One of the questions we get asked A LOT is "Where are you from?" We smile, say America, and wait for the response we know is coming. They look a little shocked, then they ask what we are doing here. They are simply amazed that we are here to begin with, but when we go deeper and tell them we LIVE here, their chin literally hits the floor! They just can't believe it. They don't understand why in the world we would leave America and all it's glitz and glam for a place like this one. I want so badly to shout to them, "We came for you!!!"
This happens daily, but today, in an OVERLY crowded bus, and I do mean OVERLY CROWDED, this image came to me...
The God of heaven left His throne to come to us!!! I left America, which is full of its own set of problems. He left perfection. The people here are amazed that we've come. That we chose this way of life. But we need to be amazed that HE came. That HE chose this way of life. If they're that much in awe that we came, how would they feel if they knew that the God of the universe loved us enough to come to earth?
As I sat on that bus next to beautiful women who find it so unbelievable that we could see anything worth our time in these filthy, dusty streets, the image came to my mind of our Savior who chose to walk the filthy, dusty streets of this evil world. We're accepted, even elevated for coming. He was scorned and rejected for coming. We came not because of our own love for these people but because of HIS love for them. And He came because His love was beyond measure. Imagine how He must have felt, as He walked among His own and His own received Him not. Did He feel like shouting, "I came for you!!!"
I want to emphasize that what we have done is nothing special. We left one piece of the world to go to another. He left paradise, perfection, Heaven, knowing what His future held, and yet He came.
HE CAME FOR US!!!!
...And so, today, sitting in an OVERLY crowded bus, and I do mean OVERLY CROWDED, the true meaning of Christmas came alive for me!
Be in AWE! HE CAME FOR US!!!!
Are there people walking along your daily path that need to know that He came for them? Let's shout it out this Christmas, HE CAME FOR US!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
CASTING CROWNS LYRICS
"While You Were Sleeping"
Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save
Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The Shopkeeper
Last weekend I had the privilege of going shopping for jewelry for our business here. It may sound glamorous but it's pretty tough work. Remember, we're not in Kansas anymore! ;) But I really had a great time laughing and browsing with my team leader/ mentor. We had quite the experience throughout the trip and really enjoyed ourselves!
The icing on the cake, though, was during our last stop. All we had left to do was to pay the shopkeeper and be on our way. Well, this particular guy spoke better English than he did Hindi. He was kind enough to help explain the business process a little better to us "small business" folk and we then ended up on the topic of "Why in the world are you are?" This question comes up often since people here think it absurd that we would CHOOSE to live life here! Especially when we tell them the city we live in! Well, my friend was able to share that she was a follower of Jesus and so he looked at me and asked if I too followed this Jesus! When I said yes, he called for his helper because he had a free gift he wanted us to have. I'm sure you can guess what it was. We knew immediately it was some type of a 'cross' jewelry but, do you know that he had to draw it for his helper to know what he was talking about! How many people do you know who wear this object around their neck flippantly while people on the other side of the world don't even know what it is!
Needless to say, this "free gift" opened the door wide for us to talk about a different free gift! And, would you know that in a land of so many Hindi speakers, The Lord allowed me to be able to share the Gospel with this man in detail!!!
I asked him if he knew why that symbol was so significant to us and he said he did not. So I explained why it is so special. The Holy Spirit gave me the words to say and I was bursting with excitement to be able to share. The best part was that he was very interested.
He, of course, combated me with "I believe every way is ok" to which I replied "Jesus said 'I am THE Way, THE truth, and THE life!" So, if He claims to be the only way, then someone has to be wrong. He also said that we all serve a "guru" who is dead! This got me so excited because I was able to point to the cross necklace and ask if he knew what happened three days later! Sadly, after saying that his guru was dead, he then said "oh! But our guru vanished as well." So much contradictory in these false religions. But the Holy Spirit gave me such a zeal and I was able to reply with "My God's not dead! He's alive!"
It was awesome having the opportunity to share and actually be completely understood for a change. And I was excited that the man could sense my excitement for my faith.
My friend was able to leave him with a tract and our husbands' numbers and we were on our way. My friend told me that he has been shared with multiple times before but has never been this open. Praise God! His timing is perfect and His Word never returns void!!
The feeling I had after leaving that place was amazing. I was on such a high after being able to talk about my Savior to someone who doesn't know Him! It made me think, "how many times did I take for granted to opportunity to share with anyone and everyone I meet in a land where we all speak the same language?!"
I was encouraged and motivated to learn more to be able to share more with the people who are all around me.
Please pray for this shopkeeper that he will be overtaken with a curiosity and a conviction to want to know more!
The icing on the cake, though, was during our last stop. All we had left to do was to pay the shopkeeper and be on our way. Well, this particular guy spoke better English than he did Hindi. He was kind enough to help explain the business process a little better to us "small business" folk and we then ended up on the topic of "Why in the world are you are?" This question comes up often since people here think it absurd that we would CHOOSE to live life here! Especially when we tell them the city we live in! Well, my friend was able to share that she was a follower of Jesus and so he looked at me and asked if I too followed this Jesus! When I said yes, he called for his helper because he had a free gift he wanted us to have. I'm sure you can guess what it was. We knew immediately it was some type of a 'cross' jewelry but, do you know that he had to draw it for his helper to know what he was talking about! How many people do you know who wear this object around their neck flippantly while people on the other side of the world don't even know what it is!
Needless to say, this "free gift" opened the door wide for us to talk about a different free gift! And, would you know that in a land of so many Hindi speakers, The Lord allowed me to be able to share the Gospel with this man in detail!!!
I asked him if he knew why that symbol was so significant to us and he said he did not. So I explained why it is so special. The Holy Spirit gave me the words to say and I was bursting with excitement to be able to share. The best part was that he was very interested.
He, of course, combated me with "I believe every way is ok" to which I replied "Jesus said 'I am THE Way, THE truth, and THE life!" So, if He claims to be the only way, then someone has to be wrong. He also said that we all serve a "guru" who is dead! This got me so excited because I was able to point to the cross necklace and ask if he knew what happened three days later! Sadly, after saying that his guru was dead, he then said "oh! But our guru vanished as well." So much contradictory in these false religions. But the Holy Spirit gave me such a zeal and I was able to reply with "My God's not dead! He's alive!"
It was awesome having the opportunity to share and actually be completely understood for a change. And I was excited that the man could sense my excitement for my faith.
My friend was able to leave him with a tract and our husbands' numbers and we were on our way. My friend told me that he has been shared with multiple times before but has never been this open. Praise God! His timing is perfect and His Word never returns void!!
The feeling I had after leaving that place was amazing. I was on such a high after being able to talk about my Savior to someone who doesn't know Him! It made me think, "how many times did I take for granted to opportunity to share with anyone and everyone I meet in a land where we all speak the same language?!"
I was encouraged and motivated to learn more to be able to share more with the people who are all around me.
Please pray for this shopkeeper that he will be overtaken with a curiosity and a conviction to want to know more!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
The Me I Never Knew
Things I find interesting about myself. It's hard to know what things are actually going to affect you when you've never moved overseas before. I have nothing to compare it to so a few things came as a surprise to me.
First, I've been really surprised by my desire to cook. And to bake. And to just be in the kitchen. Most of you know I took advantage of the world of ease in America and let plenty of meals go by without cooking. I also spent a lot of time complaining about the responsibility of cooking. Now, I look back and think how ridiculous. I have been given the awesome privilege of providing for my family in this one simple way and I'm loving it. Thank you, God for this new found joy.
The next thing that caught me off guard is how much I enjoy talking about the luxuries of "home". I've always teased people overseas who torture themselves with thinking of, dreaming of, talking about the foods they love from home. Why torture yourself? But, funny enough, some of my favorite conversations today have been talking about what types of places we loved to eat, desserts we love, and of course going on and on about Chick-Fil-A.
* A little side note. Today, Kiley randomly says "I wish we had a Chick-Fil-A here. We just happened to be having chicken strips for dinner (made with a CFA recipe I have), so I told her, "Girl, who needs Chick-Fil-A when you have CFA... "Chicken From Angel"! She appreciated that bit of humor. ;)
Anyway, so I never expected I would enjoy talking about things I can't have but it kind of brings a warmth to reminisce especially about all the memories with the people we enjoyed those restaurants and foods with.
Third, I don't miss the TV one bit! Not an ounce. Not to say we'll never get one again, but it doesn't even cross our minds. The girls either. We haven't had a single craving for it. Technology helps, because we watch the occasional movie on the laptop, but it's rare and you'd probably laugh at what we watch. ;) A wise friend once told me TV is a thief. It steals precious time. And I believe that's true. We have way too many other memories to be making right now.
And, today, I came to terms with the fact that items from home are treasured. I'm not really that sentimental of a person. But, today I found myself almost in tears over the fact that one towel bled onto one from home. That was a gift from a dear friend. Normally, that wouldn't be a huge deal I thought, but it was a treasured gift from someone I loved and now it was tainted. It made me much sadder than I expected.
I'm also a little surprised at how much I miss my WV family. I mean, duh, I knew I'd miss them. But it's not like I lived next door to them before. We were more than three hours away. But, let me tell you, distance makes the heart grow fonder, for sure. I find myself daydreaming about going hunting with my dad (something I never really got into growing up... Oh the memories I missed out on), teasing my sister and making her LOL, cracking up at my brother because he's such a nut, and hugging on my mom, something else I took for granted. Not to mention my brother & sister-in-laws, who I just wish I could spend more time getting to know better and just live life with them. And that sweet baby, Aaleyah! ... THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY because I can still call my mommy anytime I need random advice on something, I can listen to my dad's hunting stories and find myself listening much more intently than ever before. I can call my brother when I need a good laugh or someone who will simply listen when I'm down, and I can call my sister at the wee hours of her morning because I know she'll be awake and I know I'll make her day, which makes mine.
I also never expected I'd feel at home so fast. I thought I would have to endure for quite some time. Just get by. Remember why you're here. You can do this. But, God gave me the desires of my heart, which I far from deserve. A place to call home. My home away from home.
There's so much I'm learning about myself. But so much I still have to learn. I'm blown away by God's goodness to me. And I'm amazed by how He's taking the time to invest into me, convict me, change me. I'm on this amazing journey and He has lead me all the way. He's changing me day after day. And, for that, I am incredibly thankful.
First, I've been really surprised by my desire to cook. And to bake. And to just be in the kitchen. Most of you know I took advantage of the world of ease in America and let plenty of meals go by without cooking. I also spent a lot of time complaining about the responsibility of cooking. Now, I look back and think how ridiculous. I have been given the awesome privilege of providing for my family in this one simple way and I'm loving it. Thank you, God for this new found joy.
The next thing that caught me off guard is how much I enjoy talking about the luxuries of "home". I've always teased people overseas who torture themselves with thinking of, dreaming of, talking about the foods they love from home. Why torture yourself? But, funny enough, some of my favorite conversations today have been talking about what types of places we loved to eat, desserts we love, and of course going on and on about Chick-Fil-A.
* A little side note. Today, Kiley randomly says "I wish we had a Chick-Fil-A here. We just happened to be having chicken strips for dinner (made with a CFA recipe I have), so I told her, "Girl, who needs Chick-Fil-A when you have CFA... "Chicken From Angel"! She appreciated that bit of humor. ;)
Anyway, so I never expected I would enjoy talking about things I can't have but it kind of brings a warmth to reminisce especially about all the memories with the people we enjoyed those restaurants and foods with.
Third, I don't miss the TV one bit! Not an ounce. Not to say we'll never get one again, but it doesn't even cross our minds. The girls either. We haven't had a single craving for it. Technology helps, because we watch the occasional movie on the laptop, but it's rare and you'd probably laugh at what we watch. ;) A wise friend once told me TV is a thief. It steals precious time. And I believe that's true. We have way too many other memories to be making right now.
And, today, I came to terms with the fact that items from home are treasured. I'm not really that sentimental of a person. But, today I found myself almost in tears over the fact that one towel bled onto one from home. That was a gift from a dear friend. Normally, that wouldn't be a huge deal I thought, but it was a treasured gift from someone I loved and now it was tainted. It made me much sadder than I expected.
I'm also a little surprised at how much I miss my WV family. I mean, duh, I knew I'd miss them. But it's not like I lived next door to them before. We were more than three hours away. But, let me tell you, distance makes the heart grow fonder, for sure. I find myself daydreaming about going hunting with my dad (something I never really got into growing up... Oh the memories I missed out on), teasing my sister and making her LOL, cracking up at my brother because he's such a nut, and hugging on my mom, something else I took for granted. Not to mention my brother & sister-in-laws, who I just wish I could spend more time getting to know better and just live life with them. And that sweet baby, Aaleyah! ... THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY because I can still call my mommy anytime I need random advice on something, I can listen to my dad's hunting stories and find myself listening much more intently than ever before. I can call my brother when I need a good laugh or someone who will simply listen when I'm down, and I can call my sister at the wee hours of her morning because I know she'll be awake and I know I'll make her day, which makes mine.
I also never expected I'd feel at home so fast. I thought I would have to endure for quite some time. Just get by. Remember why you're here. You can do this. But, God gave me the desires of my heart, which I far from deserve. A place to call home. My home away from home.
