August Break!!!

 What an exhilarating feeling when you take your last test and know you have a full month of fun! We, MKs, are home schooled here in Kenya and we do the Kenya system… which is work three months, get a month off. We start school in January and work through March. Get April off, then start again in May; work through July, get August off, September through November, and December off. I know it sounds like heaven…it is!! :o)  I have been working really hard on my school work to finish up. I feel like this chicken, in the picture.

I am really looking forward to August break!

The first week we are going to IBMK Kamp (Independent Baptist Missionary Kids Kamp)! An older Missionary started this for the MKs a long time ago. Then I have two weeks of pure bliss! I am planning on doing crafts, reading books, sleeping, baking, writing blog post, writing letters, and organizing my room! Doesn't that sound like fun?

We are having a family stay with us for their survey trip, and they arrive the last week of August…I cannot wait!!! Their names are Nathanael, Linette and their, little, baby Hadassah. I will be helping them a great deal, and will provide constant conversation...they will never get lonely! ;o)
by Sara Anne

My 61st I mean 16th birthday!!

 I have been joking with people that I am turning 61 (instead of 16;-). For some "odd reason" they

always look at me with disbelief on their faces.:-) I just tell them they both have 6 and 1, what is the difference? Any way, I had a great birthday, which we actually celebrated on Friday, due to Saturday and Sunday being so busy.
  
     I knew that Sara and Emily were coming over on Friday to spend the weekend, but I didn't know what else mom had planned for Friday; after picking up Sara and Mrs. Halstead, mom then told me, we were going to Thika Road Mall for cake and cappuccinos. We met Emily and Mr. Halstead there, and first got our cappuccinos. (Mr. Halstead decided to leave us "boring" girls, though :-) After shopping, getting our pieces of cake, (I had blueberry cheese cake, and was given a "free" piece of cake), and just having fun, we went home.

     That night I opened all my presents, and heartily enjoyed my first piece of salmon in four years!!!:-) (I love salmon, but unfortunately get it only in America, when on furlough; It is very expensive here,and I am glad mom and dad splurged and bought it for me:-)

Yesterday, (Sunday, and my real birthday) I stood in front of the church while everyone sang me "Happy Birthday", oh, and I can't forget, I got a lollipop.:-)(it's a tradition for Lighthouse Baptist to give every birthday person a lollipop) We ended the day with blueberry ice cream and brownies!!!

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special, and thanks for all the cards, emails, and birthday wishes I got! I enjoyed getting them.:-)
By - Ashlyn Elaine

In America I would be getting my driver's license (which I will be getting next year, on furlough),  but here in Kenya you have to be eighteen. So, I was just joking when I got this picture taken by this car. :-) (Notice the keys in my hand....they are mom's car keys:-)

Where we got our cake!!

Enjoying our pieces of cake.

Mom, Sara, me, Emily, and Mrs. Halstead waiting for our cappuccinos.

Opening presents, and pics of some of the presents I got.

I love zebras, zebra print, and anything to do with zebras, and I love collecting little zebras, so here is one, added to my collection. 

Emily made me a bookmark. (Love Suzy's face behind me:-)

My parents gave me an Africa shaped necklace....I love it!!

Suzy carved me a little purple heart, and also gave me a bunch of candy.

Notice the Halsteads "birthday" card to me....it says with sympathy?:-) You can't see inside but it says, something like, through trials and hard times, we are praying for you.   ( It's an inside joke they tease me about.)

July 25th, Anniversary of Johanna's surgery

When Johanna was born we were overwhelmed by God’s new little creation and chose the verse “For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Years later we found out that her heart was formed with a birth defect in the aortic valve. Through this entire trial we have been aware that this was a divine appointment, our destiny with God, he planned this from the beginning. What a wonderful confidence we have had to be in the center of God’s will and with His help to be able to walk through this valley.

2013 July 27^th, two days post-op

The only thing more expensive than open heart surgery is a heart transplant! On top of the medical expenses, we had to fly four people home from Kenya, plus the incidentals of housing, transportation and food. God has provided EVERYTHING in abundance! This is amazing to me because missionaries are not rich people. Just to name a few of God’s provisions: We have medical insurance! In June, before Johanna's surgery, they lowered the deductible by $2000 (unheard of). In June before the surgery, we received a large tax refund that we didn’t even ask for (unheard of). Various churches and friends gave Johanna money so that she didn’t need to work until second semester.

