"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
I think we all know this scripture or at least recognize it in song! But the other morning, this was really circulating in my mind.
"Why?" you may ask.
Well, for the second time this month, we were in the DARK! We have lived here over a year. We have experienced many thunderstorms and strong winds. However, we have never lost power until this month... now it has happened twice. I think I told you about the first time when Dano's Dad was here. Well, the other night, it happened again. It went out at 10 p.m. just in time for bed, but it didn't come on til noon the next day. The kids and I spent the day out running errands so that I didn't have to deal with the "no water" issue since we have an electric pump that gets water out of our well to our house. I can deal with no electricity... it is the no water that gets challenging. I like to wash my hands! =0)
Anyway, back to the DARK!
You see, we live in the country. I mean the pitch black, no street lights, no city lights, country! So when our electricity goes out, we are truly in darkness.
We knew storms were coming. We were prepared. Even before the kids went to bed, I had prepared the laundry room with essentials in case we had to head in there and take cover for a tornado. I had the flashlight, some water bottles, blankets, pillows, etc. Well, the storm seemed to die down, so it was looking pretty safe. Well, like I said, when 10 p.m. rolled around the lights suddenly went out after storming started again. I had fallen asleep on the couch (as usual these days) so Dano got up to get the flashlight.
OOPS, I forgot to tell him I had moved it from the top of the fridge to the laundry room. Well, gosh, you think after living in a house for over a year it would be a simple task to get from one room to the next to find a flashlight in the DARK! Well, wrong!
If you haven't been here, our house has an interesting "maze like" floor plan especially to get to the laundry room. So, as I was heading to the laundry room from the living room, I was shocked how hard it was to find my way! I kept waiting for my eyes to adjust so that I could see... well, it never really happened. It was THAT dark! Thankfully, we'd had the kids clean up the toys out of the floor or else we'd been having some pain in our feet!
We both finally made it to the laundry room, but the flashlight was NOT where I had left it! Argh! It didn't take me long to realize that that our precious Derek had been at work in the laundry room apparently practicing for a tornado. We didn't even have a candle at this time only the tiny flicker from a grill lighter. Since I had been asleep, I couldn't come up with an answer to Dano's simple question, "Where is a candle?" I finally remembered where we could find a candle, so Dano & I stumbled our way to our bedroom to light some & finally be able to see! I went back to the laundry room amazed at how simple it was to find the flashlight just by using the candle!
A candle doesn't seem like much light on a normal basis, but when it is the ONLY light... talk about illuminating!
Well, finally back to the scripture. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
In the wee hours of the morning I was lying awake in bed because Olivia had woken up and wanted some light in her room. So after stationing a flashlight in the hallway as a nightlight, I was back in bed wondering when our electricity would be back on. As I was wondering, the Holy Spirit brought this scripture to mind.
The darkness I faced was NOTHING compared to the darkness that so many face without God's Word!
My darkness was physical and temporary.
Their darkness is spiritual and eternal.
Some of us place ourselves in the darkness by staying out of God's Word. We are so blessed to have God's Word at our fingertips, yet we don't devour it. We aren't using it to illuminate our lives...or the lives of others.
And still there are others living in a darkness not of their choice but because they were born into a people group who has yet to receive a translation in their heart language.
Oh, Lord, help these people to have a Bible in their language. Father, send people to help. Father, may those you call have the courage to answer with YES. May we all help in some way. Thank you, Lord, for loving us and sending us your WORDS. Father, may we read them, learn them, and memorize them so that our path may be lit by YOU! In Jesus name, Amen
May your path be lit with His Word!
Love,
Melinda =0)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Application Update
FYI - I just finished sending in our "background check" info. So now, I think all we need to do is have our long interviews which will take place over the phone. Each of us will have one. Pray that timing works out well for these since we'll be traveling over the next few weeks.
Our PA (Personnel Administrator) with Wycliffe says all is looking good, & he doesn't see any yellow flags. He thinks we should know something by the end of September. Yippee!
Thanks for continuing to keep us & this process in your prayers! You are an encouragement to us!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Our PA (Personnel Administrator) with Wycliffe says all is looking good, & he doesn't see any yellow flags. He thinks we should know something by the end of September. Yippee!
Thanks for continuing to keep us & this process in your prayers! You are an encouragement to us!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Voice of the Martyrs
Following is from an e-mail, but I know this ministry is valid and the persecution is real in China.
Pastor Bike, as he is affectionately known, is considered to be one of the most outspoken evangelists in China. He is a bold believer willing to cross borders, hand out Christian literature and Bibles, share Christ with those under age 18 and lead thousands to Christ. All these actions are considered "illegal" in communist China.
On August 6, just two days before the Olympics began, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan was arrested, along with his wife and a coworker.
In response to these arrests, The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association have launched a petition drive to free these three Christians and to let the Chinese government know that the world is aware that these Christians are being detained.
Together, our voice can make a difference. Please follow the link below to learn more, and please forward this email to your friends.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Seth's Due Date
Seven months ago I assumed that I would be a full 9 months pregnant today, August 25, 2008, awaiting the arrival of our fifth child. Today was Seth's due date. Instead, as most of you probably know, our little Seth was born on April 30th with his soul already in Heaven.
It is easy to be sad today. Instead, I want today to be a day of joy. I want to rejoice over the life Seth had... has! He is alive... complete and whole! He's before the throne worshipping our Lord and Savior. I want to rejoice like the nurses did as soon as Seth was delivered. Even though there was no breath in his lungs, they were rejoicing over God's perfect creation. They marveled over his perfect little body. I'll never forget their sounds of praise. I want to rejoice for your friendship as you have walked with us through this valley. I want to thank you, again, for your kind words and cards in the spring. I rejoice as I have experienced God's sufficient mercy. His mercies ARE new every morning.
