Daryl's in Chile

God did something really special for Daryl. She left yesterday for a women's missionary conference in Santiago Chile, should be just now arriving to her hotel. It's being hosted by Women of the Harvest, the same organization that has published now 3 of Daryl's articles.

This will be her first trip in over 5 years by herself. She was so excited, not just because for the next 4 days she'll be able to worship and speak in English with other women who also live a missionary lifestyle, but because she only had to take one bag! It was so funny to hear her pack, mumbling to herself, wow, no diapers, no wipes, no juice bags or extra onesies,... I can take this dress without worrying about little nose marks, I can take this top because I won't be holding a 2 year old...

Daryl, we miss you already. You deserve this special trip gift. Thank you for all your hard work here with our family, friends, community. We're praying that you have a truly refreshing time.

Tonight was bath night, Naomi helped her sister get dressed, and then promptly told me, "since I'm the mommy now, I think I need to sleep in your bed tonight papa."

Rachel keeps getting up at night looking for mama.

Benji is convinced that each plane that flies overhead (we only have about 3 a day) is the one carrying mom to Chile.

Benji is also going to a school called "Little Fishies Preschool" when we get to the States in just 2 weeks. When I asked him yesterday what language they speak there, trying to help him remember that school in the US is in English, he promptly told me, "they speak fish there, it's a little fishies school." I'm convinced he thinks he's going to be a little fish like Nemo.

And since we're packing, here's some un-posed shots. Yep, the suitcases are back out of storage, what better to do than climb inside and practice zipping each other in while your little sister takes a bath.



see all of you in the Northwest soon. To everyone else, please come visit us, we'll be in Oregon for 11 weeks. love from Bolivia, Dan for the 4 of us in Cochabamba