Over a Month

Wow, it has been over a month since I updated this blog, and unfortunatley, I do not have anything exciting or inspirational to say or report today either. Matt & I are taking language classes a little over an hour commute (one way) from our home. This has made for a crazy schedule. I am just keeping my head above water right now trying to still homeschool the kids, do my own homework, house work, etc. We have also been struggling with head colds/ear, nose, throat infections. We think that the real issues are allergies. Whatever it is, it has made for a long 6 weeks. SOO, the bottom line is I am weary...okay, well, that is all the excuses.

There are exciting things happening all around us, and we would love to share them with you. If you would like to be a part of our monthly e-mail list or quarterly snail mail list, please email us. Also, Matt & I are both on Facebook. I am afraid it is too easy to post one or two things and neglect the blog. I'll work harder, and I am sure things will go "back to normal" (if there is such a thing) when we are done with the class in April.

William has wanted me to record a video of his "connects" creation. I guess this would be a good time to post. Enjoy! AT

A True Friend

Of course, with this being Valentine's week, I have to post something about looooove! This fact I am sure would get an "Oh, Mush!" from my 8 year old , and an "Awww Weddings" from my 6 year old. It is funny how different ages, different genders and just different people think about and view what true love looks like. I have written this before, but I'll say it again....I think that it is so important to know the love languages of the people that are close to you. There are 5 main ways people express and thus receive love. You can read more about it in Gary Chapman's book "The 5 Love Languages". There are a bazillion variations of the book. I am sure they all focus a little more specifically in different areas, but the main thing is to learn to be a student of those to whom you want to show love.

Happy Valentine's Day, AT

Do You Need Something?

I found the note you see on the left attached to Grace's door yesterday. It says, "Bo not cum in unles you neb sumthening" Translation = "Do not come in unless you need something." I love it when I find things that the kids have written from their hearts. Of course, the homeschool teacher in me gasps at the wrong use of letters and misspellings, but the mom in me rejoices at a glimpse of my child's character. I am sure that the note started out to be a bold statement of "GIRLS ONLY" or "ONLY CLUB MEMBERS ALLOWED", but it would look like the fruits of kindness and love won in the end making her room open to anyone that need enter. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me when I watch my kids make the right choice. You can bet I have used this opportunity to praise and affirm Grace's attitude of being a helper and not excluding people, but today the Father has laid on my heart another simple truth Grace needs to learn. You see Grace would just like to "be a Christian". For about a year, she has wanted to "get baptized". How many countless people do I know that simply want "in". They think that because they are "good" or at least they haven't done anything "major" wrong they are not deserving of Hell...so surly they will go to Heaven.? The truth is that unless a person realizes their own worthlessness and understands that they "need something" they will not be allowed "in". In Matthew 9:13 Jesus says, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Again, In Mark 2:17 it is recorded that Jesus said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Luke 5:32 quotes Jesus as saying, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Over and over in the gospels Jesus tells us that we have to admit "we need something!" Sounds simple, right! Then why is it so hard? Why is it so hard to humble ourselves, admit we are wrong and that we "need something"? The promise is that Christ will be with us. He has not promised an "easy life" despite what is being preached/taught today! But, He has done all of the work for us and He even promises to be the one to "walk in the door" of our hearts and change us. Revelation 3:2o says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Wow! That thought makes my heart sing the old hymn: "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing!" How merciful He is to us; how loving. I am praying today for the right words and special ways to instruct Grace in humbling herself before the Lord. It is she that "needs something" - Salvation that is found in Christ alone. AT

Let it Snow; Let it Snow; Let it Snow!

Palm trees and snow...I love the contrast. This is one of the things that make living abroad so much fun! In the city, it would seem the best way to "play" in the snow is to simply walk down the street. The kids had a great time today getting the snow off cars, trees, curbs, etc. We hit the jackpot with a flatbed truck that was full of good clean powdery snow. In our apartment, we are blessed with 2 balconies so that is a clean playing option, too, but at 5 stories up things have to stay to a very low rumble! I let the kids play hockey with a stick and slipper, and they also had a fun time pretending like they were ice skating. It has been great seeing the snowmen on all the window seals of our neighbors. William & Grace have had a blast waving at all their friends from behind foggy windows. Of course, our electricity and water would have to be on the blitz today, so we are doing our best to stay warm with blankets and layers of clothes...another joy of living overseas! Reports are saying it is going to be like this the next 3 days. (snow + utility issues!) I don't know if you can see them in the pictures very well, but I knit the scarves that the kids are wearing. I am working on Matt's right now, and then I am going to attempt a hat for myself. I am the only one without one and I am going to have to put vanity aside and get warm! Hope everyone is enjoying a cozy January...AT

