The Climb

Months ago, I decided when it was time to climb a mountain, I would send Jon, girls and any others around and it made so much more sense if I stayed back with the Littles. 

Our family is currently working on our bucket list of things important to do as a family in the highlands as we prepare to move in a month. (If this is new, a newsletter just came out, I can send one to you). In short, we are relocating within Ethiopia, we are thankful and excited for how God is directing but in deep grief over the move. We will be able to visit our community here and hope to often as our hearts are deeply imbedded here.)

It's important to create these memories together and it redeemed hiking with littles in my mind. 

J and A ran ahead and crawled through caves while I tried to chill about hyena holes.

Miss T held a stick and asked Tiger to say, "Cheese!"

Miss T is part bear. She hiked herself up the mountain, unphased by the drop-offs, thistles and steep surfaces. She is a hard one to describe but she is a hearty, little one, full of grit and giggles. 

Tiger is on the more cautious side and we made slower progress as his steps are selected with thought and he's in a stage of asking what the name of every plant is. Thoughtful and with a running commentary. "Mama, what is it? Be careful, I'm falling. I'm a strong boy, I'm on an adventure, hold you mommy!" 

The girls were 3 1/2 and scared the first time they hiked this mountain.

Now I can't keep in eyesight and beg them to stay from the edges

The next month feels tough...impossible even but God is here and His promises find a yes in Him, so we again embrace our weakness and beg for His strength.