Another School Year Down....

Really, where does the time go?  It is hard to believe that yet another year has passed.  Despite an emotional fall; a middle of the year move; seeing their father put in jail and subsequently deported; and living under the pressure of yet another possible move (this time to a totally different country), the kids did amazingly well in completing 4th and 3rd grades.  I am amazed at how resilient they are!  I have wanted to fall apart for them on many occasions!!  Of course, we still have subjects that are shaky and need firming up this summer/beginning of next year; but, overall, I am amazed.  God is good!!  I am so thankful to be allowed the privilege of being on this journey.  One day at a time, one step at a time, HE gives us exactly what we need.  I confess, at times I "feel sorry" for the kids when I think of all the things that they are "missing"... and the fact that they are stuck with just one teacher who cannot even begin to give them everything they need!!  However, in those moments I am sweetly reminded of the ONE who supplies all of our needs.  The ONE that makes a way.  The ONE that never calls us to a place that HE does not equip us for the life HE has chosen.  Yes, there are areas that my kids if measured would fall short of the mark, but I am walking with confidence in the things that we are all learning along this road that will run far in compensating for anything "missing".    AT

We would truly appreciate your prayers and words of wisdom in this area. Each year is a new challenge, and we really do try to simple sit at the feet of the Father.  However, we know that many of you have training and are gifted in the areas of teaching, education and home schooling.  Please, as you think of us, pass along ideas, tips and helps.  It will be openly received!

Pilgrim's Progress

The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan and published in February, 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature. It has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. (Wikipedia)  For the last 2 years we have been using A Beka homeschool materials for Language Arts.  We have truly enjoyed the traditional style and great literature.  The last reader in the 3rd grade program is a version of Pilgrim's Progress.  Having attended public schools, this classic was not something that I read.  I have heard it referred to in sermons and other discussions, but I had not taken the time to read it for myself.  Truthfully, I often get lost in some of the writings of the classics.  John Branyan is a Christian comedian.  He gives a sketch that is hilarious describing our current lack of understanding as well as proper use of the English language.  The Three Little Pigs. After over 8 years of trying to teach language, I can say that it is possible that I am even more confused today! LOL!!  I am; however, grateful that I am experiencing some of the classics on a simple level along side my kids.  Perhaps in the future, I will try to get my hands on the original version, but for now I would like to recommend to anyone who has not read this classic to perhaps try the "readers version".  One of the great things about this book is the questions at the end of the chapters.  They allowed for great discussions of faith and theology for our family.  I was a little worried each year when I started with my 3rd grader.  I wondered if they would not be able to understand the allegory; however, much to my surprise each child put themselves right in the book.  The gospel came alive before their eyes.  Our kids have been highly exposed to the sharing the gospel, but this was a wonderful picture of watching a person travel down the road of salvation.  This would be a great summer read for kids; however, I would suggest perhaps reading as a family or one-on-one so as to allow for questions and discussions.  We can give our kids a lot of things, but pointing them to the gospel and the road of salvation is a must.  Let's do it over, and over and over again in every form possible!!  AT    

Easter 2012

This was a very different Easter for our family.  You can read in past blogs and see how much our family loves crafts, art and sensory lessons for this most important holiday.  It is the highlight of our year.  Most people will not debate the fact the Jesus was born; however choosing to accept HIM as their atonement for sin and way of salvation is another story.  As many of you know, leading up to Easter Matt was detained and deported.  The kids and I were left waiting each day and wondering if we should begin packing to move or would we too be given a suitcase and asked to leave immediately ourselves.  The day that Matt was jailed was to be the start of our "12 days to Easter" focus.  With him gone it just didn't seem right to color eggs, start resurrection projects and "celebrate".  I was torn (having been given the advice by crisis mangers to make things "normal") to just move forward with our activities or simply wait and celebrate later.  In the first few hours of shock, looking for something to unlock my fuzzy brain, I opened my email to find a prayer sent from a dear friend who had experienced a similar situation.  She advised me to just worship.  Prayer would be hard; reading would be even more difficult; just worship.  I immediately closed the computer and sat on the floor.  How could I just worship?  I couldn't breathe; I couldn't process; I couldn't think!  Surprisingly, tears would not come.  I thought I needed a good cry, but I was so encircled by HIS arms that all I could do was begin to praise Him.  The Spirt that lives within me swelled and engulfed my being.  Strength and clarity of mind came in that moment.  The next day I received an email from my sister-in-law with a song by Aaron Keys, Song of Moses.  It became the "theme" song of the next 10 days.  The kids and I put aside "activities" and decided to just worship.  Christ gave up everything for us.  What would we give up?  Would we give up candy and treats?  Would we give up parties and activities?  Would we give up where we live?  Would we give up all of what we own aside from a suitcase?  Would we give up our daddy/husband?  What would we give up to see people have a relationship with the Almighty?  Christ gave up everything!  It is one thing to say it with your lips, but it is entirely different to stare it in the face and commit to turning it over to HIS hands. Wow, what a lesson for the kids - what a lesson for me!!  Yes, our Easter lacked the color, crafts and candy of years past, but praise Him, praise HIM, PRAISE HIM our hearts have been given a precious touch of his longsuffering, love and life!!  AT

PS: Matt was "returned" to us late in the eveing of Good Friday.  The weekend was spent with much rejoicing!!

