We Love You!

(NIRV) I Corinthians 13:1-3 & 11) "Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings and of angels, if I don't have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal..." Travis Family: Suppose we learn to perfection the heart language of our people but do not show them love. The only thing that they will hear is offensive noise. "Suppose I have the gift of prophecy. Suppose I can understand all the secret things of God and know everything about him. And suppose I have enough faith to move mountains. If I don't have love, I am nothing at all." Travis Family: Suppose we know the one true God and we know His deep desire for all people to trust in Him. Suppose we know the truth about the only way to God and how to have a relationship with Him. Suppose we have faith that the Lord will make our people group a people that is known for walking in His ways. If we don't have love, our knowledge & faith mean nothing. "Suppose I give everything I have to poor people. And suppose I give my body to be burned. If I don't have love, I get nothing at all." Travis Family: Suppose we give up everything: our lives as

Americans, our home, our possessions, our rights, our ability to make an income....Suppose we give our entire lives to serving overseas. If we do not have love, our sacrifice was for nothing. "When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child. I had the understanding of a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." Travis Family: It is our desire to not stay as babies in the faith, but to grow and become mighty men and women of God. How can we do this? LOVE! "And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-38 We have had a wonderful month studying and discussing what it really means to love. It is our prayer that the Lord gives us wisdom and strength to live it out. We are SO sorry that the "BIG Heart of Hearts" is not very visible. Our hall is too narrow to get a good picture. Trust me your name is on it! We love you! The Travis Family

Daddy Daughter Date

What a GREAT Daddy/Daughter Date! Grace began asking in March of last year if it was time for us to have our annual Valentine's date. We spend time together; we go places just the two of us; however, Grace has grasped the significance of the two of us taking a special time to "dress-up" and hit the town for a real "Date Night."
When we were in Texas our church always had a dance for us to attend, but, honestly, I had trouble last year finding a way to make our date night special. This year, I decided I was going to make it a big deal again. After all, she is 7 now, and I think that she will begin having distinct memories of these times rather than simply knowing that we went out together. In an effort to really show her a GREAT night out, I bought her a new dress as a gift while on a recent trip for work. It was red and black with a few sparkly gems. She was able to get new tights and a new shirt from the pazar, and Amy rolled her hair with sponge rollers and put a little color on her cheeks & eyes. We started at the nicest restaurant in town and then went for dessert at a sweets shop. Grace was a perfect little lady and allowed me to open the door, pull out her chair for her and of course pay for the dinner. I don't know who enjoyed our time together more. I can't wait until next year when we can do it all again! MT

So what is LOVE?

I know there is always a big debate going concerning which version of the Bible (in English) is the most accurate. As you can imagine, I have an opinion, (LOL) but I'll save that for an upcoming post. For, now I would just like to comment that I REALLY like the down-to-earth way the New International Readers Version presents the famous 1 Corinthians 13 LOVE chapter. We have been using it this month to discuss what love is and what it is not. The kids made love chains and hung them above their doors. Each link lists ways that we truly love. So, what does the Bible say that Love is? Below, I have listed 16 different things that are mentioned in the love chapter. I have also written the comments that William and Grace made about each one.

1) Love is patient. (It waits until everyone is up in the morning to start singing while doing chores. - Grace)

2) Love is kind. (It lets older people go up the elevator even though your legs are really tired. - William)

3) Love does not want what belongs to others. (It is okay that I don't have all the American stuff. Grace)

4) Love does not brag. (It does not tell other people that we got a package from the States. William)

5) Love is not proud. (It does not tell people that my hair is better than yours. Grace)

6) Love is not rude. (It does not pick your nose when someone is talking to you. William)

7) Love looks to the interests of others. (It lets smaller kids follow along and play with you. Grace)

8) Love does not easily become angry. (It doesn't yell at your sister even when she is frustrating. William)

9) Love does not keep a record of wrongs. (It does not keep talking about what others have done to you. Grace)

10) Love is not happy with evil. (You cannot like to be on the side of the bad guys. William)

11) Love is full of joy when truth is spoken. (You should always tell the truth. It makes mom happy. Grace)

12) Love always protects. (You have to watch out for your sister at the park and the store. Someone could try to grab her. William)

13) Love always trusts. (Well, you can't trust everyone, so I am not sure what this one means. Grace) We are working on learning what it means to believe the best about people and still keep ourselves safe.

14) Love always hopes. (You always have to know that the good will come and God will win. William)

15) Love never gives up. (You can't just stop working and say you are too tired to do the right thing. Grace)

16) Love never fails. (You can't just stop loving. God never stops loving us. William & Grace)

Well, I think for 9 and 7 years old they are moving in the right direction. We pray you are showing love to those around you this month. Much Love, AT, WT & GT