1. Mosquito bites that itch are very likely to make us cry. We have them distributed evenly all over our bodies, and they itch like crazy! (especially the ones centered in the middle of our backs)

2. Language mistakes- is Hannah ripe, or sleeping? These two words sound the same in Karen to us!

3. Diarrhea- when Hannah gets diarrhea it is enough to make me want to cry like a baby! Hand washing dirty diapers is not on my list of favorite things to do.

4. Language mistakes in unexpected places. In the official Karen Church Hymnal, there is a song titled, “When we all get to heavy”. Travis and I have giggled about that one more than once. “When we all get to heavy, what a day of rejoicing that will be!” (I think that they meant “heaven”)

5. When I have medical troubles. My neighbor came over the other day with very strange symptoms. She could hardly walk, and all her joints were swollen and painful. She also had a fever, and had not felt well for several days. I looked up all of her symptoms, and came up with nothing. Her symptoms did not completely fit any of the diseases in my books. So, I came up with a bright idea of going to the pharmacy and telling the pharmacist what was happening. He is really nice and very helpful. So, that is what I did. I came home with a bunch of medications that he assured me would have her doing well real soon. She was very happy to get them and I went home happy that I had figured out what to do! The next day, she came over with hives all over her body…. a reaction to the medicine!

6.When Hannah gets it. As you all know, Hannah has been having a really hard time being good. But, probably due to your prayers, we were able to make some radical changes, and she is doing really well now. Last night, she sat through worship happily, then she told everyone good night, and got up and went to her room all by herself!

7. Hundreds of hellos. Most of my students actually know a lot of English. They are taught English grammar in school. But, they never actually learn to speak English. They know what we are talking about, but they don’t say anything. So, we came up with the idea of having them practice one word per day. Today they have to say “hello” at least 20 times to different people. With 7 students, that can add up to a lot of hellos! Hannah was feeling pretty special this morning when everyone went out of their way to say hello to her!

8. Rain. Yesterday, Travis and Hannah and I decided to make a run into town to buy the necessary groceries. Just as we were leaving, I told Travis that I hoped that it would not rain while we were gone since I had spent all morning washing my bedding, and it was almost dry. No sooner did the words get out of my mouth when it started pouring down rain. Needless to say, I did not have my blanket last night, and I had to borrow Hannah’s, which was a little short on one end!

9.My students. I have the happiest bunch of students that you can imagine. Yesterday morning Pearl came to me and asked if we were going to work or study. I told her that since Roy is on a visa run, I did not know what kind of work we could do that day, so we might as well study. She then explained to me that they had been talking and thought that it would be fun to do a thorough house cleaning! So, that is what we did. Everyone pitched in and got my house in tiptop shape yesterday. They not only did the work, but they did it with joy.

10. Students who are learning to walk with God. Nothing can make a person happier than to see a young animist girl give her first worship talk, or to see her study her bible with real interest, or to hear her pray long, heartfelt prayers. God is so good to let us have a small part to play in all that is happening here.