We're going to have visitors! (and ideas for things to send!) *updated*

Both sets of our parents are likely to come in 2014 and we are excited!  And because it is so difficult/expensive to get a package here they are going to be loading up their suitcases with stuff for us (yay yay!).   Several have asked already, and we know often people want to be involved in "sending" us but just don't have much extra cash to be monthly donors.  Here is a way you/they can be involved in helping "send" us to Senegal!  Below is a wishlist of sorts of things we either can't get or are cost-prohibitive here.   If you do decide to get us something(s) you can email us or our parents for their respective addresses or for arrangements to get the stuff to them.  Thanks SO much for partnering with us!

• Baking soda
• Nyquil (off brand okay)
• Taco and Ranch packets
• Chocolate Chips
• Lemonade/Chrystal Light/Kool-aid type packets...this is mostly to cover up the taste of the water when it isn't good, but also to add variety
• Art supplies for the kids (crayons, construction paper, colored pencils, stickers, paints, stencils, glue sticks, glue stamps...anything really.  
• Coffee (whole bean or ground!!)
• Insulated Coffee mug(s) that travel (with lid)
• Socks for 7 and 5 year old girls with big feet:) and for a 3 year old boy with big feet! White
• White sport socks women sized 9/10
• Creative/educational toys/games/puzzles (used is fine/great!)
• Rainboots for louis (size 8 or bigger)
• Kids gummy or chewable vitamins 
• Kids probiotics /fish oil

Those are some ideas for things we'd be grateful to get here.  Email me or check our new facebook group "Crosby Connections (in Senegal) for contact info.   rachael_crosby at sil dot org 

Preschool, new dress and ladies' retreat

A few pictures to catch you up on our past two weeks Senegal: Louis and Liv do some "preschool" together...Liv is learning how to navigate Starfall on the computer and Louis is playing "cooking" with dried beans and utensils.

My new dress! I picked out the fabric and brought it and a photo to a tailor. All for under $10 I think. I love that it is pretty, comfortable and appropriate for the culture here.

The kids outside on our road, looking for the "waffle kids" (Wolof). Sadly there were none to be found for the hour we were out that day.

I (Rachael) went to a ladies' retreat in a nearby city, Saly. It was a beautiful place and a really refreshing, encouraging time. Here are some of the

The worship team flew in from the U.S.A.  and were really good.

I spent a lot of time doing this (below) with a book of some sort.  ROUGH LIFE, I know:)

How was your week?

Couscous, Roof and Saturday Market

Daniel is being innovative with our breakfasts and going Senegalese at the same time. He bought us some "mil" couscous (I think that's millet in English) that is apparently traditional Senegalese breakfast food when mixed with sweetened yogurt. He figured out how to "steam" it and we had it for breakfast this morning. It's cheap, nutritious and filling. Not my absolute favorite, but I'll grow into it. Marianna and Louis really liked it.

Fun running on the roof.

Cuties!

My trip to the Saturday market with friends, pictured is my friend Cathy.

Not the best lighting, but we had to be quick and sneaky to get this shot without getting yelled at:).

I bought a nice blouse and a dress for the equivalent of $4!