The Ochoa Family

I realize it has been a while since we posted. Sorry. The reason for this post is to request prayer for a missionary family from Bent Tree. Talitha Ochoa passed away last night in Africa, a few days after contracting cerebral malaria. She was 16. Her family will be flying back to Dallas for the funeral. Please pray for them as they grieve the death of Talitha. She loved her work in Africa, and lived to the fullest, but some of their extended family was unsupportive of the move to Africa because they didn't want the family to raise their children there. Please pray for the family and people of BTBF as they grieve and communicate with one another.

Here is a quick update on us.
We are doing well and settling in to our new home. We had a great trip to Texas for Christmas and New Years, getting to spend some quality time with family and friends.

Brayden got a new tricycle from the Andersons, and though he was a little small, loved to tiptoe around while seated on it. He'd carry several phones and his sippy cup and inevitabely drop everything and fall over. They constructed a basket for Brayden to carry everything he needs! We'll bring it back to Cali on our next trip out.

While we were in Aspermont, Greg and his bro's worked on redoing a bathroom, and hopefully when we go back we'll be able to post some pics of the new bathroom. I think it will look great. Unfortunately we weren't able to finish the project...and while we were there I backed into a butane tank in my rental car...at least it was empty and the damage was very minimal! Greg intends to head out soon for a weekend of work. I probably won't join him until a trip later this spring/early summer as I'm headed to Ohio with my mom and Brayden to visit Great Grandma Thomas.

After leaving Aspermont, we headed to Dallas and had a great opportunity to catch up with friends. We miss our "family" in Dallas and truly appreciate each of our friends. The guys had a kill fest (X-Box) and I got some quality catch up time with most of my gal pals. I missed a few and hope to catch up with them on the next trip!

We spent New Years on Winter Park playing a game equivalent to Nerts (I rocked because it was a speed game! You're going down Kari!). I love speed games. Then we had a fabulous dinner at the Barking Dog Cantina (Page & Sheila's), enjoying great laughs with our neighbors. We even stayed at our old place...it was a little surreal to be in our old home as guests! Great deal about selling to friends though!

I'm still working for Bent Tree until they make a hire and/or we settle on a job for me here. Valley is still an option but we aren't certain yet if it will pan out. They have my resume and are trying to create a "box" for me to work in based on their needs and my skills.