Dave

We are so very thankful for our wonderful little boy who always keeps us on our toes. Earlier this month, Dave enjoyed a trip to Beeland with Shane! On his way home, he asked Shane when we were moving back there because he really likes it there. What wonderful words to hear!!

Dave just loves other children, and has really enjoyed getting to know our teammates kids in Beeland. Dave has so many friends and playmates here in Malang as well. The Lord really continues to bless us in this way by providing friends and playmates for Dave. Our new teammates arrived in September and Dave just loves Buddy (who is the same age as him). His best friend would still be Ethan. Ethan lives here in Malang and unfortunately will not be moving to Beeland with us! I am 100% positive though that he will stay in touch with Ethan and see him throughout the years to come. Noah and Dave are very close as well, and I will often find Dave up in Noah's bed listening to Noah read to him. Dave and Maggie fight a lot, but he plays really well with her especially when she isnt annoying him!

How's that for the social live of a four year old?

Dave is going great with homeschooling! No matter when we move, he will start School of Distance Ed in January. He will be in the Prep program (or what I call Kindergarten). I have just really been doing some preschool things with him at home. I run him through a little picture-like schedule and he just goes with it! I cant believe how well he has done. He is already starting to read! We will work for 15 minutes, then he has a play activity, then work, then play, etc! We exercise in the morning before we start and practice piano as well. He loves piano, and I really think he can play by ear. He often doesnt need to look at the music..

Dave just loves to play! He loves dress-up and I will often find him putting our chairs together to make a pirate ship and using our cricket bats as paddles! On Tuesday, I pick up Ethan to come and play for the morning, and on Thursdays I take Gab (our teammate) and her  kids shopping and we let the kids play at a local playground.

Dave has really become a great swimmer. I was amazed this past week at how well he is swimming in the pool. He loves basketball as well and is a great runner!

Dave is still struggling with Indonesians and will often lash out at them or spit at them. He had a rough start when he was taped up at the local preschool, and we are still working on that even though it has been over a year. He has Indonesian friends, but because they are his friends he says they arent really Indonesians! Only people he doesnt like are Indonesians! Needless to say...we are working on kindness and how God made all people in His image!

We are still working through obedience. Our family as a whole is studying  virtues right now, and we are on Obedience at the moment. I think we may stay there for awhile to be honest! My friend, Tamra, sent me a Bible and a Child Training Kit....I have already marked all of the verses and tabs to use in my discipline. It has been wonderful for Dave. Nothing like your children to make you run to God's Word or get on your knees! If it wasnt for my children (and my driving), my prayer life wouldnt exist!!!!!

What is coming up....Dave is really looking forward to moving. I think it will be good for him to have a fresh start after all he has experienced in Malang. However, it will be extremely difficult for him to say goodbye to Ethan! Change always causes Dave to have issues with his speech and stuttering as well. He will more than likely be doing school right in the middle of our move so that will keep him busy! So please keep remembering him.

Dave is a real joy, and I missed him terribly when he was gone on the trip with Shane. Life was just too quiet. He always makes me laugh. We are so very thankful for our Dave!

Dave in Beeland with our teammate's children!