"The ILA's"

Megan's Animal Pic's

2008-09-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

These are just a few pictures Megan took when she was at the cabin over the weekend. The cabin is always fun but when you get to see things you don't normally see, it makes it even better... Enjoy!!!

Shae Tabor Ila's 7th Birthday

2008-09-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well, our baby daughter Shae turned "Seven" last Wednesday. We can't believe it's been seven years. We are so proud of her and so thankful that she is in our lives.

Shae and her cousin Jordan Rediger shared a birthday celebration earlier in the week, and because I (Geoff) had to leave for the Spring's Wednesday afternoon, we celebrated with a birthday breakfast. Shae however, got to celebrate with her friends Wednesday afternoon so needless to say, we were quite busy or should I say Megan was quite busy.

Shae and cousin Jordan

The Cousins

Shae's breakfast celebration

Shae's friends

"Labor Day at the Cabin"

2008-09-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

We took a much needed break at the family cabin on Labor Day weekend. It's always fun with family and cousins. Even though it rained through the weekend we mostly sat around reading books, doing puzzles, and drinking hot beverages. We also did abit of fishing as well as sight seeing but that only goes so far when you're with your children. All in all it was an especially fun time. Enjoy the pics...

"First Day of School"

2008-09-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

All ready to hop in the van and go to school!!!

Well it finally came. Tayne David Raka Ila officially started his first day of pre-school Friday the 29th of August, at "Sonshine Patch". As I mentioned to somebody the other day, he went to school a boy and came back a man. It just seemed that he had an extra measure of confidence about him, not to mention he thoroughly enjoyed his first day. His teachers name is Ms. Susan who he gets along with great. He only goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to 11:30am.
Sonshine Patch used to be his big sister's Jamie and Shae's school when they were his age. His cousins Jasmine Tabor and Jordan Rediger also went there. It's hard to believe that when his sister Jamie was there, Tayne wasn't even around let alone thought of. For you budding parents, be prepared , it happens in the twinkling of an eye.

I'm finally here mum and dad...see ya, you can go now!!!

Ao1 East Coast Outreach 08

2008-08-19T16:06:00.001-07:00

On July 15th this year the kid's Megan and I went to North Carolina with Audience of One International team. We did our two week bootcamp in Monroe, North Carolina and spent time outreaching in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington DC. Part of our focus on this outreach was attending The "Call" in Washington DC. The "Call" is an event solely focused on fasting and praying for the nation of the United States of America.
It really was good to catch up with Megan's brother Jordan and his family. Teira, Jamie, Shae and Tayne enjoyed time with their cousins.

Tayne and his cousin Megan

Anna, Jamie Rachel & Teira

Jamie, Hope, Tayne, Shae, Lydia, & Megan

Outreach was definitely alot of fun as you can see.

Grandad & Grandma cooking with the Grandaughter's

Jarrett & Tayne

Tayne, Geoff & Shae David, Jordan & Karen

Being at the "Call" amongst 70,000 people praying for America was a very sobering experience but something that will be remembered for generations to come. What was awesome was that each of my children especially Teira and Jamie got to be a part of it and I believe they really understood God's heart for the nation of America. The neat thing about this outreach was that from the beginning God had us already walking in intercession as a team over the nation and the "Call" was in more ways than one the icing on the cake.

On our faces in repentance before the Lord at the "Call"

Local "AUDIENCE OF ONE" 2008

2008-07-11T22:29:00.000-07:00

Probably our biggest group of kids to date...(Not all are pictured) I think the last count was in the 40's or 50's (somewhere thereabouts). Anyway, a great Local Ao1 season nonetheless and much excitement. For those of you not familiar with Ao1, log on to www.srfm.com and check out the ministry we're involved in. This summer we head to the East Coast for our International outreach. We will start in North Carolina and end up in Washington DC for "The Call" (www.thecall.com)

"MEXICO CRUISE"

2008-07-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

This year started with alot of "Firsts". My first time to coach basketball, let alone an all girls team but what was proably the best was our first cruise to Mexico. A week long cruise out of San Diego CA without any babies in tow, only Meg's and I. Here's a glimpse:

"The Ship"

Fun Times

"TAYNE DAVID RAKA"

2008-06-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

Tayne continues to be all the "BOY" he can be. From rugby, basketball, football, soccer, baseball, you name it, he plays it. His dad still has some bruised ribs from their all out rugby encounter on the bed the other day. Tayne is much like his Grandad Tabe in that he doesn't like to draw too much attention to himself. He loves to be in the company of "DA BOYZ", where rough housing and playing are the norm. Something that we appreciate about Tayne is that he loves and respects all his big sisters. His sisters have been a great help in teaching him the alphabet and how to count to 100 all by himself. He is such a joy to have and to raise as are all his siblings. We are truly blessed for our babies.

