Art Week

The kids are taking an art class in Spring at our new church. It is hosting Barry Stebbing see www.howgreatthouart.com. Today we did paints and color pencil art. It was very educational and the kids had fun. It was also good to improve their listening skills. He invited Kara to join in. She enjoyed the painting time. Christian had lots of fun and he enjoys art. Ethan hung in there with the best of them too. We will be going tomorrow and Wed.

Ya-Ya's Birthday

Maria came over to visit and spend the night. She brought the kids Valentine's gifts. They enjoyed chowing down on the candy! We decided to celebrate her birthday early. We took her to eat pizza at Zinni's. The Kids were so excited to see her and visit. Mom liked catching up with her as well.

Samari swords and Valentine's

We got special packages today from Japan. Daddy sent Christian and Ethan two swords each. Kara received a Valentine card and so did I. It was fun seeing their faces as they opened their gifts. Thanks Honey.

Pottery finds

During our trip to Gruene, I found this awesome pottery shop. Very useful stuff. I got a tortilla warmer, berry bowl, and a pie bird see http://www.piebirds.co.uk/what%20is%20a%20pie%20bird.htm for more on what they are how they are used. Here's the site www.buckpottery.com. So if you are in New Braunfels head over to Gruene and check them out.

Prayers needed

Steph called. She went to the doctor today and found she is 1 cm dilated. She has 10 weeks to go. She is taking a test to see if she will be on bed rest for the remainder time but it is obvious she will. Please pray for peace and for her to trust the Lord and obey the doctors instruction. Please pray that this situation draws her and Jeremy closer to Lord who is near.

Daddy

We talked to Daddy today. He is doing great. He met with the chaplain of the base in Japan and they are working together to get Bibles in the 184 room Navy Lodge. The local Gideons will distribute them in English/Japanese. Praise the Lord! Albert is thankful to be used to witness and help spread God's Word to the military members in Japan. It is great to know his purpose there has eternal implications.
They had a fire there this morning in the Lodge and he knocked on doors to get everyone out. Some tried to cook and caught their food on fire. The kids and I are ready for him to return to us.

Pottery class

tight rope walking

Christian is becoming one brave boy. We were at the park in New Braunfels and he walked across the high beam. Mom was praying because I couldn't scream for fear he'd fall. I kept thinking I don't know where the nearest hospital is....

New Braufels or bust!

The kids and I left Thursday for New Braunfels. Cindy Medema and her daughters Rachelle and Samantha were already there. We looked at the maps and decided to venture to Landa Park the following morning. The kids watched a movie together Thursday night. It was a great sleep over. Cindy and I stayed up late catching up and sharing what the Lord was doing in our lives. It seems we never get a chance to do that very often and so it I will cherish our time. Saturday we traveled the long route to Landa Park because we a little lost. The kids enjoyed playing in the sand and building castles. Kara got her wish to go on a picnic and after lunch the kids play more on the equipment. Cindy had a women's ministry event on Saturday so they headed home. After they left (we wished they could have stayed), we went swimming in the outdoor heated pool. The kids loved the idea of swimming in the winter. It was a treat and I even swam! We watched TV together that evening. On Saturday, we ventured to Gruene pronounced green. Our favorite place was Buck's Pottery. Mommy loved it as much as the kids. The owner showed the kids how to make a bowl using the potter's wheel and gave them clay to play with. He made them whistles in the shape of birds. He was so kind to them. I loved his work because he made useful things. I got a berry bowl, a tortilla holder, and a pie bird used for baking pies. We toured the town. The kids other favorite stores sold fossils. We spent at least 11/2 hrs. in there. Christian got a shell shaped fossil and Ethan got a orthaceras. It was an awesome store. After shopping, we headed down to the riverside. There has been a major drought out west and the river was very low. We enjoyed our stay and are grateful to our friends for inviting us.

visit

Granny and Grandaddy came down for Mr. Mercantel's funeral. We had lunch with them at Panda Express. It was nice seeing them even if for only a short while. We played with Brooke while they went to the funeral. Steph and Jeremy spent the night with us and they headed back Thursday.

Fun Day

We got to see Daddy via the webcam this morning! It was really late at night for him and early morning for us. He has been busy training and preparing for the exercises that begin on Friday. Thursday he has a day off so that they can visit Tokyo. He wants to ride the bullet train. We are taking a road trip on Thursday as well. Off to New Braunfels.
Today we got to spend time with Brooke so that her parents could prepare for the funeral. We then were visited by the Green's for a playdate. It was fun. We love catching up. The kids have grown so much and they didn't even disagree. Kara and Asa gave into temptation to feed Baby Alive food. Warning: Baby Alive food stains. I got most of it out of the carpet :)
After sending the Green's off with waves, we got dressed for the viewing. The flowers were so beautiful and the neatest part was the arrangement his wife made him. It was made out of vegetables!

Wow!

Our regularly scheduled home school week took a dramatic change! Jeremy's Grandpa died Sunday night at 9pm. Steph and Jeremy are headed down here for the viewing and funeral. We will watch Brooke as they take care of everything. Ange called saying she may be able to come down Tuesday or Wed. to support Steph and Jeremy. That means we get to see her and the twins!!! I'm sad about the loss but thankful to see family. Mom and Dad are coming down on Wed. We will definitely be blessed to see everyone this week with Albert being gone.

Our day

We went to church and heard a sermon on Genesis 19:15-29. The verses describe Lot being taken by the hand by the angels, he and his family, before judgment comes to Sodom. Pastor Renfro keyed in on the fact that Lot hesitated. He reminded us that we are reluctant at times to leave behind the world and its stuff. He used the family situation Lot was in and showed how fathers must do a better job than Lot in shepherding their wives and kids.
We stayed for lunch afterwards but I felt out of sorts (trial #2) being the new person not knowing many people and with Albert being gone made me much more sensitive.
This evening Christian shared with me his fears and how he misses his Daddy (trial #3). It was very touching. All I could do was agree with him and pray for him. We snuggled in my chair and he got better. The other two wanted some reassurance too so they took turns coming to see me. Ethan wanted it to be two Fridays tomorrow. Kara planned a picnic for us all to go on when Daddy comes home. I sure cherish those sweeties.

Prayer request

Please keep my sister, Stephanie, and my brother-in-law Jeremy in your prayers. He and his family are losing his grandpa, Jesse Mercantel. On the blog previously, I had lifted him up. He has not had dialysis in 4 days because his heart is too weak. Please pray for salvation and for the family to cope with his death. Stephanie is 7 mos. pregnant and is at home with Brooke who will be 14 mos. on the 9th. They will coming down for the funeral some time this week. Please pray for traveling mercy.

Sunday

We heard from Albert. He arrived in Toyko after 13 1/2 hr. flight. He finished a whole book on the flight. It was 7:20 am here and 10:20 pm for him. We saw pics that he took with his phone out the window over Siberia and Japan. He had a great shot of a snow covered volcano. We read our morning reading which is Exodus 27-28. We are thankful for technology! We blew each other kisses and he went to bed and we began our day. I'm baking bread pudding to take to church this morning for our afternoon service fellowship we have each week.