There's so much I'm learning about myself. But so much I still have to learn. I'm blown away by God's goodness to me. And I'm amazed by how He's taking the time to invest into me, convict me, change me. I'm on this amazing journey and He has lead me all the way. He's changing me day after day. And, for that, I am incredibly thankful.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Side Notes on our House Video
After the video posted and sent, I thought of about a million random things I forgot to mention.
So, here's a list of what comes to my mind right now:
1. First, our home is a new build. So since its never been lived in before, it's appearance is in great condition. Funny thing is, every worker that comes through to fix one thing seems to break another. ;) Anyway, we're super thankful for a new build! It saves a lot of inconveniences like mold, etc.
2. I forgot to point out all the random lighting. It's like a guessing game everytime you flip a light switch. You never know what you're turning on (or off). Not to mention, the lights are just in random places all over the rooms... On the walls, ceilings, corners, you name it. And of all shapes and sizes. And, don't forget that everything is opposite here, so you flip the switch up for off and down for on.
3. On the back porch, you may have spotted a big box. That's our inverter. Our power goes out randomly day and night. That allows us to keep our fans and most lights. Not our microwave/ oven though so if I'm baking something and the power goes out, it has to wait. Thankfully, tho, our stovetop is gas.
4. The shower faucets are entertaining because there's too many to count. It's another guessing game as to what you're turning on or off or up or down!
5. The girls room has a huge window overlooking the front street (and the monkeys that come to visit often on our front porch).
6. Finding furniture for them and bookshelves for all our homeschool materials has proven to be difficult. We are in the process now of trying to find someone to build that stuff for us.
7. The dust is unbelievable! But we are getting used to it. And it gets dusted daily.
8. Ooh! And I forgot to show one of my favorite things about the house! The ceilings are beautiful and we forgot to show you our huge skylight!
That's all the interesting facts I can think of right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)
We've been blessed beyond measure!
So, here's a list of what comes to my mind right now:
1. First, our home is a new build. So since its never been lived in before, it's appearance is in great condition. Funny thing is, every worker that comes through to fix one thing seems to break another. ;) Anyway, we're super thankful for a new build! It saves a lot of inconveniences like mold, etc.
2. I forgot to point out all the random lighting. It's like a guessing game everytime you flip a light switch. You never know what you're turning on (or off). Not to mention, the lights are just in random places all over the rooms... On the walls, ceilings, corners, you name it. And of all shapes and sizes. And, don't forget that everything is opposite here, so you flip the switch up for off and down for on.
3. On the back porch, you may have spotted a big box. That's our inverter. Our power goes out randomly day and night. That allows us to keep our fans and most lights. Not our microwave/ oven though so if I'm baking something and the power goes out, it has to wait. Thankfully, tho, our stovetop is gas.
4. The shower faucets are entertaining because there's too many to count. It's another guessing game as to what you're turning on or off or up or down!
5. The girls room has a huge window overlooking the front street (and the monkeys that come to visit often on our front porch).
6. Finding furniture for them and bookshelves for all our homeschool materials has proven to be difficult. We are in the process now of trying to find someone to build that stuff for us.
7. The dust is unbelievable! But we are getting used to it. And it gets dusted daily.
8. Ooh! And I forgot to show one of my favorite things about the house! The ceilings are beautiful and we forgot to show you our huge skylight!
That's all the interesting facts I can think of right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)
We've been blessed beyond measure!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Prayers Answered! Faith Strengthened! Future Brightened!
Last week, after meeting numerous people in the villages, our team of about 30 people came together and spent time "prayer walking" in a circle around specific names of people we had met.
As we walked that circle, I became OVERWHELMED by the thought of all those people who had caught only a glimpse of our Savior and now were left with the possibility of never hearing His name again.
You see, with so many contacts made, each visit has to be rated on the level of interest and whether follow-up is encouraged. After all, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
I spent that prayer time that night begging God that we would have some chance of meeting these people again, the ones who may never have a chance to hear again apart from our mouths. I prayed over and over specifically that somehow we would run into these people from way out in the village when they came into town for a dr visit or an errand of some kind. I'll be honest, in a city of a couple million people, I ended the evening very disheartened. Wondering how we could possibly get the task done.
This takes me to a specific village that I visited on the next to last day. It felt like a day with little "profit". We visited the home of one woman where a large crowd quickly gathered and we told stories to no avail. I even listed THAT woman on my prayer walking sheet the final night. She had broken my heart because she was an elderly woman and when I asked her to tell me about the best day of her life, she simply cried. It broke my heart to think that possibly no one has ever cared enough to ask her that before. Or maybe she couldn't think of a best day. I was burdened for her.
There was also a young man sitting right next to her who walked with crutches and had one bad eye. He caught my attention because (aside from his injuries) he looked exactly like an Indian version of a friend of ours. It was crazy how much they looked alike!
Well, would you believe that he got on our bus today right here in our town!!!! He lives a good hour out into the village (the one we had to ride a buffalo cart to get into) and he was here in our town on our bus!!!!!!!!! I just about cried!!!!!
Jason actually spotted him too (having never met him) because... He said he looked exactly like that same friend of ours!!!! I told Jason "I met him in a village last week!!!! I can't believe this. I prayed this exact thing would happen!! We have to talk to him." And would you believe... HE UNDERSTOOD SOME ENGLISH!!!!
We were able to give him a tract and pray for him right there!!!!! It was amazing!!!!
My faith was strengthened big time today! SPECIFIC prayers that I prayed answered so beautifully!
Please pray for our new friend, Shahjad, (sounds like 'C- zar'). He asked that we pray for a bright future for him! Ha! Will we ever! Join me in praying that his future will be brighter because of Jesus!!!!
As we walked that circle, I became OVERWHELMED by the thought of all those people who had caught only a glimpse of our Savior and now were left with the possibility of never hearing His name again.
You see, with so many contacts made, each visit has to be rated on the level of interest and whether follow-up is encouraged. After all, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
I spent that prayer time that night begging God that we would have some chance of meeting these people again, the ones who may never have a chance to hear again apart from our mouths. I prayed over and over specifically that somehow we would run into these people from way out in the village when they came into town for a dr visit or an errand of some kind. I'll be honest, in a city of a couple million people, I ended the evening very disheartened. Wondering how we could possibly get the task done.
This takes me to a specific village that I visited on the next to last day. It felt like a day with little "profit". We visited the home of one woman where a large crowd quickly gathered and we told stories to no avail. I even listed THAT woman on my prayer walking sheet the final night. She had broken my heart because she was an elderly woman and when I asked her to tell me about the best day of her life, she simply cried. It broke my heart to think that possibly no one has ever cared enough to ask her that before. Or maybe she couldn't think of a best day. I was burdened for her.
There was also a young man sitting right next to her who walked with crutches and had one bad eye. He caught my attention because (aside from his injuries) he looked exactly like an Indian version of a friend of ours. It was crazy how much they looked alike!
Well, would you believe that he got on our bus today right here in our town!!!! He lives a good hour out into the village (the one we had to ride a buffalo cart to get into) and he was here in our town on our bus!!!!!!!!! I just about cried!!!!!
Jason actually spotted him too (having never met him) because... He said he looked exactly like that same friend of ours!!!! I told Jason "I met him in a village last week!!!! I can't believe this. I prayed this exact thing would happen!! We have to talk to him." And would you believe... HE UNDERSTOOD SOME ENGLISH!!!!
We were able to give him a tract and pray for him right there!!!!! It was amazing!!!!
My faith was strengthened big time today! SPECIFIC prayers that I prayed answered so beautifully!
Please pray for our new friend, Shahjad, (sounds like 'C- zar'). He asked that we pray for a bright future for him! Ha! Will we ever! Join me in praying that his future will be brighter because of Jesus!!!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
A Memorable Day
By now maybe you've realized I really enjoy blogging for myself just as much as for others to read. It's a quick, easy way for me to keep track of what all is going on in my life.
So, today was a doozie of a day. But in a good way. There was hardly a moment I felt frustrated or down. That's not to say I didn't have those moments but the good far outweighed the difficult.
The day started with a very fast rickshaw ride to language class! Thank goodness!
Language class was a bit overwhelming but I know we can do it. It was just information overload after not enough sleep.
Then, we came home after picking up our friends' kids (all four of them) and bringing them back here for science and gymnastics and lunch. I guess we must have been late getting back because my house helper didn't show up which definitely put a damper on things, but we persevered. I definitely had a few moment of " I can't seem to do anything right" but looking back, that was silly. So, I washed all the dishes we own after doing a really cool edible cell science experiment and Jason was nice enough to take over gymnastics. Then we learned a lo more science which I thought was super fun.
After "school" was over our landlord's little girl came up to play for a little while and she even helped us a little bit with language. So did Kiley which was really fun.
Both Kiley & Kamden played really well together and were in the greatest moods. They ended up coming to help me in the kitchen and actually took quite a load off.
We made a quiche ( my first ever) while daddy ran to the store (twice) to grab candy for our family trick or treat and milk for my quiche. Then we made personal pan pizzas shaped liked jack-o-lanterns which turned out delicious- made from rori!
Finally it was time to dress up and trick or treat around the house. Priceless moments. The girls chose from tech very limited supply of dress-up clothes they have. Kamden was Strawberry Shortcake & Kiley was a "dressed up" puppy. Jason was the hit, tho. He wore quite the attired and called himself a hippy. We laughed and laughed.
We ended the night with Charlie Brown & the Great Pumpkin. It was a great day and lots of fun memories were made.
It didn't keep me from waking up with a touch of sadness after seeing all the pics of home but it sure was a special time.
The other note I'd like to remember from the night was that many people were praying for me as the sounds that we hear through the night and really all day everyday are very unnerving. But last night, it was (almost) silent! Praise The Lord for answered prayers!
You can all pray for the noise some more. Noise is my trigger point and as I type this I sit on a bus listening to constant deafening honking. To the point that I have resorted to holding my ears in public. It's almost roughy me to tears a few times. So please pray for my ears to adjust to the volume. Thanks a ton! :)
*pics will be posted on Facebook.
So, today was a doozie of a day. But in a good way. There was hardly a moment I felt frustrated or down. That's not to say I didn't have those moments but the good far outweighed the difficult.
The day started with a very fast rickshaw ride to language class! Thank goodness!
Language class was a bit overwhelming but I know we can do it. It was just information overload after not enough sleep.
Then, we came home after picking up our friends' kids (all four of them) and bringing them back here for science and gymnastics and lunch. I guess we must have been late getting back because my house helper didn't show up which definitely put a damper on things, but we persevered. I definitely had a few moment of " I can't seem to do anything right" but looking back, that was silly. So, I washed all the dishes we own after doing a really cool edible cell science experiment and Jason was nice enough to take over gymnastics. Then we learned a lo more science which I thought was super fun.
After "school" was over our landlord's little girl came up to play for a little while and she even helped us a little bit with language. So did Kiley which was really fun.
Both Kiley & Kamden played really well together and were in the greatest moods. They ended up coming to help me in the kitchen and actually took quite a load off.
We made a quiche ( my first ever) while daddy ran to the store (twice) to grab candy for our family trick or treat and milk for my quiche. Then we made personal pan pizzas shaped liked jack-o-lanterns which turned out delicious- made from rori!
Finally it was time to dress up and trick or treat around the house. Priceless moments. The girls chose from tech very limited supply of dress-up clothes they have. Kamden was Strawberry Shortcake & Kiley was a "dressed up" puppy. Jason was the hit, tho. He wore quite the attired and called himself a hippy. We laughed and laughed.
We ended the night with Charlie Brown & the Great Pumpkin. It was a great day and lots of fun memories were made.
It didn't keep me from waking up with a touch of sadness after seeing all the pics of home but it sure was a special time.
The other note I'd like to remember from the night was that many people were praying for me as the sounds that we hear through the night and really all day everyday are very unnerving. But last night, it was (almost) silent! Praise The Lord for answered prayers!
You can all pray for the noise some more. Noise is my trigger point and as I type this I sit on a bus listening to constant deafening honking. To the point that I have resorted to holding my ears in public. It's almost roughy me to tears a few times. So please pray for my ears to adjust to the volume. Thanks a ton! :)
*pics will be posted on Facebook.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
A Day in the Life
Every morning I awaken to the sounds of another day. Construction, loud Hindi music, horns galore honking constantly, and men calling out from bicycle rickshaws advertising whatever they may be selling.
I dress myself in my kurta, pants, & dupatta, adjusting the dupatta a number of times before finally feeling like its not going to fall off. I pull my hair back into a ponytail attempting a different style each day in an effort to change it up a bit. Each day I feel a little more comfortable in what I'm wearing.
On a good day I'm able to spend some time in God's Word, and sometimes begin fixing some chai for the family and maybe some cinnamon-sugar roti with some type of fruit so that we can gather around our new table and grab a quick bite to eat.
I get the girls ready for whatever happens to be on the agenda that day and we head out. Immediately upon stepping outside, I see the dust flying through the air as it was awoken from the streets very early in the morning by the business that takes place each day. Bicycle rickshaws are already busy and people are traveling to and fro by foot, bike, scooter, car, rickshaw, and the occasional buffalo cart. We say good morning to our landlord and then to our neighbors, MooMoo & MaMa (a calf and mama cow).
We begin walking down the dusty street, our feet already beginning to show the grime that we will encounter that day. We stop a bicycle rickshaw and give him the name of a destination. The girls hop on first, facing backward where they are able to enjoy the sights behind us. I step up, sometimes remembering to gather my dupatta so it will not get caught in the wheel. More times than not, I forget.