St. Patrick's Day

I am not sure why I have always really liked this day.  Maybe it is the little bit of Irish blood I have, or perhaps just that I love to celebrate even on "small" holidays.  Our family had a wonderful day remembering the life of St. Patrick and those that have given their lives for the furtherance of the gospel.  Of course, the day had to be all green.  The kids decided to sleep in green pajamas so as to avoid getting pinched first thing in the morning!  Smart - because I would for sure do it, and they know it!!  LOL!  For breakfast we had cinnamon roll pancakes with green icing; lunch I tried to make healthy to redeem all the sugar eaten earlier, so I made a spinach salad served with homemade chips; dinner was a traditional "Shamrock Stew" with "Irish Soda Bread"; snacks in-between included chocolate cupcakes with pistachios, green popcorn and the traditional green jello with fruit salad!  We had a lot of fun with games throughout the day.  We had a treasure hunt, a puzzle to solve and a guess who holds the "true treasure" mystery game.  We also spent time in song, prayer and thanksgiving.  I love taking the small moments and using them to celebrate the One who is worthy of all PRAISE!  AT 

Live it WELL

Matt and I have been looking for new music.  It has almost been 3 years since we left our beautiful home state of Texas.  We truly miss our wonderful worship leaders.  They were always so great to keep worship fresh, moving and alive.  Recently, God has really been laying on my heart the concept of how to live the life that He has called me to well.  Not just live the life, but live it WELL.  What does that look like, and how can I make my time spent in personal worship more fruitful spurring me on to life that is lived "well"?  John 10:10b says, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."  He does not just want to give us life.  When we are born into His Spirit we are given the opportunity to have a life of abundance....a life of well living.  Please don't hear me saying that I am jumping on the "health and wealth" wagon; no my eyes have been open to too many other things over the past few years.  I believe God does heal; He does provide and He does desire to give to us in abundance, but the number one thing He wants to do is receive glory.  How will He receive glory from my life? 1 Chronicles 16:29 says, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array."  I am discovering that if I am actively seeking to give Him glory, my life will be  well.  You may remember the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul" by Horatio G. Spafford.  If you have time click on the link for the song and history of this beautiful hymn.  I am always moved by people like Mr. Spafford that despite walking through tragedy after tragedy they still remain totally sold -out to serving the Lord and giving Him glory.  Their life is "well" despite deep loss.  They are alive in Christ.  For those of you that are not "hymn" people.  In our looking for new music; we have recently come across some songs of a new and up-in-coming artist.  His name is Hunter Thompson.  I believe this one is written by Matt Stinton and Bethel Music, but Hunter Thompson is performing it here: This is what you do.  Though not as poetic as a hymn,  I am challenged by the simple phrase - "This is what You do; you make me come alive!"  I do desire to be ALIVE in Him and live this life WELL for His glory!!  AT
PS: The boat picture is just one of the cool things we get to see crossing the Bosporus each week.  I put it in this post because of the hymn reference.   

            

New Beginnings

On February 10th, my precious daughter became my sister in Christ. She has questioned and struggled for over 2 years now. It has been difficult to watch. She has at times said, "I am a believer." Then at other times said, "I just don't know God." Being in a believing home that is actively involved in sharing the good news, she of course "knew" all the answers. As she has grown in her understanding, I think it has caused her to question the commitment and confessions of her past. I also believe that out of the 4 of us in our family she struggled the most emotionally living in the east. At times it was a very crushing road for her. One of my favorite parts of my day is reading individually with the kids before their bed time. Grace and I have been reading a book of parables by James Dobson. When we came to the parable of the Wedding Feast, I read the parable and then talked about how God had invited everyone to join Him but that some people chose not to accept the invitation. At this point, Grace began to cry and say that she had not accepted the invitation and did not know God. I asked what she meant and she stated that she had known for a while that there was an emptiness in her but was afraid to tell us because we might be mad that she had been saying for so long that she believed but in fact had not. My heart broke as we discussed that I was not angry and wanted more than anything else in my life for her to know for sure that she had trusted Christ with her eternity. We knelt beside her bed, and she gave her life to Christ. What a weight came off of both my precious girl and her daddy to know for certain that she had entrusted herself to the everlasting arms of the one and only Savior of the universe. The next day, she approached Amy and wanted her to cut bangs from her all one length hair. She wanted a new look on the outside to show some of her new inside. When I came home from work, it was a wonderful surprise. It has been a pleasure to watch her over the last few days. We can all tell quite a difference in her continence. We realize that as she gets older she will go though times of doubt; however, we are confident the Father will work in these times to grow her faith and make her stronger. MT

Let it snow; let it snow; let it snow...

Over the last 8 days the Travis family has seen more snow than ever before in our lifetimes. (well, besides vacation spots) The heavens have simply opened up and dropped inches and inches of beautiful white, dry, fluffy powder. It has been a treat to play in it and allow the Father to endear our hearts to our new home. It is interesting how something so "simple" as weather can remind us of how amazing our God is! In Central Asian culture, it is believed that if you get cold you will become ill. Interestingly enough, from my widows this week I have watched so many people leaving their houses layered-up and bundled for Arctic weather stop and look around them to see if anyone is looking and then take a quick handful of the cold delight and throw it at something. Playing in the snow allows even the most "proper" and "dignified" of people to remember the gaiety of their childhood and feel the purity of creation. I am reminded of the hymn, "In His Time". I love the words to this song: IN HIS TIME, IN HIS TIME; HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME; LORD, PLEASE SHOW ME EVERYDAY; AS YOU'RE TEACHING ME YOUR WAY; AND I'LL DO JUST WHAT YOU SAY; IN YOUR TIME. (Verse 2) IN YOUR TIME, IN YOUR TIME; YOU MAKE ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL; IN YOUR TIME; LORD, MY LIFE TO YOU I BRING; MAY EACH SONG I HAVE TO SING; BE TO YOU A LOVELY THING; IN YOUR TIME. Lord, I am asking you today just like the white snow has made everything beautiful that you will bring us to love this new city. Change our hearts to be as pure as the snow in our service and witness to those around us. May the life that we bring to you be a lovely thing in your time. AT