Saturday, January 12, 2013

More Information about DR Congo

We have been learning a lot about
Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It is in Central Africa. 
Only half of the country is in Brad's Mission.
The Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission
includes part of DR Congo
Republic of Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville),
Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR),
Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. 

I am sure we will continue to have many
geography and culture lessons over the next few months!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission

 
After waiting for MRI results on his wrist,
having several procedures done on his body
to be mission ready --
Brad was able to submit his mission papers.
 
 
We left his call in the mail box
and he got here after dark on Wednesday.
 
Brad has been called to serve in the
 Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa Mission
and will enter the MTC on May 15th.
He will be speaking French.

His mission includes
  
part of Democratic Republic of Congo
 
Republic of Congo
 
Cameroon
 
Equatorial Guinea
 
Gabon
 
and Central African Republican

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Christmas 2012


 The last time we were all together as a family 
for Christmas was back in 2009.
Neither Ben or Bryan were married then.
Our family has grown to 10 and 
with missions, schooling and life adventures
we are not sure when we will be together
for the holidays again.
 
We had our traditional nativity
with Grandpa Brockbank as narrator this year.
Christmas Morning 2009
Christmas Morning 2012
We had our traditional line up by age,
but everyone is getting too tall!
 
Grandpa & Grandma Brockbank joined us 
along with Aunt Elizabeth.
Of course we had to have our 
"traditional picture" with all our gifts.
But the greatest gift of all was being together!
Hope your holidays were as good as ours!
Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Crafts

I enjoy crafts -- all kinds of crafts.
Many times I see something and think
"I can make that!"
 
As Christmas was approaching
I saw a Bearded Beanie on the internet
and knew I had to have one for Bryan.
The price as over the top, so I made my own.

My children draw names and this year
Gwen got Brad's name.
I talked her into making Brad a quilt
using his Murray Wrestling & Football t-shirts
With lots of help from Brandon & Blake
the quilt turned out great and Brad loved it!
 
The last craft of the season
was an inspiration from Sarah's family.
Many years ago Sarah's grandmother had
made a Puzzle Nativity for each of her children's families.
Sarah wanted one of her own.
 
Ben and Bryan took the challenge of figuring out 
how to make the stable frame
and cut out the individual pieces.
We then spent several days painting and sealing them.
It was so fun to work with Alyse, Ben, Sarah and Bryan.
Each puzzle turned out darling.
(Wish I had pictures of all of them, here is mine.) 
 
Here is a picture of Ben and Alyse's Nativity Puzzle