Among my first thoughts are always, "I can't believe I'm really living this out!" And "I wish so & so could experience this!" The girls are a constant chatter, naming animals as we pass them and waving hello to each one. I smile and thank God for the amazing experiences they are having. Then, I snap back to reality and remember I have to tell this driver how to get where I need to go! I often let him pass my turn before I remember to tap his shoulder and point left or right.
Riding down the busy street on a rickshaw means ALL eyes are on you. People literally stop and gaze at the American and often nudge their friends to get a glimpse. Most welcome with smiles when they can pick their chin up off the ground. I smile and sometimes offer a 'namaste' to the women I pass.
By now, I've probably been told that my dupatta is dragging at least a couple of times and I smile and nod as I gather it back before it gets covered in dust, mostly laughing at myself and thinking that nothing goes unnoticed when you stick out like a sore thumb among millions.
I pass mounds of trash, dirty water, and typically a number of cows, puppies, or pigs grazing through the trash looking for something to eat. If its a longer ride, I pass homes made of tents or sheet metal or whatever is available where people are laying on cots, children are often unclothed, and many are working hard hammering metal and welding it into shape hoping to sell a good today in an effort to feed their family. Young children can be seen frying roti over an open flame and we dodge toddlers who are running much too close to the busy street. Intermixed are food carts, vegetables for sale, shrines, and laundry being hung to dry. I may even spot someone relieving himself wherever he chooses along the busy highway.
By now, I've attempted to tune out the sounds of I don't know how many deafening blaring horns. The larger the vehicle the louder the horn. The sound threatens to unnerve me but with each passing day I think I'm growing more accustomed to the constant noise. There's never a dull moment and we come much too close to accidents more times than I can count. I hold my girls close, silently thanking God that they know their birthdays and their age (many people here do not) and yet get the amazing opportunity to experience more than a DVD player in the car on a safe road in America.
If we happen to be visiting in homes, we arrive at our destination and pay the rickshaw driver his wage then begin walking down brick-laden streets weaving in and out of concrete slabs for homes. We do the spin move multiple times as I hold the girls' hands on my left or my right depending on which side of me the traffic is on. Once again, we stop traffic with our fair skin, eyes constantly gazing on us. A few prayers have already been lifted for the people of this particular community and we are quickly invited into a home for chai. Before we can be seated a large crowd has gathered, everyone just staring as I begin to speak. "Apca nam quia hai?" "Mira nam Angel hai." "Ap quesa hai?" "Mai tik hoo". By this point I've exhausted the majority of the language I know. With an interpreter I'm able to share with the people hoping for some type of a response. We leave after being begged to stay for a meal and being invited to please come again.
The girls and I head back home chattering about the best parts of our day and theirs usually include the numerous animals we've spotted. As I hop back on a rickshaw for my ride back home I realize that my positive outlook (given to me only by God's grace) may have caused me to make living here almost seem glamorous and I'm reminded by the sights, sounds and smells assaulting me and often taking my breath away, that it is the farthest thing from glamorous. And then, I'm thankful that I enjoy adventure and love a good challenge and wishing I could adequately portray this place in pictures and with words.
We arrive home, scurry up to our first floor (meaning second floor) flat and the girls remind me not to look into the eyes of the monkeys that are sitting on our porch as if they are our very own Welcome Home committee.
At some point everyday something reminds me of home and I remember that this is long term. That always spurs a mix of emotions and I would be foolish to say that I don't get homesick every day. But at the same time, I am reminded that I was made for this and that I have been blessed with the most amazing support system and I quickly jump back into the joy of what's happening here.
I spend the rest of the day washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, or reading with/playing with the girls and then at the end of the night begin to wind down in order to do it all again tomorrow. But instead of the same ol' same ol', it's always a brand new adventure awaiting us!
I dress myself in my kurta, pants, & dupatta, adjusting the dupatta a number of times before finally feeling like its not going to fall off. I pull my hair back into a ponytail attempting a different style each day in an effort to change it up a bit. Each day I feel a little more comfortable in what I'm wearing.
On a good day I'm able to spend some time in God's Word, and sometimes begin fixing some chai for the family and maybe some cinnamon-sugar roti with some type of fruit so that we can gather around our new table and grab a quick bite to eat.
I get the girls ready for whatever happens to be on the agenda that day and we head out. Immediately upon stepping outside, I see the dust flying through the air as it was awoken from the streets very early in the morning by the business that takes place each day. Bicycle rickshaws are already busy and people are traveling to and fro by foot, bike, scooter, car, rickshaw, and the occasional buffalo cart. We say good morning to our landlord and then to our neighbors, MooMoo & MaMa (a calf and mama cow).
We begin walking down the dusty street, our feet already beginning to show the grime that we will encounter that day. We stop a bicycle rickshaw and give him the name of a destination. The girls hop on first, facing backward where they are able to enjoy the sights behind us. I step up, sometimes remembering to gather my dupatta so it will not get caught in the wheel. More times than not, I forget.
Among my first thoughts are always, "I can't believe I'm really living this out!" And "I wish so & so could experience this!" The girls are a constant chatter, naming animals as we pass them and waving hello to each one. I smile and thank God for the amazing experiences they are having. Then, I snap back to reality and remember I have to tell this driver how to get where I need to go! I often let him pass my turn before I remember to tap his shoulder and point left or right.
Riding down the busy street on a rickshaw means ALL eyes are on you. People literally stop and gaze at the American and often nudge their friends to get a glimpse. Most welcome with smiles when they can pick their chin up off the ground. I smile and sometimes offer a 'namaste' to the women I pass.
By now, I've probably been told that my dupatta is dragging at least a couple of times and I smile and nod as I gather it back before it gets covered in dust, mostly laughing at myself and thinking that nothing goes unnoticed when you stick out like a sore thumb among millions.
I pass mounds of trash, dirty water, and typically a number of cows, puppies, or pigs grazing through the trash looking for something to eat. If its a longer ride, I pass homes made of tents or sheet metal or whatever is available where people are laying on cots, children are often unclothed, and many are working hard hammering metal and welding it into shape hoping to sell a good today in an effort to feed their family. Young children can be seen frying roti over an open flame and we dodge toddlers who are running much too close to the busy street. Intermixed are food carts, vegetables for sale, shrines, and laundry being hung to dry. I may even spot someone relieving himself wherever he chooses along the busy highway.
By now, I've attempted to tune out the sounds of I don't know how many deafening blaring horns. The larger the vehicle the louder the horn. The sound threatens to unnerve me but with each passing day I think I'm growing more accustomed to the constant noise. There's never a dull moment and we come much too close to accidents more times than I can count. I hold my girls close, silently thanking God that they know their birthdays and their age (many people here do not) and yet get the amazing opportunity to experience more than a DVD player in the car on a safe road in America.
If we happen to be visiting in homes, we arrive at our destination and pay the rickshaw driver his wage then begin walking down brick-laden streets weaving in and out of concrete slabs for homes. We do the spin move multiple times as I hold the girls' hands on my left or my right depending on which side of me the traffic is on. Once again, we stop traffic with our fair skin, eyes constantly gazing on us. A few prayers have already been lifted for the people of this particular community and we are quickly invited into a home for chai. Before we can be seated a large crowd has gathered, everyone just staring as I begin to speak. "Apca nam quia hai?" "Mira nam Angel hai." "Ap quesa hai?" "Mai tik hoo". By this point I've exhausted the majority of the language I know. With an interpreter I'm able to share with the people hoping for some type of a response. We leave after being begged to stay for a meal and being invited to please come again.
The girls and I head back home chattering about the best parts of our day and theirs usually include the numerous animals we've spotted. As I hop back on a rickshaw for my ride back home I realize that my positive outlook (given to me only by God's grace) may have caused me to make living here almost seem glamorous and I'm reminded by the sights, sounds and smells assaulting me and often taking my breath away, that it is the farthest thing from glamorous. And then, I'm thankful that I enjoy adventure and love a good challenge and wishing I could adequately portray this place in pictures and with words.
We arrive home, scurry up to our first floor (meaning second floor) flat and the girls remind me not to look into the eyes of the monkeys that are sitting on our porch as if they are our very own Welcome Home committee.
At some point everyday something reminds me of home and I remember that this is long term. That always spurs a mix of emotions and I would be foolish to say that I don't get homesick every day. But at the same time, I am reminded that I was made for this and that I have been blessed with the most amazing support system and I quickly jump back into the joy of what's happening here.
I spend the rest of the day washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, or reading with/playing with the girls and then at the end of the night begin to wind down in order to do it all again tomorrow. But instead of the same ol' same ol', it's always a brand new adventure awaiting us!
Modes of Transportation
Just a quick rundown of one trip to the village:
Hop in a vehicle (designed to hold 7 people) with a total of 16 people. Ride about 15 minutes to a bus stop. Ride the bus for about 15 minutes. Hop off and walk about 1/4 mile. Ask around about transportation. Too expensive. Stop a passing buffalo cart. Hop on. Ride about 10 minutes to a "tempo" stop (an open auto rickshaw/SUV style vehicle). Sit for almost an hour waiting for the vehicle to fill up. Should hold about 11 people not so comfortably, ended up holding 22! Ride into the village. Walk around for a bit. Then ride back out of town on another crowded tempo, walk some more, ride another crowded tempo, walk to the bus stop, ride to our neighborhood, hop on a cycle rickshaw, and finally arrive at home!
Hop in a vehicle (designed to hold 7 people) with a total of 16 people. Ride about 15 minutes to a bus stop. Ride the bus for about 15 minutes. Hop off and walk about 1/4 mile. Ask around about transportation. Too expensive. Stop a passing buffalo cart. Hop on. Ride about 10 minutes to a "tempo" stop (an open auto rickshaw/SUV style vehicle). Sit for almost an hour waiting for the vehicle to fill up. Should hold about 11 people not so comfortably, ended up holding 22! Ride into the village. Walk around for a bit. Then ride back out of town on another crowded tempo, walk some more, ride another crowded tempo, walk to the bus stop, ride to our neighborhood, hop on a cycle rickshaw, and finally arrive at home!
Monday, October 22, 2012
First Day of Organized Ministry
Oct. 22, 2012
Already we've had many opportunities to speak the name of Jesus, but today was our first day to actually go out into the communities and find ways into people's homes with the end goal being to share the Gospel with them!
Kiley & I went out with a translator and had a wonderful day! First, we survived our first rickshaw accident! Our rickshaw was hit by another rickshaw in the front tire. We were unharmed and were approaching our destination so we just hopped out and went on. I felt bad when I looked back and saw that his tire was bent and that probably meant the loss of income for him.
We went into some alleyways where we were quickly invited into homes and soon were being begged to "please come to my home"! We were fed snacks, water, cookies, soda and chai galore!
I was surprised at how quickly and easily I was able to present my testimony or a story from God's Word or even share the gospel story. The people listened intently and seeds were sown!
One woman in particular has been suffering of a fever for over a month. I was able to pray for her healing and then she allowed me to tell the story of the bleeding woman. Please pray for her healing so that she will recognize the power of Jesus. She was elderly and this was the first that she had heard of him!!! She truly had never heard the name of Jesus! Later, she came to another home where we were to sit with us some more!
The final home we visited was full of sisters in their 20s who begged us to visit. They had two dogs ( which Kiley was dying to pet) so we went into their home. They fed us yet again and were very proud to show us their home. They were especially proud to show us their worship room where they kept their shrines. They are very deep into Hinduism and say that it brings them peace. I was able to share a lot about my faith with them and they concluded that they believed all that I said was true but they believed you can believe in whatever way you wish. It broke my heart that even when presented with the truth that Jesus is the only way, they did not choose to place their trust in Christ. It was a great visit and I believe good seeds were planted. We received a formal invitation to their wedding so hopefully we will have a chance to visit with them again.
It was a great day of ministry and I believe the Holy Spirit gave much boldness and great open doors! I was amazed at how easy it felt to turn conversations spiritual. I left this morning nervous that I wasn't prepared but, as always, God came through!
Below are some pictures of people you can pray for that I met today.
Already we've had many opportunities to speak the name of Jesus, but today was our first day to actually go out into the communities and find ways into people's homes with the end goal being to share the Gospel with them!
Kiley & I went out with a translator and had a wonderful day! First, we survived our first rickshaw accident! Our rickshaw was hit by another rickshaw in the front tire. We were unharmed and were approaching our destination so we just hopped out and went on. I felt bad when I looked back and saw that his tire was bent and that probably meant the loss of income for him.
We went into some alleyways where we were quickly invited into homes and soon were being begged to "please come to my home"! We were fed snacks, water, cookies, soda and chai galore!
I was surprised at how quickly and easily I was able to present my testimony or a story from God's Word or even share the gospel story. The people listened intently and seeds were sown!
One woman in particular has been suffering of a fever for over a month. I was able to pray for her healing and then she allowed me to tell the story of the bleeding woman. Please pray for her healing so that she will recognize the power of Jesus. She was elderly and this was the first that she had heard of him!!! She truly had never heard the name of Jesus! Later, she came to another home where we were to sit with us some more!
