Rachel Writes

We're Stateside and loving lots of things about that. (I do miss you, Philippines! Don't worry.) This morning, the kids are at VBS, the baby is sleeping, and I can type! It's been weeks! Phew. Just had to get that out. So I read Psalm 40 this morning. (vs 1-3) I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon the rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.. Nice. Here's my question. What are people "seeing" and fearing that makes them put their trust in the Lord? The face of the Lord? The Lord's rescue (taking me from mud to rock?) Both? Because that leads me to something I'm struggling with as I look at the muck at my feet (I'm not being all dreary-- we've got lots of blessings, but we have some messes, or at least some wor...

Earthen Vessels, I'm taking the cue from you and writing my lists of transition anticipation and anxieties. July 11 to January 10, Micah, Rachel and kids are Stateside. Ahhhhh!s: (1) The word missionary. Ahhh! World domination and oppression anyone? Okay, listen, I still get freaked out explaining that we're missionaries to new people. That's such a loaded word. So, I do actually try to give a synopsis of what we do. But lots of people say, "So you're missionaries?" Right. We are. For better or worse. Hopefully for better! (2) Lots of presenting (Like/dislike relationship) (3) Jet lag (4) I will miss everyone here. :-( Too sad to really even write about that. Ya'all know about that. About moving away from good friends. This is only for 6 months. Tear my heart out! HURRAYs: (in no particular order) (1) CVS-- I miss you instant photos, coupons, store of a thousand things. (2) Mom and sister time (in-laws too, of course). YES. (3) Seasons! Wh...

Whit, we love your endearingly sweet spirit, your zany side (No, YOU'RE zany!), and your reflective moments. Happy birthday, buddy. Never to be out-done, princess Sojo shows us her circus moves (Yes, we did see Madagascar 3.) Tad says, "Are ya kiddin' me?" Believe it or not, she chose this pose The Man Yes, eating paper Peace out!

REFLECTION Our day starts with a barrage of requests. Help with clothes, the potty, food. It needs to be that way. It should be that way. And my kids feel secure when their requests are answered. And that's what Jesus told us to be like. Childlike. That's right asking. God, I need this. Please, You are the Giver, please, give this to me. TO DO LIST I need to make a timeline for a short video that we can use at camps and churches. We have a bit of packing. And I need to scan our airline tickets so we can get our Exit Clearance papers. Not too many essentials left! We'll be seeing some of you soon.

...if I'm being honest, and I am, post. I'm tired. Bone tired. Can hardly keep my eyes open tired. Three little kids. Lots of work to be done. Not enough sleep. It's a life I chose. It's not one I'd wish away. But I am tired. So, a friend is coming today. I think there's a nap in the fabric of the morning (after I write a check to school to cover the costs of our VISAs since our bank card has not arrived yet after our card being copied and funds being stolen from our account--- shew). They are 5, 3, and 1. Everyone needs lots of help and attention. Good thing my friend is coming. :-) Thank God for friends. Thank God for my sweet kids. Thank God that my existence is validated by faith in Jesus (Tim Keller's wording of Romans 3) and not by what I do. Hurray!

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...