This must be my third attempt at writing. I'm either interrupted by my boys needing something or waking up from naps or from my scattered thoughts that I can't seem to gather and get a hold of these days...
Elliot is now one year and 9 days old and is gradually outgrowing his Babyphase. Even though he still refuses to walk or even stand (even though he could) he has become increasingly mobile, climbing on and over furniture, up and down stairs, trying to climb out of his high chair or get on and off our bed. It's fun to see how he communicates and mimicks all we say and do. Like Dylan, he loves to dance and whenever there's music - a CD playing, a cellphone jingling, on TV or someone playing the guitar - he immediatley starts bobbing his head and moving his body to the beat. Dylan and Elliot have started dancing together and it's so much fun watching the two of them and the joy they have in music. Maybe we'll be able to start a family band some day. :)
Dylan is enjoying Pre School and learning new things daily. It's fun to hear him sing songs he's learned at school and recently he told me the story of Goldilocks and the three bears. Both he and I were excited when I finally understood what he was telling me about! And the funniest thing on Elliot's birthday was Dylan who started singing "Happy Birthday" the way they do it here with lots of clapping of hands! He didn't know the song before so he must have learned it at school, too.
Last week, I had some days of self doubt as I was confronted with some of my weaknesses in dealing with people. For a few days I felt like a total failure concerning my people skills and withdrew into my own little world, not daring to venture forth into community again. But a date with my husband helped me see it all from a different perspective and that gave me the courage to try it once again. There's nothing like people to help us face up to the truth about ourselves - both the good and bad.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
happy birthday Elliot
Elliot just a few days old with my mom (Sorry, can't turn the picture..)
Dylan and Elliot looking at Elliot's new book
His first taste of birthday cake
I'm one!
My Baby turned one last Monday! I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by! It seems like yesterday that he was just a few days old and now he's almost walking and climbing all over the place. Happy Birthday, my little guy!
Monday, November 3, 2008
what's up?
It's been a while since I've had the time to update this blog. We were gone for about 10 days in October and attended a conference in the neighboring country. To save money, we decided to drive South to the capital and then take a budget airline to our final destination. The trip usually takes about 8 hours but we always seem to end up taking that much longer!
We had planned to leave at 4 am but David took three attempts to really wake up so we left 45 minutes later. The drive is beautiful along mountain roads, through villages and I'm always amazed at the huge diversity of this country. Somewhere along the way, our car started overheating though and we had to stop numerous times to let the engine cool down and to refill the water. We are so thankful that the car never stopped in the middle of nowhere but wherever there was water and helpers nearby.
After 16 1/2 hours we finally arrived and were looking forward to a bed. But the boys, after spending all day in a car, went berserk and had a wild round of wrestling and jumping around our bed. :)
The conference was encouraging and I was reminded once again why I am here and that our presence is vital. The speaker shared the story of a lady in Central Asia who stayed with a local family as her husband was out of town. The daughter of the family came running up to her and said: "Last night I dreamed of Jesus." And so they spent the rest of the evening talking about Jesus. The next morning the father said:"You didn't know you'd be coming to our house, we didn't know you were coming but Jesus knew and so he sent the dream to my daughter." Would the dream have come without the messenger? What do you think?
Our presence is vital.
The trip back took longer than 8 hours, too, as we passed a family we knew on the way who had just had an accident. So we stopped to help. By the time we resumed our journey it was already growing dark so the last few hours were spent in total darkness along windy mountain roads...Not the best conditions. But we stopped on the way to look at a brilliant sky full of stars. Amazingly clear view of the Milky Way. So beautiful!
Now we're back to our routine of teaching English and Pre School and daily ordinary life. Trying to save all the neighborhood chickens that stray into our yard from Jacob, our dog. Trying to keep the boys happy. And trying to dry our laundry even though it's been raining on and off for days again.
Elliot turns one next week. He has grown so much and is in that inbetween stage - not a Baby anymore but not quite a Toddler. He took his first small steps last Friday and has become increasingly assertive, leaving us no doubt just what he wants at any given time.
Even though life here is challenging I am thankful for the constant reminders, even in little things, that God is here, taking care of me and has a purpose.
We had planned to leave at 4 am but David took three attempts to really wake up so we left 45 minutes later. The drive is beautiful along mountain roads, through villages and I'm always amazed at the huge diversity of this country. Somewhere along the way, our car started overheating though and we had to stop numerous times to let the engine cool down and to refill the water. We are so thankful that the car never stopped in the middle of nowhere but wherever there was water and helpers nearby.
After 16 1/2 hours we finally arrived and were looking forward to a bed. But the boys, after spending all day in a car, went berserk and had a wild round of wrestling and jumping around our bed. :)
The conference was encouraging and I was reminded once again why I am here and that our presence is vital. The speaker shared the story of a lady in Central Asia who stayed with a local family as her husband was out of town. The daughter of the family came running up to her and said: "Last night I dreamed of Jesus." And so they spent the rest of the evening talking about Jesus. The next morning the father said:"You didn't know you'd be coming to our house, we didn't know you were coming but Jesus knew and so he sent the dream to my daughter." Would the dream have come without the messenger? What do you think?
Our presence is vital.
The trip back took longer than 8 hours, too, as we passed a family we knew on the way who had just had an accident. So we stopped to help. By the time we resumed our journey it was already growing dark so the last few hours were spent in total darkness along windy mountain roads...Not the best conditions. But we stopped on the way to look at a brilliant sky full of stars. Amazingly clear view of the Milky Way. So beautiful!
Now we're back to our routine of teaching English and Pre School and daily ordinary life. Trying to save all the neighborhood chickens that stray into our yard from Jacob, our dog. Trying to keep the boys happy. And trying to dry our laundry even though it's been raining on and off for days again.
Elliot turns one next week. He has grown so much and is in that inbetween stage - not a Baby anymore but not quite a Toddler. He took his first small steps last Friday and has become increasingly assertive, leaving us no doubt just what he wants at any given time.
Even though life here is challenging I am thankful for the constant reminders, even in little things, that God is here, taking care of me and has a purpose.
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