A Year In Review

This is where we ended 2012...

2013 started with a visit from Chris' dad and a week tour of Bali. 

Then the big flood came through town. 

Chris finally took me up to Grassberg!

Friends move to town!

My best buddy moved away... :(

There is no picture, and hardly any words to describe the cave-in that happened in the Underground. It was probably the most challenging event of our lives. 28 people lost their lives. Chris and his crews spent eight, very difficult days, finding and digging out the trapped men. We will never forget!

However, life goes on...

The kids and I flew back to the States for the summer. We left the boys and Gabby at Grandma's and Grandpa's. Then...

Mersades an I took a trip to Getmany!!

The boys stayed with dad and were corrupted! ;)

I had my 20 year class reunion!

The girls and I "ran" a charity race. 

Mersades was confirmed!

Mersades started boarding school in Malaysia!

Boys went on a school trip to Boreno. 

"Only child" Gabby got her picture with Santa. 

Two more dear friends moved away!

Our team won 2nd place in the Underground golf tournament!

Chris picked Mersades up from boarding school. He brought her to Singapore so we could get her visa to get back to Tembagapura. We saw a play, Lightseeker, while there. 

All the kids back together in Tembagapura. 

Christmas time!  

Ready to go to the Underground's New Years party. 

Wow!  What a year!  And I probably only posted half of what went on!

There is so much to be thankful for. God has truly blessed us with so many adventures and wonderful people whom we have met along the way!  We will never forget His goodness and mercy in 2013. 

God bless you, my dear family and friends, in 2014!  You all are special in your own way and we are so thankful you all are in our lives!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

It's the little things...

The kids asked if they could open one present before bed tonight so Chris said yes. :)

Like I said, it's the little things...

Cheerios!  Fruity Pebbles! Hot Chocolate!

One of the best things the kids have learned living in the jungle, in the middle of nowhere, is that you appreciate the little things in life. Whoever thought that breakfast cereal would be a great Christmas present?!  

The kids are very excited to wake up in the morning....  To Eat! ;)

Good night all!  Merry Christmas!  God bless!

Underground Christmas Party

Tonight we attended the Underground Christmas party/service. The boys decided to stay at home but our little socialite, Gabs, came with us. 

We were entertained be Indonesia Idols 2007 & 2008

2008

Pak Chris had to get up and give a speech. He spoke a quarter of it in Bahasa Indonesia and the rest in English. He talked about the true meaning of Christmas and forgiveness. :) What is so amazing it that we are in Indonesia, and he is speaking about Jesus Christ!  How amazing is God's love and faithfulness!

And of course, we have to throw in a picture of Santa and Gabs. :)

Merry Christmas!  May God bless you and your family throughout this Christmas season!  xoxo

1st Christmas Banquet

From Mersades dorm mom:

Here is a quick email with some photos from CB (Christmas Banquet) – Mersades looked beautiful as always.  She was also a great friend/dorm sister as she helped curl several others hair and even helped Kim (our guest) with her makeup. She was a true beauty queen... helping others be beautified as well as herself.

Our Marz is sure growing up fast!  :)

Best Dressed!

A couple weeks ago, there was the big horse race in Australia, called the Melbourne Cup.  The Australian women go all out and plan a luncheon for the ladies to watch and bet on the race. They also have other prizes for best dressed and best hat. 

This year was the first that I attended and guess what??!!  I won best dressed!!  Crazy, I know!!  AND I wasn't even in a dress!!! 

Golf

Last Sunday, Chris and I had only one kid (boys in Boreno and Marz at school), so we dumped Gabby at a friends house and went down to KK on the golf bus. This was my second time golfing the KK course and Chris' first. We both did quite well considering the blazing heat and a difficult course!

 

We will be golfing in the Underground tournament this weekend, so we are meeting the boys in the lowlands when they get off the plane, from Boreno, and spending a fun filled weekend in KK. Will let you know how that all turns out! :)

Special Dinner Guest

Last night were were delighted to host John Cutts and his son-in-law, Ty, for dinner. John Cutts is a missionary in the Papua area, who has lived in Papua since he was two years old. We met him through our little expat church and have gotten to know him over the last few years. He had also attended Dalat, the boarding school where Mersades is going now!

Perspective:

John and Ty have been living out in the Papuan villages for the last two weeks and eating many "things" that you and I would not touch. I did not know this at the time when I was picking out what we were going to have for dinner. 

So off I go to the grocery store and Chirs had asked me to get some steak. The store does not have the quality of steak I am used to, however it's the best we can do. I will admit, I was a little embarrassed serving this steak, after I know what real beef can be, to our guests!

Dinner is ready!!  Not kidding you, but John and Ty looked like they had died and gone to heaven!  A real American meal for them to devour!  And they did!

From my perspective, the steak was probably the WORST I have ever seen!  For John and Ty, it was manna from heaven!  

I am so glad I served the steak instead of making burgers, which in my opinion would have LOOKED better, but like I said, the steak was manna from heaven for two very hungry missionaries. :)

Here is the photo of Chris, John, and Ty before the evening ended. 

Someday, when I think about it and am in my computer, I will post information about John's missionary work. 

Santa has already come to town...

It started two weeks ago!  Santa came to town! I am not sure if it's a religious competition between Christians and Muslims to see who can carry out their holidays the longest... and I don't really care....cuz... I love Christmas!! :)

So, Gabby and I were at lunch Saturday and she decided to get her photo taken. The joys of being an only child!  (The boys are in Boreno.  See previous post.)

🎶🎄Cuz we all need a little Christmas...🎅🎶

The Boys are off to Borneo!

Today the boys leave for their school trip to Borneo!  I am becoming a pro at this as I didn't start packing until 8:30 last night and was done by 9:00. I do think I over packed though... I will bet that I only needed to pack two pairs of underwear, t-shirts, and shorts. They are boys after all!  The nastier the better!  Their duffle bags will stink to high heaven next weekend!  

Have a great time boys!!

Their buddy Zedd...

The whole middle school in Tembag. 

xoxo

Happy Birthday 12th Gavin!!

Another season of birthdays finished...

Happy Birthday Gavin!!

Cake at home...

Hot Stone and ice cream at the Lupe! :)