25 August 2014

Dear Lord, how do you teach a girl? I want my girls to be strong and faithful. I want them to follow you and believe that they are bought at a price, expensive, worthy, worth it. I want them to be confident in the person you made them to be. How do I teach them that? I spent 6 years pursuing a career in scientific research, proving I was smart enough. Would I have been better off staying in my career? Showing my girls that women can be strong and successful in that way? Or am I more able now, to show them what it looks like to serve the least, to wash feet, to seek out the lost of this world. Can I show my girls, by spending more time with them, what it looks like to be a godly woman, capable of many things, choosing to use her resources for your kingdom? Will they see that? Am I really enough to send that message? Can I stop looking at myself in the mirror so they don't perceive that a woman's appearance is all that matters? Can I show enough patience with them as they learn and grow that I don't crush their tender spirits? And yet discipline them enough so that they learn how to make good choices? What woman could achieve these things? Who is strong enough, wise enough, disciplined enough? Surely it is impossible. But through you, Lord, all things are possible. Somehow my mom, through seeking your face, was able to raise me so beautifully. If she can do it, I can do it, right? And my girls for their children, and so on down the line. Lord, help me to be a good mom. Help me to raise my girls to know you and love you. Keep their hearts always consecrated to you. I love you so much, Lord.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

22 August 2014

Ruth Michael, here are some of the cute things you say.


Poo, nat, wata, money, tutu (pool, snack, water, money, tuktuk)

Papa 'Michael'

Awachuwa dud it (I want to do it)

Lalu (love you)

Mush (so much)

Apai (ipad)

Otta (Oscar)

Peta bush (computer wheels on the bus)

Emo (Elmo)

Pchees (chips)

Tesin (tennis)

5 August 2014

Ruth Michael, you are growing up fast! I'm trying to take it all in. You said your own name for the first time this morning. You wanted to go into the bedroom and wake up Papa and I was keeping you out but he heard us so he started saying "Ruth Michael". You stopped and looked at me and said, "Papa- 'Michael.'" You love mimicking sounds you hear like "bebe 'waaaaa'" or "Papa '(fake coughing sound)'" or "lady 'lalala'" if you hear someone singing. It's really cute but hard to type out. Anyway you are just a happy happy baby and we count ourselves very blessed for that. I hope number 2 is as happy as you are! Speaking of that we will be in Nairobi on Monday to find out if we are having a boy or girl.

5 August 2014

Iddy, you had a birthday party on Sunday. You are the big 1-3! We are so proud of the boy you are growing into. Since you have been out of school you have gone over to one of the local schools to volunteer your time with the kids, teaching, playing, and helping grade papers. You are so good with kids. They love you instantly! Last night you entertained all the kids that were at our house beautifully. For your party we had nine boys sleep over at the house, some from school, some from Ringroad, and some other missionary boys. There was a Muslim who couldn't eat pork, a Hindu who couldn't eat beef, but we figured it out and all the boys were super sweet, saying thank you after every meal and telling me it was really good. It was fun to watch such a diverse group of boys interact together... boys will be boys! And Ruth Michael just loved it and they all loved her.

7 July 2014

Oscar, you came home last weekend for your midterm break. We always look forward to seeing you, but your long weekends go by so fast. You are very sweet to Ruth Michael as she wanted to be with you all the time. Papa and I got to spend Monday with you just the three of us. It was nice to have this time to just focus on you without any distractions. You love to tell riddles and stories. You are also very considerate of me. We were sitting at the table at the Chinese restaurant and I said I felt far away from you and Papa so you pulled your chair around closer to mine. A few weeks ago you called us from school saying that you missed us and loved us and loved Ruth Michael and Iddy, too. You sounded so happy on the phone. That phone call made me and Papa feel so good. We love you!

7 July 2014

RM, you are growing and learning about the world around you so much every day! Your vocabulary is growing so much, and you want to share all that you see with those around you. I love being with you and experiencing the world through your eyes. You love your brothers so much, and when Oscar comes home you are enamored with him! He is very sweet about playing with you. You love Elmo, playing on the phone or iPad, swimming, reading books, and eating snacks. Here are some of the things you say: Otta (Oscar) Lo-i (lorry) Pi-Pi (piki piki) tu-tu (tuk tuk) tom (come) tit (sit) wata (water) wedi (ready) bebe (baby) hodi lala dudu Jushtu (Justice) Lai (Hillary) Wowo (Rose) Vivi (Vivian) Alat (Alex) fafi (spicy)

28 April 2014

Bean bean, you are such a good boy and so much fun to be around. You are into the Star Wars movies now. Your little sister, Beatty, died last week, and we were all so sad. I know you were such a good brother to her. I think in her absence you have been even sweeter to RM. You play with her and share anything you are eating or drinking with her. We just got back from our family trip to Mombasa. You had a great time. You love to dance! I love to dance, too, so we would dance together at the evening entertainments. Everyone loved to watch you because you are so good. You and I also had fun playing ping-pong. You love to play and joke, and you are so much fun to be around. You also did your quiet time every morning at the beach and you would ask me if I have done mine! You are growing in the Lord. I think Beatty's death has brought up many questions in your mind about God, but we have been able to talk openly about all those things. You are a good boy and I love you with all my heart!

