Some Song to Raise

new life

2012-01-30T22:46:00.000+01:00

Hello, hello! A little update on what's going on over here in Germany, in our family at least. 2012 brought our family a new school routine. All four of us are in school - at the same time! Yes, we are. Daniel and I kiss both kids goodbye at the village Kindergarten and dash off to the train station for our morning date (language class) together! It’s even more fun than it sounds. Sitting in class with my best friend and five fascinating people from around the world and one crazy teacher. When is the mission board going to call up and tell us to lay off on the fun factor?

And about that poor little three year old girl who has to leave her mother now? She is having the time of her life. And her German is finally making some sense. Caleb was worried sick that she would embarrass him at the Kindergarten with her “funny German,” but she has surprised us all! Lucy is happy as a clam in there. Lots of kids, food, dolls, a “beautiful teacher", a sandpit, parties, an occasional fight - what could suite that girl better? The only sad part: when mommy’s class is over, her carriage turns back into a pumpkin and she’s stuck at home with old Mom again. Until then, by the grace of God, we’re enjoying this new and crazy stage of our lives to the fullest!

Our church baptized four believers on Sunday afternoon. Four people who had turned from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ’s forgiving love. Each one's story gives the world a brilliant new facet of God's redeeming grace. They acted out Christ’s death sacrifice and resurrection power. Their faces glistened with joy and peace in believing as they were raised to walk in newness of life.

Longest Light

2011-12-18T17:52:00.000+01:00

Every family in Germany is familiar with the Advents wreath, a horizontal wreath of evergreens topped with four candles and other natural decorations like dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks. The four candles represent the four Sundays preceding Christmas, the time of Advent. The first candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, and on each of the next three Sundays an additional candle is lit. On the last Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit. The candlelights symbolize the hope and peace Christ brought to earth. The circular wreath represents eternal life, Christ's victory over death. The evergreens are a sign of God's unconditional faithfulness to His people.

But the story behind the wreath is a little fuzzy. Back in the Middle Ages, Christians in Northern Europe lit fires and candles in the dark month of December to represent their hopeful expectation of Christ's second coming to earth. Some say that the whole thing was started by a German pastor in Hamburg whose mission children asked incessantly if it was Christmas yet. Most agree that the Advents wreath's roots go back even further to a time when the dark days surrounding the winter solstice troubled ancient minds, and people made a symbol of their hope in the renewed light of Spring. In these earliest wreaths, the circular wheel represented the ongoing cycle of seasons, the evergreens symbolized the persistence of life even in the depth of winter, and the candles were a sign of hope that, when the long dark winter was over, the sun would shine again.

As we approach our first winter solstice living in Germany, the sun's scarcity has taken us by surprise. The days are short, and the nights are long. The brilliant, rich German Christmas traditions, yet so new and novel to us, have delighted our hearts and lightened our steps during this Christmas season. God's drawing new hearts slowly but surely to Himself gives meaning to our days. But, nevertheless, the dark skies have seeped into our hearts, and we miss family and friends more than ever before.

So tonight I walk up to our little Advents wreath with pine cones and red candles, feeling the troubled darkness of its earliest makers. Tonight we light all four candles. The flickering candlelight shines down onto the pine needles, so green and lively, while winter's first snow holds other life forms in cold stillness tonight. God is faithful - always loving just the same, no matter what the sky is doing. No matter what I am doing for that matter. The lights surround the wreath; tonight the circle is complete. Christ lives and reigns without end! And He has bought my eternal life with His own blood, shed in love for me. The candle wax melts and the four flames burn strongly now, making the walls of our darkened room dance with light.
Christ Jesus. My hope for salvation, peace with God, joy through life.

The darkness is banished. My Everlasting Light resides anew!

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has the light shined…For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:2,6

grand mother language

2011-11-15T22:35:00.001+01:00

Hello again, friends. Quite the long pause there. All that talk about raising songs to heaven and all, and then... crickets. If you are interested in excuses, it's been really busy here. In more honest terms, sometimes there was time, but I was too discouraged to write. When there was courage, there was no time. When there was time, there was no courage. But more about that another day...

Since I left you with Caleb's first day of Kindergarten, I'll start off with that. The kid loves it. He has had to grow up a notch or two, but he is none the worse for the wear. Kindergarten has been just the ticket for him in so many ways. The most astounding of those is his absorption of German. Caleb is my personal translator: prompting me, translating, and correcting my pronunciation. He has developed a rather dorky little habit of saying things twice - in English, then in German. This will all get old, but right now it is more useful than it is annoying.

Lucy Mae is making her own way into the German language. Her version of German is understood only by My Little Ponies and Potato Heads, although Caleb can translate it at times now. Lucy does not let any old language barrier stop her from making new friends. She starts out in English before it morphs into German, but she always gets her point across. Lucy may not be a language lover, but she's people lover, and that will get her even further.

Sticking with the language updates, Daniel preached in German last Sunday, first time without a translator for a Sunday service. I thought he did great. Praise our God! Daniel is also doing most of his reading in German. It's no wonder he also talks in his sleep in German.

My language class just ended a few weeks ago. It was a welcome change to turn my full attention back homeward and take care of some the chaos that had built up around here. Sure do miss those classmates though. Some of us had been in class together for nearly the entire 6-month course. 5 days a week. 4 hours a day. That first week of class I actually felt afraid of them. Now they are some of my best friends. Incredible people. We still can't get enough of each other. A few have visited our church, and they all want to come to the Advents Coffee church on Dec 4!

The biggest headline of all is that Daniel's mom is here! Here. With us. In Germany. She's even learning some German words herself. Between showing her around our new world and letting her spoil those grandkids, we talk the other hours away. So much to do. So much to say. So much to love.

Here's the fb album of the memories we've made so far.
The rest will have to wait. We're off to show Grandmother another castle!

A letter to my son, on his first day of Kindergarten

2011-10-01T22:04:00.002+02:00

My Dear Caleb,

Today you leave the constant shelter of your mother's arms to enter the great world beyond your own apartment door. Today you begin the next chapter of your life, your education outside our home.

I see that my tears surprise you. I am mourning the end your beloved babyhood. I stand watching these past five years as they round the distant bend and roll out of sight like a train that bears a friend away. Today at the big red doors, we stand between your babyhood and your childhood. I know, Little Man, you've been a long while no more a baby. But try to understand your mother. The lines between infancy, toddlerhood, and pre-school were vague. Gradual changes. But now, all in one clear-skyed day, you become a Kindergartener. Somewhere between the embroidered burp cloths and the Lego airplanes, my preemie baby turned into a school boy. Until today you stayed with me every day. Today and hereafter you will leave me every morning to learn lessons that I cannot teach you here at home.

As I watch you shoulder your black backpack all around the apartment, I know that you are ready. You are hungry to learn German, to find friends, to learn about your world, to become part of a community of children. I can't find a hint of fear in you, and you know how I have probed! Neither do I fear. You are in a safe place, in caring hands. In that God has given me confidence. I am happy for you. But still it hurts for me to leave you there. I ache to be always near you. I don't want to miss one moment of your delightful company. I hardly have before. I want to follow your inquisitive mind, to hear your new words the first times they are spoken. I want to see you be brave, wise, kind, and respectful. I know your strength and your conviction, and I thank God for giving them to you. Tough Guy, it's time to fly, and you are going to soar! Your mother believes in you.

Peanut, while you get out the new blue shoes we bought a bit large for you to grow into, I see my baby again. You fasten the velcro, pulling it tighter than intended so the straps hang over the sides, and I wonder if we are doing the right thing. You are still so young, so little. Still so recognizable from your baby photos. And so trusting, so hopeful. Baby-Son, bigger boys will push you down. Your hopes will be unfulfilled. Your trust broken. Your own falls, failures, and fears from which I have daily shielded you are going to define your days now. You will make wrong choices. You are going to crash. You will turn your head and call for me, breathing in to cry. I won't be there, Lovey. Breathe that cry right out, talk to God in your heart, and take off again. You always raise your eyebrows so cutely when you blink back tears. Blink them hard for me, Bud.

Kiddo, I want to stay beside you to monitor your safety, to read your thoughts, and to whisper little suggestions in your ear. But I'm not going to stay. Instead I'll pray to the One who sends His Spirit to stay with you and do exactly that.

