The Garners

Okay, before I put up some new pics, I wanted to tell you all of this amazing couple we have gotten to know over the last month. Bobby and Candice Garner have spent time with our church family over January because we are going to be their "host" family when they go off to Jinja, Uganda to be missionaries. When I think of missionaries, I think of people going out to villages and handing out Bibles. Well that is sad. I am embarrased to say that, but I am being honest. Now that I know 3 missionary families that have all recently moved back to the states after 8 or more years in Africa, I know that handing out Bibles is a small percentage of what they do when they are over there building relationships!!! What I love about what Bobby and Candice are doing is that they are going to really help the Ugandian people. Bobby is working with the Mvule project, which is all about planting trees. Candice is going to work with the Basoga people with literacy. In the process of helping the people I know that their infectious love for the Lord will spread! I am so amazed at their willingness and courage to leave everything behind and go to the other side of the world. I envy that a little, maybe a lot. Life in the states is overwhelming: too many choices, too busy, too money driven, too much noise! I long for simple, quiet, community and sharing the Lord all day long while being His hands and feet to a hungry people. I say that and it sounds so great, but in reality it is hard work!
Anyway, If any of you are interested in what my friends are doing over there, here are some websites to look at:
mvuleproject.org
booksforbasoga.com
Good Stuff!

Sweet cheeks

I found myself out of diapers, thinking I had a bag in the closet, but finding out I did not, I had to stick a Newborn diaper on Eli until dad got home with the diapers. This is how a newborn size diaper looks on a 7 month old! Look at those sweet cheeks peeking out of the top. I would show the front side, but I will spare Eli the embarrasment! Let's just leave it at "speedo"!

Flower Girl and Ring Guard

Alexis and Aaron were in Kevin's cousin David's wedding after Christmas! They did a great job! Aaron thought he was pretty cool in that tuxedo! Alexis did not go down the aisle at the rehearsal, which really made us a bit nervous. But, the next day she decided that she was going to do it and it would be fine. Sure enough, she did do it and she was very meticulous about where the flower petals went as whe walked down. I asked her later why she did her job at the wedding but not at the rehearsal, she simply replied "I was just not ready yet." HMMM? Okay?

versatile laundry basket

I needed to put Eli somewhere safe for a second while I put the laundry away. i thought this was a pretty good place. Aaron liked it, too, because he got to push Eli around in it. Great until he starts to pull up, then, not so great!

Houston Christmas

Grandmommy and Eli

Me, MiMi, and the boys watching Polar Express

Little Lauren dancing with Santa

Aaron's first Christmas gift

Christmas morning, Lexi and her pink guitar with "no cartoon characters"

Dad and Eli

All of the 6 grandchildren in their Christmas Eve pajamas

Family tradition: Uncle Mike and Uncle Ryan arm wrestling, I won't say who won

Another tradition: DaDaDa in his Christmas pajamas reading "The Night Before Christmas", but I think this story was Cajun style.

bashful AAron and his hero, Ryan

Ryder and Aaron, the first night we were there

Lexi, Emily, and Aaron in Grandmommy's bed watching Christmas specials

These pics are in random order, I know, I am still trying to figure out how this blog posting works. We had a great time--17 of us under one roof. It went pretty well, though. Thank you to Grandpa and Grandmommy for sharing their home with all of us, and for a great dinner out for Kevin's 30th birthday, yes, he is 30 now!!! The Christmas dinner was also wonderful. Houston weather was not real Christmas-like, But it was a blessing to be able to play outside--thank you, Lord.