7 April 2014

RM, you are so sweet and fun! A few nights ago you were laying on my chest wrapped in your towel after bath time. We were waiting for Papa to get back with diapers. I asked, "Do you want to sing mama a song?" You nodded yes. You sang to me for 15 or 20 minutes! You just made up your own tine and went on and on. It was beautiful and so precious. God put a song in your heart, baby girl. I pray that you keep singing all your life! Sing out to God when He is blessing you and when you need His help. He will always listen to your precious voice, and I will always treasure away your songs in my heart.

20 Mar 2014

Oscar, last weekend was academic day at Nakuru Boys. It was a long trip, especially with RM, but it was totally worth it. All the teachers had such good things to say about you. What can I say, this didn't come from me and Papa, and I don't think it came from your first mom, it came straight from the Lord. We are so proud of the man you are becoming. You were the top position at your school, so they called you up front with the top 20 boys. I got to shake hands with all the boys standing with you. You looked so proud that we were there with you. You wanted to show me your room and your classroom. You told me that you dropped agriculture instead of business because of my advice. That made me feel so good. Not only are you learning to love us and believe that we love you, you are starting to believe we want what's best for you. I wouldn't trade this day for anything in the world!

4 August 2013

Oscar, we couldn't be happier that you have been part of our family for one year now. It hasn't always been easy- you haven't always understood us, and we haven't always understood you, but the joy we feel in having you in our lives is well worth any struggle that comes along the way. You are a man with the strongest sense of focus I have ever seen, and you are learning to use that for the good of God's kingdom. You came home from second term on Friday, and we were all so happy to be together as a family again. You wrote me the kindest letter that brought tears to my eyes. I'm so proud of your kind heart. At Iddy's party you were a good sport about everything, making sure Iddy got the first pick of where to sleep that night. You hate for RM to cry, and will go pick her up and comfort her. You were number one in school, of course, and were proud to show us your marks. I love you so much!

4 August 2013

Yesterday was your 12th birthday. You were so excited and you always try to be a good boy. We have told you you need to be more thankful, and you are really trying. We gave you a leatherman, and you act like you really like it. Reema helped you plan your party. I think you really enjoy spending time with her. You can't get enough of Spiderman. You are a GREAT big brother. RM can't get enough of you! She kisses you more than anyone else. You and I are very close, alike in so many ways. We are both very sensitive, especially to Papa. We both like things to be neat and organized. We both prefer a few close friends over many acquaintances. We love being with our family. You are growing so much in self-confidence and spirituality. You asked me yesterday if you ever do things I don't want you to do. You always want to do what's right. I love you so much, my precious boy!

4 August 2013

You love to chatter, and you love people. I think you will be like your Papa that way. Everyone says you look just like him. Sometimes that hurts my feelings! One day, we were singing with one of the missionary groups, and you started your own little song right along with us. It was so cute. Everyone loves your mohawk. It's your signature! Yesterday when I got you out of the bath you laid your head on my shoulder and pulled me to you and gave me a big kiss. I just love spending time with you. Today has been just you and me all day and I love it! When Oscar came home you reached out to him, and you don't do that with everyone. You know he is your brother.

19 May 2013

This was your first day of school at Jalaram. I think you were a little nervous. Iddy, the other day we were having coffee at KnK, and they were showing runway models on TV walking the catwalk. You whispered in Papa's ear, "If mom was there, she would be the winner." Yesterday you walked in the room, and I was finishing getting ready, and you said, "You look beautiful, mom!" One morning you walked in the kitchen as I was making breakfast and said, "Hey mom, what the hell are you doing?"

16 May 2013

Ruth Michael, you used to always stroke your head while you were nursing, or you would put your hand on my chest. After you grew out of that, you started stroking my arm or giving me a pat pat. It melted my heart! Your little hands are so soft. One of your first tricks was clicking your tongue. You would click and stick out your tongue. Now you like clapping and you went through a gasping phase. When we enter a room, you like to see everyone, and for everyone to see you. You are very social, but prefer mommy to hold you. You love Iddy! When he comes around your face lights up, and you love watching him dance. You also like scrunching your nose and breathing quickly through clenched teeth. You are adorable! To sooth yourself when you are sleepy you suckle on your forearm. It is so cute! You used to like scratching different surfaces and textures. You would scratch papa's leg, and he would say, "Thank you, I had an itch there!"