Yesterday I was on my way to church, a bit hurried as usual.  I hung the laundry in my husband's old sandals and rushed the kids to the car, realizing the girl's dresses they had only been wearing for 20 minutes were stained from breakfast.  Guess the extra minute I was trying to save not putting on bibs, didn't actually save time after we quickly changed into clean dresses.  Do 2 and 3 year olds do anything quickly?   

And then we arrive at church, and I grab the bag for entertaining the kids in service (services here last a lot longer than the typical 1 hour services in the States).  And grab the girls out and look down at my feet...

I still had my husband's old sandals for church on.  Here people dress their best for church to wear their best they have for God.  This was definitely not my best or even my mediocre.  

 I panicked for a second, and then realized while I may get some weird stares, no one is gonna dislike me for my strange shoes.  We were all there to worship and fellowship.  So despite hurriedness, mistakes, and forgetfulness I hope you had a great day of worship, fellowship, and rest.  

(A fun pictures of our the future worship leaders in our church.)

So much thankfulness

     Over and over I see God's hand providing.  A giver sends $120 and it is exactly the need the school has this month for an unexpected expense.  Prayers answered when we asked supporters to pray for a specific request.  These things have happened so many times I have lost count and memory.  I really need to write them down.
   This past month 3 huge miracles happened.  Literally I still can't stop thanking God and don't think I ever will.  Not just thanking God for His saving grace in these matters, but for his care and provision. I am also praying that in knowing of His care,  if these situations had gone the other way and not turned out well we would still be praising Him for His love.  But today we are saying, "Thank you, Lord and praising Him!"
   First, while repairing a dangerous situation on campus a work team member fell 30 feet with debris trapping them.  This person walked away with nothing broken!  Only God!
   A few days later, one of our students disappeared.  After hours of searching, prayers, and fear of the unknown he was found.  We honestly did not see how he could be found alive, and He was!  Prayers he can continue to get help he needs.
   Lastly, some of the power went out in our home one afternoon. When an electrician could get here the next day, he said,  "God was really watching over this house."  He said whoever had installed the wires had done them incorrectly and they had all melted together  and it should have caused a big fire.  But in this case, it just turned it off. He said only God could have done that.  
   We are so thankful and will continue to share of God's goodness to all.  And we are especially celebrating this week of Jesus death for us and more students graduating to go out and share His extravagant love!
 

    As much as I would like to, these stories are limited in detail to protect those they happened to, so please feel free to message me or ask me more about God's hand in this.   This is a public post, so to protect people and the school I have kept details vague.

Culture Surprise

     Even after 12 years overseas, some things are still different for us.  Culture is defined as the customs of a particular nation or people.  So even though we have been here for a bit now, things are still different than what we would assume or even do ourselves.

    Just yesterday one of our off campus students surprised us.  She sent her 2 children over with a note saying it was one of their birthdays and her child wanted to have her birthday with us.  Cake, juice, napkins, even a candle were sent over with the kids.  (If you know me, I may have panicked the first minute thinking - what?  Birthdays take planning, time, getting a gift for the birthday girl).

   So we went with the impromptu party :). We sang, we ate, and then we asked the birthday child to tell us 9 things she loved for her 9th year...

    She listed them in this order
 - Hanging with our kids
- Getting this special cake
- Having this special birthday together
- Her mom
- Her dad
- Her brother
- Her dogs
- Her friends
- And again this party :)

Again humbled just to be in the moment and enjoy them.  Not to stress over endless details.

P.S. I didn't even take one picture of the party since we were enjoying it, so this is a just a random picture of the new dogs on campus.

Ten Idea Blessings for Missionaries we loved!

     After 12 years on the field, it's still hard to say you "thank you" adequately for all we have been given.  God has supplied our every need.  We praise His name through His goodness through so many dear people.

    Several questions were asked of me over the last year.  How can we help our missionaries physically with care packages? What can we send them?  What have you cherished that was sent to you?  So, in just a few seconds I easily thought of this list.  I could easily list hundreds of  more things of people praying, giving, loving.  So, if you are looking for a unique way of loving and encouraging from afar here are a few ways we have been:

1) One of our home churches pays half for church camps and activities for our kids to attend.  Even though it is not the home church we are currently are at throughout the year if we are back at the time of camp it sure is a blessing for the kids to be able to attend.

2) Another church found out what our favorites were and brought 6 different gifts for each, so that way at different holidays or birthdays we would have gifts to spread out and give.

3) Supporters brought school supplies and gave curriculum we were studying.

4) Sweet loved ones gave us vans, car seats, and their gas card to use when back in country since we have no vehicle and this saved so much and allowed us to visit more people when back.

5) Dear ones sent care packages via teams coming to visit of favorite sweets we miss, cooking spices we can't get here, favorites of Sports teams, pictures, personal notes, new books to read, sweet prayers, favorite verses to hang, and Holiday decorations (this was special as sometimes missing Holidays, time with family, and the changing of seasons can be bittersweet).

6. A prime membership - this was such a blessing in being able to ship books and items to groups when coming.

7. A travel bag - a special person would got us a travel bag knowing ours get used so much.

8. When back on furlough we are on the road a lot so a couple gave us a gift card for fast food and bags with snacks & travel toys for a fun treat on the road.

9. Some have had us over or treated us out to food we miss - like American, Italian, Mexican. And getting to run around (one family thoughtfully took us to their blackberry farm where the kids go to run, eat delicious berries, and not have to be cooped up in chairs after the 10 hour car drive) was huge!

10. People checking in and updating us on them and what we can pray for and letting us feel like we are still remembered.  But they also specifically asked about us and let us know what they were praying for our particular needs.

Thanks for Prayers

     So many of you wrote and prayed for Brice - thank you!   After finally collecting tests, he did not have cancer.  Results did say advanced COPD, but we are thinking it was a misdiagnosis  and answered prayer as after several months he is feeling great again and all signs are gone.   Just wanted to update and thank you - we have the best supporters and friends!