Random happy pictures from the past week

I am going to be so sad when my parents leave. We have a wonderful - albeit ofttimes challenging - life here, and it's super extra special to share that life - and the burdens! - with them. Thankfully Gavin's parents will still be here!! If you ever wonder how to bless a missionary, send their family to them [assuming the missionaries have a great relationship with their families, which, thank God, we do]. ;) THANK YOU to those who are standing behind my parents as they love and serve us here, and thanks also to those who sent so many beautiful, thoughtful gifts along with them!

Seth in Grandpadad's hat eating Grandma's
fabulous peanut-butter cookies!

David LOVES little LEGO cars and trucks.

Three gorgeous pictures of a very happy Gracie (while I drew a snowman for her and Marcie ate a banana in the background):

My darling nephew, who looks SO pleased with himself in his big boy chair at Panera!
He also looks like an adorable Smurf, something we once thought about David. Foster is the single biggest reason it's hard to be here in PNG and not in the U.S. It's sad to miss seeing him grow up! Plus, I'm missing seeing and knowing my sister as a mom. From what I hear she's the BEST, most loving, most self-sacrificing mom I could imagine! I'm so proud and grateful to God for the precious gift of Foster and his wonderful mommy and daddy, even though I can't squeeze and love on them physically right now. Prayers instead!

I love the kids of PNG. Apparently, so does Gavin. :) He took and highlighted this photo as one of his favorites from a recent four-day trip sling-loading building materials into a village up on the mountain. Two missionary couples and their families are moving there to share the love of Christ and the good news of salvation in Him. The people are very excited to have them come!