So, today, we celebrate. Dano has taken the day off. We are going to spend the day together as a family having fun and celebrating Seth's life. We had planned to spend the early part of the day swimming at a friend's house, but it doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate. So now we are trying to decide what to do.
So, as you read this, celebrate with us that Seth is alive!
Love,
Melinda
It is easy to be sad today. Instead, I want today to be a day of joy. I want to rejoice over the life Seth had... has! He is alive... complete and whole! He's before the throne worshipping our Lord and Savior. I want to rejoice like the nurses did as soon as Seth was delivered. Even though there was no breath in his lungs, they were rejoicing over God's perfect creation. They marveled over his perfect little body. I'll never forget their sounds of praise. I want to rejoice for your friendship as you have walked with us through this valley. I want to thank you, again, for your kind words and cards in the spring. I rejoice as I have experienced God's sufficient mercy. His mercies ARE new every morning.
So, today, we celebrate. Dano has taken the day off. We are going to spend the day together as a family having fun and celebrating Seth's life. We had planned to spend the early part of the day swimming at a friend's house, but it doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate. So now we are trying to decide what to do.
So, as you read this, celebrate with us that Seth is alive!
Love,
Melinda
Dano's Finished, Too!
Dano finished his Bible Test, too! He had pretty much the same reaction as I did! =0)
As of now, they are all sent in to Wycliffe, and we await our next step!
Thanks for praying!
Melinda =0)
As of now, they are all sent in to Wycliffe, and we await our next step!
Thanks for praying!
Melinda =0)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Not a Bible Scholar
Just as I suspected, it has been confirmed. I am not a Bible scholar! However, I have finished my Bible Knowledge Assessment! Yea! Dano plans to do his tomorrow. This morning he took the kids to Wal-Mart while I did mine, now he's working on the van (oil change, etc.), then he's going to mow... you know... normal manly Saturday jobs (well except for that Wal-Mart with the kids trip).
Some of the Assessment seemed simple. Some of it was very familiar... but I am pretty sure I didn't get just the right answer! Bummer! I hate it when I don't ace a test. It is that type A in me. Thankfully it won't keep me out of Wycliffe... they just might suggest I need a Bible course if I missed too many.
So pray for Dano tomorrow since he'll be taking his. He doesn't like taking tests, but I think he'll do just fine!
Now remember... we're coming/going to FL soon. Keep your calendar open the weekend of September 12, 13, & 14 if you live in or near Jax! We hope to see you at the missions conference at Mandarin Baptist Church! If you can't make it, we'd still love to see you. Get in touch with us so we can have dinner, lunch, coffee, or just say hi the week before or a couple days after!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Some of the Assessment seemed simple. Some of it was very familiar... but I am pretty sure I didn't get just the right answer! Bummer! I hate it when I don't ace a test. It is that type A in me. Thankfully it won't keep me out of Wycliffe... they just might suggest I need a Bible course if I missed too many.
So pray for Dano tomorrow since he'll be taking his. He doesn't like taking tests, but I think he'll do just fine!
Now remember... we're coming/going to FL soon. Keep your calendar open the weekend of September 12, 13, & 14 if you live in or near Jax! We hope to see you at the missions conference at Mandarin Baptist Church! If you can't make it, we'd still love to see you. Get in touch with us so we can have dinner, lunch, coffee, or just say hi the week before or a couple days after!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Friday, August 22, 2008
A GREAT Quote!
"I have found that there are three stages
in every great work of God:
first it is impossible,
then it is difficult,
then it is done."
--J. Hudson Taylor
Do you know who Hudson Taylor is?
If not, go here for a short description: http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorptaylor.html
Or here for a longer one: http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/biotaylor2.html
This second link begins with: "Hudson Taylor was the most widely used missionary in China's history."
Please pray for our friends today...
A family we knew from OH and here are headed to PNG (on the other side of the world) for their first time serving overseas. They'll be gone for 4 years. Pray for safe travel & cooperative kids on airplanes... and for cooperative people around kids! They have 4 kids, too. It will take a couple to three days to get there!
Also a friend from TX is headed to China today for a mission trip for a week. Pray for his safe travel & for God's will to be done around him while he's there!
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Visit this Link to Vote
Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation. NBC is taking a poll on 'In God We Trust' to stay on our American currency. Please go vote. The poll will only be available for a limited period of time. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/
Guess What This Is!
This is a picture of Wesley's cute little curl on the back of his head before he had it cut off at his first haircut today! Boo hoo, waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!! I am crying because I don't have the picture! Sniff, sniff! I'm sure he will one day think it is because he is the 4th child! I even have a video of the same event with the same visual results... it at least has audio, so I guess I will have proof I tried! (This little camera does great video... the swimming one was from our regular digital camera.)What happened? Well, I made pix of Derek & Emma getting their haircuts... simple "before" pix. (Okay, I know I'm sad to still be taking pix of them... but anyway...) Then when I turned the camera back on to take Wesley's "before" and "during" pictures, the lcd screen (I think that is what it is called) was black & sometimes had these lines! Now sometimes we've had lines, but I haven't thought too much of it. We have had it since 2004, maybe. The lines have never been in our pix! Anyway, we've never had a completely black screen. I thought the camera would still work. I just thought I'd have to do it the "old fashioned" way & look through the view finder. So this is what I did... assuming I was getting good pix! Well, you can see I didn't! Boo hoo!!
Thankfully, after turning it off & on a few times (many) it decided to work again. So actually, I do have some "during" pix of Wesley's first haircut... but just not of his cute little piggy curl that has been on the back of his head, sniff, sniff...
Maybe somewhere I have a picture of it... I know I've tried to take one before.
Well, thanks for listening to me whine. Usually only Dano & the kids get the privilege! ha! And Moms always wonder why kids whine!
