JUNE 2008 CATCH UP

Since our last pics on the blog, it seems like so much has happened. Eye surgery taking a huge chunck of that time. Will add a few pics of life amidst the chaos of stuff and ministry.

Kara and her little guinea pig, Marble. This little rodent is perhaps the cutest ever. And, certainly gets a lot more attention than many people in the world. Mark also created the best double story cage for her. So on nice days we put her on the grass and she climbs down the ladder. And, at night or during rainy times we pull up the ladder and she's on the veranda safe and dry. We didn't realise how vocal guinea's are...

JJ and Mark were very excited to find a remote control airplan strip and school just 15 minutes drive away in Mandini. Someone has even offered to teach them how to fly. Mark has a trainer plane and is building another. But note, he has been building it since he was in standard 7 tho. JJ gets him at it more often, tho not often enough for JJ. The plane in this pic with JJ is not ours tho.

Mark folks came to visit us in May. It was their first visit to Sunbury, so its nice to know they 'know' where we are. They had a good rest and we loved having them. They had just put Marks sister and their other grandchild, Candice on the plane to New Zealand. So we are all still getting used to them not being close anymore.

Kara's 7 year birthday celebration was held amidst Rock Stars (as seen above) with much noise, crafts, tea and cake, pizza and a guitar cake.

We also had J's birthday party at Sunbury this year. Hot wheel racing car cake, fear factor candy and a flour and water bomb fight with the dads being the fun of the day. The families of Sunbury finished it off with a braai by the pool.

School continues. As evidenced in this photo, we can see that Kara learns best in color. All their skills are progressing nicely. J continues his judo and Kara continues her rhythmical gymnastics.

The sugar cane farms around us have been cutting cane. Before they do so, they burn it first. The fires around Sunbury have been unbelievable. Up to 3 stories high just about right up to our electric fence. But it all seemed so well controlled that the animals didn't even seem concerned.

We have painted the walls of our lounge (sitting room). Its our first time ventureing away from white.

Sadly, Barbs dad, George Engler, died suddenly a week after recieving a leukemia diagnosis. We all miss him dreadfully and are struggling thru figuring out life without him here. But, we are thankful for the many blessings he brought into our lives.

Barb - 'my dads life showed me thru his example, that my Father in heaven loves me regardless of what I do, that he loves me so much that He would die on the cross to save me and that He is committed to me thru the ups and downs of life'. Thank you Lord for dad.