 

2013 July Johanna at the
Freckled Frog with Grandma,
 a month before surgery

God’s love spans the 8000 miles between Johanna and her mom. Being 8000 miles away God provided a very good friend who is a Cardiac ICU RN to accompany Johanna to her appointments, answer her questions, help us anticipate the surgery and post-surgery needs. Praise the Lord for Skype so that I could see Johanna in person. There was Wesley to be emotional support for Johanna. My Dad returned to town to be close to Johanna. There were and are people around the world praying for Johanna; Missionaries in Japan, Hungary, Albania, Brazil, Australia and others. Our little church in Thika, Kenya has its prayer meeting Thurs at 7pm which is Thursday 11am WI time. Johanna’s surgery was on Thursday and the most intense moments of that surgery was at 11am that morning.

Leaving Johanna in pre-op to be wheeled into surgery was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. Waiting in ICU waiting room 8 hours, dealing with fear, knowing too much, understanding all the things that could go wrong. Without God I would have crumbled. His grace and power is found in the promises of His Word and accessed by simple faith that rests in His promises. These are some of the verses He has given me specifically for this trial.

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isa  55:13  Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the

brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Isa 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because He trusteth in thee. Isa 26:4  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH Is everlasting strength:

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat

11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall

find rest unto your souls. Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made Perfect

in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of

Christ may rest upon me.

Jer 23:23  Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Jer 23:24 Can any hide

himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth?

saith the LORD.

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with

him also freely give us all things?

Psa 34:10  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not

want any good thing.

Mar 11:21  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig Tree which

thou cursedst is withered away. Mar 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in

God.

Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,

Neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou

goest.

1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how

Much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Philippians 4:6-8  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And

the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus. 

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts

of peace,and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

2013 July 24^th, 10 hours before surgery, Johanna gave us a concert

2013 July at lake front, sisters

How did we cope? Our pastor and his wife were right there with Brent and I in the Pre-op room. We prayed and talked with Johanna then they waited the first few hours with us distracting us and talking about Kenya and looking through Johanna’s baby book with us. Then our family descended on the waiting room and it felt like Christmas sitting around laughing and celebrating on Ma’s patio in Florida. While in the ICU waiting room many of our church family dropped by, sat, talked, supported us.

What was very overwhelming was to be the recipients of sacrificial love from our family members. 8 adults from the Halstead clan took two weeks of vacation, traveled three days, encamped around us, cared for us, fed us, entertained our children, and spoiled us.

2013 August,  

3 weeks after surgery, 

Johanna playing piano at Grand-pa’s house

God's love is an infinite, expanding love. God constantly wants me, is seeking me, desiring my attention. My understanding of God’s love has new dimensions, it is growing, Things about God I knew intellectually, I have now experienced. I can trust Him in future trials, I can encourage others because now I not only know how much He loves me but I have experienced His love.

 

2013 November,
3 months after surgery,
Johanna jumping rope in Cardiac Rehab

 

2014 June 26^th Miss Drew (Johanna’s piano teacher) took Johanna out for an ice cream treat for her birthday and then they stopped off at the Stienway piano showroom to play the grand pianos.

2014 June 26^th 

Playing all the pianos in the showroom

 is like sampling fudge in all the fudge shops on Mackinac Island.

by Mrs. H.

Making Samosas

I made samosas for the first time today, and enjoyed how simple they were to make.:-) 

Samosas are little pastries ,usually, filled with mince meat or potatoes. They are sold in all  restaurants, here in Kenya, and I even got some,  while I was in Ethiopia. (but in Ethiopia they put green ghrams in them....still just as good:-) Along with making potato ones,  I tried something different, and made some with chicken and mozzarella cheese inside. (dad's suggestion) We loved them!:-) Out of twenty four samosas (some large, some smaller) none were left. With seven in our family I couldn't imagine where they all went. (just kidding:-)

Just so you know, it was very hard getting pictures for this post, because every time I did, I had to wash my hands,  to get the flour off. :-)

(This post is dedicated to Sarah Kuchta,  the reason why,  she knows :-)

By - Ashlyn Elaine

Frying the potatoes and onions together for filling the samosas.

cutting the samosa dough so I can form it into a triangle.

