Last Friday we gathered to celebrate 30 years of Crowleys in Cambodia. Our EMU team is so thankful to God for bringing the Crowleys here 30 years ago and through them, bringing each of our families to serve here as well. We love the Crowleys our EMU Cambodian Family. We are blessed.

Our time together included lunch; a time of thanksgiving, prayer, and singing; and dessert. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the faithfulness of JD & Kim as they continue to serve God.

November and December are big celebration months for us with two birthdays in November, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and all the extra celebrations with friends and church that go with that. This week we started Micah’s birthday countdown calendar. Let the fun begin!

Today we had our 10th annual Cambodia Coronation Day celebration. One of our kids asked if anyone else in the world celebrates this holiday…ummm, maybe the king in Phnom Penh. We had a good morning or finishing our crowns, play practice, cookie baking, face painting, and the coronation ceremony and party. Tonight we’ll have an after dinner show, including a play and presentations.

This week Maria turned 15 months. One thing she loves to do is copy her siblings. Recently she’s been reading books, repeating the same syllable sounds as she reads. It’s so cute.

The girls have started a ladies’ literary society. They are reading a novel together 1-2 nights a week, while I put the boys to bed. Saturday they had a tea party.

Our boys love to play and are wonderful playmates for each other. They love their downstairs space and build wonderful cities with blocks, MagnaTiles, and a train set. They’ve currently set up a popcorn factory (they make popcorn out of paper) that drops the popcorn into a train, which then transports the popcorn to other parts of the track. I wish I had a picture.

A few weeks ago Ezra asked Josh to put up a seat in the tree for them to sit in. The other day when I was meeting with a friend, I looked out and saw both boys sitting in their seats eating ice pops. It’s so much fun being little boys.

Maria decided this week that she doesn’t like to nap. Quite a change from last week. I think it’s the fact that her two top front teeth are starting to make their presence known. So who knows what next week will hold.

Due to Titus’ death and sickness, we postponed celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day until last Thursday, when everyone was feeling well enough to participate. We started the day with patch-making. It’s great to have older kids who can help the younger kids, so I don’t have to help everyone. After that we read some books, and then Becca and Isaiah hid “gold coins” for the other kids to find. Isaiah made a map of our upstairs, and each kid had their own color of coins to find – each place marked on the map. All the kids had fun with their activities. We had a snack as a reward for the treasure hunt. Then Becca made M&M cookies with the boys, while the three middle kids did an art project. (I worked on meal prep stuff.) After lunch we had a normal afternoon. For the evening we had a spaghetti supper and the M&M cookies for dessert. Then the kids did dramatic readings of different picture books. Josh, Ezra, Micah, and I did a performance of Caps for Sale. The boys loved being the monkeys. Once the performances were over, we did our pirate dancing and watched a few informational videos about pirates.

In comparison to last year, this was a much better Pirate Day for me. Last year I rather resented all the work it was, especially when there was a lot of complaining and other issues to resolve. This year there was a lot more helping and everyone enjoyed their roles/responsibilities. It was a good day! Arrrrrr!

Every morning at breakfast we read through one chapter of the Bible. We’re on our second time through. This time we’re reading the Bible chronologically. We started around June 6th, 2021. On September 28th we finished reading through the OT. The last time we finished the OT was May 28, 2020. (We always get slowed down when we have our 6 months in the States, since family routine flies out the window when we’re staying in the homes of others.) Now…on to the NT, reading through chronologically!

After over a week and a half of sickness, we’re finally coming up on the other side, though still hanging on to coughs and congestion. The only ones to remain healthy are Josh and Maria. We had to postpone Pirate Day. It’s been a blur. Yesterday was our first sunny day in over a week. So nice to see the sun! Ready for September to be over and looking forward to starting October fresh and healthy!

Last Friday my best Jarai friend’s son drowned. The wake lasted four nights, and the funeral and burial were Tuesday. Josh was at the wake every evening and spent the night sleeping under the house with the family and church people (Friday, Sunday, and Monday nights). I was there every day with Biah next to the body and then casket (they didn’t get him into the casket until Sunday afternoon). Before we left for America Biah told me I was like her “friend, sister, mother, and husband.” This gave me the confidence to be present and to hold her when she wept. I have experienced much this past week (never before have I held the stiffen hand of a dead child, or smelled a body decomposing). Never before have I seen such expressions of grief. Someday I shall record it in more detail. In the end – after they had finished tiling the grave shut ad put the roof on, Biah said “It’s ok. God does what he does.” Thanks be to God for His grace in the life of this grieving mother. Thanks be to God.

