N is for Noah

"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there were two Jedi.  Of course these Jedi had a friend - Han Solo and Princess Leia's daughter - Lillian.  Luke Skywalker gets chased by some enemy fighters so Han Solo and Princess Leia deploy some troops.  Princess Leia then finds out that her daughter gets captured.  Darth Veers (the late Darth Vader's secret apprentice) hires a bounty hunter to get Luke Skywalker.  Spaceman Spiff, another of the good guys, has computer problems and is shot down.  Luke then finds out that the bounty hunter that Darth Veers hired is really on Luke's side and Lillian with her droid, R15 Z12, has escaped...," and so it goes.

Our oldest, Noah, is planning Episode 7 of the Star Wars series.  It's just the latest creation from his active imagination.  That imagination has made movies, written books, cured diseases, revolutionized transportation, eliminated all manner of work, streamlined school, made millions of dollars, composed masterpieces, and at times has driven his parents crazy.  But no matter what, as our eldest child, he's been at the center of just about everything in our family - and he's done a great job at being a great kid.

Noah and Chris taking in a Rangers game from the cheap seats.

Noah is a voracious reader and is a very creative guy that doesn't give up easily.  He often comes up with innovative ways to use everyday items, which alternately amazes us or makes us shake our heads in disbelief.  Noah is also bright enough to do just about anything that he decides to put his mind to.  His people skills are atypical for an eleven year old and have led to him having great friendships with some folks that are many times his age.

Playing some djembe at an arts party.

Ben, Kristin, and Noah enjoying the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

As we make our transition into new cultural situations, we are curious to see how Noah's God-given creativity and skills will be used.  It is our prayer for Noah that he will draw closer to the Lord and that his personality will reflect the love of Christ to many others.

Noah and Ben in front of Big Tex at the State Fair.

Comforting Ben atop the ferris wheel at the State Fair.

Noah enjoying a root beer at the dining hall with Ben and Kristin.

M is for Mealtime!

Mealtimes are important to our family.  We eat together all the time.  We talk, go over our day, and share our dreams and troubles.  But this year has been different and really special.  This year we were privileged to share our meals with the students here.

Students come from all over to attend GIAL.  Some live in trailers, some in apartments, or some in the guest house with a communal kitchen.  But they all feel the void of leaving family and friends behind.  We have been blessed this year to share our meals with many students - sharing not just food, but being family too.

We open our doors, squeeze in chairs and maybe a card table, and cook for a few extra.  Some stay and play games or talk.  Some scoot out as soon as the meal is done to work on the long hours of homework necessary here.  Some come for advice.  Some to play with our kids.  Some come to pray.  Some come to talk.  Some are just really hungry.  We have a policy that for the first three visits, you are our guest.  After that, you're family, which means helping cook, clean, read to kids...

What a blessing it is to be able to share our mealtimes!

Sorry for the Betty Rubble face in here, but some of our friends will work in sensitive locations and can't have their faces seen on the internet.

Our children started in public school this year for the first time.  This means we don't get to eat lunch with our kids on weekdays anymore. But God has filled the hole I feel without them.  A few times a week Chris and I go to the dining hall on campus and sit with students, faculty, volunteers, and visitors to the linguistics center.  On Fridays I sit at the French table, where we practice our French, but any other day we sit in the midst of the most bizarre interesting conversations.  If you have never had a discussion with a linguist, you've missed unique humor to say the least!

Every day is an adventure and a gift and we are thankful for MEALTIMES!