The cat is out of the bag!

Okay, I feel the need to confess up front. The title of this post might lend one to think there's a big secret I'm about to reveal. However, it could easily be titled: "The cats are out of the house!" - but that doesn't make someone want to read the blog. (I learned recently that the title is one of the most important factors in whether or not someone will actually take the time to read the post, so....)

So, now you know - we've begun to let the cats out of the house. We started Friday and will repeat it daily for specified lengths of time until we are confident the dogs won't try to chase/kill them.

Our dogs love to chase anything that moves. They run around trying to catch birds that are yards above them. I think the kites (a type of bird -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Kite ) enjoy teasing the dogs who go crazy running back and forth around the yard with their eyes on the bird flying way above them. In the past I've been embarrassed on their behalf, but David (our guard) said they've caught one before. Maybe they're not so silly.

But you can see we have a valid concern here. As soon as the cats run...the chase is on. So we're starting impora, impora (slowly, slowly).

I will feel better when the dogs aren't quite as interested. It's looks like this that make me doubt the bond of sisterhood I'd hoped they'd have for one another.

We don't think the dogs would eat the cats on purpose, but we'll continue to oversee their visits until we're all a bit more comfortable.

The last couple of weeks have been a blessing, not only because of the animal situation, but for many reasons. The elections have been as peaceful as we prayed. Thank you for your prayers. With all the unrest in other countries, there has been talk by some officials it could happen here as well. So far we have seen little, to no, violence.

Last week we were honored to speak at a Bible camp for university students. It was such a blessing to be able to encourage them to be men/women of character and to follow God in all aspects of their life - not an easy task. (To clarify: the talking was easy, but the choosing to follow God in everything is not so easy.)

Our Wednesday Bible study is kicking off a study of Ephesians this coming week and our guy/girl times will begin on Friday. We have spent the beginning of our term reviewing/teaching the foundations of our faith and are excited to begin building on that foundation. These students are hungry for the truth and now have to struggle in deciding what they will believe. Please pray they will learn to filter what they hear in their churches with what the Bible actually says. It should be the same, but sadly there are many times when it isn't.

Sometimes I wonder if people back home think we're here just playing, watching the kids grow up, and enjoying a carefree life at a slower pace. Please know that I don't usually blog about ministry, not because it doesn't happen, but because I don't want to share something that may be read by a friend here as "talking about them". Many NGOs (Non-government Organizations) around the world go to "help" and sometimes the people whom they are serving are exploited. We try very hard to protect the privacy of our friends.

There are times when we still struggle with understanding the culture, but we love the people with whom we work. God has blessed us with some amazing students who love the Lord and want to know Him more intimately. They encourage us to never stop asking God to grow us into who He wants us to be.

A Lizard Pool

My question to the kids when they started this project was, "Do lizards like water?" I never received an answer, but a good chunk of their afternoon was spent on this endeavour so I hope some lizards enjoyed it.

Dade, Benjamin, and Zachary "carried" a tub of "clay" up to a far corner of the compound. Originally, the plan was to build this pool near the gate, but I quickly vetoed that location and sent them where no one would be able to see it. I sound so mean, but I just didn't know what the outcome would be.

If you're ever interested on how to make a lizard pool, I'll give you some basic tips. It's pretty obvious in the beginning...you start with a hole. It's the dry season now and the ground is quite hard so Dade and Benjamin took turns digging the hole. Then you cut off a branch and place it in the bottom of the hole. Next comes a layer of rocks, then the "clay" is applied and you hope it becomes hard so the water will not get absorbed into the dirt.

Finally you add water. I didn't ask if they ever caught lizards to put into the pool - I just really didn't like the idea of lizards trying frantically to swim for their lives. I'm also sorry to say that after building your excitement, I don't have any pictures of the finished project. All I know is that they had fun constructing and my basin was returned to the laundry room - clean - by evening. And that I am blessed with a most beautiful, creative daughter!

Super Bowl Monday

Since no one wanted to wake up early Monday morning to watch the game, we opted to do the same thing we did last year and have a party as we watch the game replayed later in the day. So around 11 a.m. everyone gathered to share food and celebrate something truly American.

Please note the Dallas Cowboy plate (I had napkins too). We bought them while we were home - "just in case" the Cowboys made it all the way. I debated saving them for next year, but Joel encouraged me to use them now. If anyone sees some cheap ones and wants to mail them sometime between now and next Super Bowl...we'd really appreciate them - "just in case".

We had a diverse group of people to share our home with - one family from Canada (minus the mom who had better things to do and who has an appreciation for a quiet home), 3 guys who are staying with us for a week who live in Kenya and work with On Field Media, some short-termers from Lubbock, and fellow missionaries in our town.

Micah Hollenbeck (our team leaders' son - who is now taller than me) is the only one who came appropriately attired.

Lydia was a Steeler fan too.

Not really, but she was crying and was too cute to ignore.

Our kids didn't watch the game at all, but enjoyed the school holiday and the time with friends. I do so enjoy the pace of life here. I am truly blessed!

Crazy Hair Day

In an effort to liven up our school week, I called today our "crazy hair day"! Knowing how much fun this day was for Dara (back when she was in school), I brought colored hair sprays for just this occasion.

So during our break this morning, we stepped outside to color hair.

I only brought two colors - blue and glitter. I'm not sure why I didn't bring more, but you just never know what I was thinking at the time I was shopping. It's hard to see but Ruth added glitter to her hair too (and a touch of blue that is barely visible). Andrew watched attentively but we all agreed that he didn't have enough hair to color.

There's not much more to say on the topic, so here's some pictures because their sooooo cute!