Lego Mechanics

One of Sawyer's favorite classes at our home school co-op is "Lego Mechanics".  He and a first grader, Ben, are on a team and recently had to construct a conveyor belt.  The belt is paper taped together :)  Next they are working on different types of pulley systems.

This particular morning, I woke to the sound of Sawyer shutting his room door and turning on his light earlier than usual.  15 minutes later I peeked in his room and saw that he had decided to wear his suit to school today.  He was standing in front of the mirror putting the finishing touches on his tie.  No particular reason, just wanted to look sharp :)

Christmas in a nutshell...this morning's discussion

Elaina: "Mommy, what is this magazine with a girl holding a goat?"

Me:  "Oh, that is Mrs. Campbell's magazine, it came in the mail today.  That is what some people do for Christmas.  Instead of getting presents, they go through the magazine and choose a chicken or a goat for a family in Africa.  They send their money for presents to buy the goat or chicken instead to help someone else have a better life."

Elaina: "Really?  I want to do that!"

Sawyer: "Yeah me too!"

Skeptical Me: "Well, do you understand that means you don't get a present?  The money that Daddy and I would use to buy Legos or dolls would buy a chicken for someone in Africa instead.  Do you still want to do it?"

Sawyer:  "Yeah!  I want to send a big fat chicken!  Besides, Christmas isn't all about presents anyway."

Elaina:  "Yeah!  I want to send a goat!"

Me:  "Wow, guys, a lot of kids would say "Well, never mind about the kids in Africa, I'll choose presents instead."  I'm proud of you."

Sawyer: "Oh Mom, for sure if you told those kids that the people getting the chicken are poor they would change their minds and give instead!"

Our prayer for you

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9


I usually read my Bible from high school, but this morning went to Bible Gateway and this was the verse of the day.  This is our prayer for you who love us, support us, are related to us, and follow our updates.  Our hearts are also burdened for you and we pray for you regularly.  Your faces are flashing through my mind right now, friends, family, co-workers back in Iowa, new friends here. I pray that those of you who love God WILL declare his praises today because you have been saved.  For those of you who have yet to love God, our prayer is that you will SEE his praises declared today by someone who does love Him, and that it will seem as light to you.


We love you all.

The scary Danforths

Sawyer's a hatless/spurless/beltless cowboy, Elaina's supergirl, and I'm....Sam.

Getting ready for the Nooni New Testament dedication

Today we send in our applications for visas for Cameroon!  We learned something new, the hard way.  After getting pictures taken for our applications, I found out that BOTH ears have to be showing.  I made sure to wear my hair up for the re-takes :)

Home school project...

One of our projects is to make blankets.  Elaina chose Rapunzel and Sawyer got Spiderman.  She finished hers, but his is still a work in progress :)

Africa class cont.

The kids and I were asked to share about Cameroon to one of their co-op classes.  Students learned about panyas (skits) and the Cameroon Lions (soccer team)!

Panya kid's dress

Panya towel

Panya baby carrier

Traditional men's clothing

Carrying loads on our heads

Chief's hat

Tie-dyed dress

Cameroon Lion jerseys