Over half way there!  Bruce & Nicole will be home in 11 days.  It feels like they've been away such a long time.

Luke is really missing them, and it shows in his behaviour.  I think he's grown a little tired of being number 1 helper and is a little less jolly.  Tom hasn't been quite so bad thankfully.  And Josh is doing well, walking still unsteadily but achieving reasonable distances.

We went on the train into town today and then up the cable car to the Botanic gardens where we enjoyed a picnic lunch with my sister, brother-inlaw and their two children.

At the start of the day I met an old friend and through conversation went away feeling quite down.  The good thing is I took it to God and for a change choose to let Him work in me and change my attitude and use me for good and positive interaction for the rest of the day.

Bruce phoned and I was thrilled to hear they also chose to be positive.  They had recently felt quite homesick.  Together they worked out that rather than them wishing they were home, they were glad they are in Brazil, they just wish we could be there with them!

The travellers are doing well.  They miss home and there are plenty of cultural challenges, but we can see God in the midst of their time away and daily He answers prayers.  Communication is fantastic these days made easy with email and telephone.  For this I am very thankful.

I'm tired and finding 3 yr old Tom a trial. 

I've just completed reading a good book by Paul Jennings called Catching the Reading Bug.  I found it very helpful.  Interesting to read his view of phonics - they can make it hard work for some children.  It is a very encouraging, positive book.  He writes about the importance of reading to our children and making reading fun and pleasurable.

I worry about Luke's reading at times. He is making progress and I know I need to trust God and that with God's help Luke will do it in his time.  Sometimes, probably more when I am tired and there are other challenges with the kids I allow myself to be weighed down by all my insecurities and lack of confidence in my ability to teach my children.

I have made a concerted effort to read to Luke more and choose managable books for him to read.  He has done well.  Tonight he said instead of watching a video, could I please read to you. 

I miss Bruce and Nicole.  Luke has been such a great help around the house and with the boys.  He also is thoughtful and kind to Nana, keeping her company on her walk.

It's amazing how tidy the bed is in the morning with just one person sleeping in it!  And I think the house stays a little tidier with two less people to leave things lying around.  There is also a little less sibling rivalry, not none, but less.  These are all things I have many times dreamed of, but really I would far rather have the special people (husband and daughter) here.

This morning when I told Luke and Tom I was going for a walk and that they could stay with Nana, they were so keen to come with me.  I felt quite grumpy with them that they wouldn't let me have half an hours break.  I pushed Tom (18kg, 3yr old) in the mountain buggy and Luke walked alongside.  It didn't take long for my heart to soften and to actually enjoy their company.  We walked for an hour.  Luke read numbers on letterboxes, worked out what was coming next and also read words on signs and cars.  We don't always know what the best thing for us is! 

I spoke to Bruce and Nicole on the phone today.  Nicole is now well and they both sounded great.  They went on a tour to see the statue of Christ on a hill in Rio, and window shopped today.

Having this time apart has helped me to treasure the priceless gift God has given me in a wonderful husband that I totally love, a beautiful daughter, and three gorgeous boys. 

 This is all good as very recently I had a few days that I let the family know I was keen to resign from my job as housekeeper!  So, appreciating their value, and recognising that my role is important to us as a family and really a priviledge is something I needed to see a little more clearly.  Now I can. 

Well the travel sickness theory was probably wrong.  Nicole was sick twice more after a nights sleep at the hotel in Rio de Janiero.  Last weekend we had our church camp and one family came despite having had a vomiting bug in the past 24 hours!  And while at camp a 3rd family member got it.  We left camp then as we so much didn't want Bruce or Nicole to get this.  Now Bruce and Nicole need to delay their visit to the missionary family so that they don't pass it on.  And we can only pray people in the plane didn't get it.

I have felt very angry with the family from our church who were so thoughtless. 

Tonight my mum and I watched the video of The Passion of the Christ.  I was amazed at how many people hurt Jesus so badly, he felt such extreme pain, but he did not want to get back at them.  He wants us to love people as He loves us!  Wow!  I have got such a lot to learn, to let God change me. 

A vomiting bug is nothing to forgive when I think of Jesus forgiving others ... and forgiving me.

I spoke to Bruce and Nicole on the phone, they both sounded good.  I know God is close to them and is giving them peace in their hearts, despite altered plans.

Back here at home, all is well.  Luke (8), has been great at helping.  Today he had art,  & sports with approx. 25 other homeschoolers (today they had the commonwealth games, Luke was in the South African team and they came 6th, out of 6 teams!) and then my friend Jo and Luke's friend David came for lunch.  No book work, no tears.

Well they've arrived safely in Brazil.  Nicole was sick 4 times on the flight!  Motion sickness I guess, poor girl.  She said the hostess was lovely, which I am very thankful for kindness shown to my girl.  Bruce was very tired and quite emotional.  I pray they will now have a good sleep and wake feeling refreshed.

Back at home, Josh is walking half way across the lounge now.  Luke kindly got the boys up this morning, warmed a bottle for Josh, put a DVD on for the boys and let me sleep-in! 

Luke and I did maths (math-u-see), reading and writing.  He couldn't understand some of the maths and it was a real trial for him, he was crying and just didn't get it.  That carried on to the reading so I didn't overdo that lesson!  Oh dear.

Mum has come down to stay, so it is lovely to have adult company.

Today my husband and daughter left NZ for 25 days.  Bruce and Nicole will be in Brazil for 2 1/2 weeks and Los Angeles for 1 week.  Their purpose is to visit, encourage, understand missionaries that our church supports.  Nicole is 9 1/2 and very excited to be spending all this time with her dad.  They are meeting another elder from our church in Brazil and they will travel together.  We believe this trip is pretty much totally God-planned.  It is not where Bruce would've chosen to go, and to go without me and the boys was not what he would have planned.  We have been amazed to see God at work in all the preparations and provisions.  Now we look forward to seeing what He has in store for them!

Meanwhile, back in NZ I have the pleasure of the company of Luke 8, Tom 3 and Josh 1.  After our trip to the airport this morning we did not manage to accomplish any schoolwork during the rest of the day.  Josh is just learning to walk, and climb, and worry his mother with his dare-devil antics!

Now after a 5.30am start, and with all children asleep, it is time for me to sleep.

p.s.  I miss Bruce and Nicole