Three very blessed kids

Haven't you heard? Today was Father's Day. (At least it was for us.) We had a fantastic day at Lake Michigan!

Gearing up for summer

I'm supposed to be organizing the school room right now. What's a few more minutes of procrastination going to hurt? Well, we are preparing for camp, training Sr. Staff, practicing numbers for "High School Musical", and becoming increasingly thankful for our adoption as His sons and daughters. I have about 2 dozen thoughts I want to share, but for now they must stay tucked away while I go finish turning chaos into order (school room). This photo was taken on our way to New Mexico. THAT was a fantastic trip! We highly recommend the Santa Fe area and, if you've got the time, you can follow Route 66 as you go!

Baloncesto - it's just fun to say it in Spanish.

This is Tate's travel ball team. They had a great season and finished second in the tournament. It was quite the challenging experience for him as he was the only 5th grader on the 6th grade team. Tate also won the Three Rivers Free Throw contest and went to Holland for regional competition where he finished 3rd. We were (and are!) so proud of him for persevering and finishing strong!

Joy!

What's better?

What's better than knowing you're loved? My family surprised me with a wonderful birthday. In the midst of all the fun, I had an overwhelming sense of how loved I am. Then, this past weekend they helped me serve the women who came to the Time to Soak retreat. I couldn't have done it without them! The best part was, I knew they really believed in what I was doing and saw the value and importance of it. Now today is full of laughter with their good friends Abby and Matthew. Wednesday some more friends come, and Saturday Sam and Shannon come to celebrate Easter with us. Needless to say, today I cleared out the shelves at Meijer. This is rather a rambling blog entry, so let me go back to my original thought: it's good to know you're loved. In fact, you are loved! "For God so loved the world..." That includes you!

For the last two years, Tate and Jackson have made a dance for their mommy for her birthday. They do all the choreography themselves. What at gift!

What a long winter can do to you...

It's true.

Winter has made us blue.

Soon we won't wear a boot, but a shoe.

Three is more fun than two.

We love Jesus, how about you????

Time to Soak

As we continue to be Five for Aslan, we continue to see Aslan on the move! He has given us a wonderful opportunity to host a Time to Soak retreat once again.

Time to Soak is scheduled for April 3-5 at Bair Lake Bible Camp. Laurie will be hosting a wonderful weekend of personal reflection, quiet rest, expressive worship, corporate prayer and contemplative study of God's word. Please contact me for registration details.

*$100 registration fee includes: private accommodations, meals and retreat materials

taking back the signs - part 1

I'm not claiming that this idea is completely accurate, but it has been revisiting my mind a lot lately. I think the enemy has taken the signs of God's covenants and strongly corrupted them. Today I'll touch on the first one: the rainbow. Noah beheld the first rainbow and God communicated to him that the radiant spectrum of color he saw was "the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth." Genesis 9:12-16 So, when the world sees a rainbow appear it's supposed to remind us that God's keeping his promise to never flood the whole earth again. But, rainbows have come to represent something entirely different, haven't they? I wonder what was occurring in the unseen realm as the individuals creating a logo for their homosexual agenda sat around brainstorming. I don't think it's a coincidence that their symbol is a rainbow. I think it's in direct opposition and a tactical maneuver by the enemy to distort, twist and ruin the beautiful sign of God's covenant. The reason I don't think it's a coincidence is because I see a pattern. It's not just this covenantal sign that Satan has twisted and stolen.

Since you're already online...

Trevor and I went to see Slumdog Millionare. And then we received a packet from Gospel for Asia. And then we listened to a teaching by K.P. Yohannon (founder and president of Gospel for Asia). Either God was trying to tell us something or God was trying to tell us something. Despite this nation's current financial down-turn, $3 of our money still purchases a Bible for someone in India. We're all busy, but since you're already on the internet (obviously, you're reading this), take a look at their website: http://www.gfa.org/ The organization's approach is interesting. They don't bring in westerners to share Jesus; instead they equip natives to share the gospel. It costs them about $70,000-80,000 a year to send someone from the U.S. or U.K., but it only costs $1,000 a year to support a native in life-ministry. The web site's worth your time and actually, so is the movie Slumdog Millionare. (Please read reviews before you decide to see it - some of the content is disturbing).

