Which Door Do You Want To Choose?

Well, that sounds like a spiritual title, but alas this entry will not be deep. God is doing some amazing things that I will write about soon, but for now, this is just a silly update.
Our new lavatory situation is quite different than in the US. When you turn into the first room on the left down our hallway, you enter what we are now calling the decision room. It is a fairly large space considering our square footage in the flat, and yet it simply has upper storage cabinets and a newly added rug (just to make it a happier spot!). Once in this room, you have a choice - Door Number One OR Door Number Two. We'll let you choose when you come visit.....but should you choose option numero uno, you will enter a more "normal" looking western room. There is a western commode & a pedestal sink, but you will also see our unique shower/tub and our front loading, computerize, rug eating (....long story!) washing machine.

HOWEVER, should you choose door numero dos, you will see our wonderful "squatty potty". Yes, these are in most homes and almost all public restrooms. We are still trying to decide if we will have this room open for use, or use it as a cleaning storage closet. We have been told more than likely all of our guests will be comfortable in our western room....but before you send your opinion, let me ask you...Do you like to "sit" where other people have already been? HUMMM...I am finding that door number 2 can be a little more sanitary. Well, let me just say that most of the time it has been a decent public experience....I do not advise anyone to visit the restrooms on the sea shore. It is a trip down into the pit of filth that I was charged money to experience...you have to love 6 year olds!

Well, that is my potty talk for now. : ) Here is a picture of my new quiet spot. My coffee mug did not make it into the shot, but it has the same print as the chair....I love IKEA!

Click HERE to read why "Potty Talk" and a Quiet Time chair might go together...

Spending Time With HIM Each Day!

AT

William Discovered "Nate The Great"

Matt was able to get our bookcases secured to the concrete walls (we have earthquakes here), so the kids and I were able to organize our craft and school supplies. Once unpacked, William immediatly set to reading the chapter books assigned for this year. (I guess we'll need to find more for the Fall!) His favorites this week were Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Nate the Great. It looks like there are more books in each of these series, so we'll have to see if Amazon can ship overseas. For those of you that have read Nate the Great books, you'll remember that he is a detective that solves kid's mysteries; he also LOVES pancakes! There was a recipe in the back of the book for special detective pancakes. This morning for breakfast I surprised William with this special meal.

We cannot find "syrup" here (or jellies/jams) but they have wonderful preserves. We put strawberry over it....YUMMMMM! Hope you enjoy the sticky smiles!

Because of Him, AT

A few random things from our first 10 days.....

I have so much that I would love to share, but I know everyone's time is precious so I'll just write about a few random things... First of all, thank you for the many prayers. Our travels were wonderful. The airline was amazing. Believe it or not, in 2009, we traveled with 14 checked bags and paid ZERO for them. They were so accomidating. It was a great experience. The kids did a wonderful job and were great helpers.

Our company team mates have been more than helpful in guiding us to get our home set up. It has been a true blessing. As you can see the kids are excited about their new rooms. William got the bunk bed he has "always wanted". Grace has a storage bed....she is VERY happy with her new things. I'll have to post more pictures of the house as we settle in, but we have been able to get basic furnite in each room and a basic kitchen set-up.



Tonight a new friend came over and taught me to make tea. This is a picture of what teapots look like here. It is like a double boiler. There is also a picture of what the tea cups look like. Grace turned 6 on Tuesday. She had a great time opening cards from the States and making cookies.

Tonight we had a party at the sea shore with a few friends. On the way there, God was truly watching over us. I did not get the car door shut tightly and when we turned the corner the door came open! I slammed it shut, but did not realize that my purse had fallen out!! Thankfully, it was right at the cornor of the street we live on and the owners of the resturant noticed. They rushed out to get it out of the street. Minutes later my cell phone called Matt. ????? A man began speaking so Matt handed the phone to our friend. Long story, but my purse was returned and everything was in order!! ONLY GOD!! TRULY AMAZING!

Again, thank you for your many prayers of protection. Over the next week we will continue to settle in and get to know our neighborhood. Then the following week we begin language school. We are excited that the kids will be learning along side us.

If you would like to receive our monthly emails, please send me your e-address.

Blessings, AT

Off We Go!

We leave the country tomorrow. It is hard to believe the day has finally arrived. We have had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends. We are officially leaving with 13 checked bags, 1 trunk, 4 rolling carry-ons and 4 back packs. This was the best I could do in going from a 3,000 sq. ft house! Matt has worked very hard to weigh each bag. 50lbs is really not alot!! We are going to be quite a sight going through all the airports.
The kids are excited, nervous, sad, etc. etc. I guess the same run of emotions are true for Matt & I.
We are so thankful to all of you that are standing beside us. We are truly blessed.

Please continue to email us/Facebook and send comments. You are our link to the US. Blessings to everyone!

AT

Matt's First Race

I am so proud of Matt. Despite having turned his ankle during the week, he persevered and ran the full 5K on Saturday. Friends helped him brace his ankle which helped a great deal. With his injury he thought it would take him 35-40min., but he came through at 34:15! He hopes to improve for next time and I plan to join him! Cheers for Working Hard! AT

We had a wonderful time in DC. We were able to share with people from our new country, pray with an international and help a Deaf couple from Canada. I am amazed each day at the preciousness of life!

Blessings, AT

What am I full of?

In a previous post, I wrote about making sure my attitude is focused on things that please the Lord and bring glory to Him. (click here for post) I quoted Charles Swindoll as saying, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” I have been convicted over the last week that the 90% reference is not just my attitude re-action. I think that the actions I take in life based on conviction have a huge part in my walk with the Lord.

It is true that my attitude is the joy others see in me. I do desire that my light shines before men and glorifies the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16), but I would have to debate that it is also equally true that the Father does require ACTION on our part in following Him. The action is displayed by the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. It is our gift of service to others; our un-merited forgiveness of others; our committed prayer for others; our unconditional love to and for everyone, etc. etc. When God is active in our lives we are ACTIVE in our walk.

Last week, while waiting for Matt to get out of a meeting, the kids and I went down to the lake to kill a little time. We found several stones just right for skipping. We, of course, could not resist the temptation to throw them into the lake...which, of course, led to dirt, sticks and everything else that could be tossed. Then it happened...we found to best stick of all! It was HUGE (by little boy standards)! We began to discuss how BIG of a splash this prize log was going to make. Truly, this was going to be the best splash yet. With a great heave hoe William tossed it into the lake...no splash...the log floated? What a disappointment!

With a long face William looked at me and said, “That log was full of nothing.” Don’t you just love the simple truths that often come out of the mouth of a child.

Yes, the log was rotten/dead. It was full of nothing! What am I full of? When life “happens” to me, what will my attitude and action response be. I pray I am so full of the Spirit that I make a HUGE splash for the glory of God when I am tossed into the lake. I pray that my attitude is that of joy and that my actions are that of service to others.

Filling up with HIM today...so that when tossed I make a positive difference!
AT