Maybe later I will post some "during" & "after" pix!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Our Next Steps
Well, our telephone interview went just fine... and today we got our e-mail with our next couple of steps. (I guess Orlando survived the storm, please keep the rest of Florida in your prayers. We have so many friends and even family in Florida... but even if we didn't, everyone there needs our prayers during this storm).
We have some paperwork to sign and return (4 pages... most of it reading, you know, legal stuff).
The other "thing" is the Bible Knowledge test. Thankfully, we learned it isn't a pass/fail... so it won't keep us out if we don't know all the minor prophets or the full lineage of Jesus or whatever else they might ask! I can't open it & read any Qs until I'm ready to take it. Same for Dano. The instructions say we need to set aside 2 to 3 hours where we'll be all alone to finish it! Some of it is closed Bible, but some of it is open Bible, but we can't use "helps." Since it is on the computer, Dano & I can't do it at the same time.
So please pray we'll be able to set aside this time (6 hours total) in the near future so that we can complete this step & return it to Orlando (Wycliffe Headquarters) ASAP so that we can continue to move forward.
Thanks for walking this journey with us! Thanks for praying!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
We have some paperwork to sign and return (4 pages... most of it reading, you know, legal stuff).
The other "thing" is the Bible Knowledge test. Thankfully, we learned it isn't a pass/fail... so it won't keep us out if we don't know all the minor prophets or the full lineage of Jesus or whatever else they might ask! I can't open it & read any Qs until I'm ready to take it. Same for Dano. The instructions say we need to set aside 2 to 3 hours where we'll be all alone to finish it! Some of it is closed Bible, but some of it is open Bible, but we can't use "helps." Since it is on the computer, Dano & I can't do it at the same time.
So please pray we'll be able to set aside this time (6 hours total) in the near future so that we can complete this step & return it to Orlando (Wycliffe Headquarters) ASAP so that we can continue to move forward.
Thanks for walking this journey with us! Thanks for praying!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Next Step Today!
Yea! Our next step is a brief telephone interview which will happen today at 4pm. Thanks for praying!
Please keep Orlando (and all of Florida) in your prayers with the hurricane. Wycliffe Orlando is closed today because of the coming storm. When it reopens, we will get some more of the paperwork we need to continue the process.
Please pray for everyone's safety & for that storm to just dissipate... and go away without damage!
Have a great day! Melinda =0)
Please keep Orlando (and all of Florida) in your prayers with the hurricane. Wycliffe Orlando is closed today because of the coming storm. When it reopens, we will get some more of the paperwork we need to continue the process.
Please pray for everyone's safety & for that storm to just dissipate... and go away without damage!
Have a great day! Melinda =0)
Monday, August 18, 2008
It is Finished!
I’m sure you’ve been on pins & needles waiting to hear from us… oh, no that was us waiting to hear! Ha!
We had our meeting this afternoon at 4 p.m. with JAARS regarding Dano’s TE and…
Dano successfully completed his technical evaluation, and we have been invited to continue the application process with Wycliffe!
Thank you for praying! Thank you for your patience! Thank you for your confidence in Dano!
Now, we just wait for our next step from Wycliffe. We’ll keep you updated on our blog & through the Whited Updates, too.
We love you & thank you for your support!
Blessings,
Melinda & family
We had our meeting this afternoon at 4 p.m. with JAARS regarding Dano’s TE and…
Dano successfully completed his technical evaluation, and we have been invited to continue the application process with Wycliffe!
Thank you for praying! Thank you for your patience! Thank you for your confidence in Dano!
Now, we just wait for our next step from Wycliffe. We’ll keep you updated on our blog & through the Whited Updates, too.
We love you & thank you for your support!
Blessings,
Melinda & family
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Faith Forum
Did you get to watch this last night on CNN or somewhere? It was worth watching. If you didn't, find it on CNN to watch (or somewhere)! I was VERY skeptical about the whole thing. I thought if anything it would help Obama & maybe hurt McCain. However, I think it did the opposite. As a matter of fact, it has given me more confidence for placing my vote this fall!
I hope you are registered to vote!
I hope you are registered to vote!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Embracing the Heart of God
Are you faithfully embracing ALL that God brings into your life? God knows what will bring you closer to Him.
You can't think wrong and live right! If you think wrong, you live wrong.
Right Thinking = Right Believing = Right Living
This doesn't just happen... it requires action!
What kind of action? Basically, guarding your mind, taking thoughts captive, memorizing scripture, and applying it!
Well, that is basically the summary of a HUGE day today! I was blessed to be able to attend a one day retreat in a town just down the road. Some friends & I went to hear Sandy Day teach us about God's Word! It was RICH! She does not compromise like so many in the church do! She sticks to God's Word regardless of what the world or the compromised church will think.
You may remember me saying what a blessing the Caleb Ministries was to us when Seth was born. Sandy & her husband are the founders of this ministry. http://www.calebministries.org/home/
While the ministry is basically for those who have lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant loss, or abortion or those who are facing or have faced infertility, she ministered to all the women there today. Her teaching was for all women! I encourage you to contact her if you are looking for someone to come and challenge you and the women in your church!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
You can't think wrong and live right! If you think wrong, you live wrong.
Right Thinking = Right Believing = Right Living
This doesn't just happen... it requires action!
What kind of action? Basically, guarding your mind, taking thoughts captive, memorizing scripture, and applying it!
Well, that is basically the summary of a HUGE day today! I was blessed to be able to attend a one day retreat in a town just down the road. Some friends & I went to hear Sandy Day teach us about God's Word! It was RICH! She does not compromise like so many in the church do! She sticks to God's Word regardless of what the world or the compromised church will think.
You may remember me saying what a blessing the Caleb Ministries was to us when Seth was born. Sandy & her husband are the founders of this ministry. http://www.calebministries.org/home/
While the ministry is basically for those who have lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant loss, or abortion or those who are facing or have faced infertility, she ministered to all the women there today. Her teaching was for all women! I encourage you to contact her if you are looking for someone to come and challenge you and the women in your church!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Not Today
Well... we won't find out today about the TE. Most likely it will be sometime Monday when we have our meeting with JAARS to find out the results of the TE.
