Getting Going

• First weekend  of August: After the kids returned from the grandparents house, Ricky’s dad and brother came for a visit. They took the big kids out one day while Ricky and I worked and watched the baby. We all went out to lunch after Raphael’s baby dedication at church :)
• Second week of August: A friend visited for a day; we left for Wilmington for a week (Ricky took vacation); we had a meeting about Wycliffe with our old church small group and a few other close friends; we stayed with some neighbors from our old neighborhood our first two nights and visited other neighbors while we were nearby; visited more friends; I spontaneously got to go to a movie theater with a friend while Ricky watched the kids; and, we got to share with the missions committee we used to be on at our church in Wilmington — so surreal and neat!
• Third week of August: The only thing out of our normal activity was having friends over for dinner one evening ;)
• Fourth week of August: We held a home meeting at a friends' house (for 10 :) and then had a sleepover; we babysat the four boys while our friends took the girls to the farmers’ market to help them sell their coffeeWe ; went to a back-to-school party and our church’ baptism/pool party; a friend came to visit for a day; we tried to celebrate Micaiah’s spiritual birthday but he started to feel sick :( ; and, we hosted our small group one last time before our big trip!
• Raphael began crawling in Wilmington! The big kids and I had to babyproof the house when we returned. And soon after, he began to stretch out his arms to us to be picked up ;)

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• School verses: Micaiah -- Psalm 1:1-2  ; Aolani -- Galatians 5:22, Psalm 128:1

Peeled Bananas

 Why is your newsletter called Peeled Bananas?

A woman from Asia once said that reading the Bible in her national language was like eating a banana with the peel still on it. But having the Bible in her heart language, the language in which she dreams and thinks, was as satisfying and delicious as eating a peeled banana.

Playing Catch-Up

• First week of July: We go to a birthday pool party for the kids' friend; we took a day trip to Boone; Ricky met with friends; and, Micaiah got a haircut.
• Second week of July: I have friends come over every day to help me either plan school for the next year, clean, cook or teach school; a friend comes stay overnight; we have Candle in the Window (like a Christian airbnb, kind of) visitors from Missouri come for dinner and to stay one night (and I received a massage from a guest!); we had the honor of sharing with our sending church about Wycliffe Bible Translators; and, then we went to our church's groundbreaking picnic.
• Third week of July:  I have friends come school the kids for me so I can work in our home office; I participated in some MailChimp webinars; a friend from college came for an overnight visit; we went to another birthday party for a friend of the kids; and, we had a summer small group picnic gathering.
• Fourth week of July: More help abounded this week; Aolani had to go to ER one day because she had chest pain and shortness of breath (turned out to be intestinal gas; blueberries don’t agree with her!); I got to go to a luncheon for mothers and talk about birth while Ricky took the kids to the doctor for Aolani’s follow up; and, we met my parents to pass on the big kids so they can enjoy their week with my parents :)
• Fifth week of July/early August: All I know is that the kids had too much fun (cousins, pool, aquarium, beach, water park, mini golf, gymnastics center and time at the farm!) Meanwhile, we got to go on double date with good friends to a new ice cream and bakery shop; friends would come over for a little each day to free me up to office work; another close friend came to surprise me and take me on a date downtown; and, we took Raphael to a friends’ house while we had the privilege of meeting with the elders of local church that we are connected to (fun)!
• During the month of July, Raphael got his first two teeth (bottom front); his hair started to grow and turn honey-colored; and he began to rock on all fours preparing to crawl :)

• School verses: Micaiah -- 1 John 4:7, Matthew 4:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Psalm 63:1  ; Aolani -- Psalm 55:22, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 4:12-3