Jackson's sick, we're plugging away at school work, Laurie's taking a Precept's class, Tate's basketball games are teaching him a lot, Ellie's storming through her AWANA books, Trevor's still in Jeremiah and there's a whole world out there (3 billion people) who have never heard about Jesus! The word of God in some one's hands only costs $3. I know my Bible cost a lot more than that. I even have more than one. My point is this: we/you have to revolt against becoming inwardly focused. Please go to the site and read about what God's doing through Gospel for Asia. It really is worth your time.

Bair Lake Bible Camp = cabin fever cure!

We don't live on the lake anymore, but it's just a short walk down to the water. Bair Lake truly is beautiful in all seasons.

The Blitz

As I type Trevor is greeting a bunch of middle school students who are arriving for Bair Lake's Winter Retreat - THE BLITZ http://www.blbc.com/ . He will be speaking this weekend and I look forward to hearing what God does through him. This is such a critical time in their lives and they are here this weekend because God wanted them to be here. I wonder what long-term impact these 3 days will have. In the midst of all the joy of these students coming, our family is dealing with the flu. Actually, another family on camp is too. So, I go now to hold a wimpering boy and pray for Trevor and the kids at The Blitz.

The beauty of the assist

Basketball has probably been used as metaphor for life too many times already, so I won't go down that trail. I did, however, see a powerful truth in Tater's game today. The gym where he plays is set up in such a way that spectators watch from a balcony that surrounds the gym. There is wisdom in this design - it keeps angry parents at bay. It also allows for a pretty good view of the court. I was really proud of many aspects of Tate's game today. All his ball-handling practice has paid off and now, when it counts, he's able to withstand defenders. But the part of his game that really impressed me was his assists. He'd fake, bounce-pass to the open man and that player would have the open shot. Everyone cheers for the basket made! Few cheer for the assist because few notice. But those who love the game do notice and smile at the beautiful assist. It's about using your talents to make someone else shine.
It's about using your talents to make someone else shine.
It's about using your talents to make Someone else shine.
Oh that I would use my talents to bring Him glory and make Him shine.

this one caught my attention

A desire for happiness is natural, a desire for holiness supernatural.

-John Mason

We just can't muster a desire for holiness, can we?

I want to tell a funny story about Tate and Jay, but they won't let me. Now they're smiling...Apparently they're always smiling (?) Tate thinks he needs a bath. Stinky basketball players. Actually he takes showers, not baths. We can't decide what to do tonight. So to get Tater pumped up for his game, we're going to watch a classic basketball movie. What does this silliness have to do with the above quote? Nothing. Except maybe that Tate wants to be a light at his game tomorrow. Where'd the boys go? I think they are spying on me once again. They think I can't hear them breathe or giggle... but I can. So, hi-ho, hi-ho it's off to make popcorn I go. WE go (Jackson said).

confession of a sad heart

The kids had to watch the inauguration yesterday. Their assignment was to record their thoughts about the festivities, procedure and speeches. It's funny what catches their attention. They had a hard time getting past Aretha's bow.
The boys just went out to play their part in the Bair Lake bob-sled team. The BMX course doubles as a bob-sled run in the winter. At least it's not so cold today.
Today I'm remembering a quote from a Canada trip I went on with the Alma COG youth. Our fearless youth leader, Diann, would frequently say, "life is difficult". It is. Now, I'm not in a situation that warrants feeling sorry for myself, but life is difficult. Right now I just want to scrap it all and give 100% of my time to sharing this treasure I have. It's difficult to teach my kids to divide fractions when so many are walking outside of a covenant with Jesus. Today's been difficult. Actually yesterday was too. The seen and the unseen have been mis-prioritzed. I am malnourished. He's supposed to be my daily bread; not my occasional bread. I need you, Lord. I have been trying so hard on my own. I can't have joy without you. I have ceased to worship you and I miss you. Father, please forgive me for hurting you by forgetting you. Everything and everyone else in my life has pushed ahead of you. What kind of example am I? I talk the talk, but you are like a long-neglected friend.