Please continue to keep us & the process in your prayers!
Love,
Melinda and family
PS Today is the last day of swimming lessons! Yea!
Please continue to keep us & the process in your prayers!
Love,
Melinda and family
PS Today is the last day of swimming lessons! Yea!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Best Laid Plans
Well, as the saying goes...
We had some great plans today. Swimming lessons were cancelled because of the forecast... rain & highs in the 70s... brrrrrrrrrr! So, we had two choices 1. stay at home (sounded good to me!) or 2. do something fun (sounded like a good idea). Some moms from MOPS were planning on meeting at a theater in Charlotte for a FREE movie & lunch afterwards at Chik-fil-a. AND it wasn't just any free movie... it was the NEW Pirates Veggie Tales movie. Okay, so I'm thinking the kids would really enjoy this & soon school will be starting & blah, blah, blah...
When I woke up this morning and heard the constant rain, I rethought about the idea of staying in my jammies all day around the house. (Okay, I would have gotten dressed... but only because the handyman was coming to finish replacing the floor that was ruined years ago from a continually leaking toilet... but that's another story). Then I decided to be brave & bold & take the 4 kids ALL THE WAY to CHARLOTTE for the free movie.
So we rush & get ready. Why does this seem so time consuming? Tick tock tick tock... UGH, I wanted to leave at 9 a.m. so that maybe we'd arrive at 9:45 ish for the 10 a.m. movie! Well, we're sitting down to eat at about 8:50 a.m. Where did the time go? Let me assure you, the problem is NOT that we are sleeping in!! Anyway, we finally get ready to get in the car. I'd been watching the rain out the kitchen window as we were eating. It was letting up. Nice. We can get to the van without being soaked! Then just as I told Olivia she wouldn't need her umbrella to get to the van, we opened the door to see sheets of rain before our eyes! Boo hoo. So instead of dashing quickly to the van in drizzles, we were walking under umbrellas... Derek under mine, and Emma & Olivia walking like snails under hers! They finally get to the van, I shut them up inside (Olivia can buckle Emma & Olivia & Derek can buckle themselves!) while I go to retrieve Wesley to bring him.
Well, as I'm slipping & sliding in my flip flops, I decide the responsible adult thing would be to put on tennis shoes. Now I'm looking goofy with big athletic tennis shoes & my capris that are almost to my ankles. Now I just look like I'm wearing high waters (on a good day, I guess). Anyway... I grab Wesley, throw him in (while getting drenched even with a jacket) and buckle him up. Thankfully, I had made the WISE decision to NOT fix my hair. After my shower, I just pulled it back WET in a clip.
Now I look at the van clock. I can't remember exactly what it said, but I remember thinking that getting there by 10 a.m. seemed close to impossible. The kids did not know where we were going. They just knew it would be a surprise. I think that is fun. I seldom tell them where we are going. Aren't surprises fun? So, I'm thinking at this moment... maybe we should go back inside. Maybe we should do something else. No... we'll go! So off we went! Besides, don't they always show commercials for at least 15 minutes at the beginning? I'm planning on sitting in the first row of seats in the stadium seating section anyway because Wesley will be in his stroller. No one else will be there because they are really bad seats... too close.
Well, you can't drive fast (or even the normal speed limit) on back country roads (half of our drive) in the downpour unless you want to hydroplane! So, I was driving very responsibly as the kids tried to guess where we were going. I told them they could ask yes & no questions. They really did great. About half way there they had figured out we were going to the theater. Later they even guessed which movie. I guess I should really give credit to Olivia. Derek was asking some great Qs and even Emma would ask some, but in the end Olivia guessed all the right answers!
So now they know what the plans are... the best laid plans!!! Well, we finally arrive. When we arrive at the theater, to my surprise it is just about 5 minutes after 10 a.m. BUT when I see the parking lot, I am SHOCKED! Why am I so shocked? I guess I live in a little naive world sometimes! Well, apparently a LOT of people in the greater Charlotte area (including daycares) thought this would be a great idea today & the rain must have confirmed it. THANKFULLY, as we got out it was not raining (thank you, Lord). When we were walking up to the theater, a mom with 3 kids was returning. She told us it was full. Boo hoo. I went in to see if anyone we knew was waiting for us. I didn't see anyone. I was glad. I didn't want them to miss out on seats. The lady said the TWO theaters for the Veggie Tale movie were full. Boo hoo. They are showing it again tomorrow... and they open at 9:15!! I don't think we're going. After all, if the weather permits... we have swimming lessons!!
So, what did we do? Thankfully, this theater is in civilization, & we had lots of options. One of our favorite places that we never get to go is Target, and it is in the same shopping area! So, I tell the kids we'll go look around in there. Also, Olivia has some birthday money, & she's been wanting to buy some swimming goggles. So off we went with a task at hand.
We had a fun time in Target & found some goggles. Then we decide to head south & go to the chiropractor. Our swimming lessons have been cutting in on our chiropractor appointments, so it was very good to go there! Then we decided to head to JAARS to eat lunch with Dano and afterwards go to the giftshop to finish spending Olivia's birthday money. She's reading these missionary biographies that she can get there. She was able to buy 3 more with the rest of her money. She has six now. What a blessing that our 7 year old wants to spend her money buying missionary biographies!
So, the best laid plans... actually didn't turn out too bad. We didn't do anything we planned, but we actually had a great day! The kids didn't even seem horribly disappointed.
