Great Expectations

“Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Eph. 3:20
Are you guilty of not expecting great things from God? I am! Often I not only anticipate or expect great things, I’m afraid to even pray for them because I fear being disappointed if it doesn’t happen or I feel to ashamed of all my failures to even ask. I’m not looking for great things from God and I’m caught of guard and shocked when they happen!
I’m thankful God does great things despite my lack of faith and anticipation to see His glory revealed! Last week, one of our students shared what the Lord had done in her family over her Christmas break. She has been praying all year for her family to know Jesus, and over break, her entire family accepted Christ as Savior! Not only did they accept Christ, but they all wanted Quiet Times and are studying the Bible together. Exceedingly, Abundantly Above all that we ask or think!
As I prayed with her that night, my eyes were wet with tears listening to her fervent prayer that her family would grow in Christ and humble thanks of all that God did. Wet, because quite honestly I never expected it…and why? Why don’t I expect God to do great things? To draw people to Himself in life-changing ways?
“Lord, Help my unbelief!” You are so great, and I praise You for demonstrating Your power and glory despite myself!”

5 days - Eternal Impact

I gotta be honest; I’m itching to be there this week! Friday, we had almost 70 students and staff left for Manila for Eternity Week! They’re gone 5 days…and they’re sharing Jesus with everyone they meet! They’re going to challenge hundreds with the truth that will change lives forever – Muslims, Catholics, Iglesias de Cristos, Mormons, people who are lost!
I’m there in my spirit! And the kids and I are praying for daddy and the rest of the team! We’re praying for changed lives!
We’re expecting GREAT things to happen this week!! Join us in Prayer!

A Painful Reminder

“When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” – 2 Thess. 1:7b-9

How often do we think of the reality of life without Christ? Sure in our nice comfortable lives, we don’t see much judgment or consequence for not believing in Christ. In fact, often we can’t even see too much of a difference between a believer and good non-believer. But the reality of life without Christ needs to on the forefront of our thoughts every day and what pushes us to urgency in sharing the gospel with everyone.
We know the truth…eternal separation from God, something we’ve never experienced because God’s grace, even in spite of our world’s tragedies and sufferings, has always covered us. And eternal suffering in the lake of fire, a horrible, excruciating way to suffer.
Last night, I was hot gluing something and dropped some glue on my hand. It was instant, agonizing pain. Immediately my pointer finger on my left hand and the ring finger of my right hand blistered up. The rest of the evening, I could not take my hand out of a bowl of ice water because the pain was just too unbearable. When the ice melted, I had to have John refill it. I couldn’t even go to sleep without keeping my hand in water.
It was only two fingers, but I lost sleep, it consumed my thoughts, my hands were useless. Only my fingers. What if it were my whole body on flame? There would be no end, no death. There would be no ice water to offer relief. The rich man in begged Lazarus for just a drop of water, just a drop. I had a whole bowl full to submerge myself. Eternity is forever, my pain only lasted hours than was a bad memory.

“In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” Lk. 16:23-24

And this is why I’m here – to share Jesus, the only hope, to save from the looming, but just judgment that’s coming. How often is my mind on who to share Christ with, who I HAVE to share Christ with? Do I live in the reality of eternity – either life with Christ or life without (dying with never dying).
Thank you Lord for this painful reminder, Put the reality of eternity on my mind with every breath I take. Consume my thoughts with You and making You known rather than thoughts of myself and making myself known. Let me worry not about the next outfit I’ll buy, the next room I’ll decorate, the next show I’ll watch, the next break I’ll get, but with the next person I can share You with.

“I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” Jn. 10:10

My Winter Wonderland

Christmas is over and I may live in the tropics where we’re freezing at 70 degrees, but I just found a the wonderland of the Philippines: DIVISORIA!
Those of you who love a bargain, love the thrill of the hunt, love crafts and fabrics…this place is amazing!! John gave me the day to go and we went from 5:00 until 9:00 at night on an unofficial girls’ day out (a few of us rode along with the camp staff on their purchasing trip). We had so much fun! And I really enjoyed seeing where Filipinos love to shop, not to mention hanging out with the girls!
This is the place where everything comes, then goes throughout the country, so It’s the wholesale price. If fact, the mini-city within Manila never sleeps. We arrived at 7:00 and the streets are full of trash from all the vendors who have come through the night to get their products. And the shoppers are out starting about then!

