Family Photos, Videos, and Updates
At the beginning of March, Emily and I got to go with our church to an event called Mission Ignition. These events are held across Oklahoma as our state-wide GA's and RA's conference. Emily could not wait to go and it was some really good daddy-daughter time. This was also her first time to be big enough to ride the church bus and this just added to her special day.
Throughout the day, each group got to do rotations that focused on team building, time with missionaries, and learning a Bible skill. For Emily's first team building activity, she had to help her group form different shapes while being blindfolded. For one of her Bible skills rotations, she helped a group stack the books of the Bible in order. Even though she was one of the youngest there, she did a good job when she could.
For one of her rotations with a missionary, she was asked to write a thank you card to a foreign missionary. The group then said a pray for all of these missionaries and learned how important it is to encourage and remember all of our missionaries.
Another of her team building activities encouraged the groups to build a transportation vehicle out of various resources that missionaries could use the take medicine and Bibles to remote areas. Emily loved this because she got to take everyday items you would find at home to build something she could be proud of. I have a feeling we will be doing more of this later during some of her homeschool projects.
For two of her games, she got to use a slingshot to shoot paintballs at a target and shoot a bow and arrow. Again, being one of the youngest there, these were both a little hard for her to do. She ended up going last in her group and got a little extra help from the volunteers. I was very proud though because she didn't give up and had fun doing them both.
The last missionary couple she got to spend time with during Mission Ignition were my former pastor and his wife. Bro. Robert and Faye spent a couple of years in Thailand after they retired from my home church. It was really special for me getting to hear their stories and have Emily interact with them. She didn't really care for the seafood tasting snacks they brought, but she did find it interesting to hear them talk about other people following a guy named Buddha. She said that was a funny word!
Yesterday was just beautiful outside! When I got home from work, I found my famliy having a great time playing in the backyard. Because it had rainded over the weekend, the ground was still a little muddy and you know what that means! Callie had mud all over her dress and her face. Micah had mud all over his legs and backside.
It was definitely a great way to end my workday and I can just tell that all three kids cannot wait for spring. I love the fact that they enjoy being outside and a little mud never hurt anyone!
You may have seen this trick making its way around Facebook the past couple of days. I had not heard about it until my dad sent me a picture of it being done. Someone in his office did this and he had to try it at home. Of course I also had to try it myself!
I was able to make our broom stand up on its own last night with a little help from the Spring Equinox. Before Emily and I left for dance this morning, I did it again and Callie was pretty amazed. Both girls were also excited to be able to knock it down when the fun wore off. At least I got Callie to wait until after I had taken a picture.
Sunday night at church we did "Taste of The Nations" with almost twenty countries represented. Families prepared a visual presentation of the country, handouts telling about ways we can pray for the country, and one common dish you would eat if you lived there. It turned out to be a great experience for everyone and very educational. I even ate a cooked silk worm and it wasn't too bad. Not the best aftertaste, but I have definitely eaten worse.
After we were finished, it was time to clean up. As I started up the vacuum, Micah came and took over! I hope he always enjoys serving like this.
Have you ever heard it said that boys and girls are just different? If not, you need to spend some time at my house chasing around my one year old son. He is getting into and on everything! I'm not sure if two security gates around the house will be enough.
With each child we have had to ramp up our baby proofing efforts. Stuff that the girls never even thought about doing seem to be second nature to Micah. Just the other day I realized that my girls have always run away when we vacuum. Micah almost tries to ride the thing!
So just when we think the house is Micah proof, he finds a way to open something or stand on another thing. Life is definitely an adventure, but I wouldn't change it for the world!
