Family Photos

Well it usually brings tears to my eyes.  Tears of frustration and despair.  It is a common feeling among the males I know when ever the dreaded family pictures come along.  All the years of tribulation each time my mother called upon us for another family picture flashed back as we prepared for another family photo session.  Although I entered into the experience with reservation I was pleasantly surprised.  We actually had a great time.  Ange Movius did a fantastic job rolling with the punches that fly with a family having 3 small children.  The kids actually performed masterfully and when it was all done they went swimming in their underwear.  Oh to be a child again.  Life is so innocent.  I guess if we approached more of life from their eyes some things, like family pictures, would be of little concern.  So remember the next time you are preparing for family pics.  Take it like a kid; smile, be patient, and when it's all done go swimming in your underwear.

Day by Day

We still physically reside in the US.  Our time in the States has been a time of learning to trust in the Lord and live in His purposes as sons and daughters.  We are having a wonderful time growing in relationship with our family and friends.  Here are some adventures we've had.  One great adventure was Samuel turning a year old in June.  He is such a joy with a distinct personality that rivals his siblings even now.

We also went camping with some of Josh's extended family.  It was a little wet but very fun.  We spent a week at Deception Pass on the Puget Sound.  Tons of fun and family bonding.  The kids loved the water even in the moderately cold weather.  Samuel loved that sand.  Really he loved to eat it.

We recently visited some good friends in Portland.  Gene and Vivian Davis who have been a huge blessing in our lives.  We spent a couple days with them getting charged up on Kingdom perspective for family, ministry and Jesus moving on the Earth.

This is Eliza taking a motherly role of feeding her little brother.  Very cute but not very effective.

Please be praying with us as we aim to return to Kenya in October.  Our expectations are growing for what God is doing in us to prepare us for our return.  Though our time in the US has been wonderful we are still poised for the ongoing mission in Kenya and East Africa.

Our days in the US

We have been in the US for a few months.  Our hope has been to reconnect with our natural family as well as our church family.  It is going well.  We are falling in love with family and friends all over again.  One of the most common questions we get is "does it feel good to be home?"  It's difficult to choose between the US or Kenya when people ask us where home is.  The answer always boils down to right here.  Where we are together that is home.  This is a quick update of us together in the US.

This is the family at Rachel's cousin's wedding.  It's quite a family portrait catching each of us in true character.

Bath time is always a good family time.  Well for now anyway.

This is Eliza trying to help papa put together a new chair.

Tekoa and uncle Justin looking at the wild turkey that Justin just shot.  Tekoa was quite impressed.

Our big Samuel looking good.  He is now 30 pounds with his 1st birthday a couple weeks away. (Eliza only weighs 31 pounds)

The red wagon makes for enjoyable family walks around the block.

Benjamin comes over and they all have tons of fun no matter what they decide to do.  Today they decided to cook up some mud for lunch.  Yum!

Joy

It's well over a month and almost two since we landed in the US. It's been go, go, go with a lot of adaption and our kids fighting the superbugs of America. We are starting to kick the coughs and runny noses. Since landing we/ve…
Our first stop was Kansas with Jake and Randi and their fam. It was a blast and we felt completely spoiled and loved.
This was T-Rex cafe where we all had a great time eating with the dinosaurs
 
Tekoa helped papa Bill put a new floor in papa Joe's house. Tekoa says he is going to be a builder.
Samuel is his joyful self now that he is getting over the runny nose and cough. Still a chubby little guy.
Tekoa went fishing for the second time in his life and for the second time in his life he caught a fish with out any help. Not bad for a little guy. This was about 13 inches long.
Eliza and her cousin Addi on easter. Two little cut ties.

Saying Good-bye to Tenwek

Saying good-bye always brings a mixture of emotions. The sadness of leaving friends and familiar places joined with the uncertainty of future endeavors conflicts with the excitement of new beginnings and the adventure ahead. These feelings have been true in our family as we prepare to leave Tenwek which has been our home for the last 14 months. It has been a time of training both spiritually and in medicine that has proven to be priceless as the completed plans of God usually are. Our gratitude goes out to all who have been faithfully serving the people of Tenwek for so many years. You have allowed the light of Jesus shine brightly through you as an example to us and all who walk these grounds. We've seen that even in the darkest times people find hope at Tenwek. God uses people and experiences through our lives to mark us and shape us for his future works. For that we are grateful to God in Tenwek and all who have made our time here wonderful.

2012 Christmas in Eldoret. It was an adventure as always.

This is Tekoa in his "Armor of God" which he was very excited about.

Eliza enjoying the swing at Grandma and Grandpa Leister's house.

Samuel can't help but smile.

Grandpa made broomstick horses for all the kids. This is Tekoa and Gabe riding double on one. Probably exhausted that poor horse.

These are a few pictures from preschool the kids attend 2-3 times a week.