Blogging is strange. It helps me process though. It's a personal prayer that I'm tempted to delete, but I'm not going to. We're too good at putting our best face forward. We are ugly without Him. And I think we should be about disclosing our weak moments and our sin. My sin is this: forgetting my first love.

failed attempt #1635

I went to bed like I said I would, but the next morning I justified staying warm under the covers while I prayed instead of getting up and having my posture more adequately reflect my heart. I seem to be characterized by failure in early morning prayer. My friend, Amy, would be disappointed in me - it's been almost 4 years since she was spurring me to be obedient and get up early to pray. Last night I had a very unusual dream and then woke suddenly and was called to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the Frontiers organization. http://www.frontiers.org/ It is an amazing organization and the workers are few... Also, check out http://www.digitaltrekker.com/ for a beautiful glimpse into other cultures.

various brain waves

I'm debating what to do with this blog in 2009. So far it's been a mix of funny kid stuff, ideas and sharing ways God's revealed Himself to us. But I'm not sure what to do with it. It seems to be a good way to stay connected with people we don't see often enough, but I've been reading some other blogs that really pack a punch and I'm wondering if I'm supposed to move in a new direction. I want to make people aware of great things that are happening in the Kingdom - like organizations that exist to bring clean drinking water to remote places in the world. Because it's the internet, I have guarded what I've said, but I'm wondering if I need to be bolder. In light of all that, let me throw this out there: I just heard on the news that a majority of americans are appalled with Israel's attack in the Gaza Strip. I then went to the top Israeli news website to get their perspective. Very interesting. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/ Anyway, I wonder if I'll ever be forced to choose between supporting Israel and supporting the U.S. After the Precepts Bible study I did on the book of Revelation, I have a whole new perspective on God's chosen people and the covenant He has with them. These are things we need to think about and yet I get pretty caught in the comfy american life which leads me down a globally-oblivious path very quickly. Sometimes God's heart for the world overwhelms me and I am tempted be be mentally and emotionally paralyzed, but I will not be apathetic or worse; oblivious. But seeing what He sees brings me grief and a burden in my spirit that is so heavy I have to pray. Pray, pray, pray. That word drives me crazy sometimes. I think it's definitions are too numerous to count. When I say that being broken for the world pushes me down to prayer I mean laborious, lamenting, heartache prayer. But, it hurts my heart and I have been resisting "going there". It's much better to stay happy. That's a lie. Today I was very frustrated with Jackson because he would not complete his math assignment. I was ready to come unglued. (hope he will forgive me for posting about him without asking him first, but he's asleep already) The most frustrating aspect was his continual repetition of the phrase, "I will Mommy". So, as OFTEN happens, I see myself in this same scenario. I keep telling God that "I will" pray - but the assignment is set aside uncompleted. I want to change. I know He wants me to pray for His hurting world. I'm not sure what this blog will become, but it's time to be bold and it's time to reveal weaknesses and it's time to go to bed so I can get up and embrace His heart for His world.

chiming in the new year

Now that we've lived in this house for a few months, we've begun to figure out what systems are working and which ones are not. By "systems" I mean all the little organizational systems that I try to institute to make this home run smoothly. So, we've been making a few changes. We're still trying to figure out the snowy boot/wet snow stuff system. But thankfully, because of all this rearranging God has given us a really fun idea. Our sun-room had become the collection area for our wind chimes. But they're no longer all going to hang in the sun room. They are going to be spread throughout the house. Our hope is to have a set of chimes in each room of the house. Wind chimes are beautiful only when the wind moves them. Our prayer is that the wind chimes will serve as a reminder that it is His Spirit that empowers us to do all that we do - whether doing dishes or cleaning toilets. I'm really thankful for this idea because I need strategically placed reminders to keep me abiding in the daily moments.

wows

We're reading a fascinating fictional account of Jesus' birth. It's one of those books that's been shelved for years. Just before we left for Florida, I scanned our books to find something for airport reading. I guess because of the time of year it was I chose The Birth by Gene Edwards. Wow. What a fresh perspective.

And one other quick note, we sat under the teaching of Stewart and Jill Briscoe at the camping comference. Jill Briscoe sat under the teaching of C.S. Lewis in England. He was actually one of the main influences that brought her to Christ. Wow. What a privilege for me.

Cleaning up after pigs

What's moved into the temple? The mystery of the gospel is Christ in us and that we are now the temple of the one true God. So, what's moved into my temple? In the Jewish temple, Antiochus had seized and trashed it. Finally a revolt arose! The Syrians were pushed out and the temple was cleansed because unholy and abominable things had been brought into the Holy of Holies: Pigs.

