Berwick's in the doghouse again. She really did it this time. On Friday we gave up paperworking homeschool, and had a projects day. I was rejoicing in how well it was going. Timothy, Josh and I got the bunny hutches repaired and painted. Timothy did the sawing, and both boys pounded in a lot of nails. We made some fake sky lights at the same time (painted the boards that cover the holes into the attic like a sky). Things were getting ship shape, and then....tragedy. One of us left the fence open, and Snowball was hopping around lose while we painted his cage. Berwick could not apparently control her baser cravings; she seems to have caught the bunny and shook him.

We were all mad at Berwick, yet trying to realize that she is created to be a dog, a predator, and she didn't do it to be bad. It might have made it easier if she were repentant. She's still drooling at the sight of Toffee and her new baby, so we know she'd repeat the performance if she got the chance.

But we are homeschoolers, and we were having a projects day, so we called Johanneke, our very brave friend from Holland, and asked if she'd help us with the bunny. She was game, so we loaded up and hurried to her house to have a biology lesson and a taxidermy lesson. I have pictures, but I'm not going to post them, at least not yet because I can't find the camera cord. Snowball looked better alive.

Evangel's birthday blender is a delight to the whole family!!! Someone knows how to pick a gift.

We went on a field trip to Groote Schuur Hospital this week to learn about the world's first successful open heart surgery.

The museum was in the actual rooms the surgery took place in. The donor was a girl who was hit by a car.

Dr. Christiaan Barnhard was the doctor who performed the surgery. I was fascinated with this silicone look alike. We are all so pleased that it is a South African who did the surgery, a charming, good looking man who became the darling of the country.

He looked so real! But I found his story a bit sad. He came from a Christian family here in South Africa, but it seems as though his amazing success and popularity went to his head. He divorced his first wife and remarried two other times to beauties much younger then he was. He had 6 children but died alone on the island of Cyprus. I think his parents were probably pretty disappointed in him. "Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children," is our prayer for our children.

Adoption--after 3 years!

I introduce to you....

our friends Grant & Loki Swanepoel, missionaries in north western Kenya have been trying for 3 years to adopt their 2 little girls. We're thrilled with this answer to prayer. I love the "long" story, nicely told so I'm including the details and link below.
Happy endings are Biblical, and satisfying.

Dear Young Family,
Praise the Lord! He has answered our (and your) prayers regarding the adoption. This morning in court the judge signed the final papers making us the parents of Abigail and Caitlyn! In the pic we had just arrived at the house we are staying in and we are jumping for joy. (In between crying and sitting around dazed).

Thank you sooo much for faithfully walking this road with us. We have been humbled by the love and commitment shown by many, many people (some of whom we have never met) to pray for us and encourage us in this long journey.
The lawyer tells us the final documents will be out in 2 weeks and then we can start the application for the girls for Kenyan passports.
Praising Jesus!
Psalm 124:1- "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side... then the flood would have swept us away.Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth"
Grant, Loki, Caity and Abby Swanepoel

Dear Young Family,

So many have prayed for the adoption process that we felt like we owe you a bit more of the whole story... it is very long though, so we posted it on our blog, along with some of our pics...
http://nomadspulpit.aimsites.org/2009/10/05/one-day-long-long-ago/

Ps 40:10 " I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation"

PRAISE
1. For the adoption- God did miracles and we can only praise Him.
2. For a safe trip to Nanyuki and for a chance for some R &R 3. For the faithful prayers and partnership of many, many people over the last years.

PRAYER
1. For the rest of the paperwork- the biggest, decisive battle has been won, but the war with bureaucracy isn't over:) We are hoping to go back to Nairobi next week and to be able to pick up the final papers from the court. Then we will start the application for passports for the girls.
2. Plans for our furlough- there are lots of details that have to be worked out! We do take courage, though, that God who brought us so far will help us through as we make travel plans, find accommodation and plan the future (remembering ..if God wills)

Grateful to God
Grant and Loki

Happy Birthday, Evangel!!! #14

Evangel turned 14 this week, and made her own cake for a party with the kids from our Ladies Bible study.

On Saturday we took a hike to explore a little sea-side village with about 20 houses, no road access, and no electricity. It captured my imagination, this little jewel of a village in such a gorgeous, isolated setting, yet only about 45 minutes from our house.

I think the village is called Smitswinkel but I'm not sure. It sure didn't register on our GPS.

We went with Timothy's good friend Oliver and his family, plus another young man named Ryan who owns a cute BMW.

As part of Evangel's birthday, I took her to the Clay Cafe in Hout Bay (nice poem :-) with her friend Sarah, and we painted plates.

Evangel and Sarah had fun picking colors. We can go back in about 2 weeks to pick them up, these heirloom plates, :-) and see how they came out after they're fired.

Mom, this one's for you! Evangel's trying on the outfit you sent for her birthday. I think it looks good.

Here's 2 striped guys, good buddies Josh and Daniel.

Evangel and Megan ready to cut the cake.

Evangel did a craft with the little girls during the Ladies Bible study. Rebecca, Gabi, Julia, baby Holly, and Megan posing with their special fans.

Home Again & Life Chain posters

After 2 1/2 months of adventures on the road, the kids were glad to get home and see Danielito, their cousin's little one year old. He learned to walk while we were gone, so he's more fun then ever.

Our first Sunday home, we got to go to Life Chain in Cape Town, but I forgot our camara, so had to pose the kids in our own street with our homemade posters .

Time Off

We had 4 days to roam the countryside and rest between appointments. I'm glad we weren't in too big a hurry, because the cows weren't either.

Paul had his youth "renewed like the eagles".

I just love pictures through arches. This is a B & B in Ladysmith.

I took a picture of myself in the mirror--pretty pathetic way to get yourself into a blog.

The Battle of Blood River Monument-2

The Battle of Blood River Monument

These iron wagons stand as the real ones did for the battle between the Zulu Impis and the Boers. Our battle that day was to try to get through all 51 of the wagons. Only Josh made it completely around the circle.