CONGRATS!!!

This past weekend was our busiest so far and with it being Thanksgiving weekend we were expecting it. Saturday we began helping in Anahuac at our church decorating and helping get things ready. In the afternoon we came home so Emma could sleep and so we could finish preparing for kids' club in Vista Hermosa. After kids' club we came home for a short break and then went back to Anahuac to have worship practice. Emma ended up getting a fever that evening after a day of having a runny nose. So it was nice to finally have the girls in bed at 11 that night.

Sunday began with more runny noses, and LeRoy headed to Ebenezer to attend their special Thanksgiving service. Since it was a special Sunday our church moved their service to 3. When LeRoy got back it was time for us to head to Anahuac for a bit more prep and enjoy our service. Then after we enjoyed an amazing meal of Tamales (one of our favorite Mexican foods, but haven't found anywhere to buy them yet). It was great because since it has begun to feel like the Christmas season, after having the first Advent Sunday, it felt like a family gathering. Which we needed, we've been missing home lots.

But it was so nice to come home, and know we could relax all evening. We ended up spending the evening on Skype with some of LeRoy's family after hearing extremely exciting news. LeRoy's brother Joash is now engaged (the first sibling of ours to get married) to Tracey.

CONGRATULATIONS JOASH & TRACEY!!!

We are trying to wait until we hear the set date for the wedding before we start thinking about what we are going to do. Brooklyn was quite confused as to why all of a sudden she now could say Auntie Tracey, so it took a bit of explaining. We'll see at Christmas, when they are all here, if she has caught on.

Today we set up our Christmas tree, I chocolate coated some pretzels, and tonight we're watching a Christmas movie. A perfect day for it since it's just dreary with rain all day. And poor Emma is not feeling great at all. She has slept a lot, we sure hope it won't get much worse. She has a runny nose, congestion, and a gross cough. Thankfully when she sleeps, there is no cough so she gets a break from it. This morning Brooklyn and I were both sneezing and coughing a bit too, hope that doesn't develop into anything.

Peace Amongst the Struggles

Today was a very hard day for me. Wishing we could just be home in Steinbach, LeRoy off at work, and us girls having a "normal" day, or at least what used to be normal. Going for coffee with mom or girlfriends, walking to get the mail, shopping at SuperStore. All things that I miss so much. But amidst today's struggles, I still had a sense of peace that right now this is where we are suppose to be. God has brought us here for a reason. I am still so blessed.

I also realize that while I could be comparing my life to others' that I think are better at the moment, I'm not. I look back and remember when I would constantly compare my life with someone else's. Wishing I was where they are, wishing I had what they had, and wishing I could travel like they do. Yes it is still a struggle, I am human of course. But to be honest, I don't compare nearly as much as I used to, and for me I feel accomplished in that area. I am not meaning to rub it in if it's a struggle for you. I understand, like I said, I still struggle with it too. I just want to share with you that I am happy for those who can be where they are, have what they have, and travel like they do. God has chosen to bless them in those areas, and God has chosen to bless me in other areas. Even though we can't see family and friends nearly as much as we would like to, we have Skype and much easier contact with people than was possible years ago, which to us is a HUGE blessing. And we know we will still see each other again when the time comes. I am thankful too that the rest of our families are living close together or with each other. Even though they miss us horribly, they still have each other close.

And to end with something that will hopefully make you laugh....
Carter and Emma were playing with the cat this past weekend, giggling while hovering over her. Suddenly the cat was screeching abnormally. I went over to give the cat a break but found blood dripping from her tail. It seemed that one of the kids must have bitten her tail. It was so gross but we have to just laugh about it...now that the kids aren't sick. Maybe something else happened, but what else could it have been?

Weekend with Friends

This past weekend, while the guys went to the Pastor's Retreat, Tara and the boys came over so we weren't all alone. It was so nice to have some girl time once the kids were all in bed, and hang out with friends that we are completely comfortable with. Here is E with her always expressive face.


And B with Logan doing what she loves to do best. She can't get enough of him.

