDGoc_ZWDWuW0AeQ4UBPeMBujUVXDRb2-6X3mU7Z1dmcSmqj40iuDD0-1_uqnYO0VVVFAiNESmenyl54D3vYHSwdx_vXDSHM9wyePmenqDcUtg8YKcQ70ZTJpjW_PLH4aobt35GZ0vNM4s50TA/s320/PXL_20220407_082511334.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The #1 thing Isaac and Evan were looking forward to was riding their motorcycles again. The 3 big boys went on a 3 hour ride in the bush and found some mountains to climb with spectacular views. They've also jumped back into evening soccer with their friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2YUBouSN0Viz_n92Pq3EyyrjeaYlas4olFbO3ubb8pudbxP_0n69R9gfSB15kWQ_FRdgT93eQcVGBQ0IITF8Qi5dw9GLDYcMYVxEU4I4-ne1QkVgHE3g1ewa6yBT1ozFL4NeWpdlEQraJpFWdHjxg50XqmxUQT-MG6wDRyq2lMVYjOCVSQ/s4032/PXL_20220408_064927217.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2YUBouSN0Viz_n92Pq3EyyrjeaYlas4olFbO3ubb8pudbxP_0n69R9gfSB15kWQ_FRdgT93eQcVGBQ0IITF8Qi5dw9GLDYcMYVxEU4I4-ne1QkVgHE3g1ewa6yBT1ozFL4NeWpdlEQraJpFWdHjxg50XqmxUQT-MG6wDRyq2lMVYjOCVSQ/s320/PXL_20220408_064927217.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone has been so excited to meet little Judah and of course everyone wants to hold him. He's learning to be passed around. Tomorrow that will really be stretched as we return to our wonderful church family for our first Sunday service since we've been back. Eli's been asked to preach, so yes, we're definitely jumping right back in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isaac, Evan and Joshua will only be with us another 2 weeks before returning to school so we've been trying to soak up the time we have with them. They've been so thankful to spend this school holiday home in Adjumani.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We'd really appreciate your prayers as we continue to adjust back to life here. We've already been amazed at so many ministry opportunities. Our friends here comment that we seem fresh and younger looking. :) I do agree that our time stateside was the rest and refreshment we needed so now we'll be tapping into that energy for all that God has ahead of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some ways you can be praying for us:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Pray for Eli as he checks in with each of the TEE centers and begins the diploma program. The diploma program will require a lot of added work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Pray for Eli to have the chance to do his 8 weeks of research for his PhD so that he can finally complete his dissertation and complete this degree he's been working on since 2017!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Pray for health and safety. The heat has been oppressive and this area has so many mosquitoes.</div><br /> <p></p></div>Fadershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903787299512751265noreply@blogger.com2