Son, by sending you to Kindergarten here in Germany, we lay a unique burden on you. This is an exclusive opportunity, but I will not deny that it is also a peculiar challenge. I see the searching stare on your face when your teacher talks to you. It mirrors an expression my own face knows well. I understand. I feel the confusion with you. When our choice to follow Christ all the way to Germany affects you in ways like this, I always double check the map. Caleb, going to this very Kindergarten in this country is part of the flawless, spectacular plan God has drawn up for your life. While you are within those big red doors, He will always be right beside you. He will bless you, test you, build you, and use you - all to bring Himself glory. God's got a new little light in another corner of His globe. Let it shine, Bud. Let it shine!

Love always,

Mommy

Something for God

2011-09-15T20:37:00.000+02:00

In looking for a new title, I thought back on the hymns we used to sing and play for the churches we visited before moving to Germany. One of our old standbys was an old, old song called "Something for Thee," partly because it sounded pretty on the recorder, but also because it capsulized why we were going to Germany. That is, why we had given our lives to God in the first place, a decision that eventuated in replanting our family an ocean away. Anyway, Some Song to Raise comes out of the end of the second verse. "Help me... some song to raise - or prayer, something for Thee."

But first I did a lot of thinking about this old blog here. What it is and is not, what it should be and should not be, what it could be and could never be. I thought about how it started, an alternative to e-mailing all those first-grandchild pictures. I thought about my love/hate relationship with this blog, and all the other more important things on my plate right now. I thought about the encouraging google analytics results (and how much I would love to know who you people are!). A few Proverbs about our words came to mind, and I was ready to yank the whole thing right off the web. I thought about my life - where we live and what we do, and all the people who pray and give and wonder what it's like to be missionary. I thought about my scribbly journal pages, and how crazy I would be to put some of that stuff up here. But also, that some of those words could praise God better on a blog than stuffed in a notebook. They could become some kind of song, a life-song to sing. Some song to raise. Something to offer.

Nothing that is going to change the world. Nothing that hasn't already been said. Hardly a bubble in the sea of blogs out there today.

But something. Some song, coming from some ransomed soul, falling on the heart of some reader. If this blog can, as the song lyrics say, achieve "some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done, some wanderer sought and won," that would be "through all eternity, something for Thee."

One more thought about the whole song idea. Some of the verses are just there for the fun of it. Others are mundane, factual, or random. Sometimes this blog sings a happy song, but at other times it has a sad song to raise. What gives us hope is that all of our songs will make perfect sense one new day that's coming after all the last notes are sung.

Something For Thee

Sylvanus D. Phelps, 1862

Savior, Thy dying love
Thou gavest me,
Nor should I aught withhold,
Dear Lord, from Thee:
In love my soul would bow,
My heart fulfill its vow,
Some offering bring Thee now,
Something for Thee.

At the blest mercy seat,
Pleading for me,
My feeble faith looks up,
Jesus, to Thee:
Help me the cross to bear,
Thy wondrous love declare,
Some song to raise, or prayer,
Something for Thee.

Give me a faithful heart,
Likeness to Thee,
That each departing day
Henceforth may see
Some work of love begun,
Some deed of kindness done,
Some wanderer sought and won,
Something for Thee.

All that I am and have,
Thy gifts so free,
In joy, in grief, through life,
Dear Lord, for Thee!
And when Thy face I see,
My ransomed soul shall be,
Through all eternity,
Something for Thee.

The dandelions

2011-09-05T15:00:00.000+02:00

...on the background. They are gone forever. Promise. Now to do something about that title up there. Daniel is telling me that it's time. :o) I have to say that "There" has grown so packed with meaning for me. But, I'm afraid it just doesn't deliver the meaning very well. So, I have a list started, and we'll see if I can come up with a new title and tag line without over thinking it or losing sleep.

Suggestions, anyone?

family and friends

2011-09-03T17:38:00.000+02:00

Germany feels more like home than it did before the Goernandts came to visit from their side of Germany. Rebecca is Daniel's cousin, so they are completely family and every bit friends. Being together was rejuvenating, sharpening, and tons of fun. I'm just mad they didn't stay longer. We are already dreaming about those first snowflakes to fall and tell us it’s almost time to visit them in December!

The Stairs

2011-08-21T14:31:00.001+02:00

One evening we had a prospective missionary in our home for dinner. As we sat around the table, I explained to Caleb that our friend was here in Germany to find out what it was like being a missionary. Then came a spark of bravery, and I asked Caleb if he could tell her what it was like to be missionary. In the next five seconds of usual pensive silence that precede Caleb’s answers, I formulated his coming answer in mind. 20% adorable, 30% memorable, and 50% admirable. I knew he would make me proud. We were about to see what this kid was made of. Self sacrifice, eternal perspective, others orientation. We’re all staring at him. He’s finally opening his little mouth. Here it comes... I hold my breath, my eyebrows raised unnaturally high.

“I liked it better in America.”

(Eyebrows descend into an unnaturally low position.)

“Really?” (I’m still processing.)

Caleb nods his head and takes a bite.

(Daniel and I shoot each other awkward glances and think about all the intentional talk - all those “what we miss/what we have here/why we are here/what a privilege we have to serve God as missionaries” conversations we have had as a family this year. Then the times he saw me crying flash before my mind. Kids think what we show them to think. I’ve tried so hard to put forth the positive, the joy in serving, before the kids. But what have I really communicated to him?)

Guest or no guest, Caleb’s talking and I’m not stopping him.

"Why did you like it better in America?"

“Because our house in America didn’t have as many steps. Our apartment here has lots of steps, and my legs always get tired.”

That’s it? That’s all he could think of? So he doesn’t hate it here after all?! He’s just looking at the one hardest thing he can think of and dwelling on it. He’s wishing that one thing were different. Did he learn that from me? Kids think what we show them to think, not what we tell them to think.

“Why else?” (beyond bravery now)

“That’s all.”

Logical, concise, so Caleb.

Now for the teachable moment - the kind we learned about in child psychology.

“Caleb, God gave you this apartment with all these stairs because He loves you. He wants you to have stronger legs. God knows that if you climb these stairs everyday, your legs will get very strong, and you will become the strong boy God wants you to be. Let’s stop wishing for fewer stairs to climb, and start asking God everyday for stronger legs.”

"Ok Mom."

Subject change. Our guest looks bored.

Thank you, Caleb. The teachable moment was mine.

God, please help us not to look down at the stairs, but up - to where the steps are leading. Make our legs strong. Help us to keep climbing and not look back. Amen.

"...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 5:3-5

routine and more

2011-07-28T22:00:00.011+02:00

Feels like it’s time for an update on how and what we are doing over here. Two words, “routine” and “more,” pretty much sum it up for you. We have settled into a good routine. A busy one. And busy is good - for me especially. Busy about what we are called to do here, and too busy to stop and think homesick thoughts. It has taken language school for me to form a decent morning routine for the first time since Caleb was born - decent enough to get up, get presentable, drink coffee, read my Bible, and eat a good breakfast every morning before 8:30. First time in five years that my life has ever been so orderly in those morning pre-kids-awake hours. That’s been really, really great.

And then I’m off to school and it’s all Daniel back at home. Daniel is one incredible father. When we meet again in the afternoon, I love seeing the perfectly-explainably-coordinating shirt, pants, and hair bow he had put on Lucy that morning, and hearing all about the healthy lunch Papa had fixed and the cut-out project he had printed out for them to work on. And there has not yet been one afternoon when the dishwasher wasn’t up to the minute when I got home from school. We’ve gotten the household tag-team thing down pretty well. It’s more like a bargain than a team sometimes. "You start the wash, and I’ll hang it out to dry." "If you vacuum, I will mop."

Language school is unbelievably fun. I feel guilty about having this much fun as a missionary! That’s the honest truth. My classmates and teacher are simply fascinating people that I look forward to seeing every day. We laugh way too much in class. And I wonder how many 31 year old mothers would love an opportunity to get out of the house every morning and apply their minds to a challenging skill like learning a new language if they had the chance.

Then we make the The Trade in the train station downtown Nuremberg. It’s Daniel’s turn to go to school, and I am happy to get back to my country nest and make every little minute count with these kids before it’s already time for them to go to bed.

