Sanborn Chronicles

Happy Birthday to Me!

2012-02-08T23:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday it was my birthday. The last one I'll ever celebrate.

I woke up in the morning and found two gifts on the dining room table, assuming they were from my Darling Husband I commented on the awesome gift bag and dove into to devour the contents of my gift.

DH told me, "These are not the gifts you are looking for... the ones from me are coming later."

Oh. Mystery. I love a good mystery.

So, I took the kids to bible study with me and forgot it was my birthday as I drove down the highway with one child screaming, "I want my blankie!!" and the other screaming, "Mummy! Make him stop! Get him his blankie! Now! Pleeeeaaassseeeee!!!"

Alas, the blankie was not in the car. So, the return trip was pretty much identical.

I pulled up, planning to say, "Honey, can I disappear for a little while until this ringing in my ears stops?"

But DH totally disarmed me with his Man of Mystery look, and he lead me inside the house...

... where A Dozen Roses, a box of Chocolates and a big balloon were waiting for me. And that was just the beginning.

This year's Birthday Present was a scavenger hunt. It started with a Message in a Bottle and sent me scurrying around the property and house, looking for clues (which were absolutely brilliant) in the oddest places.

I finally found the prize under my very own pillow. That was the hardest riddle to break!

In the evening we had a big party with our DTS students and staff, and a phenomenal Home Made Strawberry Chocolate Birthday Cake. After singing Happy Birthday in 3 languages, they sang every Birthday song they know. DH finished off by singing the Monty Python Birthday Song.

My heart soared through the evening on waves of love, encouragement, and delight.

But my heart sank morning tea, when I went to the fridge and discovered that someone had stolen the rest of my birthday cake.

Seriously? Who would do a thing like that?

Encouragement. I think?

2012-02-01T23:16:00.000-05:00

On Sunday night my brother in law shared at the Christian Edge in Lacoochee. This is a summary of what he said.

I have some encouragement for you that will knock your socks off. Are you ready for this? Seriously, I am about to build you up and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

You are Weak and Foolish.

See! Don't you feel good about yourselves?

Oh, I forgot the best part. 1 Cor 1:27-31

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." ESV

None of us can say, 'Oh, when I have it all together; when I am strong in my faith and am wise the ways of the world and God gives me enough wisdom, THEN I will go and serve God in the calling he has given me.'

No, God has a) made you who you are today, and b) has equipped you with everything you need to do what He has called you to do today.

Today is the day to serve God. In Christ, each of us has enough to do exactly what He has called us to do and be, TODAY.

Are you single? Then today, you are called to celibacy. He will be your constant companion and meet your needs.
Are you married? Then God has called you to honour him by loving and respecting and submitting to your spouse - today and every day, until He calls you home.
Are you are Mum or Dad? Then He has given you the strength and wisdom to be a parent - indeed, He IS your strength and wisdom.

Are you a student? A missionary? A doctor? A pastor's wife? A kid no one respects?

God has called you! The weak and the foolish for His purpose. And through you, He'll achieve His purpose, if you will submit to Him and allow Him to move in you and through you each day.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13 NIV

We don't have to rely on our own strength to get through each day. I have seen this over and over in my life and in my brother in law's life. He's really weak - with chronic illness - and yet, I have seen him do amazing things in Christ's strength. He is a daily testimony to me of God using the weak and foolish to shame the strong and the wise, AND of doing all things through Christ's strength.

So, today, when you wake up feeling weak and foolish, REJOICE!! God has chosen you to be a vessel for His Glory! There is an assignment today that only you can complete, IN HIM. Stop and ask Him what it is, and then ask Him to fill you with His strength to complete it.

Not so that others will see it and pat you on the back. No, just do what you are called to do today for the sake of His glory.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col 3:23-24 NIV

Crappy Christmas Gifts

2011-12-19T22:31:00.002-05:00

On Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas, I was inspired by This Video to find out if my kids were Ungrateful Materialistic Brats, or if they could handle being given Crappy Christmas Gifts.

I was quite pleased with the results. They feigned interest in the under garments they were given, and even put them on over their clothes. It's obvious they are disappointed, despite saying all the 'right' words. I loved their reaction to the Real Gifts they were given a few minutes later. This is what I'm used to seeing! Even books get this reaction. Even School Books get this reaction!!!

My Brother in Law decided to take it to the next level: he got clothes from the kids closets and put them into gift bags. Timothy took one look at the familiar red shirt, handed it to me with utter disinterest, and went back to playing with his new Percy Engine. Samantha pulled out her favourite Purple Dress and began to go on and on... "This is the most beautiful dress I ever saw, Uncle David! Thank you! Thank you!"

We couldn't stop laughing.

Samantha caught on pretty quick. She ran into the bedroom, put a few Crappy Christmas Gifts (ie. stuff we used every day) into an old shopping bag, and gave it to Sean!! She repeated this several times, ensuring that each family member received at least one Crappy Gift.

Tomorrow I think I'll give Samantha half a pickle sandwich and Timmy a Ziploc bag of Dates.

Perhaps we need to make this a new Christmas tradition. You know, to help us really appreciate the good things that we have.

Here's our video of The 7th Day of Christmas, for your viewing pleasure. Sorry about the low quality - we have very low lighting in the house.

Twelve Days of Christmas

2011-12-15T22:43:00.000-05:00

We're celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas at Sanborn Manor. Today is Day 4.

We've never done this before. This year the Kids are going to be spoiled beyond belief, with piles of toys and books and clothes and all manner of opulence and extravagance. Because my family in Australia has decreed that it shall be.

So, we decided to let the spoiling begin early. That way the kids don't get overloaded with gifts all at once and we save alot on wrapping paper, cause we are using the same Christmas gift bag for each present. Pretty smart, huh!

Boxes have been arriving at Sanborn Manor since mid November, and it's a tiresome task trying to get them into their hiding places. Tonight Samantha and Timmy ran out to greet the UPS guy and collect the package from him. As he left, Samantha said, "Bye Bye Santa!!"

Imagination runs wild when there are empty boxes around. Today, Timothy and Samantha created a replica of the Dinosaur Train. They traveled to distant lands, made new discoveries and met lots of weird and wonderful creatures.

Tonight we gathered around the piano with Uncle Dave, Nana and Grandad, and sang Christmas carols - Samantha even made up a few of her own - and then we opened Day 4's gift: some coloring books and a Kid's One Year Devotional. Samantha loves books, and immediately asked Daddy to read it. After we were done with the entry for Dec 15, she grabbed the book and sat down to look at the pictures. Timmy was more interested in the Big Bird and Elmo coloring books.

But I have a feeling that the toy of choice tomorrow will be those boxes sitting on the front porch - those things can really take you places.

Adorable-ness

2011-12-01T17:59:00.001-05:00

My Son is too smart!

This morning he pulled out Spiderman the Movie, and put it on. Big Deal I hear you say! Bear with me, we're getting there.

Timmy knows the story, and before the movie even begins, he's concerned to know if Peter Parker is gonna be alright. I just think that's cute.

Spiderman saves MJ from being mugged and raped (I stood in front of the TV for that scene), and then Spidey is hanging upside down flirting with her.

They Kiss.

Master 2.5 says, "Ooooh! She loves Spiderman."

And I melted.

What fun and adorable things have your kids, nieces and nephews, grandkids, or neighbourhood kids said and done this week?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T13:36:00.001-05:00

Full of Awesome and Full of Love!

Looking Back

2011-11-29T14:08:00.001-05:00

I was looking over at my other (private) blog last night, and I found an interesting post that I decided to share here. It's poorly written and a little cryptic, I apologize for that. I hope you will enjoy it anyway, and perhaps even find it encouraging.

Written June 2010.

One thing I like about Daily Audio Bible (besides being free) is that Brian usually gives a little teaching about one of the passages. Sometimes they are blah. Sometimes they are insightful. I also love that the readings are always fresh (recorded each day). Okay, end of advertisement!

Sean and I have been praying through several issues over the last few months, including the possibility of moving to a new city in Thailand. Sean wants a new challenge in ministry, a new frontier. I am comfortable here in Chiang Mai close to my friends, with a great support network that I don't want to leave behind. I never thought I'd come to a point in my life when going even further 'to the ends of the earth' would be so hard, would actually make me worry and be a little fearful. To put it in perspective: I'm terrified of returning to the USA or Australia (Oh Lord, Please don't tell us to do that!). But I surprised myself recently when I said, "Oh Lord, I am so comfortable here. I have all that I need and want. I have friends. Please let me stay!" It's a strange place to be, for me.

So, to the DAB. Another thing I like about it, is that they have the transcripts on the website, so I don't have to try to remember what Brian said, I can just copy it over!! he he he!

1 Kings 12:20-13:34
The prophet was told to do something by God. He obeyed what he was told to do, but he didn’t finish well. He didn’t finish exactly what God had told him to do. God said go and speak out against this altar, against this altar Jeroboam has erected. Don’t eat anything. Don’t drink anything. Don’t go home the way that you came. He almost did it. He went, spoke against the altar, refused the reward of the king, refused to eat or drink, and left on a different way. But another prophet came and lied to him, lied to him and said an angel came and told me you’re supposed to come home with me.

Now, you know, you want to sit up and pay attention to a word like that: You know, somebody says an angel came to me and said thus and so. Well, you gotta at least listen, especially in this context where this guy is another prophet. So the prophet turned from the word that the Lord had given him and went to the other prophet’s home. The word of the Lord then came and said, you know, you’re not going to find yourself dying in the land where you can be buried with your fathers. Well, the original prophet who spoke against the altar leaves and a lion kills him.

It never had to happen. The prophet needed only to obey the voice of the Lord. This is a really good lesson because on the one hand, this other prophet said that God had sent him, but he was lying. Now, we are responsible for the things that we hear from the Lord and we certainly use community, absolutely need community to confirm and to sort of watch our blind spots. When we’ve heard the voice of the Lord and direction we are to head into, we must obey. We must. Until God changes that and it bears witness in our own hearts through the Holy Spirit, well, we can’t just change and deviate from the path. Bad things can happen when you disobey the Lord, not even really out of judgment, just because you’re stepping out of the protection of God’s will for your life. I mean, if we are going to live this thing out, then what we are invited into is full surrender and utter obedience. That takes the guesswork out of just about everything. It is our responsibility to obey period. It is not our responsibility to decide when we might obey. When we might think that it all depends on us, bad things happen, as we well know, when we allow ourselves to take the reins of control and assume the throne of our lives and begin making our own decisions.

This really convicted me to make sure I'm listening to God. That Sean and I are listening to God, together. I believe that we are on the edge of a change, of something new. But I'm struggling with accepting it. God is working in my heart, helping me to trust Him. I don't know if we will actually move. But I know God is challenging me to have that same willingness that I had when I was young, that same passion that drove me to No Compromise, to seek after Him and not let anyone (not even my Pastor or a 'Lover') steer me from the course He had set me on.

Amazingly, June 15 has a contrasting story about obedience, from Acts. An angel appears to Cornelius and then appears to Peter to confirm what Peter is about to hear.

Acts 10:1-23
Yesterday, we were talking about how when we have a directive from the Lord, certainly we have community that helps us confirm, that helps us understand and process, certainly. But once we are clear on what God is saying, well, if somebody comes along and says, hey, an angel came to tell me to tell you such and such when we’ve already been confirmed in our heart what God is speaking, if we deviate, then we are in disobedience and we just take ourselves out in the process.

The contrast is in Peter’s life today. Peter is about to learn a very big lesson, a huge lesson in the New Testament and that is regarding the gentiles and what is clean and what is unclean and how Christ opened the way of salvation to all mankind. Now, Cornelius actually sees an angel and sends for Peter at the direction of the angel. So these guys could have just shown up and said, “An angel told our boss to come get you.” The thing is the Lord had already awakened that in Peter’s heart. He already told him, “Look, there are some guys here looking for you. Go with them at once. I have sent them. I’m in this.” So Peter can move forward with full confidence and go with the men to a Roman centurion that he doesn’t know at all because the Holy Spirit has already spoken it.

So there is a great contrast here. But beyond just a great contrast, there is the importance of obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit as he guides and directs us in our lives. We get to have this interaction... God didn’t send the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost to guide into all truth and then just pull it back. The Holy Spirit guides our lives; and as the Holy Spirit guides our lives and we understand and know God more and more, we can walk confidently even when the Holy Spirit is being counter-intuitive. I mean, on the face of things, Peter probably should not have left with an unknown band of people claiming to be guided by a Roman centurion. It is probably not the most healthy move. But the Holy Spirit had already confirmed this in Peter’s heart, the same Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

I know that God is speaking to me about listening and following (obeying) His direction, cause I also got an email from a friend yesterday and God had revealed to her in prayer what I am talking about here! Amazing! So, we are waiting on God to hear from Him wait we are to do, where we are to go, how we are to do it and when. And I don't feel so guilty about being so behind in my bible 'reading' anymore, cause I can see how God has orchestrated it all to fit together so that I get His message loud and clear! ;-)

Todays Update!

image credit

It's interesting to read this again, considering where we are today.

We are in the States, preparing to run another missionary training school. Remember that comment about being terrified of returning to the States?? I just have to laugh!! I know that God wants us here and I'm at peace. I'm glad we are here for this season. It's exciting to be training and discipling new missionaries.

We have moved all our worldly possessions from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok - and I'm very excited about that change!! God is doing some great things there, and I'm thankful that He's letting us be a part of it. Chiang Mai is a beautiful city, with all the modern conveniences. It's so easy to get comfortable.

It's time to be inconvenienced and uncomfortable again!!!

As a Disciple of Christ, I am called to follow in His footsteps. Where ever He goes, I follow. Listening and obeying is an absolute MUST. Sometimes it takes a while for my heart and mind to catch up with what Jesus is saying, but thankfully He is always patient and gracious to give me time to figure out that Following in His Footsteps is the best what to go.

We Choose Virtues Sale

2011-11-27T20:54:00.001-05:00

Cyber Monday Sale!!

Take 30% off your entire shopping cart on Monday, November 28th.

Use promo code “MONDAY” and save BIG!

Finding the best Virtues tools to fit your needs is super easy!

We Choose Virtues offer products designed for public or private schools,

families, churches, home-schools, and more.

I use the Virtues Poster and Personal Virtue Cards as part of our daily behaviour review.
My daughter LOVES the Butterfly Stickers (pictured above), which can now be purchased in packs of 108 for just $3.99!
Follow the Butterfly to find the perfect 'Virtues' pack to meet your needs.

Tale of The Devil Cat

2011-11-27T00:04:00.001-05:00

After my Darling Husband read my blog yesterday, he informed me that the Tale of The Devil Cat needed to be told.

Not our Devil Cat, but pretty close...

Several years ago, a Sweet Kitty wandered onto the porch of Sanborn Manor. Being an Animal Lover, my Father in Law tried to befriend the Large White Feline. It hissed at him and ran away.

That's fine. Some cats just take a little time to warm up to people, right? Oh the Naivety!

Soon, the stalking began.

During the day, Devil Cat could be seen skulking around in the woods, making expeditions across the yard to mark it's territory. I often spied him stalking the kids like a lion as they played in the yard. It terrorized Coco the Cat, a grumpy yet gentle creature who in his old age even tolerated the attacks of Darling Daughter (well, most of the time).

At night, it would rummage through garbage (how do Kitties get the lid off???), and find warm places inside the house to go potty and sleep. A favourite location for Devil Cat to hide was the Music Room above the Kitchen. We're still trying to get the stink out!

We were all born in a barn - in Spring and Autumn (aka Fall), we leave the doors open to enjoy cool breezes and fresh air. With Devil Cat around, we had to be vigilant to keep the house shut up tight. Quality of life was greatly disrupted by this Evil Kitty.

Once, as Mother in Law prepared to turn in for the night, she heard a strange noise in the room. She turned on the light, and Devil Cat jumped and hissed and ran under the bed. It refused to budge. She tried 'shoo-ing' it, coaxing it, poking it with a stick. All it did was hiss and snarl. Finally, Devil Cat charged for the open door, practically knocking Mother in Law off her feet. It left a 'gift' in it's wake.

The war was on. Devil Cat had to go.

We contacted Animal Control, got a cage and every night Father in Law faithfully, tirelessly put out the bait and set up the trap. Every morning we encountered one of two results:

1. A well fed possum patiently waiting to be set free, OR;
2. The cage upside down, food gone, trap door closed... evidence of Devil Cat's other-worldly ability to escape our clutches.

The battle continued for several years.

Oh, how I longed for a BB Gun!

Every tactic to capture, frighten, or expel Devil Cat was thwarted.

One day, he just disappeared.

We rejoiced, and tried not to hope for the worst.

Read yesterday's post, Backyard Paleontology, to find out what *may have* happened to Devil Cat.

I'm joining the Thirsty for Comments Thursday at Acting Balance. Stop by and join the fun!!

Backyard Paleontology

2011-11-25T22:07:00.001-05:00

Living on 2 acres in a Bird Sanctuary gives the kids a lot of room to move and explore. We take regular trips into the 'Jungle', hunting bears and bugs, and conquering fire breathing dragons.

We took one of these journeys shortly after we arrived in Florida, and made a magnificent discovery.

Bones.

A perfect, clean, white Skeleton.

The kids and I spent a while inspecting them, trying to decide what kind of animal they may have come from. An Opossum? A Racoon? A Cat? I even looked online, but couldn't find the answer.

We let the bones rest for quite a while, stopping by on various Expeditions to make up wild stories about the Animal's Demise... each story more fantastic and unbelievable than the last.

Today we finally moved the skeleton. Darling Husband wanted to give my Little Paleontologists a chance to practice their skills in the sandpit. He did soak it in bleach for a few minutes, just to make sure it was hygienic.

Samantha got to work right away, burying the bones carefully in the sand and 'discovering' them all over again.

There's a part of me that is a little grossed out. Mainly because I think that I've discovered the Identity of the Bones... I'm pretty sure that it's what's left of The Devil Cat that stalked our family for several years.

