Hello All! I am sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I can't imagine what I have been doing with my time! Yesterday was a great day to play in the snow. During Luke's nap time the girl's and I went out in the snow and played in 20 degree temperatures for over an hour. This is a great example of how adequate clothing when it is below freezing works. Before I hear from my-in-laws on how Luke is missing out. In my defense, Luke can usually barely make it twenty minutes outside and he is crying because he truly does get cold quicker. I knew the girls would enjoy much longer than that. Luke has had and will have many snow opportunities. So when Daddy is home, Luke gets his turn. It actually takes longer to get him dressed in his snow garb than the time he spends in the snow. So back to the Briden ladies snow time. Both Grace and Faith loved it. They were swinging on the swing set, making many snow angels and throwing "snow balls" at each other and of course mommy dearest. I say "snow balls" loosely because it was snow and sometimes it formed a ball. Often though it was a snow sprinkling. The snow yesterday was not good for packing. But they love to throw snow, so who wants to disappoint them. Faith kept saying as she threw the snow, " It's the first day of summer." I looked around the first time and said "do we have snow in summer?" Grace just kept giggling, which encourages our little comedian Faith. Faith just kept right on welcoming summer. Who knows maybe summer is right around the corner in February, but I doubt it. After we picked Grace up from Pre-school, we partook in a time honored Michigan tradition. The Slurpee. We get a Slurpee commonly from the 7-11 up the road. Not just in summer, but when it is twenty degrees with a wind chill of five as well. I can remember more winter Slurpee runs in high school than anything else. So today's flavor was purple cream. The kids love them and they have learned while drinking them in the car in subfreezing temperatures it is always best to rotate hands. First you hold the Slurpee with one hand then when you can't feel it anymore rotate hands and allow hand number one to warm up while hand number two freezes. It is just one of those many things you learn quick before frost bite sets in. So next time you enjoy a Slurpee please think of us. All my Love- Crystal

Hello All! Well today I have wondered who is my child Lord? What road do we need to take to arrive at the place where we meet the child you have for us? Or is it children? Could it be more than one child? What is your dream for us Lord? I have fears, insecurities and confusion. SHHHH, I think the Lord says to me, wait and listen. I will reveal my will to you in my time, I will be glorified and I am at work. When we started the process in Sierra Leone in September of 2004 we had a referral for an 18 month old toddler girl and in the end we switched countries and genders. So we know God will let us know how to proceed from here. I just don't want any second guessing. I ask for clarity and wisdom in discerning steps to take or when not to take a step at all. I still feel a loss for the little girl with the big brown eyes from Sierra Leone and I think I always will. God doesn't promise a pain free and care free life does he?
2 Corinthians 4 : 7-10 --But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to GOD and not us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.-- Wow, that is powerful!! God you are magnificent!! Love, Crystal

Hello All! Well this morning has been quite eventful. We are all sick. Faith, Luke, Kelly and I have some upper respiatory thing going on. Grace also has that on top of vomitting six times this morning. So, you see we are the house of nasty smells and yucky winter viruses. I knew it was coming. With all the snow, cold and exposure to other children at church and pre-school it was a ticking time bomb. So now it is literally exploding all over the living room. So, who wants to come visit us today? No, takers? I am amazed!! Please pray for health and maybe a body size antiviral and antibacterial wipe for children. Thanks!! God Bless- Crystal

PS the picture is of one of our local Lighthouses on Lake Michigan in winter.

Hello all! Well today we had the interview process of our home study. The second time around is so much less painful then the first. Because we had typed up our autobiographies that made it easier as well. Our social worker was very nice and she did very well at putting us at ease. She interviewed Kelly and I as a couple, Kelly by himself, me by myself and the kids. I actually really enjoyed it this time, so I guess you could say it was quick and painless. Now they compile the home study and approve or deny us. We have given them ever piece of identifying information we have ever held. They now know more about us than some of our closest friends. Not because we wouldn't want to tell our friends. Frankly I think it would bore them to tears. Faith kept saying to the social worker " I want the baby" and "Where is the new baby?" So I had to explain the whole "you have to be patient babies take time" thing. That is the same for having a biological child or for adopting. Adopting can be more stressful in that there is no definite time line. For a three year old though there is no time like the present for everything!! : ) I loved the picture I found of this baby. Luke looks at me like this quite often and this little guy is cute. We continue to pray for God to lead us to our baby boy. God Bless, Crystal

