March 28th, 2024

Abby is growing and is really starting to show her personality. I can now play with her the same way i would with Calvin when he was the same age. Her personality is actually quite similar to Calvin, playful with a hint of trouble maker, like yank daddy's beard and laugh when i scream. She shows a huge amount of interest in Calvin, and Calvin loves the extra attention. Calvin reads books, and she listens contently. I'm beginning to see the ways that Calvin will start being a huge help around here. 

Calvin is a big reader, I give him a handful of chocolates when he reads a book. He has been learning his Thai consonants and vowels all month, and has now begun to read in Thai as well. When i get around to making Thai versions of the books for kids i am working on, I will make sure to keep it short, large font, and spaced, as Thai is not typically spaced, but I think it could be useful in children's beginner readers. I have been hunting all week for good Thai books for kids, and have found next to nothing. So when there is a need, i feel the need to help however i can. At the rate Calvin is going, he will be helping me write them. We've been introducing math as well. He doesn't get it yet, but he will soon enough, he enjoys it, and that's key to learning efficiently.  

Writing
I've been putting in more time, in one hour, undistracted segments. It seems to be working well, and I've been making more progress. I have been working on a book called "The Temple without an idol", "Oh my who?" which is a book that addresses who God is for kids, and explains what taking the Lords name in vain is. And the others i have mentioned in previous newsletters. I am working on them prayerfully, as i am inspired. I have a good system for the illustrations planned as well, it should increase the speed of that as well. 

Teaching
Half my students are on summer vacation now, so things are tight, but we have plans to take off as well, so overlapping is good. I continue to practice sharing the gospel with these kids in tid-bits meant to be easy to understand, but deep enough to get them asking questions regularly. 

Making
Making children's songs has been a focus this month, but i really want to spend more time with it next month. Calvin remembers the songs he likes and helps me know which ones are more catchy, and which ones are only cool because i think they are. Kid approved i suppose. It's also useful to practice them before i add more clauses. 

I said i would make papercrete forms and get that started last month, but i still haven't found a good plywood supplier after i gave up with my normal guy after finding termites in literally every sheet 20 sheets down. (Thats a headache, i really feel bad for them, but they likely will manage to sell it to people who don't check it first) I did make a very cool lighting fixture mold for papercrete, with imput from my wife, i think we have the ideal design that will be easy to repeat, it big enough, and will reflect light well. Just got to do a pour, sometime next month maybe. 

Needs
We are still in need of funds for our trip back home next year. Right now we have raised about 800 of the 4000 we need to raise. This is including airfare and passports for our children, but is not yet including expenses when we are in the States. If you would like to support us, shoot me a message, and i'll give you a few ways you can donate. Thankyou to everyone who prays and supports us.