Borrowed Words

2011-11-20T23:57:00.001-05:00

This Article, "meat lovers beware! our taste buds have been contaminated" by kathy escobar, came across my path at a time when I've been thinking a lot about Meat - Spiritual Meat that is. It challenged me, and I think it's a timely challenge to the Body of Christ at large.

i think when we are honest what we really want is to be spoonfed spiritual milk and are terrified of true, tasty, Jesus steaks. most of the people i have been around through the years who demand “meat” are great, sincere believers. but usually their expressed desire for “meat” is actually them running for the safety of others who are more socially acceptable and sound more godly.

you see, the church has contaminated our taste buds. we have been taught to think that “spiritual” must include Bible knowledge, certainty, teaching, a touch of shame (and healing that looks like good behavior) so we keep seeking after it, church after church, Bible study after Bible study. but honestly, what it seems like to me is that people keep learning but never really apply much. we’re lonely but we never connect. we keep slipping in and out of services but never engage with a hurting person beyond “hi, nice to meet you.” (emphasis mine)

As a Missionary, I have to prepare my own ‘meat’ on the field (looking at it traditionally as the study of Word of God). Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and let someone else do the work

Recently, we started attending an awesome church, where they actually serve some Meat that I can sink my teeth into. Seriously, it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to feast at a table laden with such good Food. I’m really enjoying it and I'm very thankful!!!

But the other week, I started thinking, “I am saying ‘Yes and Amen’ so much during this guy's sermons, loving the challenges he puts forward and enjoying the ‘sucker punches’ a little too much. Am I really being challenged…?” Or perhaps the real question is “Am I applying the Challenge?”

Then today, I was enjoying the sermon again, nodding my head and thinking it through… and I got this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “How many of us in this room (about 200 of us) will actually take this challenge to heart? How many of us will remember it by dinner time and put legs on it??”

Escobar's article is a good reminder that the point of Church this is not *In Here* (meeting my needs). The point of Church is *Out There* (meeting other's needs), where life is uncomfortable and messy.

reach out to someone in need no matter how messy it seems. help the poor. sacrifice your time and money. restore a broken relationship. love the outcast, especially the person that bugs the hell out of you. spend the time you waste watching TV investing in a person, no matter how young or old. stop nagging your spouse and change your behavior. serve someone else. open your home to others. force yourself to do something uncomfortable. get your head around the reality that you’re just as messed up as ‘those people’. humble yourself and let another person into your life. stay in a friendship for the long haul instead of running away. (emphasis mine)

The Fellowship of Believers is for the Equipping of The Saints to *Go Out There*.

If we aren’t going, then we’re just getting fat.

And whether we’re feasting on milk or meat, it’s still just Spiritual Obesity.

Don't forget to visit Kathy Escobar to read the full article.

Mummyhood Joys (aka 'Hurl Watch')

2011-11-19T11:46:00.001-05:00

(warning: while The Author has attempted to be discrete, there are some who will find there is TMI. You've been warned).

One of the Mummyhood Joys that I don't enjoy is taking care of sick kiddos. Especially when they pass the illness on to me! ;-)

A good friend calls it "Hurl Watch". I like that term, so I hereby steal it.

On Monday evening I was on Hurl Watch with Darling Daughter. I thought she had merely over exerted herself over the weekend - Parties. Late nights. Too much candy. You know the drill. She didn't eat much Monday, but never complained of being sick. Then it started. It wasn't too bad. She put herself to bed and by the morning was fine.

Exhaustion Theory Proven. Right?

I was rudely awoken at 5am on Thursday morning by Darling Son. Hurling a little too close for comfort. Change the sheets. Throw the Boy in the bath. And Hurl Watch begins. Thankfully we have wooden floors and rugs that can be put away. Because there's no way to get this Boy to use a bucket. And somehow he always waits till my back is turned.

By the middle of the day I was feeling queasy myself, and at one point even declared that Darling Husband was on his own for Clean Up Duty as I ran from the room.

Exhaustion Theory Debunked. Completely.

Darling Son and I spent 2 days cuddled up either on the lounge watching movies or in bed snoring.

We're feeling much better today, but I think that Darling Husband is still recovering from playing nurse and Mr Mom all at the same time.

The Game

2011-11-03T01:08:00.001-04:00

A (male) friend and I were talking the other day about Games Women Play.

By the end of the conversation, we had come to this conclusion:

Girls are born with an intrinsic knowledge of The Game and all it's rules. They are Game Experts before they are out of diapers.

Boy have haven't got a clue that The Game even exists, and spend most of their lives trying to figure what the heck is going on.

Boys usually find out about the Game in one of 3 ways (not in any particular order):
1. a kind Female Friend who lets him in on the secret - usually one that doesn't particularly like The Game and doesn't see the point in keeping Half the Players in the Dark;
2. an older, wiser Male Friend who still hasn't got a clue what the rules are or The Game's Purpose;
3. Intense Heartbreak - the kind where the Girl rips his heart out and stomps on it - which sends him on a quest to find out what the heck happened.

In all three cases, Boys and Men will spend most of their lives scratching their heads, trying to figure out What the Heck is Going On.

Tell me what you think. Impress me with your wisdom and insights.

Do you agree or disagree? Do you even believe The Game exists?

And remember, this is supposed to be fun.

Thailand Floods

2011-10-31T12:06:00.001-04:00

During the 2011 Rainy Season, Thailand was hit by several typhoons (aka hurricanes or cyclones). In the North, many communities and villages were hit by flooding 7 or 8 times within a 2 months period. They'd clean up their homes and possessions, but before anything had time to dry, another flood would sweep through the village.

Thais are very pragmatic. The floods are a part of life. Your figure out work arounds to get on with life. You wade through waist deep water to get to the high place where your motorbike is parked into order to ride to work. You transform your food cart into a boat, so you can keep making money. You sleep in a bed infested with termites looking for a new home. You sit in your flooded living room, watching T.V. You eat your lunch as the flood waters swirl around you. This may sound crazy to you, but it's the truth. Our friend experienced all of this and more. And she always managed to keep that Beautiful Thai Smile on her face.

One Third of Thailand is covered in flood waters. The ground is saturated. The rivers are bursting. The Dams are braking. There's nowhere for the water to go, except South to the Gulf of Thailand. But the problem is that Bangkok is in the way. So, the flood waters continue to rise. Bangkok is being inundated with 16 billion cubic meters of water, flowing down from the Mountains and Rivers of the North and North East. Many of the levies have broken, or are too low to contain that volume of water within Bangkok's rivers and canals. Many areas of Bangkok are expecting 1.5 to 2 meters of water to rush through streets, businesses and homes. And it will take One to Two Months for the flood waters to completely subside.

The immediate impact is already being seen. Millions are displaced by evacuation. Infrastructure is disrupted. Industry and Economy effected. Dramatic inflation in cost of basic needs like food, water, shelter, and toilet paper. All over the country, supplies are scarce as Bangkok is the main port and supply route.

I can't imagine what long term impact of this flooding will be. Some reports say that the economic repercussions will effect much of Asia.

Thailand is suffering, but as you can see by many of the photos on the web, they are still displaying the Thai Smile that hides all the turmoil that is churning underneath.

Life Goes On. When the flood hits, you adapt, you play, you just have to wait for it to pass.

You help your neighbour as much as you can. It's a community event. No such thing as 'every man for himself' (in most places).

But what will the long term impact be? How long will they be able to suffer before something breaks?

Please keep Thailand in your prayers. Think about donating to one of the NGO's that are working within Thailand to provide food, water, clothing and toilet paper to the Millions effected by this flood.

If you want to know more, you can visit the following sites to get news and to find out who's helping and how to donate:

News:
www.bangkokpost.com
www.nationmulitmedia.com

NGO updates and Donations:
http://www.ywamthai.org/news/

(Edit : I have tried to find info on other organizations that are accepting donations, but so far have found nothing. So, YWAM is the way to go).

NOTE: as I wrote this, as friend posted a report on Facebook about escalation of unrest in Southern Thailand. Even more reasons to keep this wonderful Nation in prayer!!!

Making Yummy, Healthy Snacks

2011-10-24T17:58:00.005-04:00

I recently discovered the wonders of the Coconut.

While in Thailand, I discovered the healing qualities of the Coconut for face and hair care. I have been using Virgin Coconut Oil for my hair for years. My hair is softer, stronger and more manageable.

But Coconuts are not simply a beauty product.

Coconuts are packed full of goodness - high fiber, high protein, and powerful antioxidants. You can use the meat, the water and the oil for cooking scrumptious and healthy meals and snacks for your family. You can make milk, cream and flour from it.

Today I made the following from recipes on the Tropical Traditions Recipe Blog using coconut flour, shredded coconut, and coconut oil.

Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins
The are so yummy! Light and fluffy. And a winner with my kids. They wanted more!!

Chocolate Coconut Balls
I love these because they are quick and easy. No baking necessary. And it's a great way to tame a chocolate craving. I made 2 batches. The first batch, I added half the sugar. The were a little more bitter, but being a lover of dark chocolate, I don't mind. The second batch I replaced the sugar with pure 100% Maple Syrup (no added sugar or preservatives). Perfection. My kids didn't notice a difference. And I am gonna have to keep these babies on a high shelf in the fridge to keep little fingers from sneaking treats!!

Check out Tropical Traditions and discover the Wonders of the Coconut for yourself. Receive a free copy of "Virgin Coconut Oil - The Book" when you order by clicking the link below.

Special Price! - 2 pints - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil 16 oz. - Buy 1 get 1 FREE!

Enjoy!!

The Continuing Saga of the Broken Housewife

2011-10-14T08:41:00.003-04:00

I discovered this morning that myHousewife Add On is still corrupt.

I thought that it had been reloaded andupdated with the Latest Version. But Recent Market Research indicatesthat I'm still having problems with it.

Last night, I put my Sleepy Jet LaggedKiddos to bed at 8pm, and then I cleaned up the living and diningrooms in preparation for the arrival of Mother In Law. I was so proudof myself. I did a great job getting rid of all Remnants of thePresence of Children at Sanborn Manor. And then I put my Jet LaggedSelf to bed for the night.

At least I thought I had done a goodjob.

The kids woke up at 5am, and I sleepilywondered through the house to get them their Morning Milk. Eventhrough the Sleepy Fog, I saw a difference in the condition of thehouse.

Someone with a State of The ArtHousewife Add On has been through here.

That can only mean one thing...

I pushed it aside.

(Devil on the Left Shoulder): Oh well. I'm jetlagged. That's a good excuse.

(Angel on the Right Shoulder): But Mother in Law is Jet Lagged, too.

It couldn't have been Mom! Could it?

Later in the morning (around 7am) Iheard Mother In Law talking with Darling Husband. Something aboutBrother In Law and Son of Tenant cleaning the house after we all wentto bed.

Oh Great.

As it turns out, those Guys have abetter version of Housewife Add On than I do!!!

I can't compete with that!

How do you compete with Perfection?

Edit: After I posted this, I went down stairs and to my utter disbelief, Sanborn Manor was EVEN CLEANER!

It was then that I had an Epiphany:
Mother In Law is not just running a Housewife Add On. She has installed the Latest, most Exclusive and much Coveted 'Housewife OS XI'.

I am DOOMED to mediocrity. All my efforts have failed before I have even begun.

Important Note: I love my Mother In Law. She is wonderful, The best MIL in the Universe. And she never rubs my nose in my failures. I can write a post like this because she is Truly Awesome. If she wasn't, I'd never have to guts to write this.

Another Trans Pacific Trip

2011-10-13T16:10:00.001-04:00

Traveling with Kids is always fun. You never know quite what to expect - from the kids or the people around you.

Like the guy sitting in the isle seat next to Darling Husband and Darling Daughter on our flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong. As soon as he saw us approaching, he winced. Then, as we got ourselves settled, he called the Flight Attendant over and told her, "I need coffee! Lots of coffee. Just keep it coming continuously. Intravenously, if you can." Then he thought for a moment and said, "And is there another seat I can move to. I can't sit next to kids. I am going all the way to LA today, you know..."

Hmm, is he saying his destination effects his attitude?? A few minutes later, he was moved.

I sure am glad the Kid Hating Coffee Addict is moving. Have a Pleasant Flight, sir!

He was replaced by a Very Pleasant Woman who enjoyed every minute of Darling Daughter's Antics.

Darling Son and I sat next to Congenial Sleepy English Man, who said nothing after the Initial Pleasantries.

The Long Flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco was very uneventful. We watched movies and slept - we had the middle 4 seats of the plane, so there was little or no interaction with other passengers.

I was pleasantly surprised by our reception in San Francisco, especially at the hotel. Perhaps it was because it was a pet friendly hotel - other guests were kind and pleasant, talked to our kids, made positive comments about their various antics. One couple even volunteered to babysit - twice!! Oh so different to other experiences on the same Itinerary.

When we got to the Airport for our final flight to Tampa, the United Check-in Representative was actually pleasant and helpful!! And didn't charge us for our bags!!! Thanks for saving us $135, Amy!! It's been many many years since we had a pleasant experience in a US Airport. Even the TSA officers tolerated Master Two's Antics. And Miracle of Miracles! The gate agents were pleasant and helpful. AND they've reinstated the Family 'Pre-Board' that had disappeared for a number of years.

Whew! We're on the home stretch. A direct flight is always an unexpected blessing!!

As I sat in my isle seat, waiting to find out who Mr or Mrs Window Seat would be, I looked up and saw a Handsome Guy with a big smile on his face. He walked up, and saw Timmy sitting next to me. His first words, addressing Timmy, were, "Oh cool!!! I get to sit next to you!!" Then he turned to me and said, "I was just visiting my nephew. He's about the same age." So, the three of us chatted a while, until Timmy and Mr Window Seat yawned and fell asleep. I watched 'Mr Poppers Penguins' for a while, then took a little nap myself. Feeling all warm and fuzzy that Timmy was seated next to the only person on the plane who was actually glad he was there...

Living Out of A Suitcase

2011-10-06T07:03:00.000-04:00

It's been 7 days since we moved into the Hotel. Since then, both Master Two and Miss Four have gotten sick. Darling Husband's body has been trying to get sick, but somehow his mind keeps overcoming the Attack of The Germs. I'm in Survival Mode. Just get through the day. Keep the kids entertained until the next nap.

The other day we stopped by the Empty House that was once our Home to do some final cleaning. I walked in and just wanted to escape again. But I did my duty, then went out for lunch. As we walked home, Miss Four's school called to tell us that she had a fever and an earache. She was absolutely distraught. Apparently, the teacher had walked her home (on the same street as the school), and I wasn't there because I was having lunch with Mother in Law. Miss Four actually thought that I had taken her to school and then left her. Completely. Abandoned Forever.

I walked to the school as fast as I could, and then took Miss Four to our Empty House. She walked around asking, "Where's my bed? Where are my toys? Why are we leaving? Can you ask Daddy to bring our stuff back, and can we just live here forever?"

My Heart Broke. I sat with my sobbing daughter and cried with her. "I wish we could stay here forever, too."

Then I took her to see the doctor. I wasn't taking any chances with ear problems, considering we'll be flying across the Pacific Ocean in just 5 days. She slept for 4 hours once we got back to the Hotel.

The next day, Darling Husband met with the Landlord. We've had a great relationship with this guy for 7 years. He told us that when we move back to Chiang Mai, we can come live here again. I like that idea. It would be nice to move back into our Family Home at some point.

Then again, sometimes Life propels us forward and we must leave the things we love behind for our Growth and our Benefit.

Keep looking Forward. In less than a week, we'll be in our other Home on a different continent. Embarking on New Adventures.

The Whirlwind

2011-10-03T08:22:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday we picked up DH's Mom fromthe airport, and began to finalize for our week. We would move out ofthe house on Saturday, complete all the packing, and then the moverswere to come the following Tuesday.

That evening, the mover came andinformed us that he needed to come on Saturday morning. What?? Moving3 days ahead of schedule? We tried to convince him to wait, but thelatest he could wait was Sunday. We had no choice but to say 'Yes' ashe was the only mover we could afford.

Thus began The Whirlwind.

What was supposed to be a leisurelyfamily affair became a mad dash to pack up and sell or throw away 11years of stuff. Even this evening, just hours before the moversarrive, we had a family come and purchase our fridge.

We had been slowly going through stufffor months. We even had a garage sale and advertised in theclassifieds. But it wasn't until we moved into the Hotel on Thursdayand actually began to sort through stuff we use day to day that werealized how big this job was.

This week my brain was totally out tolunch. Every time I tried to sort and pack, I was paralyzed. Icouldn't think clearly. I would logically think through all theprojects on my list, and how I would tackle them. Then I'd approachthe task, and I would freeze. At one point I even turned to my MotherIn Law and asked for a hug and cried a little.

Oh, I am so glad she was here thisweek, because we could not have done this without her.

I never thought leaving the Home that Imade with my Hubby and Kids would be so difficult and emotional.

Moving into the hotel made a bigdifference. I was able to see things more objectively and got a lotmore done.

Master Two got sick on Thursday night –with high fevers and sleepless nights. The last few days I've spenta lot of time sitting on the lounge (or watching Word World), hugginga sick little boy and trying to get his fever down. Another goodreason to have Nana around, because she's the only reason I was ableto leave that couch and get work done!!

So, I'm sitting here in the dark in theHotel, just me and my kids, while MIL and DH work really hard tonightto get all the last minute sorting and tossing and packing done. Bythe time we get back to the House in the morning, Darling Husbandwill be gone with the movers. MIL, the Kids and I will relax atchurch and then come back to the pool.

The kids need some serious Mummy Timethe next day or two, to help them cope with the stress of leavingtheir Home.

On Tuesday, we get down to the businessof scrubbing the house until it Sparkles. Another reason to rejoicethat MIL is here to help. She has the Highest Quality and MostEfficient Housewife Add-On installed. By the time we are done, theLandlord is gonna need shades when he inspects the place.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T06:05:00.002-04:00

Samantha woke up Full of Awesome

Musings from Sanborn Cottage

2011-09-25T11:11:00.000-04:00

I have just 6 days left in Sanborn Cottage, this house I have called Home for 7 years.

Sanborn Cottage: an Oasis in the City

In this house, we lost our first child, Peter, to miscarriage.

In this house, we are raising two amazing miracle children - awesome gifts from a Kind and Loving Father God.

In this house, we have welcomed friends and family from the Four Corners of the World.

In this house, we owned three dogs - our furbabies that we loved and spoiled while we waited for our children to arrive.

This house has been a refuge in the storms. A place of laughter and of tears. A place of triumph and failure.

The rapturous laughter of Children fills it's rooms, where the tears of a Childless Mother and Father once flowed.

This house is the only Home my children have known.

And in just 6 days we'll load up the truck, lock the doors for the last time and embark on a Brand New Adventure.

