A Very Special Day at the Beach

We headed to one of my favorite areas on the North Coast for an Impact Africa staff and family celebration and debriefing time. Weather cooperated and the beach was stunning!
One morning in particular will stand out in the Franzenfam book of memories. Skyler was baptized by her Dad in the Indian Ocean!

Our "South African" family was all there in support which made it extra special!

We prayed for her and then "Pastor Dad" proceeded with familiar words that became ultra personal that morning....

"I baptize you in the Name of the Father,




The Son,



And the Holy Spirit!"

Afterward "Grandpa Joe" (Betsy's Dad) trumpeted "Amazing Grace"

And Sky was embraced by our precious teammates....




That morning I woke with a specific scripture rolling around in my heart and mind. This scripture has become a dear one to me over the years which made it even more special to share with my girl.

Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

I'm convinced I share this "prayer" with most parents....that our children would dwell in the house of the Lord ALL the days of their life and amidst the ugliness that the world can throw at our kids that they would lift their eyes and keep their gaze focused on HIS beauty!!

We love our girl and are proud of her; she has a beautiful heart for the Lord!

It was a very special day at the beach!!

The Bug Party

Tori wanted a cheetah themed birthday party this year, so being the good mom that I am I threw her a "bug" party...hee! Actually, it is difficult to find cute party stuff this side of the ocean so when I stumbled on the adorable lady bug (they would say "lady bird" here) party stuff in one of our local stores my persuasion skills took over.

The "bug table"....complete with yummy treats such as ants on a log, caterpillar corn, bug cups, ladybird balls, a bucket of bugs and worm juice.


This cute larvae wouldn't be complaining about bugs in his food....

Completing our edible bug treats was the birthday "dirt" cake....


The birthday girl (quite pleased by the way with her party theme and cake of choice)


The party activities....

Team Butterfly



Vs. Team Flower


Team challenges:

The Cocoon Wrap (not to be confused with the Mummy Wrap :) )


A worm eating contest


The bug on a fly swatter relay


The inch worm race

Which for the little ones turned into "bug pile" with Uncle Rich


The whole lot of bugs, including the little larvae joined in a round of "Buzz, Buzz, Sting"...


And Tori's favorite...The Fear Factor Challenge, where to win one must find 3 worms and a bug in the pie of jello using only one's mouth.

Only a few took the challenge






The winner???....the birthday bug and she was pretty buzzed!


And what would a bug party be without bug masks? Each would decorate their own...

Aren't they cute?


I intended to get a photo of the guests buzzing around the garden wearing their masks however the masks were laden with pom poms and too heavy to wear. Typical girls...the more poof and pizzazz the prettier. :)

From cheetah to bug, I'd say this beautiful butterfly was happy with the metamorphosis.