Our beautiful, radiant, daughter Keziah was home for a visit this weekend.
And you all knew I couldn’t have her here the whole weekend without taking at least a few {dozen} photos.
Keziah has the most wonderful, contagious laughter!
Keziah is doing great in Job Corps. She has a leadership position in her dorm. She is only one test away from her GED. She is active in a local church and made some great friends. She is determined to grab hold of every opportunity Job Corps offers.
Yep, we’re pretty proud of her.
And here are twelve of my favorite people. Please ignore the un-coordinated clothing and gumpy boy…Keziah wanted a picture with all her siblings at home.
She is beautiful. It is good to see her on the blog again. It sounds like you had a fabulous time.
What a beautiful lady Keziah is. I just love that laughing photo! I’ll look forward to hearing where all her opportunities take her in the future.
She is gorgeous and looks like she is full of JOY!
Such’a gorgeous family!
While it is not the typical composition of your photos, I really love the family shot here, including the uncoordinated clothes and grumpy boy. Here is why: The overall feel of it is happy, while still seeming much more real than the typical family group shot. So often, when the clothing is coordinated, and everyone is posed, and all faces are smiling, etc, it makes a beautiful memory of the physical appearance of the family, but is not a true indication of the true nature of the family. But the variety of clothing shows that they all have different personalities, and that maybe sometimes you can only find your purple jacket, and even if you’re wearing an orange skirt, if you want to be warm, you need to wear it…or maybe she just likes those two together. Also, not everyone in a group of 12 people will all be happy at the same time very often, so I love the variety of expression. Also, just the fact that the picture was taken shows that it was important to someone to remember that moment. Thank you so much for sharing.
She looks so lovely and happy!
Keziah looks beautiful! i always wonder how your Liberian children are doing and love the updates! what are the living arrangements like at Job Corps? Similar to dorms, I assume? Is it expensive? I actually have another question that is completely off subject, i saw your pinterest account and saw a pin about adult root beer floats. I had always assumed you were against drinking (not sure why!) and now I’m just wondering your opinion on it! No judgement whatsoever, just curiosity!
you have a seriously beautiful family 
Samantha- Yes, they live in dorms…Something our Liberian children are rather used to. First the orphanage, then our house
It is actually free. And they are all three there now and doing very well. Nope, not against alcohol at all. You probably assumed that because we are quite conservative religiously and politically.
oops you’re right! i probably assumed! and i try hard not to jump to conclusions
i’m pretty conservative and have never had a problem with alcohol either, in moderation 
wow! job corps seems like a great experience, does Keziah know what she’ll do when she gets her GED? Move back home?
I was raised Assembly of God, and there it is a HUGE no-no…then I got older, began reading the Bible on my own, and realized it isn’t forbidden…Jesus turned the water into wine, after all… Keziah isn’t sure what she’ll do…she may take further training out-of-state…or may come home, or may get a job closer to Job Corps.
I have a question that I hope you don’t mind taking a few minutes to answer. I have 9 kids (we’ve talked before as I have 3 from Liberia also.) We are also close to bringing 2 home from Ethiopia. My youngest daughter (from Liberia) is very difficult during the day. There are endless demands and endless screaming when she doesn’t get them. I am seriously considering sending her to school to see if the structure would help some of it. This is a stretch for me, as I’ve only home schooled for 14 years! Has it been good for your Mordecai? I don’t think Julia has any learning challenges, just behavior.
Thanks!
Jenny
So far we have seen no negatives in sending Mordecai for school…as a mom, I sometimes feel guilty, because he is there mainly for behavior reasons. HOWEVER, he listens to his teachers, he can now read (!) and my other children are so thankful for some semeblence of peace while they homeschool. His behavior dominates the whole house when he is home, so it is a rest for everyone and a time to focus on the other kids.