In Thai, the word for Adventure can be translated two ways:
การผจญภัย - GaanPajonPai - which literally means "Face the Disaster"
การฝ่าอันตราย - GaanFaaAntdarai - which literally means "Undergo the Danger"

It's a journey into the Unknown. The part of the road that I see in front of me is straight and sure. But there is a bend in the road at the Foothills, and then the road disappears into the steep Mountains of Change and Danger.

We will face our Adventure Head On. Knowing that we are safe no matter which way the road turns, how steep the cliffs are, or what storms lay ahead of us.

Because God is my Rock and my Fortress.

I lift my eyes up and see the (scary) mountain, who will help me?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
He will help me scale this mountain, he will not let my foot slip.
He will not let me stumble and fall.
(based on Psalm 121, paraphrased as my prayer today).

Reading Books???

2011-09-24T02:27:00.000-04:00

I haven't read a book in a long time. Not since I had my Sweet Baby Girl (who is now 4).

I've listened to many audio books and lectures, but curling up with a nice novel or even a parenting book is the stuff of dreams.

Recently, pulled a book of the shelf and started reading. It's called 'Parenting with Love and Logic' by Cline and Fay. I haven't finished it. No, it's probably gonna take me a few months to get through.

So far I am enjoying it. I've only read two chapters, but it's a fairly easy read and most of the stuff they say is logical... who'd have thunk? The gist so far is that we need to teach our kids to be responsible for their attitudes and actions. It's not my job as Mum to rescue the Rugrats at every turn. Sometimes letting them climb and then fall is actually a learning experience that teaches them either - how to climb without falling, or not to climb on that particular object.

One practical tip that stuck out to me as I was reading was this from page 26:

Love and Logic Tip #1 - Unforturnately, When our Gut Talks, Our Head Listens. Most of us parent out of gut reactions... (but) adult 'gut reactions' are the result of childhood responses to family emotions and interactions.
To summarize their point - if I had many positive childhood experiences, then maybe my 'gut reactions' are okay. But if I had negative experiences or a dysfunctional family, then they may not be the best responses for my kids.

Well, I had many negative experiences. So many, that I can't remember most of my childhood (setting of alarm bells for my Life Coach, I'm sure). What this book has taught me (so far) is that I need to catch myself at the moment of Reaction and STOP. Think through the situation logically (perhaps sending DD or DS to their rooms for a few minutes while I figure it out) and then decide how to Respond and Act in a Logical and Loving way. A way that teaches Why a certain Behavior is wrong or unacceptable, Consequences and also Responsibility.

And it's not just about discipline. This morning my daughter said, "Stupid Eastern Dogs" and a few other choice phrases she's picked up. I sat down with her to explain, once again, that these words are not polite and we shouldn't say them.

Well, she called me on it. "Mummy, why are you allowed to say stupid?"
Blushing and embarrassed, I replied, "Um. You know what Samantha, Mummy isn't allowed to say it. Mummy was very rude and I'm very sorry that I used that word."

And I stood there for a few minutes and considered the 'choice words' that my children have learned from me.

Yes, Mummy has a potty mouth and it's time she did something about it!!

Five Question Friday

2011-09-22T22:54:00.000-04:00

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic.

Realistic: I'm living my dream job. Missionary to the ends of the earth.... Mum to TWO adorable children! Wife to the Most Awesome Man in the Universe.

Completely Unrealistic: I want to be a world renounced Superstar singer, song writer and performer. For now I'll just sing and dance with the kids.

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other?

Of course I do. I burp in front of him, too. Sometimes we even have burping competitions... if you can't be yourself in front of your SO, then who can you be yourself with???

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it?

Well, according to Google Maps, the Winner would be Ridge Manor, FL. It's a cool 26,000+ kms from Sydney, Australia. And the directions are hilarious!!! Visit This Is Me to find out more about this.

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a kid?

We have all the kids friends come over. Because the birthdays are only a week apart and they have the same friends, I combine the party. But I might give them separate parties as they get older.

5. Fave thing about fall?
Well, I've never experienced a 'real fall', because I am from Australia and we have mostly evergreens, and the places I have lived in the USA don't have the colorful falls that you read about and see photos of... I am hoping that I will get to go to New England this year to experience it... and have a story to tell.

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning! Also...and this IS IMPORTANT...have fun!!!

Wanting what I already have

2011-09-21T13:00:00.000-04:00

Part of my problem is lack of contentment. I am always looking for something more, rather than just being thankful for what I have.

My Life Coach told me the first time we met: Happiness is wanting what you already have.

It's a cliche. A pat answer. I hate pat answers.

But somehow God used that to challenge me to contentment and thankfulness.

This last week I have had a major breakthrough.

My Life Coach asked me if I wanted to go through the Steps to Freedom in Christ. It seemed like we were just in the endless cycle that I couldn't get out of. So, I said yes.

I've done the Steps before. I was actually on the worship team at the Freedom in Christ Conference here in Chiang Mai. But it didn't seem to make a difference back then. It was formulaic and stifled. It just seemed to me to be yet another 'quick fix' formula that Christians latch on to because the daily acts of being a disciple are just too hard.

So, last week I started going through the steps. There was nothing spectacular about it. I just prayed the prayers, and went on with my life.

But there is a difference in my outlook.

Things that Sean and the kids do that would normally get me angry... I laugh it off.

I find it easier to do house work. I *actually see* what needs to be done. Smells and mess actually bother me a little now!! It's like my Housewife Add-on has been replaced and is now fully functional.

And I have more strength, energy, and Joy! in my life than I have in a long time.

I know there is no quick fix. I know that I'm now responsible to continue to make the right choices everyday, so I can Grow where God Plants me - where ever that is.

But it is nice to wake up in the morning ready to do what is expected of me (and looking forward to it) rather than dreading the duties of my simple existence.

I'm not done yet. There's more. There will always be more. Life is a DTS*. When you stop growing and learning, you die. I'm not ready for that yet.

*DTS: Discipleship Training School.

Living in a Flower Pot

2011-09-20T23:42:00.001-04:00

As I prepare to 'go home' for a while, I've been reflecting on my attitude about 'staying' or 'going' when it comes to the Call of God. All my life I have seen the 'going' as the Higher Calling. Somehow I'm more special because I chose to Go. I think I have that air about me, don't I - that somehow I'm better?? What do you think??

I'm realising more and more that the key is Obedience. Not so much 'grow where you are planted' (the age old excuse for staying put), but 'Grow where God plants you'. Don't put your roots down so deep in the Soil of Life that God can't transplant you where He wants you to Grow. Better still, let God plant you in a Flower Pot, so you're ready to Go whenever and where ever He sends you - whether that's next door, to the other side of the tracks or the other side of the world.

It's a real struggle for me to consider going home for an extended period. Logically, it seems like a step backward rather than forward. And yet, I pray and have peace. I know God is leading. I can even see some of the reasons why He is leading us in that direction. But I'm still struggling to let go of this Dream, even for a short period.

image credit: Decorating for Tranquility: Creating Your Perfect Home

I am reminded of the analogy of the tree planted by Streams of Water (Psalm 1). It's tall and sturdy. It's roots are deep and strong (planted in the Soil of God, not the Soil of Life). I can't help but think about it's purpose. The tree isn't there for itself. It's branches reach out to provide shade. It helps create oxygen (life). It produces fruit for food. It's a place of refuge, rest and refreshment. When the storms come, it stands tall, unmoved.

So, I will let God transplant me into a bigger Pot, and move me to the place where the Light, Soil and Water are just right. Where I can grow bigger and stronger, and provide more shade, rest and refreshment for the those that need it.

And as I am Obedient, I pray that He will get the Greatest Glory from my life.

At The Mall

2011-09-14T02:40:00.000-04:00

The Thai Mall Experience is not a relaxing one. There is no quiet corner to enjoy a coffee.

It's loud. Obnoxiously Loud.

Ads. Music. Music. Ads. Shop One is loud. Shop Two is Louder. Shop Three opens and the war begins.

Then the video games join the fray, live performances by people who should not be singing, TV's blaring with no one watching. Then there's the kid's toy rides, each with it's own obnoxious little ditty.

10 Million Voices scream for you attention, muting all intelligent thought.

A Glorious thing happened at Big C Extra (like a Super Walmart).

The power went out.

Instant Silence.

The heaviness lifted and we began to float. The kids stopped acting like animals. We could now talk without yelling. Intelligent thought returned. We all felt like the peaceful, calm human beings we normally are.

It lasted only a brief moment. The power came back on. One by one the Voices began to power up, again joining the Infamous Chorus of the Thai Mall.

We escaped as quickly as our feet would carry us.

Where is my security?

2011-09-09T00:51:00.000-04:00

We are a family in constant transition. We're always jet-setting or driving off for another adventure. We've always managed to maintain stability, with a home base on each of the 3 continents that we frequent. There's always a family member or friend waiting to greet us and take us 'home'.

Right now we are the middle of the biggest Transition that we have undertaken since we moved to Thailand. We've decided it's time to pack up our home and life in Chiang Mai and move to a new Frontier. All was moving forward without problems - our new ministry partner was excited; the Leadership was excited; we were excited.

About two months ago, something happened that changed our trajectory. A large portion of our monthly support was cut. It wasn't really a surprise - perhaps it just happened sooner than expected.

We have never let finances be a deciding issue in our ministry. Even if the bank account tells you there's not enough, you just pray and ask God to provide. He always comes through.

But what do you do when suddenly there's barely enough for your rent and utilities? You can only tighten the belt so far, before it starts to squeeze the life out of you.

So, we had to stop and pray. We had a lot of tough questions to ask. It was not so much a question of leaving Thailand for good, but more, "How long will it take to raise enough money so we can come back?" We also had to ask, "How much do we hold onto (ie. our possessions) in the expectation of coming back?" We pretty much decided to either sell or give everything away.

Then, Sean asked, "Should we sell the truck?"

I totally baulked at this. I'm totally fine with getting rid of ALL the junk we have accumulated over the last 11 years.

But Not the Truck!!! That's my stake in Thailand. That's the thing that tells me I'm coming back!

I spent about 2 weeks grappling with the idea of selling the Truck. At our YWAM National Staff Conference, God challenged to lay down my rights and my dreams again at the feet of Jesus. The whole 3 days, as the National Leaders talked about the vision for the future I was so excited. My heart kept on saying, "Yes! Count me in! I'm gonna be a part of that!" And then I would fall back on my knees and cry out, "Oh God, let me be a part of this. Let me stay in Thailand. Don't make me leave! Yet, not my will, but Your Will be done."

And I gave Him the truck, too. It really wasn't about the truck, anyway.

It was about security. It was about guarantees. It was about trusting God with my dreams for my family and my vision for ministry.

I have the feeling He's stripping everything back, again, to help me find my only True Security - Jesus, My Saviour and My Rock.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T12:43:00.000-04:00

The Snake that Lives in Our Yard

Fifteen Years

2011-09-01T13:01:00.019-04:00

On this Day in 1996, my Knight in Shining Armour rode in on his White Horse, and swept me away. Thus began our Grand Adventure.... Fighting dragons. Taming raging rivers. Conquering formidable mountains. Resting by refreshing streams and fields of wild flowers. And Dancing in the Minefields.

Sean, thank you for sweeping me away! Thank you for the awesome adventures. Thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for our children. Thank you for your love and devotion. Thank you for Taking Me Dancing.

So, I dedicate this song to my Handsome Knight. I wouldn't want to go Dancing with anyone else.

Fifteen Things: Number Fifteen

2011-08-31T13:01:00.010-04:00

Traveling Companion

He's my favourite traveling companion. And I'm not just talking about the individual adventures we enjoy together.

I'm talking about the Grand Adventure.

We have rejoiced triumphantly on the mountain top; we have stumbled through the valley of the shadow of death - blind, lost, hopeless. We have shouted in bitterness and anger at raging storms; we have rested peacefully beside quiet, cool streams under clear blue skies.

Sometimes the triumph is his, and I rejoice with him. Sometimes the heartache was mine, and he stands beside me in the darkness – holding my hand.

The important thing is that we are creating this Adventure together.

Fifteen Things: Number Fourteen

2011-08-30T13:01:00.014-04:00

Dedication

My Man is Dedicated. When he commits to something, he never gives up. No matter how hard something gets, he will see it through to completion.

Another way to describe him is Tenacious. He is steadfast in his thinking; not easily swayed by emotions and efforts to discourage. He's a Rock, standing firm in the hurricanes of life.

And He's Mine!

Fifteen Things: Number Thirteen

2011-08-29T13:01:00.009-04:00

Creativity

He always has creative project to work on. Right now, he's working on 3 books, including a series called Missionary Kid Adventures, and a comic book. When he works in the garden, he doesn't just mow the lawn or trim the hedges – he's coming up with creative landscaping ideas and solutions to landscaping problems.

But it's more just projects. Creativity is an essential part of who he is.

He's always thinking outside the box. He challenges Status Quo and assesses the effectiveness of methods and patterns of thought. Why does it have to be done that way? Especially if the 'acceptable norm' isn't working? It's much more enjoyable and satisfying to come up with new ideas, to attack an issue from a different angle, and implement a new, creative solution.

I call him the Trail Blazer.

Fifteen Things: Number Twelve

2011-08-28T13:01:00.025-04:00

He has a great sense of humor. Perhaps I think that cause it's so similar to mine.

We can laugh together. We appreciate many of the same movies and shows. We don't usually go to the movie theater these days, because we drive the other patrons crazy with our raucous laughter - just at the anticipation of the joke!

Oh, and I love people watching with this guy. The stories he comes up with!!! Like the 'farangs' sitting in the Red Truck (mini bus) in front of us as we zoomed down the highway... we had so much fun with that...

He's not afraid to laugh out loud. A belly laugh that echoes through the room and makes people turn their heads.

He gets my sarcasm. My innuendo. My dry humour. My Aussie-ness.

And I think he's an all round funny, fun loving guy.

Fifteen Things: Number Eleven

2011-08-27T13:01:00.037-04:00

He always compliments the food I make. Literally goes on about it.

Sean: "This is beautiful, Darl. What ya call these things again?"
Me: "Rissoles, Darl. Everybody cooks rissoles." (Blushes)
Sean: "Yeah, but it's what you do with them... why would you want to go out to a fancy restaurant when this gets served up each night. You could open a shop."

Okay, that's dialogue from my favourite Aussie movie, The Castle. And sometimes when I'm super critical of my cooking, he does actually use these lines. It's just a funny, silly thing we do.

He taught me everything I know about making great food. That was another module of my 'Housewife Add-On' that was missing when we first got married. Fifteen years on, the upgrades now download automatically, and I'm a good cook.

"Thanks, Darl!"

Fifteen Things: Number Ten

2011-08-26T13:15:00.003-04:00

What do you do when you see a snake? I used to squirm and stay as far away as possible.

Then I met The Snake Man. He's famous for catching and killing cobras and vipers. People all over our town know that when you find a snake, you call this man. He just happens to be my husband.

He taught me to appreciate and respect these slithery creatures. By the way, snakes are not slimy. Far from it.

So now, we catch snakes together. I think the quintessential moment came a few years ago when we were driving down our street late at night. The Snake Man saw a snake slither across the road. He stopped the car and jumped out. Without thinking, I jumped out of the car, too, and ran to open our gate. I grabbed our machete and a big stick. Then we rounded up the snake together. We took it home and put it in a box, until we were able to identify it with our Snake Book. It wasn't poisonous, so Sean took it down to the field and let it go.

After that, we did our snake hunting as a team. Even our dogs joined in, alerting us to the presence of snakes with “The Snake Bark”. We caught a baby snake the other day. It looked like a Black and White Krait at first, but we figured out from the tail that it was just a copy cat Rat Snake.

Fifteen Things: Number Nine

2011-08-25T13:01:00.002-04:00

He brings me flowers... regularly.

Fifteen Things: Number Eight

2011-08-24T13:01:00.001-04:00

Friendship

He is my Best Friend. We love doing stuff together. It doesn't mean we must do everything together, but we really LIKE hanging out with each other and being together. My other friendships don't come any where near as close to the depth of friendship I have with my Husband! I thank God for this awesome Gift of Friendship.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T02:29:00.000-04:00

Our future pilot.

Fifteen Things: Number Seven

2011-08-23T13:01:00.002-04:00

Integrity

What you see is what you get. He is uncompromising in his purpose and his values. When he sees injustice or hypocrisy, he challenges it and deals with it. Sometimes people don't like that. But he's more concerned with consistency between belief, values and action than with making others happy.

Fifteen Things: Number Six

2011-08-22T13:01:00.003-04:00

Timmy wakes up in the middle of the night with a raging fever – for the 3^rd night in a row. He comes in and says, “Let me take care of him tonight. You've been working hard.” And he sends me back to bed.

Then he lets me sleep in.

Moving Sale

2011-08-22T03:09:00.000-04:00

Part One of a New Adventure.

Packing up 11 years of one's life is exhausting. For the last few weeks we have been sorting and packing up all our stuff, getting ready to sell most of it as we prepare to move to a new city.

There's a sense of excitement and freedom in our household, as we get ready for a New Adventure. Tossing junk. Selling bits and pieces, and quite of few big things, too. Sorting through books - they are considered a treasure, but still, some have to go. Wading through paper work. Clearing out cupboards. Selling cupboards, book shelves, toys, furniture. Even clothes. It all has to go. Finally. We can start over.

But it's also exhausting. Emotionally and physically. Decisions. Decisions. "Is that book really that precious?" "How long has it been since I wore that dress? And will I ever squeeze into it again?"

Then there's the phone calls, "I saw in the classifieds you're selling X,Y, Z. Can I come by and take a look?" I really don't mind these encounters. They are usually pleasant and the buyers come with a win-win attitude.

Yard sales are a different story.

We had a yard sale on the weekend. We told everyone we'd start at 9am. Some people showed up at 8am and wanted us to open the gate. Alas, my husband, being a stand up guy and very Graeng Jai*, opened the gate and let them in. I came outside and very rudely lamented that we don't start till 9am. They started rummaging through stuff, and loudly lamented that it was all to expensive, and began to bargain hard. So, in Thai I very rudely (ie. not graeng jai) told them, "We don't start till 9am. Don't ask questions till then!! We're too busy!" Thankfully our babysitters showed up right then, cause I was ready to tell them to go sit in their cars and wait!!

It's really hard when you're selling your stuff and you know it's value, and then people rudely say things like, "Paeng ja tdai!" ("So expensive, I'm gonna die!")

Excuse me!? I already getting Satang on the Baht for it!!!! I wanted to yell. I paid 300baht for that, and I'm selling it for 50baht. How is that 'Paeng ja tdai'?

