The Jolliff Family

What do you do when dad is out of town, the boys are bored and you have a bunch of cardboard laying around?? Build a space ship of course!! The boys were THRILLED!!  These aren't the best pictures but they would not get out for me to get in a take some.  Here is their "control panel" with one more set of buttons above this one. If you look into the round window and out the other window, you will see an astronaut!!  Sam said that if I called them astronauts then I needed to make them a space suit... maybe next time :) And a picture of earth on the other side.  The boys are really enjoying their new "toy" and it is so fun to watch their imaginations run wild with a cardboard box! Have a good weekend, space creatures!

On Saturday we had a free day to explore and enjoy as a family.  We headed to the Children's Museum and it was WONDERFUL!!! Much of the museum was just imaginative play, which was so fun for the age of kids we have! Peek-A-Boo Jacob enjoyed the pots and pans. Sam played some baseball and tried to hit the target.  I was hoping that this activity was sponsored by Target the store and that there was one in the city, but no such thing ;) Learning how a pulley system works. They also had a body exhibit which the kids played in for a little while.  Basically Jacob just likes to climb onto everything! And a farm part.  The kids pressed olives in an olive press, looked under a pretend chicken for some eggs, and milked a cow! Back to the body exhibit! They had a huge "Operation" game.  Andrew was really concentrating with his tongue hanging out! Dr. Sam He thought it was just easier to use his hands instead ...

We had a few purposes of going next door, besides eating a cheeseburger and some American food!  One reason we went was to celebrate the graduation from high school of one of our team mates.  It is amazing to think that since we are away from family and friends in the States, we (our team) are sharing  some of our most important events in life with each other and that is who we have here!  It really was a privilege to attend in support and we are so thankful for our team. It was a very small graduation and held outside which was perfect for the kids.  Andrew slept practically the entire time and Jacob was clapping for the speakers! Love this picture!  These kids are so precious together! After the graduation we headed to a very nice mall and enjoyed eating at TGI Fridays!   And, to update you on the language test!  It was an oral only interview with a native Arabic speaker for approximately 15 minutes that was recorded.  ...

We just arrived home from a trip next door.  It was a wonderful time with our friends, we ate at a few American restaurants, and enjoyed a change of pace.  However, it feels really good to get back into the slower pace of our village :) Even though it is only about 100 kilometers between where we live and where we stayed, it takes around 5-6 hours because there is no straight way.  We drive, take a bus, and then a taxi on our trip.  And the border is hot and humid, you can tell by Jacob's rosy cheeks! The boys are great travelers and we are so thankful!  The land is so diverse and so stunningly beautiful. Here our bus is crossing over the river to get to the other side.  Every time I cross this river, I'm amazed we get to live here!! More pictures to come... after a good night of sleep!

I realized I never posted these pictures from a week ago of the boys playing with some neighbors working puzzles together.  It is so much fun to hear Sam speaking in Arabic to these neighbors.  He is speaking in full sentences and it is really an answer to much asking of the Father.  Andrew is also speaking some and we know they will both continue to improve as time goes on! When I went to my neighbor's house, she said that after her kids played with the puzzles they wanted one of their own.  She bought them one and the completed puzzle was proudly displayed on their table!!

Well, today is the day that we have been dreading looking forward to for the last fourteen months since we began language study.  We will be taking our first language evaluation.  Our understanding is that it is basically a 15 minute oral examination/conversation with a teacher.  We will receive our results in a few weeks, don't expect me to post them on this blog :) We have been studying hard and trying to apply ourselves with each opportunity we are given, whether in community time, study or class time.  We have been so grateful to the Father for sustaining us throughout the year of full time study. I am thankful for the time that our tutors have poured into our lives.  At times, I have cried during class, laughed at many mistakes, and have been tired of studying.  But our tutors have been so encouraging and such great motivators to continue pushing hard.  I will forever be thankful! As we look towards the test today, we are asking that it be ...

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all that is different about living overseas.  All that I feel like I am missing or not apart of by being here.  All the things that are frustrating about a people that have a different world-view than my own.  I get focused on the negative and miss the beauty of life around me! I was reminded of this the other day when I was sitting on our balcony.  I was so annoyed with the trash that was in our neighbor's backyard. Then my focus changed as I looked upward and I noticed this beautiful purple tree blooming. That's what happens!   When I focus on the temporal earthly situations around me and forget to look up to the Father, life is dirty and ugly and overwhelming and downright annoying.  But, when my perspective changes and I get back to the Father who loves us so, I begin to remember the love that the Father has given me for this people.  I begin to feel content again in the call upon our lives. I ...

Andrew was playing downstairs when he wanted to change from work boots to tennis shoes.  Our conversation went something like this... Me: Once your shoes are on, I'll tie them for you. Andrew: No, I want daddy to tie them 'cause he does a better job. Me: Oh, well, ok then. Andrew: But you are really good at washing dishes and folding our clothes. I'll take the compliment:)

I never dreamed that I would be so blessed in my life to enjoy these three sweet little boys!  They enjoyed a breakfast this morning standing up and eating together. Andrew was sporting a serious case of bed head this morning :) We have our very own breakfast club!!