Last month Maria hit 13 months, and she really thinks she’s as old as all her other siblings! She says a few words: yes, baby, mommy, and daddy. She loves looking at books. She examines the pictures as thought she’s actually reading the book. I’m not sure we’ve ever had a child who pays such attention to details in books at her age. One other thing she loves to do is “write.” We were quite surprised when she picked up a pencil the other day and held correctly at the tip and started to “write” on a paper. It looked better than my pencil hold! The next day when I tried to get a picture, her hold was similar but not as good. So fun to watch!

A few days before Maria turned 13 months, I put her in two of my baby dresses and took some pictures. Maria is not one to pose for pictures; she’s too busy and too interested in seeing her picture on the camera to stay still.

Our time in the States was hard on Maria. She was a very happy baby when with us, but she wouldn’t nap in her pack-n-play or go to nursery. The days she was held by other people were often her worst nights – it’s as though she was anxious, often waking up 4+ times per night. I wasn’t sure what to expect on our return to Cambodia and was wondering how in the world I was going to teach school and read the Bible with ladies in the afternoon, if Maria wouldn’t nap unless being held in silence. Thankfully, after about a week in our home, I tried putting Maria down to nap listening to music (Who Made You). The first time I let her cry for 20 minutes and then she slept for 20 minutes. Two days later she went down with only a little crying. Now she’s napping twice a day and as long as the music is playing, she’s been doing fine. I’m so thankful. It’s made a big difference to my day. Maria is a sweet little girl who loves her siblings. She loves playing chase.

Yesterday we started our 2024-2025 school year! Looking forward to 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, kindergarten, and fun grade! Every year before the start of the school year I get overwhelmed with the thought, “How am I going to be able to teach all these grades and care for the little children?” It’s a huge job. God gives grace, and I find myself praying through a lot of my day. Thankful for these precious years with our kids.

Friday night we arrived in Phnom Penh with all 17 pieces of checked luggage. We had smooth flights. On our 15-hour flight they put us next to two empty seats. When we arrived in Korea, we rushed to our connecting flight and made it just as they were boarding. So thankful we made our flight! As we started to board one child said, “We just got off a plane.” Our 5-hour flight to Korea was mostly one of sleep for everyone except me. When we got out of the airport in Cambodia, we were happy to see our friends the N’s and K’s waiting for us. So happy to be back in Cambodia!

This week we celebrated Ezra’s 6th birthday! He’s been requesting a giant “E” cake, which was nice and easy to do. A few weeks ago my parents gave Ezra a bike – early since we’re going back to Cambodia this week. He’s loved riding up and down the sidewalk and at a park. Ezra wanted spaghetti for his birthday. After dinner we watched a birthday slideshow, gave gifts, and ended with cake!

We’ve been in PA for the past week and much of our time has been packing our luggage, which takes a very long time. The kids have been doing projects – one day the older four went to my mom’s school to help her get ready for the new school year. Another day there was a birthday party for Maria and me.

Monday we were able to visit with the Jensens (not related) and enjoyed fellowshipping with them. Tuesday we went to Lake Tobias and enjoyed the animal safari and zoo. To end the day we went to Dover’s National Night Out. Unfortunately after we finished eating a rain storm came and we had to seek shelter, thinking we could wait it out. That was not the case. My dad got separate from the group, and Josh got soaked searching for him and getting our van. An exciting adventure. We went from sweating to shivering in one day.

We left Dad and Mom Jensens’ home early Tuesday morning (July 23) to drive to Pottsville, PA to visit with my aunt’s family. One of the treats she planned for the kids was horseback riding at a camp. The younger boys wouldn’t ride until we took them out a second time, and then Micah was crying when he had to dismount.

Thursday we visited with the LeBlanc Family. It was great to be with them. The kids enjoyed riding go-carts in the woods, the zip-line, and playing games downstairs.

Saturday we headed to Long Island, NY to be with a church. We enjoyed our fellowship with them. Saturday evening through Sunday night. We enjoyed getting to know the Reimanns 0- they treated us to donuts Sunday morning. Monday morning we drove through the Holland Tunnel, via Manhattan, to visit my Uncle John and Aunt Ruthy. Monday evening we returned to Dover, PA. Tuesday we enjoyed fellowship with the Luttmann family to talk about Bible Visual Internationals. We’re now in our last two weeks before flying back home to Cambodia.