The worst part about the day... I'm STILL wet! =0)
We had some great plans today. Swimming lessons were cancelled because of the forecast... rain & highs in the 70s... brrrrrrrrrr! So, we had two choices 1. stay at home (sounded good to me!) or 2. do something fun (sounded like a good idea). Some moms from MOPS were planning on meeting at a theater in Charlotte for a FREE movie & lunch afterwards at Chik-fil-a. AND it wasn't just any free movie... it was the NEW Pirates Veggie Tales movie. Okay, so I'm thinking the kids would really enjoy this & soon school will be starting & blah, blah, blah...
When I woke up this morning and heard the constant rain, I rethought about the idea of staying in my jammies all day around the house. (Okay, I would have gotten dressed... but only because the handyman was coming to finish replacing the floor that was ruined years ago from a continually leaking toilet... but that's another story). Then I decided to be brave & bold & take the 4 kids ALL THE WAY to CHARLOTTE for the free movie.
So we rush & get ready. Why does this seem so time consuming? Tick tock tick tock... UGH, I wanted to leave at 9 a.m. so that maybe we'd arrive at 9:45 ish for the 10 a.m. movie! Well, we're sitting down to eat at about 8:50 a.m. Where did the time go? Let me assure you, the problem is NOT that we are sleeping in!! Anyway, we finally get ready to get in the car. I'd been watching the rain out the kitchen window as we were eating. It was letting up. Nice. We can get to the van without being soaked! Then just as I told Olivia she wouldn't need her umbrella to get to the van, we opened the door to see sheets of rain before our eyes! Boo hoo. So instead of dashing quickly to the van in drizzles, we were walking under umbrellas... Derek under mine, and Emma & Olivia walking like snails under hers! They finally get to the van, I shut them up inside (Olivia can buckle Emma & Olivia & Derek can buckle themselves!) while I go to retrieve Wesley to bring him.
Well, as I'm slipping & sliding in my flip flops, I decide the responsible adult thing would be to put on tennis shoes. Now I'm looking goofy with big athletic tennis shoes & my capris that are almost to my ankles. Now I just look like I'm wearing high waters (on a good day, I guess). Anyway... I grab Wesley, throw him in (while getting drenched even with a jacket) and buckle him up. Thankfully, I had made the WISE decision to NOT fix my hair. After my shower, I just pulled it back WET in a clip.
Now I look at the van clock. I can't remember exactly what it said, but I remember thinking that getting there by 10 a.m. seemed close to impossible. The kids did not know where we were going. They just knew it would be a surprise. I think that is fun. I seldom tell them where we are going. Aren't surprises fun? So, I'm thinking at this moment... maybe we should go back inside. Maybe we should do something else. No... we'll go! So off we went! Besides, don't they always show commercials for at least 15 minutes at the beginning? I'm planning on sitting in the first row of seats in the stadium seating section anyway because Wesley will be in his stroller. No one else will be there because they are really bad seats... too close.
Well, you can't drive fast (or even the normal speed limit) on back country roads (half of our drive) in the downpour unless you want to hydroplane! So, I was driving very responsibly as the kids tried to guess where we were going. I told them they could ask yes & no questions. They really did great. About half way there they had figured out we were going to the theater. Later they even guessed which movie. I guess I should really give credit to Olivia. Derek was asking some great Qs and even Emma would ask some, but in the end Olivia guessed all the right answers!
So now they know what the plans are... the best laid plans!!! Well, we finally arrive. When we arrive at the theater, to my surprise it is just about 5 minutes after 10 a.m. BUT when I see the parking lot, I am SHOCKED! Why am I so shocked? I guess I live in a little naive world sometimes! Well, apparently a LOT of people in the greater Charlotte area (including daycares) thought this would be a great idea today & the rain must have confirmed it. THANKFULLY, as we got out it was not raining (thank you, Lord). When we were walking up to the theater, a mom with 3 kids was returning. She told us it was full. Boo hoo. I went in to see if anyone we knew was waiting for us. I didn't see anyone. I was glad. I didn't want them to miss out on seats. The lady said the TWO theaters for the Veggie Tale movie were full. Boo hoo. They are showing it again tomorrow... and they open at 9:15!! I don't think we're going. After all, if the weather permits... we have swimming lessons!!
So, what did we do? Thankfully, this theater is in civilization, & we had lots of options. One of our favorite places that we never get to go is Target, and it is in the same shopping area! So, I tell the kids we'll go look around in there. Also, Olivia has some birthday money, & she's been wanting to buy some swimming goggles. So off we went with a task at hand.
We had a fun time in Target & found some goggles. Then we decide to head south & go to the chiropractor. Our swimming lessons have been cutting in on our chiropractor appointments, so it was very good to go there! Then we decided to head to JAARS to eat lunch with Dano and afterwards go to the giftshop to finish spending Olivia's birthday money. She's reading these missionary biographies that she can get there. She was able to buy 3 more with the rest of her money. She has six now. What a blessing that our 7 year old wants to spend her money buying missionary biographies!
So, the best laid plans... actually didn't turn out too bad. We didn't do anything we planned, but we actually had a great day! The kids didn't even seem horribly disappointed.
The worst part about the day... I'm STILL wet! =0)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Everything is In!
Thanks again for praying! Everything is in now for our written application with Wycliffe! Yea! (Until they send us more.) Now if you're thinking what is the big deal about this application... I just counted up how many pages our application turned out to be and it was 39 pages combined! That does not include our college transcripts or our family picture or our 10 references! So maybe that helps explain what you've been praying about all these months! Now if you are thinking you are called to missions, don't let that be a deterrent! If you are single, you'll have about half those many pages! It was a worthy process! We're glad we were able to do it! It really was helpful. I'm not just saying that! =0)
Dano started his TE (Technical Evaluation) this morning, so if you didn't get our e-mail update about that, please cover him this week in prayer. (See below for the e-mail I did send out.)