What's moved into my temple?

Pigs?

Yeah, I think so.

Lord, please clean out whatever isn't You and light the lampstand in my heart.

Which is why I love Hanukkah. Hanukkah was a revolt against Pigs and a miracle of restoration.

Runnin' on E

Why has the blogging well run dry? Perhaps because I haven't been feeding myself with His word. It is my daily bread and lately I've been operating on bread tasted a few weeks ago. What excuse is there? Many. I've been reading other books, hosting Thanksgiving, playing in the snow, visiting newborn babies, etc. These are all good things, even wonderful things, but my soul is hungry for spiritual food. I think I convinced myself that reading other people's ideas about Truth would be sufficient, but though it's thought provoking and rather convicting, it's not the same as pure nourishment directly from the Word. The Word is alive and active and it is what gives me life. We read more about Abraham this morning. He is truly one of my biblical heroes. He's the first one to inspire me to "now obedience". (We're still working through the idea that delayed obedience is actually disobedience.) So, thank you, Lord for putting a hunger for your Word in me and thank you that You continue to pursue us.

Smells good

It is true that moms can hear all. The kids came into the house after playing the back nine of the disc-golf course. It's getting colder, but they keep playing; they just add layers. As they came rumbling into the house the conversation went something like this:
(Tate) "Oh, it smells good in here. Mmmm. Cookies".
(Jackson) "It's prob'ly a candle".
This could be an ad for Michelle's incredible candles (see link) or it could be a little humor at my expense. To my defense, I was baking - apparently I should do so more often!

Long Time, No Write

Hello World!! Here's a challenge for you: Live with hi-speed internet for 2 years and then go 2 months without it. It's amazing how quickly you'll feel disconnected. So, though there's lots of nasty stuff on the www, it truly is an incredible tool for staying connected.

So what's new? Well, Jackson had all the funding come in to build his well. (see link) Ellie is almost as tall as Laurie. Jackson has decided to grow out his hair (despite Tate's advice that it would be a disadvantage in all athletics). Tater's still getting headaches because the eye doctor still hasn't gotten his prescription correct (the adjustment period is over and objects are still closer than they appear).

We still remain Five for Aslan. God is moving in our hearts and the kids are learning to hear His voice. There is much to say, but now that I have the internet again, I don't have to say it all right now. Hooray!!! Press On!

Oh... that's bad! No... that's good.

Jackson was thirsty on his way to church and Mommy had a semi-fresh, half bottle of water to offer him. Oh... that's good! No... that's bad. That's bad because after Jackson finished drinking the water he suctioned the bottle to his upper lip and gave himself his first hickey and like I said we were on our way to church.

After mingling and greeting during the service at church the nice lady offered us some hand sanitizer. Oh... that's good! No... that's bad. That's bad because Jackson chewed on his fingers forgetting he had just doused them with sanitizer.

The sanitizer had a foaming chemical reaction with the saliva in Jackson's mouth. Oh... that's bad! No... that's good. That's good because Jackson sat through the entire service without swallowing and at the conclusion of the prayer, quietly told us he "need'd toe gow shpit" in the bathroom.

Home

It's been one week and a day since we officially moved on to Bair Lake Bible Camp grounds. The closet space is amazing, we have a laundry shoot, and Trev walked home for lunch today - so much to be thankful for.

Tater strikes again

Last night was our last campfire at the House on Cond. Because sound travels so well across water, we benefited from the music pumping at Shady Point campground. The D.J.'s selection contained a lot of country. Yee-Hah! We could sense that the Shady Point crowd was gettin' down and Trev guessed that they were probably line-dancing. Once again our Tater didn't hear quite right and he said, "that would be fun..."blind-dancing". Everyone just ties on a blind-fold and starts dancing. Then, whoever you touch first is the person you dance with!" Line-dancing? Blind-dancing? Doesn't matter - let's just dance.

Just keep packing... just keep packing...

What do you do with all the little toys you find when you move the dresser? According to Tater the best place for them is in the box of "miscellania". Packing is in full swing and we are aiming for an empty house by next Tuesday evening. Thanks to the kids' humor, a house full of boxes isn't so bad. Besides, the miscellania-labed boxes are the most fun to un-pack!

