Merry Christmas!

We opened our gifts on Christmas Eve morning, because we were going to church on Christmas morning early and didn't want to be rushed. We enjoyed a quiet day at home on Christmas Eve, opening gifts and having a big breakfast.
On Christmas, we went to church in the morning. The service was really nice, mostly singing carols and a short message. Afterwards, we had two friends, Charnelle and Vino over for lunch. We made mousaka, a Greek dish similar to lasanga, for lunch. We had chocolate pie and apple pie for dessert afterwards.
We had a really nice, and quiet Christmas.
Merry Christmas all!

Christmas cookies

Today we baked Christmas cookies and then had an "icing party".

Roasting marshmellows

One of our family traditions is to roast marshmellows at Christmastime. We had to borrow the BBQ pit, but it was worth it. We had alot of fun having a marshmellow roast.

Family Pictures

Today we took family pictures! It's so nice having family at Christmas time.

Cupcakes

Grandma DeLaughter made cupcakes with the girls today.

Skype Time

Today, we talked with my Dad on Skype. I miss my parents this Christmas, but am happy to know that I'll be seeing them in January.

movie

Today, Bill is taking me out, so the girls will be watching a movie with Grandma and Grandpa.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Bill and my 10th wedding anniversary! I can't believe 10 years have gone by already. It seems like yesterday we were dating, at St. Louis Christian College, going to class together, and eating lunch together in the cafeteria, spending every moment together. We still are together most of each day... and we still get along!! We have spent the last 5 years on the mission field in Tanzania, and have three beautiful children. I thank God everyday for Bill, and I look forward to the next 10 years together with him.

Heather

Yesterday, Bill decided to take a nap instead of come down to lunch. The day before he had been out when we had lunch. Heather must have thought this was becoming a pattern, because she said forlornly, "Another meal without Daddy..." Little does she know that not everyone eats breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week with their Daddy!! I thought it was so cute.

A Christmas Tree

Can you tell I like doing art projects? Today's project, I drew an outline of a Christmas tree, and the girls colored and decorted it with "ornaments".

Teeth!

This has nothing to do with Christmas, but I had to put it in.

Jonathan has gotten 4 more teeth- all on the top, for a total of 6 teeth now. I hope they show up in the picture okay.

Katrina's 2nd front tooth is FINALLY coming in, but only after she lost the tooth next to it! I guess the other tooth was in the way. Now you can't tell the other tooth is even lost. I am afraid she has the same crowded teeth that I had. I forsee braces in the future!!

Another Movie Night

Bill and I are going on a date tonight (Yea!) So, the girls are going to watch Santa Clause 3, with Grandma and Grandpa. That is their Christmas activity of the day.

On another note, Niki and I finished book three of discipleship today! So exciting! We are going to take a break while I am traveling back to the States, and start book three in March.

Another Art project

Today's activity was another craft, we made some more ornaments.

Cocoa

Today, we didn't have a car since it's in the shop. We did something easy at home. We had hot cocoa with peppermints for a "Christmasy" taste.

Car Accident, and....

Today was a bit scary! On the way to church, a huge rock hit the windshield! We are all fine, we will just need a new windshield.

Our activity today was something simple, we read a book about the nativity, with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus dolls to act out the scenes.

Jonathan chewing on Baby Jesus.

Apple Pie

Today, we made an apple pie from scratch... Yum! We took it with us to a Christmas party we went to today. Fun, and very tasty!

Katrina peeled the apples and Heather helped me roll out the dough.

Movie Night

Every weekend, we watch a movie together as a family... so we watched "Home Alone 2". It's a Christmas movie, and its cute.

Nativity Set!

Sorry, Eastview... we opened *one* of the gifts early... the nativity set. I wanted the kids to be able to play with it before Christmas. They love it! Thanks, Eastview Christian Church! We love you!

Grandma and Grandpa arrive!

Today's *very* special thing was that Grandma and Grandpa DeLaughter arrived! We made welcome signs, and went to pick them up at the bus in the afternoon. It was so good to see them! We had some friends over for dinner to introduce them tonight at well.

Kids' Cookie Party

Cookies, cookies and more cookies!!!

Today, we had so much fun at a friend's house making ginger bread cookies. There were about 15 kids total there, so lots to do! After the baking, they all played in a wading pool, and there were about 10 in there at once! Very crowded, but they didn't seem to mind. :-]
Katrina cutting out some cookies.





Heather is showing a "thumb-print cookie" she made, although you can barely see it here!






The wading pool was a bit croweded! The girls are on the right, can you find them? Where's Waldo?








Jonathan and the other babies hung out at the side of the pool.

Today's art project

Katrina made a bell and Heather made a bear in a stocking for today's art activity. It was a part of the craft activities in their homeschooling curriculum, so really easy!

E-cards

We sent some e-cards today as our activity.

Ornaments

Today we made some ornaments... yeah craft time! The only problem was that Jonathan started crying because he was being left out...

Cookies

Today we made cookies... Yum! I'm sure they won't last very long.

Christmas Cards

Today we made Christmas cards, lots of fun.