The final home we visited was full of sisters in their 20s who begged us to visit. They had two dogs ( which Kiley was dying to pet) so we went into their home. They fed us yet again and were very proud to show us their home. They were especially proud to show us their worship room where they kept their shrines. They are very deep into Hinduism and say that it brings them peace. I was able to share a lot about my faith with them and they concluded that they believed all that I said was true but they believed you can believe in whatever way you wish. It broke my heart that even when presented with the truth that Jesus is the only way, they did not choose to place their trust in Christ. It was a great visit and I believe good seeds were planted. We received a formal invitation to their wedding so hopefully we will have a chance to visit with them again.
It was a great day of ministry and I believe the Holy Spirit gave much boldness and great open doors! I was amazed at how easy it felt to turn conversations spiritual. I left this morning nervous that I wasn't prepared but, as always, God came through!
Below are some pictures of people you can pray for that I met today.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Lessons from a Press Wala
From the girls' window you can watch the "press wala" working all day long. He opens his shop early in the morning and stands in front and irons clothes without fail. Needless to say, I'm quite thankful for him! ;)
At one point I looked out the window and saw him standing in the same place he'd been all day and I wondered, "Does he even dream there is more to life?" What is his purpose in life but to stand in front of his shop ironing clothes for other people to earn a mere 2 rupees per item just to come back and do it all again tomorrow.
I'm broken hearted for the people who do their jobs well, only hoping that if they are faithful in this life that somehow they will receive a greater one the next time around. What will this young guy's hard work get him aside from an eternity apart from God if he never hears and accepts the Good News.
So many lost people. Some searching. Others content. But all lost.
At one point I looked out the window and saw him standing in the same place he'd been all day and I wondered, "Does he even dream there is more to life?" What is his purpose in life but to stand in front of his shop ironing clothes for other people to earn a mere 2 rupees per item just to come back and do it all again tomorrow.
I'm broken hearted for the people who do their jobs well, only hoping that if they are faithful in this life that somehow they will receive a greater one the next time around. What will this young guy's hard work get him aside from an eternity apart from God if he never hears and accepts the Good News.
So many lost people. Some searching. Others content. But all lost.
Dusty
Wednesday I stepped out of one culture and into another as I spent the day at a handicrafts fair looking to make contacts for our jewelry business. It was a fun day of laughing, getting lost (normal if you know me), and learning my new phone number after writing it down a hundred times for business contacts.
Yet, the day was filled with culture shock in my mind as I felt like I was walking through a Pier One or Pottery Barn in the States. So many goods were on display for buyers to choose for their high end companies to sell. Needless to say, it was a strange mix of cultures and feelings of absurdity when I saw items made here for almost nothing but then sent to ritzy places and sold for obscene prices.
Of course, all of it was right before my eyes and I couldn't buy any of it because it was sold only in bulk. Although, I did manage to talk one guy into selling me bedding for our room (which we desperately need to keep the dust from setting into our sheets every day! Sadly, I wasn't as successful in talking another store into selling me some adorable bedding for the girls.
It was a great day and yet another opportunity for God to strip away even more of the yuck that seems to stay filmed over on my heart. The dusty streets of our city seem to constantly glaze over the floor of our home but its a good reminder of what my heart looks like to my Savior. This place has a way of revealing the parts of your life that aren't totally sold out to Him.
Still learning. Still growing. Still changing. Still dusting off corners of my heart.
Yet, the day was filled with culture shock in my mind as I felt like I was walking through a Pier One or Pottery Barn in the States. So many goods were on display for buyers to choose for their high end companies to sell. Needless to say, it was a strange mix of cultures and feelings of absurdity when I saw items made here for almost nothing but then sent to ritzy places and sold for obscene prices.
Of course, all of it was right before my eyes and I couldn't buy any of it because it was sold only in bulk. Although, I did manage to talk one guy into selling me bedding for our room (which we desperately need to keep the dust from setting into our sheets every day! Sadly, I wasn't as successful in talking another store into selling me some adorable bedding for the girls.
It was a great day and yet another opportunity for God to strip away even more of the yuck that seems to stay filmed over on my heart. The dusty streets of our city seem to constantly glaze over the floor of our home but its a good reminder of what my heart looks like to my Savior. This place has a way of revealing the parts of your life that aren't totally sold out to Him.
Still learning. Still growing. Still changing. Still dusting off corners of my heart.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Darkness to Light
Last night we experienced the major contrasts of our country. Here in the capitol city alone we went from traveling dirt roads on an auto rickshaw with children begging at our doors at every traffic light and walked straight into a five-story mall nicer than any I've been to in America. This stark contrast is one thing that makes this country so peculiar.
As we rode through town in our auto rickshaw we saw sights that broke our hearts. Entire families laying on the sidewalk together. Homeless. Tired. And hungry. Upon spotting a group of Americans, one father nudged his son, not much older than Kiley, and made him come beg from us. We later spotted two little girls probably our girls' ages, maybe younger, sitting on the sidewalk scraping bricks for a living. I held my girls a little tighter and thanked God that they had the freedom to enjoy their childhood. Our hearts broke for those precious little girls. We then had a man who appeared blind approach our auto carrying a baby boy whose hand was wrapped and oozing with infection. It broke our hearts that we couldn't help each person but we were able to give some snack bags to as many as we had enough for. I had brought along a big package of Oreos for the girls to snack on when they got hungry, but when we ran out of snack bags the girls agreed to open the Oreos and give them out to people we passed along the way. They each had one cookie and offered the rest to the hungry. We've been encouraged not to give literal money because of where it goes, so we've tried to make it a practice to carry some food with us wherever we go.
Today I had the opportunity to hear the testimony of a man who became a Jesus follower after years as a Sikh. What an awesome story he had. He suffered emotional persecution from his family and has been completely denied by them. Yet he radiates with joy!!!
I also got to visit a Sikh temple. Though there weren't many people at the time of day that we went, we were able to experience some reading from their book and see the area where they "put it to bed" each night. They believe that the gurus live on in this book and so it is treated with great care and reverence.
The darkness here can be overwhelming at times if you let it, but thankfully God gave me Psalm 139:11-12 "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night' even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day;
darkness and light are alike to You."
As we rode through town in our auto rickshaw we saw sights that broke our hearts. Entire families laying on the sidewalk together. Homeless. Tired. And hungry. Upon spotting a group of Americans, one father nudged his son, not much older than Kiley, and made him come beg from us. We later spotted two little girls probably our girls' ages, maybe younger, sitting on the sidewalk scraping bricks for a living. I held my girls a little tighter and thanked God that they had the freedom to enjoy their childhood. Our hearts broke for those precious little girls. We then had a man who appeared blind approach our auto carrying a baby boy whose hand was wrapped and oozing with infection. It broke our hearts that we couldn't help each person but we were able to give some snack bags to as many as we had enough for. I had brought along a big package of Oreos for the girls to snack on when they got hungry, but when we ran out of snack bags the girls agreed to open the Oreos and give them out to people we passed along the way. They each had one cookie and offered the rest to the hungry. We've been encouraged not to give literal money because of where it goes, so we've tried to make it a practice to carry some food with us wherever we go.
Today I had the opportunity to hear the testimony of a man who became a Jesus follower after years as a Sikh. What an awesome story he had. He suffered emotional persecution from his family and has been completely denied by them. Yet he radiates with joy!!!
I also got to visit a Sikh temple. Though there weren't many people at the time of day that we went, we were able to experience some reading from their book and see the area where they "put it to bed" each night. They believe that the gurus live on in this book and so it is treated with great care and reverence.
The darkness here can be overwhelming at times if you let it, but thankfully God gave me Psalm 139:11-12 "If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night' even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day;
darkness and light are alike to You."
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
That was Laughable
Well, we got our first taste of healthcare. Many of you know that Kiley fractured her arm in Richmond before we left for our big adventure. The big adventure just got bigger when we discovered we would be trying out the healthcare almost immediately upon arrival. Kiley then proceeded to remove her own cast almost a week early by accident!!! The good news is she has a whole cast now to keep as a souvenir!
Today, we made our way to the hospital to haver her wrist x-rayed to be sure her treatment was finished. Note to self: don't leave at noon having not eaten lunch or even much of a breakfast and expect to just happen upon some food along the way! It is now 4 pm and no one has had lunch!
The laughable part was how the healthcare system works here. To be honest, I'm not actually sure how it works still. All I know is that we went on multiple wild goose chases which felt to our disadvantage but the good part was that we were seen and helped almost immediately everywhere we went. It was different. Very different. And time consuming. But interesting to say the least. And above all, it was an adventure! :)
Kiley & Jason went on to finish the visit while Kamden & I looked for food. Which was also an adventure. I didn't recognize that they offered chai because it was written in English as tea! I was disappointed that I didn't order any but when I asked for "roti" pronounced "ro-tea" they thought I was asking for tea so we got some anyway! Ha! I guess they know more English than I do! ;)
We also had the chance to sit with two sweet H women. They offered us a seat at their table. After getting to know them and why they were here, they allowed me to pr@y for them and we were able to speak the name of Jesus! So exciting!
We definitely learned today that everything takes longer in South Asia but it left us with a smile on our faces, some new experiences (like riding a very crowded train and a tuk-tuk/ auto rickshaw for the first time) and it allowed us to spread the love of Christ! You be pr@ying for these women too!
Today, we made our way to the hospital to haver her wrist x-rayed to be sure her treatment was finished. Note to self: don't leave at noon having not eaten lunch or even much of a breakfast and expect to just happen upon some food along the way! It is now 4 pm and no one has had lunch!
The laughable part was how the healthcare system works here. To be honest, I'm not actually sure how it works still. All I know is that we went on multiple wild goose chases which felt to our disadvantage but the good part was that we were seen and helped almost immediately everywhere we went. It was different. Very different. And time consuming. But interesting to say the least. And above all, it was an adventure! :)
Kiley & Jason went on to finish the visit while Kamden & I looked for food. Which was also an adventure. I didn't recognize that they offered chai because it was written in English as tea! I was disappointed that I didn't order any but when I asked for "roti" pronounced "ro-tea" they thought I was asking for tea so we got some anyway! Ha! I guess they know more English than I do! ;)
We also had the chance to sit with two sweet H women. They offered us a seat at their table. After getting to know them and why they were here, they allowed me to pr@y for them and we were able to speak the name of Jesus! So exciting!
We definitely learned today that everything takes longer in South Asia but it left us with a smile on our faces, some new experiences (like riding a very crowded train and a tuk-tuk/ auto rickshaw for the first time) and it allowed us to spread the love of Christ! You be pr@ying for these women too!
Through the eyes of KamKam
I love [South Asia] and I love the guest house and Mary Grace is in the guest house with me. I saw a cow and a buffalo and a elephant*. It feels like I'm 7 but I'm not 7.
About the time the buffalo walked right past her car window: Daddy was pointing and then I looked out my window and I was right here and it was going by!
What types of food have you been eating: some chicken and some bread. A mango shake and I liked it a little bit**.
*the elephant was a fib but she was determined it had to go in there. You know Kamden, pretend world is more real than real life.
**she demanded I write "a little bit" after the mango shake but she's full of it. She sucked down the whole thing without stopping. She loved it! ;)
About the time the buffalo walked right past her car window: Daddy was pointing and then I looked out my window and I was right here and it was going by!
What types of food have you been eating: some chicken and some bread. A mango shake and I liked it a little bit**.
*the elephant was a fib but she was determined it had to go in there. You know Kamden, pretend world is more real than real life.
**she demanded I write "a little bit" after the mango shake but she's full of it. She sucked down the whole thing without stopping. She loved it! ;)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Worth Gawking At
Tonight I had my first chance to walk into the slums that are just across the street from my house. As I approached the first alley the smell of urine was overwhelming. Men sat, barely clothed, on outdoor cots just to escape the heat of the inside of their "home". A little boy stood in the alleyway wearing absolutely nothing.
As we got further in the smell turned slightly more pleasant due to the little pots of burning coal used to heat the food that they have.
We passed a larger than life Hindu idol sitting out in the street amidst all the homes as if his job was to protect them or give them good fortune. Something tells me he's not answering.
As we approached some women, S was able to start some conversations just talking about children and how they are a blessing from The Lord. One woman said no we are in charge of how many children we have.
We continued chatting and were eventually invited in after having our picture taken by a man who attempted to speak English. It's really a big deal here to see Americans as we are far enough away from a major city and there are only 2 families from the States in this town.
The home we entered was only lived in by a family of five but when we went inside practically the whole community followed. There were probably 30 people inside this little concrete living room complete with a fridge and a pot of coals for heating food. What should have been the kitchen held an old fashioned sowing machine which the lady used to make pillow cases.
We were offered water and of course did not refuse for fear of offending the ones who had invited us in.
At one point, a little boy about 12 or so, was so in awe that two white women were sitting on his couch that he was bent over head cocked staring in the face of my friend as she spoke. His sister promptly slapped him to get him to come back to his senses. I looked to my left and saw the crowd that had gathered. At that moment, I thought to myself "if they are this excited to see two average Americans, what would be their reaction should they have the chance to come face to face with their savior. What a life changing day that would be!
I plan to go back to that little community just across the street from my house to practice language among the people there. And hopefully one day soon I can introduce them to Someone really worth gawking at, the one who gave up everything.
As we got further in the smell turned slightly more pleasant due to the little pots of burning coal used to heat the food that they have.
We passed a larger than life Hindu idol sitting out in the street amidst all the homes as if his job was to protect them or give them good fortune. Something tells me he's not answering.
As we approached some women, S was able to start some conversations just talking about children and how they are a blessing from The Lord. One woman said no we are in charge of how many children we have.