A home with a view

As Bob and Nanci prepare to move into this house, they have brought several friends over to tour their new home. Without fail each person that sees the view of the lake from our living room says, "you're going to really miss this view". Yes, I am. Yes, we are. At one point I was regretting not taking more pictures of the lake's beauty and started to feel pretty sad about leaving our view. Then I was reminded of an ironic truth: I do have pictures of the lake. It's just that the lake serves as the background of pictures of my family and friends. The view I love most I get to take with me... it's the people God has gifted into my life. So, come enhance the view of our new home because then we will still have a wonderful view.

Suzie's favorite week of the year

Our friend Suzie just returned from her week at Camp Barnabas. It sounded like such an incredible place that I wanted to see for myself.

good.......trade..........

We sold our sporty Mazda 3 and bought "The Dash". "The Dash" is a golf cart. The cover of the cart extends past the back seat and looks like Dashell Robert Parr's hair (a.k.a. Dash of the Incredibles). We think it was a "good......trade......." (remember the trade between Dances with Wolves and Wind in His Hair? ) None of the campers know what we're talking about when we say, "good........trade.........". And actually, none of the campers have even heard of Dances with Wolves. Are we really that old? I guess so! Anyway, once again God has provided and we are so thankful for "The Dash".

Dead varmits and weeding

This is kind of a truth re-visited, but yesterday God gave me two really appropriate illustrations of this truth. Let's just say that somewhere in your basement a dead varmint (mouse or piny squirrel) lies decomposing. The process is in the very early stages and the smell is permeating the house. What if we wake up every morning and spray the whole interior of the house with lemony-fresh air freshener? For a while it may smell better, but the lemony particles can only do so much and the stench of the varmint returns. The smell is sickening and cannot be ignored. The only solution is to find the culprit and remove it from the premises.
Sometimes when we're weeding the numerous flower beds around our home, the kids have a hard time removing the root of the weed they're pulling. Sometimes just the leaves come off, the stem snaps and the root is left there just waiting until we walk away to start growing again. For a day (or two if we're lucky), the flower bed looks great! But a cosmetic improvement just scratches the surface; we needed to go much deeper and rip out the root and all it's nasty tentacles.
So are we asking Jesus to forgive our sins (to be represented by the smell of the varmint and the leaves/stem of the weed) or are we asking Him to remove our sinful nature (like removing the dead rodent or ripping out the root)? It would be absurd to assign medications to a person based on their symptoms alone when the doctors know full well that cancer is the cause. Kill the cancer. Remove the varmint. Rip out the root.

There go the Amalekites

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." (Romans 4:20-21) I can't say that I was like unwavering Abraham, but from the time God assured us that we were to purchase this home, we have fallen back on His promise to wipe out the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a people group that was occupying the land of Canaan that the Lord had promised to His people. The Amalekites seemed too much to the Israelites and they doubted God's promise to give them the land. However there were two that were confident in the Lord: Joshua and Caleb. They knew if the Lord was moving them out that He would remove all obstacles. The Lord made it very clear to us that, in our story, the "Amalekites" signified the debt we would owe on this property. Three years ago we knew that He was moving us out and that we were to "go up and take possession of the land" and that He would wipe out the "Amalekites". Today He has fulfilled His promise; we closed on the sale of our house this morning. We have been strengthened in our faith and we want to give Him the Glory. His yes is His yes.

2 Bear Cubs??

This was one of those times when wrestling ended in laughter! The game? First one to score 5 wins. How do you score? Push your opponent off the water trampoline.

Dad's Day '08

Happy Father's Day!

The Lake Michigan traditions - swimmin', dunin', snackin', sunscreenin' laughin'...

12 hours

Gravel comes from rock; rock that is broken into gravel-size pieces. How does this happen? In Uganda it doesn't occur mechanically.

If he works diligently he can fill three five-gallon buckets with gravel in 12 hours. Each bucket filled nets him about 5 cents (U.S.). He's been chipping rocks since he was 4 and now he's 10. His options are reduced to an option: continue doing what he knows.

We're struggling to teach the kids a good work ethic. There's this ugly assumption that they're (we're) entitled to comfort and leisure. It seems that the Bible talks a lot more about hard work and suffering than it does about "livin' it up".