In these situations, I really don't like dealing with Thai resellers (the ones that come to 'resell' - they troll Farang** yard sales, demanding super low prices so they can resell them at the second hand market). They come with a sense of intimidation and manipulation. Looking back, I really wish I had stuck to my guns. There was one lady who was so rude about it all. "Paeng ja tdai! Paeng ja tdai!", she said over and over, manipulating both Sean and I into reducing the price. I'm pretty sure she's the one who stole the BOSE speakers that Sean had set down next to the books we were selling. I should have charged her more! Next time, I will.

Yes, we have to have another sale in a few weeks. And next time, I will not open the gate before 9am. I will not reduce the price to the point that I make my Helper, P'Wan almost vomit and then whine for days on end about how we got ripped off.

So, while I'm excited about this New Adventure, I really need someone to come and sell my stuff for me. I'm far too Graeng Jai* to be mean to my Thai customers, even though I talk the talk.

* 'graeng jai' (เกรงใจ) means: to be considerate, to be too courteous, to be afraid of offending, to look up with great respect

* 'farang' (ฝรั่ง) is the colloquial term for white foreigner. It's used as a term of endearment and in a derogatory manner interchangeably. It's also then Thai name for Guava. So, when Farang's eat farang, everyone has a good laugh.

Fifteen Things: Number Five

2011-08-21T13:01:00.003-04:00

Vision

He is a man of Vision. He knows his purpose, and he knows how to get there. He's not easily distracted. Oh, people have tried to sway him, with offers of money, power and position. Whenever he gets a good offer, he asks, “How does this fulfill the vision? Will this help me hit the mark?” He will not settle for 'good enough'. He wants the Best.

Fifteen Things: Number Four

2011-08-20T13:01:00.001-04:00

Father

He is an an awesome Father. He loves his kids like not other Father. He's up with them at night when they can't sleep. He changes diapers! He takes them to the zoo and the park. And is even willing to play Daniel in the Lions Den (as the Lion) or Jonah and the Whale (as the Whale). He cuddles them when they cry, and soothes them back to sleep when they are sick. He's always got a word of encouragement and praise.

Yes, he's an awesome Dad.

Fifteen Things: Number Three

2011-08-19T13:01:00.000-04:00

Dreams.

Not many people in my life have believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. He does.

In 2004, he moved to Bangkok with me, a City he absolutely abhors, so that I could attend the School Of Worship at YWAM Bangkok. He endured 3 months of living in a tiny room that was basically a sauna, so that I could fulfill a dream I'd had since I was 17.

Today he asked me, "Why haven't you recorded your songs yet?"
I replied, "Well, I'm waiting for this to happen, or that piece of equipment. I don't have everything I need to do a good job."
"Forget about all that! Just record them! Record a scratch track. Record 10 scratch tracks. Just do it! Have some fun with it. You need to do it!"

Fifteen Things: Number Two

2011-08-18T13:01:00.031-04:00

Adventure.

When we got married, he promised to show me the world. And he's delivered.
I've seen more of Australia with him than I ever did on my own.
We've visited Switzerland and Germany, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Singapore together.
I fulfilled a life long dream to visit the Terracotta Soldiers in Xian, Northern China. And we've been to remote places in Southern China, where we were told we were the first white people since the Revolution.
I've lived in America and Thailand. And moved house more times than I can count.
We've been on road trips across continents. Epic train journeys through exotic lands. And we pretty much have seats 45A, B, C & D reserved on just about every Trans Pacific Airline.

Now we've just gotta hit South America, Africa, Antarctica and Lake Baikal in Russia...

Family Date

2011-08-18T11:42:00.001-04:00

Tonight we went on a Family Date. Sean decided to treat the family to a nice dinner, as a reward for all the hard work we've done. Also, it's been a while since we went somewhere nice.

On the way to Dinner, Samantha asked if we could get ice cream. The standard answer is, "If you eat enough real food." Usually she doesn't. She doesn't like to eat. I find myself mortified almost every night when my Rugrats reject the food that I so faithfully and tirelessly prepare for them. But that's another story.

My goodness my girl can eat when she wants to. When she is on a mission for dessert.

Soup. Salad Bar. Bread. Fish. Chips. I've never seen that girl eat with such enthusiasm. Timothy also eat like a horse.

Who took my children and replaced them with these Eaters?

And well behaved! Samantha was a little lady. Timothy didn't have any choice, as he was 'stuck' to his chair. I love it when restaurants have kids chairs that you can tie your kids to. It's a rare sight in Thailand, indeed.

So, we all ate our awesome dinner and then stuffed ourselves silly with dessert.

Chocolate Mousse and Jelly (or Jell-O, for the Americans).

As we stuffed our faces, Samantha proclaimed, "Oh Daddy, Chocolate Mousse is sssoooooo much better than Tooth Mousse!!" If you know what that is, then this is funny. If not, Google it.

Then, it was time to hit the Mall Play Port. Ball Pits. Slides. Bouncy Castles. 1000 square feet of Childhood Bliss. All for only US$1.

We had so much fun. The kids were in an awesome mood. I expected the Sugar Rush to take over and turn them into Little Monsters, but thankfully my Little Angels stuck around to play.

I wish everyday were like today. Happy go lucky and carefree. Perfect Children in a Perfect Mood. With parents who love and appreciate them and each other - simply for who they are.

So, I'm not gonna talk about The Boy's bathtime/booktime/bedtime meltdown.

That would ruin the mood.

2011-08-18T10:38:00.000-04:00

This gives me the Chills. Good Chills. I'm excited. God is speaking to His people. He's stirring us up and shaking us up and telling us we need to do things differently.

The Holy Spirit is RE-Commissioning His Church!

"This is our Mission. The Great Commission..."

Are you read to Love, Liberate, Lead, and Launch?

This is Discipling from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

Fifteen Things: Number One

2011-08-17T13:01:00.001-04:00

Time

Samantha sneaks into his office while he's working. A few minutes later I figure out where she is, and go in after her. Their she is sitting on Daddy's lap, or sitting at his feet, playing & drawing; perhaps even telling him a story. I gently tell her Daddy is working and she needs to come out of the office. He says, "It's fine. Just give us a few minutes."

A little later, after the kids are sleeping, I tell him I need some time, too. So he wraps up what he's doing and we hang out.

He's always got time.

Speechless

2011-08-17T09:44:00.000-04:00

I just got this ad in my inbox. In light of my study of The Great Commission and The Mission of the Church (which I touched on in my post The Great Commission), it made me choke. Exactly the opposite of what I think the church needs to do.

ignitecrm

Retain visitors and increase member involvement with an Inreach Site powered by IgniteCRM, a web-based Church Relationship Management suite that allows you to:

Connect People with Interactive Member Dashboard

Empower Members to Give Online & Your Staff to Track through Integrated System

Increase your Reach & Member Participation with Social Media Integration

Track Contributions, Attendance & Member Engagement

In other words:
Circle the wagons! Keep the resources (both people and finances) inside our fellowship. Get them in, but don't let them get back out!

And what is Church Relationship Management? Are we so focused on numbers that we can't just see people as people? Are the churches programs really that important? Do numbers really matter?

The Church is not a corporation that needs to Manage it's Relationships. It's a dynamic, living organism! It's The Body of Christ. It is People. Lives transformed, healed and set free.

Jesus is about People, people!

The Great Commission

2011-08-15T12:09:00.009-04:00

Thanks to those of you who voted. I'd love it if you would leave a comment today and share some of your thoughts with me, too.

I believe that this Command is given to every one who calls them self a follower of Jesus. And we are all responsible to ask God what part He Calls us to play.

As a teenager, I was 'called' to be a missionary - one who is sent out; who goes cross culturally to tell people about Jesus. I believe that every Christian is commanded to 'Go'. It's clear to me. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and make disciples..." No one has an excuse to 'stay home'. I recently read an article By David Sitton, "Don't Complicate Missionary The Call". I enjoyed Sitton's no nonsense approach to "The Call" that Jesus gave all of us.

No aspect of mission is more bogged down with extra-biblical baggage than the “missionary call.” The clear command of Christ “to go” should be, by itself, sufficient to set you on your way “into all the world. . . proclaiming the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). You can’t go wrong by trying to go. Trust the Lord to direct your moving feet. .....Dramatic calls to ministry are the exception.

So, what does going look like?

The first step is to have an Outward Focus.

A key verse for me is John 4:35b, “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” A few years ago I was teaching at a camp in Thailand, and the theme was based on this verse. In Thai it says, “Lift up your face...”. If you're looking down at your own feet, you can only see where your next step is. But when you look up, you see over and above what's in front of you. You have a better view and you can see more clearly what's going on around you. In my heart and mind, this verse is linked to Psalm 121. “I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? It comes from You, the maker of heaven and earth...” God is saying: Look UP! Look around you. Look at what I am doing. Look to Me and get the Big Picture of My Plan. I am doing something in the people around you. Look up, and partner with Me.

Most of Church Ministry is focused inward. How do we get people into our church building and keep them there? How do we feed our people; how do we get them involved ministry in this fellowship? 80-90% of church programs are focused on maintaining the local fellowship and those who are already members. And outreach efforts are focused on getting more people 'saved' and 'plugged in' so that they look, act, think and speak just like us. If we have more members, then we can consider ourselves a greater success.

But Jesus said, "GO!" Make disciples. Jesus told us to get out of our comfort zones and love the unlovable, touch the untouchable. Meet people in their messes and in their sin and introduce them to the One who can set them free. He didn't say, "Tell them to clean themselves up, stop sinning, get your life right, and then maybe you'll be able to join our club and come to our meetings on Sundays and Wednesdays."

It's hard to Go outside my demographic and disciple people who don't look, act, think and speak like me. It makes me uncomfortable. Sometimes I don't know what to say, because my life experience is so different. And I'm broken, too. Who is gonna take care of me? What if my sin is exposed and it hinders my witness?

I've been on the mission field for 11 years now, and I've found that salvation is not an event. It's a lifestyle of repentance, dying to self, surrendering my will, learning to trust in the middle of the storm. "Work(ing) out (my) salvation in fear and trembling" as God refines me (Phil 2:12,13). Yes, Jesus saved me by Grace. It is Finished. I am forgiven and free. I 'accepted Christ as my Lord' at the age of 10. I prayed the 'sinners prayer' every night for 1 year, just to be sure that Jesus came to live in my heart. But, it was my parents and my Sunday school teachers who 'discipled' me to Christ. I already loved God, already prayed and sought to know His will and His ways, before I ever prayed the "sinner's prayer" (which incidentally, I prayed with great fear because someone told me "You didn't do it right, so how can you call yourself a Christian?'). In my teens, God planted me in an amazing church that discipled me to worship, obey and love God, to give Him my all, to serve Him with my whole heart. But they did all that in the hopes that I would stay there, be a 'pillar' in their fellowship, raise up the next generation in that church building. To lead them in to greatness...

Jesus said, "Go and Disciple the Nations". When I read those words, I knew I had to Go. There were dreams that I could have fulfilled if I had stayed where I was. I would have been a good worship leader, youth leader, young marrieds leader... I certainly made a great pillar! But God placed a passion in me, for the Nations, for the peoples of the earth to know him. In This Generation.

It took a lot of time before I actually went - in which time I was able to give and serve in the 'local church', a great training ground for the ministry God was preparing me for. I got 'itchy feet' at the age of 15, went on my first Mission trip to China and The Philippines when I was 17 (and my feet got even itchier!!). But I finally got on a plane to Thailand when I was 27, and have called this place Home ever since.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I wanted to share the beginning of my journey in understanding The Great Commission. I will be sharing more in the coming weeks.

In the Greek, that word is "ethnos", meaning ethnic groups, language groups, tribes and families. It does not refer to geo-political countries as we know them today. In Mission circles, this is pretty well understood. A more common term is 'people groups'.

Mother's Day

2011-08-12T05:50:00.000-04:00

Today is Mother's Day in Thailand. As a gift, my son woke up at 4 am. At 4:30am Darling Husband rescued me and let me go back to sleep. I thought that DH had miraculously settled Darling Son down, because the room went quiet. A little twinge of Mummy Jealousy rippled through my being... "Why doesn't my presence have that effect?"... as I slipped into sleepy oblivion.

When I finally woke up, again, I discovered that DH had taken DS into the other room, and had spent the next 3 hours struggling to get the kid to sleep. By which I mean, laying down with him, falling asleep, and occasionally being wakened by a fist in the face or a well placed kick. Eventually DH got our portable DVD player and let the Boy watch a move so he could get another hour of Blessed Sleep.

So, what do you do in Mother's Day in Thailand. Well, because it's the Queen's Birthday, the kids get the day off school and Mummy gets to spend the day with her Precious Littles. First, we dropped Daddy off at work, and then we visited the park. It's not just any park. This is the Helicopter Park, where anything can happen. First, we chased the tigers around the fountain. And then Darling Daughter decided that Mummy was a big bad Tiger that needed to be put in prison. Whew, I actually got to sit down for a minute or two. We played hide and seek in the Field of Trees, then we went on a bear hunt. DD felt sad for the bear when we ran away from it, so she went back to sing a song to it. We rode the train to Bangkok and flew a plane back to Chiang Mai. Then we went on a scenic tour through the mountains in our helicopter. It's amazing what you can accomplish in 2 hours.

After a snack and some liquid refreshment, we took a trip to Kad Suan Kaew - the oldest mall in Chiang Mai. We went to the hair dresser. The last time we were there, The Guy did a great job. Today, The Guy wasn't there, so I suggested we come back another day. But DD really wanted that hair cut. I am now suffering major Hair Cut Regret. My poor Girl went from having the cutest style on the block to having to ugliest hack job I have ever seen. Seriously, it would look better if she had cut it herself. And then The Woman With the Scissors overcharged me. There was no way I was letting The Woman near my Son with those Scissors. So, we escaped quickly, and grabbed an early lunch at the Pizza Company.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-10T02:32:00.000-04:00

photo by Adrian Young

The Great Commission

2011-08-08T06:09:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about The Great Commission. Many of you know what that is, but just in case you don't, here it is:

Matthew 28:18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Now that we are on the same page, I can begin.

What does the Great Commission mean? Who is Jesus speaking to? Is it relevant to us today? Is it a command, or a suggestion? It is for everyone, or just a select few who hear the ethereal "Call" to "Go" to strange and exotic lands?

I have set up a pole on the right side bar, and I'd like to get feed back from my readers about what they believe the Great Commission means and who Jesus was talking to. The poll will close on Monday August 15.

So, take the poll. Leave a comment.

Note: The word translated 'nations' in English Bibles actually encompasses families and tribes, language and culture groups. It does not refer to geo-political countries.

Another Adventure

2011-08-04T03:40:00.000-04:00

Last Friday afternoon, we loaded the kids and way too much luggage into a taxi and started our journey to Cha Am, on the Gulf of Thailand. We decided to take the train, because it's just a lot nicer than driving the 12 or so hours to the beach. One of our friends managed to drive it in 8 hours, but our family likes to take things a little easier, rather than rushing - and torturing - ourselves and our kids.

So, the train left Chiang Mai Station at 4:30pm, on the dot. But, as with all trains in Thailand, it was slow going, emphasized by the fact that it took 3 hours to get to Lampang, followed by spending an hour waiting on a siding for a tanker to pass, and then getting into Bangkok's Hua Lumpong Station at 8:30am, just 2 hours late!! How's that for a run on sentence. ;-)

There were only 1st class cabins available, so we sacrificed and roughed it with 2 single first class cabins - for a total of US$65! Here's a few photos. These are new cars from Japan, and they are decked out with radio and video players... that don't work. Good thing we have our own DVD player.

Fun in the Corridor

Samantha presents The Cabin

Cozy room... with non functioning personal video/TV

Cabin #2

Relaxing as the world whizzes by...

At Hua Lumpong, we met up with some friends and took a van to Cha Am, to spend 4 days at the YWAM Thailand National Staff Conference. I love the beach, but can never understand the purpose to conferences at the beach. I managed to use the pool ONCE the entire time, and didn't even get sand between my toes. The atmosphere was great. The breakfasts by the water were a great way to start each day. But it's kind of a slap in the face to be so close to the sea and yet have no time to enjoy it.

Some highlights of this National Conference were: The Worship. The family Atmosphere. The Breakfasts. Hanging out with Good Friends. 16 baby dedications!! That my kids enjoyed the Child Care Team and made new friends. Translating for the MC and The Worship Leader on Day 2.

photo by Saipin Sribunruang

I have to say that this years conference was the BEST I have ever been to... and I've been to the last 11. Many others agreed. There are now more Thai staff than Western Staff. There are many more Thai leaders than ever before. There's a greater sense of family and desire to network and share resources, rather than competing for and protecting what resources we have (not just a Y-Thailand Problem, but a Thai Church problem, too).

The Final Highlight of the conference was praying over the map of Thailand. We prayed into the 8 spheres of influence in society, and wrote specific prayers on post it notes and then stuck them onto the map. This is what it looked like. Even inch of the map was covered in prayer and dreams for the future!

As we left the Hotel on Wednesday morning, we didn't know if we would make it home. On Monday and Tuesday, Tropical Storm Nock Ten had swept through the north of Thailand, leaving much of the north flooded. For 2 days the trains had been cancelled. As we rode the van back to Hua Lumpong Train Station, we searched the net (thanks to Sean's smartphone - I love smartphones), and checked out the prices of plane tickets. For us, there wasn't much chance of catching a flight. We only needed 2 tickets for the train, but 4 tickets for a plane. We were looking at 8000THB (US$270) to for the four of us. It would be better to stay in Bangkok until the floods cleared. So, we prayed... hard. As we entered the Station, Helpful Hawkers informed us that the trains to Chiang Mai were cancelled, but we could take a bus with them!! Um, NO!

Miraculously, when Sean inquired about our train, they told us (with a look of wonderment) that they had been told at just that moment the train would be running!! So, we joyfully hung out at the station for the next 6 hours. We upgraded our second class tickets to first class again, this time the old style car, with 2 beds in one cabin. We all slept better than babies the entire night, and had to be woken by the conductor 10 minutes out of Chiang Mai.

I love traveling by train in Thailand. It's a very relaxing and fun experience, especially for the kids.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T02:03:00.012-04:00

Wish I was (still) here...

Photos by Kanogwan Poiy Yotisarn

MOB Society Blog Hop

2011-07-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my Little Corner of the Cloud. It's good to see you!