We continued chatting and were eventually invited in after having our picture taken by a man who attempted to speak English. It's really a big deal here to see Americans as we are far enough away from a major city and there are only 2 families from the States in this town.
The home we entered was only lived in by a family of five but when we went inside practically the whole community followed. There were probably 30 people inside this little concrete living room complete with a fridge and a pot of coals for heating food. What should have been the kitchen held an old fashioned sowing machine which the lady used to make pillow cases.
We were offered water and of course did not refuse for fear of offending the ones who had invited us in.
At one point, a little boy about 12 or so, was so in awe that two white women were sitting on his couch that he was bent over head cocked staring in the face of my friend as she spoke. His sister promptly slapped him to get him to come back to his senses. I looked to my left and saw the crowd that had gathered. At that moment, I thought to myself "if they are this excited to see two average Americans, what would be their reaction should they have the chance to come face to face with their savior. What a life changing day that would be!
I plan to go back to that little community just across the street from my house to practice language among the people there. And hopefully one day soon I can introduce them to Someone really worth gawking at, the one who gave up everything.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Blessed
The Internet is down for the time being which should be fine but I'm wide awake at 2 a.m. so it would have been nice to be able to make some phone calls and check some things out on the World Wide Web but instead I'll just type up a blog to post later.
I gotta say, things are really going great! Now, before I sound all super-human, I have to preface this with the fact that I know there will be major hard times to come and I know we are not above culture shock and Delhi belly and days when we just want to come home but at this point we are taking it one day at a time and this day is great.
Not to say there aren't trials because there are. But, there are so many joys to go with those few trials that right now it hardly feels like a sacrifice.
We were blessed with a beautiful home! Sure, one toilet is a squatty potty, the power will go out unlimited times during the day (but we get an inverter to help with times like that), we get a fridge but it seems like it won't do much seeing as how the power will be out fairly often, but did I mention that the house is truly beautiful?! Something I really prayed for that I would be able to make my home feel like home and I am pleased to say that the prayer was answered.
Jason is totally in his element here. He's loving the challenge, making some really funny mistakes (I'll let him tell his own stories), and really just doing a great job as usual. I just love him!
And both girls are doing well! Kamden is tired, hot, and four. Four being the most difficult of those ;)! But she's doing great. And Kiley really seems to be loving it! Their favorite part of today was that mommy was their teacher (I taught science and gymnastics to all 5 girls today) and Kiley was most thankful that when her tummy hurt today that I cuddled her and made her feel better! So, I'm pleased with those few little accomplishments!
Jason spent most of the day at our new house listening to people "discuss" home improvement repairs in Hindi. It was quite humorous to try to ask a simple opinion of someone and that get turned into a few nationals arguing over where the curtains needed hung in a completely different room. Explanation needed? We were curious if a curtain was needed in the girls' bathroom. So, in English I asked "do you think we need a curtain in here?" So, to elaborate I pointed at the window I was discussing and then walked into the next room and pointed to the curtain that is already installed. And then pointed back at the other window. Simple enough? Nahi! (That means no, by the way, in Hindi! ;) Suddenly, there were 5 nationals crowded around using hand motions, talking all excitedly about that window in that room when that decision had already been settled! Ha! We just stood back, nodded, and smiled!
I did have one major accomplishment! I successfully asked my landlord's wife if I could watch her make chai! :) and I got across the point that "KamKam piar chai!" (KamKam loves chai!) That's what they all call her here because Kamden is too hard to say.
The girls are opening up to the landlord's little girl and Kamden at least let a few people hold her and give her hugs. She's four, people, what more do you expect! ;)
Like the name of a store here, "all is well"! Oh, and, by the way, the name of our town means "place of revival"! How cool is that!
So... Are we tired? Yes! Getting over a cold? Yes! Dealing with minor adjustment issues? Yes! Struggling with the silly dupatta falling off all the time? YES! But are we thankful to be here and excited about what's next?!? A resounding yes! It doesn't hurt that our team leaders are fantastic either! Or that we have amazing people praying for us constantly! So we are blessed! So very blessed!
I gotta say, things are really going great! Now, before I sound all super-human, I have to preface this with the fact that I know there will be major hard times to come and I know we are not above culture shock and Delhi belly and days when we just want to come home but at this point we are taking it one day at a time and this day is great.
Not to say there aren't trials because there are. But, there are so many joys to go with those few trials that right now it hardly feels like a sacrifice.
We were blessed with a beautiful home! Sure, one toilet is a squatty potty, the power will go out unlimited times during the day (but we get an inverter to help with times like that), we get a fridge but it seems like it won't do much seeing as how the power will be out fairly often, but did I mention that the house is truly beautiful?! Something I really prayed for that I would be able to make my home feel like home and I am pleased to say that the prayer was answered.
Jason is totally in his element here. He's loving the challenge, making some really funny mistakes (I'll let him tell his own stories), and really just doing a great job as usual. I just love him!
And both girls are doing well! Kamden is tired, hot, and four. Four being the most difficult of those ;)! But she's doing great. And Kiley really seems to be loving it! Their favorite part of today was that mommy was their teacher (I taught science and gymnastics to all 5 girls today) and Kiley was most thankful that when her tummy hurt today that I cuddled her and made her feel better! So, I'm pleased with those few little accomplishments!
Jason spent most of the day at our new house listening to people "discuss" home improvement repairs in Hindi. It was quite humorous to try to ask a simple opinion of someone and that get turned into a few nationals arguing over where the curtains needed hung in a completely different room. Explanation needed? We were curious if a curtain was needed in the girls' bathroom. So, in English I asked "do you think we need a curtain in here?" So, to elaborate I pointed at the window I was discussing and then walked into the next room and pointed to the curtain that is already installed. And then pointed back at the other window. Simple enough? Nahi! (That means no, by the way, in Hindi! ;) Suddenly, there were 5 nationals crowded around using hand motions, talking all excitedly about that window in that room when that decision had already been settled! Ha! We just stood back, nodded, and smiled!
I did have one major accomplishment! I successfully asked my landlord's wife if I could watch her make chai! :) and I got across the point that "KamKam piar chai!" (KamKam loves chai!) That's what they all call her here because Kamden is too hard to say.
The girls are opening up to the landlord's little girl and Kamden at least let a few people hold her and give her hugs. She's four, people, what more do you expect! ;)
Like the name of a store here, "all is well"! Oh, and, by the way, the name of our town means "place of revival"! How cool is that!
So... Are we tired? Yes! Getting over a cold? Yes! Dealing with minor adjustment issues? Yes! Struggling with the silly dupatta falling off all the time? YES! But are we thankful to be here and excited about what's next?!? A resounding yes! It doesn't hurt that our team leaders are fantastic either! Or that we have amazing people praying for us constantly! So we are blessed! So very blessed!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
First Day in our Host Country
Kiley's first blog post:
"Welcome to real South Asia. It is so crowded but its a really good view. The first night we slept in a hotel and I got the top bunk. I've seen baby taxis and rickshaws. I even saw a baby. The mommy was carrying it on a bicycle. And it is so cool! I always want to stay in South Asia!"
*as spoken by Kiley. Names of places have been changed. ;)
If you can't tell, Kiley is very pleased with her host country. She woke up her first morning here and said "Good morning, South Asia!"
Pictures:
-Some airplane fun
-Kamden rides up front after feeling like she was going to throw up
-Girls watching a movie at 4am
Both girls have been superstars. They did amazing on the plane. And hit it off with their new friends almost instantly. Now you'd see them walking hand in hand and dancing around the house with people they didn't know only a few short hours ago.
As promised, we've already had a couple of embarrassing moments. Such as asking Clinton Kelly if he was married and then proceeding to ask him about his "wife". Oops! (You figure that one out).
And, of course, after getting off the airplane, getting our bags, and talking about how unbelievably smooth everything went, Jason managed to dump a cart full of our luggage. But it didn't end there. We were on the moving walkway. And he was in the front. Get the picture? When his dumped, the rest of us had to try to run backward, pulling our carts to keep from slamming into his spilled one. We were, of course, unsuccessful. So, the rest of the carts dumped too! We couldn't help but laugh (after making sure the girls didn't get trampled). We learned a very important lesson not to speak too soon!
We are so blessed that everything is exceeding our expectations. Our home ( no pics yet) is far better than we imagined. We still need to work out some logistics and have a long road ahead to learn how to buy everything we need for our house but in a different language!
We are definitely suffering from jet lag. Even though we managed to keep everyone awake from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm without even a nap, Kiley woke up at 1 am and asked if she could get up now! Kamden soon followed and Jason & I are wide awake too. So, the girls are watching a movie after we pushed them as long as we could to stay in bed. We will try again tomorrow.
What an awesome adventure so far. One day at a time!!!! He's got this!
"Welcome to real South Asia. It is so crowded but its a really good view. The first night we slept in a hotel and I got the top bunk. I've seen baby taxis and rickshaws. I even saw a baby. The mommy was carrying it on a bicycle. And it is so cool! I always want to stay in South Asia!"
*as spoken by Kiley. Names of places have been changed. ;)
If you can't tell, Kiley is very pleased with her host country. She woke up her first morning here and said "Good morning, South Asia!"
Pictures:
-Some airplane fun
-Kamden rides up front after feeling like she was going to throw up
-Girls watching a movie at 4am
Both girls have been superstars. They did amazing on the plane. And hit it off with their new friends almost instantly. Now you'd see them walking hand in hand and dancing around the house with people they didn't know only a few short hours ago.
As promised, we've already had a couple of embarrassing moments. Such as asking Clinton Kelly if he was married and then proceeding to ask him about his "wife". Oops! (You figure that one out).
And, of course, after getting off the airplane, getting our bags, and talking about how unbelievably smooth everything went, Jason managed to dump a cart full of our luggage. But it didn't end there. We were on the moving walkway. And he was in the front. Get the picture? When his dumped, the rest of us had to try to run backward, pulling our carts to keep from slamming into his spilled one. We were, of course, unsuccessful. So, the rest of the carts dumped too! We couldn't help but laugh (after making sure the girls didn't get trampled). We learned a very important lesson not to speak too soon!
We are so blessed that everything is exceeding our expectations. Our home ( no pics yet) is far better than we imagined. We still need to work out some logistics and have a long road ahead to learn how to buy everything we need for our house but in a different language!
We are definitely suffering from jet lag. Even though we managed to keep everyone awake from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm without even a nap, Kiley woke up at 1 am and asked if she could get up now! Kamden soon followed and Jason & I are wide awake too. So, the girls are watching a movie after we pushed them as long as we could to stay in bed. We will try again tomorrow.
What an awesome adventure so far. One day at a time!!!! He's got this!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Luke 9:62
Here it is, folks. The time we've all been waiting for, dreading, anticipating, fearing, counting down till.
There are moments that I wish for just one second that I could go back in time and un-break everyone's hearts. Including my own. But I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am directly in the center of what God has for me. And so... Luke 9:62.
My prayer for you is that you'll join in this incredible task in your own big way!!!! What an incredible way that would be to spend your life!!!
There are moments that I wish for just one second that I could go back in time and un-break everyone's hearts. Including my own. But I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am directly in the center of what God has for me. And so... Luke 9:62.
My prayer for you is that you'll join in this incredible task in your own big way!!!! What an incredible way that would be to spend your life!!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Reflections
Psalm 40:3 "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
It's hard to believe that these eight weeks are actually coming to a close. We've made this our home for the time-being and so as you can imagine, saying goodbye will bring some sadness. It's exciting though because our time here has served us well, it has fulfilled its purpose of preparing us (as much as is possible on this side of the world) for the future.
I'm thankful today as I sit and reflect that the Lord gave me a new song to dwell on over the next stage of my life. Many of you know that over the past year my song has been "Take My Life" which has carried me through many challenging days. Now, I have a new song that I'm excited to share with you all. And as the verse says, I hope the result will be "many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"
version by Chris Tomlin
All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide
All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living Bread
You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me
All the way my Savior leads me
O, the fullness of His love
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood
And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way
Jesus led me all the way
All the way my Savior leads me
All the way my Savior leads me
It's hard to believe that these eight weeks are actually coming to a close. We've made this our home for the time-being and so as you can imagine, saying goodbye will bring some sadness. It's exciting though because our time here has served us well, it has fulfilled its purpose of preparing us (as much as is possible on this side of the world) for the future.
I'm thankful today as I sit and reflect that the Lord gave me a new song to dwell on over the next stage of my life. Many of you know that over the past year my song has been "Take My Life" which has carried me through many challenging days. Now, I have a new song that I'm excited to share with you all. And as the verse says, I hope the result will be "many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"
version by Chris Tomlin
All the way my Savior leads me
Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide
All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial
Feeds me with the living Bread
You lead me and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me
All the way my Savior leads me
O, the fullness of His love
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood
And when my spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way
Jesus led me all the way
All the way my Savior leads me
All the way my Savior leads me
Friday, August 31, 2012
You Are Not A God Created
John 8:46-47 "Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."
Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
What do these two verses mean to you? To me personally, they are ones that I have overlooked more times than not. But, to the Indian lady I had the privilege to meet last night, they mean everything!
Last night the married women going to South Asia went to a friends' house to prepare an Indian meal and got to meet an Indian lady who has only been a Christian for about 3 years! When we asked her testimony, she said that these two verses opened her eyes to the truth.
