December

  The end of another school term! We celebrated their last day with cake and ice cream and Malt. They always enjoy cakes with their names on.

Our family went to Mable's Table for supper to celebrate. The end of a school term always feels like a reason to celebrate our survival of another year.

This little girl and little boy are 7 and 6 years old. They come with us to church almost every Sunday.

Just another beautiful evening on the beach. I am so thankful we get to live so close to this beauty!

We moved school and Duane and Kaylene and Heidi to their new house. New for them! I was looking forward to school being able to settle into a routine, and hopefully us as well, but it was not to be.

I guess you could say we moved school Ghana style! We weren't going far!

We flew home for Jarell's funeral. I was reminded again just how much I dislike travel. But travelling with a sweet little girl helps! Especially when you can give her back to her mom and dad when she cries!

We were blessed in so many ways by being there for the funeral and viewing. It was a draining two days but I am so glad we could be there.

The afternoon after the funeral we were at my parents and I noticed this rose sheltered in a south east corner. It was like a gift from God reminding me that even in our cold and bleak times in life, there is still beauty.

We really enjoyed connecting with family and friends while we were in the US. No matter how long we are gone it is wonderful knowing we always have people to go back to!

The little people grow so much in a year! And our children were thrilled that Grandma made a piniata!

The children even got some Christmas gifts! 

And of course we ate very well!

It was extra special to meet this neice while she was tiny. Usually we miss those first snuggly weeks.

And one thing all our family misses in Ghana, good subs!!

But as always it was good to be back. Everywhere we go and many times throughout the weeks since being back we talk about Jarell. The young men that knew him here all ask and wonder how the funeral was. How I would have loved to take them all. It would have done them good to hear and feel the quiet sorrow and the message of hope. So many times my mind compared their funerals to Jarells and I am so glad for the way we do things. The thing that kept coming to mind was, we don't grieve as those with no hope. 

We spent a beautiful evening on the beach where we often went with Jarell. Kenny went out with his surf board and my mind went to the many evenings the two of them competed with those waves with no success.

Christmas parties were delayed but the school children enjoyed one.

And the teachers at the shop enjoyed one as well. Duane taught them how to play black 7 and they seemed to enjoy it.

  And just like that December was over! It was a sobering end to our year with a reminder of how quickly things can change and how we must not take time and people for granted. The year ahead looks big with many changes and adjustments, however we were reminded on Sunday of how God was with Joshua and He will be with us as well.