Commonly Sensible

Trev and I were talking last night about how lasting Oswald Chamber's writings have been in our hearts. One of the primary principles that is sprinkled throughout his devotional, 'My Utmost for His Highest', is that faith is the opposite of common sense. Digging into the meaning of common sense we restated it as "what is commonly sensible within our culture". My mind went immediately to Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...". The pattern of our world = doing what is commonly sensible.
It doesn't make sense to touch a leper, it doesn't make sense to speak harsh truths that disperse crowds and it doesn't make sense to leave a throne so you can die.

(I'd love to know what you think.)

Change the Channel

Am I a pool of stagnant water? Have I hoarded the things God has poured into me? Have I not allowed them to freely flow out of me as wonderfully as they flowed into me? Does God's love flow out of me? If all He has poured into me has become stagnant - is that a stench to Him? Is it repulsive?

Lord, please allow me to be a channel that Your life-giving water flows through to others.

SWATT

So my first full week as Camp Director for Bair Lake Bible Camp is over. It has proven to be another item on the list of things God has done to show how awesome He is. The timing of my starting there could not have been better. This week was SWATT week. SWATT stands for Servants With Ample Time and Talent. Basically, it is a group of retired folks who have been involved with BLBC for years, and twice a year, they come back and spend a week working on whatever projects they can. They did everything from sewing curtains to changing electrical boxes and building shelves. They were a great group. I got to spend time hearing stories, learning history, and just getting to know some of the people that God has used to bring BLBC to where it is today. And they're still allowing Him to use them. So I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and for the faithfulness of the SWATT team.

There is much going on at BLBC. Check out the web site at http://www.blbc.com/. God is doing wonderful things here. It is very exciting! I can't wait to see what will happen my second week.

...said the Cat in the Hat

If the weekend of June 20, 21, 22 looks boring to you,

I know something you really ought to do.

It's Seussical Jr and it's sure to be great,

not to mention on stage you'll see Ellie and Tate!

Foreshadows

Everyone else was laughing. All my friends were walking out of the theater in a jovial mood. I however, was still in my seat and I was weeping. A few of my friends turned back to see if I was ok; obviously confused by my tears. Finally I was able to get up and exit, but a steady stream of tears kept falling as we drove back to our dorm. It was 1993 and I was a freshman in college. I was in that completely miserable season of life in which we walk the fence and have two conflicting lives. I was dating a young man I had met at college and had consequently severed most of my ties with Trevor. Then came the movie, "Indian Summer". It's a comedy about several adult friends who return to the camp of their youth for a reunion and a stroll or two down memory lane. During their week at Camp Tamakwa, the camp director (Uncle Lou) announces that he'll be stepping down and is looking for someone to replace him as director. Several of the characters are heart-broken at the prospect of Camp Tamakwa ceasing to operate. A few of them even consider rearranging their lives in order to take Uncle Lou's position, but as the movie is concluding they, one by one, retract their offers to stay. As they're loading up to head home they notice that Jack and Bethie aren't with them. The camera shifts to Jack and Bethie crouching in the autumn woods to observe a nearby moose (a skill and appreciation taught by Uncle Lou). Uncle Lou approaches them and they tell him that they want to direct Camp Tamakwa. My tears began to flow. The Lord reached into my heart and reminded me of Trevor. He reminded me that I belonged with Trevor. He reminded me that the desires of my heart (the outdoors, camping, teens, etc.) unified with the desires of Trevor's heart and that the path I was on was not what He had for me. I didn't see Jack and Bethie crouching in the woods; I saw Trevor and Laurie. And now, after a beautifully woven 15 years, you may see Trevor and Laurie crouching in the woods of Bair Lake Bible Camp as Trevor has accepted their offer to be their director.

Welcome to Double Digits

Happy 10th Birthday, Tater!

