Wednesday, 17 February 2010

Hello Everybody!
 
The weather is really starting to heat up.  Monday it was a little over 100 degrees.  Yesterday it was just over 101.  Before long it'll be 120 or so in the sun.  Makes for some incredibly beautiful nights as you can see so many stars.  Amazing.
 
Kids all have been working overtime on their homework.  Emma and Keturah are especially motivated since they have decided that when we go back to the States for our home assignment in August of 2011 they don't want to do have any schoolwork to do.  So, they are in the midst of cramming 3 years of homework into this school year and next.  I think they are both on target to finish their work which is great.  I've only heard a few complaints about their work and most of those are focused on "those boring books you are making us read, Dad".  (Yeah, they are the same boring books I had to read when I was their age.)
 
Janice and I are going to a "ladies only" birthday "party" today for a friend of Janice's.  Ordinarily I wouldn't go but this woman is apparently dragging her husband along (lucky guy) and since he's gonna be their it is apparently my responsibility to commiserate with him.  Maybe we can find a place away from the women where we won't hear the inevitable discussion about birthing children and pregnancy.  (Going to a "ladies only" party falls right next to going to a baby shower on my list of least favorite things to do - BTW, I've never gone to a baby shower!!!).
 
Hope you all have a great day.
 
sf

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Monday, 15 February 2010

Well, another typcial Monday here in the land of perpetual sun.
 
Lots of activity.  Let's see... There are a few guys digging a 75 meter long trench from the generator to the Welcome Center.  It's one meter deep and is for new electrical cable for all of the A/C units that have been installed.  The original cable isn't big enough.  There is also Gaston, our carpenter, working away on Welcome Center furniture.  He's back after having been gone for 3 days because of some sickness.  Then, there is my wife who is cleaning our room.  She tried to take a nap but said, "I decided that with the 3 or 4 flies that were dive-bombing me I wasn't gonna get any sleep.  So, I might as well clean the room." OK!  The girls are busy cooking and cleaning.  And, then there's the 2 oldest boys.  Both of them are playing:  Ethan with his toys.  Patyon is reading.  Emma and I (and Gracey for a time, too) spent about 2.5 hours earlier today working on the generator.  No, it wasn't mechanical.  We just changed the oil, cleaned the batteries, and then cleaned the generator.
 
We have a group of 18 people coming on Saturday for a 5 day conference.  Should be fun.  It is always great to see the conference room filled with folks.
 
Hope you all have a great week.
 
Until next time.
 
sf

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Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Hi Everyone!
 
It's been a while since I last blogged and since Alex has been dropping me "subtle" hints like, "Dad, blog already" via Facebook I thought I'd spare her all t he anxiety and take her advice and post something.
 
Well, everything here is ok.  Welcome Center is very busy as we're pretty consistently over 60% occupied and things are rolling along just fine.
 
Most everybody has been healthy save for a few of the girls who've suffered from sinus infections.
 
We entertained a team of 16 people from the States who went to Cameroon for about 10 days.  It was great to help them "come and go" so to speak.  Good times.
 
Well, that's it for now.
 
sf

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Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Been far too long since our last post.  That's mostly my fault as we have been very busy with living and haven't had the time (or energy) to do much of anything "extra".
 
For the last several weeks life has been 'normal'.  Well, as normal as it can be here in Chad.  Weather's been great.  Lows in the upper 60's.  High's in the upper 90's.  Nice breeze at night.  Quite comfortable, really.
 
We received an unexpected visitor with a short term mission team last week.  Seems Alex stowed away with them and surprised us.  What a blessing!  Now our home feels complete and normal.  She leaves in 3 days.  I'm already starting to feel sad.
 
Everyone's pretty much healthy.  No complaints.
 
More tomorrow.  Maybe.
 
sf

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Get together for Janice, Liddy & Hudson before they went back

These last two posts (this one and the one about their health care visit) are really for Steven and all the Flude children that had to stay behind while Janice, Hudson, Liddy, and Alex were here.

I should have posted these sooner you guys, I don't know why I didn't think about it. But here are some familiar faces that you all know, and that your Mom & Liddy got to see when they were here.






All the Derouin fellas plus Mitchell!






















Rachael & Jesse Silva with Kristen.























Auntie Suzie and Molly

























Janice & Liddy, with Brittany (Hudson) & Jordan D.





















Emily & Jessi Persons with Hudson.






















Uncle Kevin & Molly, also Papa Ray.























Uncle Donny, Gramma, Rebekah, Auntie April & Molly.























Papa Ray & Gramma Judy.






























cousin Joshua & Jesse





























Culley, Caleb & Mitchell






















Libby - just for you, here's Lucy!! (Janice, hold your tongue!)




























Uncle Grady feeding us all!


























Veronica & Auntie April and Lisa McCadam
























Mr. & Mrs. D with Pat






















Amanda, Alex, Hudson & Janice.
























Andy & Mrs. Toles




















Fludies, hope you all enjoy,
We love you all,
Auntie Lisa

Trip to States for Health Care

I don't think I ever posted any pictures from the visit to Washington that Janice and Liddy made for health reasons, along with Hudson, and also Alex who came to stay. That trip took place at the end of May and into the first part of June. They were here for about 3 weeks, and it was filled with a surprise for Janice's Mom, who didn't know they were coming, as you will see in one of the pictures, and lots and lots of Dr. visits and trips to hospitals and clinics. So as these pictures are "old" know, we still love to see the faces of those we love.



Hudson, learning how to walk.

Liddy at Children's, passing the time while she gets tested,

and tested, and tested! What a trouper she was!

Alex, trying to aclimate to our weather, and freezing!

Here she is, making herself at home!

Hudson, with cousin Mitchell! I will have to sadly say,

Hudson would cry every time I tried to hold him and didn't

get used to me the whole time they were here.

Janice with her two brothers, Ray and Donny.

Gramma Judy with Hudson.

Alex and Amanda.

Hudson meeting Amanda & Elaina (and not seeming to have

any problem with them!)

Hudson & Elaina

Liddy & Hudson, he's not too sure of all of us!

SURPRISE!!!

Yes, here's Alex, you can see she has made herself at home!

(I will have to give her the benefit though, not all of that is

hers, just lots of it!!)

Posted by L.C.

A few more pictures.

Posted by L.C.