We got some beautiful deals! Of course I had to get my favorite little guys something fun (you know you dream of a day off, then you get one and all you can think of is things your kids would like) ! A red cowboy hat for Leighton ;-) and a new Thomas umbrella for Tanner. Seriously, ya’ll he LOVES to use his “Hairbrella” when it rains, which was a pink one he found in our house when we got here. And we sure couldn’t let him take that anywhere!
My best, most exciting deal????? Dinique Happy for $3! Yes. You read it right! Sure it’s imitation, but you try to find the difference! I almost hugged the lady!

Pumpkin Party

One of the greatest blessings I had living in England was going each week to a Mother/Toddler group. It was a wonderful time each week to get out of the house, give Tanner some time with other kids, and allowed me to meet some friends who were in the same boat I was. In fact I still miss my toddler group girls! It was such a great blessing, I thought why not start one here – aren’t moms’ needs pretty universal?
So we started one a few weeks ago, and God’s been so good as our numbers have grown each week. I’m so thankful for those of you who have been praying for us each week! Last week, we had a special costume harvest party since costumes are everywhere! We had such a great time, I just had to share how cute these kiddos are! All the kids dressed up, we read “The Pumpkin Patch Parable,” played a number of pumpkin carnival games – pumpkin bowling, ring around the pumpkin, pin the nose on the pumpkin, pumpkin toss, and pumpkin golf. We made pumpkin faces out of triangles and painted pumpkin cookies. We even had face painting!
It was so much fun! Many of the games and face painting were new to the kids, so it was added fun! The one thing I didn’t count on was ALL the kids were out of school this week, so they ALL showed up! Thankfully we had enough for everyone and the older ones were a huge help in running the games and chasing after children!



Who knows how many children and moms we can bless by this little group? We’re praying we will be able to expand into the community and bless the moms and children, as well as build relationships with those moms. We’re also praying for more toys and center stations to add. So I’d appreciate your prayers greatly!
Here's my little pumpkin! My cowboy wouldn't dress the part for his picture ;-)

Buddy

Buddy!
I feel as if we have completely entered a new stage in life, and it’s called FRIENDS! Up until the last month or so, I’ve been number one in my toddler’s life, but that’s all changed with a new little boy moving across the way from us. Now I either can’t seem to keep my little boy home or our somewhat quiet, loud house is now extra noisy with 3 kids and a baby running in, out, and all around (well the baby isn’t quite running yet!) and the screen door banging every 30 seconds.
It’s funny to watch, and also quite a lesson in our depravity! No, you can’t hit your friend, no, you can’t kick him either, give the toy back, you can have that in a minute, let’s practice self-control hands…you get the picture!
Neither boy speaks the other’s language (our friend Amzi speaks both), but they understand each other anyway! The one word, besides, “Yeah,” they use with each other is “Buddy!” How can you help but smile to see these two little boys call out to each other, “Hi Buddy!” The other day, my rambunctious, almost 3 year old, said, “Mommy, I go share my cars with Aji, okay?” Yep! My heart was completely melted.


Buddies


Three Little Monkeys hanging in a tree!

His/Her Ministry

This week while John is roughing it, (Only 2 more days!) I’m getting to put together Powerpoints and class notes for the class he is teaching next week on 1, 2, 3 John. It’s not often that I get to work alongside John and really help with his ministry, especially with all of his recent travels. My ministry is more along the lines chasing after a little Houdini and a lightning fast , crawling, munchkin, cleaning up messes, nursing wounds (and this week there have been more than usual), and about a hundred other things so daddy can work.
So it’s an added bonus to be of use to my hubby in his ministry. My favorite part is sitting down with him and talking about what he’s teaching as we edit and look through his notes. I’ve loved sitting down at night after the kids go to bed and converting his notes into Powerpoint slides and student notes for him to present. What an amazing opportunity to be a part of God’s eternal Word being taught! I love that I get to be ministered to by my husband’s teaching and love for God’s Word, and to be working with him too! Man, I love that guy! I can’t wait to hear how the students are challenged next week in their walk and fellowship with God!