Naomi's Village

Today we received such a blessing! Our family, the J-girls, and some people from a local church loaded up in 2 vans and made our way to Naomi's Village to meet and visit with some special kids. Naomi's Village is a children's home with a vision to love and invest in Kenyan children with the hope that they will not only survive, but grab hold of the truth that they are valued by God and that He has a plan for each person.

Emily enjoys "Don't break the ice" with some expert players.

Avery especially enjoyed holding the babies!

Ester and Emma loving on the little ones.

Jaden holding a little guy who was so full of energy! He had us really laughing!

Emma, Gavin, and Avery in the dining hall between games. The pictures all around the wall are the attributes of God. They are visual reminders of the things the staff are teaching the children about God.

It was raining so we spent most of our time indoors. We played games, worked puzzles, held babies, visited with the workers about how we can pray and help, and just hung out with some special kids.

No pics of Z-man. He was way too busy playing in the play room with the little kids. He did not want to leave and is READY to go back!

One of the main reasons we visited today was because the founders want the children to have strong Kenyan role models. Our hope is that God will place orphans on the hearts of some of the students in Nairobi and that we can all visit regularly.

All of the staff at Naomi's Village were great. They have a special but tough job! Especially on my heart today is Jane, the worker in the baby room. She has a big job with 3 little babies! If you think of her, would you pray too?

If you want to know more about the special ministry of Naomi's Village I encourage you to click here!

Full

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

After taking a winding road up through the tea fields we reached our destination for the day. We walked into the house and a fire was blazing in the fireplace. I felt giddy. After a few moments of soaking up the pleasure of the fire I looked out the windows lining the back wall and my eyes feasted on some of the most beautiful scenery. We were in a farm house in the middle of a flower/ tea farm. There were cows grazing, green, rolling hills, towering trees, gorgeous flowers, and a clear, blue sky as a back drop. I wanted to STAY forever.

We were gathered with some new and some not quite so new friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. I felt full, and not because of the incredible foods we ate, but because this place was a gift to my soul! God does things like that. He is so creative, so majestic, and He shows us this through things like HIS creation. Not only is He creative and majestic, He is intimately concerned with us, His precious creation. He knows how much I love a fireplace. This was no ordinary fireplace. It had a beautiful, deeply colored wood mantle, and the fireplace itself was large. I am telling you, every time I passed that wonderful sight I wanted to cry. He knows me and what gives my heart pleasure. Between the view, the fire, the food, and the fellowship it was a full day. The hours passed but it really felt like time stood still.

All week we had been focusing on the treasures of God's provision, His word, Salvation, our health and freedom, and His protection using a Thanksgiving resource we got years ago. It helped us focus on why we celebrate historically as well as spiritually.

We have so much to be thankful for. We live in a place where we see poverty on a daily basis. Chris has been visiting people who have little to no food, are sick and/or have lost family members because of the famine in the horn of Africa. Chris is feeling so much better after a year of really struggling physically. I could go on and on. God is good and not just because we are where we are physically and emotionally but also because He was there when we were struggling physically and emotionally this year. He was faithful then and He is faithful now.

As I enjoyed our time in the hills on Thanksgiving, being fully there and enjoying every moment, I was reminded to be fully where I am wherever I am. This is the moment, I am not guaranteed another. Am I living fully here and now? Am I walking closely with my heavenly Father, knowing Him, enjoying Him, obeying His voice today? This is my prayer!

"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! "
Psalm 95:1


p.s. Sorry...I forgot my camera that day. Oh- I didn't even mention the coffee...wow.

Dog Days of Summer

This is my biker gang coming home after a trip to the pool. It has been a hot, dry summer (as our grass testifies). We are thankful for the pool.

Picnic in the park

We each made our own sandwiches (except Zephan, he had help) and some other goodies and headed off to find a new park.










We enjoyed watching the ducks, squirrels, and birds.

























Gavin played his guitar for us.








The kiddos got their wiggles out.








And we tried some new foods...
including...
ants....

These turtles are all over the city with various designs. Being an animal lover, Jaden wanted her picture taken with one.

one must wash one's feet after one has been on the beach
This too brings back so many memories. This is the same shower stand I used as a child.

cousins

These were taken at "the fountains" as we call them. They were put up by the city of Vero Beach after they tore down the old draw bridge (sigh, "the memories"). The kiddos love playing here.

Okay. I must brag on my husband. He is a patient man. He is a wonderful father. He patiently trained Zephan at the beach. Zephan was screaming at the beginning of our trip to the beach. He didn't like the sand. Chris made him walk, didn't cave for his crying, persevered and helped Zephan learn to be content (at least) at the beach. He eventually even enjoyed playing in the sand! Thanks, babe!

our hosts for the week~ Nancy, Thomas, and Meagan. My cousin, Rick, is a doctor and had to be at the hospital that morning. It was so fun being at the beach with all of our kiddos. Rick and I had such fun at the beach together as children!
Rick and Nancy were the most excellent hosts. Great food, great coffee, great fellowship, great everything. We so enjoyed our time with them~thanks guys!

havin' fun with Aunt Jodi

la fam et la mer!

muscle man

Jaden the mermaid

on the dolphin!

where Zephan spent most of his day at the beach

Jaden holding Meagan. Jaden is such a sweetie!

A day at the Fort Worth Zoo

Here we are...happy to be at the zoo. Well, almost everyone. Emma is having a hard time being happy to pose for a family shot. This is # 43 I think. Just kidding. But you can tell from A's face it was not the first picture we took.

We had a great time (really). The Fort Worth zoo has something called Member Mondays during June as a way to say Thank You. We got in an hour before general admission, had a free snack (which Emma promptly spilled all over her pants), and got to feed the parrots for free. Our friend, Justus, came along and helped out immensly with wrangling kiddos in the summer zoo crowd. Justus works with Chris at the hospital. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of him!

We got to see an elepant bathing and get UP CLOSE to his face...way cool.

These are the kiddos with our special friends. They met us at the zoo and we all walked around together, shared stollers, and enjoyed the overcast (not as hot) day together!