the birthday boy

Oh we love him our sweet Aber-baber.  Such a joy, such a gift!

Little trip

We were so blessed to travel to a neighboring city about a month ago...such a sweet gift in so many ways!

the kids outside Craig's old school- back in 2003 :)

up on the plateau

Tito being sweet to a dear brother

the big 2 were informing me that if you're thirsty you just got to chew on one of these grasses :)

Little wrestler

If you're in our house and you lay down on the ground (or couch or bed), you better watch out- our littlest equates that with wanting to wrestle. :)

5 little ones

Grateful this morning for running water, our sweet babysitter teammate accountability friend, the Word, and these 5 precious little ones across the way-

Undeserving

Often feel overwhelmed to be a recipient of such grace- mostly, of course- in my justification through the blood of Jesus and being adopted into God's family.  But also many other sweet answers to prayer- to your prayers- that are sacrificially prayed for us.  That people would strive together with us in prayer is so humbling sweet!

Craig and I just finished a month of a new budget system that we've loved, thankful!  And had thought about different things, just again felt like we were totally on the same page about everything, which is often the case in our (8 years today!) marriage.  Both of our response was, people must be praying, God has been gracious.  Not to mention the long list of things we've written down recently of other instances of these things, feel so silly...of course there are many heartaches too.  Littler ones like wanting to be at Conference Point with our family this year!  And what do we do when Abraham has a fever in the middle of China?  And why can't we play on the nice grass- being told we're killing it if we play on it... Or bigger ones- for the little orphans, loneliness of friends and myself, missing loved ones, unmet hopes, messy relationships, neglected children, perishing millions...

But I am thankful this morning...

For cleaned windows
For a happy marriage with a happy husband
For healthy kids
For sweet visits and late night talks with 2 sweet girls
For fun family nights
For yummy cupcakes
For a growing in compassion and thoughtfulness- helper Hudson (asked me if we could take one of the orphans home- a little 6 mo old girl- who was really laughing at Hudson)
For our hard working Spring Girl on the piano!  Oh I'd quit in frustration before she does when she's not getting the rhythm right, but she perseveres!
For our sensitive 3 yr old- and his sweet sweet smiles for mama.
For a healthy 10 mo old- fever is gone, spots all over, but he's feeling better
For surprises from my kids- (a cleaned room!)
For generous packages sent!
For new sisters met
For a lunch that only Craig and Hudson went to- and that they both did a good job eating clams, snails, shrimp, squid and flowers among other strange things!
For a stinker 10 year old who comes daily to our apt and reminds me of the love my Father showed me in my even worse stinkerness