Rachel Writes

This (My God will supply all your needs) was the VBS theme at our church this year. How apropos! Soj dancing with her classmates Sojo (and I) loved the choreographed dancing. Way to go, VBS. You've really stepped up the action songs. In this picture, the kids are reminding you that if you need comfort, GOD'S GOT IT! This VBS was part of the Southern Baptist curriculum and it was excellent. Lots of crafts, stories, verses at the kids' developmental level. And with our favorite friends and teachers. The week was a real treat. Whitaker went 4 of the 6 days and I'm so proud of that. Thanks for continued prayers and interest in our lives. Micah finished the last teaching day of school and will spend the next few days (when not on the soccer field or playing strategy games with his barcada) at his desk grading final exams. Hehehe. Pay back time, students, right? Micah working

Those who have read my last few posts know that our family has been a victim of ATM fraud. Our card was copied and used over the past months. The amount that was skimmed is large. So, you'll have to bear with me as this is what I'm blogging about. In other news: Micah is in his finals week. He's written some wonderful finals! (Will his students agree) and I was so pleased when I was in the classroom the other day and saw a RUBRIC! Micah would kill me if he heard me call it that (well, maybe not) but he had such an aversion to all the "it" terms and ways of the American education system (possibly other countries are structure and rubric crazy as well?) that I was stunned to see this printed chart with marks on his desk. Well done, big guy! Back to bearing with me, it's a big part of my day to think through this crime against us and the mistakes I made that made this a long term problem when it could have been short term. (1) Transitions-- we were moving a...

Let all that I am praise the  Lord ;      with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2  Let all that I am praise the  Lord ;      may I never forget the good things he does for me. --Psalm 103:1-2 These are my theme verses as we finish our last 2 months in the Philippines. If you've talked to me, or I've made a midnight call to you (grin), you know that we've been stolen from, electronically. Ironic (and unfortunate). Last time Micah and I were leaving this country (before kids) we were burgled the old fashioned way. Someone broke in our house and stole money. (That time I hadn't locked the money drawer-- there's always something). But this time, I have a lot to be thankful for. We have 3 wonderful kids. My marriage to Micah is MUCH better than it was that first year (yikes, we had a rough start). And the Lord has blessed us with many friends. And for me, a renewed faith. That's a big one. Did you know I w...

I see the small window. I have to move towards it, squeeze through it. It's the window of making this disappointment in my life into something better. It's God making things beautiful. Because, he's provided this chance, but I have to be in position to make this failure a learning experience. Then it's not just a failure anymore. So, I'm claiming this new day. I'm moving my feet. I'm loving my kids and Micah. I want to be less judgmental. These are all valuable things. God can make all things beautiful.

Did you lose something? God can find it. Did you hurt someone? God can heal their heart. Did you miss the point? God can show you the truth. Did you waste A LOT of time? God can redeem it. He is the Redeemer. He makes all things new. He makes all things work together for good. He's the Good Shepherd. He's a loving Father. He's a tender Mother. God's all this for me tonight. I can't sleep. I'm brokenhearted over my own sin, my own short comings and the pain of this world. But tomorrow's a new day. Thank you, ladies, for telling me that over and over. You are His voice to me. We're going to paint tomorrow. And dance. And whatever Whitaker likes to do. And maybe we'll watch the end of Jungle Book . And read a Bible story. And sing songs. And we'll have fish and rice for lunch. with green beans and okra. And on Tuesday, I'll sit at the funeral of a little boy whose stay on earth was a mere 4 and a half years. And he was loved. And ...

It's the only photo of me in three months, compliments of Sojourner. Yikes-- teeth, chin. Ah well. So tonight's post is about failure. Let me get this out. It's not about bashing myself, but owning up to my short coming. I've been negligent in scrutinizing our ATM withdraws. For OVER A YEAR someone has been getting $200-400 a month out. Oh Lord, help me. So our bank is awesome and totally on top of it. My excuse. I have none. I've looked at the bank statements. Why did it not occur to me that our expenses weren't matching? I have no excuse. I just wasn't doing the math. I was looking at the statement, but not analyzing it. Lazy. So. I've repented and am coming home to good stewardship. I'm looking at our online statement every morning and confirming with Micah any charges that I see. So, have you made a mistake today? :-) Don't worry. God loves you. And I do too! Come home to a new way of living. Forgive yourself. And pr...

The Del Mar family is a huge part of our lives. Helpers, friends, well-- family. Rosana spends many hours with us each week (us being me and the kids). Her daughter Jacque is on one of our oldest friends and best loved babysitter (besides, you, Carol). I love Ate Rosana. I love her example of joy, strong-beautiful service, and godly humility. She teaches me new things every day and takes turn holding my giant baby. Love to you, Ate, on this coming Mother's Day. Taddy and Rosana at the grill

God, bless these dear ones because they live with me. I am selfish and (often) unwilling to sacrifice very much for them.   [a paraphrase of O. Hallesby's prayer from his book On Prayer ] I would add... Make my life one of joy, grace, and love. Amen! And this also means grace for me. Grace when I am impatient. Grace when I value a toy over a child (you should hear the scoldings I give for stepping on things or tossing them carelessly aside. I'm all for clear boundaries and instructions, but tongue lashings are selfish, not effective). Grace when I just can't do one more task. It's all covered.