The Twins... long ago

This fall our boys have talked a LOT about missing their friends in Marshall.  So when I came across these great pictures of them at the running competition we had with Russian Mission last year, I had to post them.  They really did have a lot of great friends in our village, and I miss those little kiddos so much!

And also, this picture may be one of my favorites of them ever.  They are so in sync, even their fingers are flexed the same way!

Our Last Few Days In Marshall

The last few days in Marshall were, as they always are, bittersweet.  With the weather lovely enough to play outside, and the tundra turning from brown to green, it seems we are leaving just when it's getting good.  We enjoyed the spring carnival during the last week, as well as an award assembly and community feed at the school.  But to balance all the goodness, we had some hard goodbyes.  

I know I talk a lot about goodbyes, but truly unless you live this lifestyle (as my friend Ann put it) you can't grasp just how important these people become to you.  When you are so isolated, they become your family.  Need some sugar? Salsa? A can of olives? These are your girls.  We have loved, laughed and cried through the last three years together, and Krista & I are both heartbroken to see Leah go.  But, we joked, we love her enough to wish her well in her next adventure, not curse her for leaving us!

I am so thankful that our last few days together were so wonderful and that we leave each other knowing that in the world we each have at least two other solid friends who would move mountains for us if we needed them to.

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Kids of Marshall

As the weather gets nicer we are spending more and more time outside.  Nearly everywhere we go, there are friends who accompany us.  I have such a heart for these kids.  Kids who play alongside my kids, who've watched Wyatt grow from a tiny babe, and whom I've seen grow over the last four years.  They are all so beautiful & I love having the opportunity to be (even a small) part of their lives.

Easter Egg Hunt

Throwback Thursday: Berry Picking

Can I just say I love Josh's kids? (That's what I call his students.)  Each one has a special place in my heart and I especially love how tender they are with my kids.  Any time one of them sees the four of us (out in the village or at the playground) they always say hello to every single one of us. "Hi Shelly! Hi Logan! Hi Jack! Hi Wyatt!"  They say it like we are the highlight of their week, and it never fails to make me smile.

I loved looking back at these pictures of our adventure hiking Mt. Pilcher on a field trip day back in September.  The students were super helpful, assisting the twins in berry picking and encouraging them to try each kind of berry.

I also loved looking back because in these pictures I can really see that I have trimmed down from working out the last four months.  I may not be dropping the pounds, but I am definitely in better shape. Literally!

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B-ball

Basketball is huge in Marshall, and we had the pleasure of attending a fun game one afternoon where the students took on their parents, plus Josh (Mr. C to his students) and Joe (the principal here).  The guys had a great time and the students enjoyed running their parents and educators on the court.