Our visitors part 2

A few days after Christmas we had more visitors come and visit. This time we were able to pick them up at the neighboring border, only 20 minutes away. Sarah we know really well and we were excited to finally meet Kyle. Our time with them was different in several ways from our previous visitors; with only 3 days we stayed closer to home. They were already halfway into their trek through Central Asia and Kyle speaks great language, so we weren't the only cultural stop on their trip. But, of course some of the things were very much the same:

Good times of fellowship with dear friends!


We showed them our bazaar. Sarah caught this great picture, I thought I'd share it; if Ethan would have moved over just a little, he would have looked quite angelic.


They were able to meet our American friends


The weather was nice enough while they were here, that we were able to show them the ruins of our city and the overlook of our town/valley.


Lego time! With all Ethan's new Legos from Christmas and Farmer Kyle's "skills" Ethan had a huge combine by the end of the time together.


They were able to see first hand one of our projects, enjoy the Osh at our soup kitchen, and have some encouraging conversations all in local language.

Thanks Kyle and Sarah for coming, for adding us onto your trek through Central Asia. Thanks too for sharing your pictures.

Feeling a little blue

Some big things seem to be happening back in Kansas.

2 of my dear cousins have gotten engaged, 4 days apart from each other. Aren't they both just gorgeous!

My Grandpa has undergone pretty intensive surgery on his head and is in the ICU.

I think after having a lot of friends from home; hearing stories and catching up on the lives of so many; having a much more current idea of what is happening in the lives of people we know, love and miss; in the coming down off of it all, it just has me really homesick. We're starting to make plans for our time back in the States, starting some time in July. I'm sure those recent conversations have only further contributed to the pulls at my heart. Ask that I would have energy for the fight to keep my heart and mind here.

Our Christmas

This was our first Christmas since 2005 where we were living in our own home for Christmas. We were determined to "do Christmas right!" Though both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day had it's far share of frustrations (things that keep breaking, the electricity going out, etc). Isn't that the way it goes? But looking back and all in all, it was a great Christmas.

Some of the Christmas trimmings, including Pomegranate Swirl Cheesecake with pomegranate sauce

Our Christmas table filled the entire room!

Elli bought Daddy a new calculator to replace the one she broke.


The yummy, hand-carried American ham!

Elli and her local baby doll

Ethan and his Legos


Elli with her new car.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a family picture with our fun festive outfits on before Elli fell into a bucket of water. So here she is in her Christmas dress.

For those who can handle more pictures:

Christmas Celebrations

Our visitors

Before Christmas, we had a wonderful week with dear friends from home! It was an incredibly full week with a perfect mix of down time and getting out and doing things. I feel like they really were able to see and experience what our lives are like here. Elli was sick much of the week with vomiting and diarrhea, so that yielded a tired mommy. But we are so blessed that they came all the way out to our home! Thanks to so many of you that sent treats, sweet notes and pictures with them! Dave and Laurie, thanks for sharing your pictures!

Our Advent

I love Christmas and I love Advent. Yet it never seems like I can keep up with the 5 candle, every Sunday, advent devotional. No matter how badly I want to. And honestly, it's hard for my 4 1/2 year old and almost 2 year old to follow. So when I found this, I was really excited!

We did miss a couple days, and sometimes had to do a devotional at breakfast and supper, but all in all I loved it! I got the idea from "25 reasons for the season," though we called it "Why Jesus was born." There is a heart reminder for everyday; a little figure that helps us remember the reason for the day. It's supposed to be a countdown until Christmas, though that element of the calendar passed my kids by this year. It yielded lots of good spiritual conversations.

Merry Christmas

Sunday, after dressing the kids, I realized they were both in red and semi-cooperative for taking some pictures. So I grabbed a couple while I could. I'll probably try and get a couple more on Christmas day, but wanted to post my 2 little kiddos. They bring such great delight!

There were a lot of pictures, like this one, that I didn't post. Getting both kiddos to sit still is becoming harder and harder!

Our first national party!

I usually love posting and can't wait to get my pictures and current stories online. But the reality that I will NEVER be able to capture the fullness of this day has kept me from getting it posted. So I'll try, but you just have to experience a local party first hand to fully experience it.

Wednesday night one of the gals from our homestay showed up and informed us the women of the family had been talking and thought we should host a party before the electricity started going out and things got really cold. Our possible days for the party were either Thursday (Thanksgiving) or Friday. After a little time for consideration, we convinced them Monday would be a better option for us.

Saturday evening, after I had taken an initial "party shop" at the bazaar, I called Kaleen to check and make sure she was coming on Sunday to help me prepare for the big party Monday. "How many people are coming" I asked. Only 10, I was assured. Not even 10 minutes after our conversation, she called back to tell me that an Aunt was having a Talbak (bride viewing party) on Monday and I should have my party on another day. Sunday (less than a day later) was my only option.

So Sunday, around 1 p.m., over 20 women and 10 kids showed up at our house for an all out party. T, Kaleen and I worked hard all day long with most of the guests leaving around 6 p.m. Austin, with no for warning, was in charge of building the fire pit and keeping the fire roaring. Bobo and Kaleen's husband came for supper; at which point it's appropriate to warm up the Ash from lunch. And while the men ate, the kids played, we had 2 people showering. There were points of the day it truly felt like a circus. But it was also one of those days were His grace was evident and very sufficient. I'm hoping having our "obligatory party" will yield a much more culturally laid back week when our friends from America come to visit.