Busy Kids

Our numbers were down this week at church but that did not deter the kids energy. Colds and flu are going strong right now on the islands. I have been struggling with my umpteenth Autoimmune issue and caught a cold on top of that. We're going to try to catch a specialist on our way through Hawaii on our vacation to the states in April. Thank you to Liesl Waldrum's friend who sent several boxes of really nice little boys clothes and shoes. Lee and I carried them to church yesterday and they were all gone by the time we left. I bought Lee snorkeling gear for Christmas. He started using it a couple weeks ago. The water is very clear here and you can see for a long ways when you put your head under the water. The number of beautiful fish you can see is unlimited. The only thing you have to watch out for is burning the back side of your legs and back. He is enjoying his new hobby.

Asher Wade Howell

Our grandson, Asher Wade Howell, was born a couple weeks early on Jan. 26th to Thomas and Bonnie Howell, weighing 7lbs 4 oz. & 20 1/2' long. Big sister, Julianna has been a big help to her Mom and can barely drag herself away from her little brother to go to school. Bonnie had the flu and was dehydrated. After up chucking, her water broke and they barely made it to the hospital. When Bonnie laid down on the delivery table Asher was waving hello. Bonnie said Asher was very alert afterwards because it all happened so quickly he was not worn out by hours of working hard to be born. Bonnie and Asher are doing great. It rained on the kids on the way to and from church yesterday. Lee and I made it onto the ferry without getting wet but it poured on the ride back to Kwaj and we sat in the wrong spot. We both got drenched. I had on a cotton skirt and I was afraid I was getting into a wet tee shirt situation before I got off the ferry. The road between Ebeye and Gugeegue was worse than ever from waves washing over the road. We had a good service with everyone.

Lee & I made a trip to Guegeegue this morning to take the TV and cart to the church building. Made it back to watch the second half of the super bowl.

Granddaughters

We are looking forward to being able to hug these sweet granddaughters as well as their parents in April and meet our new grandson that is due in February. There were a bunch of medical Dr's and nurses on the ferry ride over and back from Ebeye on Sunday. The Dr's are specialist from all over the US who are going to be spending two weeks at the hospital on Ebeye. They were telling us about how most of the US was frozen under ice right now. It was 86 degrees but actually not quite as humid yesterday so it was more comfortable than normal. I think all the Dr's were enjoying the warmth. Great bunch of people.

Crop

This is the best tomato crop I have ever had in mid January. The environmentalist won't allow any kind of bug killer on the island that you can use on your vegtables. It is frustrating to sit and watch the critters eat up your plants. A big thank you to Dean & Becky Lightfoot who sent a box of goodies for the kids. A huge thank you to Monica Wiggins and her family for more boxes of supplies and cash. Monica has been our most steady giver, sending at least two boxes each month. Both are part of Amy's Army, or as I like to call them our AA group. (I'm teasing Amy) Hope you are doing better Amy. Get better soon! Blessings to all.

Police Car Collapse

This is one of the police cars parked by the dock on Ebeye. I don't know how old this car is, but I would guess it was used five years or less. They have newer pick ups now, but I don't think this car will get them anywhere any time soon.

Cars, or anything metal will not last long in the Marshall Islands. The salt water just eats it up. The spokes on my new tricycle that we bought just before Christmas are already severely rusting. It is clear we will have to get new spokes in six months or less.

The kids were belting out the songs in class this morning. It is really cute to watch the littlest kids who usually cry the first time they see us to sit on the front bench trying their hardest to do all the hand signs and sing the songs when most of them don't understand English. It's amazing that several dozen cookies and numerous pieces of gum will change a cry into a smile. They are precious souls.