We have more blessed routine with the regular church activities - mostly for Daniel. For me it’s remembering which days he only has 15 minutes for supper before he heads out the door again! And speaking of church, are we ever thankful for our church! The loving, forbearing fellowship and the bond in Christ we share make up a precious haven for worship and growth and giving. Our love and respect for our coworkers grow every week. If God uses us to reproduce something like this again here in Germany, we would jump for joy and praise Him for it all!

And the “more” part?

No heaven-rending events to report home about.

No monumental beginnings.
No grand completions.

Just simply more.

More German, more words.

More people, more needs.

More friends, more giving and receiving.

More experiences, more home.

3&5

2011-07-04T17:29:00.003+02:00

Arnold family celebration month has come and gone! A few pictures of the kids today...

We are loving having a five-year-old. Caleb is a thinker, listener, builder, reader, imaginer. At the moment he is talking to his lego guys in German. That's a first. He surprises me with German words I don't even know yet. Words like tied-up, thief, and jail. Caleb's best friend is his sister. Caleb loves to hear the gospel told again and again. Caleb doesn't talk a lot, but when he does it comes from down deep inside and you know it's for real.

And then there is my little Lucy Mae. Our talker, singer, question-asker, announcement-maker, get-all-muddy, let's-go-faster, all-or-nothing girl. Lucy never misses a party. Every day we laugh at the outrageously random stuff she comes up with. Caleb just shakes his head. Lucy adores her Papa and brother. She's my student in the school of godly womanhood, and best friend in the making. Right now she's sticking Dora stickers over the key hole on her bedroom door.

It was birthday bike year!

Visitors

2011-06-07T08:09:00.000+02:00

The Loeffler family came to Germany on vacation, and they let us in on some of the fun! We go back to BJU orchestra, German classes, and our sending church before they moved away to MI.

a little quiet time on Sunday afternoon

three handsome boys

AND, we all went to see the Musical Mission Team concert!
Here we are talking with the McCauleys after the conert.

And then came Playmobil Fun Park - a child's paradise!

Ok, Friends, who's next??? We'll show you a good time!

Culture Shock

2011-05-24T16:36:00.006+02:00

We’ve been here almost six months now. They say it takes 6-9 months to reach the low point in culture shock, from which you begin to emerge and start functioning better and better in your new culture.

Praise God that a lot of the adjustments are behind us now! I have learned to steer four-wheel drive shopping carts (as long as I remember not to wear slippery shoes). I can answer the phone without breaking a sweat. I have finally figured out what the cashier always asks before I swipe my card. My nose has adjusted to all the new smells (not bad smells, just totally unexpected - not your average Target or Walmart smell). Having German friends over – a piece of cake. Navigating subways alone – all in a day's work. Sorting trash into six different categories – all the better.

The hardest thing about culture shock now is this general feeling that we are not one of them. (And now we have the papers to prove it!)

The way it sounds in my head goes something like this:

I just did something wrong, but what was it?

Should I ask him to repeat again, or should I just smile and nod?

How do I tell her that’s not what I really meant to say?

Are they starring, or is it just in my head?

Some days I have all the confidence and motivation to use every morsel of German I've got (and then some) to get a conversation going with a neighbor. But on other days, people around us look like ghosts to me. I’m a missionary here to tell them about Jesus, but I don't even look them in the eye in case they'll say something I don't understand and... there goes my “ordinary German woman” cover.

That's just where I am right now. I keep telling myself that we are not here just to blend in. We are here because we have something these people need. If blending in culturally does help us to get that across, we'll study our German till the neighbor's cows come home. And on the spiritual level, we are here as lights on lampstands, and no baskets allowed. How's my candle holding out these days? That's the bigger question. Matthew 6:14-16

All that to say, I wonder how God is ever going to use us among the Germans, but that is on His shoulders. All we have to do is be faithful today.

Pray that we won’t forget why we are here.

Aufenthaltsgenehmigung

2011-05-19T17:00:00.001+02:00

Big word, long process, but just a little thing for God.

We are now legal aliens!

...But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' Daniel 4:35

Language School

2011-05-16T17:44:00.001+02:00

The kids are coming out with some German words and sentences. It's cute. They sound so German. Much better accent than I can muster. Lucy is the one always asking me (or telling me!) what things mean in German. And with Caleb, it’s all very unintentional. He accidentally says something to me in German, and when I turn away from the kitchen counter and say, “Hey! You just said that in German!” he runs away with his hand over his mouth.

Language school is rolling along. My class meets mornings, and Daniel goes afternoons. We each travel an hour by foot, bus, and train to get to class. After my class Daniel meets me in the train station with the kids. He passes them off to me. I ride with them home. He goes on to his class. It's pretty crazy, but it's worked unbelievably well so far. Yeah, I wish they didn't have to spend two hours of their day on busses and trains, but that's just the cost of us learning German right now. I keep reminding myself that this is temporary.

German class is way too much fun. I absolutely love my classmates and teacher. Talk about being in the same boat! We're from a dozen different nations and have moved to Germany for a dozen different reasons, but we all have one major thing in common: we desperately need to learn how to talk over here. Somehow I ended up in a class with the friendliest, cutest, craziest cluster of foreigners in Germany. I love them all. Our teacher is excellent. Incredible instructor and amazing person. She's somebody with a heart as big as the North Sea.

So that's the latest on language school!

Pray that the novelty of the buses and trains won’t wear off for the kids.

Pray that we will look up more words in the dictionary – stay inquisitive.

Easter Monday

2011-04-25T22:30:00.009+02:00

That's what they call this day here in Germany. Everybody has the day off for Good Friday and Easter Monday. We love the amazing Easter egg decorations. They are everywhere. And some of them have hand-painted eggs like this one.

This Easter season has meant more to me than any other Easter I remember. It wasn't the gold foil wrapped German chocolate eggs we hid in the yard or the finger painted flowers. Nobody even got a stitch of new pastel apparel.

It's simply because this year I have learned a lot about the resurrection power of Christ. Over the past four months I have felt the need for Christ's power over sin and death more keenly than ever before. Starting out as a new missionary has turned me into an awful scary nasty person! It's really just what was there all along, now oozing out under the pressure. It's not that we haven't had pressure before; but these are totally new pressures, and they are hitting me in places that I never knew existed. But every time I collapse, Christ breaks my fall with His resurrection power. Power to forgive, cleanse, reconcile, and give new life.

And I thought I was whole lot better person than all this! We came over here ready to win Germany to Christ. After all, we had the training, we were called, we were going. But when the tests of missionary life came, I realized I was the one who needed to be won to Christ - again and again, more and more. Each time a new work of resurrection.

spring time

2011-04-24T21:35:00.003+02:00

Has it really been that long? Sorry guys. First some pictures...

Germany is absolutely beautiful this time of year. Every day is bright and sunny. The flowers all popped out of nowhere. And the kids are loaded with energy! I love it. These kids have put up with so much stuff the past six months since we started moving over here. I have neglected them. Mom's had her nose in a box too many times, and now it's time to catch up on all the books and bike rides I've turned down. Culture shock is working on the kids too, and now they need all the security they can get.

always something new

2011-03-30T12:10:00.001+02:00

my little friends are always busy...

Throughout the day Caleb and Lucy have been singing lots of little Sunday School songs that have really ministered to my heart. Thanks, kids. And thank you, Al Smith.

I turned around to see why they we lagging behind, and this what I saw.

our backyard!
We are so grateful for neighbors and landlords who love kids.

little lady

"Ned"

friends from church came over for a Mexican meal

love that profile

Ready for anything.

FYI, facebook friends, I put a little note on fb for you to read more about our week...

a new name

2011-03-28T21:35:00.000+02:00

The old "there and back again" reminded me a lot of our days of deputation traveling and adventures. But now we are there. So until I think of something a little more descriptive, we are "there" now.

