- When Becca arrived 3 weeks ago Tyler looked up at her in surprise and said, “Hey I have a picture of you by my bed”.
It was fun to see our family members become people and not just pictures to our boys. 
Silliness and all - Our family doesn’t have to imagine what our life is like, they can picture it.
They got to see, taste, smell, hear and experience life as we know it - We are more settled into our new home after one month than we were in our old house after 6 months. It is amazing what 2 McMartin men can accomplish in 1 month.
Yes that is solar heated water being piped to my home...(BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!!!) - For one month we were completely comfortable, interacting in a language and culture we naturally understood.
Nothing like a good old American BBQ 
And Picnic - We now know new songs, stories, games and crafts to do with the boys
My Favorite was the running around and then getting back for a picture before the timer ran out - We took vacation, which is not always easy to do here.
We did puzzle and games 
Trips to the beach and everything else a good vacation should have - We now have so many new memories to treasure
There are so many things we will always remember 
So many memories, we just can't forget - We were together, which for me was a small taste of eternity.
We all cried when it was time to say goodbye 
But we are thankful for the memories we have 
And the hope that no matter what we will all be together again.
What joy those pictures gave me! Every good and perfect gift is from above and how fun to share, with you, in God’s gift of laughter and family!
May God be your strength and joy for the next months as you wait for His kingdom!
Well, I know I nearly cried reading your blog. Thanks for sharing. It was so sweet to see the pictures and hear about your time together. Love you all and I can’t wait to come visit myself.
What else is there to say other than what has already been said. It’s a joy to open your e-mails to see what is happening around the globe from here. The joy and sorrow I understand visiting and leaving family as I get ready to visit Stacy and Nathan for just a few days. To have your family for a month what a joy and blessing for all of you. May God continue to bless your family as you continue on this amazing journey He has you all on.
Andi, I prayed especially for you as everyone was saying goodbye and leaving. I’ve been the mother left behind in a foreign country before. Life is full & manageable & working when family are there. To think of them leaving is lonely & fearful. How will we do this alone again? I know how hard it is to leave – and how hard it is to be the one left “there”.
I think 2 McMartin men can change a home, village, region in a couple of weeks – so I can imagine all they did on the house. I know that Cindy & Becca are strong, creative, energetic women and filled your house with songs & games & laughter. I know all McMartins have a heart for the world – and they listened and understood and talked missions with you.
I’m so happy you had Christmas & birthday parties & beach trips. Good memories to help you as you go into the new year in your new home.
God’s comfort and encouragement be around you in these first days of being back to “normal”
Andrea
Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us. So glad you had such a wonderful time with the McMartins! Bet they loved just being there with you as well.
May the LORD continue to be with you in the days, months and years ahead.
We prayed for you especially on Monday night. You are our missionaries for the prayer team this week. We continue to pray for you regularly and share much joy in the time you had with your family and prayed for you as you are now seperated again. I appreciate the pictures for different reasons. The huge smiles are great, and joy radiates from your faces. I am so glad you have these memories to cherish. What a gift. Thank you, God!
Dear Andi and Joel,
What a blessing to have family time. Thank you for sharing your pictures and your newsletter. Yours is always the first e-mail I open. May our Lord bless you richly as you minister for Him,
Jeannette
Andi and Joel,
I so much appreciate and understand your love of a family visit. As a valuable part of my family is also very far away I know how important these visits are. I’m so glad you had the opportunity to, visit, hug, laugh, and even cry with you family. Those times are precious.
You are a blessing to so many people, I’m glad you had this opportunity to be blessed yourselves.
Carolyn Gaupo