We both had a meeting this morning with one of the trainers at JAARS before the kids' swimming lessons. It went well... I guess! =0) I guess we'll find out on Friday (hopefully) what the results of the week are unless there is some unforeseen interruption. Let's pray there won't be any! It seems like we've waited forever for this week! Okay, I know, I know... patience! I'm patient. I just keep repeating that to myself! Oh, one of the things he said that he likes to tell the guys doing the TE is to relax, have fun, & enjoy the week. So you can add that to your prayers for Dano.
I hope y'all have a great week! Remember to keep us in your prayers for stamina during swimming lessons! 1 day down... 4 to go!
Here's the e-mail for those not on our e-mail list:
PRAYER REMINDER:
Dano’s TE (Technical Evaluation) with JAARS (a branch of Wycliffe Bible Translators) begins THIS Monday, August 11th & will be completed on Friday, August 15th. Completion & passing of the TE will enable us to move on in our application process with Wycliffe & JAARS.
Please pray for Dano to have calmness & recollection of all he knows… especially during the oral evaluation.
Please pray for the Lord’s will to be done.
Thank you again for all your prayers! Please feel free to share this request with your Sunday school class or Bible study group. Feel free to print this as a reminder during the week.
I hope this finds you well. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Dano started his TE (Technical Evaluation) this morning, so if you didn't get our e-mail update about that, please cover him this week in prayer. (See below for the e-mail I did send out.)
We both had a meeting this morning with one of the trainers at JAARS before the kids' swimming lessons. It went well... I guess! =0) I guess we'll find out on Friday (hopefully) what the results of the week are unless there is some unforeseen interruption. Let's pray there won't be any! It seems like we've waited forever for this week! Okay, I know, I know... patience! I'm patient. I just keep repeating that to myself! Oh, one of the things he said that he likes to tell the guys doing the TE is to relax, have fun, & enjoy the week. So you can add that to your prayers for Dano.
I hope y'all have a great week! Remember to keep us in your prayers for stamina during swimming lessons! 1 day down... 4 to go!
Here's the e-mail for those not on our e-mail list:
PRAYER REMINDER:
Dano’s TE (Technical Evaluation) with JAARS (a branch of Wycliffe Bible Translators) begins THIS Monday, August 11th & will be completed on Friday, August 15th. Completion & passing of the TE will enable us to move on in our application process with Wycliffe & JAARS.
Please pray for Dano to have calmness & recollection of all he knows… especially during the oral evaluation.
Please pray for the Lord’s will to be done.
Thank you again for all your prayers! Please feel free to share this request with your Sunday school class or Bible study group. Feel free to print this as a reminder during the week.
I hope this finds you well. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Swimming Lessons
TURN YOUR VOLUME UP!
Last week we began swimming lessons for all the kids! They are offered at the JAARS pool for $10 per kid for two weeks of lessons! You can't beat that! All four of our kids are getting lessons on their level for a grand total of $40!! Last year they (and therefore I) were quite horrified of swimming! This year the three oldest are so comfortable. I think Wesley would enjoy it more if he weren't so hot & tired by the time his lesson rolls around!
Anyway, the teacher is wonderful & we're all learning a lot. She is the one holding Derek & teaching him to float on his back in this clip. I hope you can hear what he says at the end. It is the reason I uploaded the video! I think it will have you chuckling. If you need a script for the end, see below...
First you see Olivia with the assistant all calm & floating. You can hear Wesley hollering for me in the background & occasionally see & hear Emma right in front of me. Then you see Derek getting his turn. The teacher tells him to lay like a log, then she tells him to put his arms out like he's on a cross like Jesus died on, then she tells him to rest his head on her shoulder like he's going to take a nap, then he says, "I think I've gotta go potty." It had us all laughing!
This video was our first day...last Monday. After this Olivia got moved up a class since she's so comfortable in the water & doing well. So, we have to be at the pool at 10 a.m. for her class, 10:30 for Derek's, then we play in the kiddie pool & eat lunch, then Wesley & Emma have their lessons at 12... so by the time we leave it is about 1pm... so it was an exhausting week! We actually took Friday off to help the kids (and Mommy) recover & to let their WHITE now PINK skin rest, too. On Monday, we'll be hitting it again! Please pray for our stamina! Thankfully it won't be as hot this week!
The kids will get to practice all their new skills when we go to Florida in September. Our host home has a swimming pool! We'll all have lots of fun!
PRAISE!!
Thanks for praying! Dano has completed his written application for Wycliffe! Now, I just have to get him to "proof" mine & I can send them in!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Answer
Drum roll please.......
Several of you were right! They are figs! Good job! Maggie, I think since you've never had a pomegranate, that was a good guess! They are red on the inside, but they are also red on the outside & about the size of a baseball or softball... somewhere in between. Also, you can't eat them right off a tree. They are hard work to get to the fruit... actually, just pulpy seeds, but they are good! You ought to get one if you see them in the grocery. They are great in salads... fruit or lettuce! My kids love them.
Well, back to the figs. I picked 80 in less than 20 minutes... so that is the number in the bucket! I was shocked to have that many when I counted. Most of the time was spent trying to reach the ripe ones & getting inside the tree to get some more. And of course being very cautious! I was afraid of stepping on a snake or something! Eek! Thankfully, I didn't see any!
Figs are supposed to be excellent for you. I read something the other day that they are just filled with all kinds of wonderful things & fiber, too! I was looking for recipes, but I don't know if I'm going to make something with them or just eat them fresh. Our first 80 are gone... NO we didn't eat them all! We ate a lot, & I gave some away today to several people up at the JAARS pool. Dano also took a few to work.
You kind of have to convince someone to eat one. They don't look very appetizing! And at first the whole texture thing is a little weird. They are kind of soft (like I can't think of an example) and fuzzy (like a peach). So if you can overcome that, they are really quite scrumptious!
So, thanks for playing my game with me. That was fun to have y'all guessing & displaying your knowledge!
I never in a million years would have guessed or known they were figs!
