First Time for TCK

 First time with a small version of Clifford- the big red dog

 First time playing with an outdoor laser gun

 First time on a climbing wall

 First time in a life size hamster ball

 Ben climbing the wall

 Bradley did well climbing

Ami coming down.

We enjoyed this small "fair" in Santa Clarita. It's so fun to see the kids experiencing things for the first time and asking questions like, "What is that?" Those TCK a.k.a third culture kids- we love them.

Early morning UK cousins

 Cousin Julia, Ethan and Aunty Linda

Alli, Brad, Ben, Ami and Aunty Nita

We miss our British cousins very much and so we sent good morning pictures to each other.

Royal Birthdays

The kids and I with Babushka- Irina Biedebach, grandpa Mark's wife. Grandpa Mark turned 81 today and so we went out to celebrate after church today at one of our favourite restaurants in Long Beach.

My dearest mother also celebrated her birthday today and incidentally so does the Queen of England:)

This was when they saw us off at the airport before we were landed in CA.  I do miss her very much, but get to speak to her often, for which I am grateful.  She is doing well health-wise, despite the fact that her cancer has now moved into her lymph nodes. She looks great, doesn't she? Keep her in your prayers if you think of it. We'd appreciate that.

Wedding Bells

 The most radiant Mrs. Amanda Simwaka

It was years ago that Kwacha shared of his desire to marry a truly godly woman. I remember how he would come over on Wednesday nights for dinner before youth group and how we would chat about what he wanted in a wife.  God has blessed him and answered his prayers.  Kwacha was beaming and we were thrilled to be in CA to attend this very special occasion. We thank the Lord for bringing them together and are so excited to see how the Lord will use this wonderful couple for His glory.

Benjamin was in the wedding and he loved that he got to walk down the aisle and high-five Kwacha on the big stage:)

Front and Back

 This is the front view of the sweetest good morning face.

This is the back view of the same sweetest good morning face and I promise no hairspray, teasing or any electricity was used. This is how she wakes up a lot of the time!

A 100th Birthday

 Today we celebrated Brian's, great aunt Betty's 100th birthday.  We enjoyed a most delicious Italian lunch in Santa Barbara with Aunt Betty, her son and daughter-in-law.  We had a great time celebrating with them. Aunt Betty is one of the most faithful people we know. She continually reminds us of her prayers for us as we serve in Africa.

Doesn't she look amazing!

Our hearts ache

Today was the funeral service for my sister, Linda Russell's, sister-in-law.  I have cried so much, but I know and fully trust God's sovereign plans.  Thanking God too, that sweet Lana is no longer suffering.  She is without pain and in the presence of her Saviour.

James and Lana graciously hosted us when we went to visit London before a missions' conference.

Lana suffered from cystic fibrosis and was not sure she would ever have children.  Here she is with the first of her two boys.

That's Ami sitting on Lana's lap. My sister regarded Lana like her own sister.  They lived a couple doors down the road from each other and would get together all the time.

Her smile says it all. I don't know of a day that Lana wasn't happy.

This was at our house in South Africa before James and Lana left South Africa for the UK.

This was a ladies' tea at our house.

Lana giving her testimony before her baptism at Grace Christian Church in Primrose.

Christmas at our house in South Africa - 2002

Lana with the red Christmas hat on.

Our prayers are for James, Jaden and Evan.

That God would grant them His comfort during this very difficult time.

Special Aunts

 Aunt Sharon and Breanna

 Allison- this was her first time- a real treat from her aunt!

Aunt Lisa with Breanna and Allison

Biedebachs and Hartys

We love spending time with our cousins. It was so good to see cousin Jake again. He visited us in 2011 on a mission trip to Malawi. Sharon's husband, Keith is standing.

Fort Worth Zoo

 We enjoyed a great day at the Fort Worth Zoo.

A kangaroo

 In the bird enclosure the kids were able to get real close to them. Their cousin, McKenna, bought them all a seed stick which attracted the birds.

 Cousin McKenna 

We saw several animals we had never seen before including this huge white tiger.