I'm In Love!!!

I am so in love with this kid. We are having so much fun with him. You would think you would get tired of all the new things a baby does by baby number four. But on the contrary, Jeff is convinced Zach is happier and has more smiles than all our other kids. He is just SO Cute! He is also very ticklish. :)




That is just a sock on his hand, his feet are not up by his face!

MTI Training!!!

We are leaving at 6:30 AM on Monday May 26th for Mission Training International in Colorado. We will be there for five weeks during which we will be trained in Language Acquisition Techniques and the vitals of cross-cultural ministry. We will be in classes Monday through Friday and our kids will attend classes as well. We will be staying on this compound where all the classes are held. There are 60 people total in these classes and living on this compound. Please pray for our safety during our travels and for these five weeks, that we will get all we can out of it. Also continue to pray for our support to come in. We are currently at 35% of our support and we would still love to leave in August if we could reach 100% by then.

Zachariah's Smiles

Jeff put together this amazing video and I wanted to share it here in case anyone didn't get the email from him.

A Sprinkler???

MaryLou heard what sounded like a sprinkler left on as she headed upstairs, so she began looking in the bushes. After seeing no water, an Erie feeling crept over her and she called for Jeff to come quickly. After confirming that it was in fact a Rattle Snake, they called Harley and began the hunt to get it out of the bushes and kill it. (Sorry animal lovers...) The kids all watched from a high perch on the porch, and MaryLou actually swung the fatal blow.






I swung a few more blows just to make sure. I have children nearby after all. Many thanks to our cat who sniffed it out and got it's rattler going. And to the vultures who made off with it! I hope that's the last one around here, but I doubt it!

the BOW

OK... MaryLou found this bow when we had Harley so I just had to pass it on to my niece. I think she looks adorable in that bow. I can't wait to hold her...



Eliana Grace



Jeff and Eliana



Angela and Harley

Eliana Grace Kunkle

I have a lot to praise God for this week. My brother Jeff and his wife Angela have been on a long road to have a baby. Many of you, my dear friends and readers have prayed for them with me over the years. Well yesterday they gave birth to a little girl. (Or I should say a big girl!) Eliana Grace Kunkle. (It means God has answered our Prayers.) She was born in Zeeland Michigan at 2:52 AM and was 21 inches and 9 Pounds. I am a very proud Auntie!!

Seeing my Dad

I am so behind in my blogging... when is there time these days??? OK, so last week on Wednesday my dad (who lives in Michigan and is a charter pilot) got a flight to Hanford California. (About three hours from here.) He was only going to be on the ground for three hours but we couldn't resist the chance to see him and have him meet Zachariah. SO we left our house at 6:30 AM and drove to Hanford to surprise my dad. He was thrilled that we had made the effort and we loved every minute of our short few hours with him!!! Drew missed a field trip to see a play that day, but his field trip with us included sitting in my dads Jet. Pretty cool exchange I would say.

Highlights of Womens Retreat 2008

* Staying in the most beautiful Hotel with the most beautiful view!!!


* Playing Spoons till all hours of the night with friends!
* Shopping in Pismo with those friends, and getting a special gift for a special friend!

* Being with Friends from Ojai that I only see once or twice a year!!!


* Sharing my newest Joy... Zachariah with my dear friends.

* And coming to know more than ever that God has us in this place in life for a reason. It was a wonderful weekend!!!

**** And Oh YES.... The Chocolate was amazing!!!

Off Again...

I am happy to announce that I am headed to Avila Lighthouse Hotel for two days for Ojai Valley Community Church's Womens Retreat. Yea... MaryLou gave this weekend to me for a Christmas gift and I am SO grateful. Cheers for a wonderful Lulu!!! Plus... Zachariah has slept through the night for the past three nights... so that is just in time to keep me well rested to party with my girls. Here I come...