If you live in the area, come pick some!! =0)
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
PS Scroll down & look at those close up pictures of the leaves... now imagine those sewn together & you've just seen what Adam & Eve first wore after their VERY BAD choice! (Gen 3:7)
Several of you were right! They are figs! Good job! Maggie, I think since you've never had a pomegranate, that was a good guess! They are red on the inside, but they are also red on the outside & about the size of a baseball or softball... somewhere in between. Also, you can't eat them right off a tree. They are hard work to get to the fruit... actually, just pulpy seeds, but they are good! You ought to get one if you see them in the grocery. They are great in salads... fruit or lettuce! My kids love them.
Well, back to the figs. I picked 80 in less than 20 minutes... so that is the number in the bucket! I was shocked to have that many when I counted. Most of the time was spent trying to reach the ripe ones & getting inside the tree to get some more. And of course being very cautious! I was afraid of stepping on a snake or something! Eek! Thankfully, I didn't see any!
Figs are supposed to be excellent for you. I read something the other day that they are just filled with all kinds of wonderful things & fiber, too! I was looking for recipes, but I don't know if I'm going to make something with them or just eat them fresh. Our first 80 are gone... NO we didn't eat them all! We ate a lot, & I gave some away today to several people up at the JAARS pool. Dano also took a few to work.
You kind of have to convince someone to eat one. They don't look very appetizing! And at first the whole texture thing is a little weird. They are kind of soft (like I can't think of an example) and fuzzy (like a peach). So if you can overcome that, they are really quite scrumptious!
So, thanks for playing my game with me. That was fun to have y'all guessing & displaying your knowledge!
I never in a million years would have guessed or known they were figs!
If you live in the area, come pick some!! =0)
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
PS Scroll down & look at those close up pictures of the leaves... now imagine those sewn together & you've just seen what Adam & Eve first wore after their VERY BAD choice! (Gen 3:7)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Do You Know What This Is?
The above picture shows some that are not ripe yet (green), one that is almost ripe (down at the left & brownish), and one that the storm probably broke open. They are very soft when they are ripe.
If you know what kind of tree or fruit this is, I want you to post a comment... or even if you want to take a wild guess, please feel free!
It grows in our yard, and I just spent less than 20 minutes picking the amount you see in the bucket. Guess how many is in there! The plate in the picture is a dessert plate. The fruit is about the size of a hacky sack or smaller. (I can't think of anything else to compare it to.)
I will give you another hint, they are VERY YUMMY right off the tree! =0) Okay, that isn't much of a hint, but I was wondering if you knew what they were. We had no idea until a friend came to tell us (our blueberry friend... Mr. Kent)!
Okay, I'll tell you what the answer is later & tell you a little more! Please posts some guesses!!
What is it? and How many are in the bucket?
Being Flexible
Well, remember the shoe story... well it seemed like God was going to test out my attitude shortly after posting it! =0) Wasn't that nice!? hee hee!
We had lots of plans for certain things at certain times this past weekend with Olivia's birthday & Danny visiting. Well, they were all jumbled up thanks to a BAD storm here Saturday night that knocked our power out which in turn makes our water not work since the pump that brings the water up from the well is electric! Plus our home phone didn't work since we only have cordless (bad idea). So... the planned Saturday night family birthday dinner & party was postponed! Instead we went out to Pizza Hut to eat. (Olivia had requested to eat there after church on Sunday.) So no one was really too sad about those change of plans. This did postpone Olivia opening her presents... you can't take good pictures in candlelight! =0) Yes... it is all about the pictures! ha! Olivia was very understanding!
So Sunday after church, we ate the planned dinner from the night before after church (it was all ready except the final baking when the power went out). Then we finished decorating her cake & had her little party, too! THEN finally, she got to open her gifts! So all went well!
How did I pass the test? Well, I did okay. I wouldn't say I passed with flying colors, but I did okay. Actually, I think I did great until we got home from Pizza Hut & our power was still off & it was now dark and HOT. We were expecting the electricity to come on at any minute (per the electric company's recording)! Well, it didn't. So we're searching for flashlights, batteries, candles, etc. Trying to keep the kids calm in this fun adventure, get them ready for bed with no flushing toilets (ick), etc. This is when my grade took a few punches, I'm afraid! But all in all, I think I passed!
After the kids were in bed, I called the electric company again. Now they were saying it would be Sunday at 11 a.m. before it would be back on... so now we're thinking we won't be able to flush toilets for how much longer? double ick!! And now has this made going to church out of the question?
Danny & Dano decided to go to Wal-Mart to buy cheap water so we could at least flush the toilets. Before dark Dano did try to go get some water from the pond, but it is too shallow & muddy around the edges for him to get any without getting muck up to his knees... and since he wouldn't be able to wash off... well, you understand why they went to buy water to flush down the toilet!
With the windows open, it wasn't too awfully hot since the storm had cooled it off a bit, but thankfully around midnight we were awoken by the sound of electricity! Ahhhhhhhh. I really love electricity & running water! Such nice perks!
So, we were able to go to church, etc. on Sunday morning with clean kids & brushed teeth! Yea!
So, how are you doing on the "being flexible" end of things?
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
We had lots of plans for certain things at certain times this past weekend with Olivia's birthday & Danny visiting. Well, they were all jumbled up thanks to a BAD storm here Saturday night that knocked our power out which in turn makes our water not work since the pump that brings the water up from the well is electric! Plus our home phone didn't work since we only have cordless (bad idea). So... the planned Saturday night family birthday dinner & party was postponed! Instead we went out to Pizza Hut to eat. (Olivia had requested to eat there after church on Sunday.) So no one was really too sad about those change of plans. This did postpone Olivia opening her presents... you can't take good pictures in candlelight! =0) Yes... it is all about the pictures! ha! Olivia was very understanding!
So Sunday after church, we ate the planned dinner from the night before after church (it was all ready except the final baking when the power went out). Then we finished decorating her cake & had her little party, too! THEN finally, she got to open her gifts! So all went well!
