Accomplishments

Each year we set goals that we'd like to meet, usually for the kids it is something to work on during school breaks just to keep our minds in learning mode.  Last year the kids learned the Lord's Prayer so we decided to work on Psalm 23 this year.  Here we go....

Houston learned Genesis 1:1.  He's learned each bible verse his bible class at school has studied each month.  He received a blue ribbon for learning his bible verse and reciting it.  This is a major accomplishment for our big boy.

Aidyn:

Hollyn :

We are so proud of our little ones.  They have a big heart for learning.:)

Summer 2012 in Review

We all had so much fun this summer.  All good things must come to an end, right?  Here is a little recap of some of our fun memories....Of course our New Mexico trip was a major highlight of the summer.

It was such an amazing experience and it was even more special because we shared it with our friends.

The girls served and loved that week. We're so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with the amazing people we met.  We are hoping to get to go back.

We are praying for these precious faces.  We can't forget these precious people and we pray for God's blessings to be on them.

We had some fun on the trip with our hike to the top of Window Rock.

Immediately following the New Mexico trip, we headed south for vacation at the beach.

The beach trip was extra fun because we vacationed with our friends, the Jameses.

The girls practiced riding some waves.

We posed for some pics.

We rode in our very first bike parade to celebrate the 4th of July.

We soaked up a lot of sun.

Hollyn lost a tooth while watching a play in Alys Beach.

We tried to capture 1,367,834 smiles from all of the fun.

In early August we celebrated 50 years of marriage for Mama Ann and Papa.  We had a wonderful low-key celebration just as they wanted.  Such a wonderful example of marriage for the next generation to see.

The kids really enjoyed playing at our house this summer too.  It usually involved getting wet, but that is what summer is about.

In addition to our fun travels and celebrations we also enjoyed our neighborhood pool this summer as well.  Houston conquered the diving board before summer was over and was swimming really well.  Summer was great but now we're excited to create Fall memories too.

New Mexico Mission Trip

Aiydn, Hollyn and Mom headed out on June 23rd for a full week of mission work in Tohatchi, NM.  We flew into Albuquerque and then drove a couple of hours Northwest to Tohatchi.  We stayed on cots  in classrooms at the Tohatchi Baptist Church.  We weren't really sure what to expect other than we knew we would be helping with a VBS.  Our hearts could have never been prepared for the overflowing love in the hearts of the people at Tohatchi Baptist.  They ministered to us more than we could have ever ministered to them.

The girls had a week of learning and new experiences.  The conditions were a little rough, to say the least.  We shared a room with two great college students, Emma and Tessa.  They were fun to hang with.  We were at an altitude of 7000+ ft but experienced little problems from that.  It was hot and dry with no air conditioning.  The girls complained very little and rolled along with everything we did.  They played about 132 games of kickball during the week and didn't seem to be bothered at all by the temperatures.  Amazing little ladies they are.  Our eating schedule was way off.  We'd have breakfast around 7:30 and then lunch around 1:30 or 2:00.  The girls never complained.

We held two bible schools each day.  One was at the home of the Tsosie's, who are the nicest people you will ever meet.  They graciously opened their home each day and hosted around 15 children from 9 until 1.  They have 5 precious children, struggle with health issues, love Christ with their entire being, and make beautiful Navajo pottery for a living.  WE LOVE THIS FAMILY.  It was such a joy to be in their home each day and we will truly miss them.  The girls will absolutely miss their 3 puppies.  This bible school was special to the girls and myself because we were really able to get to know a lot of kids.    Some of them amazed me at how grounded in their faith they already are at such a young age.  We will be praying daily for these kids because it is hard to make a commitment to Christ in their culture.  Many families who are still strong in Navajo tradition will completely disown and shun those who don't remain faithful to their traditions but instead trust in Christ.

At night, we held a VBS at Tohatchi Baptist.  We had around 40-45 kids each night and we all had blast.  It was harder to get to know these kids because this VBS didn't last as long and there were just a lot of kids.  At both bible schools the craft for the week was making a wooden footstool that the kids could keep.  All of the kids were excited with each step of the process.

Our team...the Jameses and the Macrorys.  Loved spending the trip with them.

A little site seeing on our journey.

Dust storm the first day in Tohatchi.  Did I mention red dirt/sand everywhere?

Hollyn getting acquainted with the Tsosie's pups.

Aidyn loooved these puppies.

The Tsosies built this shaded area for us to hold the VBS.  They made a wooden frame then placed cut trees all around it.  It was beautiful and GREATLY appreciated shade.

The girls helped lead music during VBS.  I think they had some Father Abraham going on in this photo.

The land and mountains were so beautiful.  Everything was different than in Alabama.  We loved the scenery.

This is Deona building her stool.

This precious little girl is Delilah.  She came to the day and night VBS so we all got to know her well.  Precious little girl.

Sanford Jr.  He loved bossing the girls around and they loved every minute of it.

Aidyn and Monica drawing together.

The footstools were a lot of work but precious and worth the effort.

The girls got to paint pottery with the Tsosies on the last day.

They each painted a turtle.

Our night VBS crew.

Mary and Maggie.  Love these sweet cousins.

On our last day we did a little site seeing and went to Window Rock, Arizona.  We climbed to the top.

Most of our team. At least those brave enough to trek the mountain.

The girls and myself on top of Window Rock.

The girls were excited to find tumbleweed.

our roommates.

We had a wonderful trip.  It was good for us all to get out of our comfortable lives for a week and to see how little some people have and how happy they are to have their joy in Christ alone.  We came back with greatful hearts and a desire to serve more.

One last thing we brought back is this....

We had an "encouragement wall" in New Mexico where we could leave each other notes to encourage one another through the week.  We loved it so much we had to make one at home.  Everyone feels extra special already.