The Baby of the Family

...is now a cat

 

Yesterday the neighbors gave the kids a truly tiny kitten.

They were ecstatic!

Will is still fascinated by the "Meow"

 

They're still debating whether to call it Oreo or Marble. I think it will get plenty of loving!

 

Party Time!

 

My last days here have been so bittersweet! I will miss my dear friends here so much, but I've been blessed with wonderful fellowship with them and a lot of gracious generosity on their part in saying goodbye. Leading the way in that would be the Pittman family, who have gone above and beyond to celebrate the end of school and mark the end of my time here with some special memories. I'm so thankful for them!

 

Tonight we went to a beautiful restaurant: we ate in a beautiful pavilion that hung over the river. Hanging curtains and a beautiful willow tree shaded the spot and gave it wonderful privacy.

The perfect opportunity to get silly!

Also the perfect chance to talk and visit as friends. I've had such a wonderful year getting to spend time with Wendy: I've learned so much about contentment and joy in the Lord from her example! Plus we've had some pretty good laughs together...

Here they all are. The kids have grown up a lot in the 9 months I've been here!

But they're still happy to pass the time waiting for the food by thumb-wrestling.

This sweet gift from the Pittmans made me smile and smile. After all, God did give me the precious love of my fiancée even while I was a world away here! Although...I've never seen him dressed quite like that!

The view out of our balcony/pavilion. We enjoyed lemon tea, vegetable salads, and shashlik, deliciously flavored meat kabobs. It was a fun way to celebrate!

Faces I Can't Wait to See

So many mixed emotions fill my last days here! As I said a few days ago, there are people I will miss. There are also places, and a way of life that have been a blessing to me in the last nine months. Still, at the same time, I am so extremely excited to see some faces soon!

Church family (a small part of them shown here)...

 

 

 

My family...

 

And beyond a doubt, my beloved fiancé!

There are others: grandparents, my cousin, Eric's family, dear friends who are scattered across the States. There are so many people I'm looking forward to seeing-I'm so blessed!

Our Secret

My 15-year-old host sister often says to me in a conspiratorial whisper, "Don't forget our secret." "What secret?" I reply, feigning ignorance.

She grins. "My secret...is that I love you!" '

And I love her back. I'm thankful for my "little sister."

Faces I'll Miss

There are dear people I'll miss when I head home in 10 days...

 

The family I live with and teach: they've become like a second family to me!

My fellow homeschool helper and dear friend Peyton.

 

My host sisters.

Steve and Gayle, who've "adopted" me and my other friends during this time.

 

I'm so thankful for the friendships God has given me with these people these past 9 months!

Almost Done

My friend and I with all our students. It's been a great school year!

With My Song

 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to Him."

~Psalm 28:7

Sleepover Fun

The kids invited some friends to a sleepover, and they thoroughly enjoyed every minute!

 

 

I love my students and enjoy their senses of humor every day. A sample of this humor can can be seen below...