Hello to all! What a gorgeous Sunday we are having today. I love this weather. Snow falling, 20 degrees outside, Pro football championship games, hot coffee and comfortable sweat pants. As I watch the snow falling I think of the place I am from, the state I currently live in, Michigan. I was reading in Genesis this week and enjoying the time line of the beginning of the world. I read about the tower of babel. Something hit me and really sank in. It was something I have read many times before, but this time held new meaning. In Genesis Chapter 11 verse 8 it says, So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth. All the people created up until that point lived on one continent and shared a common language. When God confused their language and scattered them, they ending up living all over the globe. In the snows of the north, the humidity of the tropics and the heat of the desert southwest. My ancestors came to America and eventually Michigan from what is now Germany and possibly some from the British Isles. It is part of who I am my origin, but it doesn't define me. My value is in Christ and who he can mold me into. The builders of the tower of Babel wanted their identity separate from God they wanted to "build a name for themselves", they in essence wanted to be God. I am a Michigander, an American, a citizen of the world, a wife, a mother, I drive a used Ford mini van, I have three beautiful kids, I love watching birds, I am an R.N. and I love good coffee. More importantly than any of these things I am an adopted daughter of the King of Kings. I pray that it is that fact that defines me and how I define others. I don't need a name for myself. I have a name I am a Christian. He is my all in all. My definition is in him. All that is good in my life is from him. The world may define me as one thing, a mom and a stay at home wife. I ask you to look at Christ first and then see me through him. Michigan is a great place to be from, but that also doesn't define me. At least not the real me. That Crystal is hidden in Christ and longs for him to continue to shape me into the Crystal he would have me to be. One dictionary definition for the word define is - to give form or meaning to- an example being "For Crystal life is defined by Christ". Just some food for thought on a snowy winter day. God Bless, Crystal

Hello to all! Well yesterday was a fun day as we had some sun and we played in the snow with Daddy. We have a "snowman kit" that a coworker of Kelly's from Missouri gave us for Christmas one year. It comes complete with a scarf, coal for eyes (not real coal), button nose and a corn cob pipe. The container that holds all the goodies is a plastic coffee can painted black and it has the Frosty painted on it. The coffee can also doubles as frosty's hat. It is complete with a black craft foam brim that goes around it to look like a top hat. It was so much fun and the kids could hardly wait to build him. Yesterday it was sunny, but only 15 degrees outside so that can make it hard to build a snowman. But as you can see from the pictures we were successful!! Luke came in after a short time from the snow crying. He was shaking his hands and seemed almost irritated. I held him and told him you will get used to this feeling. I guess he doesn't like the feeling of his hands warming up again. This morning as we were pulling out of the driveway Faith said " oh no, Frosty is going to melt!" I said Faith he is definitely not going to melt, but if he does I will eat my hat. She thought that was quite funny. Don't worry about the hat eating it is still only a balmy 22 degrees here today. God Bless- Crystal

Hello to all! Well winter has come back to Michigan. I am glad. I much prefer the snow to gray days, with rain and no sun. So I have included a picture of the snow and the view from our family room. I love this view, it is from our sliding glass doors. Today I feel like God has blanketed the ground in white just for me to enjoy. Looking out this view and enjoying what God has created is how I connect with God. I believe different people connect with God in many unique ways. I am a nature girl !! I always feel my strongest connection to him while enjoying the wonderful world he created. My dad came to visit yesterday and we went to see "Charlotte's Web" with him at the local movie theatre. In the movie when Wilbur enjoys his first snow of winter the narrator says " It was as if Charlotte had shaken the snow out of the sky just for him." Grace and Faith were looking out their bedroom window while getting dressed this morning and Faith said " Look, Grace, we have snow on our window, How cool." Grace replied " Yeah, God shook it out of the sky just for us." I had to smile at the truth in the statement. I am commonly quite impressed though at the willingness of children to believe the truth. They accept God is real and that he created the snow. It may have a scientific explanation, but ultimately who makes the snow!! Who is in control of coating the dead brown landscape with glorious, clean, refreshing white? Job 37:6 reads -He says to the snow "Fall on the earth" and to the rain shower "be a mighty downpour"-. God is good !! Thank you Lord for the snow : ) Blessings to you all- Crystal

Now it begins. I have started answering question after question for our second home study yesterday. It is really quite amazing all the information that is needed for this process. Questions like " Discuss the strengths in your marriage.-- Discuss the adjustment period when you first married.--How are household responsibilities distributed.-- If you and your spouse were to have an argument this month, what would it most likely be about?." Interesting, very interesting! I am sure enquiring minds want to know: )

