On the Journey

July 4, 2012

18 months old

Ryleigh Elizabeth,

I can't believe how much you've grown since your 1st birthday. You are such a tall girl! You weigh 25 pounds and are 32 inches tall. After what seemed like so long of you only taking a few steps here and there, you've decided you almost like walking as much as crawling. You seem to like walking the most with your hands held high in the air. Sometimes, you seem confused as to how to walk if you are holding something in your hands.

You are such a talker. There are lots of words that you've connected to what they truly mean and we understand what you try to tell us. There are also still lots of times when it's clear you are talking but we have no idea what you are saying! One of the cutest things I think you do, is walk to your highchair when you are ready for lunch or for a snack.

We do let you watch some TV - your favorite is Elmo, but lately you're branching out and enjoying shows like BOZ and bits of the movie Tangled (that's because your Aunt Alanna has been living with us!). You don't watch your Praise Baby videos anymore but you do still like listening to the music from them. If you could carry around the ipod with you all day - you would. You LOVE music - dancing, singing, listening - it doesn't matter - you just like it being in the background of our day.

We've been really enjoying the cooler weather by going outside a lot! We've been playing with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, building things in the sand, swinging in your swing, and going on walks in your stroller around town. You enjoy being outside so much. Often it's the first place you want to go when you wake up. You'll walk down the hallway, point to the front door, & say "Naya" aka Nala. However, once we get outside and Nala barks, you put your finger up to your lips and say "Shhhh". It's pretty adorable!

We love you so much sweet girl and are thankful for every precious moment with you!

July 2, 2012

Bush Trip

Steve left on Wednesday with the guys and headed out to Mahafaly Land. The 1st night they stopped in Betoiky (where they normally stay) and Nathan went to Besatra to set up storying times for the next day. While there he heard exciting news! The Sunday after they ( the guys, Flint, & Michael) did the shoe distribution they had 120 meet together for church. They normally have between 20-30 people. The Sunday after that they had 50 people meet for church. When Grant did the story there on Thursday morning there were 100 people that met for that. The believers there seem to be very excited about the new people meeting with them.

On Thursday and Friday the guys went to a few villages that are further south than they normally travel. Grant wanted the guys to see the town of Ejeda and some of the villages just north of it. There is still no work going on in the area but we are beginning to develop relationships there and earn their trust. The plans are for Steve to begin visiting the villages more often and hopefully start some work there over the next year.

On Saturday they did a story in the village of Kilimary. In that village the believers have been dealing with the struggles of returning to their former ways of ancestor worship. Some had still been going to the witch doctor and had charms to help with sicknesses. Others had gone to a ceremony that they do to help an old man that is sick. It involves dancing, killing a cow, and the old man drinking the blood of that cow. Grant taught on several passages about leaving behind former ways and having a new life in Christ. They responded very well to the teaching and seemed to be very decisive about changing some things they were doing.

Please keep praying for all of the trips out to the bush. The Lord is moving in mighty ways and the Mahafaly people are responding!