It was such an encouragement to hear a true "success story" of someone who practiced idol worshipping for so long and now has a relationship with the One who was not made by hands, who never sinned, and who created everything.
I hope we will not take for granted the truth that we are immersed in and the truths that are in God's word. And, of course, the realization that there are those who are waiting to hear about the true God of this world! What a surprise blessing to get to meet this woman and hear her story before even traveling to the other side of the world! What a motivation!
Acts 17:24-25 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
What do these two verses mean to you? To me personally, they are ones that I have overlooked more times than not. But, to the Indian lady I had the privilege to meet last night, they mean everything!
Last night the married women going to South Asia went to a friends' house to prepare an Indian meal and got to meet an Indian lady who has only been a Christian for about 3 years! When we asked her testimony, she said that these two verses opened her eyes to the truth.
It was such an encouragement to hear a true "success story" of someone who practiced idol worshipping for so long and now has a relationship with the One who was not made by hands, who never sinned, and who created everything.
I hope we will not take for granted the truth that we are immersed in and the truths that are in God's word. And, of course, the realization that there are those who are waiting to hear about the true God of this world! What a surprise blessing to get to meet this woman and hear her story before even traveling to the other side of the world! What a motivation!
The Countdown is On!
WRITTEN ON AUGUST 22:
We are exactly one month from flying over the big pond! Surprisingly, I am not feeling nearly as nervous as I thought I would be at this point. I would attribute that to the faithfulness of those of you who are lifting us up daily!
We have very quickly passed the halfway point here in Richmond, VA and can hardly verbalize how much God has worked in our hearts. We find ourselves calling out to Him more than ever before and learning to trust Him for so much more. We are seeing His hand in our lives (even with the numerous Visa issues we've experienced) ;) Jason can quote verbatim the visa application form as many times as he's had to redo ours!
Just wanted to share a few of the highlights of our time here:
-We are loving the cultural worship on Sunday nights. The services have been filled with awesome worship in other languages. Our favorite so far has been the African service! They even make it a little more realistic by turning off the air which made it rather sweaty!
-The girls' schooling brings joy daily for all of us! We can not say enough how thankful we are for these eight weeks of their lives.
-We are enjoying all the activities we've found to get involved in. We are playing in a volleyball tournament tonight (and, no, I don't plan on cheating, but if it comes to that...) I also had the chance to sew my own bag last night at the "quilting quad"! Thanks to Jason being willing to hang with the girls the whole evening and even take them to a meeting with him.
-The people here are just amazing. We've made some good friends, found our laughs that we so enjoy, had smiles meet us at every turn. The children are even incredibly friendly. We can't walk through campus without one of the girls hearing their name called from across the way. It is such a community and an amazing example of the body of Christ.
This was just a few highlights that have come to mind to share. We are enjoying our time here and will keep updating as we can!
We are exactly one month from flying over the big pond! Surprisingly, I am not feeling nearly as nervous as I thought I would be at this point. I would attribute that to the faithfulness of those of you who are lifting us up daily!
We have very quickly passed the halfway point here in Richmond, VA and can hardly verbalize how much God has worked in our hearts. We find ourselves calling out to Him more than ever before and learning to trust Him for so much more. We are seeing His hand in our lives (even with the numerous Visa issues we've experienced) ;) Jason can quote verbatim the visa application form as many times as he's had to redo ours!
Just wanted to share a few of the highlights of our time here:
-We are loving the cultural worship on Sunday nights. The services have been filled with awesome worship in other languages. Our favorite so far has been the African service! They even make it a little more realistic by turning off the air which made it rather sweaty!
-The girls' schooling brings joy daily for all of us! We can not say enough how thankful we are for these eight weeks of their lives.
-We are enjoying all the activities we've found to get involved in. We are playing in a volleyball tournament tonight (and, no, I don't plan on cheating, but if it comes to that...) I also had the chance to sew my own bag last night at the "quilting quad"! Thanks to Jason being willing to hang with the girls the whole evening and even take them to a meeting with him.
-The people here are just amazing. We've made some good friends, found our laughs that we so enjoy, had smiles meet us at every turn. The children are even incredibly friendly. We can't walk through campus without one of the girls hearing their name called from across the way. It is such a community and an amazing example of the body of Christ.
This was just a few highlights that have come to mind to share. We are enjoying our time here and will keep updating as we can!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
More Alive Than Ever
Some of you are probably wondering if we are still alive and kicking! Well, I'm happy to announce that we are indeed! And that as we grow leaps and bounds daily, we can say that we are as alive as ever.
Each of us feel we are learning so much while we are here. For a while it felt like information overload, but the Holy Spirit in us doesn't experience overload and so we finally settled in to the realization that alone it would be too much but with God all things are possible.
I personally had one rough day last week that led to yet another spiritual revelation. That just when I think I'm doing great, that's when Satan feels he has a way in. And so I was able to stop, spend some time in prayer, and remember that His mercies are new every morning. The next day was better than ever.
As for the girls. Wow! They are thriving! Kiley came home from school yesterday and shared the entire Creation story in Taiwanese! I couldn't believe my ears! Her teacher is just incredible and I believe God is using her to prepare Kiley for the calling He has placed on her life as well.
Jason & I celebrated our 9th anniversary last week. The community here stepped up to the plate and watched the girlies so we could have the evening together. It was pretty awesome. Watching Jason in this atmosphere brought me to tears as I was reminded what an amazing picture of Christ he's been in my life. I am so incredibly blessed by him and so in love with him.
Today's sessions reminded me how special we're not ;) in a good way. I was reminded today that we are ALL commanded to GO! And so my challenge to you is to truly seek the Lord's face and ask him, "What role do you desire me to play in the Great Commission?". I can guarantee you that He has a specific task for you. Don't waste your life! Live it out to multiply His Kingdom! There's nothing more important than that!
Pics: Kiley gets henna.
Kamden enjoys "red day" at school.
Jason & Angel celebrate 9 years.
Each of us feel we are learning so much while we are here. For a while it felt like information overload, but the Holy Spirit in us doesn't experience overload and so we finally settled in to the realization that alone it would be too much but with God all things are possible.
I personally had one rough day last week that led to yet another spiritual revelation. That just when I think I'm doing great, that's when Satan feels he has a way in. And so I was able to stop, spend some time in prayer, and remember that His mercies are new every morning. The next day was better than ever.
As for the girls. Wow! They are thriving! Kiley came home from school yesterday and shared the entire Creation story in Taiwanese! I couldn't believe my ears! Her teacher is just incredible and I believe God is using her to prepare Kiley for the calling He has placed on her life as well.
Jason & I celebrated our 9th anniversary last week. The community here stepped up to the plate and watched the girlies so we could have the evening together. It was pretty awesome. Watching Jason in this atmosphere brought me to tears as I was reminded what an amazing picture of Christ he's been in my life. I am so incredibly blessed by him and so in love with him.
Today's sessions reminded me how special we're not ;) in a good way. I was reminded today that we are ALL commanded to GO! And so my challenge to you is to truly seek the Lord's face and ask him, "What role do you desire me to play in the Great Commission?". I can guarantee you that He has a specific task for you. Don't waste your life! Live it out to multiply His Kingdom! There's nothing more important than that!
Pics: Kiley gets henna.
Kamden enjoys "red day" at school.
Jason & Angel celebrate 9 years.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Let the Games Begin
Sunday we said goodbye to our amazing Roanoke family. The service couldn't have been better. It was a priceless day forever etched in my memory. We are so incredibly blessed!
We arrived at our temporary home today. The trip here was graced by the girls singing "Jesus, in your name we can change the world!" What profound words from a 4 & 6 year old.
Kamden hasn't stopped talking about "school"! Being a mom, I was saddened that we may never have "first day of school" pics of her but God cares about every minor detail and that sweet girl will be starting "school" on Wednesday for 8 weeks. You better believe we will be taking lots of pics!
We've been blessed with suite mates with children that are just that... Sweet! They hit it off immediately and have become fast friends. Pray, if you will, for the girls shyness. They typically open up after a bit and have done outstanding but with so many changes, prayers are appreciated.
For those of you without Facebook, we enjoyed our first trip to a squatty potty! We laughed so loud when it flushed! The water pressure is so strong here that it started coming out onto the floor! We had to jump out of the way of the water! Of course, there was a woman outside enjoying the sounds of our experience!
Amidst all the fun comes the reality that this is going to be hard work. I'm on information overload and we haven't even begun. I feel inadequate, but remember that He IS adequate! So, pray specifically for us to set a good routine, for my brain cells to work, and for my heart to be changed, grown, encouraged, & strengthened.
So thankful for the chance to GO!
We arrived at our temporary home today. The trip here was graced by the girls singing "Jesus, in your name we can change the world!" What profound words from a 4 & 6 year old.
Kamden hasn't stopped talking about "school"! Being a mom, I was saddened that we may never have "first day of school" pics of her but God cares about every minor detail and that sweet girl will be starting "school" on Wednesday for 8 weeks. You better believe we will be taking lots of pics!
We've been blessed with suite mates with children that are just that... Sweet! They hit it off immediately and have become fast friends. Pray, if you will, for the girls shyness. They typically open up after a bit and have done outstanding but with so many changes, prayers are appreciated.
For those of you without Facebook, we enjoyed our first trip to a squatty potty! We laughed so loud when it flushed! The water pressure is so strong here that it started coming out onto the floor! We had to jump out of the way of the water! Of course, there was a woman outside enjoying the sounds of our experience!
Amidst all the fun comes the reality that this is going to be hard work. I'm on information overload and we haven't even begun. I feel inadequate, but remember that He IS adequate! So, pray specifically for us to set a good routine, for my brain cells to work, and for my heart to be changed, grown, encouraged, & strengthened.
So thankful for the chance to GO!
Monday, July 23, 2012
FIVE YEARS
A lot happens in five years. In five years a child goes through elementary school. In five years the Olympics can come and go twice. In five years, children can be born, weddings attended, funerals mourned, vacations spent, homes moved in and out of, rooms painted and furniture bought and sold. Friends can be made and relationships can grow into deep, loving family. Five years can seem like a long time, but when five years come to an end, it seems like no time at all.
Five years, when looking back, flew by before we had the chance to realize what was happening. As tears well up in my eyes, I realize that the pain I'm experiencing is because in five years, one major thing has happened. I have fallen in love with a place I call home. A group of people I call family. A church I love more dearly than I could have ever imagined.
I remember clearly the day I was driving down a windy West Virginia road, knowing change was coming but uncertain of the future. On that day, I determined that even if the grass wasn't greener wherever we ended up, that I was willing because I knew God was in it. At that point, I had no idea God was preparing for me a place to call home. A place that I never once have found myself saying I didn't love. I can honestly say that Roanoke, VA and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church was "love at first sight".
The pain I'm feeling isn't easily described as a fear of the unknown or an anxiety about the trials to come. This pain stems from a deep love for the people we leave behind. The people we call family. The lifelong friendships we've made that we don't want to say goodbye to.
I can joke all I want to about starting another Sunday School class on the other side of the world, but the truth is that five years has come and gone and I never imagined I would have to say goodbye so soon. I can't say we were just starting to get comfy, because truthfully we've been at home here since day one. That's what hurts so badly.
I'm confident that the future is bright because I'm confident that God is calling. That confidence has never wavered. I can even rest assured that the five years here was not wasted time. I'm thankful for that. In these five years, we've invested and been invested into, we've made more life long friends than one person deserves to have, we've seen God change lives including our own, we've seen trials be resolved, prayers be answered, kids grow into teens and teens grow into young adults.
Often, I wish I had one more year to soak in the memories, but I know that that would only leave me wishing for one more and then one more...
I don't have any clue what the future holds, all I know is that as we follow God's calling, we simply can't go wrong, no matter how badly it hurts at times.
Five years, when looking back, flew by before we had the chance to realize what was happening. As tears well up in my eyes, I realize that the pain I'm experiencing is because in five years, one major thing has happened. I have fallen in love with a place I call home. A group of people I call family. A church I love more dearly than I could have ever imagined.
I remember clearly the day I was driving down a windy West Virginia road, knowing change was coming but uncertain of the future. On that day, I determined that even if the grass wasn't greener wherever we ended up, that I was willing because I knew God was in it. At that point, I had no idea God was preparing for me a place to call home. A place that I never once have found myself saying I didn't love. I can honestly say that Roanoke, VA and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church was "love at first sight".
The pain I'm feeling isn't easily described as a fear of the unknown or an anxiety about the trials to come. This pain stems from a deep love for the people we leave behind. The people we call family. The lifelong friendships we've made that we don't want to say goodbye to.
I can joke all I want to about starting another Sunday School class on the other side of the world, but the truth is that five years has come and gone and I never imagined I would have to say goodbye so soon. I can't say we were just starting to get comfy, because truthfully we've been at home here since day one. That's what hurts so badly.
I'm confident that the future is bright because I'm confident that God is calling. That confidence has never wavered. I can even rest assured that the five years here was not wasted time. I'm thankful for that. In these five years, we've invested and been invested into, we've made more life long friends than one person deserves to have, we've seen God change lives including our own, we've seen trials be resolved, prayers be answered, kids grow into teens and teens grow into young adults.
Often, I wish I had one more year to soak in the memories, but I know that that would only leave me wishing for one more and then one more...