I am praying for God to guide us regarding the child that he wants to add to our family. I feel such peace this time. Primarily because the child is not identified as of yet, at least not by us. I have no question in my mind that God has had this little guy in mind for some time now. So it is with that confidence that we proceed. God is going to reveal to us at the perfect time the little guy. It was so hard to be going through these preliminary steps last time with a child already identified. You think of them so often. I used to gaze at the picture of Sarah (the little girl we tried so hard to adopt from Sierra Leone) and wonder what she sounded like, what her smile looked like, even what she smelled like. So after experiencing that I am glad to have the luxury of not having a picture and name to look at. That was so hard. Especially with the adoption not succeeding. I still pray for Sarah, I think I always will. I am aware though that there will come a time when we do have the name and picture of our new child. Then it becomes more real. That is when the mother bear attitude in me tends to come out. Don't mess with my cub, I want to be between them and trouble. I at the very least want them on the same continent!! God Bless- Crystal

Hello to all my friends and family! Well we are loving our basment. While we lived in Missouri this was probably the thing I missed the most. O.K. you're right it was the Great Lakes. But, the basement was a close second! These pictures were taken last evening and the kids love riding bikes in a circle in our basement. Faith is a big girl now as we bought her a bicycle. She loves it!! Luke rides his push tractor like he is a NASCAR driver. He can move his feet so fast that he rides equally as fast as the bicycle girlies. I thought you would all like to see the pictures of our families raceway.


Well, winter has found us. Right now we have a temperature with the windchill of 15 degrees. So the basement becomes are all purpose room perfect for crafts and wild playtime. Thank God for a big unfinished basement!!!

Last evening we had some friends over two of which are Liberian nationals. One is a Physician studying ultrasound here in the U.S. , the second is attending a seminary to be come a pastor. What interesting after dinner conversation. It is neat to see how God brings people with common callings together. He is definitely given us a heart for West Africa, more specifically Liberia. He keeps pointing us that direction. After Kelly shared about his recent mission trip, we talked about the great need in Liberia. I was able to ask these two gentlemen about the movie "Blood Diamond" and their perspective of it. The seminary student said he had already seen it twice and that it was an accurate portrayal of Sierra Leone's bloody war and how the diamonds were trafficked through Liberia. The physician agreed and said he thought it was violent, but true to the events. We then started to talk about forgiveness and when you have lived through such horrific events. How does one begin to forgive the people who have murdered your children, raped your wives, and mutilated your bodies? The doctor then stated something that sums up the truth of the civil wars in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. He said "they were just children, forced by drugs to fight, many were just children." Wow, I could hear the forgiveness in his voice in this statement. I have attached a picture of a Liberian child solider to this post. I thought it was a touching photo in that you can see how young he is. Pray for this boy, the army of young men who have had to grow up amidst this terrible bloodshed, pray for Liberia and their healing- Crystal

I am aware New Mexico and Colorado have been buried in snow lately. It is hard to believe that we live in Michigan though, this week. It has been so warm, today it was 47 degrees. Can you believe that? Nobody in the state is wearing a coat anymore. People have even cracked their















car windows while driving. I thought I had forgotten sunshine until I actually had to wear sunglasses while outside today. I think I would have even attempted to swim in Lake Michigan today if I had my bathing suit with me. : ) I even went to the beach to get some pictures of the rare warm January day. The downhill skiers and snowmobile owners are ready so bring it on. I personally love the snow at this time of year. It coats everything in such a beautiful white as opposed to grey and brown.

Kelly and I are going away for our seventh anniversary the third weekend in February. We are headed "up north" to some of our breathtaking wineries near Traverse City. We are going on a wine tasting tour. Part of the package is a "snowshoe stomp". This will entail walking the grounds of one of the wineries on snowshoes, of course. It is not sounding like too much fun without the snow. But if we have to much snow we may never make it up to the weekend of "Wine, Chocolate and Love" put on by the Leelanau County Vintners Association. So please pray for snow, but not too much!! God Bless- Crystal

