Four Weeks Already!

As we close out week 4 of being a family of 8 there are many fun things to report.  It seems that each week brings the opportunity to unpack a new concept of family life.  This week the theme was "sharing" and "everybody."  I guess when you live in a compound with 85 kids and you have very little, when you are given something it is important to protect it.  For that reason, the girls always ask "For Joanna?' and "For Naomi?"  When speaking of a cup of milk at dinner the answer is typically, "Yes."  But when we are talking about and entire pack of gum, well, no.  I did give it to you and say you could have a piece, but you thought I meant you could have the whole pack.  Problem is, there are 5 other kids who would like a piece too.   So this week we finally came around to the idea that there are many things that, in a family, we share.  Prime examples are toothpaste, conditioner, foods that are found in the cooler at the swim meet.  Things we do not share include the gum in our mouth, the straw we are drinking from, the half-chewed carrot on the pool deck, and your underwear.   This week we were able to help the girls understand that as a family, we will always take care of each other by sharing what we have and no one has to hoard or hide things they want to use.

Week 4 also brought VBS into our lives.  The first night was a bit rough.  It was hard to know how to explain the decorations, theme, and crazy dress up nights, but the girls did a wonderful job.  The music was a big hit with Naomi.  She caught every word of every song we learned along with motions. They are a bit sad that "kid church" is now over and I don't have the right Creole words to explain that it will all happen again in a year.  It was such a gift from God that we had all 6 kids here to enjoy VBS this year, especially since last year we were using our VBS craft time to pack up goodie bags that were sent to the orphanage where the girls were living.

The best news of week 4 has been the continuous flow of English from Naomi and Joanna.  Just as I was writing this Joanna Sleyca (4 year old) says, "Daddy!  Daddy, come on.  Let's go!!"  as she drags him to the basement to play.  Naomi's language is growing even faster and most of the time now she speaks in phrase and even full sentences.  Very little creole is needed to get a message across these days.

Lest you think things are all perfect and peachy, we do still have tough times.  We are learning to parent with tough love.  The girls are inclined to show displeasure when they don't get a response they they find favorable.  We have had to be firm which results in sad faces, and sometimes tears, but it has yielded fruit in amazing ways.  No longer are shoes removed and thrown when gum is denied.  No longer does Naomi go limp when she is asked to go somewhere she does not want to go.  This week she even brought up a chat about obedience and told me that although she does not like to obey, she knows God tells us we must. When reminded to obey Mommy and Daddy, she is quick to do so.

Monday we start school.  Naomi is not impressed with the idea that school is at home, but I will see if I can change her mind!   She does love her back pack and the new supplies we have for her so maybe I'll be able to coast for a bit just on the newness of things!!!  I continue to be amazed at the grace God is pouring out in our lives. What an amazing God we serve!