Ash and Jenn

A wonderful blessing of our trip to Asia was the time I was able to be around two mothers: Ash and Jenn. As God made us to live in a community and not in isolation, I really felt the benefit of living alongside these ladies while on our trip. There is no influence like the one that is constantly there, visible day in day out, in the midst of all the inconveniences in life. I believe that we can hardly spur one another on toward love and good deeds if we only see one another a couple of hours a week for a church service. So I was very encouraged and blessed by the constant good examples these two were for me, and I pray that their graces have rubbed off on me a little. (Lord, PLEASE work in me the way You have in them!)

These two young women will definitely be first to say that they are sinners like everyone else, and if I saw something good in them, it is because of God's work in their hearts and lives and not because of their own efforts and goodness. And I definitely want to reiterate those truths...this is the Lord's doing.

With that said, I want to recall a few things that I noticed about them that were so helpful for me. First, the way they spoke to their children was perpetually calm and kind. They were sweet. They were enthusiastic. I clearly remember one afternoon feeling the dull, sleepy tug on my energy and hearing Ash's joyful voice greeting her preschooler who just walked in the room with a smile and energetic hello and hug. How could he not know his mother's love and care for him!?!

When you are with a family with young children for more than a few hours, you inevitably witness the children doing something that is...disobedient. And watching these parents respond was helpful because they were so matter-of-fact. Hearing Jenn (and Bill, too!) speak to Katherine in those moments was priceless, because they were so calm. Even while she was crying in protest and refusing to obey (even if just for a moment - she's a sweet and obedient little girl most of the time!), they would not show any signs of frustration or irritation with her.

The day we left Cambodia, Kris and I were scurrying around to finish packing and Jenn (remember that she had a 6 week old baby!) was preparing lunch for all 9 of us not counting Isaac (after church, and the electricity had been off all morning, so the easy crock pot method was out and it was Plan B). We were a little pressed for time because we needed to eat and then head to Phnom Penh. The kids were playing around the house (think lots of laughing, stomping, noise!), and she was trying to cook and keep them out of the kitchen, but Daniel and Katherine seemed to toddle in there time and again. Not only that, but Daniel would help himself to water and spill it. But she never raised her voice. She was never impatient. She kindly and calmly corralled them out time and again. I was so encouraged. I was encouraged because it revealed to me that God is able to give us this kind of patience. I know Jenn is human, but seeing her ability to deal with this (I am sure I would have been rude or flustered!) helped me realize that it is POSSIBLE! Nothing is impossible with God!

Watching these moms kindly and calmly train their children was so helpful. I realized that I often stress out that my kids "aren't there yet" in a certain area. I desperately need to relax and be more laid back about the discrepancy between my standard and and their performance. I remember Mrs. Judy (my former pastor's wife, in heaven a year now) saying that kids shouldn't be expected to be little soldiers, performing according to commands given with flawless precision. Instead, we should see our job as parents as directing them down a path, pointing them in the right way and constantly helping them along. I think Ash and Jenn do such a great job of this. And I haven't even mentioned how precious their little ones are and what a delight they are to be around.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ash and Jenn, for giving our family the opportunity to live with you guys for a short time! You are treasured friends!

Thank you so much, Father, for taking care of me and giving me this gift of two blessed mothers to help me learn and grow as a mother myself. You have shown me Your goodness not only by giving me this experience, but also by reminding me that it was You all along that strengthened and taught these women. And you are with me too, and will never leave me nor forsake me.

Sweet Baby

The Great Wall - December 7th

We saw the Great Wall today! What a fun and exciting place! The wall is so impressive and in such a beautiful setting, if you can get through all the hawkers trying to get you to buy their stuff on the way up. We rode a gondola up to the wall, and then we hiked quite a way up and down steep steps along the the wall. There was an alpine slide from the top of the mountain down to the base that we took turns riding down with the kids. You had to be ten before you could ride the slide on your own, so Kris rode twice and I rode twice, and we took the chair lift back up to the top and then all rode the lift down. It was fun, but we were frozen afterward, and glad to climb back into the warm van for the two hour drive back to the motel.
By the way, speaking of the cold weather, my friend Beata from school encouraged me to bring along winter boots for the kids, and am I ever so glad she did! We've lived in them for the last week, and I don't know what we would have done without them. Thanks, Beata!
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner in our friends’ apartment that evening, with great conversation. What sweetness it is to fellowship with saints!