The samosas all ready and awaiting their doom, of being put into a boiling pot of oil.!!:-0
How could I be so cruel?:-)

Being fried in the oil.

All ready to eat. Want one? :-)

Fun Day

This Last Saturday we had a Kids Fun Day. It was a great time of games, singing, craft, puppets, and Bible story. Thank you to all who prayed; we had around 28 kids,plus adults, stuffed into our Sunday school room. Here are some pictures from the day. Enjoy!

Ashlyn doing Bozo the Clown's face paint

Ash and Bozo

two cuties

Princess was afraid of Bozo the clown  

Our make-shift puppet stage

Suzy the third and Jezebel 

Drop the Pin!

Can you play against the clock?

Craft Table

Egg Race

Brian and his balloon 

Kids working on their verse

Balloon toss

By Emily Swain

The weekend is here!!

It's Friday and the beginning of the weekend! It's a much needed break and I'm glad it's here.:-) This week and for the next two weeks we are finishing things up for this year of school. So, two more weeks of tenth grade (this means I am almost done with geometry, not my favourite subject; I like Algebra much better.:-) and then a whole month off, before we start a new year in September!

Tomorrow we are going to be having our first Kid's fun day at Lighthouse Baptist. We are all excited and I hope you will pray with us that it will all go well. We don't have our own church grounds, but rent rooms in a large building in town. So, we can not have running games or such, but we will manage with things like: balance the egg on the spoon, (the game I will be supervising:-), colouring, puzzles, stories and so on. 

 What I am really looking forward to doing is painting Taylor's face, as he will be the clown. Painting your brother's face, what could be better?;-) (will be sure to get pics of this for you to see.)

Have a fantastic weekend!!

By - Ashlyn Elaine

Here is a picture, just to show you the beautiful weather we had today. Very sunny, and I loved it!

This is a good idea of what Zahra's weekend will be like. She is planning to take it easy!!:-)

Swinging (credits to Suzy, the photographer.;-)

From my bedroom I get to watch the sunset, and love how it shines into my bedroom.

This is Taylor spying on me again.:-) He loves to climb up onto my bedroom balcony and scare me half to death!;-) 

Taylor jumping down from my balcony. Crazy, I know! I always tell him one of these days he will fall and hurt himself. :-)That is Pius down below. 

What a Saturday!!

Saturday Ashlyn came over, so of course I had to do her hair!  

I did a braid around her head, put it into a ponytail, and wrapper a smaller braid around it.

Do you like it?

                                                         
                                     

Pretty!!

Wow, do you see that handsome dope?

                                           

Aww, isn't he cute?

                                                         

I just love the faces here! :-0

                                               

Look at him kissing her.:0)

                                                 

Her face!!

                                                               

His face!!

                                                             

This is for you, Rachel Kuchta.:-)

                                               

This is for you, Sarah Kuchta

                                               

                   After our photo shoot we decided to make some snicker doodles for Halima!!

Mixing it up

                                                           

The ingredients

                                                           

Ashlyn consulting with the cookbook.

                                           

Me greasing the pans.

                                                       

Homework, homework go away, come again some other day!!

                         

Snicker doodle balls

                                                     

opposites attract  

Ready to bake

                                                           

One more picture of Kilele

                                               

Mk, written out with the leftover cinnamon sugar for the snicker doodles.

                                                                   

Walking over to Halima's with our special treat.
 After we walked to Halima's, we had to walk to Ashlyn's house too. Must get in plenty of exercise!

I did Suzy's hair to!

                                               

Zahra, Ashlyn's beloved cat

                                                 


        We then, went to Blue Post (a restaurant) to drop off some Bible lessons for a few people.

It was so pretty there; I had to take a few pictures....like of Winnie!

                     

Emily

                                                                   

and Suzy

                                                             

Well, one of Winnie ands suzy, together.

                                           
                                                                 The End!!
By Sara Anne