Toes

What do classrooms, churches and tables have in common: assigned seats. Though it's unspoken and unofficial, each of us sits in the same place at each meal. (exceptions: when one or more persons is absent, seating arrangements may vary) But, if we're all present, we are creatures of habit. For several years Jackson has been seated next to me (mommy). It all began when he was a really little guy and needed a lot of help while eating. Even though he's moved into the independent-eaters club, he still sits next to me. I thinks it's because of this that I never noticed. All this time he's been right beside me and I never noticed how he sits. The strongest toes award goes to... Jay-bird!!! I heard him complaining that his toes were hurting and I looked over to see why. I saw him sitting like this and started laughing, "Of course your toes hurt, buddy. Don't sit like that." He replied, "I always sit like this." This funny interaction has made me wonder: what else don't I know about the people I sit beside everyday? And, if it's true that the Lord is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9), then He's probably saying, "I always walk this way" or "I always love this way" or "I always forgive this way". Today, I want to notice these things.

Rubik's Family

The family that cubes together - stays together.

25 days

I will start by recapping what is happening right now. We were approached, soon after I resigned(mid February), by the director of the Bible camp we live next to. He asked if I would consider taking the position of directing the camp since he would not be directing any more. Even though we thought we were heading across the world for international missionary work,we felt at peace about pursuing that and we had our interview last week. Thank you to all who lifted us up in prayer. We felt the interview went well. The current director is deciding between me and one other person. We feel confident that he is seeking the Lord and will decide as he feels God leading him. He let us know that he will make the decision by May 1st. That's 25 days from now. So I am inclined to become anxious. That is a long time to wonder how I'm going to take care of my family.... And there's the problem. I worry and am afraid because of one thing. My confidence has moved from being found in God, to being found in myself. --In the story of David and Goliath, Goliath yells out to the Israelites, "Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul?" The Israelites were afraid and ran away. But then David comes along and says, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" So David went and killed him. What a contrast. David's confidence was in God, and the Israelites confidence was in themselves, just as the enemy was telling them it should be. God chose to use David to defeat the Philistines, but David knew this was not David vs. Goliath, it was God vs. Goliath. Jeremiah 17:5-8 says there are two types of people. Those who trust in man and those who trust in God. It says those who trust in man "will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives." And those who trust in God "will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." The Israelites were the bush in the wastelands. David was the tree, not fearing, no worries, and bearing fruit. -- I have concluded that if I'm worried, fearful, anxious, stressed, etc. it is because of one thing; my confidence is not in the Lord. I want to be the tree by the water. I want to see the problems around me as David saw them. My confidence must be in God and God alone. So for 25 days we wait. But we will wait having confidence in the Lord, knowing He is our leader and He will provide. Thank You, O Lord, for your word. Thank You, O Lord, for the next 25 days.

Four Armor-Bearers

In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan, one of the leaders of Israel's army, decides to do something that doesn't make a lot of sense. His army is completely outnumbered and surrounded. They are hiding in caves. It doesn't look good. He decides to take action and do something about it, though. He decides to go and fight and see if maybe God will fight for them. He asks only one other man to go with him (the Bible only calls him Jonathan's armor-bearer). This armor-bearer could have said, "You're crazy! Two against many. No way." But instead, he was supportive and said, "Go ahead; I'm with you heart and soul." Wow. Long story short, God does fight for them and the rest of the Israelite army joins them and they win the battle. --- Well, I have been blessed with four armor-bearers. Leaving my job and going into ministry is a battle also. And it doesn't make sense on many levels. But we know God will fight for us as we remain in Him. For me, one of the main ways he has confirmed that is by giving me four incredible people to live with who are right beside me saying, "Go ahead; we're with you heart and soul." Wow.

Many Thanks

Yesterday was Trevor's last day as a financial advisor. After 8+ years the day was full of many emotions. Thanks to all who are joining with us in prayer - there has been a sweet peace flooding our hearts and our home the past few days. Surely this is an answer to prayers. Another answer to prayer is Jackson's much improved health. He has been fever free for over a month! Thank you, Lord!

A great birthday gift

Tate and Jay put this together all by themselves. All the moves. It was their mommy's birthday gift. She loved it. Hope you do too.

Stayin' Alive

Yesterday's disco lesson didn't go so well. My limited knowledge of disco is from Sat. Night Fever clips and from my Mom's competitive disco days. Despite this I was trying to demonstrate a few basics to the kids. Tate gave it all he had, Ellie sat watching and trying not to laugh at us, and Jackson wouldn't make a move. I was really confused by his hesitancy since he's usually willing to boogie down.

Later on I asked Jackson why he hadn't danced. Totally seriously he replied, "I don't know. I'm just not that funky..."

