Time for School!

Yup, It's that time again...after a long summer break (surely I didn't just say that since it's never-ending-summer on this side of the globe for us) the kiddos are ready for school. Tessa*, our MK teacher came in July and has been getting adjusted to the culture, learning the language and preparing for the Serendib crew...
The kids will not be able to use the "I had to walk a mile in the snow to get to school" pity party on their children since all they do is head upstairs! Uh-oh, looks like we got a stow-away!

The whole crew...Yup, Tessa's* got her hands full!

We've got some first-graders!

So, for the "It could only happen in South Asia" funny story of the week, the prize goes to Daniel...When discussing what plants and animals need to survive, of course, sun and light were mentioned...but what do cows eat? TRASH!

Little Dee is our new brother in Christ!

This was the day (well, one of them...along with the wedding day!) we had been praying for since Daniel was in the womb. From birth, Daniel has been taught the Scriptures--

about who God is and His love for mankind.

You may recall us sharing the story of getting the evangecard (a flat version of the evangecube) in India when we went for our SC training. We were challenged to share it with others, and if we did, we would get a stack of cards. Well, Steven came home that night and taught it to the kids. Later that week, he saw Caleb teaching it to Daniel (along with others he met). Daniel then came to me and “taught” it to me. Daniel has shown much interest in spiritual things lately. He had a deep discussion with his Daddy and then later with both of us but because of his age, we did not want it to seem as if we were pushing him. We prayed instead, that it would linger in his heart and that it would be something that was continually brought up.

Wednesday night (August 29), as he and Caleb lay in the bed, he began asking Caleb questions. Caleb led him through the plan of salvation and then through the sinner’s prayer! We rejoice because not only had we been praying for Daniel’s salvation, but also for Caleb to be able to see some fruit of all the seed he had been planting over the last several months. Isn't He amazing?

So, here we are...getting ready for Dee's baptism in the Indian Ocean...but first, Daddy encourages and exhorts him as he makes his decision to follow Christ public.

Because Caleb was the one who actually led Daniel through the prayer of salvation, we thought it only appropriate that he get to assist in this special occasion...
Notice the approaching wave?

Daniel not only got baptized by his daddy and brother,

but that giant wave as well...which came at just the time he went under!

Now that's a baptism!

Caleb praying for his little bubby...

What a day!

That's my boy...my new brother in Christ!

Super-Duper Craft Show

It's time once again for the annual Craft Show!

We were just as amazed this year at everything the kids made,

so we wanted you to have a peek...

Since it was Allie's "summer break", she got to go the last couple of weeks of Montessori and help out...the teachers love her!

My personal favorite was the Coke bottle dolls...

Coming in at close 2nd was the spider webs made from tea and dahl... That's mine up there on the top row!

And then there's the clowns...

and balloon owls hanging in the tree...

These are tissue paper flower pics and painted flower pics...

I didn't know everyone' s favorite cartoon could be turned into a craft...see Tom in the background getting ready to pounce on all the "Jerries" (made from eggs)

Another favorite was the lighthouses...

And what about the snails made from coconut halves?
or the tortoises...

Last but not least...the catepillars and snakes...
Pretty cool, huh?

Erin's Special Night!

Hi! It's me, Erin! I'm on my way out for an extra-special night with my good friend, Gracie, and our mommies! Well, actually our families are joining us first for a good ole burger from BURGER KING!

After eating supper, us ladies headed out (in the rain) to the salon...

I'm getting my nails done!!!
Which color do I want?

I think I'll take pink Boy, is this the life or what?!

Ya gotta love it!

What a fun night! When can we do this again?

Thailand or bust!

On June 14th we had to exit our country because our visa was up. For the first 10 days we stayed at a retreat center called the Juniper Tree, where other "workers" like us come for some R&R. It was such a great experience...even though we had three days of medical to do! We were able to meet people from all over this side of the globe who have a heart for Jesus. What a blessing! The kids made some new friends as well...

Even mom and dad got to hang with some buddies from another region who had been in town for some other meetings!

One night we got to head out for miniature golf...

Silly Willies...

...and sleepy-heads...

Rise and shine for some fun!

Allie and "Brookie" hanging together at the pool!

Dee Dawg making his way up and down and up and down and up and down the pool!

-Maybe that's why he has this look on his face!
And when you're tired of swimming, what's one to do?

HAVE AN ICE CREAM!!!

Boy, this is a tough life!

When the kids weren't out at the pool, you could probably find them on one of the three playgrounds...


--or playing ping pong!

Time to leave the Juniper Tree and head to the Empress...
Ok, so you know mom had to have a photo shoot!

Once our agm meetings began, Caleb and the other "Youth" headed to another hotel to "do their thang"...you'll have to check out his blog in the future for their fun times together!

Allie and Jessica sang during the Kids' Recital! They did a great job singing,

"Once Again"...beautiful!

On July 4th, we were able to spend half a day at Grace International School where the older kids were having VBS. The fellowship and food were great, but the best part was

the Youth (i.e. CALEB) got to be with us!

We all had a good time swimming that day, but I only got a shot of Ella Mac! Look at her go! Remember "miss timid" who used to hang onto the ladders? She's off and running--I mean swimming!

While the grown-ups were in meetings all day, some brave souls came from East Cooper Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant (SC folks!), Kentucky, and California (and a few other individuals from other places) to minister to our kids. What a blessing they were to the whole family!

One of Brooke's teachers from Kentucky...

Mrs. Mary Lou

Some of Brooke's buddies...

Mrs. Mary Lois and Mr. Truman

Wow, were these teachers great! Pastor Buster relayed a story to us during agm one day...when he had asked Mr. Truman what in the world he was doing with the two year olds, he said, "I just hold 'em and rock 'em and pray over them." Thank You, God for sending prayer warriors to love on our kids!

All this fun can sure wear ya out!

Just a little view of the Kids' Program on the last night. It was really good! Yep, Allie, Daniel, and Erin are all up there singing their hearts out to the "Game Day Central" songs.

Erin with her teachers, Dr. John, his daughter Caroline, and their friend Laura. This could have been a " traumatic" time for Erin, as she is now in the "older kids" group which boards a huge "greyhound"-type bus and goes to the International school away from mommy and daddy. Thanks to lots of hugs, Erin had a blast!!

How wild to find another Lexington girl here on the other side of the globe! Thanks, Michelle for coming and using your gifts to bless our kids!!!

Dee with his homey, Chris "aiya" (big brother in Sinhala)

We were at a loss without Cabo all week--though we were grateful he had the opportunity to be with the youth we still missed hanging out with him! I know Allie and Jessica felt the same way about Cait not being with us! At least Allie and Jessica had some good bonding time!

Anyone for a "Mike's Hamburger" night! YUM!!!

Allie and Jessica are up for it!

Surely that's not MY daughter hanging out the back of a tsuong tao?

Yep, it was a great trip...good food (BAR-B-QUE!!!, hamburgers, and Nacho's Grande!!), awesome fellowship/worship/teaching...but after 3 weeks of being out of country, I have to say, we were all asking with Brooke...

Are we home yet????