How did I pass the test? Well, I did okay. I wouldn't say I passed with flying colors, but I did okay. Actually, I think I did great until we got home from Pizza Hut & our power was still off & it was now dark and HOT. We were expecting the electricity to come on at any minute (per the electric company's recording)! Well, it didn't. So we're searching for flashlights, batteries, candles, etc. Trying to keep the kids calm in this fun adventure, get them ready for bed with no flushing toilets (ick), etc. This is when my grade took a few punches, I'm afraid! But all in all, I think I passed!
After the kids were in bed, I called the electric company again. Now they were saying it would be Sunday at 11 a.m. before it would be back on... so now we're thinking we won't be able to flush toilets for how much longer? double ick!! And now has this made going to church out of the question?
Danny & Dano decided to go to Wal-Mart to buy cheap water so we could at least flush the toilets. Before dark Dano did try to go get some water from the pond, but it is too shallow & muddy around the edges for him to get any without getting muck up to his knees... and since he wouldn't be able to wash off... well, you understand why they went to buy water to flush down the toilet!
With the windows open, it wasn't too awfully hot since the storm had cooled it off a bit, but thankfully around midnight we were awoken by the sound of electricity! Ahhhhhhhh. I really love electricity & running water! Such nice perks!
So, we were able to go to church, etc. on Sunday morning with clean kids & brushed teeth! Yea!
So, how are you doing on the "being flexible" end of things?
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Please Pray - Pa's Going Home
Update (8/5/08): Dano talked to his Dad yesterday. Barbara is doing much better, but she did go to the doctor to have some blood work done, so please pray that all comes back normal... or if something needs to be found that it is indeed found! Thanks!
Today we got a message from Danny's wife's friend. She actually left it last night, but our power was out. I didn't think to listen to messages until we got home from church. Her friend said that Barbara was not feeling well & Danny needed to call. He called. Barbara was so sick that she was blacking out & considering going to the ER. So, Pa did the right thing & is driving back to be with his wife. Please pray for Danny's safe travels & pray for Barbara to be healed. As of right now, I think she's decided to wait about going to the ER. Thanks for praying!
Today we got a message from Danny's wife's friend. She actually left it last night, but our power was out. I didn't think to listen to messages until we got home from church. Her friend said that Barbara was not feeling well & Danny needed to call. He called. Barbara was so sick that she was blacking out & considering going to the ER. So, Pa did the right thing & is driving back to be with his wife. Please pray for Danny's safe travels & pray for Barbara to be healed. As of right now, I think she's decided to wait about going to the ER. Thanks for praying!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Life is a Lot Like Shoe Shopping
Yea for tax free weekend! Yea for buy one pair get the second pair half off! Last night (after our very busy & wonderful week), we went shoe shopping! All four kids got a new pair of tennis shoes (about 1 size too big since we won't be wearing them for a month or two)! Since we kind of live close to nothing, we took a long drive (about 45 min) to the nice mall. Dano & his Dad followed me & the kids (since no one extra will fit in our van). Danny treated us to dinner at the food court after acquiring the shoes then we went "window" shopping at the Disney store. After that we headed home. It was LATE!
But this is what I want to really say... last night (as Derek was trying on the 100th pair of shoes) I realized life is a lot like shoe shopping! =0)
Derek is not really picky. I am. I wanted a pair of shoes in the LOW price range, I wanted a dark pair (shows less dirt), and I wanted velcro (I'm not ready to teach Derek to tie his shoes yet). So I picked out two that met these requirements to give to the lady helping us. After she measured his WIDE foot, she went back to get the shoes. Well, she came back with what she had. After trying those on, it was decided they weren't wide enough or long enough. So we tried again, and again, and again, and again... in the end, I don't know how many shoes Derek tried on. He really did a great job. He didn't get frustrated or anything. He'd try them on, do a loop (jogging) around the store, then back again. In the end, we got WHITE, LACE UP shoes, thankfully in the low price range. If I'd been willing to pay $55, I think we could have gotten dark, velcro... but YIKES!! Of course, come December I may be wishing I'd forked out the extra cash for some cleaner looking shoes that I wasn't tying all the time!
So, you may be asking... how is this like life???
Well, in life, we pick out what we want... we decide on the perfect whatever! Then the reality is after much "trying on" and "running around" we end up with something VERY different than our original plans.
I just hope that when I am experiencing these types of "challenges" that I am patient & easy going like Derek was last night & just happy to be getting something new!
Hope you are having a great weekend!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
But this is what I want to really say... last night (as Derek was trying on the 100th pair of shoes) I realized life is a lot like shoe shopping! =0)
Derek is not really picky. I am. I wanted a pair of shoes in the LOW price range, I wanted a dark pair (shows less dirt), and I wanted velcro (I'm not ready to teach Derek to tie his shoes yet). So I picked out two that met these requirements to give to the lady helping us. After she measured his WIDE foot, she went back to get the shoes. Well, she came back with what she had. After trying those on, it was decided they weren't wide enough or long enough. So we tried again, and again, and again, and again... in the end, I don't know how many shoes Derek tried on. He really did a great job. He didn't get frustrated or anything. He'd try them on, do a loop (jogging) around the store, then back again. In the end, we got WHITE, LACE UP shoes, thankfully in the low price range. If I'd been willing to pay $55, I think we could have gotten dark, velcro... but YIKES!! Of course, come December I may be wishing I'd forked out the extra cash for some cleaner looking shoes that I wasn't tying all the time!
So, you may be asking... how is this like life???
Well, in life, we pick out what we want... we decide on the perfect whatever! Then the reality is after much "trying on" and "running around" we end up with something VERY different than our original plans.
I just hope that when I am experiencing these types of "challenges" that I am patient & easy going like Derek was last night & just happy to be getting something new!
Hope you are having a great weekend!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
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