Sunday afternoon walk

2011-03-28T20:08:00.002+02:00

We discovered a beautiful walking path at the edge of our village. And we found a couple more little farms with eggs, apples, and veggies for sale. I love this place.

that country air

2011-03-26T21:16:00.003+01:00

Our little dorf has a population of about 700 people and 100 cows. We live just a few houses down from the cow barn, so we stop there on the way to the playground and see who's peeking out her window. They're really friendly and pretty cute, as far as cows go. And we don't even smell them anymore! Almost every evening at 6:30 we walk over and get our fresh milk, still warm from the afternoon milking. It doesn't get any fresher than that!

first sips - now they're hooked

and don't forget the fresh bread from the bakery!

my tool guy

2011-03-20T21:59:00.002+01:00

We've all had some real life lessons in tools, smashed thumbs, and ikea instructions.

building his own bookshelf

the Wynveen upper lip

and it's done!

We celebrated by opening the very last Kinder book box. Every time we open a new box of books, they both stop everything and look at every single book. I had been dragging those boxes out a bit, spending my ensured hours of quiet sparingly. Wouldn't you?

clarity

2011-03-20T21:06:00.000+01:00

I have two big answers to prayer to share. First of all, the doctor. We've been praying for years that God would lead us to a dermatologist in Germany that would provide the kind of care that I received back in the US - preventative examinations (and early surgical treatment when necessary) for malignant melanomas. Well friends, come and praise our great God with me. We did not find the kind of care I had received in the US. I believe we have found better. (With all due love and respect to my dear, excellent doctor in the US!) I'll not bore anyone with medical details, but on four major counts they have more precautionary, proactive methods for early detection and treatment of cancer. Daniel's cousin Rebecca sent us a link about a year ago, we gave them a call, got right in the door, and come to find out it's a special clinic for skin cancers. No acne patients here. So yet again, God has shined his face upon us and blessed us.

And then there was the whole language school decision. We are enrolled! The classes sound well-suited to our individual needs. I start April 8, so I have a few more weeks to get the unpacking squared away. The schedule is perfect: I go to class from 9:30 to 1:30, pass the baton to Daniel, and he goes to his class from 2:00-6:00. And we have our evenings all together. I'm really looking forward to some school again - even homework. I think it's the motivation. I absolutely have got to learn German if I'm going to survive here. I came here knowing just enough to get the gist of things, but now I've run out of things to say. Every time we go to church I have so much in my heart that I want to say to these people, but always come up just a couple words short of getting the point across, not to mention all the grammatical errors. I can see the mistakes winking back at me in their smiles. It's this look like, "How nice that she tries to talk." I know it well. Anyway, give me six months, and they are not going to be able to shut me up after church. And Daniel will finally be the one pulling me out the door!

So really, will you praise God for all He's done in making our path bright and clear in these ways?

Unpacking is coming. The goals this week are the office and the decorations. If we can turn that last room on the left from a mountain of cardboard into an organized haven for study and work, every room in the apartment will be finished! And I'm sure the decorations will have no problem scattering themselves around the apartment. It's the holes that take time. The walls here are made out of some kind of stone or something. It looks great and it keeps the place really nice and quiet, but you have to get out your rock drill just to hang a calendar. So much for the quiet. Well that's my next few days. It's fun to see the place evolve into home.

something in the mail

2011-03-04T23:12:00.000+01:00

the anticipation builds as Daniel fights with the lock

Ta-dah!

But where are all the toys? A bit anticlimactic for the children. I think Caleb was expecting a jack-in-the-box-like phenomena with toys bursting out, the way we had been building up this event for the past 3 months.

the kids stayed busy all day long

beginnings

2011-03-04T22:58:00.001+01:00

Our charming little house in Weissenohe, where we stayed for the first 7 weeks in Germany.

The kids and I know this village inside and out.

nothing like starting out the day by throwing the shutters open

the view from our bedroom window

good clean fun

putting down roots

2011-03-04T22:32:00.001+01:00

Well, this time I am writing and repeating myself a little by saying it's hard to believe we've been in Germany for two months already! We are definitely still in the getting our feet on the ground stage of ministry in Germany, but things are finally moving along. God has provided a beautiful apartment in a little country village outside of Nurnberg. (And I could write pages more about what that statement really did in my heart, but all I can say now is that God is worthy of all our trust, and His love is steadfast and faithful.) Then things picked up quite a bit. The homes here come empty, and I mean empty. No light fixtures, appliances, cabinets, closets. So, we get to pick our own and learn all kinds of new stuff! For a week or two we practically lived at Ikea. I don't even know how many meals we've eaten in their cafeteria, but Lucy knows her way around quite well now. And Daniel's been to the hardware store so many times the car knows the way. Installing the kitchen was an enormous task, and it is almost finished! I have never appreciated a kitchen like I do now. After seeing all the work that goes into each little part, and after making do without a kitchen for a week, we will never take it for granted again. So, next came the container. Now that was a day we will never forget. For the past three months, that container has been a daily topic of conversation, especially when the kids ask about this or that toy. So anticipation was high. It was pretty much indescribable to hear that truck rumbling up our road. I think every curtain in the village must have been pulled back at the sight! We had plenty of help from men in the church and the people here who had things shipped along with us, but that's about all I can remember from the blur. And the kids having fun opening toy boxes. It was like Christmas, only better. There's still a ton to do before the last box is unpacked, and we're trying to think of all the fun things to do with cardboard for the kids. It's everywhere. Some of the boxes had smells of home that really made me homesick. And Lucy wore a shirt that mom had just given her for Christmas that really smelled like their house. And then there were the fridge magnets with pictures of family and friends. Those went right back in the box. But it's been so good for all of us to have real home again. Here comes cliche, but home is where the heart is, and our hearts are here in Germany now.

This morning I was thinking about all the answered prayers in ways we never would have dreamed of. There are too many to count. We have sensed God's blessing and guidance in a new, amazing way. Our new neighbors, so friendly and already things in common to talk about. The way God provided a car. Our wonderful mentors, Jeff and Linda. Our new church and all the friends who offer their help with anything they can do.

We sure do need your prayers! Sometimes I have no idea why He chose me to come out here and try to do something for Him. I am sure He could have found quite a few lower-maintenance Christians for something like this. But His grace has always been enough to give strength for today's struggles and hope for tomorrow's unknowns. If you only have time to pray for one thing, pray that I will have a steadfast heart and a faithful spirit. And trust me, God will know exactly what you are talking about.

And if you have time for two things, pray that we'll know which language courses to take. Lots of options - time of day, level, intensity, form of training, location, and more. Glad we have so many options, just need some wisdom now to choose what is best.

there

2011-01-20T11:22:00.001+01:00

It's hard to believe we've been in Germany two weeks now! What a wonderful time it has been! God is taking good care of us here. We experienced the warmest possible welcome into Germany by the dear believers from the Nürnberg church, and the Browns have been a huge help. Everyone has been nothing but kind and loving and hospitable as we make the transition into life here. We came to serve them, but they have been serving us since the day we arrived! We hope to return their love soon.

We are staying in a "vacation house" in Weisenhohe, a tiny little dorf out in the country. Today everything is covered with a blanket of fresh snow. The village is quiet, hilly, wooded and beautiful. Our house here is quaint, homey, and comfortable. All decorated in old world classic German art and furniture. We are thankful for our little home, but searching for an apartment to really call home. We've looked at seven so far, and there are great possibilities. We are praying for God to get us into the place he wants us to live in.

For the first entire week here, the kids and I were very ill with flu and sinus infections. That was pretty rough - no, it was terrible. But God gave grace to get through those days without despairing! None of us could even go to church the first Sunday here. But that is behind us now, and (I hope) we have a little more James 1 steadfastness for it.

German is coming, little by little; and wow, do I have a lot more to learn! Everyday we feel a little less foreign and a little more normal here. Many things are different, but many things are surprisingly the same. We've been figuring out where to buy what and what to say when, and making a lot of new friends in the process.

I will get pictures up soon. I promise. We only have internet now and then, so I need to be quick. There is so much I could write about, but I'll have to save it for later...

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands,

That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

Ps. 91:11-12

Excited

2011-01-02T17:59:00.004+01:00

So much to write about, but somehow the words just aren't coming... In 48 hours we will be flying over the Atlantic on our way to Germany. Packing is done - and it went well. I could almost say it was even enjoyable. Having all our stuff stacked in labeled, catalogued boxes really satisfies something obsessive inside of me. Christmas is over - sweet, wonderful times with both sides of the family. Great talks and fun memories. Many sad goodbyes already said - and some more hard ones coming in the next two days. We had our last day at church today, and God ministered such peace and comfort to our nervous little hearts. And the hundreds of people who promised their prayers and rejoiced with us in our excitement today! Excited. That was the word of the day. And Ready. "Are you Excited?" "Are you Ready?" Yes and yes...well, sometimes no and no. It's impossible to pin down our feelings into just a word or two these days.

