Youth Day, March Birthdays, & More!

Lots of fun stuff happening around here (in between all the massive rain and bridge floods!)

The big boys are still working on their treehouse - they were so proud to build their first truss!

The kids love Art Class with Mama Lala!

So I know I'm his mom, but I think Caedmon's a pretty good artist!

Cambree finished up her Japanese unit in Language Arts with a puppet show!

She also worked with Mama Dee to repurpose an old bridesmaid dress of mine into a new dress for her!

They also had a Japanese tea party in her class with Mama Dee!

Nurse Carol showing them what nurses do to learn the letter "N!"

Spelling practice!

Finally - a smile from our newest, Chipego!

The Grade 3 Science Class took a field trip to Teacher Debbie's to learn about ecosystems!

A party in PreK to help learn the letter "P!"

Caedmon & Machila working hard with Papa Ron in Science class!

Today is International Youth Day! This is our 7th annual one to host at New Day! (The first one in 2011 consisted of Blu & I making homemade pizza for Mulenga, Cone, Abby, Elizabeth, and Hildah and watching a soccer game in Mulenga's house!) This year, since no teams were here, we asked the older kids to host the party! They planned games, prizes, and did a great job!

Ben was in charge of the bubble gum blowing contest! (Uncle Mulenga won BIG time!)

Caedmon & Francis announcing the teams! (Go Team #5! That was us. ;)

Cambree's job was to entertain Justin, Emma, Stanley, and Laston!

Nurse Carol & Papa Ron did great with the water balloon toss!

Papa Ron did not do so well with the bubble bum blowing..

I rocked it, though!

And still lost to Glory...

My partner for the 3 legged race was a little bit short...

Big Emmanuel had fun blowing bubbles!

Glory loved the water balloon toss!

Glory & Gertrude going hard at the sack race!

Mama Loveness getting after it in the sack race!

Mama Dee and Teacher Debbie ready for the water balloon toss!

Aunt Staci's bubble!

Dad didn't enjoy lifting the heavy water balloon trunk into the truck. We later discovered the kids had filled the ENTIRE TRUNK with water!! No wonder it was so heavy!!!

We ended with a massive water balloon fight!!

And then we went right into our March Birthday Party! Nurse Carol will turn 60 on March 25th!

Glory turned 10 on March 2nd!

Kelitah turned 12 on March 7th and is now a youth!

Luumuno turned 7 on March 5th! (Those are Green Lantern cupcakes for all of you who are wondering...

Malilwe will turn 9 on March 20th!

Mama Tembo turned 55 on March 10th! We taught her what it means to put your husband "in the doghouse" after Papa Tembo forgot her birthday!

Let the water pouring begin!!

Spring Break team arrives tomorrow!

New Year's Resolutions

Though never being one to keep (or make) New Year's Resolutions in the past, in December of 2015, I felt convicted to do something in 2016. Actually, I felt convicted earlier than that, but I didn't say anything for awhile, because I knew Blu would go along with it, and I didn't know if I could really do it! But, we did, and we survived the "No Asking Year of 2016!"

In 2016, we hosted 135 volunteers at New Day. Each volunteer or group always brings things for the orphanage or for the missionaries living here. We noticed back in 2015 that we were just inundated with "stuff" - a lot of which we didn't really need. But it was the day that a team arrived and our kids asked, "What did they bring us??" that I realized we were teaching our children greed. Thus, in 2016, we had a "No Asking" year. And trust me, it was TOUGH! Teams came, and before coming they always asked if we needed anything. I always said no and instead ordered things we needed or wanted from Amazon and had it shipped to their house. (Amazon and I became best friends last year!) I only explained this to one volunteer (Uncle Randy!) who was desperate to bring our kids treats! He understood though, and instead brought things just to bless them/us. It turned into a neat year! When my friend Allison sent a box full of goodies, it was way more exciting than it had been the year before! And when a team arrived with random goodies, we enjoyed it so much more than just collecting from our wishlist! It all culminated in December when my friend Amy brought me a Bath and Body Works candle and some body wash/lotion, and my friend Cindy left me tons of Advocare products. I was ecstatic, and it had been a long time since I'd felt that grateful and blessed! So, we survived the 2016 year of No Asking! (2017 is NOT the year of No Asking, as we are out of pretty much everything American in our house!! ;)

And on to 2017. We are working on 2 other New Year's Resolutions. One is spiritual, the other is about our marriage, and both are pretty private. But we are definitely growing closer to God and to each other on Day 67 of this year!

Blu mentioned something last weekend that he is thinking for 2018, and it's going to take a LOT of prayer/willpower/etc. I will share later this year because I will need some serious prayer to do this, but it means going without something that he thinks might be an addiction for both of us. Yikes.

My point in sharing all of this is to encourage you - you don't have to call it a "New Year's Resolution," but think about this: Are you better this year than you were last? Are you closer to God? Are you actively doing things to be a better follower of Jesus, a better mom, a better wife? Just something to think about that's been on my heart! Happy Women's Day!

Around Here...

We. have. rats. Well, we had one anyway. We (Blu) finally got him!

Some playground shots - pretty Christina!

Aaaahhh how can our Cynthia be 14 already...

Emma cheesin!

Emmanuel the Mess

Lulu

It's nap time!

Edna and Emma cuddling!

Blu & I enjoyed a nice weekend in Livingstone! We read books, watched tv (Blacklist), watched a movie (Hidden Figures), and ate a LOT of food (fish...Indian...gelato). It was a great chance to escape for a weekend and enjoy some air conditioning and each other, while Mom & Dad kept the kids! We're so grateful! Full calendar ahead - Women's Day, Youth Day, team arriving and doing Staff Retreat, and the possible arrival of 5 year old twins! Have a great week!