Elizabeth's Ears

While we were in America, Elizabeth took a big step--she got her ears pierced! We promised that when she turned 12 she could, and so while we were in Maine we took her to the Maine Mall, where they put the earrings in at the Piercing Pagoda. They gave her a stuffed animal to hold onto while they did the piercing.

She was very brave about it, even with the piercing gun thing pressed up against her ear.

She did wince a bit, but her dad wouldn't have done so well!

In the end, she looked beautiful with her new earrings.

At Houghton

Our visit to Houghton College was well worth the time. Chris really felt like it was the place for him. He was even able to sleep for three nights in a dorm. He shared a room with another missionary kid, which made him feel right at home.

Outside of one of the dorms.

In front of Rothenbuhler Hall where Chris stayed and would love to stay as a student.

And by the sign at the entrance to the school.

Once we left, it was a long trip. The poor boys were wiped out!

More pictures from America

Elizabeth was dying to make a jack-o-lantern because we can't usually find this type of pumpkin in Estonia.

During Chris's visit to Houghton, we went to Letchworth State Park, which had beautiful scenic views.

That's the Genesee river far down below.

There were three water falls at the park, which Elizabeth and Tim especially thought were beautiful ("It's just water," said Evelyn and Chris).

In fact, Chris got kind of sick of taking pictures!

By the time we got to another of the water falls, it was starting to rain, so only Elizabeth and Tim were brave enough to explore that one.

But the view was great, and well worth the effort (and Elizabeth was beautiful, as always!).

It was a good father and daughter time.

Museum Visit

Wherever we go, we love to visit museums, so while we were in America we went to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

The dianosaurs were an especially big hit! We spent a lot of time looking at the different types.

They even inspired Peter and Chris!

They had a hands-on room where Peter could assemble the bones of a dinosaur.

The toes were tricky, but he worked on it patiently.

Look out for the T-Rex!

Elizabeth and Peter loved seeing the Easter Island statue. When Peter saw it, he remembered the movie "Night at the Museum" and shouted, "Look, dumb-dumb!"

Peter, the future scientist.

there's no place like home

Peter's Haircut!

Another thing we did while in America was bring Peter for his first real haircut (Evelyn would always trim it at home). He went to a kid-friendly salon and had a very nice girl to cut his hair.

But he was not very happy about the experience!

He was able to get his hair cut on a cool motorcycle, which he loved!

In the end, he looked like a little gentleman!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Sasha!

from the Bangor Daily News

Pictures from America

As promised, here are some pictures from our homeland furlough, which was from the end of October until the end of November.

The view of the horizon from the plane was beautiful on the flight from Tallinn to Amsterdam.
Peter is a very good flyer, and enjoys playing in his seat. He is especially good at doing puzzles.
A few days after we arrived, it was Halloween. We went to Aunt Susan and Uncle Scott's house to trick-or-treat with the cousins (except Chris, who was "just watching Peter").

Their neightborhood was great for trick-or-treating, with many well-decorated houses.

Afterward, we returned to the house to celebrate Bethany's birthday (Peter thought she needed a little help blowing out the candles!).

Back to Blogging

Hi everyone, it's Tim. I know I haven't been so faithful at blogging since we returned from America. Hmm ... let me be a little more honest: I've been terrible at posting lately!

But I've decided that I will post every day from now until Easter, from news about what is happening with us here in the land-where-there-should-be-snow-but-there-just-isn't to pictures going back to our time in America last November. So be sure to check back every day, and post comments, too!

Let's start with some pictures from today. Peter has a paint kit that he has never used before but was interested in investigating. So our resident artist Elizabeth helped him out.

Elizabeth laid out all of the supplies and paper neatly on our kitchen table so that Peter could work.
Even though the set was finger paints, they included this nifty roller. Peter had no desire to get his fingers dirty, so he stuck with the roller.Elizabeth had no fear of getting her fingers dirty, so she added to the painting.

Peter ended up with a very colorful creation, and was just fascinated with how the roller worked!

See you tomorrow!

my great-uncle

"He’s fighting hard but we know it’s not going to be too long.
His heart is very weak and his kidneys are failing. They are keeping him comfortable with medication. His angels are all around him.
He was naming all his brothers and sisters this morning as if taking a roll call. He told me he thought today he would pass away. The doctors don’t guess about how long he has…we just wait.
So I ask you all for your prayers that his journey will be swift, peaceful and pain free."

When he was "naming all his brothers and sisters ... taking a roll call" one of those names was Arlene, my grandmother who was a member of the Torchbearers session. She was promoted to Glory in 1979.

God bless the Bookers.

Thanks for your prayers, friends.
Evelyn