Our Life

Our kids have a favorite night of the week. It is ministry night! They love getting to go and see their friends, help pass out the drinks and snack and listen to the story and color.

Cooper was trying to do the 'I love you' sign.

Even Peanut gets excited. The kids just carry her around like their baby doll.

Daddy trying to get a picture with his princesses.

These two are the best of buds. Cooper is always there to help her when she is tired of the kids carrying her around. Then he likes to try and show her off by him carrying her around everywhere. He always makes sure to share his drink and snack with her as well.

Can you tell they love each other?

Oh how we look forward to our ministry night! Thank you LORD for blessing us with such sweet kids that are always willing to go! We love our kids so much and love our kids at the ministry.

Thank you LORD for such a special night for our family to be a part of!

Last Day of Retreat

We had an AMAZING retreat. We were able to worship in our native tongue, meet other missionaries that deal with our same struggles, had tons of encouragement all week and may I add....... the kids had a blast.

Before the kids big performance of the night we let them play on the playground to get rid of some nerves!

Tink doing her favorite thing at the park, swing!

Saddle Ridge Ranch was the VBS theme. A team from the states came and watched the kids the entire week doing VBS with them while we attended our meetings.

I was so proud of how well they picked up on the songs and were not scared one bit to perform them in front of EVERYONE! I was so impressed. If you haven't seen the video of them singing of facebook then lucky you........... you get a chance to see it now. RIGHT NOW. Just go to the bottom of this page and it will make your day so much better!

After all the performances and handing out bibles to the graduates we all enjoyed a little bonfire. It was the first time for Tink to ever see a REAL fire.

She was a little cautious.

Coo Coo got right in there and roasted him some marshmallows!

Daddy and his princess!

I took Peanut back to the room because the smoke was too strong and she was getting tired. I had to take a picture though because the team even made her a little onesie that matched all the kids shirts. It was so adorable.

Is she not the cutest Peanut you have ever seen?

Seriously........... try to get a picture of these two?

I mean, REALLY? What was I thinking. Especially them just getting back from a bonfire where they were all hyped up on roasted marshmallows.

Had to get one of Tink in her traditional pose. Which her daddy is the one that taught her this.

Thank you for such an amazing week!

No Way That is at the Hotel?

That's right. There were peacocks all over the place.

There was even a BEAUTIFUL white one.

Coo couldn't believe it. I think here he was saying, "Is he serious?"

Av LOVED them where Coo was a little NERVOUS about them walking around him. He must take after his Baga who is terrified of birds as well.

You can tell on Coo's face he doesn't like taking a picture where he has to take his eyes off of the peacock :)

They would literally just walk around right beside you.

Tink kept wanting to touch them. Coo....... not so much.

Our camera is, well, BROKEN. It will only take a good picture every other picture. So this one of the kids was one of the bad ones where I tried to fix it so you could see it. It isn't the best picture but I think it is just adorable of them. They are both just amazed of another one of GOD's creations!

After all the excitement with the peacocks and some meetings it was time for a nap. Do you think we got one?

Thank you LORD for reminding us daily of your beautiful creation! Peacocks are such gorgeous creatures and I LOVED our kids getting to be so close to see just how AMAZING they are.

Dress Up Day

They had a retirement dinner for the people that were retiring and leaving the field. You either had to wear Mexican getup or dress up. So instead of going and paying for some stuff that I know our kids won't really won't want to wear we decided to do the dress up thing.

Peanut enjoyed her supper very much!

Tink didn't want the night to be over and to take her shoes off.

Peanut is getting so big. She is definitely a little Tennessee girl. She does have shoes but would rather not wear them.

Tink........ well....... being Tink!

This is the only pic I got of Coo. He was too cool for his parents this night. He wanted to just run around with his friends that he hadn't seen in over a year.

Tink LOVED her dress. She kept wanting to just twirl.........

........... then it would take her a minute to stop seeing the room spin.

This night was one of my favorites. Being able to celebrate with those on the field was so exciting. One of the men that was retiring reminded me so much of my papa. He was tall and the sweetest man. Him and his wife were on the field for over 20 years. They moved back to the states because of her health and which she soon passed away. He decided to go back on the field as a widow and serve another 4 years! His testimony was AMAZING and I hope to serve the LORD as he did. Giving Him the glory in the good and in the bad. He was 78 years old. Yes that is not a typo, 78 years old. Can you imagine being on the field alone at that age? Completely having faith in the LORD. I will NEVER forget this man. I tried to go up and talk to him but I literally would just start crying and not able to say anything. I believe it was a mix of him reminding me such much of papa but also just seeing that light that you always tell others that christians have. He seriously had a different light about him. You could just see the joy in his smile. Thank you Mr. Jim for all your hard work and dedication to telling others about GOD'S love! I KNOW you will continue to while in the states!

Special Treat at the Retreat

Another day at the Prayer Retreat!

First thing in the morning is was off to class!

Then after lunch we had a short break where the kids got a "special treat."

SWIMMING! We have only been to one place to "swim" in Mexico and we ALL got sick. So the kids have been looking forward to playing in a pool for a while.

Coo is getting a little more confident in the pool. He loves to just run in the water. We are definitely looking forward to getting him in some swim lessons next summer when we get back.

The water was pretty chilly but the kids had such an awesome time.

Peanut was too sleepy and it was just too cold for her swim.

He was one excited little boy.

Tink loved it when the kids weren't trying to push her around in her float. She really likes to just be alone and enjoy the sun ;)

The best pic I could get of the two of them.

Tink LOVES the water.

She could have stayed in there forever if she wouldn't have got too cold and tired.

After swimming it was back to their class while we had some meetings. When we went back to pick them up it was obvious all that swimming wore little Tink out.

Peanut thought it was fun getting to ride in the stroller with her big sis!

Cooper was still juiced from making his cowboy hat in class.

When he finally laid down in bed though he crashed!

Thank you LORD for the little things like giving us a pretty day so that our kids could enjoy a day at the pool.