Out In Front or Getting In Line

In most central Asian cultures, it is customary for a man to walk in front of his wife and children. We work very hard weaving up and down busy streets to keep this pattern. However, in our hurry, we often start out a trip headed down the road in a mixed up fashion. I am sure we are a crazy sight playing "Chinese fire drill" on the sidewalk as we get back in the proper order. Last week, while walking hurriedly down a somewhat busy street, I had one of the scares of my life. William, our normally very cautious child, stepped in front of Matt and off the sidewalk into the middle of a side street just as a cargo truck was barreling through. Matt quickly grabbed William's arm and pulled him back to the safety of the sidewalk. What he said to William struck me..."I cannot guide and protect you when you get out in front of me." Hmmm; how often does my Father say that to me? I confess probably way too often. Perhaps, I take a snip-it of what the Father has revealed to me and then I expand on it too quickly without confirmation. Sometimes, I know I hear a good idea and desire to be apart of the ministry, but have not sought approval. Most often, I have a plan of what I want my life to look like, and I simply begin stepping out in front. I am so thankful that the Father has a love for me that is greater than anything I can comprehend. Right now our family is in the midst of several decisions. Honestly, it might look to some that "no decision is a bad decision". That may be true on many levels, but we believe that there is a perfect path that only the Father will lead us down when we choose to stay in line with His timing, plan and will for our lives. We ask that as you think of us today, please pray that we do not get out ahead of our Leader and we listen to His still small voice as we daily choose to walk in line with Him.

Choosing to Get in Line, AT

This past September, I wrote a post about holding tightly to the Father's hand. If the Father is touching your heart in this area,too, you might be encouraged by this post. Click here to read: (In His Hands).

What a blessing friends make!!

Our mail system here is not the most reliable. We never know when (or if) we will get something; if they will deliver it; if we will have to pay a fine, etc. etc. However, God always knows what we need and when we need it. We received a Christmas package from our dear friends the Toons. It was a true blessing. Handwritten notes are always a treat and encouragement. The kids also loved getting last year's homeschool annual. It lifted our spirits to recall the memories and see special friends. Books, vitamins, treats...the list goes on and on....Thank you, Thank you Toon Family! You know us so well. We realize that it is a great expense to mail things to us. I will confess that at some point in the unwrapping process each one of us shed a tear of gratitude, joy, remembrance, feelings of being loved, etc. etc. We miss you all deeply. Thank you for allowing the Father to use you to minister to us. We were told that the 6-9 month mark is a hard one in adjusting to living overseas. I confess that we are having many moments of heartache and reality checks. It is amazing in those moments how the Father sends an email, a facebook note, a local friend, or messages from His Word to encourage us. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and your willingness to "love on us" from across the water. Our God is so good, and He does indeed care about every part of our lives. Today, our prayer for our home support teams is that God touches you all in a mighty way; that you feel His presence and are encouraged by His amazing love.

We are blessed! AT

2010 Begins

Well, we are two weeks into 2010 and I have not posted anything. I don't know if I should say that it is because I have been so busy and on top of other things, or if I should confess that the year has not started out as productive as I would like in any area....Oh well, it is what it is. We are moving forward and daily choosing to follow HIM. We have set our personal, ministry and family goals for the year. Nothing has really "changed", but it is good to have written reminders of our commitments as well as written challenges to encourage and motivate us. We based many of our goals this year off something that was given to us last spring. It is called "Sabbath Rest". Daily = prayer, meditation, sleep Weekly = corporate worship, one day void of work-related responsibilities, exercise, time set aside for just your spouse Monthly = spiritual retreat or focus, 2 days of seriously goofing off, 1 day of making something with your own hands, time of fasting Annually = retreat experience that nurtures the soul, family get-a-way, go away with your spouse, special dates individually with your children. Of course, we have added work, school, ministry, financial, etc. etc. goals into this equation, but I thought I would give the "Sabbath Rest" as a starting place to anyone that has thought about setting goals for the year, but has just never known where to begin. I love how this plan just takes it back to the basics. The philosopher Eugene Peterson says that a successful life is one that has "a long obedience in the same direction". The call to all of us is to forsake ourselves and follow Christ. If we put our faith in Him as the cornerstone and build our lives on it, 2010 and all the years to come will be fruitful for the Kingdom, His glory and our benefit. Steadfast, AT

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord; Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!; What more can he say than to you he hath said, You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand; upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake.