Spring Break Part 3- finally!

This past weekend was the Deaf Church's annual Bible Conference and 30th anniversary, 30 year anniversary for Darrell and GayLynn as the shepherds and my 10th Anniversary as staff there. 10 years?!?! Crazy. Sometimes it seems longer and sometimes it feels that time has flown by. The weekend was filled with good teaching and time with friends. Our friends Jesse and Krystal flew down with Katie so we got to enjoy them for the fast and furious weekend. Sunday morning the church presented me with a love offering. I can't even begin to describe what a timely blessing it was. Every since Brancent got laid off God has provided in some crazy ways. People just giving me money for no reason, Unexpected checks in the mail, and people paying me for random things that I never expected payment for. Glory and thanks be to God who has not forgotten us and to those of you who bless us through your service to Him. You know who you are!

Now back to spring break. Just wanted to share some stories of the kids that occurred during spring break so as to someday look back and use them for embarrassing purposes.

Katie- Super proud of the way she carried herself the week of spring break. She was involved in some service projects and did it all without a complaint. She definitely has the mold-able heart of a servant. At the end of the girl's retreat the girls were picking up and packing to go home. Katie came up and asked "where's the broom?" "The what?" "Broom. I need to sweep the basement. We really made a mess with the popcorn." I just kinda stared at her a minute and then found her a broom. Maybe I don't get out much but I don't know many 6th graders that will take initiative and get stuff done without having to be told 100 times.  Her big joke of the weekend was "I like eggs. They crack me up!" So corny, but so innocent. Dear Jesus please keep her heart that way! Sister you have no idea how proud of you we are!

Jacob- One night I gave Jacob his bath while Brancent and Katie played a game of Sorry. While they played they snacked on some Fruit Loops. About the time Jacob and I came into the living room Brancent began to throw them in the air and catch them in his mouth. Katie started to try, but kept throwing them behind her instead to straight up which was pretty funny. This resulted in fruit loops everywhere. Jacob started laughing so hard as he watched Daddy and Sister and we in turn started laughing at him. Jacob decided he wanted in on the fun new game and got some fruit loops in his hands. He stood still for a minute then threw them over his shoulders and started laughing wildly. It was so funny, but alas, had to be stopped before a new habit was formed. He is such a ham. No idea where he gets it from.We were having Seven (a HS and College age Bible Study) at our house the end of Spring break. We decided we would just review what went on during spring break and was going to be more of a fellowship time so we just kept Jacob at the house with us. He thought everyone sitting in a circle was for the sole purpose for him to get in the middle and show off. More specifically run up lick my jeans (yeah, you read that right) and listen to everyone laugh. FYI the more you laugh the more he does it = Ham. Seeing his boyish nature come alive is fun, and exhausting.

I think I've already blogged about this but Brancent got laid off March 25. He has been mowing several yards, chasing Jacob, and doing random projects his wife comes up with. He also has been working on the backyard so hopefully soon we will have a good place for Jacob to play outside and for us to hangout on summer evenings. It's been funny they things Jacob learns being home with Daddy all day. One day while eating Jacob looked at me and opened his mouth as wide as he could while giggling. I couldn't figure out why he was doing that until Brancent sheepishly admitted he had been showing Jacob "see food" and Jacob started doing it back. He said I only did it once didn't know he would remember. So my apologies in advance if Jacob decides to show you his food before swallowing.

There are some big changes being birthed in our lives so hope to get to blog about them soon.
Grace and Peace!

Spring Break Part 2- Girls Retreat

I love these girls. They are beautiful. They keep me on my toes making me laugh and making me cry. They're the best!

PBDC Girl's Retreat 2010 from Darrell Bonjour on Vimeo.


Spring Break 2010 Girl's Retreat: hand massages, manicures, went out to eat, watched the Princess and the Frog, watched New Moon, wrote encouragement cards, got goodie bags with encouragement cards, monogrammed aprons, cooked together, made recipe packs, made bracelets, and most importantly
talked about not buying into cultures lies but instead let God define beauty for us.
Proverbs 31:30

Spring Break Part 1 Surprise Parties and Ninjas

February ended in a whirl with PBDC hosting the annual Deaf Evangelism Conference. I was in the nursery most of the time, but from what everyone said it was fantastic. We had several friends from the DFW area that were here that we don't get to see often which made the weekend even more fun. Josh, Libby and Noah were among those that came and Libby and I got to have lunch together the Monday after the conference. Uninterrupted adult conversation. So nice and way underrated.

The next big thing on our calendar was Spring Break. Katie flew into Lubbock on the first Saturday of Spring Break and came to A-town with Uncle Jared, Aunt Patty, Simon and Mark. Little did she know they were coming to Amarillo for her surprise party (Her actual birthday is April 15 but we always celebrate it with her during spring break) She had told me a few years ago that she always wanted a surprise party and she was definitely surprised! The party started off with the kids decorating aprons then each decorating a mini birthday cake to eat and take home.We got the idea from a cool little bakery in Amarillo, but the price they charge was a bit much. Nelva got a mini cake pan and made the cakes and I bought the decorating stuff. Just as good if not better for way cheaper. We found out that PawPaw is quite the cake decorator...who knew! Katie got a lot of money for clothes and a Taylor Lautner shirt (squeal!) and several other goodies. There was some dancing that went on and a certain SIL (love you Patty!) who gets the award for best Ellen dance and best Robot of the night. We had so much fun and sent everyone home with a sugar high.

The next day we were sitting in church and the (heavy wooden) doors to the hall came slightly open.. I thought someone was probably peeking in to find a friend or family member and didn't think anything more of it. A few seconds later it opens wider and I see the top of a small blonde head. I kinda sat there thinking "no way" Sure enough in came Jacob and headed down the aisle towards the back of the church. I meet him in the aisle and whisked him out in the hall grateful he hadn't made a beeline for the stage where Darrell was preaching. I went down the hall to find the nursery workers in a panic looking for the escapee. They had been breaking up a toddler squabble and Jacob opened the door and closed it behind him unseen and without making a sound. Our friend Darla who was one of the workers said 'I've never lost a kid before!" I told her not to worry about it cause he was not lost, he knew exactly where he was going! He gave Darla and Destiny mini heart attacks and earned the nickname "Jacob the Ninja" from the older kids all in one day. Just another Sunday at the Deaf Church. Needless to say I will be putting knob covers in the play room very soon.