This week Maria celebrated her 1st birthday! Our sweet little girl has made amazing progress with her walking in the past two weeks and is now on the go. We’re all so delighted with our little girl, and all her siblings love her. She’s a spunky little girl who loves to talk with expression and hand motions. (The dress is the one Yayyi gave Anna for her 1st birthday.)

Maria had two birthday parties – one at Canaan Land with her cousin Levi who turned one the day before. Emily made smash cakes for the birthday babies, and Maria loved hers.

Maria’s second party was with the extended Jensen family. We spent Saturday evening until Tuesday morning with Josh’s family. We all enjoyed a relaxing time being together!

My birthday is two days before Maria’s, and I also had two parties – one with the Rodriguez family and one with the Jensen extended family. Dad J and I share a birthday! It was special to celebrate with friends and family.

July 10th we started our last weeks of traveling before we settle in PA to start packing to return home to Cambodia (we’ll get back to my parents on the 29th). On the 10th (Wednesday) we drove to VA and stayed with the Gustafsons’ again. We were able to return the stroller they kindly lent us during our travels and enjoy being with them again. Thursday we spent six hours revisiting The National Museum of the United States Army. First we went through the special D-Day exhibit. Then, once again, the older kids went through the exhibits, while the youngers enjoyed the area designated for younger kids. It was a very rewarding day for me as I watched our kids live out our educational goal for them: Learn to Learn and Love to Learn.

Friday we drove to Charlotte, NC and enjoyed visiting with the Cole family. We spent evening Friday and Saturday morning together. It’s been over 10 years since we’ve seen the Coles, and it was a delight to catch up with them. Becca especially enjoyed their girls and spending time talking about literature. The boys had lots of nerf wars. The little boys enjoyed grinding coffee beans with Michael.

Saturday afternoon we drove to the Lake Toxaway area and started the Sutter Family Reunion. (I don’t have the pictures from this but will post what I have.) Besides my older brother’s family who was in the process of moving to Florida, everyone was able to attend. The 16 cousins had a great time hiking, playing games, biking, and running around the campus together. Ezra learned how to ride a bike without training wheels (we started by pushing him down a grassy hill to help him get his bearings). Thankful for the time everyone had to get to know one another and play together.

You can tell from the picture that our girl knows she’s a ham! Maria took some steps last month, but she hasn’t taken off yet. She wants to run and doesn’t have the patience to practice walking. Sadly, Maria will not nap in a bed. She sleeps great in the car or will fall asleep when I hold her, but she up the minute I try to put her in her pack-n-play. At nights she’s up multiple times. The constant travel and changing rooms has been hard on her. BUT she’s a pretty happy girl most of the day. She loves to play and laugh and eat. Everyone adores her! We love you Maria!

Last Friday we had the special treat of getting together with the 2 other families, plus one college student, from our Cambodian missionary family: Farmers, Smedleys, and Jon Pawley. We all just happen to be in PA at the same time. We met at a park and spent several hours fellowshipping. The kids enjoyed playing games. It’s always a treat to be with family from back home in Cambodia!

Saturday we headed to NJ to take a scenic train ride starting in Flemington with the “2 Wheelers.” It was fun to have a train ride – everyone enjoyed it!

We spent Saturday late afternoon and evening with the Puccios. The kids enjoyed swimming. It was fun to watch Mr & Mrs Puccio, who were my SS teachers, take the same interest in our kids as they had with me and my friends throughout our childhood years. These are precious people who I’ve known as long as I can remember.

Sunday we were at NDC, in Piscataway, the church where I was born. There are still a handful of people there from my growing up years.

Sunday evening we met at my Uncle John’s house for a get-together with family. All my Dad’s siblings were there and a few cousins. My brother, Sam, came to see us with his family. They are moving to FL this week, and we really appreciate their making time to drive down to see us during their very busy week.

Monday we visited again with my Uncle John. Over a year ago he ended up in the hospital with multiple blood clots in his leg and almost lost his leg and then his life. We’re thankful for the progress he’s made so far, but he has a long way to go. It was good to spend time with him. This was also the first time for me to be back in my grandma’s house since her death….a bit sad.