A Little Of Our Lives Lately

What have we been up to lately?  Here is a little look.

I mentioned in a recent post that Cruz began piano lessons.  One of the requirements was that he needed a way to practice.  We do not own any music equipment or have access to any.  His music school gave a few recommendations of places to go in our town to look for a keyboard.  The same day we signed  him up we headed across town to look at a store.  Before we ever got to the store we ran into some friends we had not seen in a while and were catching up with them.  We mentioned what we were out doing and they immediately offered a keyboard that they have and are not using for us to start out on for now.  What a blessing that was and perfect timing might I also add.  They dropped it off a few days later and he has been practicing on it ever since. I am so thankful for God moments like that.

helping Cruz practice his music last Friday afternoon

On Friday night we had company over for supper.  It turned out to be seven of them which made for a fun time around the table.  We laughed, talked, and shared mission stories.  It was good to have that fellowship time.

Friday night with friends

The boys especially enjoyed having another kid to play with while the adults visited.  These three had a fun time together.

On Saturday morning I loaded the boys up and we drove to the mall.  I needed to write lesson plans and they needed to burn off some energy.  I grabbed a table by the playland, bought a chocolate frappe, and got to work.  The boys played hard and had a really fun morning.

it was a win, win for this mama/ teacher

There is a new ball pit set up next to the playland that the boys have been wanting to get in to.  They finally had time to do it on Saturday.  They had it all to themselves.

I also let them take a turn in this Spiderman bounce house.  They thought it was the coolest thing.

We returned home in time for lunch and then spent the afternoon sorting through old clothes and shoes.  We give most of what they outgrow to the village people.  It is always sweet to see a kid running around in something that my boys used to wear. I didn't realize we had stored up so many shoes.  As you can see from the photo below we had quite the collection of New Balance tennis shoes.  Yes, I have been just a little brand loyal over the past six years. 

Some little village kids are going to be proud to get these.

Later that day we surprised the boys with a little water balloon war in the backyard. 

On Sunday morning David traveled to Nearar to teach Bible study.  The boys and I do not usually go with him.  The hike is just a little too extreme for the boys to do on their own and they are too heavy for me to help carry.  We will be glad when the new church is built along the road.  We will then be able to go together as a family.   Instead we usually watch a live stream of the service at First Baptist Jackson, MS.   I am enjoying their new pastor and love looking for my friend Malinda in the choir.  This past week during the invitation time Cruz walked over to our dry erase board and started drawing.  When I asked him what it was he said, "it's me walking with God just like the preacher was talking about".  How precious was that!

Cruz's drawing of him walking with God

And my heart's prayer is that one day he will do just that!  ^"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Prov. 22:6.  Like many parents I am holding tight to that promise.