Well I am observant if nothing else. From the lack of posted comments on my "must read" blog, I have decided to announce some rather big news! We are starting the process of adopting number two from Liberia. Now when I say starting the process I mean we need to send in the cash to start our home study. So we are very much still in the beginning stages. To be honest the time involved in the process of adopting overwhelms me. If not for this I would be very excited and screaming it from the rooftops so all would know about this decision. But, alas I am a realist. This will be a long process, it will entail many things I don't like. Collecting tons of documentation, writing about my childhood and how I thought my parents got it wrong and right, having heated conversations with USCIS ( formerly INS) officers, and waiting, waiting and more waiting. I know it is all worth it for the life a child, my child. But I must admit I wish the process of international adoption on the U.S. side of things could be streamlined. Maybe someday that will be God's call for my life. For now I anticipate a battle for this little guys life, I am ready! May God be glorified as we pursue the Briden Families newest addition! Love, Crystal

Hello and a good evening to all! I am so enthralled with a book series I had to include it in my blogging today. I am reading a series of books written by Tracie Peterson. She is a Christian historical fiction author. The series is the Heirs of Montana series and it is very well written and from what I can tell so far historically accurate. I greatly enjoy historical fiction especially romance. To be transported to a different time and picture how you would adapt to the events and circumstances of the time period. It is fun to dream! My hope is that in Heaven we will experience different periods of Earth's recorded history. It would be neat to see what it would be like to own a ranch in Montana, ride a wagon train across the wild untamed west and come to this country as an original colonist. I know, I know I am a hopeless romantic!I highly recommend this series and this author. Have a great night! God Bless- Crystal

Hello to all and Happy New Year! What a blessed Christmas season we have had and we are thankful for who our Lord is and all our Lord has done for us. Thank you most importantly to all our friends and family for your love and friendship to us in 2006.

Well, we had a great weekend that started with a fun family time. We went up to the Double JJ Ranch, golf resort and indoor water park. The indoor water park is called the "Gold Rush". We went as a family and stayed both Friday and Saturday nights. We had access to the water park both Friday night and all Saturday. My siblings and my father met us there and it was a fun time for our extended family as well. I was able to see my youngest brother, Jeff, who is in the Navy. He had not met Luke and hadn't visited us since Faith was 5 days old. So it was so great to watch him bond with the kids! He is an excellent uncle and they loved playing with Uncle Jeff. I have attached a picture of the whole extended clan as well as a picture of me with my three siblings.

Today we took down Christmas decorations. It is not near as much fun as putting them up. But nice to remember that the decorations aren't the real meaning of Christmas. You can have decorations a plenty, but if you do not surrender your life to Christ, the babe in the manger, you have missed the Lord's love for you. I pray all who read this will know and love the truth of Christ. God Bless- Crystal

Can you say Cotswolds? Well today I am dreaming of the this area of Great Britain. My sister, Heather, and I are planning our "holiday"today in some quaint little Hamlet in the Midlands of England. We are hoping to travel to England in the early summer of 2007. We are preparing ourselves currently by holding tea drinking marathons. Just joking!!!

The Cotswolds is named for Sheep pens and rolling hills. In the middle ages the Cotswolds became the epicenter of the Wool industry. The churches are even referred to as "Wool churches", because it was wool fortunes that financed these magnificent beauties.

Both Heather and I ended up at Barnes and Noble today to buy guide books and some how we manged to purchase different books. So now we plan, scheme, and dream. Oh, what's that? I think I hear the sheep bleating my name. Gotta Run! God Bless- Crystal

Hello to all and Merry Christmas! We had a great Christmas at home with family. The kids woke up early to see the gifts to open. The highlights were a train table for Luke, Littlest Pet shop digital pet for Grace and a Dancing Princesses Dance mat and DVD for Faith. Faith received a tiara and clip on earrings from our friends in Missouri, and she has hardly removed since opening the gift on Christmas Eve. Grace has totally figured out her digital pet and she remembers to feed it, brush, and play with it. She has the game totally figured out. Which amazes me, it would have taken me so much longer. Luke is loving his train table as he can play with while the girls create crafts in the basement. He keeps yelling " Choo, Choo!"

Luke's big change this weekend is his new big boy bed. For the first time since we bought the crib no one is sleeping in it or waiting to use it. Grace moved into a twin bed before Faith needed the crib, Faith moved out of it and Luke came to sleep in it after our move to Michigan. Who knows who is next to use the Briden family crib. Luke has stayed perfectly in his new "Cars" bed. He likes becoming a big boy : )

We had a good weekend relaxing and enjoying Daddy after such a long absence. But, sadly he is back to work today and won't be home till after 9 pm. So he will be missed : (

This next weekend we will go to a new indoor water park north of us. The Double JJ in Rothbury, Michigan. My sister, nephews, both brothers, sister-in-law and my dad will all be joining us there. It will be a blast! Grace, Faith and Luke all love the water so they will be ecstatic.

