Jacquie Kerongo

Jacquie and Lucas Summer 2011

 This is Jacquie, from Kenya Africa. She is beautiful both inside and out. We were blessed to have her stay with us for 10 months and now she is set to head home on October 17th. When the kids pray for Jacquie they pray for their friend and her family being reunited. Of course they say it more like, "And I pray for Jacquie who misses her family so she is going to see them but then she will miss us. Mommy, won't she miss us? I will miss her."

Gabe, Brody, Jacquie, Raegan Summer 2011

Little Brody started crying in the car when I announced that she would be flying back to Kenya. He has such a compassionate heart and such empathy. Where he gets it from must be my Mom or Brad's Mom cause it kinda missed the Becky and Brad pool:). Brody asked if we could go to Kenya to visit her--now that's a loaded question. Can we, yes. Can we afford to? 6 of us?! However, Grace has a missions trip planned for 2013 to Kenya and I am definitely going to begin praying for the possibility of Brody and I going on that trip! It's never too early to begin praying. He will then be 6. Is that old enough for a trip like that? I believe for him it will be--I think he is going to be our little missionary. If you have a prayer list or tink of it please pray for our dear friend Jacquie as she will begin doing ministry back in Nairobi. Pray for supporters, the right fit in a ministry, her physical safety on her return and once back home (some native Kenyans that came to live in America have been robbed and murdered when returning home.)

Thoughts of a 6 year old

Tonight I was praying with Raegan. I have been really working on being more intentional about my prayers. Being more specific for areas of praise and growth. Praying for my kids futures, including their potential spouse, college and careers. Tonight I specifically prayed that the Lord would make it clear to Raegan as she gets older for a career that would be fulfilling and really use her gifts and talents. I am amazed at how short sighted that may have been. When I was done praying she said, "Mom, I think I know what I want to be." I asked her "What" expecting something like, a pilot, teacher, dancer--you know the typical 6 year old response. She said, "I think I want to be a stay at home mom." Truly beautiful. I paused and took that in and then asked her why. In her tender 6 year old voice she said, "because then I can spend quality time with my kids each day." Of course now I am wondering how she feels about my work, which takes me all over creation. I asked if she wished I were a stay at home mom? She said that I have a good job and that she does get to be with me on weekends and I take vacation days to be with her so that was okay.

I realized tonight many things. One is that my daughters love language is quality time.

Harrassment!

In response to several people urging me to update my blog (since it has been over a year!) I thought I better. Especially since we now have 4 kids and little Lucas has been left in the dust. At this juncture i believe my mantra is "Do it now, it won't wait." Why? Because when I tell Gabe (3) to give me a minute before helping him on the toilet, in order to finish pulling lunch out of the oven, I now have another mess to clean up:) It's either on the floor OR he has opted to get off the toilet himself leaving treasures on the toilet seat! Lovely. I should buy stock in Lysol Wipes.

Life is always busy. Doesn't matter how many kids I just like the busy life. Whenever I try to slow down I find myself being lazy and just sleeping. I love sleep but it seems like such a waste and afterward I feel guilty for not doing something more productive with my time. Like hanging out with the kids.

Raegan just graduated from kindergarten and she already likes boys! Whose kid is this anyway?! She is basically a mini-me but far smarter. Seriously, who teaches a 6 year old how to be so manipulative? Last night we were having dinner on the deck and she wanted to sit in Brody's spot and he wasn't having anything to do with it. She was trying every technique from I'll give you my dessert to you can have a sleep over. I ran inside (okay walked) to get more milk and when I got back out there she was in his spot! I asked Brody how Raegan got him out of his chair and he said, "She said please." I am proud of her for figuring that out but I believe it says a lot about Brody's character at the young age of four.

Speaking of his character, we were coming in from the garage a few weeks ago and Gabe noticed I had a pop in my hand. He said, "Mom, you are my best friend. Can I have a drink of your pop?" Of course I had to say yes to that--who could resist! Brody was right in front and heard the whole thing. I asked him if he'd like a drink of pop and who was his best friend. He said, "I'm sorry it's not you mommy." I was surprised seeing as I had the pop in my hand. Then he looked at me and said, "God is my best friend." AHHHHH. And yes, he got 2 drinks!

Enough for now--back to writing curriculum for a Club Med training I am headed to on Sunday!