February

February stuff

  Again, it's not all that we did - but it's easiest to post pictures and write about them.  The normal, mundane things don't usually get a lot of special recognition and this month is no exception... So here's at least a peek into some of the more photogenic events of our month. :-)  

Our family enjoys 'family time'.  We often take a packed meal or buy something and head to a point or beach.  This time we did some fishing at "Hallelujah point".

 We rejoice with Kenisha as she's made a wonderful decision to live for Jesus, be baptized, and join the Laborie church.

 Independence Day is February 7.  It was celebrated by making 'oil down' for the 2 schools, having a program in the church, and walking the cross country route.(for the younger children it's about a 2 mile walk/run, and for the older children it's a 3 mile walk/run)  

 This was the gathering for prayer before the meal.

 Eating "oil down".

 Josh High had visitors down that helped start this project.  This will be a storage/supply room for the school.

So, what happens when Mr. Brent throws this package with this note to the Lapp children?

A fun water battle.  I even got some sprinkles as I was washing dishes:)

 He had a pack too but ran out before our children.  Thanks for playing with our children, Brent!

 Happy 5th birthday, Shawn!  He wanted to take his cake to our staff picnic on his birthday.

 Scott and Yvonne had family visitors here.

Arlen and Sharon had a friend visiting.  Also, a board member, Ken Martin, his wife, Lucy, their daughter and son-in-law Doug and Kelsey Stoltzfus, Doug is a brother to teacher Rhonda.

We have some very tame chickens which makes it harder to let them out cause they visit the classrooms any chance they get if we don't watch them close enough.

A supper outing with the Limes staff, deputation couple, Ken & Lucy, and Rhonda's brother, Doug and his wife and little girl, and Rachel Brown.

The starting of the cross country run for the younger division.  Conrad came 2nd!

This is a Canadian youth group that came for a week, They stayed in Laborie most of their time here, but did projects around our place one day.  They all did an amazing job and we hope some of them will return someday for a longer time:)

The boys' bedroom got a 'face lift'.



We had a week of crusade meetings in Laborie. Pastor Conhi from the Laura church was the speaker and he poured his heart out.  We were challenged and encouraged!  Thank you, Pastor Conhi, for being willing to be used in this way, since Pastor John was not able to be here. Saturday, we had an afternoon service and then a pot of pilau for everyone.  It was just lovely!  A special time of fellowship with church and community people.

  This was Sunday morning and Bro. Thaddeus led a group in some special singing.

Thanks again for praying for us!

January

  Here is a glimpse of our lives in January.  It's hard to believe January is finished already.  As fast as the past month went, the next couple of months will be a blur.

Mr. Brent was showing children a phase of a caterpillar's life.  Going from a caterpillar to a cocoon.

Every Tuesday, Dervin's and us take turns making supper for the single staff.  We like to do picnic meals pretty often.

'Real Men' wash dishes!!!!

Playing 'bite-em' for Jr. youth night.

There was a sail boat race off the Grand Anse beach one Saturday.  It wasn't much to see, although we felt sorry for the one boat that blew over and it took a long time to get it back up to the beach.

Football season is here!! Groan!!!  This year the large speakers are up on the basket ball court so the beat of the music doesn't seem quite as intense as other years.....but it's still horribly loud music from 6:00-10:00 every Sunday night for the next couple months.

A container ship docked at the port.

"But my God shall supply all your/my need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!"

We are very blessed - and can agree with Paul that God is faithful and has supplied for all our needs! 

December

"The Joy of the Lord is my strength"

This is so true!!  I painted this on one of the walls in our house and it's such a good reminder, daily. 

We are entering "visitor season" which usually lasts until the end of July.  We are thankful for all the visitors that come and appreciate the energy and encouragement they bring.  Along with this season, there seems to be more of a battle of knowing how to prioritize time.  One thing that could possibly happen is that this blog may not get much attention, or maybe we will figure out how to shorten the posts and try to still let you know how we are doing briefly.

December is our birthday month, which we celebrate 3 of them....Jesus, Conrad, and Nicki!  We have lots of cake for a short time, cause this mom don't usually bake a cake unless there's a birthday.  

Every other year, our churches have a Bible Conference which is geared toward encouraging the churches. This was the year for that and Bro, Raymond Burkholder was an excellent speaker for this week and taught out of the book of Acts.  We were so encouraged and challenged to walk closer to Jesus.

This was the group that attended most of the messages of the Bible Conference. These are Members and attenders of the Limes and Laborie churches.

Bro. Raymond planned a drive around the island to unwind from the week and these men were happy to join him.  There's some interesting videos on youtube that Ryan posted from their day.  Google 'Ryan Horst Grenada' if you want to see more.
L.- R.  Arlen Kraybill, Raymond, Marvin, Josh High, Ryan Horst

One Sunday was a community Christmas party in the Limes and there were donkey and horse rides in the pasture.  The bigger party was on the court, but we didn't attend that.

Every Friday night, Guayve, a big fishing community about half way up the West side of the island, has booths set up and sell foods with fish.  It's called 'fish Friday'.  This was the first time we went and I'm pretty sure we'll go again.

Danny found a way to bless us with a Christmas present.  He trimmed our overgrown bush.  Sure was a blessing!

 Christmas Caroling at the Spiceland Mall (IGA)

Nicki and baby Tessa, Sammy and Jana's little girl.

Wes, Heidi and their family came December 24th.  We had so much fun just being together.  We did a little Christmas caroling......

 spent a day with church folks and ate good food (this was 'Boxing Day')......

 helped out with a cottage meeting, and spent time with Sammy's since he made us a pot of 'oil down'.

 We also spent a night in a hotel on the north side of the island and did some sightseeing on the ride North.  This get-away was probably the highlight for our family.

Gwyneth ate and ate, but I guess she was still hungry:)

The children spent some time on the hammocks that were on the veranda where we stayed.

This was the scene from our douplex.

Eating at the restaurant where we spent 2 days.

Oh, Charlie, what a cutie!!

The boys played and played.  This was a game of 'S-P-U-D'.

Airports are a happy place, and a sad place......it was hard to see them leave!

The day Wes' left, we had 'old year's night' (New Year's Eve) for the community.  There are planned games and then a pinata.  We had a pizza snack and then looked at old pictures on a projector.  I wish you could have all heard the laughter and hooting at the pictures.   Around 11:30, the group went up a mountain to watch fireworks.

Thanks again for praying for us!