What precious wisdom I took home from so many who gave their last minute advice tonight. One exhorted me to find all the scripture passages related to the office of the elder/deacon and pray through them for Daniel as we go through this transition together. Now that should get my focus off myself!
Another: "Just have fun and enjoy it! See it as a special adventure God has given you!" If I don't relax and look around, I might just miss the good gifts God has prepared for us.
And another: "God is going to take good care of you. He already knows how all your unknowns are going to work out. Moving to Germany is just a continuation of the poem of your life that's already been written by God." I really liked that.

Nearly everything about life is about to change in two days. I am quite certain this will be the largest transition of our lives. But I do know that one thing is never going to change - and that is my God. And He is coming with us!

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

10, 11 Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

We depart Tuesday evening at 8pm from Greenville, and three flights later we arrive in Nuremburg at 2:30pm Wed. Here's hoping that the kids will sleep on the plane. Anybody got any good tricks?

caramel apples

2010-11-18T04:42:00.000+01:00

This was a big hit. Fun to make and fun to eat. A new tradition has been born!

Glory to God!

2010-11-05T20:40:00.002+01:00

As of last Sunday, we have exactly 100% of our support - to the dollar, thanks to Friendship Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which asked us how much we lacked and voted to support us for that very amount. Praise God for moving the hearts of each of our churches and individuals to partner with us to take the Gospel light to Germany. In these economic times, 37 months of full-time deputation is on the quick side to raise support for a European country, and for that we give all the glory to God. The farther we got into deputation, the more I realized that our getting to Germany was going to have nothing to do with me and everything to do with God's sovereign plan. I know more about God's grace today than ever before, not because I am so great at seeking it, but because deputation has shined a floodlight into my heart, illuminating what all is really back there. And with that kind of view, my only hope is gospel saving grace. Grace that cleanses, restores, motivates, and enables me get back up and follow Christ. I quit a hundred times, but, by God's grace, always showed up at the next meeting.

I look back at a thousand precious memories as a family; new, lasting friendships; great food; over-the-top hospitality; amazingly scriptural churches and pastors; and faithful, beautiful servants of God in all walks of life. And, of course, there were the real head-shakers and an aweful lot of headaches. But I wouldn't trade a single one of those for all we've learned. We are immensely grateful to be done, and as excited as ever to get over to Germany. We have airline tickets for January 4, and packing is in full swing. We leave tomorrow morning for our last (whoo-hoo!) conference in Downer's Grove, IL. I know, we are crazy not to cancel it now, but something in both Daniel and me said to go. Thank you for your prayers, and please, don't stop now!

and right on over to Maine

2010-09-24T04:55:00.006+02:00

In four days we went from Portland, OR to Portland, ME via SC. Yet another long trip up there - and yet another peaceful time in Kittery began our 6-week trip all over the place. This should be our last big trip, and this time I really mean it! We are at 96% of our support, and looking at tickets for right after Christmas. So this is it! Trying to finish strong - for Christ, for Daniel, and for Caleb, who is forming his view of God by the way I respond to the up's and down's of deputation life.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life.

Phil 2:14-16

Dead Duck Park

dandelions never looked so beautiful

the Northwest

2010-09-24T04:50:00.000+02:00

Daniel and I enjoyed 5 days together in OR and WA. Grandmother kept the kids and I went out to meet Daniel for the last two churches he had scheduled out there. It was great to be able to be involved with the people in the churches more than I normally can with my responsibilities with the kids. And we had a wonderful time together taking a few days of vacation. By the time we came home, we felt more relaxed than I ever remember feeling since Caleb was born!

Mount St. Helens

portraits

2010-09-01T22:30:00.002+02:00

I was very happy with the way these turned out. We went to JCPenney portraits at Haywood Mall. Lucy kept sticking out her tongue, so we didn't get many good ones of her, but Caleb was especially cooperative. I guess it was either him growing up now or all the bribery for ice cream and playground, or maybe bribery just works better on a four year old than a two year old. Either way, I am thankful for the keepsakes they made.

Grammy and Grandpa

2010-08-30T05:07:00.007+02:00

Our month of August just kept getting better and better when my Mom and Dad came down from WI to spend a week with us. Lots a quality time and special memories, and the kids really bonded with their grandparents like never before. Lucy still pouts and asks me every day why they had to go home, and Caleb tells me Grammy is his favorite person now.

mighty proud

gotta bring the purse like Grammy

I had forgotten how good Mom was at playing dollies.

I think Dad read a hundred books.

the famous bear at the zoo
Dad has an incredible ability to snap the picture
in the split second when they both look and smile.

The Bear's Den

2010-08-30T04:32:00.006+02:00

Backing up a few weeks, Daniel's whole side of the family had the amazing opportunity to take a week-long vacation together up at a beautiful cabin called "The Bears' Den" overlooking the Smokey Mountains. Getting everybody out of our normal schedules, and spending so much consecutive time together made for a real bonding experience, not to mention loads of fun! The only sad part was saying goodbye at the end of the week. Unless we are still in the US at Thanksgiving, this was our last chance to have everyone together for years to come.

On Sunday we visited Mountain Home Independent Baptist Church in NC, a supporting church to Daniel and me, and home to our friends the Knotts.

our hearts are in Seattle

2010-08-26T05:06:00.000+02:00

Daniel is on a two-week eight-church whirlwind-trip in the Northwest, and we are really missing him back here. We are staying busy busy with all our friends, but there is a big hole in our home without Daniel. Caleb understands exactly where Papa is and why he is there, but Lucy... as simple as I try to make it, no answer I give her satisfies the hourly questionings: "Where's Papa? Can I go see him? Can I go to Seattle? Can I go on airplane now? Can you go get him now? I want Papa to come home now!"

But we are making the most of skype. Today we just left the sound on for a few hours while Daniel made phone calls and the kids and I did our work at home. Listening in on each other made us feel like we were right in the other room. Today it dawned on me that our kids will never know the time when you couldn't have a live visual conversation long distance. I still think it's crazy that it is possible, but to them it is already old hat.

Sorry about the reverse images. We took these with the computer's camera, and I haven't figured out how to flip them around.

the organizer in the family

2010-07-30T01:54:00.000+02:00

all her hair bands in a row

I think she thought the shoe shelf must be a place for things that come in pairs.

Sometimes a Light Surprises

2010-07-28T07:44:00.002+02:00

Blogging in the middle of the night is probably not the best idea, but I am way too alert tonight anyway. Maybe it was all that dark chocolate I snitched today. But the latest I've read is that one OR TWO squares a day have proven health benefits. It's proven. Maybe that nap in Lucy's bed this afternoon did me in when she needed some back patting to help her get to sleep. I really didn't mean to fall asleep... No, it's got to be the book. Jamie Langston Turner blindsided her readers with a murder mystery in her latest novel, and it's got my "windmill of consciousness" whirling. But I am not going to stay up all night reading.

Rounded up some pictures of the kids.

When this happens you have to grab your camera at lightning speed or you'll find them doing the exact opposite by the time you arrive back on the scene. Lately the kids have a love-hate relationship going on. Today Caleb wanted his craft to have a big heart in the middle and spell out, "I love Lucy." And a few hours later he dropped my jaw by something he yelled out to her. (I dropped his jaw moments after.) But their kiss-and-make-up sessions are enough for anyone to know they really are best buddies.

treasures

2010-07-12T04:30:00.006+02:00

This all-American kid is about to become half-Germanized! With 91 percent of our support, we have now officially started packing. We've had a few weeks off here without traveling to meetings, so it's been a perfect time to ship the kids off to Daniel's parents' for the day and start organizing and packing our stuff. When we move to Germany we are going to ship a container (a 20 foot metal box that goes from a semi-truck to a boat, to a semi-truck, to our new front door). For customs we need to have a list of every box or unit in the container numbered, labeled, itemized and priced. We went through the daunting shed and decided what we really will use, and what could be given away, sold, or tossed. I am getting addicted to getting rid of stuff! It is a cleansing feeling to unburden yourself of things that are just taking up space. Whether you are moving or not, I highly recommend un-cluttering your space. While we opened boxes we sometimes laughed at ourselves for hanging on to certain things. It's strange how the value we place on things changes over time. Other things still do carry meaning or value or potential usefulness. But generally, if it's being stored away in a shed, it's likely that life will carry on just as well without it. We had to laugh when we started finding little rodent droppings on (and a bit in!) a lot of the boxes and bins of our worldly goods. Made me think of Christ's reminder that we should be storing up treasures in heaven where there are no moths to eat through fabric and no rust to destroy metal. I think the idea could also include - no roaches to poop all over it.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

just in case you thought we were bored...

