Some Trends Keep Coming Back

Sophia & Nana 2006

Joan & Friends 1965

Some Habits Die Hard

Joan 1957



















Joan & Sophia 2006

All Smiles from Sophia & Nana!

Merry Christmas to all & all a goodnight!

Hark! the heral angles sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled !"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.
With th'angelic hosts proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King!

(painting by yours truly, Merry Christmas)

Jingle Bells & Wedding Bells

Congratulations B & B (their nickname not mine!) We're so happy for you! Brandon is one of the first friends I made in college. (Pieces of Glass fans may remember B and our many awkward moments) Notice the painting in the picture with champagne (he photoshoped it for her benefit) God bless you Brandon and the future Mrs. Carmichael!

SINGLE NO LONGER

Sorry ladies--Brandon Carmichael is offically off the market. For details check out:

http://lifebloodproject.com/wordpress/

Little Lady in Red

Sophia Nerolel, 9 months

Jingles Bells & Shameless Plugs

It's Christmas time and I've begun filling orders for autographed copies of Pieces of Glass.
(I warned you this was a shameless plug)
If you live in the Cedar Rapids area, simply drop me a note with the # of copies, names of recipients (also if you would like a special message please script it out for me) and I can make sure I get it to you ASAP (First come first serve--Now I really feel like Hallmark. . .)
Please drop me a note at: skndjerareou@yahoo.com
Also please include your address and telephone #
Books are $10 each (no tax)
Unfortunately Visa & Mastercard are a little beyond my capabilities.

If you live outside the Cedar Rapids area, well I'm just thrilled your interested and we will get them to you too! Within reason, of course. . . Reuben (in Africa) You already got one! Wink!)

It runs in the family. . .

Dr. Abel Ndjerareou, has been called one of Chad's most prolific authors. Around here we call him Kaga (grandpa) or Baba (father.)

Google the man's name and you'll see an impressive list of sites, in multiple languages, that stand as a testament to his life's passion for God and the African church.

I'm incredibly lucky to share this man's legacy as a Ndjerareou, and as a daughter-in-law, marrying into a great family. But one of the most surprising parts of marrying Nate, was that he grew-up under the tutelage of two distinguished scholars and authors. As a direct result Nate is actually more prepared than I am for the long hours, and disciplined time away from family that my speaking and writing demand. By now, we shouldn't be so surprised by God's intimate weaving of our lives, but it never ceases to amaze me.

At the moment, I'm thrilled to brag about one of Baba's recent accomplishments, (we also currently share the same publisher.) Zondervan's hailing the new AFRICAN BIBLICAL COMMENTARY (in which my Baba's a contributor) as "A Monumental Work" -John Stott & "A Publishing Landmark" -Rick Warren.

Yesterday, I saw it on Christianbooks.com (link below) and found that one of Baba's segments had been chosen for the demo excerpt! Make sure all of you put it on your Christmas list! You never know when understanding the Pentateuch from an African perspective will come in handy!

A Monumental Work

Check out Dr. Abel's wisdom at:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=264731&netp_id=441310&event=EFIN#curr

Simple Pleasures

"Who put these coasters AWAY? Well I better dump them out. Silly Daddy!

What do you do on a date night when your babysitter gets the flu? You order pizza and play a few games of boggle while Sophia munches happily on Cherios. Then you simply enjoy the sweet moments we have as a family. I will always have fond memories of this date simply b/c we got to just enjoy eachother as a family. (And take lotz of pictures! Enjoy)


DJ Pacifier and her Fisher Price Turntable


SirMixAlot! Have your ever rapped to Old McDonald?

Seriously, Sophia will spin and pound on this for what seems like hours. As she bangs on the buttons we get little strains of Mary Had a Little Lamb mixed with London Bridges to name a few with a little base beat for good messure! THIS IS A MISSY NDJERAREOU EXCLUSIVE! 

Look Out World...Here She Comes!

"We are the Champions, my friend!"



Sophia has learned to crawl stairs, thankfully its more of a highly supervised novelty at the moment. But it's a great little work out in our two story house! She'll sleep well tonight! 

Splish! Splash! I Was Takin' A Bath!

"Rubber Ducky. . .You're the One. . ." 

"Hey! What is this the Paparazi??"


"I'm serious--can't a girl get a little privacy?"

Daddy Time. . . sugar & spice & everything nice that's what little girls are made of 

Little Ears. . .

This is Garmai, the daughter of my friend Naomi! One of Sophia and I's favorite people. Naomi sent me this little story and I had to share--it gives me a glimpse of what I have to look forward to!

Garmai's been "talking" on her Strawberry Shortcake phone an awful lot lately. She brings it everywhere she goes! And my friend Sarah seems to be the most popular person in my household right now. She's on the phone with her from morning to night. Today she was talking to her and I told her she needed to put her coat on. She told Sarah she would need to call her back and then hung up. Then after she put her coat on she called Sarah back and said, "Sorry Sarah, I'm back."

Then in the car a little later I heard her "leaving Sarah a message" on Sarah's voicemail, apparently. Then a minute later Sarah called her back and Garmai asked her, "So, did you get my message? We're on our way to the store right now."

Every day I become more aware of the "little me" I'm creating! They pick up everything!

Its a Great Big World Out There Little Girl

Saturday afternoon, Sophia was standing on the floor at the bottom of the stairs concentrating really hard. You could almost see her thinking,"There has got to be a trick to this?" The girl definitely achieves what she sets her mind to--a couple of minutes later she had a huge smile on her face because she was standing ON the bottom step!

Now the child-proofing has begun in earnest. Starting with learning the word No! I wouldn't force the issue if it wasn't SO obvious that she understands. She gets praised when she obeys, but sometimes its more fun when Mommy says NO. In fact, she really likes the little game we play. Laughing, as she crawls towards the hanging chord from the ironing board, wondering how close she'll get this time before Mama picks her up and tries to distract her. I've child-proofed much of our house so this was all new to her and must have been enticing b/c she tried to come at it several times and from three separate directions, thinking maybe this time Mama won't say no? You really realize how smart your child is when she's doing something she's not supposed to. . .It's amazing!

Friendly Faces Welcome

Dress Rehearsal--in a manner of speaking. I'm previewing some new material for an upcoming conference and would love to have a friendly audience. Please feel free to bring friends--and don't worry all feed back will be anonymous!

6:30 Wednesday, November 1st, 2006
Cedar Rapids Library Room A.
Immediately off to the left as you walk into the library
(across from the info desk -were the old audio files were)
Hope to see you there!

The Lies We Believe: Profiles of Real Women and Their Struggles
Will a man ever find me attractive, given my story? How do I find a future when I’m living in a broken present? When I’m perfect then you’ll love me, right? By examining the stories of several modern women who weren’t content pretending anymore, we’ll witness the power redemption has to transform something broken into something beautiful and of great value in God’s hands. Renewed intimacy with God, deepened love, laughter with others, and a richer contentment with ourselves are trademarks of these courageous women and the practical reality of God’s passion and truth lived out through us


Please drop me a note if you can make it so I have a seat for you
http://www.aftereve.org/ for more info on the conference

All Smiles!

It seems like I'm constantly putting away clothes Sophia has outgrown. This fall outfit was thanks to Sophia's great-grandparents and its sweet to see how much fun she has in it.

Nothing is really learned until its been in the mouth!


Oh and don't worry that outlet was covered up right after I took this picture--thankfully I don't think she noticed it yet but her world is getting bigger and bigger! And so is she!