Ahh, Sunday afternoons...  Just laying around, spending family time, listening to good tunes, and playing with the munchkin (This is Autum, by the way.)  So, one of Malakai's favorite and definitely cutest past times is "worshipping."  You can tell the little guy goes to a church where people express themselves in worship and has parents that love music.  This afternoon, he was just laying on the floor staring at the c.d. player (off limits to him;).  So we decided to put on some upbeat music.  He got up and started walking around, clapping, lifting up his hands, and squealing every few seconds.  We captured a few of those moments.  Here they are...

We're back!!!

So, here's the story... we did not have internet at home, and the firewall at work would not let us get on to xanga, so it has been a while.  We recently got interet at home, so no more excuses! (Don't expect us to go Chelsea Hudson on you though :>)

Well, a lot has happened since we posted last.  Malakai had his first Christmas, turned one, learned to walk, and started pre-calculus.  Well, ok... all except the last one. An exciting piece of news that we found out on Malakai's birthday is that Autum is expecting  again!  She is due in September, so Malakai will be 20 months when the new one comes along.  Needless to say, we are pretty excited! 

In other news, I am now the student ministries pastor at our church, which means that I am in charge of the junior high program, the high school program, and the young adult group.  It is a lot of fun and a HUGE challenge.  I never thought I would say that about junior high!

Here are some recent pictures of the little guy:

Malakai at Christmas:

At his first birthday party:

Playing with "Amos"

We caught him TP-ing the office of one of our friends... of course Autum and Aunt Jamie had nothing to do with it.

A daily sight... Makakai unloading all the cupboards, drawers, and shelves that he can get into.  His basic motto: "facilitate the law of entropy".

Well, we have been back from Uganda for about a week and a half, and we are finally getting our feet back on the ground.  The first few days were like the above picture... Jet lag is no fun with a baby.   What an incredible trip!  Our team consisted of 47 people, most of whom were high school students from our youth group.  I had the privilege of leading this mega-team.  I don't have time to write everything out (it would literally take a book), so I will do my best to summarize.  While we were there we saw over 200 people give their lives to Christ, we built the foundation for a Christian school deep in the village, built a mud hut for an elderly widow and started another one, cleared land for a new church building in the village, cleared land for a vocational institute, put on a VBS for 300 kids, put on a youth camp for 300 youth, lead worship and preached in church, and so much more.  It was more than I ever imagined we could cram into 14 days!  We also encountered more spiritual warfare than I have ever seen a team encounter before.  We were working in areas that were heavily controlled by witch craft and tearing down trees that had been consecrated to demons, so we got pounded... but we won!  Or I should say, God won.  Out of 47 members I was one of 9 people who did not get sick (like really sick...) during the trip.  However, God used the difficulties to teach some of the most profound lessons that our students learned on this trip.  We were going through the book of 1 Peter for our team devotions, and there is a ton in there about suffering for the cause of Christ.  It could not have been more perfect.  Our students got a crash course in spiritual warfare, suffering, perseverance, and victory - all in two short weeks.  If you want to hear some cool stories you will have to call me some time...

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Malakai with his ecstatic grandma:

Leading worship at the youth camp:

Preaching in church:

Autum and Malakai in matching Ugandan outfits from the Grandparents:

Autum and Malakai at one of our village locations:

Kids at VBS

Procession on their way to church for the thanksgiving celebration service:

Thanksgiving:

Joyanne busting out a killer solo with Jennie and Jamie backing her up.  We sang a Lingala song for my parents for their 30th wedding anniversary:

Pastor Paul and his wife Susan.  Paul and I have been buddies since I was 7... we got to clear the land for his new church.  It was SO cool to minister with him again.

Bath time in Uganda:

I am going to try to find some better picture to put up here... my pictures were a little lacking.  I was too busy trying to lead the trip.  Anyway, thank you to all of you who were praying for us.  We needed it, and we could definitely feel the effects of all the prayer.  God is good!

Well, I have to admit I am impressed.  It has been forever since we posted, and we did not receive a single threat!

Anyway, before we get to the pictures, here is a very brief update:  Still working at the church, Autum is still part time at church and full time mom, and Malakai is still Malakai.  What a hilarious little kid... you have to meet him some time if you have not yet.  Autum, Malakai and I leave for Uganda on Saturday!  I am leading a team of 47 from our church over there... crazy, but a great group.  Please keep us in your prayers.  We will be there through July 10, so look for an update after that.

OK, here are a few recent pics:

Second hair cut:

Hanging out with his buddy Jaxon Taylor who is about 3 months older than Malakai (for all you Keith Green fans out there, this is his grandson.)

On vacation in AR on Beaver Lake:

On the Pontoon boat with Grandpa and "Mimi" Beckham

First solid food:

With Reece Edwards, Malakai's 3 yr old buddy - about as much personality as you can cram into two little human beings:

Exhausted after a long hard day of playing:

Two posts in as few days!  wow...

I had not loaded these pictures onto my computer when I did the post yesterday.

This is Malakai at barely 3 month old: