Jesus makes me glad I'm a sinner

Click here to read why Jesus makes me glad I'm a sinner.

Speaking of Summer Session Reading, how's yours going?

What has the Lord revealed to you specifically since you started reading? He's given me so much to dwell on and pray over.

Have a great Thursday!

Dare to share?

I know it's been over two months since I've gotten back from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. And I know the three, measly posts I've written about my 10 days on the other side of the world, hardly do it justice.

I've written this post in my mind at least a dozen times. In fact, I have two saved posts regarding this aspect of my trip, each of them containing 2 - 3 sentences and copious amounts of empty space.

I'm having this conflict within myself. Do I tell you all exactly what happened, laying out there the logistics of the supernatural experiences I had or do I just give you bits and pieces, palatable excerpts that I think the majority of our American Church culture can tolerate?

Because the truth is, y'all, I faced some serious stuff. Stuff that American Christians generally don't talk about. Stuff that we should talk about because it's real, but it invades on our comfortable American lives, making us uncomfortable with the fact that there really is a spiritual realm that for the most part we don't even acknowledge.

For those of you who are regular readers, honestly, I think you can handle it. But my worry is that anyone new stumbling by may read that post and go, "Woah. This Christian lady is whack. Thanks but no thanks, Jesus." Then click away, even more turned off from the Christian faith.

But the truth is, Paul didn't hold back. Neither did John in writing Revelation. I'd wager a guess to say that none of the authors of the Bible held back the truth. And while I am certainly not putting myself in the same boat as the authors of the Bible I do know that God revealed specific truths to me about the Spiritual realm. In fact, He didn't just reveal it to ME, he revealed it to my friend Wendi and the others on our trip as well.

But, on the flip side, I don't want to give myself that much credit. The truth is, if the Lord desires to draw someone to himself, how arrogant of me to think that if they read one of my blog posts that they'd be turned away for good! I'm not that important.

So I guess what I want to know is:

Do you want me to lay it out there?

It's heavy stuff, y'all. And I don't tell about it lightly. I've only shared it with specific people. But it is truth. And not just truth from my perspective, but truth as confirmed in Scripture. The spiritual realm is all around us and God brought it to the forefront of my life while I was half a world away from everything and everyone I loved. I'm not talking about fat, fluffy angels with harps and bow and arrows. I'm talking darkness.

Do you think this is the space to share that? If so, why? If NOT, why? I value your input so much.

Arm Yourself

**I wrote this post for the Summer Session blog our church is hosting this summer. Are you reading along with us? If so, how's it going? I pray you're getting depth and richness from God's word as you read through the New Testament with us over the summer! I'd love to hear from you!**

Satan is the author of lies. John chapter 8 tells us that he is the father of lies. So why should we expect any less from him than distortion, abuse and misuse of the truth?

Isn’t that how the enemy works, his very nature? He takes what we know to be true, noble and good and twists it just enough so that it distorts what God intended. He did that with Eve in the garden when he asked her, “Did God actually say, ‘You must not eat of any tree of the garden”?’ (Genesis 3:1) Of course that’s not what God said, but the enemy twisted the truth just enough so that Eve began slipping down the slippery slope of half truths.

So when I read Luke Chapter 4 and of Jesus’ temptation, God opened my eyes to see that often when the enemy attacks, he uses half and partial truths to twist the the beauty of God’s protective and loving nature.

In verses 1 - 12 of Chapter 4 we see the enemy take the Scriptures and use them clearly out of context to tempt Christ and submit to Him that the character of God isn’t quite what the Scriptures portray. In verse 9, Satan takes Jesus up to Jerusalem and sets him on the pinnacle of the temple. Satan taunts Jesus, scoffing that if He really is the Son of God, flinging himself off of the ledge is acceptable because God will command the angels to guard Him.

He takes the intention of the Scriptures (Psalm 91:11-12) and distorts it just enough that it seems plausible. Surely God wouldn’t allow His only Son, the Savior of the world, to die just from jumping off a ledge? Right?

Jesus retorts with an accurate use of Scripture and it silences the enemy, at least for that moment.

But do you want to know what the scariest part of this passage of scripture is for me? The fact that Satan knows more scripture than I do.

I learned so much from the 10 days I spent in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa in April of this year. But the overarching theme that I believe the Lord wanted to show me is that the enemy is powerful. As Americans, we are so quick to claim the power of God. We are quick to claim that God is still the God of the Bible, He can still perform miracles, He can still heal the sick and wounded. He’s still all powerful. Those statements are undoubtably true.

But you know what else? Satan is still the enemy of the Bible. He’s still sneaky and deceptive. He still whispers lies to God’s people. He has power over the demons and all things evil.

The thing I was convicted of most in this passage of Scripture is this: What am I actively doing to contrast the power of the enemy in my life?

Quiet time, reading and studying the Scriptures is crucial. Prayer is essential. But an important aspect that many Christians, myself included, tend to gloss over is Scripture memorization.

If our very enemy knows the Scriptures and is prepared to twist them like jagged arrows then launch them at us in his attacks, how can we defend ourselves unless we know the REAL truth of the Scriptures?

As I laid in a dark hut in Guinea-Bissau, feeling the presence of the enemy like never before in my life, feeling overwhelmed with the power of darkness, the Lord quickly brought previously memorized Scripture to my mind.

As the enemy whispered to me, “I’ve got you. There’s nothing your God can do now. You’re here all alone. Be afraid. I will win.” the Lord instantly reminded me that Satan was whispering to me half truths. And God brought His word from the recesses of my heart to confirm Himself. Resist him, Jessica. Stand firm in your faith. I will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. I have the glory and the dominion forever. (1 Peter 5:6-11)

Are you actively storing up God’s word in your heart? If not, how else can you or I expect to fight the enemy when he begins his language of lies? The Word is our only offensive tool.

Arm yourself.

Unreached

What's it worth to you?

What's the cost of spreading the gospel worth to you? I'm going to be really honest and tell you that lately, my selfishness gets a hold on me and I DON'T WANT TO GO TO AFRICA.

There. I said it.

I don't want to leave my church. I don't want to leave my women's Bible study group. I don't want to leave my town with the drug store just down the street and fresh, drinkable water flowing from the tap.

I don't want to leave cable TV or fast internet access or a life where my husband makes good money and the grocery store provides ready to eat food.

I don't want to leave my friends. I don't want to leave my family. I don't want to leave my Mom.

But in my quiet time I feel the burden. I feel a longing in my Spirit, an ache for something bigger than my own life. I walk away from time in the Scriptures and I know that we must go.

Basically, it boils down to whether or not I really believe what I say I believe. Because if I say that I truly believe that Jesus is the only way, can I really sit idly by and allow millions of people who have never heard the gospel to continue living a life separated from God?

Can I sit and drink my clean water, go to my plentiful grocery store and spend frivolously the money my husband brings home and pretend these people don't exist?

I see statistics like this people group in Afghanistan who claim a population of 7.6 million yet there are only 0.01% evangelical Christians among them. ONE HUNDREDTH OF A PERCENT! Folks, where's the hope for them?

Or what about the Hakka people group of China? They boast an impressive population of approximately 33.4 million and yet only 0.06% are evangelical Christians. Do you realize that the Hakka people make up the same population as the ENTIRE country of Canada? (source)

If, as Americans, we knew that the ENTIRE COUNTRY OF CANADA were unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ WHAT WOULD WE DO? Leaders from every American denomination of Christianity would be up in arms, pleading their people to share the gospel! Yet the Hakka people sit, a world away - much more risky that a mere border crossing - and the church does relatively nothing.

But you know what, I get it. China and especially Afghanistan are scary places. Surely God wouldn't want you to do something dangerous, right? (The answer to that question requires another post, entirely.)

But for arguments sake, let's say you need something more safe. What about Japan? 122 MILLION Japanese people and only 0.05% are evangelical Christian. I'm quite sure the effects of the tsunami are still being felt, especially with all that's going on with their nuclear problems. Surely they need the hands and feet of Jesus in their midst.

What's that? You don't want to go to Japan because of nuclear radiation? Um. Okay.

What about the Berber, Riffan people of France? Approximately 126,000 people in that specific people group and only 0.02% are evangelical Christian.

Or the Punjabi people living in the United Kingdom? Approximately 562,000 and only 0.01% of them are evangelical Christian.

Don't care for Europe?

Okay, how about tropical Brazil where the Karafawyana people live. Granted, there's only 50 of them and you may have your work cut out for you finding them in a country the size of Brazil, but they're also considered unreached.

Don't want to travel internationally? Then what about the people groups who are considered totally unreached right here in the United States? (You'll have to click on the filter to sort by % Adherent to see the least reached groups.) (There's also that widget on my sidebar from JoshuaProject.net that lists and unreached people groups each day.)

(By the way, if you're still looking for an excuse, then I've got nothing for you.)

Scripture tells us that one day someone from every tribe, tongue and nation will stand before the throne and praise the Living God.

My question to you is, what are you doing to advance the kingdom? What are you doing to take hope to the unreached people of this world? If you claim to know the truth, why aren't you sharing it?

Because, there are many days where I think about us buying a nice, big house with some land, getting some horses and popping out a few more kids and NEVER GOING TO AFRICA. However, doing so at this point in our lives would be living in disobedience to what God has called us to do.

He's burdened our hearts for the unreached people of Kenya. And though my flesh tries to convince me otherwise, I know us going is our only option.

Please don't be mistaken, I do not think the only way to obedience is through foreign missions. I was talking to our Pastor yesterday morning and he told me of an elderly lady in our church who had invited a middle aged black man to visit our church and bring his children to our Vacation Bible School. (And he did, by the way, and turns out, I knew him!)

This lady is easily 70+ years old. Do you understand the era in which she was born and raised? That put this woman in her late teens/early 20s when desegregation erupted in the southern United States. Going out of her way to invite a young, black man and his family to her church, joyfully, must be so radical for her. Not that I believe for one moment that she shouldn't have, or that she still feels the prejudices of 50 years ago, but I do think that it probably took a step of boldness that the Holy Spirit must have prompted.

My point is, everyone can be radical. Everyone can do something crazy, on fire for the Lord. Everyone can do their part to reach the Unreached People of the globe. For some, getting on their knees daily for the Unreached is where they'll find their power. For others, they need to put their money where their faith is. For some, it's going. For a few, it's training up the missionaries. Whatever the case may be, it's critical that we all do our part to take the only Hope to the hopeless.

I pray the Lord breaks your heart for those who've never heard of His redeeming power.

Sweet Little Girls

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of photographing a sweet family in our church.




The original plan was to take pictures of them when their youngest was still resting nicely in her Momma's belly. But, maternity pictures didn't pan out with my impending trip to Guinea-Bissau and the half a billion other scheduling conflicts we had.

But truly, I'm glad it worked out this way. Because I got to hold, squish and love on this little angel.




Her sweetness was not only evident to me, but also to her two sisters who swooned over her as well.




Well, I guess I can't say both of them swooned over her that much. This little cutie was much too busy picking up sticks and rocks and dirt to swoon over anyone. Don't let that sweet, girly face fool you. She's all girl and equally all tomboy.




Their oldest is so tender, loving on her baby sister fiercely. She kissed, cuddled, held and doted over her as only an oldest sister can.




Her sweet spirit captivated me, as did her gentle smile and her beautiful eyes.







It was an honor to spend some time with this awesome family who seeks to serve the Lord and raise up Godly women! Thanks B family for the opportunity!

The Face of a Miracle

Ever wondered what a real, live miracle looks like?

Click here to see one.

If you're unfamiliar with Chris and Lindy's miracle story, I blogged about it here.

Congratulations to Chris and Lindy on the birth of the most anticipated miracle I've ever known (you know, besides Jesus)!

Today, I stand in awe of the God of miracles.

Take Heart, Daughter

Everyone knew her. After all, she’s been unclean for 12 years. Her secret was no secret. When she needed necessities from the market, it was likely that she hardly had to speak above a whisper anymore, as she announced herself to the masses, which was custom for the unclean. Likely, few would go near her. She probably couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard a kind word, someone had hugged her and that her body hadn’t writhed from her illness.

If physical touch was her love language, I’m quite sure her body ached to feel love. Disgust, loathe and filth were synonymous with her name. I’m sure the young women of the town scoffed at her, giggled with each other, at her expense, as she shuffled through the streets.

Click here to continue reading.

(That'll take you to the Summer Session Blog, where my post is featured today).

I know, trickery is only fun if you're the trickster.

So? How IS your summer reading coming along? It's not to late to jump in! Click here for the Summer Session Reading Plan. Click here to see how I feel about Bible reading plans.

Want Updates?

Just wanted to hop in really quick and let you all know that we are trying a new email system for updates with our ministry. The plan is to send out newsletters once every quarter and only on rare occasion email our entire contact list with specific needs outside of our quarterly publications.

If you would like to subscribe to our ministry newsletters, you can do so using the widget over on the left sidebar of my blog. I promise your info will be kept confidential and never used for anything other than contacting you about ministry news. And, I'll never sell your info or use it to garner extra chocolate or a kidney on the black market. Not that I need a kidney, but I do need chocolate. In large quantities. Often.

Anyway, if you subscribe and at some point realize you no longer wish to receive updates, you can unsubscribe hassle free.

Hope y'all have a great Tuesday.

Decay

I sat, reclined way back in the chair, as she updated me on her family, while her tools filled my mouth. She scraped, I listened to how her son liked his first year of "big" school.

I knew the question was coming among the small talk we were making back and forth.

Side note: Why do they do that? If you are dental hygienist, can you explain this to me? Why do y'all ask a question, then shove your tools in our mouth so that there is no possible way in the universe that we could ever answer you? Every.single.time.

Anyway, she asked how our kids were doing, how homeschooling was going, how my teeth were feeling. I like my hygienist. She always seems to remember the details of my life, even though I'm sure she's just reflecting on the notes in my chart.

I knew the question was coming. As she scraped the plaque off my teeth, especially in the nooks and crannies and spaces between, I knew it was bound to be next out of her mouth.

"Are you brushing regularly?"

"Yes." I stated hesitantly, because I knew it was coming. "I can tell," she responded, "you have great teeth."
She scraped and scraped. The dentist came in and checked. They took that little mirror and explored my entire mouth. Nothing inside it was a secret anymore.

The dentist gave me a clean bill of health. Well, at least as far as my mouth goes, anyway. Then, she came at me with that stuff. I knew the question that was next.

"So, are you flossing every day?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

For a brief moment, I thought about lying. But, like I always do, I confessed the truth. "No," I said ashamedly, my mouth full of floss and her fingers.

"When was the last time you flossed?" she asked.

"Um...I think you did it," I said and sort of laughed, "or maybe a few months ago when I had something I couldn't get out between my teeth."

"Well, at least you're honest," she laughed.

(Am I the only one who knows the question is coming, yet it doesn't prompt me to floss regularly before my next visit?)

And then it hit me. Isn't that exactly how my prayer life is? Because, (I'm going to be honest y'all) my prayer life sorta stinks. Like that stinky old, nasty stuff that grows between my teeth.

Today, I think I figured out why. I'm afraid y'all. I'm afraid that when I enter the presence of the Lord He's going to flush out all the nasty, gross, disgusting decay that's growing in the places that I try my best to keep hidden. And he should. But truthfully, I don't want Him to. It hurts.

But really, I mean, who am I trying to kid? The Lord already knows everything that's in there. Just like my sweet dental hygienist, there's no lying about all the stuff I'm able to keep secret from everyone else.

If my BFF asked me if I floss everyday, I could easily say, "Yeah. Sure, I do." But the dentist knows differently. The same is true with the Lord. It's easy to put up the perception of being a "good" Christian. I can spout off Scripture, give you some Biblical truth served up on a silver platter and even lead Bible studies. But if my prayer life is amiss, it all seems, well....fake. It's like I smile and on the outside appear to have this great mouth full of teeth. But one glance in the mirror and well, I know how long it's been since the nastiness was removed.

My hearts desire is to get on my knees and cry out to my Lord. But, truthfully, I'm afraid. I'm afraid He'll see the truth and then maybe change His mind about calling us to the mission field, or maybe I really can't handle all these kids, or maybe He messed up giving me the blessing of a Godly husband.

(source)

But the real truth is, He sees it anyway. No tiny mirrors needed. He sees it all. And yet, He chooses to bless me despite the decay I allow to grow in the crevices of my soul. My sinful desires override my spirit's desires to make me clean, from the inside out. I get so frustrated with myself and I wonder why I don't feel near to the Lord.

I think the answer is on my knees. I need to go before the King, beg him to remove the decay and stench from my soul and purify me. Then, the nearness will come.

And then, maybe, search for that spool of dental floss.

-------

What do you do to keep your prayer life in check?

Threefold cord

*Alternately titled: Amanda's Bridal Portraits*

Remember when I posted engagement pictures of our sweet, amazing, awesome babysitter/Nanny Amanda and her terrific fiance Nick? (No? Well, that's what that link was for.)

Then, I posted sneak peek pictures of Amanda's bridal portraits? Do you want to see more? I know you do. She's breathtaking, really.

Last week, Amanda and Nick made it official. I'm still a little dazed at the fact that they're really married. Over the last year, I've watched their relationship blossom. It's not always been easy, and had it been I probably would have been worried. But they've both stepped up to the plate and decided that the thing that's most important in their relationship is Christ.

Both Amanda and Nick have grown in leaps and bounds in their relationships with the Lord. Nick has started going to the weekly men's Bible study that Luke is a part of and Amanda's joined my women's group. As Nick has blessed my man with his walk with the Lord, Amanda has equally blessed mine.

There's nothing special about Luke or I. There's really nothing extraordinary about our small groups. But, the fact that Nick and Amanda desired to begin their marriage deeply rooted in solid study of Scripture is HUGE. I remember feeling so burdened for them when they first announced their engagement.

In fact, the next time Amanda came over, I felt compelled to tell her something I felt the Holy Spirit had firmly pressed on my heart.

"Amanda, I know you didn't ask me for advice, but I'm going to give you some anyway." My heart was pounding in my chest because I didn't want to offend her but I knew I needed to say what the Lord had so clearly told me.

"My prayer for you is that you will spend the next months before your wedding focusing more on becoming a wife rather than becoming a bride. I really wish I had done that."

She smiled and nodded in agreement. Luke and I began to pray for them both. A month or so later she joined our group and Nick joined the men's group. Over the course of the months leading up to their wedding, something changed in my relationship with Amanda. At first, I was hesitant because, after all, she works for us.

But I'm so glad that she's allowed me into her life, into some hard places and we've walked some roads together. Now, Amanda's not our babysitter/Nanny.

Now, she's a treasured friend.

I love her so much and I'm so honored that she allowed me front row seats on the last year of her life.

I was a bundle of nerves the day of their wedding, hoping we had prepared enough, had enough food and everything would go smoothly. But, after I ushered my little people to the top of the aisle and then went around and took my seat, I sat there, eyes fixed on Nick.

The music began and I glanced over my shoulder. I saw her coming around the corner and then Luke and I both turned back to Nick. My favorite part of the bride's entrance is watching the groom. As Nick grew teary eyed, my own hot tears streamed down my face. I looked at my own husband and thought about how much our lives had changed in the last 8.5 years.

I sobbed. Luke cried.

And now, a week later, they're married. I'm so excited to see what the Lord is going to do in their life! I know they will have struggles, I know they will have moments of doubt and fear. But above all, they've placed their marriage on the altar before God. I know the Lord Himself is eager to reveal to them His plans. I can't wait to watch it all unfold. All the while praying that they continue to keep Christ as the 3rd and central cord in their marriage.

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12

Summer Session. Join me?

Wanna know what three words send chills up my spine?

Are you ready for this......

Bible Reading Plan.

I know. The horror.

Probably because in my short time as a follower of Christ (7 years to be exact) each and every time I've began a Bible Reading Plan *shudder* I've failed miserably.

Sometimes I'd make it to the 3rd or 4th week. Most times, I just give up 1 week in when I'm 2 or more days behind. So when our Pastor announced on Sunday that we'd be doing a church-wide Summer Session complete with a Bible Reading Plan I thought, "Yeah. No thanks."

Truth is, I also thought, "You know what? This is for people who don't really read their Bible. This is for people who aren't growing in their relationship with God because they refuse to pick up their Bibles and really read them."

Then, our Pastor hit us with a staggering statistic. He said out of all of the regular church attenders (that would be people who come pretty regularly - not just on Christmas and Easter) only 11% have regular, consistent quiet time, studying the Bible.

ELEVEN PERCENT.

That stunned me. Then I started to wonder....would I consider myself in that 11%. I mean, I have small group on Sunday night with our teenagers, then another small group on Monday nights with my girlfriends, then during the school year I have a small group Community Bible Study group that meets on Thursdays and that's not to mention when Luke and I read together a night during the week.

I mean, I'm good. Right?

Then the Lord gently spoke to me. "Jessica, those are great but really in each of those instances you're reading studies that other people have produced. You're not reading Scripture for yourself. And you've never even read all the way through the New Testament."

Ouch. Okay, I'll do it.

So, I really wasn't going to mention it to Luke. That way, if I failed at least I'd be the only one with a record of my disaster. But then, on Monday night, Luke cracked open his Bible and said, "So, did you do the summer reading for today?"

Yikes! Good thing I had. Then, yesterday I got an email from our Pastor asking if I'd contribute to the blog for the summer reading.

How did he know?

So, I guess I'm making it public.

I, Jessica, am doing a *gulp* Bible Reading Plan this summer.

I'd love you to join me. It's not too late! Plus, sometime today, a post I wrote will be up over on our church's Summer Session blog.

Click here for the Summer Session schedule.

Click here for the blog where there will be posts for each day's worth of reading.

Three days in to the Bible Reading Plan and I'm so glad I've jumped in with both feet. Join me?

More answers to your ministry/Africa questions!

In my last Q & A post about our ministry, my sweet, bloggy friend Holly asked some great questions. Apparently, it sparked some questions some others of you had.

So here's round 2 of Questions and Answers....

Amym asked....

Any ideas on what homeschool curriculum you will follow while in Africa?

Um. No. Right now we use Spell to Write and Read and I like it so-so. It's suppose to be able to be used through High School, but I think Lucas will struggle with it. So right now, I don't know. We also use Math-U-See and I like it alright. I don't know, it's hard for me I think because I used to be a public school teacher so I have in my head what "school" is suppose to look like and Homeschooling looks NOTHING like public school (which, isn't that the point?).

So, all of that to say, Homeschooling and the materials involved is still a work in progress for me. I really need to spend more time in prayer over our schooling in general. This year (starting yesterday actually) we are going to function on a year round school schedule. We'll do 6 weeks on, 1 week off. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm adapting some resources from a (very old) version of Sonlight's Grade 1 (before they even named them "Core"...yes, it's old) and yesterday went well. The twins are officially in Kindergarten and Elizabeth is hovering between 1st & 2nd grade. Lately I've been thinking a lot about how/when to get school books to Kenya. I know the Lord will work out the details, but it never hurts to use the brain He's given us to think!

Any of you have suggestions?

Beth asked....

1. How often will you come back to the states... during the 4 years I mean?

The plan is to not return to the US until after the 4 years is up. But, people can come see us at anytime! (GREAT BIG HINT!)

2. How will I be able to keep in touch with you when you are living in the wilderness? Is postal service totally sketchy... will you have interwebs access?

We will have internet access (do you think I could live without it?) and we will also have cell phones. From what I understand, postal service is not great.

3. Will you instead consider moving west with us and create a baby making Jesus loving commune with us? We can get house help. (I kid, I kid, sort of).

At this point, I will consider anything. I am not kidding. Okay, sorta.

4. Do you realize how much I'm going to miss you? And how much our kids will miss your kids?

Yes I do and if I dwell on it I turn into a bucket of tears. Thanks for the reminder.

Holly asked....

Yes, will you have internet access?

Yes! It will be the main way we stay in touch with family, friends and supporters!

Will you live on a compound with security?

From what I understand, most houses in Kenya are gated. We will likely have a day guard and a night guard. There will likely be bars on the windows. We will probably also get a (large) dog once we get there as well (our kids have already began talking about that). It's just common there to have guards, gates and bars on the windows, from what I gather.

How do the locals feel about white people there? (I know some places are superstitious)

We have not been told that there is any hostility or superstitions surrounding the people groups that we will be working with. I feel strongly that our sending organization (AIM) would have given us a heads up about that when we were selecting our assignment. AIM makes every effort to give their missionaries as much information as possible and to keep them as safe as is possible.

Will you be one of many families there with this organization or others?

Just depends on who is still there/going there/staying there when we get there! From what I understand, plans can change quickly. Though there are suppose to be other AIM missionaries in the area jobs, life, ministry changes and the Lord may change all of their plans. With us still being a year away from departure, it's hard to say how close we'll be to other AIMers. The good news is that our Pediatrician has traveled to this region of Kenya before on a mission trip and she knows Kenyans! She's promised to put us in touch with those folks. I'm holding her to that promise!

Will you get a vehicle once you get over there?

Yes, we will have to purchase one.

How big of a city/village is it?

We have a choice of 3 places to live. We will most likely choose the most urban setting. Honestly, I'm not sure what size of a city it is. Luke will probably drive out to the villages as he works with the Duruma and Digo people.

What is the main religion there?

Muslim is the main religion, though from what we understand they are not avid mosque attenders. Mostly the people are Muslim because their family is Muslim (sound familiar to our culture much?). There are also some Animistic religions as well as a predominance of folk Islam.

Emily Doss asked....

Is there a required amount of money to raise before you go? Do you have to have so much pledged in monthly support?

We are required to have 100% of our monthly support pledged by June 2012. Our monthly support goal is $7,338.

I know.

It's a LOT of money. Well above what our family lives on here. The reason it's so much more than our current standard of living is because we are not only funding our family but also the entire ministry we will be doing. Imagine having to furnish everything for your husband's career: paper, pens, gas, supplies, basically everything that makes your husband able (or yourself) to work.

Right now we are just under 10% of our monthly support goal. We have to have $38,071 in an outgoing account to get us there and set up. We are also at just under 10% of that goal as well.

One year from right now if we are not fully pledged monthly and fully funded in outgoing, our departure date will be bumped to the next Africa Based Orientation (ABO) departure date (which I think is September?). We are praying that July 2012 will remain our departure date but trusting that the Lord will bring in our funding in His perfect timing.

If you are interested in supporting us either in prayer or financial support, or if you'd like us to come and speak with your church or small group (and you live relatively close) please email me at beaverbunch (at) gmail (dot) com. Please put "Ministry Support" in the subject of your email.

Laurel asked....

Will you all be taking Malaria meds?

While I took Malaria meds for my short term trip to Guinea-Bissau, for the duration of our time in Kenya our family will most likely NOT take prophylaxis year round. Right now we are praying about how often/when to take meds or if to take them at all. I've thought about us taking them during rainy season (when mosquitos are more prevalent) and also having us all on them the first several months we are in Kenya (if we're already adjusting to African life the last thing we need is Malaria). But both our pediatrician and other missionaries (one of them being a pediatrician himself) have suggested that taking that heavy of medication for 4 years continually would do us and our kids more harm than good.

Thanks for chiming in with your questions. If you have more, feel free to ask. My hope is to publish my thoughts and experiences on my time in Guinea-Bissau and how that relates directly to us going to Kenya long term.

Happy Tuesday!

Happy 3rd Birthday Aaron!

Three years ago today, my life changed, though at the time I didn't know it. On the other side of town a piece of my heart was being delivered and I was probably casually sipping my coffee, or changing a diaper or maybe even asleep.

There's this crazy phenomenon about being an adoptive Mom.

You see, in the weeks leading up to our biological children's births, I can recount for you the happenings in our home, the trips our family took and probably even the tell you which outfits could still fit around my bulging waistline. I could tell you which positions were the most comfortable for me to sleep in and tell you every detail of the day of our biological children's birth, down to what I ate for breakfast those mornings.

But being an adoptive Mom is different. Things that come flooding back to my memory so easily in the days before our biological children were born don't come as easy for our adopted babes.

But never, EVER will I forget anxiously waiting a whole weekend knowing that Aaron was just miles away at the hospital but legally I couldn't go visit. NEVER will I forget seeing our own social worker, herself ripe with child, walk up our sidewalk next to the social services investigator who was carrying our baby in a huge infant carrier.

I'll never forget holding him that night, feeding him and wondering if his birth mother was thinking about him at that very moment. In fact, every birthday, my thoughts turn to her. I wonder if she remembers. I thank God for her and that she chose to give him life.

Our Aaron boy is a blessing in so many ways. And today, marks 3 years of me sitting in awe of the blessings God has poured out on us through obedience to His call on our family to foster and adopt.

At three years old, Aaron is constantly changing. His vocabulary has taken off and he talks all.the.time. His cute little voice just melts my heart. He's quick to say, "Pweez" and "Tanks Mom!"

His newest thing to say when he comes to me is, "I wuv you too, Mom." He's quickly outgrowing the irrationalness of a 2 year old and growing into a real, live 3 year old boy. He frequently can skip his nap and still be okay at the end of the day. He drinks from a big boy cup and has ditched the booster seat.

He's still strong willed and determined and I'm praying I don't break him of either of those traits. Instead, I pray that I will be able to direct him in the areas that require self-control and allow his steady, persistent, strong will to advance the Kingdom for the glory of God.

He LOVES cereal, all things related to trains, big trucks, his cowboys boots, Daddy, his littlest sister, Toy Story and, Nick (heavy emphasis on the CK).

(Aaron, Nick & Lucas)

He's got the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen and the best belly laugh of anyone I know. Aaron's genuine belly laugh can break through the toughest of bad moods and can crack even the most pouty of faces.

(Seriously. Those eyes! This picture is UNeditied. Can you even stand it?)

Basically, Aaron and I have found our meshing point. During his extensive stent in the I'm-so-freaking-irrational-that-your-breathing-makes-me-cry period, it was hard for me to remember tender moments during the day with my youngest son. But over the last several months, he's grown and I think I have too. I've stopped worrying so much about being right and standing my ground and I've tried to focus on the fact that my stubborn, determined boy is growing up right before my eyes and I was missing it. Blinded by frustration, I was missing the joy that this boy brings to me and our family.

His story, his life, is God's grace heaped into our laps. As I look back over the last 3 years, I realize that God has been excessively merciful with us. He's given us a child that has a story that can only reflect His glory. He's blessed us with a son who is becoming more bonded to his big brother by the day. He's given us life where there once was no hope.

He's given us a treasure that on our own we could have never gained. We pray Aaron's life will glorify the Lord on every level. What an incredible privilege we have in parenting this sweet boy. We cannot imagine for one second what our lives would be like without him!

Happy 3rd Birthday Aaron boy! We love you so, so, so much!

-------

To read previous posts about Aaron, specifically his birthday posts, click here and here.

**Most images courtesy of Matt Bryant Photography and PK Photography**

Das Not Funny!Friday: Snakes on my birthday

Welcome to this week's edition of Das Not Funny! Friday, just as I promised.

Unsure about what Das Not Funny! Friday is?

Just over two years ago we had five small children. The twins were three, Elizabeth was months shy of her 5th birthday. Aaron was nearly a year old and Olivia was still in an infant carrier.

Life was busy.

Life was funny.

Oh how I treasure the funny quips and behaviors of my children! How I wish I could bottle them up, store them away on a shelf and in 20 years pull them out and experience them again! But that's not possible. So it was because of that desire that Das Not Funny! Friday was born.

You see, back then (and even now) my sweet Ashlee enjoyed being the life and laugh of the party. However, every now and then she'd say one of those funny kid things and we'd all giggle.

Immediately she'd frown (as in the picture above) and say to us sternly, "Das not funny!"

Oh my sweet drama queen, yes it is.

Das Not Funny! Friday is the best way for me to keep bottled up all the hilariousness of my (many) young children. During the week I try to write down the things they say and post them on Friday. It's simple. You can do the same, even if you don't have kids! Blog about your husband, your nieces and nephews, that funny kid across the street. Heck, even your dog!

The only thing I ask is that if you participate you put a link in your post linking back here, to my blog. In return, you can enter your info into the Linking Widget and everyone can visit your post as well. If you really want to be fancy, you can get the code for the button over in the sidebar, but that's not required.

So without further rambling, here are my funnies for this week:

Aaron has finally resolved his issues with his poop and the potty. He's decided it's a good thing to not walk around with his own poo firmly smashed against his hiney. (I was beginning to wonder if he'd ever make such a choice so - PRAISE GOD!) Anyway, when he's on the potty he spends all his time with his head between his knees seeing what's going on.

He's thrilled when he sees the works of his...uh...self.

"Snakes! Mommy! I made a snake!" he yells from the bathroom.

Every.single.time. "Mommy! Nudder snakes! I made nudder snakes!"

"Yay buddy! Make more snakes, okay?"

"Otay Mommy! I make nudder snake!"

It's the picture of bathroom preciousness, really. (And Cathy H, did you really think I'd start this thing backup and NOT talk about poop the first thing?)

Anyway, Luke had Aaron in the bathroom a few weeks ago and upon commencement of poo Aaron, naturally, began all his "SNAKES!" talk. Half hearted, I'm sure, Luke shared in his enthusiasm of all things brown and reptilian. Finally, he said Aaron strained hard, looked down sees a blob and says,

"Dad! SEA TURTLE!"

-------

Monday was the twins' birthday. When Elizabeth excitedly got out of bed she began asking Lucas and Ashlee (immediately) "Are you SO EXCITED you're 5? I know you are. 5 is a big age. I remember when I was 5 years old...." (Insert long story that's only 1/16 true but has everything to do with Elizabeth being 5.)

Ashlee is getting super perturbed at her sister. Not because Elizabeth won't stop talking and breathe, but more because she is insistent that it's NOT her birthday yet.

An argument breaks out. Elizabeth demands that Ashlee is 5 while Ashlee forcefully resists the notion that it would be a day different from any other. The argument goes on for at least 10 minutes as I hear words being exchanged while I make breakfast downstairs.

Finally.....STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! Ashlee angrily descends the stairs and rounds the corner into the kitchen.

"Mom! Witabetz keeps saying it's my burfday and IT'S NOT MY BURFDAY YET!"

I chuckled, "Actually, Ash, it is your birthday today. Happy Birthday Sweetie!"

Her eyes get wide, her mouth smiles broad, she spins on her heel and heads out of the room yelling,

"HEY GUYS! GUESS WHAT?! TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!"

It really sent her for a loop when I explained to her that even though they have the same birthday, technically, Lucas is older.

Happy Friday y'all!

We'll be forehead deep in wedding festivities this weekend. If you think about it, will you pray for our sweet babysitter/nanny/my friend Amanda and her almost-husband Nick?

Thanks!

Prove it

True story.

If 135 people pledged $50 per month toward our ministry, we'd be FULLY FUNDED. But I understand that $50 a month is a lot of money.

But you know what? Forget us.

Our sweet friends Sam and Hanna need just 80 people to pledge them $20 a month to be FULLY FUNDED.

Seriously. TWENTY DOLLARS A MONTH.

That's the price of the pizzas I ordered last night (actually, those cost more than $20). That's the price of a trip to the movies (sans kids). That's the price of one Mocha Frapp per week. That's the price of a trip through the drive through for burgers and fries.

Moreover, that's the price of obedience.

Will you obey?

Click here to pledge Sam and Hanna and further the kingdom. They're weeks away (June 17th) from their deadline of having 100% pledged support. Should their pledges not come in, they'll have to postpone their departure.

They're both going to be teachers at Rift Valley Academy. They themselves were students there.

Do you believe in changing the world in the name of Jesus Christ? Do you believe change can happen through children and teenagers?

I do.

If you believe that teachers teaching the Glory of God can change lives, prove it.

How do you feel about ads?

Hey friends!

Alrighty, I need your advices and opinions.

Probably close to a year ago I applied to be wait listed on a the ad publishing site BlogHer. Honestly, I never thought they'd ever ask me to apply since my blog has small readership (comparatively) and also because I assumed that there is a huge waiting list and the chances of me floating to the top was slim-to-none.

But, about a week ago I received an email from BlogHer basically asking me to "apply to apply."

Short story, my blog has been selected to be in their database to have ads placed. I would earn revenue based on the number of page loads.

I have mixed feelings about having ads. On one had, whatever revenue we earn could be used for supplemental income - and later - to help supplement support for our ministry. (Though, truthfully, I can't see this being a big money maker. Maybe $25 a month?)

On the other hand, I know that my blog would begin being published and advertised with BlogHer and, well, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I mean, naturally all bloggers want to have a nice following of readers, but truth be told, I LOVE the small community of regular readers who come here. I'm not sure I want the masses coming this way and messing with the good thing we already have. Ya know?

But, in the end, Luke and I are praying about this decision - be it ever how trivial - and knowing that the Lord cares about details, even this one.

So my question for you all is this....

Would you be turned off by blog ads? Would it make you less likely to come back and read? Do you think it would annihilate the virtual intimacy that is already here?

I love that this measly little blog has connected me to so many of you who I would have otherwise never met. In fact, on our trip to Arkansas/Tennessee I had the privilege to meet two "blog friends" have our children play together and later the three of us women enjoyed a nice, relaxing dinner. Now, I'm honored to call them real-life friends.

A few of you have taken the step of faith to support our ministry both in prayer and with your finances. You truly have no idea just how much it humbles me to know you'd follow God in obedience to support someone you've never even "met."

So again, I ask you, is having an ad publishing network on here going to ruin that? Truly that's the last thing I desire.

I appreciate your insight and the way you guys care about me, my family and this silly 'ol blog.