Wales Trip

Melanie —  May 2, 2014

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These past weeks seem like they’ve flown past.  We were away last week with my aunt who was visiting from Chicago.  We all went up to North Wales and enjoyed some family time together.  We had plenty of time for games, reading, playing sports, den building, and a few outings in the surrounding area.  It was a really refreshing week. God was gracious to provide for this time away.  It was a real gift from Him.  I think time away like this can be so rejuvenating and encouraging in the midst of a full ministry schedule.  I can see why God has asked us to take time out of our lives to rest.

We stayed in a house in a rural area and the views were lovely.

We stayed in a house in a rural area and the views were lovely.  Sheep were all around us.

The weather wasn't perfect but on the nicer days the kids spent lots of time outdoors.

The weather wasn’t perfect but on the nicer days the kids spent lots of time outdoors.

Aliyah's picked a bouquet of wild flowers.

Aliyah’s picked a bouquet of wild flowers.

Biggest and littlest sisters

Biggest and littlest sisters

Not far from the house where we stayed, we discovered a historic site - St. Cybi's Well.  It was lots of fun to explore it.

Not far from the house where we stayed, we discovered a historic site – St. Cybi’s Well. It was lots of fun to explore it.

Here are the older four inside one of the ruined buildings.

Here are the older four inside one of the ruined buildings.

 

 

One day we visited Greenwood Forest Park which was tons of fun.
One day we visited Greenwood Forest Park which was tons of fun.
Here's Joel on a "MoonKart"

Here’s Joel on a “MoonKart”

And Kaylah trying out the stilts with a bit of help from Aliyah.  She always wants to be right in on the action.

And Kaylah trying out the stilts with a bit of help from Aliyah. She always wants to be right in on the action.

They had two hills for dry sledging.  Kaylah was so cute on the little one.  The rest of us, Peter and I included, enjoyed flying down the big one!

They had two hills for dry sledging. Kaylah was so cute on the little one. The rest of us, Peter and I included, enjoyed flying down the big one!

Peter and Hannah passed on the donkey rides so here they are watching the action.

Peter and Hannah passed on the donkey rides so here they are watching the action.

 

Back at the cottage, playing monopoly in front of the fire.  Even I (mom) made a rare appearance in the game! :-)  However, I was reminded how LONG this game is. :-)

Back at the cottage, playing monopoly in front of the fire. Even I (mom) made a rare appearance in the game! 🙂 However, I was reminded how LONG this game is. 🙂

We did get a chance to hang out on Abersoch beach one afternoon.  It was freezing but everyone had fun.

We did get a chance to hang out on Abersoch beach one afternoon. It was freezing but everyone had fun.

Dad and son at Criccieth Castle. It overlooks the ocean from a high point.  Lovely views.

Dad and son at Criccieth Castle. It overlooks the ocean from a high point. Lovely views.

It was special to have Aunt Carol along with us on this trip.

It was special to have Aunt Carol along with us on this trip.

Love this cuddly photo!

Love these smiley girls!

Joel is practicing his aim with his imaginary bow and arrow. :-)

Joel is practicing his aim with his imaginary bow and arrow. 🙂

And here's Kaylah learning to use a "real" one!

And here’s Kaylah learning to use a “real” one! (in her pajamas!)

Kaylah keeps us laughing . . . she still loves putting on other people's shoes.

Kaylah keeps us laughing . . . she still loves putting on other people’s shoes.

Her sweet quote from today was:  “Hannah call me goofball, Daddy call me princess.”  Awww. This girl is such a bundle of joy. She also is very “two” and has been reminding us that she has a sin nature!  So it’s time to be vigilant with loving training.  We’ve been here before . . . we know our Father, as the perfect parent, loves her even more than we do and we keep praying He will work in her heart, along with the hearts of all our other kids.  We hope to send out an email update soon.  We continue to be encouraged at how things are going at Cor Deo and Trinity Chippenham but as always really value your prayers.  Apart from Him we can do nothing.