2010-07-12T03:45:00.004+02:00

Deputation is anything but boring, especially for the kids! Here's Caleb going down the zip line (and bravely so!) at the the home of the pastor we stayed with in Palos Hills, IL. And then there was the ulitmate VBS carnival in Taylorville, IL, and the Linville's corn farm in Bement. When we are home for few days, Caleb starts asking me, "Where are we going today, Mom?"

Regner Park

2010-07-12T03:30:00.001+02:00

We made a day of it at my old stomping grounds in West Bend. Funny how familiar it all was after 20 years. Every detail - even the cracks in the sidewalk and the tilt of that merry-go-round brought back memories of grand adventures with Sarah and our little friends. Regner Park. The very name is still loaded with excitement for me. So glad my kids could experience the park too. The best part now is watching Mom and Dad play with my kids the same way they used to play with me. Mom went all out to make it the picnic of the century and surprise the kids with all their favorite things.

a visit with Grammy and Grandpa

2010-07-12T02:54:00.002+02:00

Two birthday cakes, two park trips, two kids, and two special grandparents - all in two days.

my big girl

2010-06-23T21:45:00.004+02:00

A few little Lucy moments for you today. I almost forgot about these pictures from Fort McClary, Maine. If you haven't noticed, we had a beautiful time in Maine.

I took the kids in for check-ups this week and found out Lucy is in the 81st percentile for height. Looks like she is going to be passing up her 4'11" mommy one day. I have to admit I was hoping she'd turn out short like me, but oh well. She's my girl for keeps.

We're leaving tomorrow for one week. A couple of churches in IL plus a few days with my mom and dad in WI. After being home almost two whole weeks, I can honestly say I'm ready to get back into some churches! It's just what we need to be doing now. We are on a mission to get this support raised and get over to Germany, and there is nothing else we'd rather be doing right now. Better go get those suitcases out!

four-year-old thoughts

2010-06-18T03:20:00.004+02:00

Looking at an Olive Garden gift card with me, Caleb said,

"Olive Garden is where I'm going to school when we get to Germany."

Even Caleb threw his head back and laughed when he realized it was really Kindergarten he was thinking of.

During his quiet time today, Caleb stuck a raisin on his book for a little doorknob and said of the raisin,

"This object is a door option."

Last night while Daniel tucked him in bed...

Caleb: When I get married, I'm going to have an orange convertible to drive away in with my wife. I'll go to a car store and get the car. Then go to a gas station to get gas if I don't have any. I'll have to be really strong to carry the car to the gas station.

a Prehistoric Party for my little Dino

2010-06-18T02:56:00.000+02:00

We unearthed a dinosaur cake, fought a water war, and had an all-out roaring good time.

seven years

2010-06-16T05:17:00.005+02:00

Daniel totally went all out this year and gave me a romantic dinner at The Melting Pot. We started with cheese fondue with bread, apples, and veggies for dipping. Then the amazing salads. Then the "Fondue Feast": Kiwi shrimp, Chili chicken, teriyaki steak, something tuna, and citrus pork along with potatoe chunks, broccoli, and mushroom caps and 7 different sauce options. All the meat is served to us raw and we cook each piece in our pot of oil and good stuff. It was a carnival of flavors! And of course we finished off the evening with dark chocolate fondue.

I'm so thankful to be married to the most lovable and loving man on earth!

Spinney Creek recreations

2010-06-16T04:48:00.002+02:00

Daniel and Caleb took Uncle David and Aunt Karlene's kayak around the "creek" (like a small lake) behind their house. Lucy and Mommy rested on the dock and enjoyed the flowers. Whenever we are away for a few weeks or more, God always seems to give us these times of complete rest when we can be "re-made." Time apart from the regular events of deputation give us time to regroup as a family and let God refresh our minds so we can keep in focus our future calling to witness for Christ in Germany and our present calling to serve our hosting churches and friends as we go from place to place. Even though everything we do is all related to our missions plans in some way, it's so easy to forget what we are doing!

Maine Memories

2010-06-16T04:24:00.000+02:00

We packed a picnic lunch and watched the Tall Ships parade into the harbor from Fort McClary in Kittery, Maine.

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

2010-06-14T05:57:00.001+02:00

When Caleb woke up this morning, I told him he was four years old today. He answered, "Oh! When I was sleeping I didn't know I was turning four!"

Caleb is curious, imaginative, sensitive, independent, creative. He loves words, books, music, role-playing, and building. He is good friend, a loving brother, and a grateful, obedient son. He is excited about moving his toys and bunk bed to Germany and going to a German school and learning German words and inviting his new friends over to play. Caleb makes his mother glad!

the Jones' farm

2010-06-12T03:38:00.005+02:00

Made you almost want to have animals. It's so good for kids to learn the responsibility of taking care of animals, you know where your food comes from, it's even therapeutic. Maybe someday - Maybe. When we drove down to ground zero we felt like country bumpkins cautiously poking our way through the mobs of pedestrians crossing intersections seemingly unaware of the oncoming traffic, and the next day we felt like such city people, gingerly attempting to milk a goat with three fingers extended away from the smelly udder. What are we anyway? I know we'll learn to adapt to change a little more when we get to Germany. At least we'll never have to milk goats twice a day. But I better not say never...

I lift my lamp beside the golden door

2010-06-12T03:23:00.004+02:00

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breath free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning,
And her name, Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome;
Her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor
That twin cities frame.
"Keep, Ancient Lands, your storied pomp!"
Cries she with silent lips.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breath free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Words by Emma Lazarus

lyrics from the inscription on the Statue of Liberty

bronze life-size replicas of her face and foot

views from the top of the pedestal: looking down at the shadow and then up at the statue

ocean wonders

2010-06-12T03:03:00.007+02:00

We took a little trip to the beach in NJ, not 15 minutes from where we were staying. All of the times we have been to the beach in nice warm weather, Caleb has been afraid to go near the water. This time it was freezing out, and he had the time of his life! Soaked from head to toe. I thought for sure he would get a fever, but not a sniffle!

Here he was running to tell me, "Germany is right over there across the ocean!" We've shown him maps and globes, and he's starting to get a small grasp on world geography, at least where Germany and the US are. I guess it all clicked for him right then, because it was one of the those high-energy, high-emotion lightbulb moments for a child. The kind of moments that usually make up our earliest memories.

What faith children have. He looked out and saw not a sand bar or a tree, but he remembered me telling him that Germany is out across the ocean, and that was all he needed to feel exuberant confidence that yes, Germany is indeed out there somewhere. I don't have to see it. I know it's there because someone I trust told me. Why can't we just that simply believe what our infinitely trustworthy God tells us?

"for we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Cor 5:7

news and grace

2010-06-11T04:57:00.013+02:00

If you are one of my faithful readers who have clicked on this blog over and over only to see the same old post, I apologize for the monotony. Two things can help with that: me posting more and you getting an RSS feed. At least you have been reminded to pray about the melanoma issue. Since that is were I left off last, I'll say that I've recovered from the surgery by now, and we're still thanking God that it was found so early. We are praying for a good dermatologist in Germany who can help us find any more of these that may come up in the future. I don't think I mentioned before that I have now had five melanomas in the last decade. Let's pray that there be no more. However, if God wants me to have more in His perfect plan, we want to have a good doctor over there who can "smell" a bad mole before it gets too deep. Please also pray that Daniel and I will think about what is truth about God and not worry about what is unknown (hence, not truth!) about the future. And pray that we will take this from His loving heart and honestly hope that He be glorified by our problems.

