snowy Minnesota days

Our first few days in MN have been restful and enjoyable as we've for the most part taken it easy and just spent time with family. We arrived to a sparklingly beautiful world of thick, freshly-fallen snow. John and Sam loved going for a walk on White Bear Lake ("It's solid!" as John gleefully noted), on a sunny winter day.

They sledded with Grandma in the front yard...

And, today, with uncle John and uncle Timo at Yost Park. They loved going down the hills on the sleds!

John's also enjoying doing all sorts of stuff with uncle Timo, even washing dishes.

At least once or twice a month...

This is Adam.  Below is a great little video talking about some of the difficulties in Bible Translation.  I laughed when I first saw this video because when I'm working with the Gbaya team I  some what regularly (at least once or twice a month) come across the same kinds of misunderstandings of the Bible due to cultural differences. 

Not only can I help Gbaya people see past their culture to understand a text better, but the Gbaya people themselves help me to understand Scripture better. I get to see Scripture through their eyes and often I'm challanged by their correct interpretations because of their culture.  The video is right in showing the work of Wycliffe but not complete in that it doesn't show that the same 'revelations' happen the other way around too.  And I'm glad that I get to participate on both sides of that process.

first week on the road

It has been a sweet week, travelling towards the cold north land, and making the most of our time with loved ones along the way. To be sure, there have been moments when we all felt tired of travelling, of all this change...

But the tradeoff? As always, during the many transient seasons of our lives, the sheer joy of fellowship and laughter and times that we get to spend with those we love far outweigh the inconvenience of living out of a suitcase and not having a good answer to the question: "So where do you live?"

This week, there were lots of happy reunions. First, a good friend in Indianapolis. Then, overnight with more good friends in IL, who we hadn't seen since our study time in France several years ago. Then, visiting Esther at Wheaton College!

We so enjoyed spending several days of being with Esther during the times when she was free from class and studying. We even got to celebrate her 21st birthday with her and some of her friends--so special!

Tonight is a calm and happy night. We have travelled just a bit further past Wheaton, and are staying at one of our favorite places, Moose Trail Lodge, the home of some dear friends of ours--the Drinkalls. We look forward to spending a few days here with them, their church, and their family...

...meanwhile, the boys make the most of opportunities to make snow angels and snowmen: the further north we go, the more snow there is!

two North Carolina weeks

Our first two weeks back in America, spent in North Carolina, have been most memorable. Tomorrow we leave for a month and a half of visiting other family and friends from here to Minnesota, before coming back here. Here are a few photos of all we've done and who we've spent happy days with the past couple weeks...

Sweet cuddles with Grandmama...

 downtown sightseeing in Hendersonville...

countless games of "Hey Cow!" (never played it? Ask me how!)

Adam and Tom visiting Mac & Doris, sweet friends who donated us a car (what generosity!)

Making "baby biscuits" with Granddaddy...

 planting a tree in memory of Mamaw...

visiting the historic bakery where Granddaddy and Grandmama first met!

playing in the snow for the very first time (they were so excited, they just put on their snow clothes on top of their jammies to race out and play in the snow as fast as possible: good thing, as the snow melted within hours once the warm sun rose)...

taking pictures of an obliging cultural icon familiar to all Americans who drive the side roads during "tax season":

and visiting dear friends and family, like Uncle Pat and Aunt Sandy...

You can see we had quite a full two weeks? Yes, and a wonderful "first two weeks back in the States," made special by those we spent the days with.

Funny side note. When we were at the hardware store in Hendersonville, Grandmama told John he could pick out one thing to buy, and he picked an Elmo lunchbox. I was perusing some items when John came up to me holding this lunchbox pictured below, and handed to me, exclaiming, "Mama, you are a grownup, so you should get this lunchbox, with the big mans on it!"

I didn't actually end up getting it, but I appreciated his sentiments on my behalf. Oh wait, but maybe I should have gotten this for a certain dear friend and blog reader? (You know who you are).