Disney...a month ago already!!!

I really need to catch up on blogging. Here is a photo of all the Crane cousins en France at Epcot, 9 kids ranging in age from almost 2 years old to 8 years old. We spent 2 weeks in Orlando with my parents and my brother's families. The kids had such a great time vacationing, and we enjoyed the getaway. We went to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (MGM) and Sea World. I think that Sea World was our favorite with Epcot & MGM tying for a close second...but it was all incredible. The place we stayed at had 2 different pools with kid splash zones and a lazy river, so some days we just hung out there! The kids got to experience their first roller coasters, see trainers riding killer whales, be 4 feet away from an enormous gorilla and share all of this and so much more with their cousins. I posted more pictures on Facebook, so if you have an account, look us up.

Our Week at COD

It's already been 3 weeks since we were in Pennsylvania at COD's Mission Festival. It was a really great time getting to know the church a little bit and meeting so many of their congregation there in York, PA as well as spending time with some seasoned missionaries from around the globe. This weekend, Nathan is driving back up to COD to speak on Sunday night. We've been "in process" with them since before Christmas and we are hoping that they will decide to take us on for support. It would help us out tremendously towards our goal of getting back to Cameroon by July 4th.

One of the activities during the week was a trip to Gettysburg. It was fun for the kids to sit on the cannons and they learned about the Civil War. The kids even enjoyed the museum and cyclorama and riding on the church bus.


While in PA, we stayed at the Crane's house at Lake Meade. As soon as we got there, Boaz was eyeing the fishing pole. He caught 2 fish during the week, both bass, I think. The weather was kind of cold, but that didn't stop the kids from enjoying the water. They swam the first 2 evenings we were there (it wasn't as cold) and used the water toys during the other days. I didn't get a picture, but we even spent an afternoon with Darla, our previous tutor in Cameroon. We all have a very special bond with her since being in Cameroon together. The kids were thrilled to hang out with Darla, roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

Saturday Night Game Show

We are back after 3 weeks of traveling, frantically trying to get caught up and even get ahead (is that possible?). One of the highlights of our trip was participating in Branywine Bible Church's Mission Fun Night. I copied a PowerPoint presentation of Millionaire complete with theme music and added a few questions about Cameroon. Brian Y., the Mission Coordinator, printed out an awesome sign from his studio for the advent. During the game, Nathan the host led our contestants in the hot seat from the status of Average Joe to Missionaire (French for missionary). We even had the option of take away 2 answers, ask the audience and everyone's favorite: phone a Baka. Ellis (pictured below with Nathan) was our young grand prize winner, impressing everyone with his knowledge of Baka culture.

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Last Saturday was the first time Nandry, Boaz, Asher and I ever went to the circus (Nathan went too, but he's been to the circus before). It was incredible!

We got there early so that we could walk around and see the animals and the pre-show. We stayed at the tiger cage for about 15 minutes...it was amazing to be so close to animals that could do you so much harm. One of the tigers roared and jumped at another tiger and my heart just stopped as a wave of fear overtook me. When we were looking at the elephants getting ready for the show, one worker was strapping on the elephant's harness and was practically underneath the elephant making sure it was on correctly. You couldn't pay me enough to do that and be under an animal so huge it could trample me.

This performer was being held in the elephant's mouth!!



The performers who did their routines with the ribbons dangling from the ceiling were a big hit. What incredible skills. It's amazing that some of these folks are 4th generation circus performers. What an interesting life, growing up in the circus!








I love getting pictures at just the right moment! That was a pretty small ring, up pretty high in the air for him to jump through!

We had such a great time and we'll go again next time we are in the States if we get a chance to!

Easter with the Conrods

We spent last weekend and part of the week in a huge cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN with the Conrods. There were 9 adults and 10 kids, plus we got to visit with Nathan's Grandfather and his Uncle's family who live in the area. Easter Morning, the kids came in single file to find their baskets all in a row. You can tell in the picture that Boaz was disappointed looking at a blue horsey and a baby doll, until he realized that wasn't his basket!


We got everyone dressed up, Nandry and KK had matching dresses, matching shoes, and matching dresses on their dolls. It was pretty sweet and they looked like they could be twins. We got a few pictures with Grandma and Grandpa then headed off to the little church down the road.







The 19 of us descended upon this tiny Missionary Baptist church and we almost doubled their attendance. We weren't sure what to expect, and were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into...how 'bout that sign above the pulpit (KJV only)? The church was happy to have us and they got Leigh (Nathan's brother-in-law) up front to sing. He has such an amazing voice...and was singing w/o accompaniment.


Mom got in on the action too and was our pianist for the day. It was neat to be able to be a blessing to this church and the kids did super well during the LONG service where the pastor preached and YELLED his message. It was definitely unforgettable, though next time I think we'll go for something a little more contemporary and a little less...quaint.


We spent the rest of the day with Nathan's Uncle's family (6 more adults and 2 little kids) having a blast hiding and hunting eggs, stuffing ourselves with Aunt Vicky's good food and just being together.

Thanks for your prayers!

Today, Nandry had a procedure at CHKD with the ear/nose/throat doctor. She had fluid built up behind her ear drum for over 5 months and we noticed at the beginning of January that she was saying, "what?" more and not hearing us as well. Today they drained the fluid and put tubes in her ears while she was under general anesthesia. When she got home she was a bit groggy and having trouble walking straight. I asked her (in a normal voice) if her ears hurt, and she said, "yeah, but only because you are talking so loud!" We are glad that things went well and happy to have her hearing at 100%...though we'll have to teach her brothers to be a little bit quieter when they are talking to her.

M for Mama!

Yesterday in the car, Asher was trying to write a note to me saying "I love you, Mama". When he got to the word "Mama", he sounded it out and asked what an "m" looked like. I told him that it's like two mountains or two humps. He was still trying to figure it out when Boaz jumped in with, "You know, like McDonalds". Of course, Asher had no trouble after that!

5 Years of Asher

I can't believe our youngest is 5 years old! We had such a great weekend with Darla, last year's tutor in Africa, who was visiting from PA. We did lots of fun stuff to celebrate Asher's birthday weekend such as playing on the beach, bowling, jumping on the inflatables at Kangaroo Jack's and a birthday party with the Conrod cousins.

Last Sunday

Mr. Handsome here was getting ready for church. He let me comb his hair and put gel in it. "No rubbing your head on the couch" was my rule, and he added to it, "or the wall" and was careful to keep his hair looking good until his special debut at the 9:30 service. ASBC was giving Bibles to all of the 1st graders this week in celebration of them learning to read.


It was hard to get a good pic, but you can see Pastor Roger presenting Bo with his first Bible.


After church we went with Grandpa & Grandma to a Japanese steakhouse where they grill the food at your table. The kids LOVED it and are coming up with ways that we can do this at home.



At the restaurant, Asher was showing off how he could eat his broccoli with chopsticks. This is one thing (the broccoli...and the chopsticks too I guess) that we don't often get in Cameroon and the kids are enjoying it, along with cauliflower which we have affectionately named "scared broccoli".

Fun With the Kids

Nandry set up shop right outside her bedroom selling tiny paper airplanes. So far she's made almost 10 cents. While Boaz is the one who loves to dump his piggy bank and count his money, Nandry's the one that's actually coming up with ways to make money.

Asher is growing quite a bit, especially his feet. He's wearing my shoes already! :) He has tons of energy and reminds me of Tigger -- always bouncing and boinging. Though, he does have the ability to concentrate on his Leapster if it's some kind of puzzle game.