The Critter Party

Last week, when the boys were shooed away

at the girls' tea party, there was talk about doing a boys' party soon.

My plans for this one sprung from Paeton's love for turtles and all things that crawl.

And since he is going to be celebrating his tenth birthday within a couple of days

of landing in Indonesia . . . this was the right time.

We did this over dinner, so that Papa could be there too.

Looks like he is the photographer here.

I spent about five dollars at the Dollar store for some props

 

and the rest came from the garden.

Except for those things that came from the kitchen.

This was a fun and easy way to make a memory.

After dinner, the boys got out whatever sticks they could find

and played their own version of hockey.

They managed to work up quite a sweat!

Paeton,

how do I describe the memories and feelings

that come together on this your tenth birthday?

You were twelve weeks old when you first landed in Indonesia . . .

a tiny babe to be held in the sling of a pembantu 

while your mom and dad went to language school.

It amazes me how, as the years went by and as we visited, 

the connection of being family was never lost to you.

Your smiles for us have always warmed our hearts.

I call it God's grace.

During this time that you have been home,

we have had a window of time to grow in our relationship.

We have seen what a great role model you are for the younger ones 

by the way you care for them.

Your humble and gentle way with them

has them looking up to you as their hero.

We have seen your gifts of organization and attention to detail,

your creative mind - able to put things together 

like a surgeon or an architect.

This time around we send you off in the context of a whole new level.

You will not be held safe in the arms of an Indonesian helper.

Instead, you will have the freedom to explore the world around you,

to make new friends and learn new things.

We know who you are, a boy with a big heart,

eager to take in knowledge and eager to give.

And, to our comfort, still held

in the arms of our God who will watch over
your coming and your going
both now and forever more.

We love you,

Papa and Grammy