Nicaragua 2013

This past week, Brandon and I spent our time serving the people of Nicaragua.  We joined together with 38 others from our church and several others from a church in Virginia.  For the past 8 years, we have heard our missionaries talk and seen pictures from friends, but until we actually experienced it for ourselves, it was difficult to comprehend the needs that are so prevalent in this third world country.  I wish I had the words to describe the needs that are present and the way that God is responding to those needs.  I wish the pictures could tell their story...

The Schools

Griselda and her 2nd grade class



Children sweeping and mopping their classroom floor.

Lunch Time: Each student brought a bowl and cup.  The teacher would fill them up with rice and beans that one of the parents prepared the night before. 

One of our teachers taught the kids how to play "Duck..Duck...Goose".  Here they are playing it for the first time.  It started to rain, but that didn't stop the kids from having fun!

Los Pepitos

These were some sweet, sweet kids at Los Pepitos. 

This little girl had a hearing impairment.  She was so excited when she realized that I could sign a little.

Casa Materna

These girls were in their 9 month of pregnancy and staying at Casa Materna.  Here they are sewing a new pillow for their new arrival.  Eleven girls were there for the night, and the facilities had 4 twin beds.  They were going to sleep two girls per bed, and three girls would sleep on the floor. 

This little boy became my friend at Casa Materna.  He was one of the employees' children.

The Town

Some of the girls walking to the mission after getting a cold Coke.

Chelsea, Randi, and Jeana

The Water

Here we are completing step 1 of the process to make a water filter to install in one of the homes of  a local family.

As we were making filters, a truck filled with cabbage drove by.  As the truck hit a bump in the road, two heads of cabbage fell out.  We watched as two local boys jumped over a barbed wire fence to take the cabbage back to their family.

Here Brandon is washing the sand so that it can go in the filter.

Randi, Kari, and Jeana

The Mountains

The beautiful mountains of Jinotega.

After a thousand-step hike up the mountain, we made it to the cross.  What a beautiful view!

The Friends

Brandon and his friend, Harvey

Happy Birthday, Bran!

This has been a week of celebration!  On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day and yesterday, Brandon turned the big 32!  We have had so many desserts that I am almost ashamed to list them all, and I know that the list will only get longer as we are preparing to go see my parents!  Oh, well!  Anyway, Brandon, I am so thankful that God has allowed us to be together for over half our life.  I love the way that you love us and how you show that on a daily basis.  I love the way that you love others, and most of all, how you love God.  I hope that you had an amazing birthday (even though, you didn't get a card:))!  We love you!

Who needs cake when you can have pie?  Yum Yum!

C's face doesn't show it, but he was so excited to buy this $.98 loaf of bread and feed the ducks.

C watching his friend throw it long!

I just love C's priceless face in this picture.  He always tells me, "Mama, close your eyes!"

My brave little man "letting go"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Well, that is all of the pictures that I have for now!  There will be many more over the next few weeks as we have many new adventures headed our way!

Choo...Choo...Let's Get on the Potty Train!!

 

Memorial Weekend was set aside for nothing other than POTTY TRAINING!  I have to admit that I was not looking forward to it, but our little man handled it like a pro.  I know that I am spoiled, but after one night in a Pull-Up, he decided that he must wear his underwear.  He has slept in them ever since and hasn't had one wet night:)  These next pictures were just too cute not to share.  I know that someday, little man is not going to be too happy with me but for today, he is proud of those yellow Crocs and those Lightning McQueen Undies!

 Carson helping Daddy level the fort!

 

Celebrating KK!

On Tuesday, we were all so excited to get to witness Kelli walk across the stage with her college degree!  It is amazing how old that I must be since she is graduating college:)  Anyway, she handled it with style and grace as she accepted the diploma that she has worked so hard for.  Kelli, we are all so proud of you!  We can't wait to see the path that God will lead you down.  Our biggest words of wisdom are... 1. Trust God.  He has a plan and purpose for you that is far beyond our understanding.
                       2. Be who God made you to be instead of trying to be like everyone else.  God made you unique for a purpose.
                       3. Love God and Love People.  This sums up the whole Gospel.
                       4. Choose friends that will lead you in the right direction.
                       5. Be picky when choosing who you will marry.  Don't settle!  God has someone amazing waiting for the right time to meet you. 

We love you more than you can imagine, and I am so honored to be able to call you my sister! 

Oh...how time flies!

On Easter weekend, we had the privilege to get to have some of our best friends visit from Chicago.  Kelly was my college roommate 10 years ago.  Wow, did I just say that?  I love where in Proverbs 17:17, it says that a friend loves at all times and that is exactly how I feel about Kelly and Craig.  I have to say that Kelly knows everything about me, the good and the ugly; yet, she is always there for me!  Carson, I hope and I pray that as you grow that you will invest time and energy to choosing good friends.  It is going to be hard to not just want to fit in with the crowd, but I challenge you to look below the surface and find friends that truly care about you and truly love you.  You see if a friend truly loves you, they will do what is in your best spiritual interest.  They will go above and beyond to keep you on a path that leads you to Christ. 

Enjoying a beautiful day at Clyde Warren Park.

Carson getting ready to enjoy some yummy food from the food trucks.

 

Easter Weekend 2013

The egg hunt has begun!

Sorry, bud!  No candy this year!  Just gummies!

Yes, Craig can juggle Easter eggs!

The Dallas Zoo

Wow, that is a tall giraffe!

Man, I hope it is a long time before this day gets here!

Love you guys!!!!!!

It took a few days for C to get over Kelly and Craig leaving:( Boo hoo!

Lexi and Carson at the park.

This is one of my favorite times of the week...swimming with Carson!

 

 I am so proud of you!  You are up to swimming 6 seconds under water.  Yes, I am making the monkey face so that you will continue to hold your breath.  Guess, I am holding mine too!  Six seconds is a long time for a mommy!

Carson floating on his back!