Dot Points

I have been trying to find the time the past few days to just write a few dot points about happenings here lately. I hope you all have enjoyed the photos and Shane's post on the wind. I think he will be doing some short posts now. He seemed to like it.

*I got an 86% on my test! I was happy with that. I was aiming for 75% actually. I have come to the realization that I cannot expect to make an A+ on my tests anymore. Life is just too busy....and my kids are just more important than preparing for an exam! I am really content with my score. I scored the highest in listening (100%), and then writing, and last was speaking. I thought I had done better on my speaking, but they really nailed me for my speaking mistakes. I must say I have felt a little frustrated since the test. My teachers want me to get out and speak more. I think I also need to do that, but I feel like I am doing all I can with the kids right now. I dont even think there is a balance that I need to obtain or anything. I just have limitations on me because I have 3 kids.

*When we lived in Vietnam, we really hit a wall once we reached our six month mark. It was tough. We have passed our six month mark here, but instead of hitting a wall we really feel like we have sprung forward! It has been fantastic!

*I start with my conversation partner on Monday. Please pray for this. She is NOT like minded. Pray that I can communicate well with her that I want to practice my speaking while learning about her culture. Culture/Religion are sensitive topics here, but if I can communicate it properly this will be an awesome opportunity for me to learn.

*I've started going out into the Kampung again (the poor neighborhood behind our house). I have a really good friend that lives there (the same girl that teaches the boys the local language), and I thought it would be cool to try and walk to her house. We have been walking to her house, and then she walks us back to our house. Dave loves her, and was thrilled. I am using whatever I can to get him out. I had to stop going out before to this neighborhood because it was too much for Dave. That was months ago though, and I thought we could give it another try. It was really successful last week. I am slowly going to keep trying this.

*Dave had a really bad night last week. Lots of nightmares. I thought to myself if it was us walking back into the Kampung, but I am positive no one touched him and he was so happy to see our friend. He has asked to go back there. The wind is making lots of noise as well....and we often dont have power at night so it is very dark (we do have candles though). Maybe that was it. I just dont know. Pray for him. He has really had a good week, but it was a rough night for us. I think that was Wednesday night. Since then, he has really been great.

*I've started a new schedule for Dave. He seems to like routine, so I've made one up for him. I will share specifics later. I have often found him just sitting on his bed or laying on the couch. At first I thought it was laziness and then I thought tiredness, but I am unsure really. The routine is helping a lot!!!!! He is getting more motivated and it was pretty good this week.

*God is really working among our people. I have to pinch myself because I am just so humbled that God would have us here at this time when there is so much happening. Things are moving forward with our platform. That will take time. Just last weekend, we were thinking with our co-workers about the need for people to help with the good book (we dont have one yet in our language). 2 of us (including me) want to help, but we are also mums so we need a full time person to help with this. God is answering our prayers!!!!!

*Shane has his exam for school next week. He will do great I'm sure. He speaking is really really good! Pray for him. I dont think he gets very stressed about these things though!

*Noah is reading like crazy. He had a library book from school on science, and asked me today if we could make some projects from it. So that is what we have been doing. He always checks out science books from the library. He just loves books and space and science. He showed us today how he can tie his shoes!

*Maggie is talking like crazy. She communicates really well in both languages. When she talks in the local language to me, I find myself answering her in the local language!!!! She is great with both. She loves her babies and dolls. She is a real girl that is for sure.

Well....you are probably tired of reading by now. It is date night for Shane and I so we are making popcorn and watching a movie. Cant wait for the kids to go to bed! Peace and Quiet