The family

Heh guys,

Rhonda here FINALLY getting onto a computer.

So the countdown is on.  2 weeks until we're planning on leaving.
Our last day of class is Wed Nov 25.  And then I'd like to spend a few days having a more relaxed time at the prayer room and with our friends.

The weather has been awesome lately.  Still wearing flip flops and today is raining hard, but it's been a few weeks since it last rained all day.

Yesterday I made it out with the twins to do some christmas shopping/looking for gift ideas.  The new trick to having a happy shopping experience is giving the twins a drink and chips while we ride in the cart.  We had fun.

I haven't had a chance to read many of Jon's posts so I'm not sure what he's written.

Baby Lydia passed away last monday and her memorial was this friday.  I had a chance to hold her after she died and it was a really emotional moment.  For whatever reason this little girl had touched my heart and her death was so sad even though it was expected.

They now have family in visiting and I hope it's part of their healing time.  It's kind of crazy that we have made such dear friends in such a short time.  It's only been 3 months but having other's in the same stage of life, with the same heart longings for God and ROOM in their life for new friends has been awesome.

I feel like I live on Sesame Street.  Where everyone is friendly.  The kids are just playing around outside running from one house to another.  And the adults are hanging out having fun.  The only thing missing are the puppets and the breaking out in song.

So, the last few days have been lots of fun as there has been some healing and freedom for alot of people down here.  They are having testimonies of people being delivered from their eating disorders, being freed from the shame and self hatred related to being raped or abused as children.  One young 20 something said that through the touch of God she has received more healing in the last few days than all the years of counseling had given her.

The atmosphere is truly electric.  And the joy in the place is awesome.  Yesterday one of the worship songs was hopping and at least half of the auditiorium was jumping (literally dancing)  It was so fun to see.  And participate in.  The only problem is that you have to get to the auditorium one and 1/2 hours early to ensure you get a seat.  It's absolutely packed and no preaching, just testimonies, prayer for people around you and worship.  A much different environment than the regular prayer room.  It's usually much more controlled, calm and organized.  What an amazing experience to have been able to be here while this is breaking out.  The fun thing is they don't know how long it will be happening.

Anyway, on to the kids.  Madison has developed an addiction to bubble gum.  She has woken up and asked for it before her breakfast.  She has now stooped to the level of stealing it from anywhere she can get it.  And then smiles coyly when we confront her about it.

We have stumbled upon a fabulous parenting technique.  It is the use of baby food as punishment for the kids.  Initially it was for Emma because she was sometimes being rude or whatever and we were wanting her to make better choices.  It has worked like a charm.  So much so that she hid the first bottle (and I still can't find it) and has said that she's been watching her words the last week (and she had).  Now we have started to use it for Madison and the gum problem.  We'll see if it holds the same power.

Katelyn is great.  She loves to walk very seriously in the prayer room.  I'm not sure if she knows why, but everyone around her is doing it so she does to.

I'm on the cafe's free computer and there is now someone waiting so I'll have to cut this short.

Until the next computer access......

Rhonda