July was a very full month, and it seemed to go on and on…in a good way. I found myself thinking countless times, “Is it still July?” After Independence Day (see previous post), the rest of the month was mostly “normal” life, though normal can get pretty exciting around here! We said goodbye to the short-term team from The Master’s College (TMC) in mid-July, after a last hurrah at our house. The kids and I didn’t see them as much during their time here, so it was really a pleasure to get to know them a little better, even if it was their last night in Cambodia! It’s always fascinating to hear how the Lord works in and through short-term teams, and definitely a testament to His faithfulness to all of us. On July 16th, we skyped for my nephew Daniel’s first birthday party (his actual birthday is July 19th–the same as our team mate BJ). It’s always bittersweet to skype for big events–so very grateful for the technology that enables us to be a part of the occasion, but simultaneously, I always have to fight back the tears, wishing I could be present in person. We definitely have it better than people did 20 years ago! We finished the month out by welcoming the Mayers to Cambodia, a family from our home church in CA. Greg’s job has allowed him to telecommute for a year, enabling them to serve as the Lord leads, and to experience life as a family in Cambodia. They have already been an encouragement to us, and it’s always fun to introduce people to this fascinating culture!
- Mata and Ava
- Hanging out before church
- Peset and Paton
- All buckled up! Driving with the TMC team to Mike’s Burger House
- Spontaneous attempt at creativity with Ava’s PBJ (with bananas)
- Ava enjoyed her mini me.
- Ava blocking Paton from her animals, and him making a face at her–not one of their proudest moments
- Ava borrowed the camera and took this picture of Bo–love how he’s grinning at her!
- Ava with the camera again…see, they do love each other!
- My sleeping babies…both with fingers in their mouths
- No car = car seat in the house, so the kids like to sit in it
- Dirt!
- Ava watching our neighbors…in a princess dress
- Faster, Daddy!
- Our little girl is getting so big!
- And Paton is starting to enjoy a little more than just mush
- Happy 1st Birthday, Daniel!
- Our last night with the short-term team from TMC! Such a great group of young people!
- Chatting with some of the lovely ladies from the team
- Playing a fun “educational” game with Daddy
- Thanks to the Trapp family (related to the author), we have the same beautiful book (“The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes”) that my parents read to me as a child. Such a treasure!
- Setting up all of her little friends for bedtime
- A little project–chalkboard wall in the under-the-stairs play room.
- She loves it!
- Ava looking at our wedding album for the first time. She carefully turned each page.
- Date night! Thanks for this photo, Victoria! (And to Pahnette for babysitting!)
- A picnic in our park–I thought the ants were going to carry us away, but it was still fun!
- Ava’s special “When I go poop in the potty” magnet kit…ha ha.
- She insisted that we needed “books” while playing…
- It’s great to be playing the piano again!
- Father-daughter duet
- I asked Ava to put her animals away, and this is where I found them…as if they were in their own little rooms for the night, tucked into her play kitchen. It reminds me of the book, “Indian in the Cupboard”.
- Welcome, Mayer family!
- We’re so glad that you’ve joined us in Cambodia!








































