Chip off the Old Block

Thought I would share a few random ramblings about “Dad” from my 5 year old son.

Blake: “When I grow up I am going to have a truck just like Dads. I even want the words on it like his.”

Interpretation: Rich drives our ministry vehicle and the “words” are the Impact Africa logo.

Blake: “When I grow up people are going to call me “Richard” like my Dad”.

Interpretation: “Richard” is also Blake’s first name. I guess the name “Blake” is only for children.

And my personal favorite……

Blake: “When I grow up I hope I have those little “white” hairs like my Dad.”

Interpretation: You guessed it; those “white” hairs are the grey coming through.

So glad “Dad” is the grey, OLD block in this family!

Wordless Wednesday

The Original Bluetooth

What could be better than a Blue RazzBerry (yes, that is the correct spelling) Blow Pop?



A blue mouth to boot!

We made it

We finished up with our last team for the season this week.
How do we feel? I’ll let you decide…..

.....hee!!!

Really we have had a great season! The joy of the Lord has truly been our strength; we have experienced a lot of needed strength and much joy! And the fruit well simply amazing…read for yourself.

So what now? Well it is a lot of catch up and wrap up…my admin pile is reaching an all time high, correspondence…..better late than never, those kid’s projects I wanted to do…where’s the glitter and glue, more consistent blogging...definitely, and what about some reprieve for me…stay tuned I got some news! I might even dust off my running shoes and get back to the gym, after all the SA summer is fast approaching and the winter excess must go!

Sorry no fancy ending..wait, um...no got nothin'. Better add that to my list....fancier posts with witty endings!

A post from Skyler

While my mom is away her daughter will play. So here goes….

I posted a picture of me and my Aunt Joy. She was here visiting this summer (our winter) for 5 weeks. I really had a lot of fun with her. In fact, I cried buckets when she had to go back to the States. Here is a little poem I wrote about my special Aunt Joy Joy. Oh, by the way for some reason we all refer to her as ‘Joy Joy’ and at first my sister Tori called her ‘Joe Joey’. It made me laugh.

My Aunt Joy Joy

My Aunt Joy Joy always played Phase Ten with me.
My Aunt Joy Joy always sang with me (Highschool musical songs).
My Aunt Joy Joy always watched movies with me.

But then one day she had to leave South Africa.

I know she is a treasure in my heart and will never leave.

I love my Aunt Joy Joy!

By Skyler Grace Franzen

**Special addition from mom Franzen** (okay so I am not really gone…hee!)
This is a picture of the Joy shrine that hangs next to Skyler’s bed. It is the hand written version of the poem noted above and a picture of Joy when she was in high school.
So a visit from you too might warrant a special poem and place on Skyler's wall.

My new assistant

I am still out of pocket for a while, sorry to all my readers...all 8 of you.

My eight year old likes to use my computer lately so I thought I might have her create a few posts for the franzenfam in my absence. Believe me, she can tell a tale or two.

So if posts get a bit more childish than they already are (if that is possible) you know why.

Until next week my blog friends.....

True Colors

Recent Conversation...

Blake: "What color is your hair?"

Me: "Well that is hard to say!"

Skyler: "It is really brown but she paints it blonde."

Blake (confused): "You paint your hair?"

Me: "Well, I guess you could say it that way."

Satisfied Blake scampered off with a mischievous look in his eye.

I think it would be wise to move all the paint cans in the garage to a higher level.

Special Talents

Remember the 80's song, Walk Like an Egyptian? Okay, I can hear you singing it and I can see some of you doing the funky head and hand movements. You go gals!

Well, I am learning to Walk like and African; balancing things on my head that is. The no photo of me with cargo on my head may be a good indication as to my progress or lack there of .

So tell me what is your special talent?

Oh, Happy Day!!

I’ve had a few concerns sent my way, “wondering where I’ve been”. Heidi thanks for your little song….it seems all the musical genes in our family went to you!

I’m still here and still blogging it’s just been a bit hectic lately. Since June we have hosted 280 North Americans on short-term mission trips. We also had various parties living with us through this time. The result…a bit weary in body but jazzed at all the Lord has done. The really, really cool part of it all is that close to 10,000 people now call Jesus Lord! And we still have 2 more teams coming!!!!

Oh what a Happy Day it is for all those that just two months ago were living a life of hopelessness and despair. "Oh Happy Day"....come on Heidi sing along!!!

Due to my tech challenges,the song is in the post below.........

Oh, Happy Day! Tim Hughes