God Bless you all in 2007!!!!!! Love, Crystal

Hello all! We had a blast today making a gingerbread house. The kids loved it. It is fun to watch them decorate something like this and see how they put all the decorations on. I like to watch how their little brains work. So we posted a picture of the kids and the house.

We put together Luke's Christmas present from us today. It is a train table and he is going to love it! So it is already to be played with on Christmas day. Some assembly required, ha!

We want you to know we are praying for you our family and friends as we reflect on Christ's birth this weekend. May you know and love God and may your life be for his glory! Merry Christmas!! Love, Crystal

Hello all! I just wanted to post quickly to share a picture of Kelly with the kids today. We had a great day, our first whole day together in over three weeks. We had lunch out, Kelly's Choice. We went to Red Lobster to celebrate Daddy's homecoming. Speaking of Red, you may have noticed Kelly let his facial hair grow out over the course of the trip. So now he has a full red beard, I love it! Today we had a great time distributing some African gifts to Kelly's coworkers. Lastly the kids got to snuggle the big guy while watching a Christmas movie. So all in all the perfect day.

Tomorrow we are going to be making a gingerbread house and baking cookies for the neighbors. Now it feels like Christmas. The Briden bunch is back together! All our Love and hugs- Crystal

Kelly is home bound! He left Chicago and is driving from there to our home. I cant believe it, I am as nervous as a school girl : ) We received a package in the mail today and it was all the souvenirs Kelly bought in Liberia. So I took a picture of Luke and the girls in the outfits. This is true Liberian dress. Luke didn't even come home with any cute outfit from Liberia, so this is a big deal for him. It has been a long time in coming. Kelly included a beautiful blue dress and a malachite necklace for me. Other items of note an African manger scene with elephants, a carved elephant's tusk, and a little statue of a man urinating (from Belgium). Kelly said the statue of the man urinating was everywhere in Brussels. Wow, I love America!!!!! Well our love to you all and thanks for the Prayers! Crystal and the bunch

Good Evening! As I write this Kelly should be on a plane from Uganda to Belgium. Only 24 hours before his return, God willing! In Belgium he has a 4 hour layover and then he leaves for Chicago. This is more exciting for me than Christmas morning as a kid. The kids are all super excited and I keep telling them that we have to wait till Thursday for Daddy to come home. Grace keeps asking is it Thursday yet? She then goes on to ask is Daddy going to be here when I wake up? No, but hopefully before you go to bed tomorrow :)

Grace had her first school Christmas party today. She had a gift for me when I picked her up at school. She wanted me to open it right away, but I'll wait till we get home. As soon as we walked in the door she gave it to me to open. Her teacher had also included gifts for Luke and Faith as well. (so thoughtful!) So we opened our gifts together. Faith and Luke got the same book from the teacher as Grace" Little Porcupine's Christmas" by Joseph Slate. I must say though, I got the best gift of all a magnet for my refrigerator that Grace had made with glitter confetti and a sweet picture of herself. She said "I made that for you Mommy." I melted, I can't stop looking at it thinking of her sweet fingers making it. She was my little baby, I will cherish it always. I remember making ornaments in school as a kid. Did my parents feel the same way about the things I made? It is a fun thought!

Grandma Briden made it home to New Mexico safely tonight. I am glad she is home and can now enjoy Christmas with our family in Albuquerque. I am jealous though as they have a better chance of having a "White Christmas" than us up here in the north. I am praying for snow! Oh yeah, not until after Kelly gets home though please. Enjoy your family and Christmas celebrations! Remember "Jesus is the reason for the season" Love- Crystal

I can't believe it!! I just got the news from my father-in-law, Grandma Briden had to stay overnight in Dallas because of delays and snow in New Mexico. I dropped her at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids this morning. I am so bummed for her that she didn't make it all the way to Albuquerque tonight. She was getting a virus before leaving and now this. Please pray for Grandma Briden as she tries to return home tomorrow. Thanks Vera for your self sacrificial spirit!!

Tonight the kiddos and I headed to Target for some last minute shopping and to be out of the house for awhile. We thought we would drive around after our shopping to view all the Christmas lights. We called our Christmas light tour. It was great fun!! We went to the drive thru at McDonalds and got milkshakes. Than we turned up the Christmas music and we looked for lights. I would tell them which side of the car a big display would be on. I started saying "Oh Grace, that is big time!" Meaning a big light display was out their window on their respective side of the car. Grace said at one point "is that my Big time or Faith's, mommy?" They loved it!!! I think they could have keep going with that for much longer, but it was bedtime and mommy was concerned that our neighbors may think we are stalking them we drove by so many times.

