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.