Snowflakes

Today's activity was making snowflakes. Simple, but fun.

Our Activity Advent...

Every day from Dec. 1st through Christmas, we do something special for Christmas.

Dec. 1st, we put up the tree. It is only 3 feet high, so even Heather can reach the top. We got it our first Christmas here in 2005, and it's been with us every year we have had Christmas here. None of the decorations are breakable, so I let the girls rearrange them at will. They love it!

We had the tree in the bay window so Jonathan wouldn't pull it down, but Romeo kept messing with the ornaments. So, sadly, we've had to move it to a cabinet even higher up! We'll bring it down to ground level for Christmas!

Thanksgiving

<-------I made homemade pumpkin pie!


Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and we had about 20 people over for dinner, only two of who were Americans! It was so much fun! Our turkey turned out great.

Katrina and Heather did a skit about the first Thanksgiving, which was so cute. Happy Thanksgiving!!

The holiday seaon begins

Holiday Season in Arusha

The holiday season is starting, I'm so excited! Of course, the holiday season looks a little different here in Tanzania.


Last weekend, I took the kids to a Christmas fair. There were booths selling things, and BBQ burgers and chicken for sale.. see the picture above of the kids there. (Isn't Jonathan's smile so adorable?)
I've already started my Christmas shopping, mostly online. I want to make sure my gifts arrive in time for Christmas.
This year we are blessed to have Bill's parents with us for Christmas, very exciting!

Thanksgiving is this week, and we are having 28 people over for dinner! Only 2 of those guests are Americans! We will be eating Indian and Chinese dishes along with the traditional turkey and stuffing. Very funny, but it will be a great time of sharing, food and laughter, even if it looks different than Thanksgiving dinners in America.
The holidays here are very different, but so fun as well!

A nice day...

Today, was a nice day. I meet with Nikita for discipleship and really enjoyed our time together. Also, school went well and we even finished before lunch-- a rarity!! Katrina didn't even lose her TV or Wii time for whining/fighting with me (Praise God!). Even though Katrina butt head occationally (hourly? minutely?), I'm starting to really enjoy watching as Katrina learns something new.

It's raining off and on today, which is good too. The land here is soaking in the much needed rain, which will bring good crops in a few months.

Today, I am feeling happy to be alive; happy to be here in Tanzania doing ministry; happy to have my husband and three kids... very blessed!

I had to put in this picture of Jonathan... It's TOO CUTE! He'll probably kill me when he gets older... :-] He's not really pulling to a stand yet, but will hold himself up if you put him there.

Busy, busy, busy

Well, I haven't been very good at blogging... honestly we've been too busy! We moved into our new house at the beginning of October (yeah!). We started discipling right away, and we are involved with ministry every day of the week, with the exception of Sundays. Even then, Bill is helping run the sound and I am helping teach Sunday School occationally at the English speaking church we attend here. We also go to Moshono Christian Church several times a month just to encourage them there.
So, ministry has really taken off here.

Also, we started homeschooling, which is what takes up the majority of my time each day. We start at 8:30am, and finish around 1 or 1:30pm. It takes me around an hour or two each afternoon to prepare the next's days' lesson as well. I haven't hired a nanny yet, and probably won't after all. I hold Jonathan while I teach, or put him in the Pack 'n' Play. I alternate teaching Katrina and Heather, and the other one works alone while I teach the other.
It's been a learning process, but we seem to be getting the hang of it. Heather asks each day, "Is there anything else for me to do?!" She finishes way before Katrina and feels left out!! This girl is asking for more homework. Hmmm... On the other hand, Katrina has mentioned that she wishes she was still in preschool so she didn't have to much work to do! :-]

Jonathan is now 7 months old and is crawling, so we are keeping busy watching him! He is such a happy and content baby

Bill's parents are coming in 39 days (Dec 7th) for a visit. They are coming to help out while I go back to the States with Jonathan. I'm trying to avoid thinking about the trip, because I don't want to leave my family and travel alone!
I'll try to be better about writing...

Romeo, Romeo...

We have a new kitten! His name is Romeo, and he's about 8 weeks old. He's so cute, and the kids love playing with him. Even Jonthan loves to watch him play.

Strange Musings....

Lately, we've been so blessed as a family. Almost ridiculously so. While back in the States for the birth of our son, we were allowed to stay rent-free in a house, and borrow a car for free. When we had to give the car back, we were given another car.
We are blessed to have the support of churches and individuals who give so generously for us to be here-- we have a good vehicle to drive, wonderful friends here and in the US, three great kids... God has been so good to us.
So, it makes me wonder. What about those that God isn't blessing? Our friends who struggle financially, while we aren't. Family members dealing with serious illnesses or divorce, while we are healthy and happily married.
Why is it that God chooses to bless some (us at the moment), and not others, so it seems? Why are some Christians struggling with such hard things, and others aren't?
I realize that I am a bit odd to be thinking of this instead of just being glad of all the blessings. Trust me, I am very thankful of the blessings. We have also struggled with some very hard times: struggling with making ends meet, difficulties during my pregnancy and Jonathan's foot.
I am just rambling a bit, I guess. And feeling a tiny bit guilty that we are having an easy time of it right now while those we love aren't.
I must remember the verse Philippians 4:12-13:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

We have found a house!