Fellowship and Good-byes - December 6th

On Sunday, we packed up all our stuff and then headed to the TJ International Fellowship, which weekly meets for worship. We were required to show our passports to enter (no nationals allowed here). What a blessed time it was of singing to the Lord together, and we thoroughly enjoyed the encouraging sermon. Afterward, although they normally divide into smaller groups to pray together, today we all prayed together, beforehand hearing prayer requests from many different people requesting prayer. This was so neat to be a part of. So many of the people are doing the same kind of work as our friends.
After a quick lunch and trip to E Mart (the closest thing to Super Target!) to buy a couple of things, we taxied back to the apartment to grab our suitcases and then keep our taxis for the trip to the station. I was sad to say good-bye to this super-sweet family. I felt that if only we could spend a few weeks with them, and they could rub off on us – their cheerful attitudes, loving ways with their children, and faith – we would surely be sharpened and changed. But I know that God knows best, and the same God that is taking care of them, teaching them, and giving them grace for each day is working in our hearts to conform us into the image of His Son, and in Him I hope.
We enjoyed the adventure of purchasing tickets and getting to the right train again, and this time we sat in the correct seats. It was a packed train since it was Sunday – the only day most people have off and they are almost all out and about in the city, and traveling to and from BJ on the bullet train.
In summary, our time in TJ was simply perfect, and we are so thankful for all the ways God provided for us and encouraged us while we were there!

Ancient Culture Street, Play Area Germs, and the Bike Adventure - December 5th

On Saturday we headed to Ancient Culture Street, which is lined with vendors selling all kinds of treasures. If we were heading straight home, we would have stocked up on all kinds of great stuff! The funniest thing was how the ladies flocked to us, and especially to the Josephs with their baby and small little blonde children.


This woman swiped up Thomas for a picture. He was a good sport!

And Kris got fussed at by an older woman who did not approve of Daniel’s pant leg being scrunched up to reveal his long johns. They are super-serious about not losing body heat, and staying away from the cold. They fear the cold, truly! They are afraid of ice in their drinks, for fear the reduction in body temperature will make them sick.
Their concern for sickness does not transfer to being as careful about spreading germs, however, which the men learned the hard way after lunch...

We had lunch at McDonald's, and thoroughly enjoyed the hot chocolate, for it was really cold outside! After lunch, we strolled through the mall and found a kid’s play area. Just before we went in, we witnessed a young boy being held over a trash can to relieve himself, which we hear is quite common here.


Here's Dan-man, rearing to go!

Kris and Kevin stayed there with the kids while Ashley and I went shopping for a few things. After a little while we got a call that they had made an abrupt exit from the play area because another child had vomited. The employees simply took a rag and wiped it around enough until it was relatively dry, and then gave the okay for the kids to climb back in. The guys were completely grossed out, and realized that the play area was no doubt teaming with pathogens. They couldn’t get enough sanitizer on!

That afternoon, Ashley drove her three wheeler out with Anna, David and Thomas, and Karis and Eil, all in the back on the covered benches. The three wheeler is a rechargeable battery-powered tricycle-like motorycle with pedals, which Ashley had to use one day recently when is was very cold and the battery ran out of juice before they got home!






The kids were so cute all packed in. She instructed them on how important it was to not be silly, and off she went to the market, with me riding behind on her bike. It was such an adventure for me! Riding a bike through busy city streets in this country is not quite the same as riding down the neighborhood streets in Sachse!



We enjoyed looking around at the outdoor market, and we also stopped to buy some yummy popcorn from a vendor. We got chocolate and ice cream flavors...quite tasty!

We made it back to the apartment safe and sound, and enjoyed seeing the sleeping quarters of the "dungeon master" - the woman in charge of keeping the bikes in the basement of the apartments. She recharges and parks them, and makes sure that no one steels them, and she lives down there. That is her place in this society.