I don't have any clue what the future holds, all I know is that as we follow God's calling, we simply can't go wrong, no matter how badly it hurts at times.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Oh How He Loves Us
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith -that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints WHAT IS THE BREADTH AND LENGTH AND HEIGHT AND DEPTH, AND TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" Ephesians 3:14-20
So many things go through my mind on a daily basis to share through my blog. So many that I end up failing to share anything at all.
Last night, though, it occurred to me that if I had only one message I wanted my readers to know, it would be the LOVE OF GOD! My prayer for you is that of Paul's: that you would KNOW the love of God! Because in knowing it, truly knowing it personally, you would be forever changed.
Maybe you've grown up in church, maybe you haven't, maybe you've had a good homelife, maybe you haven't, maybe you have an addiction, a depression, an illness, or a priority complex, whatever your story, God's love exceeds that!
So, if you're still reading, I pray that you recognize that EVERYTHING falls under the scope of God's love. We've got it made in the shade if we rest in His love, His unconditional, unwavering, everlasting love!
Of course, it doesn't stop there! Because that very LOVE and the knowledge of it compels us to action. If we sit back and "bask lazily" in His love then I wonder if we ever really got it in the first place.
Know His Love. And then go do likewise. Loving others into a right relationship with Him. No one said it would be easy. As a matter of fact, Christ himself said quite the opposite. But, what wouldn't you do for someone you truthfully LOVE!
So many things go through my mind on a daily basis to share through my blog. So many that I end up failing to share anything at all.
Last night, though, it occurred to me that if I had only one message I wanted my readers to know, it would be the LOVE OF GOD! My prayer for you is that of Paul's: that you would KNOW the love of God! Because in knowing it, truly knowing it personally, you would be forever changed.
Maybe you've grown up in church, maybe you haven't, maybe you've had a good homelife, maybe you haven't, maybe you have an addiction, a depression, an illness, or a priority complex, whatever your story, God's love exceeds that!
So, if you're still reading, I pray that you recognize that EVERYTHING falls under the scope of God's love. We've got it made in the shade if we rest in His love, His unconditional, unwavering, everlasting love!
Of course, it doesn't stop there! Because that very LOVE and the knowledge of it compels us to action. If we sit back and "bask lazily" in His love then I wonder if we ever really got it in the first place.
Know His Love. And then go do likewise. Loving others into a right relationship with Him. No one said it would be easy. As a matter of fact, Christ himself said quite the opposite. But, what wouldn't you do for someone you truthfully LOVE!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Shine for Him
Some days go by so fast and like most people I breeze right through some days and move on to the next without much time to stop and smell the roses.
But, I try to take time each day just to build relationships and love on the people God has put in my path to love.
Today, being that it was one of my final babysitting days, I found myself stopping to smell the roses, er, should I say, chasing kids through the hall and tickling them while they all screamed in anticipation.
The point is, today I was reminded what a privilege it is to be surrounded by little people who are so full of joy, adventure, excitement... CHILDREN!
I have only one prayer for the 7 kids in my care: That they would love God, love people, and follow Him faithfully till the end!
Rider, you are a kind, considerate, joy of a child. Your unfailing love for your brothers and for others is inspiring to me. I pray that you will always think of others the way you so freely do now. Your kind heart defines you!
Brianna, your personality outshines the sun! Your smile and laughter lights up a room! You are such a kind friend and always so generous! May you always overlook the faults in others the way that you do now and may you never wander from the sensitivity that you possess! It is by God's design that you came to us 5 years ago and you changed my life! I LOVE YOU!!!
Kiley, you are my mini me! I love you with my whole heart! May you take the gifts God has given you and use them to His glory all the days of your life!
Jack, your love for life and your mischievous little grin puts a smile on my face! God has big plans for you, Jack-O, and I'm glad I got to watch you grow this year!
Ky, you were my shadow those first few months. Followed me everywhere and wanted nothing to do with the other kids. Now, when you're here, I hardly even know it! Your sweet spirit and super cute personality lights up our home. It's hard to imagine such a big heart fitting inside your tiny little body! Oh, and to hear you pray often brings tears to my eyes! I pray that huge heart of yours loves Jesus all the days of your life!
Kamden, just thinking of you puts a smile on my face and laughter in my soul! God wants to use your unique, hysterical, imaginative, one of a kind personality and super cuteness to His glory! I pray that one day you will love Him with your whole heart and use all of that energy to spread His name!
Jude, your puppy dog eyes and adorable little voice would melt any heart. You make me giggle often with your silly little antics. Having the privilege to watch you toddle around this house has been such a joy. You have been blessed with amazing parents and two older brothers who adore you! No wonder you are such a joy!
I could say so much more and I've watched so many precious children walk through this home. I've sometimes taken the blessings for granted, but I've never for a minute underestimated the impact it has had on my heart. They've each taught me so much and I want to be so much more like them each day, after all, doesn't the Bible tell us to become a child again! I have had the awesome opportunity to see first hand just how amazing children can be!
But, I try to take time each day just to build relationships and love on the people God has put in my path to love.
Today, being that it was one of my final babysitting days, I found myself stopping to smell the roses, er, should I say, chasing kids through the hall and tickling them while they all screamed in anticipation.
The point is, today I was reminded what a privilege it is to be surrounded by little people who are so full of joy, adventure, excitement... CHILDREN!
I have only one prayer for the 7 kids in my care: That they would love God, love people, and follow Him faithfully till the end!
Rider, you are a kind, considerate, joy of a child. Your unfailing love for your brothers and for others is inspiring to me. I pray that you will always think of others the way you so freely do now. Your kind heart defines you!
Brianna, your personality outshines the sun! Your smile and laughter lights up a room! You are such a kind friend and always so generous! May you always overlook the faults in others the way that you do now and may you never wander from the sensitivity that you possess! It is by God's design that you came to us 5 years ago and you changed my life! I LOVE YOU!!!
Kiley, you are my mini me! I love you with my whole heart! May you take the gifts God has given you and use them to His glory all the days of your life!
Jack, your love for life and your mischievous little grin puts a smile on my face! God has big plans for you, Jack-O, and I'm glad I got to watch you grow this year!
Ky, you were my shadow those first few months. Followed me everywhere and wanted nothing to do with the other kids. Now, when you're here, I hardly even know it! Your sweet spirit and super cute personality lights up our home. It's hard to imagine such a big heart fitting inside your tiny little body! Oh, and to hear you pray often brings tears to my eyes! I pray that huge heart of yours loves Jesus all the days of your life!
Kamden, just thinking of you puts a smile on my face and laughter in my soul! God wants to use your unique, hysterical, imaginative, one of a kind personality and super cuteness to His glory! I pray that one day you will love Him with your whole heart and use all of that energy to spread His name!
Jude, your puppy dog eyes and adorable little voice would melt any heart. You make me giggle often with your silly little antics. Having the privilege to watch you toddle around this house has been such a joy. You have been blessed with amazing parents and two older brothers who adore you! No wonder you are such a joy!
I could say so much more and I've watched so many precious children walk through this home. I've sometimes taken the blessings for granted, but I've never for a minute underestimated the impact it has had on my heart. They've each taught me so much and I want to be so much more like them each day, after all, doesn't the Bible tell us to become a child again! I have had the awesome opportunity to see first hand just how amazing children can be!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Don't Let Me Go
Today we had rehearsal for a big event in our lives. One of the largest groups to date, and by God's design we managed to finish early. Because we did, the pastor of the church had a brief moment to speak to us as a group. What he said impacted me and I wanted to share it with all of you.
He told a story of when he was young and he and his brothers and a few friends would play in their back yard together where a drain ran along the back of the yard. The drain was deep and wide and in it one day they spotted a shiny object.
None of them were able to reach it alone so they decided to form a human chain. Their strongest friend held onto a tree while the others linked arms and the smallest brother went in for the prize.
All the while, he was yelling "Don't let me go! Don't let me go!"
You see, we will be out with the prize in our sight and we need our strongest supporters forming that human chain holding us up to the Father.
And so, we plead with you, "Don't let us go!"
He told a story of when he was young and he and his brothers and a few friends would play in their back yard together where a drain ran along the back of the yard. The drain was deep and wide and in it one day they spotted a shiny object.
None of them were able to reach it alone so they decided to form a human chain. Their strongest friend held onto a tree while the others linked arms and the smallest brother went in for the prize.
All the while, he was yelling "Don't let me go! Don't let me go!"
You see, we will be out with the prize in our sight and we need our strongest supporters forming that human chain holding us up to the Father.
And so, we plead with you, "Don't let us go!"
Sunday, May 20, 2012
The Perfect Storm
Maybe it was the realization that I would be missing my final cell group with the amazing group of teens I've fallen in love with.
Maybe it was the fact that my house is full of junk and it can't disappear fast enough.
Maybe it was the one day I got to spend with my parents rather than the one month I wish it was.
Maybe it was the girls' crocodile tears when they dropped us off at the airport.
Maybe it was taking off in an airplane and playing out the scenario in my mind that will be taking place in only a few short months.
Maybe it was the excitement that I felt that was weaved so strongly throughout all of those emotions.
Maybe it was the realization that (even though I've never been able to predict my children's future) I now have no idea what that looks like for them.
But, the final straw was when the one part of my life that I felt was certain...The Past... was abruptly interrupted.
I've grown quite familiar with the unknown, even, dare I say, fond of it. Excited about it. And just when I thought I had a short section of my life, specifically my children's lives, intact, it vanishes.
Last night I discovered that the "baby books" I'd been keeping track of on the computer and in my notes on my phone had somehow been erased. The motherly guilt kicked in as my mind took me to their adult lives and even the days now when they frequently ask "tell me a story about when I was a baby!" and I would pull out that list and we would all laugh at the memories.
As I type it out or say it outloud, it becomes quite trivial and I realize that in the broad scheme of things, it's nothing. But, to this mom, it's a huge request. That those files would somehow be recovered. Because God cares about every detail of our lives, I know He cares about this.
Maybe it was the fact that my house is full of junk and it can't disappear fast enough.
Maybe it was the one day I got to spend with my parents rather than the one month I wish it was.
Maybe it was the girls' crocodile tears when they dropped us off at the airport.
Maybe it was taking off in an airplane and playing out the scenario in my mind that will be taking place in only a few short months.
Maybe it was the excitement that I felt that was weaved so strongly throughout all of those emotions.
Maybe it was the realization that (even though I've never been able to predict my children's future) I now have no idea what that looks like for them.
But, the final straw was when the one part of my life that I felt was certain...The Past... was abruptly interrupted.
I've grown quite familiar with the unknown, even, dare I say, fond of it. Excited about it. And just when I thought I had a short section of my life, specifically my children's lives, intact, it vanishes.
Last night I discovered that the "baby books" I'd been keeping track of on the computer and in my notes on my phone had somehow been erased. The motherly guilt kicked in as my mind took me to their adult lives and even the days now when they frequently ask "tell me a story about when I was a baby!" and I would pull out that list and we would all laugh at the memories.
As I type it out or say it outloud, it becomes quite trivial and I realize that in the broad scheme of things, it's nothing. But, to this mom, it's a huge request. That those files would somehow be recovered. Because God cares about every detail of our lives, I know He cares about this.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Record Speed
Things are happening here at record speed! I can't believe it's already the middle of May! I'm actually really mad at my kindergarten teacher for never telling me that June came after May! ;) That means that Kiley only has a few weeks left in her very first year of school! Just like every parent says, it really has flown by! But on top of that we are leaving in just over two months!
When I look around my house at all this stuff I have that I need to clean out and get rid of, I start to get a little overwhelmed but then I remember that it's just stuff and it's time now to pack it up and move on! Finding the time to do it might be a little easier said than done!
At this point, our biggest prayer is that we will make good decisions and good choices as God is opening up doors for us in a whole other world!
Many of you have asked how you can be a helping hand. We'll be having our first yard sale May 26 and although we aren't really sure what to do ourselves, if you would like to help us out that weekend just let us know! We'd love to have your company and your helping hands! We will probably get started on preparation for that yard sale Thursday evening when we return from Tennessee and we will hopefully be open Friday evening and Saturday during the day.
As for right now, I'm off to work on a special project and hopefully get some of my everyday stuff done around the house! Blessings to all of you, hope you have a wonderful day!
When I look around my house at all this stuff I have that I need to clean out and get rid of, I start to get a little overwhelmed but then I remember that it's just stuff and it's time now to pack it up and move on! Finding the time to do it might be a little easier said than done!
At this point, our biggest prayer is that we will make good decisions and good choices as God is opening up doors for us in a whole other world!
Many of you have asked how you can be a helping hand. We'll be having our first yard sale May 26 and although we aren't really sure what to do ourselves, if you would like to help us out that weekend just let us know! We'd love to have your company and your helping hands! We will probably get started on preparation for that yard sale Thursday evening when we return from Tennessee and we will hopefully be open Friday evening and Saturday during the day.
As for right now, I'm off to work on a special project and hopefully get some of my everyday stuff done around the house! Blessings to all of you, hope you have a wonderful day!
Monday, May 7, 2012
An Abnormal Normal Kind of Day
I almost feel the need to reintroduce myself since it's been so long since I've actually written! ;) It's rather overwhelming trying to gather all my thoughts and feelings and produce them for others to read. I'll admit that I'm not the best at this blogging thing but for those of you that really want to know what's going on with the4cokes, I keep writing. I'm positive I'll have numerous hysterical moments in South Asia as I learn a new culture and I plan to share those as the time comes.
