Picnic at the Park

Our church had a potluck picnic at a beautiful state park this week. It was great to be able to spend some time getting to know the folks a bit better while the kids played on the playground.

Summer is Here!

My mom is visiting for a week and her first day here in Missouri turned out to be rather beautiful!After so much bad weather lately it was a blessing to have a sunny warm day yesterday.
We went for a walk along the lake. Elijah's friend Mildred came along and they had so much fun climbing on the rocks and playing in the water.

Mom enjoying the lake view.

My Hero

Well Blogger isn't allowing me to upload pictures at this point so you'll just have to work with me here. Just imagine a good looking Irish man in a hard had and chaps lugging a chain saw up a tree. Got it? That's the picture i was trying up load. =)

Geoff, a.k.a. My Hero, and some other folks from the school here are spending the day down in Joplin helping to clear trees after that horrible tornado hit on Sunday. Joplin is about 150 miles from us He's excited to be able to put his skills to work helping others. It's really sad to hear of the lives lost in that storm and to see the destruction left behind.

Photo Credit Here

I was able to upload that picture at least.

We have been under tornado watches off and on but haven't had to hit the shelters yet. We've had lighting, thunder, hail and crazy kids trapped indoors but other than that we've fared well. Thanks for your prayers and emails of concern.

I know we aren't' the only ones with dangerous weather. How is it in your area?

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe everyone!

A Pet For a Day

The boys were thrilled when their daddy brought home this bull frog that he had found while he was out mowing yesterday.

They made him a comfortable home with water and rocks and even dug up worms for him to eat.

Elijah was heart broken to find the container empty this morning.

Maternity Shoot w/ Coleton and Shawna

Coleton and Shawna were fellow students this semester and their first child,a boy, is due in just over 4 weeks! I was super excited to be able to take their maternity pictures on Saturday.

They are such a fun couple and I can't wait to meet their little man!

Graduation Pictures

For the first time in a long time I'm sitting here at the start of another week and I don't have any homework! And It. Feels. Great!

Graduation was held in the auditorium. There were times we split up into smaller groups but for the most part this was where our classes were held.

Friday night it was pretty full. It was fun to see so many family and friends come out to support the graduates.

The praise band started the evening with a couple of songs.

Then two of the graduates spoke. Here Lindsey is giving her fabulous speech!

John did well too. I really appreciated what they both had to share.

Joy created a slide show with pictures from our time here that was shown. I would love to show it to you! Once I get it I'll be sure to post it.

Then a pastor from a local church came and gave the commencement.  

Then the diplomas were handed out.

Afterwards there were lots of hugs and pictures taken. Many goodbyes and see ya laters and maybe even a few tears. It's never easy to say good bye.

Sue has been such a wonderful mentor and friend to me.

I love having Fran around. She always makes us laugh and is willing to give of her time to help others out.

Fran and Sophia.

Lindsey gives some super hugs.



Carrie. Dear Carrie. She's been there for us through so much these last five years. I had to say good bye to this dear friend tonight. She's leaving tomorrow and in a couple months will be heading to Paraguay. It will most likely be three years before she's back in the States.

I'm know our graduation isn't the only one happening lately. Any special people in your life graduating this month?

P.S. Photo credit goes to Lighter Focus Photography for the first half of the pictures.

Graduation!

My graduating class.

Well, graduation day is here!

We have our last day of classes this morning and graduation at 7 tonight.

We've SO appreciated our time here and are SO grateful for the staff who have pour their lives into ours.

Wish you could join us tonight as we graduate from New Tribes Mission Missionary Training Center!

What are you're plans for this Friday evening?

The African Children's Choir

May 19th 2010 ended much the same way May 19th 2011 started. Heavy gray clouds dumping their contents on us students as we sloshed our way to class. The reason that day is so clear in my memory is because that was the day I miscarried our baby. A year ago today. Today I can't help but think about the "what if's". Boy or girl? We'd have a four month old. What would she look like? But you know, even in something like this we can trust our Father's faithful heart that it is good and He has everything under control.
On a different note. A couple of us students got got to go see The African Childrens Choir last night. It was the best! As soon as they came running up onto the stage with their shining gorgeous smiles my heart just melted! These kids have lost either one or both of their parents. They were growing up in poverty stricken slums in Uganda. The organization Music for Life has a school where the children live and learn.



They sang some songs in English but most of what they sang was in different African languages. The children are all between 8 and 12 years old.

 Each of the children shared their name and what they wanted to be when they grew up.

 "Hello, my name is Deborah and when I grow up I want to be an artist!"

"Hello, my name is Bob and I want to be a pilot when I grow up."

This little boy said "Hello, my name is Geoffrey and I want to be a president when I grow up."

The choir director is a beautiful lady who grew up in one worst slums in Uganda before she became part of the Chirldren's Choir. She was able to go to collage and is now a qualified interior decorator.

 Man, these little dudes were AMAZING on these drums!

At one point the kids said "We've heard some of you would like to adopt us. But we want to go home and make a difference there." And they do! They are sponsored all through school and collage and many go on to become doctor, lawyers, teachers and nurses.

It was a great night but totally made me miss Africa so much!