Good Day!

*First of all, thanks so much for praying for my test. Berhasil=Success! It is finished. My teacher already sent me a text telling me that I did well, and I can start book 3 tomorrow. This means that I am now half way done with my formal language learning! Only 6 months to go! I was really stressed out about the test. There was so much vocabulary and grammar. I will interested to see my score tomorrow. I had 3 pages of grammar and vocabulary. I had to write a page about "mampir"....that is the word used here for when the locals "drop in" and visit you unexpectedly. I had to compare mampir in Australia and America with mampir in our country. Then I had to talk into a recorder for 10 minutes about Syurkuran dan Selamatan. These are events that they have when they celebrate birthdays, weddings, funerals, etc. I had to talk about how the different religions celebrate it as well. They record my talking, type it all out, and correct it. Last time, I talked, and then finished quickly so my teacher asked me questions to get me talking more about it. This time, I took up the whole 10 minutes, and there was no time for questions. So that is pretty cool for me. Speaking is hard....so hard.

*We got a package in the mail today from the Harper and the Betts family. So awesome! What a wonderful surprise. The kids love all the arts and coloring things they got! We had much fun with the face paints, and I cant wait to do my nails with the nice polish they sent me. Shane is loving reading his V8 supercar magazine as well! Thanks so much guys. It was real encouraging to get the package today, when I was feeling a little stressed about language.

*I feel like I cant thank the Saxelby family enough. They always send us packages. In fact, we get so many that I dont really write about it anymore. We are just so thankful. And thanks so them, Dave is out looking for a brand new bike right now. Thanks you guys....for caring for Dave so much. It has been so special for him. Today, we tried to go out again with his old bike, and after fixing the chain, I looked and saw that his back tire (the one we had fixed) was flat. I just wanted to cry. I really did. Thanks so much guys for loving on us and on Dave!!!!

*So many of you have written to us about Dave, and seem really worried. Thanks so much for remembering him. Please dont worry. We are doing all that we can for him. Actually, he is having a really good week, and has begged to go out riding his bike. He is not going to do language on Thursday. We will give it a rest I think. Only Noah will go. We were able to talk with a proper psychologist at our leadership meetings a few weeks ago. So valuable, and that in and of itself is one of the reasons we were drawn to look at this area to begin with. The support here is just so awesome. So far, there has not been one single time that our needs have not been met (and that my friend, is VERY unusual). I am in constant contact with the counsellor, and we will be seeing him again in January. He suggested that we try to establish and make as many positive experiences for Dave as we can. So right now, we are journeying with him in this, and just trying to implement the advise we were given from a professional. Dont stop praying for our kids....they are really on the front lines here...and it is not necessarily their choice to be so. Pray Pray Pray

*Noah has a major part in chapel at school tomorrow. He has the lead role. Oh please pray for him. When he gets in front of a group, and has to speak it is often so fast that I cant understand what he is saying. He has A LOT of lines tomorrow!!!! Pray he will be confident. Sometimes, he is really lacking in confidence so I am really trying to be encouraging to him and just affirm him. His last day of school is May 25th, and then he will be finished with 1st grade! AH! Where has the time gone? I am too young to be the mother of a 2nd grader right? I am looking forward to spending summer with him, and having the boys together again. I think it will help Dave. I have had this great idea to teach them the Fruits of the Spirit this summer, so I am preparing for it now. We have so many fruits here! And we all could grow in the Fruits of the Spirit. I am going to work them hard this summer! Lots of play and growing together.

Well, I think this blog is long enough. Here is some pictures of the kids. Dave is still working on letter recognition, and Dave and Maggie enjoyed face painting with the paint we got in the package today. Thanks for praying!!!!!! We couldnt be here without you!

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