Passing on Christmas traditions

The last time we were in America for Christmas was 2005 when Dawson was just 9 months old. I have fond memories of picking out our tree and decorating it as a child so pulling out our artificial tree in Mali, shaking off the dust, and putting it up is just not the same. Especially since it usually is just me putting it up and decorating as the boys get bored. I don't like decorating in Mali and often wish I could just bypass the decor altogether. But since we were home this year, the boys got to experience how getting a tree and decorating it is really supposed to happen. 

My family has been going to get their tree from the same gas station for as long as I can remember. They are "Charlie Brown" trees; you have to find the beauty in each one. They are not all symmetric and perfect. So you have to take time and look for just the right one with the right price.

Our selection

Then begins the next process: making snow for the tree. As a child we used Ivory detergent, now it has to be from the Ivory bar soap. You put the soap in the microwave, watch it grow (you can see it in there if you look hard), then take it out and let it cool.

After it is all in little flakes, you add water and beat it. Then you have snow to decorate the tree with. I was really surprised how much the boys got into it. I really didn't think they would last long, given how they are when we decorate our tree in Mali, but they loved it. (Please bear with all the pictures. There are a lot, but this probably won't happen again for many more years)

They even started making snowmen and snow balls which are now strategically placed in the tree.

The finished product with a very happy grandma. This is something she did as a kid with her grandparents and parents, then she did with us as kids, so it was quite special to do it with her grandsons as well.

Tarheel born and bred...

Since we came back to America earlier than planned, we figured we might as well take advantage of the sporting events we don't usually get to see. Our first weekend back we went to UNC for the pre-game festivities before the football game. So basically our boys think UNC is about jump castles and face painting. :) At least they cheer for Carolina. 

Shaking hands with the players as they went by before the game.

This is what Silas wanted to see. Ramses. That made the day for him.

And the pizza probably made the day for the other two. :)

He asked me to take a picture of him as we rode back on the bus. We had a lot of space since we were the only ones leaving the game as it started. Too expensive to get tickets for the game so we just enjoyed all the fun beforehand.

Once Silas posed as he did, Kenan and Brett decided to join in.

D wasn't into the serious face.

However, Silas continued with his for most of the ride. 

We were also able to go to the UNC/Davidson basketball game this weekend. It was a first for the boys. I think between the hot dogs, pizza, and ice cream they really enjoyed it. :)

We couldn't have asked for a better game, at least for memory sake. It was close the entire time and then went into overtime. Carolina dominated the 5 minutes and the atmosphere was so much fun. The boys were so pumped at the end. 

                                     

                                     

Back in America

We arrived and were greeted by happy grandparents.

And this is where we will call home for a good bit of time.

We came back the week of Thanksgiving and the boys enjoyed a game of croquet with Papa while we waited for lunch.

Jumping in leaves. I think only Dawson has ever jumped in leaves and that was a small pile in Albertville so this was basically a first for the boys.

And while we are enjoying things in America, Dawson's journal entry sums up how we've felt many days.

On a happier note, within a week of our arrival to NC, Kenan learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. Since there aren't straight and open roads to bike in Mali, he really hasn't biked at all, even with training wheels. He made great strides very quickly. 

Faces and moments I never want to forget

I wanted to post pictures of dear people who have changed me forever. To have been a part of the lives of these families is a blessing beyond what I can describe. The lady sitting beside me and the one behind her (whose daughter is in my lap) have been a part of the program I work with since the very beginning. They were the first two I started working with years ago. I have watched their kids grow up. We've sent one to sewing school and have seen her excel. These are dear, dear women to me and the thought of not being able to work with them again breaks my heart. The day this group left (we had called them in just to explain that we had to leave the hospital) was probably the worst day of our last six weeks (aside from the day we received the news that we were let go). I wept when they left. Wept. Did they fully understand how much I loved them and how thankful I was for them? How could I ever express that? As they walked out of the hospital, I watched the job I loved walk out with them. The ministry that had grown me and taught me so much was over. And while I hope the relationships will remain despite us not being at the hospital, I knew that the ease to see one another would never be the same. When they walked out of the hospital, so did a piece of my heart.

Several other ladies were not able to come the day the others did so I have some pictures with them as well.

This was our neighbor, Ali. He is deaf. Our family loved him and we were learning sign language before we left. He was a great teacher.

Now this family better stay in our lives forever. :) This is at the baptism for Jeremi's son, Stan. Baby Brett, who isn't a baby anymore, is the boy in blue. 

The last week were in Mali we had a time together with the staff at the hospital. We were blown away by the number of people who showed up. The chapel was full, as you can see, people had to even sit behind us as Brett shared some with them. After a time of prayer for us, the staff presented us with a Ciwara, which is given as a sign of good work, a job well done. I do not think they could have given us anything else that touched our hearts more. We were so blessed by this.

They ended with the whole chapel raising their hands and singing blessing over us. Again, words cannot express what this meant to us. We are so thankful for the time we got to spend at the hospital and the relationships that were built there. A tremendous, tremendous blessing. So incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have worked among these wonderful people.

Our last days in Mali

Some of the memories of our last days in Mali...

When Silas climbed into the suitcase as I was packing, I had to take a picture because it reminded me of years ago...

when he was just a baby and we were packing to go to Mali. He doesn't fit like he once did. :)

 

About three days before we left our goat had a baby. I was so thankful because I was afraid we were going to miss it. It was a blessing that the new little one came before we left. His name in Max.

This was the last morning the kids were at the house. They spent the night with friends so it was only Brett and I for the very last night.

I wanted to get some pictures our yard and house, just for memory sake, since we won't live there again.

D getting some love with the dogs, whom we miss terribly (but are well taken care of with friends).

Our sweet Caroline

Miss Burkina

Both Brett and I went to take the boys to their last day of school. On the way Kenan randomly started to sing. As we drove down the road, our whole family joined in and sang, "Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other..." The next song they chose brought tears to my eyes, "You give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will choose to say, 'Lord, blessed be Your Name."  It was such a beautiful moment.

Silas and Anise on his last day at L'ecole Samuel

And we left him like we did many mornings, him running after us trying to leave. Joy of joys. And do notice that he is without shoes. He apparently was taking them off as soon as he got to school in the mornings so the last few weeks of school he went barefoot.

Saying goodbye to friends was no fun. These are our neighbors who have been so kind and gracious to us over the years.

The boys and their best bud, Joel

Fitting that the last picture I have of them all together is on the trampoline because the very first pictures they have together are on this same trampoline many years earlier.

Me and my dear, dear friend without whom I would have been lost the last few weeks as we packed up (not to mention many other times throughout the years). Words can't even express what Alison and her family mean to me. We will miss them immeasurably.

And before we knew it, the days were gone and we were in Bamako ready to fly out. We left with smiles on our faces, even if they were only watermelon smiles.