Trains and Taxis - December 3rd

Our second day here was perfect. We had a great night's rest in comfy beds, with only slight "jet-lagged-kid" interruptions, enjoyed a free breakfast, and then, after repacking for the next four days, we headed out into the busy city for lunch with our friends here. We ate at a dumpling house and found that Daniel really likes pumpkin and rice soup. Then, we said good-bye to our friends and headed by taxi to the Railway Station to catch a high-speed train to a city to the south. Riding in two taxis into a foreign city with no interpreter is a little scary when you evaluate all the what ifs, but we felt so secure and cared for by the One who really is in control.We had instructions for purchasing tickets written out for us, so it was no hassle. Then, we boarded the train, not realizing that we had assigned seats, but no one seemed to care, as the trains were relatively empty and we didn't exactly look like we knew what we were doing! (They let the foreigners get away with a lot.)

We covered the two hour car trip in 30 minutes, going up to 333 km/h (207 mph). We felt like we were floating! After a rather long and very interesting hike across the train station to the taxi stop - and no complaining at all from our kids! - complete with broken elevators, long flights of stairs, and small crowds of people who couldn't seem to believe their eyes that we had four children (something they don't even have a category for in this one child society), we got to the taxi and handed him the address of our friends. After scrutinizing it, he seemed confident enough for us to load into his taxi and another one to follow him (our luggage and bodies needed two of these small cars). It took about an hour across this city to reach our friend's apartment. The driving here is crazy to us. They just go every which way, heading in front of cars, coming centimeters from bikes and other types of carts, and I am not at all comfortable riding with my babies on my lap and not strapped into seat belts, much less car seats. This side of the world is so different with regard to safety precautions. (Maybe in a later post you can see the candle David had on his birthday cake this week...definitely not something you'd find for sale in the US unless someone just wanted a lawsuit!)

Our friend met us as we drove up to the apartments, and we were soon in a warm, cozy, loving home. Our friends have only been here since early September. They arrived with their family of 6, their youngest little one being a little over 3 months old, and they only had an apartment...not even beds or furniture. You would be so amazed if you could just be with them for a little while, and experience what their life is like. They have learned so much about the culture, language, and set up a comfortable home that serves their family well, all in the 3 months they've lived here with their four little ones. They have such a refreshing attitude about the inconveniences in this country, and their kids have adjusted so well. It is such a testimony to the grace of God. I was telling someone about their plans to move a few months ago, and I remember them expressing concern that their move would be such a major transition...and with four little ones! But they have done beautifully, and all the strength and glory goes to the Lord. He is able and sufficient to take care of His children!

All of the kids were so happy to play together, and we enjoyed a delicious dinner with them. Thomas and Daniel basically went to sleep at dinner; the kids had such a long day and we were all still recovering from jet lag. We headed for bed as soon as we could. What a great day, and what a great God!

Girlies with Sillies

We had the joy of seeing our dear friends the Newtons (minus Luke) for the morning. The girls really enjoyed having "girlie" time, a little too much, probably, because I had to force coerce bribe encourage Anna to include her brothers, who were feeling left out.


Dress up!




I think they were getting married here, but I'm not positive. And just in case you are wondering, that is a doll house chair on top of the stocking cap that Anna is donning.

It was wonderful to see you, Gabrielle. Thanks for coming! Hopefully you can stay longer next time. We can't wait to meet the newest little Mr. Newton!

In Tyler with Friends

On June 13th, we had the privilege of journeying to my parents beautiful backyard in Tyler for a cookout and swimming with the Malarcher family (our neighbors) and my Korean ESL student, Sora, and her husband and two little girls. It was so much fun! The Malarchers made some scrumptious chocolate-and-sprinkle-covered marshmallows on a stick...



...and Sora brought a delicious cake from a Korean-owned bakery.


Irene loved watermelon and would have eaten the whole melon, I'm sure, if she was permitted.




Here are Sora, Kevin, Irene and Cailyn.

More pics from that day...



Anna and Lena





Thanks, Mom and Dad, for generously hosting us and our friends! We had a wonderful time at your beautiful property.

Peeps

Our dear neighbors found a tiny baby bird a couple of weeks ago. She fell out of the nest in their gutter, and the rest of her siblings didn't make it, but she survived. The Malarchers adopted her and researched what to feed her. We helped them feed her on days they had to be gone for an extended time. She would chirp every 15 to 30 minutes, and then we would give her a few drops of food, which resembled liquid dog food.