It's the Moms Of Boys Blog Hop (hosted by MOB Society).

I'm Anne. My husband, Sean, and I are missionaries in Thailand, and these are the Chronicles of my life here. (for more, read This Is Me)

"What's it all about?", I hear you ask.
Well, it's...
A little bit of fun with the kids.
A place for reflection on God's word.
My Rant Platform.
A meeting place for family and friends.

I have two gorgeous kids. One Girl and One Boy.

Timothy is 2 years old. He's sweet and kind, very thoughtful and careful, mostly obedient. He loves to sing and dance. He's obsessed with his 'Zoom' (airplane) and his Train. He loves the book 'Arthur On The Farm' - he calls it the 'piggy book', and it must be read every night. His favourite DVD's are Thomas the Tank Engine and Little Einsteins. Timothy has been on 4 round trip international flights across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, plus countless domestic flights on 3 continents. He's a great little traveler.

So, we have lived in Thailand for the last 11 years. I love it here. We travel a lot, but whenever I return to Chiang Mai, I always breathe a sigh of relief. "Ah. We're home." We work with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) as Church Planters, with Teams, with Villages and with Orphanages. Our ministry is very diverse. Currently, my husband is writing a fiction series called Missionary Kid Adventures, based in part on his experience as a Missionary Kid here in Thailand. The first book should be published by Winter 2011. Follow me, and I'll let you know when it's released.

If you're an avid reader, I highly recommend Walking Miracle by Art Sanborn (my father in law). You can purchase it on our website or at Amazon.com. Walking Miracle begins with Art breaking his neck in Hawaii. All seems lost. Art remembers his years of Missionary service, the miracles he saw, the God he encountered in the jungles of Thailand, and the incredible effect that it had on himself and his family. In the final chapter, Art returns to the doctors office, just one year after he has been declared a quadriplegic, and proves that God still works miracles.

We'll be in the USA in the Fall. Sean and Art are planning speaking engagements in several cities, so if you are interested in hearing them speak on Missions and God's Kingdom, please let me know in the comments.

Looking forward to getting to know you...

Don't forget to check in at : The MOB Society Blog Hop

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-27T08:06:00.000-04:00

30+ years apart

First Annual Boy Mum Blog Hop - Join In!!

2011-07-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hosted by MOB Society.

Join us July 28, 2011 for the first annual Boy Mom BlogHop!

How does it work? Glad you asked!

Write up a welcome post on your blog
Include information about you and what your blog is about
Tell us about your boys (age, how many, etc)
Share anything you think other boy moms need to know about you (ministries, businesses, etc)
Share a few of your sons’ favorite books and tell us the age group they’re best-suited for
Visit the MOB Society blog on July 28th and link-up your blog to the hop (use the post’s permalink)
Commit to visiting as many other blogs in the hop as you possibly can to make new friends, say “hi” and encourage one another in the Lord.

Sleeping Like A Baby

2011-07-24T12:18:00.000-04:00

source:everydaypeoplecartoons.com

5 Things I'm Thankful For

2011-07-22T07:12:00.000-04:00

in no particular order... we're talking stream of consciousness here, people.

1. This awesome computer that I'm using. I didn't pay a cent for it. I won it in a giveaway. Oh, and did I tell you it's a MacBook Pro?

2. My husband. He's the love of my life. He's an awesome Dad. He's my fellow Happy Wanderer. I simply cannot live without this man.

3. My two little miracles. They make me laugh so hard I might just wet my pants. My heart melts when they say "Mummy, I love you". I missed them before I knew them. And now they add a depth and a joy to my life that is Indescribable.

4. I live in a Little House I like to call 'Sanborn Cottage'. It has been my home for the last 6 years. It is in every way perfect: Just the right size, with a small garden for the kids, 2 swings, a slide, a sand box, and the neighbours' houses are far enough away that it doesn't feel like they live with us.

5. I'm living my dream!!! I always wanted to be a missionary in Asia. I dreamed about visiting Chiang Mai since I first heard the name of this city when I was 16. Now, I'm married to a guy who grew up here, and we're raising our family here!!! That is awesome!

Superwoman Strikes Again

2011-07-21T06:13:00.000-04:00


source unknown

This elicits many emotions for me. Emotions I can't put into words. "My Housewife 'Add On' is Corrupt" barely touches the surface.

My Housewife 'Add On' is Corrupt

2011-07-20T01:01:00.075-04:00

Actually, I don't think it was downloaded and installed correctly.

My Mother never really 'domesticated' me. You see, Mum was a career woman. She was a registered nurse, working weekends at a nursing home. And she encouraged all her girls to be very self sufficient and to take care of themselves. Our house was always a mess. I don't remember having chores at all. Meals were basic, and on the weekends, my siblings and I cooked our own meals - usually Canned Something on toast or rice.

I was brainwashed at school, through the media, and on the public bus system:
Forget the Domestic Life! Study Hard. Have it all! Be Superwoman. Girls Can (and should) Do Anything. Men are required to do 50% of the work in the home or we'll label them Jerks.

For a few years, Sean and I did split the house work 50/50. We cooked and cleaned together. It was actually kind of fun. Then we moved to Thailand and hired a maid. So I didn't have to worry about any of it anymore. Yeehaw! Until we couldn't afford someone full time, and I am required to pick up the pieces on her off days. Bleck!

Darling Husband always had high hopes for me. He really believed that one day I'd become 'domestic'. He figured somehow it would all come together when we had kids. It didn't. I have no natural Housewifey/Mothery Instincts. Everything that I am able to do is learned through trial and error. Mostly Error.

Housework is a never ending task. "A woman's work is never done". Actually, it is done, it's just Never Finished!! You clean up. It's messy again. You wash the dishes, turn round, it's dirty again (I think the dirty dishes are actually breeding in my kitchen!). The Rug Rats always need Something! And do you know how much laundry a family of 4 goes through in a day?? It's monstrous!

So, about once or twice a week, the System gets overloaded with Error Messages, and The Blue Screen of Death Appears. “A Syntax Error has occurred. The System will now Shut Down. Please reinstall Housewife 1.0”.

This is what I like to do.


What I am good at: Yummy Food!

Do you see that beautiful creation? I really love cooking. I feel like I've accomplished something magnificent, and DH always has nice complements (watch 'The Castle'* for an excellent example). This Quiche is based on my sister's recipe, with a few flourishes that makes it 'mine'. My Reasonably Good Cook 'Add On' works perfectly.

I have to go the dishes now. The Dishwasher (aka My Maid) has been out since Sunday, and the dirty dishes have been amorous again. My Mother In Law has been trying to train me to do the dishes every evening, but my excuse is, "I made dinner, and now I have to go give the kids a bath and put them to bed. Besides, the detergent dries out my hands."

So, how about you? Is your Housewife 'Add On' properly installed?

*'The Castle' is one of my favourite Aussie Movies. You should watch it!)
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Change Your Mind (Part 5)

2011-07-19T01:01:00.004-04:00

(continued from July 18)

I have a confession to make. I'm not perfect. As I wrote yesterday's piece, I began to think, "Hmm, Darling Husband is gonna say, 'Honey, I see some changes, but I'm not so sure that you've reached the laying down your life point yet. Sorry. Just saying.'" Of course, he would be far nicer than that, but it's what I deserve.

Whew. This is a daily journey. Baby Steps get out of bed. Baby Steps be nice in the morning. And so on and so forth. I touched on daily renewal in Part 2.

Phil 1:6
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Phil 4:13
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency] (AMP)

These are two truths that I am holding close to my heart. I have strength for all things in Christ. And He is the one who is working in me by the Holy Spirit to transform me.

I have worked so hard to be good and to do good. I have given all my strength - some days successfully, most days not. Some days I choose not to give anything, because I know I'll fail. What's the point.

But as I Change My Mind - make those micro decisions to think and feel differently, as I Choose to see my circumstances from a different perspective, I find I have strength. I call them my 'I Can Do ALL Things Muscles'. And my natural tendency to listen to Mrs Pessimistic diminishes.

The context for 'I can do all things in Christ' is contentment. In the preceding verses, Paul addresses being content with little and with much, in difficulties and in the midst of blessing. One of the major factors in my journey to Change My Mind is contentment. Contentment with being a Stay At Home Mum and a Housewife and all that that entails. Contentment with my dreams being on the back burner. Contentment whether I am sleep deprived or well rested, weather I am in pain and exhausted or full of energy. Learning to be thankful and to respond in love in every situation.

I can only find contentment in the daily tasks of Motherhood and Housewifey-ness when I am sitting at the feet of my Lord Jesus, and asking Him for the strength to Do All Things, to Endure All Things and to Be All the Things that He requires of me.

It's a choice. It's a process of Changing My Mind to conform with the Mind of Christ, with the Truth that is plainly given in God's word.

(but wait, there's more!)

Change Your Mind (Part 4)

2011-07-18T01:01:00.023-04:00

(continued from July 12 )

The journey that started in Mid May continues. I have been meditating on several Bible passages as I think of the words so clearly spoken to my heart in a Guest House in Phang Nga, Southern Thailand.

Change Your Mind. I must stop focusing on the negative - what I can't do, the things that overwhelm me, the myriad of weaknesses that make up Anne. But I must keep my gaze fixed firmly on Christ, know who He is and who I am IN Him.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I have highlighted the two key phrases that stuck out to me, that have almost literally rung in my ears for the last 3 months.

First, the phrase, 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind' has become for me the definition or the 'how to' of Changing My Mind. Renew it. Focus on the truth of who God is and who I am in Him, and the truth in His word. Do not be ruled by the emotion of the moment. I recently listened to a devotional by Brian Hardin (Daily Audio Bible) in which he shares that in the Greek, to Repent is to Chang Your Mind, to turn it in another direction. That really stood out to me. Because it's exactly what God was telling me to do. Repent of my old ways of thinking and doing.

The second phrase that began to ring in my ears was 'offer yourself as a living sacrifice', coupled with another key verse, 'whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God' (1 Cor 10:31). I have an overwhelming sense that I need to lay down my life, my dreams, my plans for my family. To serve them and give my best to them as an act of Worship to God. There's a lot of things I would rather be doing. There are dreams that I have put to the side for the sake of my Husband and my Kids. And in many ways I was beginning to resent them for it. God was telling me that they truly are my main ministry. This is what I signed up for when I prayed for kids. To offer myself daily as a living sacrifice, laying down my dreams in the effort to build up and encourage them and help them fulfill their destiny, in order to bring Honour and Glory to God.

Does this mean I can't have dreams?? No. It just means that I need to keep those dreams in perspective. In fact, even as I walk through this process of Changing My Mind, I am seeing opportunities for long dormant dreams to be fulfilled. But I need to always remember what my primary responsibility is. To Love Sacrificially, laying down my life for my family, giving them the best I can give each day.

(more to come...)

Impact beyond Imagination

2011-07-17T04:29:00.012-04:00

I'm spitting chips! I'm so angry I can barely contain myself.

Back in May I laughed with my friends about the so-called 'Rapture' that Harold Camping 'prophesied'. We made a big joke of it. We noted the time had come and gone. And laughed. It was all fairly harmless, really. Poor misguided man forgot that the Bible says "Nobody knows the day or the hour expect the Father", and the part about the "thief in the night".

Well, today I'm mortified. I'm horrified. The impact of this False Prophet is far greater than I ever imagined.

As a missionary, I often get to see the impact of false teaching on people who only have a small piece of the theology pie. Misunderstanding about Grace, the Crucifixion, Works and Faith, Healing. And don't get me started on the Prosperity Doctrine! I, along with many others, get to pick up the pieces of shattered lives due to Hit and Run Evangelists and Preachers, who come to do their 2 weeks a year, feel good about themselves and then leave.

But Harold Camping. He's had the most devastating impact I have seen so far. All because he has a radio station.

According to John The Baptist TV, groups of Hmong in Vietnam heard a radio broadcast from Mr Camping about the May 21 Rapture. Imagine the excitement of these Faithful Followers of Jesus. After years of religious persecution from their government, they were to be liberated by their Lord and Saviour. So, they gathered on a mountain top to wait for Jesus to take them Home.

But it's now clearer than ever that Mr Camping is a False Prophet (rather than a misguided old man), who unfortunately has the financial means to do far more damage than anyone ever realized. Here's what really happened.

The police and military police slaughtered many of them at gunpoint, beheading two pastors. Others were arrested. I am told by Hmong pastors that so many were shot dead that they were buried in mass graves bulldozed over in an episode that I read about in Britain but did not understand the magnitude of until I got here. I am now trying to clean up the mess at the request of local Hmong leaders. I spoke to a secret convocation of Hmong pastors only yesterday who came to Hanoi, explaining to them about false prophets and false teachers.

Due to a combination of poverty, ignorance, and persecution these poor Christians don’t understand much so they believed Camping’s shortwave broadcast which is how most get their teaching in a certain village area with heavy persecution. Their families don’t know if their missing loved ones are among the many shot dead, among those arrested and imprisoned, or among those from the 7,000 hiding in the jungle.

(Excerpt from "False Prophesy Causes Hundreds Killed" by Jacob Prasch)

In Old Testament times, False Prophets were dealt with very harshly in Israel. They were stoned, swallowed up by the earth, cut down with the sword. To name a few. It sounds harsh, especially in this day and age of tolerance and peace. But the reason God dealt so harshly with False Prophets is because when His people were deceived by them it led to slavery to sin and idolatry, and often death at the hand of their enemies.

Not much has changed. Except our response. We see Mr Camping as a misguided Religious Nut who, steeped in pride and self-righteousness, has deceived himself into believing he's somehow special and knows more than others. Some of us maybe even pity him. We certainly wouldn't think of taking any action against him.

But the result of his prophesies is death. Both spiritual and physical. This group of Hmong are just one example of the Fruit of Mr Camping's ministry. There are reports of people committing suicide when they thought they had been left behind, and others have left the faith as a result of this deception. And this is not the first time that Camping has been so blatantly wrong (see here and here).

I am relieved to find that Family Radio took Camping's program, Open Forum, off the air. But more needs to be done. By the church and by the authorities. We cannot allow this man to keep preaching and deceiving on such a wide scale. God's heart is grieved by these events. And I believe His wrath is stirred by the deception.

God doesn't change. Mr Camping has a lot of blood on his hands and he will have to give an answer very soon.

Edit:
If you are a little more level headed than me, you might appreciate this article, Harold Camping and the Christian Hmong of Vietnam by Persecution.org. I found this after I had written my rant.

400 Posts

2011-07-13T01:01:00.000-04:00

400. That's a nice round number.

And to celebrate that number, I'm gonna talk Politics.

July 3rd was Thailand's general elections. The Pheua Thai Party won. Again. Thaksin Shinawatra's little sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is now Prime Minister. The day after the election, while American's celebrated their Independance, we were bombarded with familiar headlines like "Thailand's Democrats seek ban on Thaksin party" and "Yingluck: Thaksin case to be reviewed" and "Thaksin set for 'trade ambassador' role".

Memories
Light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were....
(The Way We Were, as sung by Barbara Streisand)

It's all too familiar.

A few days before the election, we got together to pray for Thailand. We were all concerned about the outcome of the election, not because we had particular political views and alliances. Our major concern was the reaction of the military/ the elite class (yellow shirts), and Thakin's supporters (red shirts). At least one group was not going to be happy with the result. How would they respond?

Like all good Prayer Warriors, I stepped into the fray and prayed a passionate prayer.
Father God, you are Lord over the earth and this nation. You make kingdoms and powers rise and fall. You put rulers in their place, and you depose them. You soften and harden hearts for Your purpose. I pray that you would appoint the Prime Minister of Thailand. Direct the hearts of your people to vote wisely and in submission to Your will for Thailand. And no matter who wins on Sunday, I pray that Your people would be content, that they would not be divided by colours. I pray that they would be a uniting force in this nation, and pray for their leaders. (based on Ex 10:27; Is 40:22-24; Col 1:16)

As soon as I stopped praying, God asked me, "Do you believe I put Obama in place?"
I was speechless. I sat there a minute, while others continued to pray.
"Do you believe I appointed Obama?"
"Well, yes," I said with hesitation.
"They why don't you pray for him? Why do you criticize and mock him? Why aren't you content with my choice for America? Why do you divide instead of unite?"

I seriously didn't know how to respond. I felt about an inch tall. Plummeting from my pedestal of wisdom and holiness.

The Bible clearly tells us to honour and respect our rulers and leaders (1 Peter 2:17; Luke 20:21-25). Even if we don't agree with them. I'm not saying we cannot enter healthy debate about policy, etc. But mockery and disdain is not healthy, nor is it respectful or honouring.

For Example, I recently discovered "Klavan on the Culture". Many of Klavan's presentations are funny and informative. I enjoy a little sarcasm and biting humor. With American media so biased to the Left, it's good to get some information from the Right. But there's many times he takes the point too far. Or starts so far out in the stratosphere of the Right that I'm left cringing before he finishes the first sentence.

What it all comes down to, I believe, is that we need start from a place of prayer when we are considering the policies and actions of our political leaders. Many times our opinions of these things are based more on My Feelings, My Views, My Perceptions, My Rights, My Understanding of History and Politics. Even when we believe we have a Biblical view on the matter, we can be wrong, because it is tainted by "My" Worldview. We need to pray for our governments, our nations, our leaders - asking God to give us His perspective on the policies and the people involved.

Why did God appoint Obama? God does give the people their hearts desire. Remember Israel and King Saul? (1 Samuel 8&9) And sometimes He gives us a King or leads us into 'slavery' in order to soften our hard hearts and lead us to a place of brokenness and repentance on a National Level (ie. God's People, The Church, The Body of Believers) (Jer 27-29; 2 Chron 7:14).

Revival starts with repentance in the Hearts of God's People. It starts when we stop fighting about who is right and who is wrong, and we get down on our faces before God and ask Him what He thinks.

So, my Challenge to you and myself is that: Next time you hear your political leader (I won't name anyone, because my audience is on several continents) makes a speech or policy decision, and you are annoyed, flabbergasted, angered, or even pleased, sit down and pray. Pray for your leaders for wisdom and blessing; for success and prosperity; ask God for His perspective; ask God to turn your heart towards that leader and that leaders heart towards God.

Visa Run

2011-07-12T02:00:00.002-04:00

One of the joys of living in Thailand is the 90 day 'Visa Run'. No, it's not a Fun Run to benefit Visa. Every 90 days we have to cross a border into a neighbouring country, walk around the local market and then cross the border back into Thailand. I think there must be mutual trade agreements, forcing Thailand to spew the expats and their money out into the neighbouring economies at regular intervals.