LeRoy's Gone

This week has been a busy one again, but mostly busy at home, getting stuff ready for kids' club and sunday school. Monday we also headed to Chihuahua to have a prayer meeting lunch with our staff. A nice short break, and change of scenery. And on Wednesday us girls were invited to a birthday party so we went there. During that time LeRoy began a ministry he will be continuing and we are praying it is accepted warmly. He began walking door to door, handing out Bible studies from the book of John. He gives the Gospel of John along with it so they can read what they are supposed to. Not extremely many people were home on the streets he started with, but there were a handful among the bunch that even seemed excited about it, as if they have been searching for something. His nerves were all over the place but God gave him the courage to begin. He plans on going back to those houses next week. If they have finished the first study, he'll give them the second. And on that will go until they have finished all the studies. There are close to 15 studies in total I think. So we will see how many people will go to the end. Or even begin this.

This morning at 8 LeRoy left to attend the Pastor's retreat. It is for couples, but we didn't feel comfortable enough leaving the girls with anyone here yet for that long. So he went and us girls are at home. I will be leading Kids' club later this afternoon by myself, as well as sunday school tomorrow morning. But thankfully we don't have to stay here alone. Later afternoon Tara and the boys will be joining us for the weekend as Dallas heads off to the retreat as well. We're looking forward to a supper out, and then once the kids are in bed, a girls only evening including a chick flick of course. It'll be a nice little break from the normal....what is normal?

Fun with Food

The other day we made crepes, and we seem to always have too much fun with what we put on them. Definitely not the healthiest meal in our household. But this time they also turned into faces.


And this is one of the girls' favorites snacks. Cucumber caterpillars. It seems that the trick of making food into animals or such, works for our girls. Now we'll have to try out other fruit & veggies into pictures. One of the only ways our kids will nicely eat the healthy stuff.

3 year old conversation

It seems that B has picked up a few of my lines, including this one.

LeRoy was on the computer and both girls were in the office with him. E was trying to show him something, which he was unaware of. B suddenly says "LeRoy look at your child".

Getting My Butt Out the Door

God gave me the strength to get myself out the door yesterday, walk the 20 steps to our neighbors house, and bring her some muffins. This was one of the ladies that I have strongly felt that I need to connect with. They will be moving to another house at the end of the year, but hopefully we can continue to connect even then. Somehow, when I finally went there, it seemed so much easier than I thought it would be. She has been trying to sew curtains for us, but her machine has been broken for about a month. She feels so bad she offered to take me to another lady she knows that sews. So later today me and her will go there. Another chance to connect with her. Also, an even bigger, longer commitment with her will be at least one hour every week of tutoring. She was so excited to hear LeRoy would be willing to tutor her son (age 11ish we think) in English (he started learning English 3 years ago with another couple from Steinbach), and in return she will tutor me in Spanish:) This is a little scary, but we are very excited to be able to do this swap with them. They are definitely not closed to us, knowing we are Christians, and even seem open to hearing about God. Please pray for this family with us, that we can build a strong friendship with them, and be open about where we stand in our Faith. Her "husband" we have met once, and he is very nice and willing to help with anything we may need, but is very closed to hearing about Christ. He left the room when his wife asked to hear LeRoy's testimony. So that gives you a glimpse as to where they stand. Thank you for praying for me to have the courage to go, and make this connection. God blessed us by allowing this connection to continue with tutoring times and we pray those can be fruitful and fun times.

pics

Just added a few new pics of the girls under the album "November '09". Click on the pictures link at the top of the page to view.

#16 finally pops through

E has had a missing tooth right up front and bottom until now. For some reason this tooth, that normally is one of the first 8 decided to until after all the eye teeth, and 1st year molars. But thankfully after up and down painful times for her, it finally popped through a couple days ago. Now we await for her 2 year molars. Hopefully it goes as easy as her big sister's did. And I was going to upload some pics here, but it seems we haven't taken very many in the last couple weeks. So I guess that'll have to wait.

It's Not Catscratch disease afterall

So we did a little more research, and after hearing about a friend's experience in the past, we learned that it's ringworm we have. So we looked at what "at home" medication you can use, rather than have to go to the doctor, and it turns out we actually even have some. What are the chances of that. So I guess tomorrow we'll start with that. Hope the girls willingly let us put it on them. B had another spot show up, so we'll see what they look like tomorrow morning. Needless to say we're bringing our cat somewhere to get her system cleaned out. Pray that we don't get sick with this all and that it can clear up quickly.