It has been fun to watch her grow. Jieun taught her how to fly, and last Saturday she flew onto our deck. It was so fun to watch her sit there, fluttering her wings but staying still, waiting expectantly for some food.





...Until Genny discovered her! Then we panicked! Genny pounced at her several times, while the kids (and I, I must admit) yelled at her to stop! Thankfully, Genny backed off.

We picked up Peeps and I attempted to carry her through the house to the safer front yard. She wiggled out of my hand while I was halfway through the house, and we all enjoyed watching her fly around the house for a few minutes (thankfully, she hadn't just eaten, if you know what I mean!).


I picked her up and put her out front.


Then, when I tried to go back in the house, she flew up and landed on me and wouldn't let go. It's very funny to have a real, wild bird clinging to you like you are her mother!



David came out with me and he enabled me to go back in by keeping her occupied for a little while. Kris found a worm from our compost pile and gave it to Peeps, and Peeps was a bit confused, but not for long. She quickly learned to keep it in her beak, and then swallowed, and swallowed, and swallowed, until the entire, whole, live worm was inside...except for a tiny part that still stuck out of her mouth. It is quite an education for us! David was quite concerned about the worm still sticking out, but she must have been successful digesting it, because she's still flying around our yard.







We have seen her every day this week. How do we know it's Peeps? She stood at the front door this afternoon, chirping. When I opened the door, she stayed, chirping, and ate some dog food pieces from my hand. I'm pretty sure that it was Peeps!

Pastor Chheng

We had the privilege of spending a little time a couple of weeks ago with Chheng Nuon, his wife Sophorn, granddaughter Kayleen, and daughter-in-law Allyson (his son Soda is having serious back trouble and couldn't join us) as well as Edward, a brother of ours from church. The Nuons have an amazing story of how the Lord rescued them from the terrible regime of Pol Pot in Cambodia in the 1970s, brought them to the US, captured their heart with the Gospel of Christ, and now they are living again in Cambodia, longing to share the Gospel with their own people. Our dear friends Bill and Jennifer Hale went to join them in their work in 2007. They are here in the Dallas area for a couple of months this summer. Chheng is a joy to know and we respect him very much.

First Grade

Anna's last day of First Grade at Coram Deo Academy in Carrollton was May 6th. The final awards ceremony was May 11th, and our whole family attended. It was very long (2 hours), which was to be expected, and Daniel sat perfectly still on my lap the entire time, which was not at all to be expected. Truly, I was amazed, as was the sweet young woman behind me who commented that she was completely "stunned." "So am I!" I told her.

Here is Anna with Mrs. Wilson, her wonderful, exceptional, gifted teacher/comedian who was such a HUGE blessing in our lives this year! She loved her students and it showed.



We are looking forward to Second Grade at Coram Deo next year! Here we come, Miss Kisko!

Special Friends

There are a few people from our church that have grown very near and dear to our hearts, and I wanted to post a few pictures of them. God has truly blessed us with their lives and friendship in different ways.
Brother Don is constantly encouraging us, always engaging our children and showing them special care and attention. He is a veteran missionary and dear friend. We are so glad to know him, and we pray that we will be as useful and committed to Christ and His kingdom in our "retirement years" as he is! (Note: Don never says he is retired, because as long as he lives, he wants to work for the Lord. So that's why "retirement years" is in quotation marks.)




Ms. Dolores is a sweet, joyful and caring friend. She is a woman of many hidden talents such as painting and calligraphy. She has not had an easy life, but by God's grace, she is in no way hardened by her past. On the contrary, she is as gentle and sweet as you can imagine. Every time I see her, she is smiling and genuinely concerned about our family. She is so kind, always serving and helping when she comes over. She sure knows how to work hard!



And last but not least, Mrs. Dudding. She has devoted countless hours to helping me by watching the kids while I run errands, helping with household chores, giving thoughtful gifts to the children, and being a true friend. We are undeserving of her love and devotion to our family, and it is another example of the love that the Father has lavished on us, undeserving though we are.


Here she is about to blow our her birthday candle last January.



God has made our lives richer because we know these people. He is good, and one way shows His goodness to us is through the lives of these special folks. Thank you, Loving Father! By Your grace, help our human love to be a picture of your perfect love.