Camping

We went camping in the desert two weeks ago, and we had a glorious time with friends and two other families. There was literally nothing there but dirt, dirt, dirt, did I say dirt? and various desert plants. The first day we set up house and got everything in order. Some went riding on desert toys, (quads, motorcycles, golf cart, and a Rhino). My kids had a blast, I had a blast and so did my husband. We don't have desert toys but we sure had fun using them!

On the second day I got to go out on the long two hour ride for the day in the Rhino. It was so much fun! We drove up and down hills, over big bumps, and went fast over the straight-aways. Our team only had one flat tire that trip so that was good. There was a spare tire so we were quickly up and going again.

That night we decided to have a taco bar potluck. It was delicious! Steve took fresh corn tortillas and grilled them on top of our propane stove to heat them up. Everything was so yummy! With the work divied up between three families it was easy too.

I was able to take some pictures of the desert flora and flauna in attempts to be creative. Enjoy.

Ethiopian Millenium

We were in Addis two weeks before the Millenium in August 2007!

God Bless the Children

Boys-One in Particular

So I sent Joel out to the mailbox for me. He returns in tears.
"Mom, John just shot me with the airsoft gun."
"Huh?" was my response.
I go outside to find the culprit because I really can't believe that his brother would just hide behind a patio wall and shoot his younger brother who is on his way to the mailbox on an errand for his mother.
I yell, "John!" "Did you shoot Joel with the airsoft gun?"
"Yes!" he replies.
"Why would you shoot your brother with the airsoft gun?" I ask
His explanation? "Because I wanted to."

John's 10th birthday

I just realized that I never posted a picture from John's birthday. We had testing in the morning and then gathered a few of his friends and headed to Islands for burgers & fries.

Happy Easter!

Experiencing Culture

At our last Perspectives class we (I) were challenged with going outside of ourselves and experiencing the culture of others. Now this mainly had to do with going on the mission field. For example when a missionary goes to another country do they live among the people, get to know them, their ways, their language? Or, do they live on the hill with the other missionaries learning the language but really not practicing it because they're talking English or whatever their mother tongue may be and not intermingling too much with the native people. So this got me thinking, which is a dangerous thing in and of itself. :-)

So I took three steps, although small steps, they're steps. I invited an Ethiopian family over for dinner tonight. This man and his wife and their baby son will come join us for a potato soup and cornbread meal. I have only met this man on the phone. He talked to Addis & Abi Mulu in Amharic when they first came from Ethiopia last year. I asked him to ask them if they were happy, did they need anything, and did I need to know anything they couldn't tell me because of the language barrier. He was so kind and found out that they were happy as little clams and didn't need anything. We have kept in touch every season it seems and this time I decided to call him and invite them over for dinner. Step one.

Then I called another lady to help me learn to make injera which is the bread of Ethiopia and their most basic of foods. She works and so had her friend call me who happens to be new to America and offered to help me when she was here for the girl's birthday party in February. We talked and I am to go to her home on Thursday bringing teff and sorghum. I was also told to bring Derartu and Mihret as her sister is there and they would like to do their hair. (Wonderful!!) Addis is actually the one who wants her hair braided and this mama doesn't know how to french braid/cornrow. She also told me I can help her learn "perfect English." So it's a deal, we will help each other in the ways that we need from the other and where we ourselves are lacking. Step two.

Then I wrote an email to Alex from the Addis B&B in Addis and apologized for being such an American ninny when I stayed at his guest house in August 2006. I wish I could do that whole visit over again and have enjoyed my time there instead of being sleep deprived and traumitized by the adoption and culture shock that taking on two babies in another country did to me. Step three.

We went to the Ethiopian church service on Sunday, but unfortunately had to leave to attend our small groups Truth Project viewing. Did you know one song in the ET service can last at least fifteen minutes? We Americans know very little about worship. I love going to their services, I just wish I knew what they saying so I could worship with them. I do sway and clap, but because of the language barrier I have no idea what they're celebrating other than I know they're celebrating Christ. and that is enough. for now. Step four.

Awana Bible Quiz

John was in the Awana Bible Quiz for the North County area last Saturday night. It was the first time our church has participated in a very long time. Our team did great! Our team of two girls came in 5th place, I think, and our team of two boys also came in 5th place. Next year they can only get better!

Last year around this time........

Just before Easter last year we went to Ethiopia to pick up Addis & Mulu. Here is a picture of them at the Sheraton with Mesfin our wonderful helper.