Indoor Nature

It's not like our boys don't get exposed to nature on a regular basis. Maybe we thought they would feel more at home with a little more nature while we were in the States. Yesterday we took the boys to the Great Plains Nature Center here in Wichita. There weren't any crocodiles, but they did get to pet a lot of wildlife...

well sort of. It was wildlife shapes. Safety first here in the USA!

They loved it! There was a little indoor KS wildlife museum.

{Jonah looking at the cool fish}

This place was their uncle Jon's idea, so he came too! I thought it was sweet of him to think of Jonah and Silas.

There were buttons everywhere... an 18 month old's dream!!!

We went on one of their little trails afterwards and found some ducks.

Jonah and Silas had a blast! It is so much fun watching them experience new things. I love seeing their minds processing it all! We already have plans for another place like this soon.

Great Missions Conference

Last week we were in a missions conference here in Wichita. This church has been supporting us since we were in language school. They are so encouraging to us and really keep up with what is going on in Petén. It was fun introducing them to our boys.

I got to share about our ministry during a ladies' tea, both of us got to present our ministry during an informal question and answer time (which we love), and then Jimmy got to preach on Sunday. I think it will even be on the radio this Sunday. We love it when we are given opportunities to share about Petén.

The church family there is always so kind to us. We enjoyed the missions banquet.

Jimmy's grandparents came to the services too (across from us). It was nice to share this time with them.

We got to catch up with some old friends, sweet couples from Mexico and Guatemala that Jimmy had met through the Spanish ministry. They were very supportive of us when we were leaving for the field 5 years ago, now we got to share with them what God has done so far!

We tried something new this furlough. We didn't want to bring our projector all the way back, but still needed some visuals for when we share about our ministry outside of the main service/auditorium, like a Sunday school class or something. We blew up some of our main pictures and mounted them on foam board.

We reinforced them with grommets and put them on rings. They have been pretty handy so far... and we don't have to worry about technical difficulties!

Arriving in Kansas

Here is a video of our first few moments in KS (Jimmy's home). You can tell who they were waiting for!

Jonah and Silas warmed up to their Grandma, G Dawg, Uncle Jon, Aunt Jill, and future Aunt Robin pretty quickly.

Toys helped.

For a while I thought this cozy coup was going to separate brothers, but I think it is helping them learn to care about each other's feelings. Silas has always been very affectionate towards Jonah. He hugs him and gives him kisses. Jonah is usually too preoccupied. But we have noticed with this coup that each time Silas starts to cry because his brother gets in the car first, Jonah gets out and lets him have it. Jonah doesn't like for his brother to be upset. He loves his brother... I'm relieved!

They like the car best when their uncle Jon turns it into a flying coup.

Silas didn't hear about no texting while driving.

They were worn out after all the new people, surroundings, and things to play with.

At least their "night night" routine was consistent. Right now we are reading through the 23 Psalm each night.

And Silas likes to make his book a hat of course.

Kisses time! Mommy and Daddy got some, but they weren't too sure about everyone else yet! I'm sure they will be passing out kisses very soon.

Hittin' the Road

Friday morning we began our pretty long trek to Arkansas.

For being in the car for 2 days, I thought the boys did very well. They would let us know when they needed a break and we would stop and run around a bit. We try to avoid fast food, but we do like to stop at McDonalds for their coffee and berry smoothies. When Silas sees their smoothie come through the window he starts this very persistent "smoothie grunt." He will share with his brother as long as he gets the first sip and Jonah drinks fast.

Who knew luggage carts could be so fun... and elevator buttons! The boys have been sleeping so good in hotels. We are very thankful.

Sunday morning we got to present our ministry in a new church for us. Larry, one of the men who came down with pastor Andy's team, invited us to his church.

{Larry and his wife, us, and pastor David and his wife}

That really meant a lot to us because Larry didn't know anything about us until he visited. He caught the vision for KBI and the ministry here and then told his pastor about it when he got back. They were so kind to us and we feel like they are excited about getting involved with KBI in whatever way God leads.

{Pastor Andy's church and plane}

Pastor Andy's church is in a town close by. We love spending time with the Schalchlin family! Ms Connie made us a wonderful meal Saturday night. The boys kept a bowl on their trays for the first time ever... because it was full of ice cream!

Jimmy, Andy, and his sons played basketball!

Jonah and Silas got to play outside.

Their kids are so nice to my boys!

We learned a new game, that I'm sure Jonah and Silas will try in our house back home...

blanket sledding!

Sunday night was the first time the boys and I have been to their church.

Pastor Andy gave us the entire service to share our ministry and then there was a big pot luck dinner afterwards. We had a wonderful time!

{Rob and his wife, another man that came down on that team}

We are so thankful for not only their support, but their passion for the Petén.

Monday we made our way to Wichita (Jimmy's home).

Can you tell we like to eat lunch at Cracker Barrel!

Best Visit Yet

I love mornings at my parents' house. The boys wake up giggling ready to snuggle for a minute and then hit the floor running. Then we all eat breakfast together!

Jonah & Silas love this time with their Kiki & Papa!

The boys think the remotes are cell phones. They walk around with them up to their ears and then hand them to us to talk too.

This wagon is a hit! They are worse than the beagle trying to get us to take them for a walk! We went on at least one walk a day.

Jonah loved Papa's piano.

My uncle flew in from KY for my Grandmother's birthday. I was so thankful to get to see him.

Wednesday we drove to Tampa.

On the way we stopped at a Cracker Barrel and I got their last potpie. That was a game we used to play on deputation... get a pot pie before they run out on Wednesdays. I think I got 1 the whole 11 months we were on deputation. Silas is my boy... he was trying to steal it!

I forgot to get a photo Wednesday evening. (It's almost as though if you're not a twin I don't even bother getting out my camera!) We were in Pastor Grover's church. He came down in '09 to teach a KBI module. We were given the entire service to share about KBI. We are thankful to have this church behind us and excited about the future of the pastors institute.

Ross, Jimmy's friend from college, is back from teaching in Korea for 4 years. He drove down from Daytona to spend the day with Jimmy. It was great to catch up. 4 years went by fast!

These were our last days in Jacksonville, they were sweet ones. They were filled with lots of kisses...

and smiles!

We had 2 wonderful weeks in Jacksonville, I wouldn't have changed a thing.