Our border crossing of choice is usually Mae Sai, in the Golden Triangle of Northern Thailand. The actual process of crossing the border can take as little as 30 minutes on a good day, and as much as 2-3 hours on a bad day. But we still need to get up at the crack of dawn to drive the 8 hours from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai to Chiang Mai round trip. In reality, the round trip ends up taking about 10 hours, because we have to stop so much for the kids.

We started this trip kind of late - we didn't get out the door till 9:30am. It was my fault. I'll take the blame. Thanks to our new portable DVD player, the kids were occupied with Charlie and Lola, and Sean and I actually had a chance to talk. Bliss! Five and a half hours of talking, planning, reminiscing and dreaming. Due to 2 very long pit stops, we didn't arrive at the border until 3pm.

Crossing the bridge over Mae Sai (Mae means River, so it's the Sai River) into Taichilek, Burma, we headed toward the market area, not so much to shop as to give the kids a chance to stretch their legs. Immediately we were surrounded by tour guides. I laughed at one tour guide - "I take you to temple. Forty Baht." I answered, "No." He then turned to Sean, "I take you to temple. Hundred and Forty Baht." Did I hear him wrong? No. He just upped the price within 2 seconds.

Keep Walking. Don't look back.

Next, the hawkers closed in, before we even got to the bottom of the stairs.
"You buy cigarrettes? No? Have Malboro."
"I don't smoke."
"Oh, have playing card. Saddam Hussein picture. American like!"
"No Thanks."

Keep Walking, Don't look back.

Whew. Finally we got through the chaos and could regroup. As we walked along, another Farang commented: "You guys are brave traveling with two little ones." I hadn't really thought about it, but this was the first time we had brought Timothy on this kind of Visa Run. Last year we didn't get the one year visa, so we had to fly to Malaysia every 3 months.

Oh, that's why this experience is so much more stressful.

It's really a great adventure. When we told Samantha we had just traveled from Thailand into Burma, a completely different country, she was flabbergasted. "Yay! We get to go to Burma! Yay!" And of course, Timothy 'yayed' with her.

The kids dodged in and out of shops, while the locals ooh-ed and aahhh-ed at these cute Farangs. We had to buy a couple of trinkets for them, to avert meltdowns. I don't normally do this. But it was hot. They were cranky. And a meltdown in the middle of a Burmese market isn't my idea of a Fun Day. So, they both got cell phones. Sadly, Timothy's is pink. But they continued happily walking down the street, chatting with friends from all over the world - Sonja in Norway; Bek in Australia; Nana and Grandad in America; Beky in Hungary; and even Kate in Chiang Mai. This delighted the locals even more. It also meant we had more hawkers following us down the street, trying to sell us more stuff.

Then we headed back to Burmese border control, picked up our passports and walked back to Thailand. Immediately we were surrounded by little boys begging. It's really hard to ignore these kids. I know it sounds cold hearted, but even if we gave them something, they would not keep it. It goes to the mafia bosses that own them. We don't want to perpetuate the cycle.

The most stressful part of the day was reentering Thailand. The officer would only take one passport at a time (normally we can just give them the stack), and right when he asked me for mine, Samantha and Timothy decided to meltdown. So, we were trying to contain them, get passports and photos taken care of and look like the kind of Farang Family the Thai's want in their country. At this border patrol, people have had their visa canceled and been refused entry, just because of they way they dress or their attitude they have towards the Immigration officer. Thankfully, all the officials were just laughing at us as we got the kids contained. We're a great side show.

We hung out for a little longer, letting the kids run off some energy before we all piled back into the truck at 5pm. It was my turn to drive. Sean kicked back, listened to his audio book and took in the scenery along the way. He rarely gets to sit back and enjoy the view, cause he's usually in the driver's seat. We stopped at Big C Chiang Rai to give the kids a chance to play in the Play Port, and have some dinner. By 8pm, we were ready to book it home - no stops this time with sleeping kiddies in the back seat and Nerdy parents in the front, listening to a Star Wars Audio book. We were home by 11pm. Exhausted, we collapsed.

Change Your Mind (Part3)

2011-07-12T01:01:00.045-04:00

(continued from July 11)
While I hibernated in the hotel room in Phitsanulok, I read an article by Francis Frangipani called "Unoffendable". Oh, I was offended alright! I was so offended I was ready to abandon the team and my husband, and take my kids home. Darling Husband even gave me an out - I could go home if I wanted. He just wanted me to be happy.
But I knew I had to stay.
So, I read the first page of the article, "Unoffendable". It's all I could read. I was blind with tears and found it hard to get the thoughts straight in my head at that point.
When I read the following statement, I stopped in my tracks.

"When we allow an offense to remain in our hearts, it causes serious spiritual consequences. In the above verse (Matt 24:10-12) Jesus named three dangerous results: betrayal, hatred and cold love."

Two words stood out to me.
Cold Love.
I still loved my students. But I didn't want to be near them. When they came to try to explain themselves to me, I had a Stone Cold Heart and an even Harder Face. When they were done, I just said, "We're good." I lied.
Cold Love. What is Cold Love? The best way I can describe it is this: Cold Love tolerates others. It is easily angered. It is unkind. It is proud and envious. It stops just short of betrayal. It does not trust. It does not endure. It sees the worst. Cold Love fails every time.
I'm not gonna say my heart changed immediately. It took weeks. But as I could clearly see that God had orchestrated this 'altercation' for His purpose, and because I didn't want to be offended at my students, I referred to the situation as 'disappointing' rather than 'offensive'.
Then I began to reflect on the difference between Offense and Disappointment. To me, Disappointment involves sadness, pain, hurt and grief. Offense is about anger, bitterness, broken relationship, and Cold Love. It's far easier to find healing in the midst of Disappointment than it is to heal an Offense.
So, again, I had to take each day at a time, see my students through Jesus' eyes, and Change My Mind about the situation.
It helped to have my Brother In Law around, because he's an Expert Optimist. One day he said to me (with no knowledge of what I was working through):
"People do dumb, hurtful things, they act without thinking. Anticipate the worst in peoples actions. Assume the best in their intentions."
I have found that having this mindset is a great way to proactively Chang My Mind about situations that I could potentially find offensive.
(more to come.... don't close that tab!)

Change Your Mind (Part 2)

2011-07-11T01:01:00.002-04:00

(continued from July 10)

Two weeks earlier.

We were in Phitsanulok, half way through our outreach. I was pretty burned out and feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of leading a Team and taking care of my family. But I though I was in an okay place. I had been working hard on my attitude and the way I interacted with others.

Then, one night we received a 'helpful' report of unfriendly gossip.
A couple of the students were planning to come and confront me on my attitude, my leadership style, and my mothering. Needless to say, I was very offended and very wounded. I felt like they had attacked my family and my character.

I hibernated for about 4 days. The hardest part was that I knew alot of what they were saying was true... but I had been working on it. I was aware of the weaknesses and I was working toward change. They didn't see it.

I felt lost.

God, I'm working so hard! I can't do anything more! What am I supposed to do? I just keep getting it wrong! What do I need to do differently?

I wanted to brush it off and say it didn't matter. That it was just a couple of immature kids who didn't understand the world, who had alot of growing up to do. But the more I prayed, the more I felt like God had allowed it to happen this way - as an attack rather than friendly advice - for a purpose. To get my attention.

One morning, as I sat in the garden to talk with God, I looked and saw a flower. God said, "You're like that flower. It's imperfect. And it's beautiful. It's clothed in splendor - more magnificent than the best dressed king. And I care for it." Of course, I remembered the passage from Matt 6:25-34, so I looked it up.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?..... your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

He told me that we could do this day by day. He told me I didn't need to change *Everything* today, just what He was telling me to change. The important thing was to move forward.

Do Not Worry. Yesterday can't be changed. Tomorrow is uncertain and full of trouble.

Today! This Moment is when the decisions are made; where the transformation occurs; where character is put to the test. And where the Holy Spirit is to give me the Power to Change.

Seek First the Kingdom of God - Today!

(more tomorrow... don't touch that dial!)

Change Your Mind (Part 1)

2011-07-10T04:35:00.001-04:00

It was one of those mornings, all too familiar. Timothy woke up way too early, again. With way too much enthusiasm. Again.
"Morning Mummy, I want milk!"
Mummy groaned and rolled over, burying her head beneath the covers. I'm too tired. I can't do this. I need a day off. Where's a hole I can crawl into?
"Timmy, just go back to sleep," I moaned.
Giggling he said, "I want milk."

I lay there a few more moments, feeling overwhelmed, abandoned and very sorry for myself.
Another day to survive.
Suddenly a whisper cut through the cacophony of thoughts in my head.
"Change Your Mind."
Immediately, I got out of bed and said, "Okay Timmy, I'll get you some milk." It wasn't really loving or kind - I was still rather annoyed, actually. But I had this drive within me to "Change".
I spoke to Timmy in fairly loving tones, to cover over my true attitude of annoyance. "Timmy, Tell me what you need. You want a story? Okay, let's read..."

About an hour later, Sean awoke and thanked me for speaking to Timmy so sweetly all morning.
"Really", I said, "I thought I sounded rather patronizing."
"Well, I can tell you're putting in an effort to be nice, cause normally you just huff and puff and let us all know how much you hate early mornings."

Change Your Mind... Be transformed by the renewing of your mind... Hmm, I can do this in Him.

(more tomorrow... stay turned)

A Conversation about Marriage and Babies (Part 2)

2011-07-07T01:01:00.015-04:00

Continued from July 6... read part 1 first

I now have Two Little Miracles running around my house. Miss 4 and Master 2.
Miss 4 is much like Miss 3/6 from yesterday - Precocious. Outgoing. Inquisitive. Opinionated. My Little Firecracker.
Master 2 is Sweet. Smart. Creative. Observant. My Little Charmer.

Samantha (Miss 4) knows her story - she *loves* her story.
How Mummy and Daddy waited for her for so long. How we missed her, even before we had met her. She knows that we prayed and prayed, and asked God for her. She knows she has an older brother in heaven. She knows that we were excited when she was growing in my tummy, anxiously awaiting her arrival. We've told her time and again that even when people love each other very much and get married, they don't always have babies.

But she still gets so excited when she sees a wedding. In response to hearing that my friend was getting married, she jumped up and down and proclaimed: "Oh Mummy! They love each other so much and they're getting married and they're gonna have such cute little babies!"

Love + Marriage = Babies

It's an equation that all kids take for granted. Years ago I thought I was dealing with some hidden judgment from Miss 3/6's family - some institutional indoctrination from ultra conservative factions in the USA. I was so broken and incomplete that I figured everyone else felt the same way about my 'condition'. Yes, there were times when my 'fertile' friends made stupid, uneducated comments that wounded me and damaged our relationship. But I'm now convinced that they were not training their kids to believe that a marriage without kids is sinful. They just didn't understand the need to teach their kids other ways of seeing the world, or how to be sensitive to others.

Last night, Sean was reading a story where two skunks fall in love and get married. Here's the conversation we had.

Samantha: Yay!!! They're gonna have babies now!!! Yay!!!
Daddy: Not everyone who gets married has babies. Some married people can't have babies because they're sick.
Samantha: One day I'm gonna have babies!
Daddy: If you get married, then you might have babies.
Mummy: And Mummy and Daddy will love them the way that Nana and Grandad love you and Timmy.
Samantha: (horror and tears) But I don't want to get married, because then I'd have to live with my husband. But I want to be with you forever and ever.
Daddy: Well, if you get married, then your husband can come and live with us, too.

Samantha: Yeah! Yay! Then we can all be together, forever!!! Yay!! (jumping on the bed).

Oh, if only she knew.... (a wink and a smile)
I think that God has put something intrinsic in kids, where they see the safest, most beautiful place for a child to be born is into the loving arms of a Committed Mum and Dad.

Committed to God. Committed to Each Other. Committed to the Child/ren.

The truth is that the purpose of sex is two fold - intimacy and procreation.

The reality is that some people can't have children because of illness, and others chose not to have children for very personal reasons.

I just hope I can raise my Miss 4 and Master 2 to be a little more aware and a little more sensitive to the pain, needs and decisions of people around them.

A Conversation about Marriage and Babies (Part 1)

2011-07-06T02:32:00.001-04:00

11 years ago I met a sweet 3 year old girl. She was precocious, outgoing, inquisitive and very opinionated. And her favourite question was "Why?" I liked her a lot.
One of the first questions she asked me was, "How many babies do you have?
Me: "None"
Miss 3: "Oh, is Sean your brother?"

Me: "No. He's my husband."
Miss 3: "Why don't you have any babies?"
Me: "Not everyone who gets married has babies."
Miss 3: "Why?"
Me: "Well, there's a lot of reasons. But sometimes God doesn't let you have babies right away. Sometimes you have to wait."
Miss 3 looked very puzzled and left it at that.

Until the next time we met.

Miss 3: "I think Sean must be your brother."
Me: "No, we're married. He's my husband."
Miss 3: "But Mummies and Daddies have babies! Otherwise they are not Mummies and Daddies."
Me: "Miss 3, sometimes Husbands and Wives never have any babies - some don't want them, other want them but can't have them because they are sick."
This just exasperated her even more.
Miss 3: "Why? Why? Why? Why?"

My interactions with Miss 3 continued in this theme for about 3 years. As she grew, she began to grasp the reality that Sean was my husband, but the obsession with my childlessness remained... nay, grew.
Miss 6: "When are you gonna have kids?"
Me: (feeling rather annoyed and exasperated with this line of interrogation) "When God gives them to us."
Miss 6: (puzzled) "Do you guys love each other? When mummies and daddies love each other, they have kids."
Me: (turns and walks away) whispered, "Oh, shut up!"

What was once kind of cute and endearing quickly became painful and annoying. I was 'trusting God for His timing and will' in regards to having children, but as I came to the realization that this might never happen, dealing with Miss 6's simplicity and innocence was agonizing.

Miss 6 came from a very large family. By the time she was 6, I think she had 5 siblings. Her parents had no plans to stop. They just really love kids. They also take God's command to Noah and his family in Genesis 9 to 'be fruitful and multiply' very seriously and personally. I wondered if perhaps they talked about it around the dinner table at night. Love + Marriage = Babies. If there's no baby in the equation, there's something very wrong. You're disobeying God.

Perhaps this is why Miss 6 is so distressed and obsessed with my childlessness.

Life took us in different directions, and we didn't see much of Miss 6 and her family anymore. It was kind of nice to not have my 'failure' constantly thrown in my face. Of course, Miss 6 is now Miss 14. She is an awesome young lady - still precocious, outgoing, inquisitive, and opinionated. But she's not so obsessed with the Rules about Love and Marriage and Babies. At least, I don't think she is.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.....

Happiness is...

2011-07-05T10:19:00.000-04:00

... a bouncy castle

We celebrated the 4th of July Party at Chiang Mai Stadium yesterday. The highlight of the event for the kids was the HUGE 2 story slide. We couldn't get the kids off this thing. Even 2 year old Timothy was enamoured with the thing. Samantha held her own in the sea of Crazy Kids that washed over the Castle.

Day 21: Humility

2011-06-30T10:56:00.001-04:00

source: www.keepbelieving.com

Encouragement from Brooke

It's day twenty-one.

The LAST day of your prayer challenge. Are you a mixture of relieved and sad all at the same time? What an accomplishment! (What an amazing amount of work!) If you're finishing today you deserve a pat on the back! Think of all the work that has been done on behalf of your sons! Congrats mom!

You might've noticed that there are actually twenty-two prayers in the Warrior Prayers eBook. I chose humility as our last day's topic because it is such an amazing posture of the heart. Scripture just seems to scream God's favor over those who are humble in heart.

• James 4:10 says that if we're humble before the Lord, He will lift us up.
• 1 Peter 5:6 says that if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God He will exalt us.
• Most importantly, in Psalm 149:4 we find that it is the humble who are adorned with salvation.

Do you see that? A humble heart is required for salvation. Just as Jesus humbled Himself unto the cross, we must admit that we're sinners, admit that our own way isn't the right way, and humbly ask for forgiveness before salvation comes.

Do you show humility before your sons? Do you always have to be right? Always have to win? Pray and ask the Lord for specific ways you can show humility today so that when the time comes, your sons will know how to show it too.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~Ephesians 4:2

Final Word

I read a lot of stuff today about virtues and the 'Do's & Don'ts' of Humility. Being Baptist, I was drawn to a study of the root word for Humility, and almost posted that. But I think this quote sums up my most recent journey into humility. As a Mum and Wife, I find myself showing true love and humility to my family by putting them first. Often I just don't want to do the work that I chose when I embarked on this Career called Motherhood. But I have to learn to suck it in. After all, I chose - nay, I prayed for - this Career. For many long painful years I jealously watched the Elite Ranks of Motherhood from the side lines, and longed to join them. So, I will gladly learn This Lesson in Humility in the most important relationships that I have: My One True Love and My Kids.

Day 20: Heart Change (Part 2 plus Giveaway)

2011-06-29T00:54:00.001-04:00

Encouragement from Brooke:

The most foundational thing we can ask God for in the lives of our sons is heart change. The Word says that what's in the heart eventually comes out. Bad stuff in the heart? Bad stuff comes out. Good stuff in the heart? Good stuff comes out.

I heard an illustration of this concept once from a pastor friend. He held up a Styrofoam cup with a little water inside and proceeded to ram his hand against the cup so that the water splattered everywhere. Then he asked this question: "Why did water come out of the cup?"

So what do you think? Did the water come out of the cup because he rammed his hand up against it? Certainly a possible answer. But consider this: could it be that the water came out of the cup because there was water IN the cup?

Think about it … if the cup had been empty when he rammed it, nothing would have come out.

And so it is with our hearts. Life has a funny way of ramming up against us. People pull out in front of you when you're in a hurry. The neighbor's dog won't stop yapping through the night when all you need is a few hours of sleep. Your children pick the day after your favorite relative dies to be little horrors … somehow sensing that mom is frazzled.

Stuff happens.

We get hit. Probably every day. But our response to the hits comes from what's in our cup...or hearts. Bad stuff in the heart? Bad stuff comes out. Good stuff in the heart? Good stuff comes out.

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." ~Luke 6:45

Consider this? What comes out of your heart when you get hit? Our response matters to God and it matters to the people watching and learning from us along the way.

