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Medina Life, May 2017

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On June 8, 2017

In Other

Anne and I have been friends since 8th grade….that’s over 25 years!

My parents took us on a wonderful vacation to Zion and Bryce National Parks in Utah.  It was truly majestic! 

Me and my mama

While in Utah, we stayed at a wonderful restored old house with quaintly creaky floors and snapdragons in the front yard.  The kids played wiffle ball in the sprinklers and we enjoyed some of small-town Americana.

Some good friends who used to live in Tanzania flew all the way from Wisconsin to visit us!  We spent a great couple of days together and the kids loved reconnecting with Ruby and Henry (and I loved being with their mom!)

The legendary cement slides at Brigadoon Park in San Jose
Ice cream in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
Johnny’s butterfly friend inside the Golden Gate Park Conservatory
Investigating carnivorous plants in the Conservatory

Of course, Grandma always insists on a trip to Disneyland!  The kids got one day there with Mom and Dad and another day with just their relatives, as Mom and Dad needed to be at a church.

Lily learning to fight the Dark Side.
Splash Mountain.  We discovered that Johnny is an adrenaline junkie who loves roller coasters.

We’ve experienced a lot of amazing hospitality so far in the States, but this day was particularly special.  My former professor from The Master’s College (one of two who taught me almost everything I know about education) had us all over for lunch.  She set out dozens of items for the kids to make food sculptures, and they had a marvelous time playing with their food!  

Medina Life, April 2017

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On May 2, 2017

In Other

Easter Sunday

Believe it or not, there are four generations in this picture:  Babies, Mom, Grandfather, and Great-Grandmother.  
Three-legged cousins
Brotherly love part 1
A Medina tradition:  Street Wiffle Ball
Brotherly love part 2 (tagging him out)
All dressed up and freezing in our pretty Easter clothes
Auntie and nephew
winning the balloon toss

Brotherly love part 3
Cousin bonding
The whole gang….four generations.
Lots o’ cousins

Legoland

Driving this car may have been the pinnacle of his entire life thus far.

Dodger Stadium

In the Dodger dugout during a pre-game tour

with Grandpa at the new Jackie Robinson memorial
His first MLB game

California Poppy Fields 

Then up to my hometown of San Jose…

Children’s Discovery Museum

That right there is my very own niece.
And this amazingness is my nephew.
And just for fun, this was my own little guy 7 years ago, at the same location and the same age then as his cousin is now.  Apparently two-year-old boys are all pretty excited by this exhibit.
And this is my favorite little brother.
Who also happens to be a pretty incredible Dad.

Girls’ Day 

My aunt spoiled all us girls with lunch and pedicures and ice cream!

Giants’ Game

My Dad took Gil and the boys to a Giants’ Game.  I think my boys’ grandfathers are doing their best to confuse their poor grandsons by each supporting one of the two greatest rival teams in California.

And in between all this, we are doing things like homeschooling and preaching and making presentations and driving a lot and hugging a lot of people.  It’s overwhelming and wonderful and we are all enjoying ourselves immensely.

Medina Life, January through March, 2017

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On April 1, 2017

In Other

Carley has been my friend since forever (pretty much).  I even went to her wedding a few years ago.  And seven months ago, she gave birth to quadruplets. So now she and her babies are celebrities.  Our entire community is celebrating the miracle of these very healthy, very precious babies.
Grace had Roman Day in fifth grade, and so of course her Daddy made her an amazing Athena goddess costume.  Of course.  
Our church’s small group visited an orphanage one Sunday, to play with the kids and bring a whole load of supplies.  I’m not usually a big fan of these kind of one-off events, but when the local church steps up to help take care of orphans, that’s certainly heading in the right direction.  

Pretty cool to see the men from our church get down and play with the kids.
My girls with some of the stuff our group brought.  Visiting an orphanage is hard, but good, for my kids.  For me, it’s just hard.  
Lucy and I have been meeting for almost three years now to work on Kiswahili.  That’s ending because when we come back, I’ll be working full time.  She had matching dresses made for us.  And I am so thankful for her friendship.
Josiah as Aragorn for Book Week at HOPAC
Service Emphasis Week:  When all HOPAC kids go out and serve each day.  Lily’s class went to a local school.
One of my very favorite aspects of Service Emphasis Week is that the older HOPAC students lead and set the example for the younger ones.  So not only do my kids get to interact with kids from a different school, but they get to be influenced by the wonderful “big” kids at HOPAC.

Grace’s U11 basketball team (coached by her awesome Dad!) had an undefeated season, and got silver medals in their tournament.  
Celebrating their great season.
Reach Tanzania’s new cohort of students for 2017!
In assembly yesterday, Grace’s teacher presented her with her fifth grade promotion certificate, since she will miss the ceremony in June.  

Four years ago, I was one of the people whispering in Karen’s ear that she needed to apply to be primary (elementary) principal.  Four years later, she was encouraging me to apply.  I’ve spent much of the last month with her, as she has passed on to me everything she knows about the job.  She leaves me big shoes to fill.  She has been a wonderful principal and a great friend.  Here we are standing in front of the office that will be mine in August.  

Medina Life, November and December 2016

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On January 7, 2017

In Other

Pamoja Week at HOPAC (like Spirit Week).  The Tanners were staying with us this week, so that Caleb and Imani could join in the fun as well.  This was Superhero day.  We’ve got Superman (Johnny), Usain Bolt (Caleb), Batman (Josiah), Spiderman (Lily), Go Go Tomago (Grace), and  Honey Lemon (Imani). All costumes courtesy of Gil Medina!
Grace, Josiah, Imani, and Lily on Nerd Day.  We had to show them an episode of “Family Matters” so they would know what a nerd is.   
Pamoja Week House Soccer Competitions.  Josiah scored and won it for Green House!
International Day–Our little confusedpsuedo-American/Tanzanian kids.  
Lily and Imani
Josiah and his buddy Tim…who is a confused Zimbabwean/Tanzanian/South African.
Gil agreed to coach the HOPAC varsity girls’ soccer team temporarily….which turned into the whole season.  But of course, he loved it, and took his girls to an almost flawless season.  They won two out of three tournaments, and the last tournament they lost only in penalties.  
Josiah took one term of after-school Tae Kwon Do. He decided that was enough; he’ll stick with soccer.  
Our Egyptian Princess on second grade Egyptian Day.  Costume (again) courtesy of Gil Medina.
I taught an after-school baking class for fifth grade girls.  Crazy, crazy fun.  
HOPAC’s Annual Christmas production
…and Grace had her first solo!
Bibi and Babu came to visit for two weeks!
We spent a couple of days in Bagamoyo with Bibi and Babu.  
Our Annual Christmas party with our Reach Global team.

Gingerbread house decorating

Christmas morning

In his retirement, my dad learned how to make stained glass windows.  Oh my gosh.

Meet Melody, the newest member of our family.
As per tradition, we spent the week after Christmas at a lodge in the mountains with mission friends, where the temperature went down into the 60’s.  It was glorious.  

My Crazy, Wonderful, Beautiful Family

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On December 27, 2016

In Other

Medina Family 2016

Grace:  Almost 11

Josiah:  9

Lily:  7

Johnny:  5

(Gil: 39, Amy: 40, Bibi & Babu: 66….but who’s counting?)

(Just so you know, this photoshoot was interrupted by someone getting disciplined, and the best smiles happened because somebody tooted.  Just keepin’ it real.)  

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