For now, I'll share some of the every day life that is going on here.
Thanks to my amazing friend & pastor's wife, Gina, demanding that I be in worship as much as possible, I was so incredibly blessed, challenged, & convicted this past Sunday as I was reminded of walls that I once built that kept me from sacrificing everything for God. I took notes like crazy since I'm well aware that the dynamic preaching I sit under now will be dearly missed when I leave. I believe Gina said I have 11 weeks of worship left! What??? That doesn't seem possible. But, I was also reminded to be obedient with JOY! And joy is what I want to exhibit. I'm ecstatic about the next stage of our life, while I'm also devastated to be leaving the people and home I love. It's a wild mix of emotions but it's a sense of peace of contentment that I can't explain.
Today was abnormal in that it was normal. Normal is a word that has far left our vocabulary. Our lifestyle has always been wild and we love it, but it's been wilder than ever these past few months. Again, filled with fun stuff, but filled nonetheless. We truly wouldn't have it any other way because we want nothing more than to spend these last few months with the people who want to spend it with us. But, today, we had no plans and so we stayed HOME! (We even overslept and took Kiley to school an hour and a half late!) It was fabulous!
I spent the day with Kamden, and for a change, didn't do a drop of anything except spend time doing what she wanted to do!!! We acted out the children's play twice, played Ships 'n' Sails, and played kitchen among other things. She kept me in stitches! We had a blast!!! It was much needed one on one time with my baby girl.
And this evening we got to hang out as a fam in the yard while Kiley learned some new stunts with Daddy. The most surprising part of the day is that the girls will actually get into bed only an hour past bedtime! Now, that's impressive around here!
For those of you who are looking for ways that you can continue praying specifically for us, a friend sent me a link of how to pray for moms who are overseas. I'll be the first to say that I'll be in need of major prayer warriors for me and my children, so check it out if you want!
For now, I'll share some of the every day life that is going on here.
 |
| This is a picture of Gina "GiGi" with 2 of her loves: Avery & Kam taken last week! |
Today was abnormal in that it was normal. Normal is a word that has far left our vocabulary. Our lifestyle has always been wild and we love it, but it's been wilder than ever these past few months. Again, filled with fun stuff, but filled nonetheless. We truly wouldn't have it any other way because we want nothing more than to spend these last few months with the people who want to spend it with us. But, today, we had no plans and so we stayed HOME! (We even overslept and took Kiley to school an hour and a half late!) It was fabulous!
 |
| Kamden took me on a hike today to the library. She led the way! |
And this evening we got to hang out as a fam in the yard while Kiley learned some new stunts with Daddy. The most surprising part of the day is that the girls will actually get into bed only an hour past bedtime! Now, that's impressive around here!
For those of you who are looking for ways that you can continue praying specifically for us, a friend sent me a link of how to pray for moms who are overseas. I'll be the first to say that I'll be in need of major prayer warriors for me and my children, so check it out if you want!
- http://
southasianpeoples.imb.org/ wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ Praying-for-Mothers-Prayer-Guid e.pdf?utm
-The 4 Cokes
Monday, April 16, 2012
Growth Spurts
Ever notice that your kids' growth spurts happen when you least expect them, and sometimes you don't even notice them until they're long over and your child's pants are two inches too short and won't snap to save your life. We laughed this week as we tried a pair of 6 month shorts on our petite little Kamden! Surprisingly, they fit her everywhere except around the waist. It was quite the funny sight. Anyway, growth spurts are a fact of life as are growing pains. Speaking of, my mom was infamous for blaming all my aches and pains on "growing pains". And, now I catch myself making the same excuse to my girls! ;)
Well, the best way to describe the past few months to a year of my life is as one big spiritual growth spurt. It's literally as if around every corner is another life lesson, another challenge for me to choose between overcoming or giving into, another test, trial, or task. It's overwhelming to say the least, yet surprisingly enjoyable in a strange sort of way. My head is filled with thoughts constantly and my heart is bursting at the seams.
Let me take a side note and say that this is the exact reason I haven't blogged in so long. Because just when I think I have a topic I want to expound on, that becomes old news and the new lesson is already in the works, not to mention my head is such a jumbled mess of stuff that when it comes out it looks more like a throw-up of words than an actual legible blog post.
So, tonight, I'm not quite sure what my purpose of writing really is, other than to share that I've not fallen off the face of the earth, and things are happening here at record breaking speed. So, keep us in your prayers like never before. We welcome your prayers and feel them constantly. Thanks for caring enough about us and loving our Lord enough to lift us up and join us on this journey.
Sorry I couldn't expound, truly there's too much happening in this tiny little brain of mine to put into words.
Have a good night everyone!
Well, the best way to describe the past few months to a year of my life is as one big spiritual growth spurt. It's literally as if around every corner is another life lesson, another challenge for me to choose between overcoming or giving into, another test, trial, or task. It's overwhelming to say the least, yet surprisingly enjoyable in a strange sort of way. My head is filled with thoughts constantly and my heart is bursting at the seams.
Let me take a side note and say that this is the exact reason I haven't blogged in so long. Because just when I think I have a topic I want to expound on, that becomes old news and the new lesson is already in the works, not to mention my head is such a jumbled mess of stuff that when it comes out it looks more like a throw-up of words than an actual legible blog post.
So, tonight, I'm not quite sure what my purpose of writing really is, other than to share that I've not fallen off the face of the earth, and things are happening here at record breaking speed. So, keep us in your prayers like never before. We welcome your prayers and feel them constantly. Thanks for caring enough about us and loving our Lord enough to lift us up and join us on this journey.
Sorry I couldn't expound, truly there's too much happening in this tiny little brain of mine to put into words.
Have a good night everyone!
-The 4 Cokes
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
He Gives Greater Grace
Wow! I feel like I say that a lot these days. It just seems that life is one big WOW after another right now. And something tells me it's going to be that way for a while. Which, I'm totally cool with. Life would be rather boring without plenty of WOW moments.
We just got back home after a short trip to Florida to celebrate the life of Jason's "nana" who passed away this past week. It truly was a bittersweet trip, but thanks to so many prayers being offered up for all of us, it was one of the best trips we've had. The time was well spent, the memories were sweet, and I believe his grandmother was well honored for the life that she lived.
Today was full of emotion as we drove the 11 hour trek back home from Daytona where she was buried. We awaited a call that would determine the course of the rest of our lives. We waited... and waited... and waitedpatiently not so patiently to hear whether or not we would be given the green light to continue on with the process of moving overseas. To be quite honest, we should not have been nervous because we are fully aware that it is out of our hands and that God had this one! And, quite honestly, we weren't nervous until the bitter end. Jason, well, I don't think he worries about much of anything, but I, on the other hand, started a few heart palpitations as the clock ticked closer and closer to 6 pm. My brain started thinking "They're saving us for last because they don't want to break it to us that we didn't get through..." and all kinds of crazy ideas.
But, the call came just as we were stopping for gas andwe I jumped for joy. Jason was far too exhausted to do much jumping! ;)
As I breathed out a huge sigh of relief, I breathed in a huge breath of grief. This is it. This is for sure. I hadn't doubted that we'd go, nor had I really even doubted we'd get through this time around (until it got down to the nitty gritty of the day of) but this phone call was another step closer to goodbyes, another step closer to leaving home. But another step closer to meeting the lives we hope to impact and the ones we know will impact ours. I wish I could put into words the mixed emotions going on inside of me. I never want to downplay my sadness for leaving here nor do I want to downplay my overwhelming excitement to be in the center of God's will... I wish I could paint a picture of the battle going on inside of me, but for now, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Anyway, as we were awaiting that phone call, I was catching up on my Beth Moore study "Mercy Triumphs". It was incredible how the lessons I was completing went hand in hand with exactly what I was experiencing at the time. One verse in particular that stood out to me was James 4:6a "But He gives greater grace". I let it swirl around in my mind a bit and I was ecstatic to be reminded that as I approach possibly the biggest challenge I may ever face, I can rest assured that He gives greater grace...
We just got back home after a short trip to Florida to celebrate the life of Jason's "nana" who passed away this past week. It truly was a bittersweet trip, but thanks to so many prayers being offered up for all of us, it was one of the best trips we've had. The time was well spent, the memories were sweet, and I believe his grandmother was well honored for the life that she lived.
Today was full of emotion as we drove the 11 hour trek back home from Daytona where she was buried. We awaited a call that would determine the course of the rest of our lives. We waited... and waited... and waited
But, the call came just as we were stopping for gas and
As I breathed out a huge sigh of relief, I breathed in a huge breath of grief. This is it. This is for sure. I hadn't doubted that we'd go, nor had I really even doubted we'd get through this time around (until it got down to the nitty gritty of the day of) but this phone call was another step closer to goodbyes, another step closer to leaving home. But another step closer to meeting the lives we hope to impact and the ones we know will impact ours. I wish I could put into words the mixed emotions going on inside of me. I never want to downplay my sadness for leaving here nor do I want to downplay my overwhelming excitement to be in the center of God's will... I wish I could paint a picture of the battle going on inside of me, but for now, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Anyway, as we were awaiting that phone call, I was catching up on my Beth Moore study "Mercy Triumphs". It was incredible how the lessons I was completing went hand in hand with exactly what I was experiencing at the time. One verse in particular that stood out to me was James 4:6a "But He gives greater grace". I let it swirl around in my mind a bit and I was ecstatic to be reminded that as I approach possibly the biggest challenge I may ever face, I can rest assured that He gives greater grace...
- When I am selfish... His grace is greater!
- When I am prideful... His grace is greater!
- When I am judgmental... His grace is greater!
- When I forget to pray... His grace is greater!
- When I miss out on opportunities... His grace is greater!
- When I put myself before others... His grace is greater!
- When I doubt... His grace is greater!
- When I feel overwhelmed... His grace is greater!
- When I am incapable... His grace is greater!
Let the book of James remind you that whatever you face, His grace is greater! And, don't stop there, read on to see what steps to take to walk fully in His grace... submit to God, resist the Devil, draw near to God, cleanse your hands, and purify your hearts!
There's no way in this world that I would be dumb enough to think that I could ever attempt this upcoming task on my own without His great grace, but what about the day to day challenges? Those, I sometimes find myself taking into my own hands. Why, when He offers me grace that is far greater than anything I can offer? What about you? For the big deals and the small ones, will you let His grace be greater?
-The 4 Cokes
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Whirlwind That Was February
- Feb 4-6: My parents & sister took the girls - with me tagging along as 'chaperone' - to Washington DC for the weekend by way of train. The highlight of the trip was the American Girl doll store! My word! That place was
spectacularout of this world but the memories that were made with my family were a million times more special!
- Feb 12: Kamden's actual birthday. We kept it pretty low key but she woke up to a few sweet surprises!
- Feb 14: We enjoyed a quiet Valentine's Day at home with heartshaped everything!
- Feb 17: The girls celebrated with a bunch of girl friends at their first official sleepover! Everyone had a blast. It really was a ton of fun planning and then watching as the girls giggled and smiled well past midnight. The thought that this would be their last birthday party here only slipped into my mind one time which I immediately shoved out and got back to celebrating. No time for sadness at a sleepover! ;)
- Feb 18: Tacky Valentine! One of the biggest events of the year for our youth group, Generation 246. We had a blast dressed as tacky as possible and sitting down to a delicious meal at beautifully decorated tables. The theme this year was "Vintage" and everyone involved did an incredible job making it a night to remember!
- Feb 19: True Love Waits Service. A major event in the life of the teens who commit themselves to a lifetime of purity. It was a special service and God spoke through our pastor as he preached on what it means to be pure.
- Feb 25: Birthday party number... I don't know, I've lost count! We definitely celebrated ALL month long! We were in WV for the weekend of Kiley's birthday so we took advantage of celebrating again by going ice skating and then having a delicious cake and small party for the girls at my parents' house.
- Feb 26: We had the awesome privilege of sharing with our new friends at Heritage Baptist Church. We enjoyed meeting the people who will be lifting us up while we are on the field. They were a generous church indeed and we look forward to getting to know them more.
- Feb 27: Of course, we had to celebrate Kiley's birthday at school so Jason & I took some cupcakes and a craft for the kids. We had a blast with the kiddos in her kindergarten class!
- Feb 29: We had a great time sharing at East End Baptist here in Vinton where our good friend, Troy Mueller pastors. Their interest in our family and our calling was encouraging and we really enjoyed our time of fellowship with them.
Looking back at February, I'm blown away at the amount of activities we've been able to be involved in. God has richly blessed our family and we couldn't be happier!
And, this past weekend brought so much laughter, tears, smiles, pranks, and just plain FUN! The ladies of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church blessed me beyond words with their love for me (in spite of my wacky, prankster ways) and their support for our family. The Spirit of God showed up as we studied His holiness and gave our futures to the Lord and the time around the campfire is a moment I will remember forever! Thank you, ladies, for your amazing love!
Life here is always full of adventure so we couldn't imagine it any other way. Ask me again how I'm feeling when I'm trying to conquer this house full of possessions that we have to get rid of. Positive I couldn't handle that stress on my own, so I'm trusting in God to get us through that bump in the road just like He has every other one! Good thing I don't have to do any of this in my own strength because I wouldn't have made it past day one!
God Bless and enjoy what's left of March! :)
-The 4 Cokes
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