Pox Free! :)

The chicken pox are gone ... with only a few little healing scars remaining.

While I only actually missed 2 Sunday services, it seemed like I'd been gone for a month, and it was so good to go to prayer meeting on Wednesday!  

So precious just to all sit together as a family.  Well, Daddy was preaching...and it was such a good message!

Thank you so much to those who prayed for our family these past few weeks.  One night, Samuel was so fussy.  It was after midnight, and he still hadn't gone to sleep.  He was itchy, achy and felt miserable. Some of his pox had gotten infected and he was on antibiotics.  I'd brought him into our bedroom and he'd settle down for a few minutes then wake up crying. 

Finally, I just got up and held him and walked around the room with him.  He calmed down a bit resting on my shoulder as I walked around.  As soon as I'd stop or try to put him down, he'd cry.  So I walked.  I thought of how nights like this use to get me so upset sometimes.  Being so tired, I'd feel like crying myself and ask the Lord to please just let the child sleep.  But as I walked, I thought that obviously the Lord wanted me to be awake that night.  I don't know why.  I thought maybe it was so I could pray.  So as I paced the room, I prayed for Samuel, for my husband and children, and then many family/friends came to my mind and I prayed for them.

Finally, a little after 3 am, Samuel fell asleep.  And so did I :)   

A midst the chicken pox, our church mission's conference, and all the preparations for our upcoming furlough (we leave in 18 days!),  our summer schedule hasn't gone exactly like I'd imagined.    I think we've had a total of about 5 days where we've been able to follow it.   But the Lord had different plans for us.  And knowing His ways are always best, I'm so thankful for all we have been able to do and learn these past few weeks!

The children and I started a little baking business and sold cookies and cinnamon rolls around town to save up money for furlough.  

We learned how to make donuts!  Yum!!

We can get in and out of the van without killing each other!!!

The children learned some new chores.

We housed 22 wonderful people at our home during our mission's conference.

We've learned some new songs in harmony.

We've read books on our own and out loud together.

We've got some areas organized/cleaned.  Of course, with 14 people living here, they haven't stayed completely cleaned/organized.  But it's always such a good feeling to accomplish the task anyways!

Samuel about to enjoy a homemade doughnut!

Beka helping the younger ones with some phonics/writing.

I taught Elijah how to iron a shirt.  

It wasn't his favorite thing I've ever taught him.

But I'm sure he'll appreciate it some day :)  

Samuel was our last one to get the chicken pox, so while everyone else was on the mend, he was feeling pretty crumby.  He loves to listen to someone read to him.

Fourth of July came and the Lord gave us a special treat...RAIN!  It only lasted about 20 minutes, but it's so rare here and the children get so excited watching it fall and then playing out in the puddles afterwards.

We had banana splits and played :)

Twelve days until our annual church family camp and only eighteen days until we leave!  So much to do!

We are getting so excited!  So many emotions!  

The joy of seeing family/friends that we haven't seen in so long.

The blessing of being able to share with and thank those people who have so faithfully prayed for us, our church, our town, and so generously given so we can do what the Lord has called us to do.

The excitement of seeing new places and meeting new friends.

Missing our friends/church family here already 

Looking forward to going and looking forward to coming back all at the same time!