I know I'm a little late on the greetings, but I always figured better late then never right? :) Our Christmas was a quieter affair than usual (no duh), but it turned out way better than we were expecting! We spent the day with just us and the kiddos, and then had some neighbors over for supper and games in the evening. It turned out wonderful. The kids were excited about their presents and really got the hang of ripping wrapping paper off! We had received the packages from Clinton's family before Christmas so there were gifts from back home for the kids as well. We're still waiting on the package from my family to make it here (and praying it does eventually).
For New Year's Eve the kids went to bed as usual and Clinton & I watched a movie and went to bed early (party poopers I know!) :) It was nice though!
Clinton's ministry at the hangar has been going so well, he's made friends with the guys there and definitely feels a part of the aviation team. He is able to tease and joke with the guys at the hangar so that has been a big help in making him feel comfortable there. They in turn make fun of his food that he brings for lunches (ie. chicken balls, new years cookies, etc.). It's interesting different people's backgrounds are, even in a missionary community! :) It's good!
I have loved being in the clinic and being able to serve in this way. My pidgin is slowly improving as I converse with Bonita (the national worker in the clinic) and with the national patients who come into the clinic. This past week we had an emergency helicopter medevac from a remote tribal location to our soccer field here at Lapilo. The missionary who came to us ended up having viral meningitis and was quite ill, though he is doing much better now. It was a thrill for me to run down to the soccer field to meet the helicopter and my patient (definitely a new experience). Unfortunately for the missionary, helicopter landings on the soccer field are not a common occurrence so he was a bit of a celebrity when he arrived. :)
Tayah has been doing so well with homeschooling. Today I spelled out the letters j-u-m-p and she was so proud of herself when she got it! I admit I was quite proud of her myself! She makes me look like a good homeschooling parent, but in all honesty it's not my gift. She's just a very smart girl! :) I look forward to her joining the school here at Lapilo next year.
Aowyn broke her arm on boxing day. She was wearing Tayah's shoes and walking on the retaining wall outside our house and she fell off. It's only a 2 foot fall but she must have landed on her wrist. In any case, she now has a red cast for the next week and hopefully it should heal well. She has been great with the cast (though it is quite dirty by now) and she gets mad at me when I won't let her in the tub with Rorik. She only gets sponge baths for now! :) When she wants my attention she just bangs her cast on the table (silly girl).
Rorik is getting so big...he is now 4 inches taller than Aowyn and quite a bit heavier. They are looking less and less like twins, though Rorik's vocabulary is still very limited. (or perhaps I just can't understand him!) :) In any case, he's getting to be a very big boy. He loves all trucks, trains, helicopters, etc. We bought him a knock-off Buzz Lightyear toy out here for Christmas and he loves it! (even though it has now lost both legs and his head a few times, though the head still clicks back on). It's a leg-less Buzz, but he still loves it. :) Rorik also has started growling at everyone, I don't what he thinks it is, but it's not human. :) Mostly he's just cute, but occasionally he gets into trouble as his listening skills are not the greatest at times. (he's 2 right?)
Overall we're doing really well out here, it's still tough with missing family, but we're adjusting well. We were able to skype with family over Christmas and it was great! We saw some siblings and nieces and nephews that we hadn't seen since we got here so that was a huge blessing.
As we usher in this new year, we are looking forward to the many ways God is going to use us out here in PNG and also the many things He's going to teach us and bless us with. We are so thankful for our many friends and family members and our church family members who are praying for us and encouraging us.
Love you all!
