Picture Post: Christmas and Beyond
Here are all of the best pictures from our Christmas time and a few since we’ve been back. I spent time arranging them all in the perfect order, which took a while with African internet, and then it didn’t save it. So, here they are, in a more eclectic order. See below for an explanation of the last photo.
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- The bounty from grandmas and grandpas (and one auntie)…and a few from and for Mom and Dad
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- Opening her first gift on Christmas Even morning…
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- “BABY!”
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- Amelia thought this wrapping paper indicated crackers…to the point where she was not coping well with the disappointment that it was NOT crackers, hence the cracker
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- Opening a gift from Grandmama Lind
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- Levi LOVES his Tintin car, from Jocelyn
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- Ummm, ShUGA…
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- My only Christmas picture…and boy do I look tired! Ah well…
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- Starting to open presents…
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- ShUGA and Amelia were best buds
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- Levi’s new tool belt
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- Loving his new Congolese trucks
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- Funny snakes from FarFar (Father’s Father in Swedish)
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- Matthew’s gift to Amelia – a large, yet-unnamed puppy
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- Levi, trying on his new shoes
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- Matthew’s only Christmas picture…hmmm.
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- Chef Levi!
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- ShUGA – the best part of the Christmas house
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- The other best part about the Christmas House
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- From the entry way of the Christmas House
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- The arch on the left goes into the kitchen…
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- From the dining area into the living room
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- The large dining table, which saw plenty of use during our stay
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- Sherry, of the Christmas House, has the best collection of napkin rings, collected from all over Africa. And stored in a Target bag!
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- The hall – the door at the end is to Levi and Amelia’s room
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- In the master suite, the built in cabinets were gorgeous
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- The bathroom of the master suite – untidied.
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- Lillie, the elusive cat
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- Making 7 quarts of spaghetti sauce…out of the tiniest, Congolese-style tomato paste cans…because it’s what I already had.
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- Nick beginning the feast on Christmas Day
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- Amelia feeding the other Levi Alan (her brother’s name is Levi Allen)…feeding him a duplo person
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- Christmas Day dishes…which didn’t phase Taty, the Chef/house worker, one bit!
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- Matthew found a mug that he really likes in the Christmas House collection
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- The Christmas House was well loved and well used!
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- The kids on Christmas morning
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- Amelia loves the gift from her Auntie Jenny!
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- Levi having fun with Christmas House duplos
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- Amelia…a shining star
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- Ruth – adorable as always!
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- Girl talk
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- Bonne Fette, Amelia!
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- Picking avocados for our Congolese workers and their families before the big Christmas party for them. Don’t miss Nick IN the tree!
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- Another one of Chef Taty’s feasts at the Christmas House
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- Nick was very good at drawing trees.
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- Chef Taty preparing our Congolese feast
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- Poisson (French for fish)…it was soooo tasty!
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- Sorry the lighting is terrible, but we all agreed this reminded us of cartoons from our childhood.
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- Our pastor had a church-wide meal for New Years and celebrated with 100 friends!
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- Levi taking on the Congo River on New Years Day
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- Found at our house once we returned: Biblical style locust!
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- Another creature found at our house upon return…the biggest moth ever!
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- Remembering their younger sibling at Chez Tintin, Sunday, January 13.
On Sunday, in lieu of church, we went out to a little park-like area on the Congo River to reflect and remember our lost little one. We admired the river, talked to the kids, and sang a hymn, Abide with Me, my personal favorite. It was a wonderful family time, and nice to be out to this place before we leave, since we hadn’t yet visited. The river was extremely high, and it moves quickly, but the kids enjoyed it and it was nice to have a time to really say goodbye. Thank YOU for all of your prayers and notes of encouragement. They have meant a lot to us this past week.
The Lind Family 
I thorougly enjoyed all your pictures; your family looks happy and healthy!
awesome pics. love them!