Potty Training & Catscratch Disease...Not Related

E is in panties and is telling us when she has to go bathroom. She hasn't peed in her diaper or panties, during the day, for like 4 days now. And she's not even 22 months yet. I just can't believe that she is one step closer to being a BIG girl. So we are excited how she is improving. We had almost given up for a bit, didn't seem like she was catching on. But then LeRoy tried putting her on the regular toilet, without any training seat, and ever since she's loved it. I'm scared she's going to fall in, but it works for her. So, I guess we'll put the training seat away:( Every kid trains different I guess.

Now for the unrelated Catscratch disease that it seems like the girls and myself have a bit of. Yes, it comes from our kitten. Apparently, LeRoy researched it, that it is very common in kittens born in summer. And when you are scratched or bitten, you can get it. It can involve colds, feeling a bit sick, and bite looking marks on you. So the girls have colds (if it's related we don't know) and E has 7 marks on her face and neck, B has one dead center on her forehead and I have one on my arm. Nothing too serious right now, but it kinda makes us think...is the cat worth it? Or it's all flea bites, not too sure. None the less we don't feel terribly sick which we're thankful for.

LeRoy did great with his sermon yesterday, thanks to all who prayed for him. He was hardly nervous and was quite relaxed. Didn't feel like he had to rush through it, and even had to cut some out. And my first Sunday School class went well too, a little bit harried with B being a bit sick, but it all ended great. Today is a day working around the house for us all, went out for lunch for a break, and are having some friends over for supper.

15 KIDS

Thanks to all who prayed for our kids' club ministry this past week. We had 15 kids show up today, with LeRoy's help of inviting them:) We were very encouraged with this, and they seemed excited to come back.

Business

No blogging all week usually means we're busy and when we do have time, we are tired. That is how this past week was. LeRoy is preaching tomorrow for the first time, so he has been busy making sure he is ready. I am teaching kids' Sunday School tomorrow for the first time, so I have been busy making sure I am ready for that. Add to all that some baseball playing with kids in Vista Hermosa, bible study, visitation, breakfast meeting, prayer evening, kids' club this afternoon, and worship practice tonight. We are a little tired. But I have managed to fit in a couple naps for myself with B on those days we knew we'd be out late. B is fighting a cold, E is being potty trained and teething, and LeRoy, today only so far, is fighting something in his stomach. But even with everything, it was a very good week.

After my bible study that I attend in Vista Hermosa, I felt a strong pull to one particular woman that I feel I am supposed to connect with. She also has a 3 year old girl, which will hopefully make things easier for me. I am terrified to step out and go to her house. She is at the point where she already has made a decision to follow Christ in the past week, or will be soon. We pray she will be. So I really need to visit her, but it is not my gift to evangelize, and yet here I am. Please pray I will have the courage to just go to her house. I have also had a strong pulling to our neighbor lady who we have only met a few times, but she is sewing curtains for us. From the last time we talked, she would love her son to continue learning English, and she has done some Spanish tutoring in the past. We are curious if she would be interested in doing a swap with us, where she would tutor me, and LeRoy would tutor her son. But first I have to get my butt out the door again and visit her. In our past conversations she does seem willing to hear about God so we know she is not closed toward us on that subject. So I have a feeling God will be doing a lot of tugging on my arm this coming week.

Also please pray for LeRoy as he preaches tomorrow morning. That his nerves will not be present and that he will enjoy this experience. He is preaching in our church, so he'll have familiar faces in front of him.

Prayer Letter

We just sent out our new prayer letter. If you didn't receive it, but would like to, let us know.

Crazy Kids

The girls were just hyper before bed, after having coke for supper, and ice cream for dessert. They were playing and laughing together, and we couldn't get them to settle down so we just went with it and all were laughing and having a great old time. Then B was about to attack her sister once again, seeing E was already in bed. She was eying me while giggling, knowing I knew what she was thinking. I say to her "don't even think about it". And with her whole body shaking with giggles, she looks at me and says "i am". I love my girls.

This Morning's Conversation

I found Brooklyn in the play/spare room with LeRoy's Bible. She was quietly playing something so I was curious.

F - "What are doing?"

B - "I'm having a Bible Study."

F - "what are you reading?"

B - "about praising God."

F - "what are you praising God for?"

B - "that I am so happy."

Psalm 121

I love how the first 2 verses sounds in Spanish.

"A las montanas levanto mis ojos; de donde ha de venir mi ayuda?
Mi ayuda proviene del SENOR, creador del cielo y de la tierra."

And in English it is this....

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.