We have signed a contract on a town house today. We will be moving in next Monday. It is a town house in an apartment complex, so lots of places for the kids to ride bikes. There are three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and even a fenced in yard. We have friends who live in the same complex who also have two daughters, which is so nice.
Unfortunately, I did not take my camera with me today so no pictures. I'll post some when we start moving in.
I am just relieved that this long week of house hunting is finally OVER!

First Week in Arusha

We arrived in Arusha late Sunday night, after a 6 hour long bus ride from Nairobi. We stayed with a friend, Charnelle and didn't get there until around 11pm. We stayed with her until today (Thursday), and now we have gone to stay at some other friends' house- Mike and Lyndell Rothery. We are very grateful for good friends to house us while we are house hunting.

The house we were in when we left is no longer available, so we are searching for another place to live. We have so far looked at 6 houses, and have had many leads. We are praying for the Lord's leading, however. Every house so far has required 3 months rent up front, and the last one even wanted 1 year's rent up front. That is not what we have been used to, we have always paid monthly.

We have been able to meet with Prosper and discuss the news of the church. Bill is meeting with Prosper and another church leader tomorrow about some issues that church is facing right now.

We look forward to seeing more of our friends again, and getting back into the swing of things... and most of all, to move into our own house!

a We enjoyed catching up with Prosper over dinner tonight.

We have arrived!

We have arrived safe in Niarobi, and all of our luggage came with us! The flights went by quickly and we are all enjoying our first day here!
More later...

Last week Aug 2009, by Leah DeLaughter

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Jonathan starts solids

Jonathan eats

Packing starts

Today, I started packing for Tanzania. I got the first suitcase done, Jonathan's. Step one! Now, 8 more suitcases to go. I actually am feeling somewhat prepared and not that stressed really... wow...

David, Kara, Wesley, Isaiah and Selah

This week has gone too quickly...

We have enjoyed our time with our family this week, Bill's brother- David and his family visited. They have 3 children, the same age as our children. Wesley is the same age as Katrina, Isaiah is the same age as Heather, and Selah is the same age as Jonathan.

The kids have spent time all week swimming, fishing, playing, watching videos, and playing the Wii together. We were able to visit Bill and David's sister, Mary, and her family in LaGrange, IN overnight which was so fun. We spent time with Uncle Tom, Aunt Mary, and Bill and David's cousin Doug, and his family- Laura, Hannah, and Ethan. All in all, it's been a great week, and we hate to see them go.
Now, it's really starting to sink in how little time we have left here before we leave for Tanzania. Less than 2 weeks to go...

Up a Tree

Tree Climbing

Today was one of the few days that we didn't have "something" to do. I was working on packing for Tanzania, but I spent a few hours playing outside with the kids at the playground. I found out that Katrina and Heather know how to climb trees! That is something I loved when I was a kid. Jonathan tried out the swing for the first time and he loved it! He kept laughing, and smiling so I guess he liked it.

Less than a month

Just was realizing that we have less than a month until we leave for Tanzania! We leave on Aug 27th! Wow! I am so not ready!! I am looking forward to getting back to Arusha, and at the same time dreading all the good-byes to come.
Jonathan's unhappy about the good byes too!

Blue Owl

Blue Owl... last day in St. Louis

Bill, Jonathan, and I spent two nights at my parents' on the way down to Anna, Il to visit First Christian Church. This is going to be our last time in St. Louis this time back. We went out to eat at the Blue Owl resturant in Kimmswick, MO to do something special together. Bill and I had to order a rueben sandwhich of course, because the Blue Owl makes the world's best rueben (in my opinion), and we can't get anything like it in Arusha! We are leaving for Anna in a few hours, and continuing on our trip.
I'm missing the girls horribly....

Jolly Green Giant

Our new car, from Greg and Rondy.We are calling it the Jolly Green Giant. It is a nice, big car, and drives great! Thanks guys!

Good bye girls, for 10 days

I'll miss my girls...

Tomorrow, Jonathan and I will be meeting Bill in Lincoln, IL, thanks to my father-in-law giving us a ride down. Bill, Jonathan, and I will spend tomorrow night at my parents in St. Louis. Then, Saturday the three of us will continue to Anna, IL to spend the night there. Sunday we are presenting at First Christian Church of Anna, IL in the morning, and then Bill is preaching at Fairfield Christian Church in Fairfield, IL in the evening. That night, we will continue on to the Mississippi Valley Christian Service Camp where we will be staying until Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday night-Sunday we will be at Morton Christian Church in Morton, IL being the missionaries at their VBS. We decided that instead of taking all three kids on this long trip, to leave Katrina and Heather at Grandma and Grandpa DeLaughter's house. I will really miss my two girls, but just think it will be so hard on them. Jonathan has to be with mommy since he is still nursing... I couldn't leave him anyway at this age!

So, Katrina and Heather... I'll miss you!!