The cool tower

I remembered to get a good picture of the tower this time.  It definitely brings a lot of attention.  The kids are always excited to play with it and the adults are always terrified that it's going to crash to the ground.  So, either way I suppose it serves it's purpose in getting people to come over and chat with us.

The radio tower on our display table

We were at Living Hope Baptist church where so many people that we had served with now attend.  So good to see what God is doing there...

Sundays are exhausting for everyone though - Andy got Lena to sleep after our part of the service...love watching him be a dad.  It melts my heart.

Prairie Baptist Church

Okay - so Christmas in September?  That was the theme for this church.  It was a fantastic mission celebration, and we loved being part of it.  We were able to use the cool radio tower that the Lethers left for us before they journeyed to language school and it was fun to make some interesting connections - like people were neighbors with some highschool classmates of mine.  It's funny to remember that everyone else grows up while I do to -if I haven't seen them in 15 years, well then they haven't changed much in my mind.

Our traveling is going to slow down some by the end of the month, but we are so THANKFUL to have so many opportunities to share about the ministry in Togo...  Praying for partners and that God will provide contentment while we're here and bless in His timing.

My beautiful Bean - right before the evening service...such a trooper with all the travels.  All the kids are great, really.

Radio and puppets...

Andy heard that ThyWord Network was having Family Day before their Share-a-thon.  We decided to drop in so the kids could see what a radio station looked like (since that's what we're going to build in Togo) and see what other activities they had.

The kids were excited to meet the man behind Captain Flashlight, make their own puppets and see some cool puppet/theatre stuff.  And, eat a cookie.  Super glad we went.

Now, we're trying to think - how can we use radio to raise more partners?

Field Trips

Nora meets Mayor Winnecke

One of the books the kids have to read is called Things People Do.  So, the first thing we read was about how the city was run.  We went to the Civic Center and we were trying to find a picture to show Nora and Silas of our mayor.  We asked someone in the mayor's office and then he just walked in.  He was more than happy to spend a few minutes talking to the 4 year old about things.  Probably a big break for him since there is some big stink going on that he's obviously got to sort through with everyone blaming everyone...it's always kind of like that with the government, it seems.

Ritz-Peters :)

So honored to see Katy Ritz get hitched to her lovely man, Caleb.  I LOVE HER :)  And, what I loved just as much was the story and the written proposal by Caleb.  They have such wisdom and such a passion for Christ - far beyond their years.  I look at them and only dream that I can portray Christ as beautifully as they do.  Probably, I just need to spend more time with her.  But, alas.  I'm old now (and trying to move the family to Africa), and she's a newly-wed now.  And, there will doubtfully be much time...

So lovely are their hearts.

First day of {home}school :)

Tuesday was the first day of school at home.  Nora was a little spoiled after riding the bus to "school" while we did training in Penn.  She and Silas tell everyone that they don't take the bus, they take the stairs.  It's true.  :)  We moved all our boxes and made a great set-up in the attic.  We totally became dumpster divers and got 2 perfectly good desks for the kids - those will go to Africa with us for sure!  The kids were excited today.  And, for the record - I've been researching, looking, and meeting with people trying to figure out what we should do.  There is so many homeschool options available and it's hard trying to decide.  I do wish Nora was old enough to start public school, because she would love it.  But, I can't deny that I'm super excited to be the teacher.

My favorite except for the price  was the Sonlight curriculum.  So, we are using the Preschool 4/5 Core from Sonlight (which includes Bible, history, science, and social studies).  Then, we are doing handwriting with a clearance Kindergarten book from Target for Nora; Horizons Math - Kindergarten for Nora; and my own language arts for Nora.  Puzzles and manipulatives (like, lizards from the dollar store) for Silas...  After the first few days I found that they love (and so do I) a craft time.  So, we make something related to something that we've read/learned...  No idea what it'll be like in Togo.  There's talk of an MK school - and as much as I love being the teacher, I know that Nora especially wants to go to "regular" school.  So, we'd probably send them there if it's available.  I'm excited for all they'll learn and kind of okay with all the unknowns...

Labor Day

Some fun pics from Labor Day near Bloomington, IN.  The kids had a blast.  Andy did cast the reel with the line and lost that, and I lost one earring.  I'm pretty sure I lost my earring when the Lena went crazy and the nursing cover entrapped me as I tried to feed the baby.  All in all, fun.  Except the earring part.  That was sad.  It was one of my favs.  Prelude from Premiere.  But, the food and family were excellent, as usual.