I love my Bubu

"Stitches"

This is cool

Hey! What can I say...Jamie's my sister

Mama's Boy

Loves Sports

"SHAE TABOR"

2008-06-19T08:45:00.001-07:00

Shae most definitely has one volume..."LOUD"!!! She lives life loud and we love it. She is very vocal about things especially injustice and she has a huge heart for people. Shae, like her sisters had a very successful year academically and we are so proud of her achievements. She performed in her class play at Christmas as Jesus mother "Mary". Shae is also our most sensitive one!!! As much as Shae loves people she also likes time alone to herself. She also likes having the upper hand over her little brother Tayne but they have a pretty cool relationship between them. She got to use her new fishing pole the beginning of Spring and caught all of the fish, but every time she caught one she would run away scared of the fish. Shae brings so much life to our family and we are very blessed indeed to have her.

End of year 1st Grade Class Party

Posing on the beach with Tayne

Busy Colouring with Mom

Shae's best friends

A01 Hong Kong 07

Daddy's Girl

" JAMIE ELISE "

2008-06-18T13:59:00.001-07:00

Jamie started her school year with an advantage. Her teacher from 3rd Grade, Ms.Farrier continued as her 4th Grade teacher much to our pleasure. Once again, Jamie excelled academically making the school "Honor Roll" several times this year. She also represented her school CWCS, in the 4th Grade Spelling Bee and Speech Meet gaining outstanding achievements in both events.

Jamie is pure, unadulterated "FUN"! Her slap stick form of humour brings much fun and laughter to our family, and she has a very tender heart toward those that are looked down upon by her peers. Jamie loves challenges that don't necessarily involve meeting new people and, we were pleasantly surprised when she agreed to star as an "Oompa Loompa" in Majic Circle Theatres "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" with her big sister Teira.

Jamie is also quite the artist as she spends her free time drawing and designing things on paper. She also loves writing childrens stories on the computer which add to our family entertainment as well as her love of reading. I love Jamie's love for her Father in heaven. Her love for the Father is evident in her drawings and her stories. We thank God for our Jamie girl and we love that she loves God all on her own.

Jamie being Jamie

With Ms. Farrier

Dressups with the Cousins

Ao1 Hong Kong 07

Goofing off with Teira on the plane to the US from HK

" TEIRA McCAFFREY "

2008-06-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

As you can see, we have a beautiful young "Lady" in our midst. Teira's growth physically and spiritually has been a great source of blessing to Megan and I. She has a very mature, confident, vibrant personality that exuberates a passion for life itself. She has also become quite the standard bearer amongst her peers, sometimes landing her in situations where she stands alone. Nonetheless, her stability creates a safe haven for those around her, and there is a genuine respect for her amongst her peers.

Teira totally embraced her new school (RMIA) with a passion. She became an instant hit with her teachers and worked hard in her various subjects at school. Her dedication and hard work was rewarded, as she took the majority of awards for her class at the end of the year. We are so proud of her.

During the school year, Teira participated in volleyball and basketball as well as being part of the drama class. She performed in both school plays this year, playing a major role in "A Mid Summer Nights Dream". Teira just recently performed in "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" for the Majic Circle Theatre here in Montrose.

Being Teira's coach for the first time was awesome. My admiration and respect for her grew as she approached her first basketball season with commitent and a great attitude to learning a new sport. She surprised me with her natural ability to pick up basketball but her attitude toward being a team player and encouraging those around her as well as those on the other teams we played against, humbled me. She has without a doubt picked up traits which neither Megan or I have taught her, and applied them to her life, and for that we are truly blessed and proud to be her parents.

Hong Kong 07

Cousins 07

At the School Dance with Dad

RMIA Field Trip

"A Mid Summer Night's Dream"

"School Starts"

2008-06-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

After Hong Kong we had a number of decisions to make and one of them was introducing Teira to a new school. Some good friends of ours had offered to pay her tuition at "Rocky Mountain International Academy" for the year. After much praying and deliberating we sensed a release to send her to RMIA. One thing that was a positive was she had been on outreach with a number of students that go to RMIA and they welcomed her with open arms. So our 07/08 school year saw Teira doing 6th Grade at RMIA and Jamie (4th Grade) and Shae (1st Grade) at Colorado West Christian School...I was also offered a position as the PE teacher at RMIA as well as CWCS.

An "Awesome" Year

2008-06-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi from the Ila's!

It has been awhile since our last newsletter and time seems to get longer between communication so I decided to try blogging and hopefully keep up with it on a monthly basis... Our last bit of news was a newsletter validating our call to living a lifestyle of faith and since then so much has happened...