And now for the Giveaway:

Brooke is offering a free copy of the Warrior Prayers Ebook for anyone that wants one!!!

You have to follow this link:
http://www.brookemcglothlin.com/warriorprayers/2011/06/a-free-copy-of-warrior-prayers-for-everyone/

(ending 6/29/11 at 2:30 PM EST) (That's 1:30am June 30 2011 if you are in Thailand!)

It's been a pleasure praying with you!!!

Day 20: Heart Change

2011-06-29T00:40:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was one of 'those' days at our house. The kids were flip flopping between perfect angels and little monsters. They always know when Mummy is having an extra hard day, and they capitalize on it. By then end of the day I was wondering why they only go to school 3 days a week.

It's because of my desire to be 'Perfect Mum', 'Perfect Missionary', 'Perfect Wife', 'Perfect Friend', and 'Gifted Musician'.

Basically, I want to be 'Super Woman'.

Growing up, my Mother, my sisters, my teachers, the advertisements on the city buses ('Girls Can Do Anything!') all led me to believe that I was capable of EVERYTHING. Even the Church Leaders sang that song: "I can DO ALL THINGS through him (Christ) who gives me strength". Phil 4:13 (NIV)

The problem is that I can't. I can't be 'Super Woman'. I fall short in so many areas. Being Perfect and Gifted takes A LOT of work. It's exhausting.

This morning as we got the kids ready for school, the Mummy Guilt began to creep in. If I was a better Mum, I wouldn't send the kids to school. I'd be able to do the house work, cook gourmet meals; I'd play guitar, piano and sing like a virtuoso; I'd enjoy every moment of every day with my children....

If I was just Super Woman...

But I am not. I expressed my doubts about sending the kids to school to Darling Husband. I was surprised and encouraged by his thoughts: "I'm glad the kids are in school. They enjoy it. We are not perfect. We're not 'Super Man and Super Woman'. I get more work accomplished. They are learning Thai (really fast), and even though Samantha is a little shy, she really does thrive there".

For many years I have weighed the Homeschool vs. School options, and Homeschool always came out the favourite. Philosophically. They get to be in a secure home environment, away from bullying peers and teachers. I can take them to visit friends and we can go on outings like the park and zoo together. I don't miss their 'formative' years. Homeschooling is cheaper - this is a HUGE advantage.

But Practically? Work suffers. Relationships suffer. Children suffer. I try to structure the day with homeschool activities and outings, but by the end of the day, the kids are beating each other up and Mummy is ready for Happy Hour. And Daddy is frustrated by constant interruptions from Little Monsters/Perfect Angels.

Okay, back to being able to Do All Things... for the sake of clarification, I do believe that I can Do All Things through Christ's strength. But I believe that this is a learning process. Today, I don't have the capacity to be Super Woman... perhaps I never will. But as I commit each day to Christ, and ask Him to be my strength for TODAY, I will slowly build up my Mummy Muscles, Wife Muscles, my Musician Muscles, My Missionary Muscles, so that each day I will be able to Be Better and Do More than the day before.

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Phil 4:13 (AMP)

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:1-2

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:25, 33, 34

Day 19: Salvation

2011-06-27T04:44:00.002-04:00

Encouragement from Brooke:

There is NOTHING my heart yearns for more than my sons' salvations.

To quote from the eBook:
"Day after day you will parent, intentionally seeking the heart of your son. But until the King of kings and Lord of lords turns his heart of stone to a heart of flesh, your son's actions will be motivated by what is pleasing to him, rather than what is pleasing to the Lord." p. 15

Everything hinges on this. Oh, we can pray for protection, good friends and influences and positive, fruit-bearing experiences for our sons along the way. But until their hearts submit to Jesus they will continue to choose themselves and their own way.

Elyse Fitzpatrick, in her book entitled, Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, says “There is no easy way to say it, but it must be said: parents and churches are not passing on a robust Christian faith and an accompanying commitment to the church.”
Take a moment today to look long and hard at your parenting. Is it Gospel-centered, or have you allowed the world's “stinking thinking” to creep into your home?

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ~Romans 10:9

Pray hard today. Beg God for your son's salvation. There is nothing so important as this.

May the LORD be Timothy's light and his salvation; whom shall he fear? May the LORD be the
stronghold of his life; of whom shall he be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

2011-06-26T11:54:00.001-04:00

I've been slipping a little. The days have been long and hard. The nights are restless. My mind is bombarded with the 'shoulds' and the 'musts'. My kids have been testing my patience and my kindness.

I entered into this 21 Days of Prayer with enthusiasm and expectation, and I find it waning. I find myself going through the motions - if I wasn't a group leader, I may have given up already.

I need a fresh in fusion of life, enthusiasm, strength and patience!

I feel like in this process of transformation that God is working in me, more is required.

More commitment.

More time.

More surrender.

There is more that needs to be sacrificed and laid down at Jesus feet. So much more needs to be renewed and transformed. I can't just pat myself on the back for the progress I have made. More is required of me, in order to see more of God in my life.

Verses are popping into my head:

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (read verses 7&8 to get the full context).

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(I've been meditating on that one for weeks now)

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Lord, I want to reap a good harvest. I want to sew in a way that pleases your Spirit. Not to please myself, not for my own selfish gain. But in a way that will glorify Your Name. Live through me. Transform my heart and mind. Be my life. This is the only way I can do any good. This is the only way I will be able to serve my family and raise my kids up into You.

Day 18: Anger

2011-06-26T11:25:00.001-04:00

Encouragement from Brooke:

So much of the Christian life is a choice. Every day (multiple times a day) we’re presented with a choice to choose God or choose ourselves. Anger is a perfect example. You can just feel it coming, can’t you? Anger is an almost total body experience. Muscles get tight. Temples throb. Jaw clenches. Explosion feels imminent … wooing us into believing we have no choice but to react.

But it’s not true.

We almost always have a choice when it comes to anger. We can choose to embrace it and sin. Or choose to put it away, and instead choose kindness, self-control, compassion, and love.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." ~Ephesians 4:31

Man! It seems like every single thing we’ve prayed for so far starts with what’s in our own hearts! I’m afraid anger is no different. Today, when you’re tempted to sin in anger, ask the Lord to show you the way out (He promises He will) and choose grace and love instead.

“Lord, may my son know that Your Son, Jesus, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

and that no man comes to the Father but by Him. Amen” ~John 14:6

Day 17: Self Control

2011-06-25T10:22:00.001-04:00

Due to my lack of Self Control last night (ie. I fell asleep at 8:30pm with my son), I am now running a day behind on the 21 Day Prayer Challenge!!

I began to think about what to write as I prayed over my son, and then I sat down to read the leader's guide. Brooke expresses self control and self discipline perfectly.

Life with Christ was not about what I could or could not do, but about loving Him more than I loved my sin.

Loving Him more.

Anything that separates me from God is sin and anything good can be made sin if I love it more than I love Him. And years later I'm still choosing.

I love Him. I love Him less than looking my best. I love Him. I love Him less than yelling at my kids. I love Him. I love Him less than getting even with my husband. I love Him. I love Him less than having a published book. I love Him. I love Him less than time to myself. I love Him. I love Him less than a stomach painfully full of my favorite meal. I love Him. I love Him less than getting my own way.

I love Him.

I love Him less.

Every time I love Him less I love something else more.

But He loves me. He loves me always.

In the moment of choice this knowing of His steadfast, never-ending love is what gives me strength. This knowing of His great sacrifice for me … and for you. This knowing of the lengths He would go to love me more.

More than I deserve.

More than I can comprehend.

More than the power of Hell can stand against.

"My Savior's sacrifice paid for all my sin. So in my suffering I look to the Cross again. No need, no want, no trial, no pain can compare to this: The wrath of God once meant for me, was all spent on Him. Before the Cross, I humbly bow. I place my trust in the Savior. Your finished work captures my gaze. You bore the wrath, I know the grace." ~Before the Cross (Sovereign Grace Music)

Now the little forever soul sits in front of me for what seems like the 20 millionth time today. And I look at him… and he looks at me. And I wonder, out loud, how he could possibly want to choose discipline over joyful obedience. After days of willful rebellion from two little men, I'm spent and I cannot understand in that moment why ANYONE would choose this chaos--this miser--when simple obedience would change everything. Don't they know the sweetness that would be theirs if they would just obey?

Just CHOOSE to obey? Sigh. There's that word again.

The choice to love Him more begins from the beginning … hearts made to worship Him … choose Him. Hearts that are left to themselves will choose our own way every time.

How many times have I chosen my own way when I knew the consequences? How many times have I forfeited the sweet, peaceful blessings of obedience in order to stamp my feet, cross my arms, dig in my stubborn threeyear-old-like heels and have my own way?

And this from a woman who has tasted the goodness of God in the land of the living!

How can I expect my little ones to choose the good all the time when their own mama, a Jesus-follower for over 20 years, still gets it wrong?

Grace.

And more grace

Grace.

and choosing to love Him more.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." ~1 Corinthians 10:31

A Prayer For My Son

2011-06-24T04:41:00.001-04:00

Psalm 71 is my 'Life Song'. Through the hardest times in my life, the truth in this verses has been an anchor for me. Choosing to hold onto My Rock of Refuge in the midst of the storm was not always easy - some times I was barely hanging on by the fingernails; sometimes the only thing that kept me on the Rock was His firm, loving Hand on mine - but these words encapsulate the Song of my Life, and the love I have for my Lord.

I have adapted it at as prayer for my son, Timothy.

In you, O Lord, may my son take refuge; let him never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue him and deliver him; turn your ear to him and save him. Be his rock of refuge, to which he can always go; give the command to save him, for you are his rock and his fortress. Deliver him, O God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. May You be his hope, Sovereign Lord, his confidence since all his life. From birth he has relied on you; you brought him forth from his mother's womb. May he ever praise you. You are his strong refuge.

May his mouth be filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Do not cast him away when he is old; do not forsake him when his strength is gone. For his enemies will speak against him; those who wait to kill him conspire together. They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him." Do not be far from him, my God; come quickly, God, to help him. May his accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm him be covered with scorn and disgrace.

May he always have hope; may he praise you more and more. May his mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though he knows not how to relate them all. May he come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; May he proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. O God, teach him from his youth, so he may declare your marvelous deeds all his life. Even when he is old and gray, do not forsake him, O God, till he declares your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you will make him see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore his life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring him up. You will increase his honor and comfort him once more.

May he praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O God; may he sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. May his lips shout for joy when he sings praise to you. May his tongue tell of your righteous acts all day long.

Day 16: Gentleness

2011-06-23T07:45:00.027-04:00

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. Saint Francis de Sales

As I thought about Gentleness, I began to reflect on how I could teach gentleness to my son. I'm a lucky Mum, because Darling Husband is an awesome model of a True Gentle-man. His strength is truly evident in his gentleness towards me, our kids, and the young men and women he leads and trains.

But I didn't know how to put what I'm feeling into words, so I will use another's words. Again.

From 'Gentleness - A Form of Love' by Thomas A. Stobie

Gentleness is not unmanly. Remember that Jesus, St. Joseph, St. Francis and Pope John Paul II, President George W. Bush, just to name a few, are all gentle men. Being gentle does not lessen men, rather it is a true characteristic of manhood. Great men tend to be gentle men.

Treating people with gentleness shows them that we value and respect them. Likewise treating things with gentleness, we show others and God, that we want to take care of what with we have been entrusted and that we desire to leave it to others in good condition.

Gentleness is a way of life, showing our love in how we interact with people and things. Like any way of life, gentleness has to be practiced for us to become more gentle. If we want to become more gentle, we must take active steps, that is (1) choosing to be more gentle, (2) keeping this resolution in mind, (3) acting in gentleness, and (4) catching ourselves when we are not gentle so that we can be more aware of our gentleness or lack of gentleness in the future.

May Timothy have wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of
mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

Day 15: Faithfulness

2011-06-22T10:34:00.001-04:00

Encouragement from Brooke

I could talk about how many men struggle to be faithful to their wives. I could talk about how some men get tossed about for most of their lives, never really knowing who they are or what they believe. I could talk about how some of the young men I see today don't know how to hold down a job, or provide for their families, or how to be a good and faithful husband and father. But really, what I want to talk about … what I want to pray about today … is that our sons would be faithful to God.

Doesn't this one prayer bring with it the solution to everything else we could talk about? A man whose first love is Jesus, will be faithful in all of the areas above. He won't be perfect, but he will possess the ability to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be faithful. It is something worth praying for.

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness … ~Joshua 24:14

And ponder this quote from Paul E. Miller's A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World. “Mature Christians are keenly aware that they can't raise their kids. It's a no-brainer. Even if they are perfect parents, they still can't get inside their kids' hearts. That's why strong Christians pray more.”

I don't have any of my own thoughts to add today. It's been a busy day. God bless you as you pray for your sons.

Day 14: Goodness

2011-06-21T11:38:00.001-04:00

When we think about Goodness, we often think of the Good things that we do - I gave to charity. I helped the little old lady across the street. I help in the soup kitchen once a week. I have given my life in service for God. And the bad things we don't do - I don't lie, I don't steal, I don't cheat. I didn't smack that guy in the face like I wanted to. It's all about me. I. I. I.
My righteousness. My efforts to prove I am worthy. But...

"As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands;

there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless;

there is no one who does good, not even one.' "

Romans 3:10-12 NIV

When I do good for my own glory, for the praise of men, I'm just a Pharisee - beautiful on the outside but dead on the inside. But when I allow God's Goodness to work in me, His Righteousness to shine through me, then I know that any good that I do is for His Glory and His Fame. I pray that I can impart this to my son (and my daughter), and capture their hearts for Jesus.

From the Leader's Guide:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
(Matthew 23:27-28, ESV)

Question: In our efforts to raise our sons are we teaching them that if they do good things they are good? Righteous even? If we teach them that being good is all it takes, if our discipline and training focuses on their behavior, how will they know they need a Savior?
Are we raising little Pharisees? Or are we raising Godly men with a heart for God? If a Godly son is your goal, you must aim for the heart. Because unless the heart is changed--touched--the behavior will stay the same. It might look a little different, morph some as they grow. But behavior is always a symptom of the state of the heart. What's in the heart, comes out.

"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." ~Matthew 12:34

Ask yourself these questions:
• What parenting tools have I been using that only focus on changing behavior and not the heart? Am I willing to lay them down even if they produce what looks like a good child?
• Reaching a child's heart takes time. Behavior modification is much faster! Am I willing to change things about my life so that I have the time to invest in the hearts of my children?
• Most importantly: Am I willing to submit my own heart to God and allow Him to mold me from the inside out?

Day 13: Kindness

2011-06-20T05:58:00.000-04:00

I wanted to just copy the whole article from the Warrior Prayers Leaders' Guide today. That's how good it was. It was reminiscent of John Eldredge's 'Wild At Heart', only for little boys. It's written by author Sally Clarkson, and you can read the whole article, 'That Boy Needs A Strong Hand' at The M.O.B. Society. Here are some highlights.

Seems silly to say, but boys are not girls. They are as mysterious as men, because they are men. But moms are girls, and sometimes that can be a problem. Most boys (not all, but most) will be more active, louder, noisier, less attentive or sensitive, slower to pick up cues, sometimes clueless and just more “boysterous” than most girls. God designed them that way on purpose. Everything about them—physiology, biology, brain function, and testosterone—prepares them for a different role and function in life than girls. But by God’s design, they need to be affirmed in their design by their girl mothers. God has given you a “strong hand” in their lives by way of being their mother.

From personal experience and many years of observation, moms often discipline boys for being boys, instead of understanding that God wants them to grow into strong men.

If we want them to be warriors when they are big, they need to be able to practice being little warriors when they are young. Even as our own husbands want to feel that we are happy and content with what they have provided, so our boys need to know that we are happy to be their moms, and that we are delighted that they are young men in training to accomplish great feats some day.

According to Clarkson, boys need:

A strong loving hand (acceptance and grace) - words of love, admiration, encouragement and validation of their "boyish" feats -
A strong gentle hand (kindness and gentleness) - "A gentle answer turns away wrath," from Proverbs became the pattern for my speech to my boys.
A strong patient hand (understanding and longsuffering) - Learning not to react to the noise of my boys... learning see into their hearts and motivations from a boy's point of view... becoming a cheerleader for them... Anticipating needs and proactively preparing for particular situations.
A strong protective hand (teaching and telling) and (encouraging and affirming) - Constant teaching and instructing (to give) them a positive self-image of what they would grow into.

As I looked to God's design for men and saw the potential of my boys becoming strong, righteous men, I had the heart to become the mother that they needed me to be. One who had great respect for the holiness of manhood, even in the lives of the sweet boys that lived every day in my own home. And I girded my hands with God's strength to support and train them one day at a time.

And a final word from Brooke:

Remember, kindness is not something that comes naturally. We're selfish, sinful beings who mostly want our own way. No, kindness is a learned art, usually caught by experiencing it first-hand from the hands of the people closest to us.

So, the question I ask myself, in the midst of the daily battles with my kids: Am I being kind to them? Am I teaching them the art of true kindness? The kind that builds up and encourages, that seeks the best for them? Or as I lead them with a Strong Hand, is it just to keep them quiet and compliant to my selfish agenda and societies expectations? (You have to read Clarkson's article to know what I'm alluding to here). Oh that I would learn the truth that "A gentle answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1).

Patience Like a Bear

2011-06-20T03:53:00.001-04:00

{I've been visiting my fellow Warrior Prayers' Blogs today,

and I found this one by Haelie: Patience Like a Bear.}

Just had to share this...

Today, in the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge, we prayed scripture prayers regarding Patience over our sons.

I decided to share my morning prayer time with my son this morning while he bathed. As I introduced him to our prayer topic for today, I mentioned we would be praying prayers for patience for him and for all of us.

Here is how the conversation ensued:

"Son, you see, we are going to pray for patience..."

"Patience like a bear?" (We have recently been watching a nature show about bears.)

"I guess so. Yes, I think bears have patience."

"Yes, mom, they have patience for they pray."

"Bears pray? Oh, well, I guess you could be right. Maybe they do pray."

"No, mom, I said they have patience while they wait for their PREY. You know, the animals they eat are their prey. They have patience while they wait to attack them and eat them."

"Oh, yes, then you are right. They surely do have to have patience to find and get their prey at just the right time."

Unbelievable, the conversations you can have with a five-year-old.

And, believe it or not, I did draw some parallels with his little scenario.