Lessons learned in Kiwi land

Driving along the base of this mountain felt like somewhat of a time warp. Rewinding a few thousand years left us standing in the sandals of the ex-Egypt-dwelling Israelites. Does this not make you think of their keeping a safe distance from the majestic mountain where God's presence was dwelling? Moses climbed the mountain to receive God's word/law for the people. Okay, climbing a mountain is no easy task, but consider climbing a mountain empty handed vs. descending a mountain with stone tablets in hand: stone tablets are heavy and there's no way to catch your grip. Perhaps the truth behind this amazing illustration God painted before our eyes is this: Climbing the mountain to have focused and intentional time in God's presence is a challenge (earlier mornings, etc.), but coming down the mountain to share with others what He's revealed to us at the top is a far greater feat. The view is so rewarding after the upward climb - not to mention the privilege of hearing from God. But He does ask us to climb down and share what we've heard; even if it's really hard. Moses did it.

The path less taken? Edward Jones offered a complimentary tour of the city of Queenstown our second day on the south island. Since we rented a car, we opted to branch out on our own and fore go the bus tour. (Besides, I don't think my system could have tolerated any more motion sickness prevention medicine...) After surveying the map we picked our remote destination and headed out. The goal was simple: find where the well-paved road ends and the non-advisable road begins and TAKE IT. We found the end of the rental-car-appropriate road and were readyto head into the mountains when the sign and locked gate informed us that the crazy man's road was closed. After a brief bout of disappointment, we detoured to a small hike that took us back into a mountain surrounded, sun-kissed lake. The path itself was worth the hike. Maybe it's because we were so green-depraved, but the ferns, trees, moss and winding stone path was a joy. I briefly corrected my posture and walked as regally as I could along the path pretending I was in the company of Lord Elrond's elves. That's the kind of path it was. Heading back the Lord spoke. He gently reminded me that had we not varied from the "path" of all the other brokers, we would never have seen this path - the path He had in store for us that day. How similar to life back home and our varying from the EDJ path.

Milford sound!! The "must see" of New Zealand. The drive to Milford Sound began with crossing much of the same landscape we had already conquered, but as we entered the Fiordlands our eyes saw sights that cameras and words cannot capture. Yet, despite the rivers, rainforests, and towering rock cliffs sprinkled with waterfalls we pressed on to get to our destination. We couldn't resist stopping a few times for photos, but didn't engage in any of the possible hikes or adventures along the way. We were so set on "getting there" that we felt rushed and were unable to savor the moment. When we did "get there" we were met by a dense fog and cold enduring rain that almost completely shrouded everything. The "must see" couldn't be seen and we both felt like something had been stolen. Funny though, it wasn't so much the loss of Milford Sound that poked at us, it was the loss of the missed adventures along the way.

In the land of "The Lord of the Rings"

We just returned from New Zealand. What a place! We were very blessed to have been able to spend 4 days on the north island, and 6 days on the south island. Our 4 days in Auckland were spent talking to people who are serving the Lord and spreading the gospel. With all that is happening in our lives, we were really searching to see if God wanted us to join them. So we visited 4 different churches, talked with 3 different pastors, and spent a good amount of time with missionaries from Indiana. So we got to see different ways of doing ministry and the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ.

New Zealand may not be the first place you think of when you think about sending missionaries, but we found out that there actually is a huge need there. At least half of the people there believe in nothing. Turning to God is the last thing on most people's minds, even when their lives fall apart. It was quite sad to realize this.

So, as we drove the countryside on the south island, hardly ever seeing a church building, (if we did it was set up more as a historical building) we dreamed of coming there and creatively starting a church. Using adventure outings to build a church would be a blast, eh? There was also the thought of just joining what God is already doing in Auckland on the north island. As for now though, it is only a good idea, not a God idea.

We did see many locations where different scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed. It was neat to talk to any of the locals about it. They all were more than welcome to share their LOTR knowledge. We also went horseback riding where they filmed the battle scene of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." We were very blessed.

So the people who know all about the "power of the Ring," need to hear about "His divine power [that] has given us all we need for life and Godliness..." 2 Peter 1:3

We will pray for those there in New Zealand, and we ask for any others to join in praying for them. The country that is so proud of being the location of the movie "The Lord of the Rings" needs our prayers and needs workers.