a long day full of emotions!

Well . . .
Sundays have to be the hardest day of the week for me here. I think it is partly because we have such a phenomenal church at home and I desperately miss it. Amazing worship, challenging word, trustworthy nursery and kids ministry programs. We really don’t have that here, we are working towards some of these things, but the culture is so different, some of these things are not really of value to the people here.
We just got word that three of the youth boys at our church were in a major accident. When we got home we got word that they are all sons of a recently widowed lady in our church. It was just confirmed also that the eldest son was not responding and has died. Not sure if people will remember the boy that Doug talked about often while we were home, Sphiso (the one who came to our door late at night running away from home, and later was baptized by Doug) is one of these three boys. They did send the other boy to Mbabane, I guess he was unconscious at the scene and they knew he would not make it. He also has now been confirmed dead. Sue Drew (other missionaries here and the pastors wife of the International Church) called me to go with her to the store to get some food for the family. We prepared some platters for the family and friends and headed over to the house. Presca, the mother, had just been told of the confirmation of the other sons death. I can’t imagine. Loosing your husband about one month ago and now two of her three sons. The deaths here are way too many and very sad. I have never experienced anything like that, as we drove up to the house you could hear the crying and wailing from outside. I walked in with Sue and placed the food on the table. There had to be at least 12 ladies sitting in the living area all crying. There was crying of kids coming from the other parts of the house, I felt completely helpless. Pastor Stan sent me home to have Doug go and check on Sphiso in the hospital, he was there for at least four hours with him. He said he had to tell Sphiso that the other brother had died too (he only knew that one of them had died). What an amazingly long and emotional day.
I know this entry is a bit somber . . .
It was amazing to me how Kylea responded to this all. I have the kids rest every day, not only do they need it, but also I think I sometimes need it more! When resting they must read books, write, or just relax. Kylea got her little spiral notebook out and wrote about how she heard me talking on the phone about three boys being in a car accident. She wrote that she prayed four times for them and knew that Jesus would heal them and make them all better so they could go home. It was very sweet, but as I left with Sue, Doug had to have a conversation about how two of the boys actually died and one was still alive. She did ok, big topic for a 7 year old though.

So we are off to bed now, long day. Lord gives me wisdom and a better perspective on life.

The Christmas Season

This is not the best pic. but it gives you a little glimpse of what our house looks like at Christmas from the outside. We would actally love to put lights around the outside of our house , but that would only be asking for it, I am sure. It would be drawing attention from kilometers around asking for theft!! Oh, well we do have fun decorating the inside, and have enjoyed geting pics from friends and on face book of homes at home all lit up.

Two of my dear missionary friends at our bible study Christmas party at our home!! These girls definitely make the season lots of fun and ease the homsickness durning the holidays.

At our home church here, the Internation Church, I was asked to help put together a ladies Christmas event. We were anticipating 40ish ladies to come to a nice evening with dinner (which was 1 hour 45 min. late, "african time"), music, gift giving and of course games. We actually had 77 ladies sign up and attend, amazing. What a great night to sit back and watch ladies get to know each other in a deaper more meaningful way!

My dear Nelly. Nelly helps us in our house during the week. What a blessing, both ways. We found Nelly through a mutual friend. Her husband passed away one year ago leaving her and her two kids, 10 and 6. They are currently sposored by the government for school because they are single orphans (one parent has died). I adore Nelly and her happy thankful heart and smile. She is so happy to have a job, as she has had nothing since her husbands death. We were baking for Christmas yesterday and chatting about life. She was telling me how much she loves our family and how nice we treat her and each other and how we are such a blessing to her. It is amazing to me how thankful she consistantly is, I feel like she is my blessing. It has been amazing to also see how it has become one of my ministries too. Nelly is saved and goes to church regurally with her kids, yet I am always talking with her about the Lord, life, etc.

A hot December day

Even after being here since 04, it is still hard to think of Summer as Christmas. So, on those hot 100+ degree days, we swim.
Here a a few fun pics of the kids.

Christmas Pagent

We had our kids Christmas Pagent this morning in church. Kylea was one of the angels, and Kaden a shepard! They did a great job. Kylea cracks me up though, if you know her well you know she loves to be the center of attention (as any first born girl). This week she has had two productions, one at school and now one at church. In both of them she gets up there and shuts down. No smiles or motion, I even looked at her today and motioned for her to smile, and she shook her head at me. Doug, unfortunately is out of town and missed it all. When I called him to tell him abou the day he laughed and said "it's because she is an independent, Norwegian, little first born girl . . . she must get it from me" I could hear the sarcasm! Kaden on the other hand was a ham, smiling, constantly moving around. It was his first large performance since playing baby Jesus at ECA at the age of 3 months!
All in all, proud mom, loving every minute of her kids!

On to second grade

Kylea had her end of the year concert at her school and awards ceremony. She was very cute. We have totally enjoyed her teacher, Mrs. Frost (who is the headmasters wife). She has really helped to make this transition a lot easier, especially on sis. She loves her teacher and has a great class. She along with the rest of her class move up to second grade starting Jan. 09. At Usutu the kids all stay together as a class unless there is a problem or conflict. The do not mix them up each year like in the states. Kaden will join Kylea at school starting grade Knot (kindergarten) also in Jan. He is totally excited, I am not sure how I feel at the moment.

adorable

I just could not resist!

Thanksgiving and the day after

We celebrated Thanksgiving with some of the other AG missionaries here in Swaziland!!

We had turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, corn on the cob, jello, etc. just like home except for the fact it was in the the high 90's.

























The following night was our Friday Family party night so we made our pizza, put up the tree, watched one of our favorite Christmas movies, ELF, and decorated for Christmas!! Kylea was designated to top the tree this year.
And the kids had a blast putting on their antlers and mistle toe headbands, thanks to Auntie Niecie.

life at 33

This was the week that I was somewhat dreading! My birthday and Thanksgiving. Being so far from home and family, this tends to be a difficult week emotionally, but not this year! I woke up around 7.30 (compared to 5.45am), Doug let me sleep in while he got up and got Kylea ready and off to school. I was woken up to my three boys singing "happy birthday to you" at the end of my bed and breakfast on a try for me to enjoy! In preparation of Thanksgiving I rolled out lefse for about 2 hrs, which I love! And was taken out to lunch by some of the missionary ladies here on campus. We enjoyed a quiet dinner in with a movie. To top it off a bubble bath and a magazine! A truely amazing and relaxing day!

The next day one of the bible studies that I started in 05 (which has grown and is mostly made up of missionaries and interns) all went out to lunch and again celebrated my bday, yeah. Here are a few friends.

Monica
Crystal and me