We have many little enemies that come at us as a result of the bigger enemy. Once we recognize certain enemies as being regular and familiar in our lives, we can begin to not only be on the lookout for them in order to defend ourselves from them, but we can also switch to the offensive tactic of stalking them patiently as if they are our prey. With God's guidance, strength, wisdom, and complete assistance, we can have the patience of a bear and stalk and attack our prey so that we are no longer its prey. Our former stalker(s) can become a footstool at our feet as opposed to us being trampled by the enemy.

The LORD says to my lord:
   “Sit at my right hand
   until I make your enemies
   a footstool for your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)

So, I charge you today,

in the words of my five-year-old son,

to go out and pray to have

the patience of a bear

as you stalk and defeat your prey!

Love

2011-06-19T12:50:00.000-04:00

I really enjoyed Church today. The kids actually went to Sunday School willingly, and I didn't have to use too many brain cells, because the sermon was in English, thanks to a visiting team from Singapore.

The sermon was based on Matthew 5:13-16, The Salt and The Light:

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. (Amplified Bible)

The salt is not for our own consumption. It's not for us. We are the salt that enhances the flavour of life for others. And you can't be salt and light if you don't love.

As I listened, I realized that often times when we think of Christ's command to love, we think of "Love your neighbour as yourself." (Matt 22:37-40). I think this might be where we get the saying, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Basically, be nice to people, so they'll be nice back.

But Jesus gives us a NEW Commandment in John 13:34:

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. 35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

A key phrase here is 'As I have loved you'. Unconditional. Sacrificial. Holy. Servant Hearted. Agape.

The Love of Christ gives to the ungrateful. Serves the undeserving. Embraces the outcast. Forgives the sinner. Endures through suffering. Lays down it's life for a friend... and an enemy.

Christians are responsible to SHINE and ADD FLAVOUR to the lives of their friends and neighbours. How? By Loving with Christ's love. And by GOing into all the world with the Gospel of Christ. (Mark 16:15-18). We cannot be 'Secret Agents for Jesus'. We must Shine for Him. And when we do our part, He will do what He has promised to do.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 (NIV)

And what is the purpose of being Salt and Light in the world? It's not to win arguments, to try to convince 'sinners' of their need for Christ, or to prove that I'm holy or worthy in some way. The purpose of Shining our light and adding flavour to a bland, tasteless world is this:

Men and Women will be touched by the Love of God and will GIVE HIM GLORY.

Day 12: Patience

2011-06-19T11:21:00.000-04:00

Definition from Wikipedia
Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

From the Leader's Guide:

I'm convinced that God cares less about how much I accomplish in life...the "great things" I do in His Name...than He does about how I respond to the things He allows into my life on a daily basis. Some of the most accomplished in the Kingdom of Christ are those whose names you and I will never know this side of heaven. And greatness is only measured by how well we respond to Christ in the little things. Being patient for what God's plan is and not necessarily pursuing our own dreams.

Question: Do you think we're teaching our sons that the "little things" are what matter most?

Day 11: Peace

2011-06-18T12:08:00.001-04:00

Today I'm chuckling again. Actually, I'm laughing out loud. God what are you trying to teach me?

Last night was a rough night. Bedtime Battles, followed by Insomnia, followed by Darling Son crying without end (well an hour) and refusing to be soothed. Then he was awake at 6:30am and I started the day Oh So Happy that I have a maid 3 days a week. I was expecting her at 9am. She didn't show. I left for my morning appointment around 10am, leaving the kids with Sean. Still expectantly waiting for P' Wan to arrive.

I got a text: P' Wan's son broke his leg. In emergency all night. No money on phone. Motorbike broken.

I laughed. Out Loud. It's heartless, I know. But it proves that I am more Thai than I look.

Okay God, what are you trying to teach me?

I had plans for my day. Big plans. So did Sean. I was gonna take a nap. Sean was gonna write his book. While P' Wan entertained the kids.

Not anymore.

I laughed again. Hmm, I wonder if I should visit P' Wan at the hospital?

Okay God. My plans are shot. I have to go home, and take care of the kids. What a concept!!

When I got home, I sat down to read through the Warrior Prayers book again. A sea of chaos swirls around me as I try to come to terms with giving up MY agenda for today.

Lord, I know I'm a weak vessel. I've got lots of cracks. Right now my Selfishness Crack is pretty big and is compromising the integrity of the whole pot. So, What are you trying to teach me?

To delight in my kids and their antics. To sacrifice lovingly for them. To change the way I see the circumstances. To be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Oh, yeah. Romans 12:1-2. Again! Along with Matthew 6:27-34 - Don't worry. God has it all in control. He's not surprised by today. So, I need to rest in Him. My Rock and My Strong Tower.

From the Leader's Guide:

The One who made you and loves you is waiting to give help and comfort and peace all along the way. No, He doesn’t take away the pain and the frustration, but He gives us a way to deal with it. When we begin to think about ourselves and our children in His scheme of things, we begin to think big. We see ourselves and our children in His plan and our “today” perspective changes.

What’s important for me to remember?

Motherhood has many demands, but I can’t do everything. In fact, I don’t need to. There’s One who knows better than I do and He’s waiting to catch me and my son when we stumble. He gives me grace to do all I can each day … then His grace provides for all I didn’t get to, as well. It’s hard to believe anyone loves my son more than I do. But He does.
Knowing that, I can “Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (Psalm 105:3,4)
And I can help myself to peace--from above.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 (ASV)

How do I live with 'peace that passes understanding'? Rejoice! In every circumstance! And think about the good, lovely, true, praiseworthy, admirable and beautiful things that surround me. (Philippians 4:4-8) That would be God.

"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified)

Day 10: Joy

2011-06-17T09:42:00.004-04:00

I have to chuckle at today's topic: JOY!!

Right now, I'm not feeling joyful. We are having one of the worst bedtime battles we have had in a VERY long time. Part of me wants to give and just put the portable DVD player on their bed and let them fall asleep watching a BBC Nature Film. It would be a lot easier. It would also cause more problems tomorrow....

And then I read the Leader's Guide!! Oh Brooke, how did you know I was gonna be encountering this on Day 10?? ;-) (I know it's not really her that gets the credit, so don't call me on it, okay.)

Encouragement from Brooke: What is joy really? And if my strength comes from the joy of the Lord (Psalm 28:7), then what does the joy of the Lord really look like?

As I write these words, I'm struggling with a deep desire to be grumpy and complain. Most days I handle my husband's crazy shift-work schedule pretty well. But today? Well, today I feel like complaining. So how do I find joy and strength from the Lord? Enough to make me "burst out in songs of thanksgiving?"

How do you?

Here's the secret: Focus on Christ. Focus on what He did for you (and for your sons) on the cross. I suspect we Christians have a tendency to misunderstand the phrase, "placing our trust in Christ." Placing our trust in Christ isn't something we did once and never do again. Salvation may be a once and forever event, but trusting in Christ is ongoing. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross to be important enough to change my grumpiness to gratefulness. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross to get me through a rough day with my children. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross to be enough when I'm enduring tantrums in the grocery store. Trusting in Christ's work of grace on the cross when my sons choose their own will …

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my
heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." ~Psalm 28:7

Ponder this? Christ's work on the cross was never intended to be something we took joy in one time and then never again. Thinking on His work and embracing it with a heart of gratefulness is enough to make even the grumpiest among us "burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” No matter where we are, or what we're experiencing, we CAN find joy in focusing on all that Christ has done and made possible through His death and resurrection.

So Today, like every other day, I CHOOSE Joy. And I pray that as I model this to my kids, they will learn to find their strength in the Joy of the Lord - even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.

And while you're here, why not check out Girl of Cardigan's thoughts on Joy & Happiness. A very good read.

21 Days.... Nine Days In.

2011-06-17T05:35:00.006-04:00

Why did I join the '21 Days of Prayer for Sons' family?

I'm Mummy to two adorable kids.

One Girl (4).

Peek a Boo!

One Boy (2).

War Paint

I love them to pieces. My daughter is the most beautiful little Princess in the whole world. My son, the most handsome little Prince. The most talented. The most athletic. The cutest. The most precocious. They are sweetness personified. And stubbornness incarnate.

There are days when I am sure that God made a mistake when He entrusted these kids - two of His favourites from heaven - to me. I am so weak. I am such a bad example of His love, grace, sacrifice, mercy, goodness, kindness - every aspect of His character. But for some reason He chose ME to be THEIR mother. And so that is why I pray. I pray that God will transform me into His likeness so that they will know Him. I pray for wisdom daily - no moment by moment - to raise them in a way worthy of Christ.

This Challenge has indeed been challenging. I find myself not just praying for my kids, but also for myself. That God would give me a new heart in place of my heart of stone. That I would walk humbly before my God and my family. That I would model obedience to authority, and be wise and not foolish. That I would live with integrity - because little eyes are always watching. That I would love my family and my God sacrificially. And live a life of purity in word, thought and deed.

If I don't have it, how can I model it to my kids?

One for me, one for you.

***In case you just started reading, and haven't got a clue what I'm talking about, here's the low down. I am joining with women and mothers all over the world in a 21 Day Challenge to pray for our Sons. You can find out more about it here. Today is Day 9. Feel free to join in at anytime. You can leave a comment to join my group.***

Update: Oops! I mean 10 days in. I'm in a different time zone...

Day 9: Love

2011-06-16T09:28:00.004-04:00

Encouragement from Brooke (from the Leaders' Guide)

Today we take our first step into one of my favorite verses to pray for my sons. I pray it most every day, if not in its entirety, at least in part. If I could only choose one verse to pray for my boys for the rest of their lives this one would be my second choice (behind Ezekiel 36:26), because having a heart full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control just about sums up everything I want for them.

I've thought for years that love can't really be all that it should be apart from God. The Bible says that God IS love. For us mathematicians, using the word "IS" is the same as using the word "EQUALS." In other words, God and love are one and the same. There is no real love apart from God, and God is behind all real and genuine acts of love.

"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." ~1 John 4:8

Application: While you're praying through the 10 prayers, think about the following. Ask God to help you find the answer.

The word “love is used too loosely in today's world. We love our food, cars, friends, shoes, fingernail polish, and hair color. But there is no real definition of the word “love” apart from God. How can we begin to make changes in our life and our vocabulary to help our sons understand the true meaning of the word?

Day 8: Honour

2011-06-14T13:10:00.000-04:00

Definition of HONOR (Webster's Dictionary)

1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition honor to our founder>

2 : privilege honor of joining the captain for dinner>

3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office Honor please>

6 : a gesture of deference : bow

7 : chastity, purity honor and her life — Barton Black>

8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity honor> b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance honor, I will be there>

We want our sons to grow up into Men of Honor - highly esteemed and respected, of good reputation. Men of integrity.

May the LORD bestow favor and honor upon my son. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

May my son know that both riches and honor come from God, and that He rules over all (1 Chronicles 29:12).

We want them to honor others - their parents (that's us!), their siblings, leaders, teachers, and especially the young women they meet. And we pray that they live a life that honors God above all else. A wonderful passage to teach our sons how to honour the different people in his life is 1 Timothy 5:1-2: "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."

May my son honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (the authorities over him) (1 Peter 2:17).

May my son honor his father and mother, for this is the first commandment with a promise. (Ephesians 6:2).

May my son honor the face of an old man (Leviticus 19:32).

Let's pray together for our sons to be Men of Honour. Brooke recommends a book, The Princess and the Three Knights by Karen Kinsbury, a great tale of honour for both girls and boys.

Day 7: Servants Heart

2011-06-13T20:29:00.002-04:00

From the Leaders Guide:

Jesus led by serving.
I don't know if we can say that Jesus' gifting was to serve, after all, He was God. He didn't have to serve anyone. Neither do we. We don't have to serve others. But Jesus did. And He said that if we want to be first, we'll need to be last. He said that loving others, serving them, was serving Him--loving Him.
"The greatest among you shall be your servant." ~Matthew 23:11

Brooke also added some ideas on how to serve as a family:

Try finding ways to serve with your family. Take meals to families in your church who need help, participate in a Walk for Life for your local Pregnancy Center so they can meet the needs of women in unplanned pregnancies, or help serve soup to those less fortunate than you in a local Soup Kitchen. Find ways to teach your sons the value of serving others.

Prayer for the day: May my son not use his freedom to satisfy his sinful nature. Instead, may he use his freedom to serve others in love (Galatians 5:13).

Day 6: Purity

2011-06-13T10:59:00.000-04:00

Definitions:
1. Purity is the absence of impurity or contaminants in a substance, or abstinence from vices and/or abundance of virtue. (Wikipedia)
2. Purity is the condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc.: the purity of drinking water (Dictionary.com)
3. Purity is Freedom from sin or guilt; innocence; chastity: "Teach your children . . . the belief in purity of body, mind and soul" (Emmeline Pankhurst). (The Free Dictionary)

Often times in Christian circles, when we think of purity, we think of being sexually pure. But the kind of purity that God calls us to is to encapsulate our whole lives. In our thought life, in our attitudes, in our actions, in the way we dress, in the way we interact others.

Romans 12:1&2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Walking in purity as a Christian is about laying down my rights to have what I want each day - to be a living sacrifice. It's about dying to myself. It's about changing my mind, changing the way I would naturally choose to live. Purity is choosing to live the way God commands and choosing to see my life and the lives of others from His perspective.

Below are the prayers for our sons today. You can clearly see that Purity must be evident in every area of our lives. We are praying that God will capture the hearts, minds, and spirits of our sons. That they may walk in Purity before Him.

May my son have love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1
Timothy 1:5).

May my son hope in God and thus purify himself (1 John 3:3).

May my son have religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unstained from the world (James 1:27).

May my son think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of
praise, may he think about these things (Philippians 4:8).

May son be like the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

May there be no violence in my son's hands, and his prayer be pure (Job 16:17).

May my son be pure, because even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright (Proverbs 20:11).

May my son's love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that he may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).

How can my son keep his way pure? By guarding it according to God’s Word (Psalm 119:9).

May my son be blameless and innocent, a child of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (Philippians 2:15).

(These Bible verses are adapted for The Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys ebook by Brooke Mcglothlin. Day 6, page 24.)

Day 5: Pride

2011-06-12T10:47:00.000-04:00

Today I'm posting an exerpt from the Warrior Prayers: 21 Days of Praying for Our Sons Leader's Guide. While we are praying that our sons would learn to be men of humility and be obedient to the Word and Will of God, as mothers we also need to humble ourselves before God, and submit our hopes and dreams for them to the Lord.

Encouragement from Melissa Smallwood (creator of Multitaksing Mama)

Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Amplified Bible). Prayers for our sons must be individual to that child, and sensitive to the one of a kind man God has designed each of them to be. Whether my boys grow to be doctors, pastors, or drive a milk truck, as long as they are living their lives for God’s glory, my mama heart should be pleased and satisfied.

All three of them are uniquely and wonderfully created. Praying for God to shape their hearts, trusting the master Potter He is, has allowed me to relinquish control of the outcome and cherish my role in the process of learning who they will become.

As they grow, up and away – as is God’s plan – my heart’s cry to Him is that they will lead lives pleasing to their Creator {and that they will visit their mama frequently}.

Also from the Leaders Guide:

We take such pride in our sons, don't we? When we see one with a natural bent toward academics we call him gifted. When we see one who excels in sports we call him an exceptional athlete – bound for the pros. Sometimes we even place pressure on our sons to be who we wish we could've been. And this can be a form of pride.

Melissa shares above about allowing God to grow our boys into the men HE wants them to be.Sometimes, we have to let go of our dreams for our sons, and deliberately choose to pick up God's dreams for them instead. (emphasis mine)

Are there any areas that God is calling you to lay down your hopes and dreams for your son(s), and pick up His dreams?

A Giveaway: Want a Lilla Rose Flexi clip?

2011-06-11T03:15:00.000-04:00

I stumbled upon this lovely blog, called Raising 4 Princesses, all about the life of Maria, a Missionary Mum in Jamaica. This month, Maria is offering a chance to win $15 to go shopping at Lilla Rose for beautiful hair accessories. All the details are on Maria's blog.

Let me know if you visit and enter to win - that increases my chances to win, too. Let's help each other out!

Day 4: The Wise Man and The Foolish Man

2011-06-11T02:49:00.000-04:00

The fool has said in his heart,“ There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. Psalm 14:1 NKJV

Image from http://wealthhabit.blogspot.com

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:10-11

Dar al Hajar in Yemen (image from http://www.traveladventures.org)

"I know there will come a day when my little love will have to own this faith, but I believe with all my heart that teaching both of my sons to think in biblical terms now will help them choose in biblical terms later." (Warrior Prayers - LG, by Brooke L. McGlothlin)

Day 3: Integrity - Who am I when (I think) no one is watching?

2011-06-10T12:46:00.000-04:00

{originally posted at by Terri Lynn Underwood as Little Eyes at Parenting From the Overflow.}

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” - Robert Fulghum

Day 2, again

2011-06-09T05:21:00.000-04:00

I have confession to make. I didn't really start the challenge until today. It's really hard to find time to myself this week, as I'm Playing Single Mum, ie. Darling Husband is still on his way home from Southern Thailand, and I'm home alone with the kids. I wake up with Timmy in the morning, and when they go to sleep at night, I fall into a coma with them. And every moment in between is Mummy Duty.

So, I just read the section about Obedience in the ebook. As I was reading, I started thinking, "Wow, I have a really huge responsibility to be a good example to my kids." (I'll also confess that I'm not just praying for my son, but my daughter as well - how can I leave her out? - during this challenge). "I will have to model self discipline and obedience to Christ to them. I need to learn greater consistency and kindness in the way I discipline. I can't take a moment to let down my guard. If I want them to be obedient, I have to be obedient."

And then I read the prayer at the end of section:

"Lord, please soften my son’s heart and place the desire within him to obey his parents in the Lord, for this is right. Help him to honor his father and mother, that it may go well with him and that he might live long in the land. And help me to embrace a lifestyle of obedience, so that my life might be an example to him. Give me a new vision for teaching and training my son in obedience. Amen." (emphasis mine)

So, as I'm praying for my kids, I'm also praying for God to transform me into a Mother that honors the Lord through self discipline, through loving and teaching my kids, through respecting and loving my husband, in my interactions with those outside my home, and in how I take care of my body.

This 21 Day devotional is a lot bigger, a lot more challenging that I ever expected. It's exciting to think what could happen. It's also a little scary to realise that I'm being taken apart and put back together, to be a stronger, more beautiful vessel for my God and my King.