Kelly sent us two DVDs today via the team from Texas. The first is a greeting taped of Kelly, by Kelly for us. The second is a compilation of the video footage he recorded in Liberia, West Africa. He sent both DVDs back with the team to Texas and they shipped it to us. I was thrilled to receive it. It was the best Christmas present ever to hear the children at Greater Love children's home in Monrovia singing "Joy to the World". I think it will always be my favorite Christmas Hymn from here forward. Love and God Bless- Crystal

O.K. so I have hit "the wall". I was just barely holding it together this evening. After three weeks of Daddy being away I feel like a marathon runner and I am hitting "the wall". I remember being pregnant with Grace reading about when a women is in labor she hits "the wall" when she dilates to about 7 cm with only 3 cm left to go. I am there now. Your mind realizes that you don't have too much farther to go, but the body is ready to give up. I have been praying for endurance as I will have Daddy home soon. Please pray for me as I try to scale the wall : )

Today Luke, Faith and I had Coffee and smoothies at a local Cafe. We had to get out of the house while Grace was at school and we tried to let Grandma Vera rest as she is coming down with a virus. I know, we ask her to help us out only to send her home with a less than considerate parting gift. Please pray for her as she heads back to New Mexico for a fun family Christmas. It is no fun to be sick over Christmas. Tomorrow we take her to the airport and we will go to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. FUN, FUN, FUN! We are sad to have Grandma leave for home, but thankful that she gave of herself to help us out. Thanks GrandmaVera !!!

Well I am going to go watch a good Judi Dench movie(Mrs. Brown) and curl up with some cocoa. Have a great Christmas week!! Love, Crystal

We spoke to Kelly today via the Internet. That is so cool! It was the last time he thought he could call us before he will fly out of Sudan. Please continue to pray for travel safety. He will leave on Tuesday morning Sudan time to head back to Uganda. He will spend one night in a hotel in Uganda and then Fly on to Belgium. In Belgium he will have 4 hours and then he will he fly to the Windy City. Lastly he will drive home from Chicago to Muskegon. We can't wait for Daddy!!! He is truly my hero and I am so proud that he choose to serve and love people in this way.

If you call on Thursday evening we will not be answering the phone as we will be having family time with Daddy. In his latest email he spoke of worshipping in a Sudanese church and of the battle raging in that country. I am amazed at the world God created, but there are many times I long to see heaven. I think of the horrific things that are happening to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan and I long for heaven. I am excited to think of the day when we the body of Christ come together to worship and live as one. No more war, no more hate, only love, only truth. I know that the day will come because our God is faithful and he keeps his promises. He said he was going to prepare a place for us and he would return to bring us to God the Father. May we Christians win this wicked sinful world for Christ, may we never give up until we draw our last breath. May the whole world know and love Christ ! Please God stop the death and destruction in Sudan!

Have a good night! Crystal

I am so excited to report we have news from Sudan and a picture :) Kelly sent some letters our way via email and we are thrilled to have received them today. Some memorable quotes " We are primarily eating rice and goat. Yes, goat." and "I've been warned no pictures of the soldiers. So, since they have the guns, no pictures." My husband is a smart man and that is why I married him!

I have attached the picture he sent. It is of some of the kids at the orphanage in Liberia. They are holding pictures of our family. Please pray for his continued safety. Gotta Go to bed! Love and Blessings- Crystal

Hello to all who are reading this. Which from the large number of posts is one person, my sister. The kids, my mother in law, Vera, and I went to see Charlotte's Web today. It was cute and classic. The animations were very well done. Especially Charlotte, the spider was so cool looking. It was a fun diversion today as we still have no news from Kelly. I am praying for an email conveying all is O.K. But I am trusting God and praying for safety for he and the mini-team he is with, Mike and Megan from West Texas.

The kids are now mentioning several times a day how they miss Daddy. Interestingly enough they have taken to climbing on me at meal times after they finish eating. Which is usually something reserved only for Daddy as he eats. I guess they have to climb someone. I think I may even be jealous of the lack of snuggling and climbing attention I am receiving now upon Kelly's return. O.K., maybe it will take me awhile to get to feel jealous. First I need to remind myself all three of our little ones aren't attached to me : ) Merry Christmas and have a great Friday night- Crystal