Alex's 18th Birthday in the states

Alex turned 18 on the 13th of Oct.

She wanted to go ice skating so that's what we did. There were only 2 minor (?) injuries, and they happened to the above 18 age group!! Auntie Suzie and Uncle Donnie, you guys are awesome troopers! (I was smart enough to "watch bags and shoes" with Gramma Judy)!
Then it was home for cake and ice cream.
Happy Birthday Alex!

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Wow!  Seems like it's been forever since I posted to the blog.  Sorry about that.  Things have been a little helter skelter around here.
 
We've been enjoying the weather as it is cooling off a bit.  The high temps are coming down as the days march into our cold season.  This morning, for example, it was 78 degrees outside.  It was overcast.  We loved it!  Reminded us of a typical summer day in Seattle.  The biggest plus for days like this is that we can go without power for a longer period of time.  Today, we kept the power off for almost 3.5 hours.  That's good when you consider that we've begun printing our own money to help pay our electricity bills.
 
We all got new Chadian Visas.  Had to.  Old ones ran out on the 17th of October.  They're good for 1 year.  Now, we've got to get new Cameroonian Visas.  They're good for 1 year also.  Was gonna get that taken care of this week until I realized that I don't have any more pages in my passport.  Gotta go get new pages.  Anybody ever done that?  Process here seems to be pretty straight forward.  Just fill out the form and go to the Embassy.  (Wonder if they'll let me swim in their pool?)
 
Have noticed that the family is getting a little annoyed with the various puppies and kittens running around (or should I say, UNDER) our feet.  Janice decalared this morning:  Ok, they're big enough now to give away.  I think we've got takers for all of the dogs and most of the cats.  They are cute but I'll be glad to see them go.
 
We've received several care packages in the recent week.  Thanks to all of you who've sent them.  They are truly a blessing.  The kids even think up all kinds of creative reasons to go to town just so "we can check the mail box while we're there".
 
Have a great day.
 
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Pictures of family posted by Auntie Lisa

Emma & Liddy

Steve at work

Esther

Tawnee

Emma helping with the new fence.

building a new fence

the yard

Wouldn't it be nice to fit in a chair that size for our naps?!

Fun with the new puppies!

Gracey the hair stylist!

Gracey and Esther

Enjoying Chocolate!!

Friday, 9 October 2009

Hey Y'all...
 
Janice and I were talking today about Alex's upcoming Birthday.  During the conversation I realized that I really miss her.  We've been getting great reports from her and others about her schooling and studies.  It's so encouraging to us and it's setting a great example for her brothers and sisters who will follow her.  Way to go, Alex!!!
 
It has been quite busy around here this last week or so.  Among the various things going on we pulled the cover off of the septic tank today and discovered that the thing is completely full.  This may or may not account for the problems we've been having with our toilets and sinks since rainy season began.  We're going to have the tank pumped on Monday.  Hopefully that will fix the problem.  If not, we'll have to dig up the existing drain field and have a new one constructed.  I certainly don't want that as a project of that type could take 4 weeks or more.
 
We've had pretty much a full Welcome Center for the last 5 days or so.  There are some folks on a short term mission trip from Korea here.  They are pleasant and well behaved although I've lost track of how many times they asked me for an air conditioned room.
 
One thing that Janice and I have noticed lately is that the Lord seems to be teaching me (in particular) and our family (in general) about the Biblical meaning of service.  What's interesting is that here in Chad it is easy to sort of retrench ourselves because we're seemingly constantly barraged with requests for money and stuff by our neighbors and workers.  This seems to lend itself to us becoming callous and hardened toward those for whom we are here.  Instead of wanting to reach out to them, we've noticed (sometimes) the direct opposite happening.  And, most of the time, this happens because our hearts aren't in the right place.  All this to say that the Lord has been pretty consistent in His presentation to us of just exactly how important service is to Him.  It is a huge area of weakness for me and only now am I beginning to see how I must live my life differently.  It's equal parts welcomed and resisted.  Such is our walk with the Lord.
 
Until next time.
 
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIDDY!!!

Yes I know that this is a day late. But I have a good reason for it. I was wating to see if someone else was going to put one up. Since they didn't, I will. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIDDY!!!

Happy Happy Birthday from all of us to you! We wish it was out birthday so that we could party too! Hey! Happy Happy Birthday...from all of us to you! Happy Happy Birthday from all of us to you! HEY!!

heehee

Love you Lid!!

Alex