News from Lauje continues to be encouraging. There were 20 more baptisms at Ogoalase in mid-January! News from Jason Bechtel in Canada is encouraging as well. The work of the layout of the Lauje New Testament is drawing to a close. It has been exciting to work from here online via Skype with Jason. He is really doing a fabulous job and I have every confidence that the finished product will portray that excellence and bring much praise and honor to the Lord.

No, we didn’t take Delena to get pictures with Santa Claus. But she did manage to be the centre of attention at all our Christmas gatherings, and rightly so, as she is the first and youngest grandchild on both sides.

December 14th was the last day of our missionary training before a much needed 3-week break. (We started classes again on January 7th.)

We got to visit almost all our family, which is really nice. Everyone was especially impressed with Delena and how agile she was.

Delena’s favourite activity while opening gifts was shredding all the wrapping paper. She got lots of books and toys, as well of cute little outfits fit for a princess. She was so proud of gifts she would stand up with something in each hand until everyone was looking at her.

With a little help from her parents, she spent some of her Christmas money and bought a "deluxe" sled. It comes with a clear plastic cover to keep her out of the wind and snow.

I think she takes after her dad—she is a quick learner. Not everyone is walking on their 10 month birthday, but Delena was.

If you will rememeber, it was on her 9 month birthday that she surprised us all with the feat of standing up in the middle of the nursery with no support—all by herself.

Well, she has done it again (perform a dazzling feat that is). Exactly one month later, on precisely her 10 month birthday, she started walking. With a toy in each hand (and maybe a third in her mouth for good measure) she walked 4 complete steps from where she stood to her mother. That was then.

Weeks have passed since that moment, and Delena has been practicing. Yesterday, she walked clear across the living room.

Her eagerness might be her biggest enemy. Not being completely satisfied with being able to walk a gentle, relaxing pace, Delena often tries to break into a sprint, only to find she doesn’t know how to do that yet. Maybe on her 11 month birthday.

Guess who is 9 months old, and the top of her class?

Delena!

Last Monday on the 26th of February, Delena celebrated her 9-month birthday with no particular fan fare. So she decided to remind everyone that she is growing up fast. She picked that day to show everyone how she can stand up by herself without holding onto anything. She has continued this feat day after day since then.

She is also learning that biting herself and others hurts, now that she has two front teeth on the bottom.

We are so blessed to have such a happy baby, that is as long as she has an audience. She loves people. Delena doesn’t tend to play strange at all. Wednesday we take to an area retirement home to spend time with the residents there. She soaks up all the attention—she loves being in the spot light.