First Day of school!

This is a busy week!
Aug 19th, Emma's birthday and Brittany leaves(blog coming about her departure).
Aug 20th SCHOOL STARTS! This is the earliest school has ever started, because we are usually waiting on a teacher. We are thankful to have Aunt Diane who stayed for another year and Aunt Janet, from another mission station as teachers this year.
 
Emma is mostly excited about starting second grade, and happy to be with friends at school.
 
Allison is the oldest student in the MK school this fall, as a fifth grader.
 
Olivia wonders why she can't go to school and has been through stamping, drawing, playing doctor, rubbing mama's back and playing dress up with Grammer's jewelry this morning and it is only 9:18 am!

Emma is 8!

8 years ago, on a warm August morning, Emma Marie Dooley came into the world.
 
We started off the celebrations with cinnamon rolls in bed and candles and singing.
 
Emma had a great time opening presents and cards.
 
The birthday girl selected tacos for supper and German Chocolate cake. (well actually the cake was left over from the night before, but we'll have her choice on Saturday at the party).

Hagen Show

 
 
 
 
Saturday was the Hagen show, where groups from all over PNG come together, wear their traditional outfits, and compete. It is an interesting time and has a county fair atmosphere.

Allison goes to surgery

My big 10 year old is growing up!
 

I called Allie and told her that a little 10 year old girl was going to have surgery. Allie immediately wanted to bring her a book. Allison showed up at the hospital a little later, with 2 books, a stuffed bear and a purse.
 
We had talked about Allison watching surgery sometime and she wanted to stay and watch Crystal's. I thought Al would be quiet and nervous. However, Allison could not get close enough and didn't want to miss a second of the viewing. She had hundreds of questions and asked every one of them.
 
Allison held Crystal's hand and prayed with her before surgery. Allison chatted and tried to encourage Crystal. After the surgery when Crystal was waking up, Allie stayed right by her side for almost an hour, holding her hand and talking with her. Crystal's appendix had ruptured, so you can pray for her healing.
 
My compassionate little daughter has already asked when we can go up to the hospital to see Crystal today.

New Beginnings

 
Sam Bennett, son of Judy and Andy Bennett, graduated from high school and is off to college. The Bennett's live and work at Kudjip Hospital with us. Sam and Scott have gotten very close and have had many adventures together.
 
The parting was sad, but we are excited to see God's hand direct Sam's life.
 
It is always a miracle to get on your flight out of Hagen, and the Bennett's were not too late.
 
Pray for Sam as he boldly walks where God is leading.

BOXES!

There are only a few things more exciting in a missionaries life than getting a box from friends and family!
 
Our family has a little "we just got a box dance" and have to wait until everyone is together.
 
Then we take turns pulling one thing from the box at a time, to savor the joy!
 
The postal system has been behind lately so boxes have been taking about 30 days. 9 days is the shortest record time for us and 9 months is the longest it has taken a box to get here.
 
Here is a big THANK YOU!!! To mom (also known as Grammer), to KendraKaraDebbieSuiPingChandraMary Springfield Bible Study girls, and to Scott and Andrea Marshall! Wow do we feel loved!

Mud Men!

Every tribe in PNG has their own traditional dress. This is what the people about 2 1/2 hours east of us wear.
 
These Asaro Mud Men are working on building the new hospital and dressed up for the work and witness teams.