catching up on my reading

catching up on my reading, originally uploaded by MaryD_CI.

It was a quiet morning, sitting on my terrace, catching up with my reading, under the careful supervision of Tigger the cat. He's thinking I should be petting him instead of taking pictures!

February 26: 25 Years Ago!

February 25: Dog in Disgrace

I was met this morning by the sight of dirt dug up from around one of my little trees in the courtyard. This is a battle I've fought several times with this dog. He is hanging his head, knowing he is in BIG TROUBLE.

Decker Update

Dear friends and family,
We would like to ask you to pray specially for the country of Senegal over the next few days . On Sunday will be the presidential elections. There have been several protest marches, and candidate marches that have gotten out of hand with people throwing rocks and others getting injured. We are praying for peaceful and fair elections.
Wednesday is the day we expect the official results to be announced. Many will be disappointed no matter what the outcome. Pray for safety for all involved and wisdom for those in charge.

February 23: porch puppies

We visited the puppies to see how they'd grown. They are so funny, so cute! If only they could stay this cute forever!

Dave's Thailand Photos

This picture of the Nawarat bridge is amazing, and you can enjoy some of Dave's other Thailand pictures here.

Dave says: The Nawarat bridge is located just east of the old, walled part of the city. It crosses the Ping river, which flows southward all the way to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. We got to the river as the sun was setting. The lights on the bridge had just come on, and there was still enough light to get the photo without the flash.

(this is going to say it's posted by DaveD but it's really Mary posting from his flick'r account...)

February 22: Dave's Thailand Elephant Ride

Another of the fun things Dave got to do in Thailand was ride up a mountain on an elephant's back!

February 20: Dave's Thailand Raft Ride

One of the fun things Dave got to do on his free weekend in Thailand was a raft ride on the river.

We've been super-busy since he got back, but more photos are coming!

Decker Update

Dear friends,

Thank you for your continuing prayers for our family! This is a very quick update for you, with a few more matters for prayer.

W.A.I.S.T.

West Africa Invitational Softball Tournament- February 17-19, 2007.

The days were full! Dave's team played six games in the competitive league, and Jacob's team played 5 games in the social league. The Dakar Academy varsity beat Dave's team to advance to the finals, and won the championship. The camaradarie between friends, stiff competition, good sportsmanship, as well as encouragement for one another, characterized our teams participation in the weekend. We thanked God for all His goodness and gave him praise along with the champions at the end of the tournament!

February 16: Home from Thailand!

Dave is safely home, and has lots of good pictures and many stories to tell. He's too tired to tell them today though, after traveling 32 hours to get here... and tomorrow morning begins the softball tournament! His first game is at 8:30 and Jacob's first game is at 9:40! We'll be on the field all day... More soon, from Dakar and Thailand!

Happy Birthday, Joey!

Decker Update

Dear friends and family,

**Please be in prayer for the country of Guinea, and for the missionaries there. Guinea is in the midst of serious political turmoil, and there has been much angry, violent protesting in Conakry as well as in Kankan, where our SIM missionaries are based.

Saturday: news from Thailand

We were happy to get an email from Dave today! He says the meetings are going very well, and it is a very productive time together. He was glad that his suitcase arrived the day after he did, and no later!

A few quotes about their fun evening Friday and tourist-day Saturday!

Friday night we went to the "night bazaar". It's a big market area
with lots of restaurants, including Starbucks, Haagen Daaz, McDonald's and
Subway. There's all kinds of Thai food, too. It was awesome. It was African-like
in terms of layout and bartering, but SO polite and pleasant.

And today was way cool... elephant rides, trekking up to the hill-tribe
village, visiting a beautiful waterfall, and finally a very wet raft ride,
which is nothing but sitting on about 10 large bamboo poles that are strapped
together. We left here at 8 am and got back at 6:30 pm. That may explain why
the room seems to be swaying back and forth as I type.

We'll look forward to more email as he is able, and pictures one of these days-- perhaps when he gets back! Jacob and I are doing well here, and we are thankful for the work God is doing in each of our lives in our various locations!

Note from Dave

I got a note from Dave that says he is there, and his luggage should arrive soon! He didn't have time to write any more, but I'm glad to hear that much!

February 8: On the way home from school...

I took this picture today from the driver's seat... click here for a bit more of the story!


Jacob had a great time playing drums last night.

No word from Thailand yet!

February 7: Wednesday

Reporting from Nairobi, Dave says the first leg of his journey went well, and he was enjoying time with good friends from Liberia.

Tonight is Jacob's debut playing drums with his youth group worship team... and he won't let me take pictures (or even show my face there for that matter!) Oh well, praying for him to enjoy it and do a great job!

February 6: Travels...

We're keeping Dave in our prayers as he is traveling today from Dakar to Nairobi... he'll spend about 15 hours there, part of that time visiting with friends from our Liberia days... and then he's off again to Bangkok, Thailand! He has a quick two hour transit there, and then flies up to Chang Mai for a conference with others who work with our mission finances. You could pray too for all the logistics, for his bags to arrive with him, and for good thinking and discussions within the conference.

IF he's able to get online, we might have "live" pics from his travels... Check back!

February 2: Jacob in Olympic Days

Dave took some great photos as usual, and this time it's Jacob putting 100% into the events he participated in!

February 2: Axis and Allies

Although Jacob definitely misses his brothers, he finds some benefit in their absence... Danny's Axis and Allies game has become a great favorite for Jacob... and Joey's room (now empty, and with the piano inside) provides a great playing space!

February 1: Olympic Days prelims

the kids had a half-day of school today, and then the afternoon was devoted to the prelims of Olympic Days.















Mr. M. in fine form with his high-tech ice-pack on his shoulder, still recovering from surgery...




















Jacob enjoying watching the younger kids...























there are some great runners in the school, and there are also some littler kids who are so much fun to watch!