We've been in NJ and NH for meetings the past three weeks, and went up to see Daniel's dear Aunt Karlene and Uncle David in Maine several times between weekends. That was almost as nice as being home! Lot's of beautiful pictures from Maine to show you. We made some great new friends the Downey's in NJ, and I really think their church is going to support us. (And I don't even say that anymore, unless it's really for sure.) We took some time as a family and saw the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero, and went to a children's museum (the 10th one we've been to, I think?). We milked some goats at Pastor Jone's farm in Connecticut, and stayed in an old red one-room schoolhouse in rural NH. We ended at Dublin, NH. Maybe you've heard of their Christian boarding school.

And now we are home. The trip seemed more like two months than two weeks, honestly. Now that we are getting so close to the end of support-raising I feel the need for God's grace more than ever. Each of us has a cross God has given us to bear, and there is always enough grace to bear it with joyful endurance. This is my cross right now: packing, leaving home, traveling far away, meeting-greeting-answering-befriending-giving-listening-and-goodbying, and being in the presence of others most of the time. So there you have it! And for most of you, that sounded strange, because for you it would be an adventure, something different and exciting, new friends and new places with all their intrigue, and unexpected blessings around every corner. It would be such an opportunity for ministry! That's just how I have felt about it all too, but now it's just been so many trips, and so many churches, and so many people. So, as I said, I feel the need for a Savior more than ever. If you will let me preach to myself for a minute... I have a Savior! Because of His great sacrifice, God forgives my selfishness every single time. He has experienced all these very temptations in His own three years of public ministry, and even He Himself had to get apart and be with God. So He understands my infirmity. His grace is abundant to help me think of God and others rather than myself. And that's the part I feel the need for right now. Grace. You don't have it until you know you need it. You don't need it until you've failed. And then God's power is shown when He takes something bad and makes it good, something ugly and makes it beautiful, something weak, and makes it strong.

And he has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9,10

two years old!

2010-06-11T04:44:00.007+02:00

My little ray of sunshine is already two! Lucy Mae has brightened our hearts each day since she came into the world. She is silly, talkative, loves to sing, loves all things pink and girly, is afraid of strange noises coming from other rooms, is quick to say she's sorry, loves books, loves food, can count to ten (but always leaves out five), knows her colors, is passionate about what she wants, she loves to cuddle with Mommy, still asks me to feed her bottles of warm milk (and you know I do it), thinks her brother is the coolest person alive, and can't live without her Papa.

all the preparations...

the big sha-bang

2010-06-11T04:39:00.003+02:00

Lucy is trying to hold up two fingers. It will take a little practice, but in the mean time "I two!" gets the point across just fine.

A strawberry cake for my strawberry girl

I think Lucy is going to love cooking and baking. Maybe she won't have a choice. :o)

first day home...

2010-05-05T05:45:00.004+02:00

My first day of our two weeks home started with outpatient surgery. This came up suddenly, because last week my dermatologist found that a mole removed last month was malignant melanoma. So, I got the "day off." With the help of Daniel and Mom Arnold, I've been napping or sitting on the couch all day. (I guess that's what it has to take to make me catch up on the blog!) The incision was about 4 inches long on the right side of my abdomen, so I'm supposed to take it easy for a few days. The melanoma was found early enough that it had not spread to my blood stream or other organs, so surgery is all that's needed. This kind of thing is always a wake-up call to be spending all our days living the Christian life to the fullest, because we never know how much longer we have. Not to be morbid, but any of us could be in our final year of life right now. Enjoy every precious gift of family and friendship, and savor each simple pleasure of life. Live each day in the blessed hope of the gospel, awaiting our adoption as sons when God will claim us as Him own!

89.4%

2010-05-05T05:41:00.002+02:00

Our support is coming up steadily, and with a few more churches, we will be able to purchase plane tickets and start packing. In a way we feel so ready to go, but in a way it feels like we have no idea what we are about to do! But God knows. He is behind and before us, and lays His hand upon us.

2010-05-05T05:40:00.000+02:00

Lucy modeling her little wooden shoes.

my little Dutch pair

2010-05-05T05:35:00.000+02:00

Pella, Iowa

2010-05-05T05:11:00.003+02:00

We had a meeting in Pella, an adorable Dutch town. Felt like you were right in Holland with the narrow, colorful buildings, bakeries, windmills, and tulips everywhere you looked. The town was gearing up for their annual Tulip Time Festival, and the tulips were at their prime. All the main roads were lined with rows and rows of tulips, and the parks were amazing. We toured the largest traditional windmill in the US, and came within feet of the swooping blades. The Dutch in me really came out, and I just had to go get myself a pair of little wooden shoes to take home with us!

2010-05-05T05:09:00.001+02:00

Liz, Uncle David, and Aunt Dawn

at the dairy farm

2010-05-05T04:57:00.004+02:00

It's time to start up with the blog again, if you all haven't given up on me by now. Traveling has been busy. We ended this last trip with 7 beds in 7 nights. And Daniel has pretty much monopolized the computer with his ordination coming up on the 16th. :o) But we are home for a few weeks now, and the doctrinal statement is turned in!

While we were in Iowa for two weeks of meetings, we stopped in by Daniel's Aunt Dawn and Uncle David. They took us along to the farm where they buy their milk and eggs. The kids got to drink fresh milk and learn about where their milk comes from. Looking into the huge tank of milk really surprised Caleb.

quotables

2010-04-14T22:00:00.002+02:00

Caleb: You're a hero, Mommy.

Me: Why am I a hero?

Caleb: Because you're taller than me.

I better do something really heroic before he outgrows me!

clowning around

2010-03-29T21:48:00.005+02:00

She kept bringing me bows one by one, asking me to put them on her. :o)

the many faces of Lucy

2010-03-29T05:01:00.002+02:00

Caleb is teaching Lucy how to make funny faces. And she'll do anything to make him laugh.

He says, "Do your funny mouth, Lucy!"

"Do your funny nose, Lucy!"

"Do your funny eyes, Lucy!"

"Good girl!"

83!

2010-03-17T14:00:00.007+01:00

Thank you to any who are praying for our support to come in. With the addition of Stillwaters and some others, it has added up to 83 percent. The big question is, So when are you leaving? Still a little early to nail down departure plans, but if churches continue to jump on board like they have in last couple of months, we could be moving to Germany late summer or fall this year. It's going to be hard to say all the goodbyes of course, and all the unknowns of moving to another country, but we will lean on God then as we do now. God is our Rock of Strength! We are excited about getting into the language and culture so we can point Germans to the Truth of God's Word. I feel like it's time to stop talking about what we are going to do and start doing it, by the grace of God.

We've been in Northern IL (Rockford, Harvard, and Rochelle) the past couple weeks, and we go to Greensburg, PA and Vanderbilt, PA for Sunday.

Our friends David and Laura Neal went out kite flying with us. We got very good at both getting it up and landing it. :o) Please understand that we really do a lot more on deputation than fly kites! Ha. But it just proves that God is so good to give us plenty of good times with so many friends on the road.

family

2010-03-17T13:55:00.004+01:00

We stopped by to see my family - a few days with Sarah and Mike, and a few days with Mom and Dad. The highlight of the trip for Caleb was seeing the dinosaurs at the Milwaukee Museum. The rest of us went there to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, but Caleb and Lucy preferred the animal dioramas and the rainforest.

Great-Grandma Wynveen was so sweet as always.

let's go fly a kite

2010-02-28T21:49:00.010+01:00

We were in a missions conference in the Outer Banks of NC. The church was on Nags Head, a beautiful long, narrow island mostly built up with beach homes, shops (including one incredible children's consignment shop - woohoo!), art galleries, and restaurants. We love the people there at Stillwaters Baptist Church. This was our second meeting with them, and they are voting on new missionaries next week, so please pray!

Caleb has been talking about flying a kite some day for months, so we thought this would be the perfect place to make his little dream come true. Because of the constant strong winds, the Outer Banks is where the Wright bros made their many flight attempts and finally succeeded (a real lesson in perseverance). We trekked through Jockey's Ridge and climbed the highest dune for our prime flying spot. It was worth walking through all that incredibly fine sand when our kite just leapt into flight on the first try! The facet of Creation we experienced up there was truly amazing. The dunes with their constant reshaping as though full of life, the pure fine sand, the wind in all its underestimated strength, the sparkling shore lining the island, the sky's expanse, the radiant sun, the clear rain pools that form at the base of the mounds, encircled with sturdy beach grasses - they all declare the glory and majesty of their Maker God.

Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world.

In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

Its rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Maybe I'm just weird, but there is this awe inspiring connection with the sky you feel when you are holding one end of a string and the other end is pulling back at you from 500 feet up in the air. I have great memories flying kites with my dad as a little girl out in some empty fields near our home. It was kind of sad to see that place get built up with subdivisions, but it's not the place that we cherish in our memories as much as the special people that gave you those memories.
"Where's the kite, Lucy?"

"Up there!"

2010-02-28T21:41:00.008+01:00

Caleb chose a mean looking shark kite at Kitty Hawk Kites.

What every little boy needs: lots of space to run.

I was trying to get a cute picture, but the kids were just

enjoying the way the wind felt in their mouths.

Lucy started it, and then they both would not stop. :o)

About to roll down the dune! From here on, I only got video and no stills, but it was tons of fun sliding/rolling/falling down the sand hill, making water-like ripples in the sand, and leaving a cloud of sand behind you. I think we took a whole dune-full of sand back with us in our clothes and shoes. The rest of the day we kept finding more and more sand everywhere!

good little travelers

2010-02-28T20:51:00.002+01:00

We are very thankful for the grace God has given the kids to travel so well. Life on the road is almost all they have known, so they never had to adjust to traveling. We thank God for all the peaceful car trips and happy memories on the road.

Valentines Day sweethearts

2010-02-16T03:38:00.004+01:00

We had a great time in Hampton, GA. It was our second meeting in that church so it was fun to see the friends we had made 2 1/2 yrs ago when we were there at the very beginning of deputation. It was a very long day, but it was worth it.

Caleb wishes Lucy Happy Valentines Day in their pretty outfits from Grammy and Grandpa.

And a few happy Monday morning moments.

Cowboy Caleb is full of surprises

2010-02-16T02:33:00.006+01:00

Warning/Apology: this is long and a bit boastful, and may be boring to some.

We were able to go to our church Winter Fest Prairie Showdown (otherwise known to Caleb as the Cowby Party). Caleb really shocked me that night by coming out of himself in new ways. First of all, he got his face painted. Every other time he has had the opportunity to get his face painted, he has been absolutely opposed to the idea. He loves they way it looks and even asks for it, but when it comes to subjecting his face to the painter, he chickens out. But this time he marched right up and turned his cheek. The next surprise came during the program, when they had the preschool aged kids come up to the front and sing, "Old MacDonald had a Farm." At first Caleb wanted Daniel to go with him, but then on the way up, he turned around and said, "I can go by myself." And off he went, but not with the group of children. Instead he went straight up to the piano, climbed up on the bench, and watched the man giving the instructions, as if it was all planned for him be the piano player. And then, when the guitar and the children started the song, he "played" right along, even stopping and starting when the leader would stop and talk between verses of the song. I had such a mix of feelings watching my son up there stealing the show. First, a little embarrassed that he wasn't doing what every other child knew to do. Then amused. Amused at the irony that my quiet little boy who still turns and asks me to hold him in a crowd would get in front of everyone without hesitating a second; that my pensive son who thinks perhaps a bit too deeply for a three yr old would not over analyze the situation but jump right in with both feet; that my cautious Caleb who says "I can't" a lot more than I'd like would take the initiative and fill in on the piano with confidence. And amusement quickly turned to that motherly pride that sees past any shortcoming in her child and says, "My kid is so amazing!" And the last surprise of the day came when Caleb won the prize for the best costume in his category. This was special because his boots and vest had belonged to his uncle Sam as a child.

Caleb and Adeline wondering what they just got themselves into with the face painting.

the impromptu accompanist

Caleb and Micah having a shoot out in the back hallway when the skits got a little over their heads.

beautiful winter morning

2010-02-13T22:44:00.004+01:00

It's almost all melted by now, but it sure was fun while it lasted! We almost had to cancel our meeting in Hampton, GA tomorrow, but it looks like we'll be able to make the 3 hour trip in the morning after all. We'll come home either right after church or wait till Monday morning, depending on the weather. I love meetings close to home!

"Watch out, Mommy!"

snow experiment

2010-02-13T22:34:00.004+01:00

I went in to check on Lucy because she had been sleeping for over three and half hours, and I found her silently noticing the snow beginning to fall. She usually lets everyone know the minute she wakes up, so the view outside must have really amazed her enough to keep her quiet for who knows how long.

We put a pan out on the deck and caught some snow to play with after dark. Caleb filled the bowl with packed snow, and in the morning we checked to see how much water it melted down to, and if there was any dirt in the water. (Caleb hypothesized that the snow would melt down and fill less of the bowl than the packed snow, and that the water would have dirt in it.)
Lucy said the snow was hot, so we talked about the difference between hot and cold.
When she figured out what cold meant, she put on Caleb's winter hat. I thought that was pretty funny.

20 months old today!

2010-02-10T04:51:00.002+01:00

My little Sparkle is growing up too fast!

Caleb's Creations

2010-02-05T03:23:00.002+01:00

FYI, the kiddie table and chairs in this picture and an about-to-expire coupon are the reasons for the Cincinnati Babies r us visit. That was just to eliminate any false explanations like the one I caught wind of today at the young mom's fellowship. ;0)

Lucy was here...

2010-02-05T03:13:00.003+01:00

and here...

and here.

sledding

2010-02-05T02:56:00.004+01:00

Our city froze for two days with a "wintery mix." They boasted of outfitting seven plows just for the occasion. The snow was more like frozen slush, but it was enough to turn the road into a great sledding hill. (That tree didn't fall in the storm; it's just been laying there for years.)

a little get-away in Cincinnati

2010-01-26T16:26:00.002+01:00

Daniel and I got to leave kids with Daniel's mom and dad and go on a trip to see the Creation Museum. I know, we are crazy for driving all the way to OH to get away. May be we have driving in our blood and just had to do it and after staying so close to home for two months. I don't know, but we had a marvelous time together without interruption. Thank you thank you to Mom and Dad for keeping the kids. They didn't even come back spoiled! If anything, they were more polite than when we left them. We tried not to talk about the kids the whole time, but they just kept coming back up. Although getting away and focusing on each other was great for our relationship, I can honestly say we missed them the whole time. Well, almost the whole time. I didn't miss them when we walked into the hotel in one trip with just a small suitcase and a cosmetic bag. And somehow we even found ourselves at a Babies r us. But I can explain, really, I can....

Us and Ken Ham.

He had helpful advice about showing Germans the way to Christ

when you are starting with square one: God is.

wrapping paper drawings

2010-01-26T16:23:00.002+01:00

What to do with that last little bit of paper that's not enough to save until next year. (Warning: It's all fun and games until the paper tears...Hooray for washable markers!)

visiting our great-grandparents

2010-01-26T16:08:00.003+01:00

We had a meeting in Macon, GA, so we took the opportunity to swing down to Valdosta to see Daniel's grandparents for a few days. They had a great time with their great-grandchildren. The kids learned how to harvest pecans, stack firewood, pick flowers, and ride the old tractor.

Christmas pageant

2009-12-30T02:09:00.002+01:00

We made our own little nativity scene this morning.

...getting a little silly

Lucy kept wanting to sit in the manger.

girly-girl

2009-12-30T02:02:00.002+01:00

The other day Lucy was being especially quiet until she came out like this: Notice the slinky and keychain bracelets, the beads, purse, and the dollbaby's pacifier. Lucy is crazy about her little dolls. She cares for them with the sincerest tenderness. Today she came to me with her baby all upset about something and showing me the baby's diaper. After I changed the baby's diaper she happily took her doll back and walked away.

Candy Land

2009-12-30T02:01:00.002+01:00

Caleb played his first game of Candy Land and won (fair and square)!

Christmas at home

2009-12-30T01:44:00.002+01:00

We are so thankful to have been able to be home for this entire month. It took a few weeks to get back in the groove of cooking and cleaning, but I love it! Daniel's brother Nathan married Danielle, our dear and lovely new sister in law, on Dec 19, so the first two weeks home were busy with wedding preparations. Oh, the details! It was a wedding that excelled many in meaning and beauty. And over the top on the "sniffle scale."

Our support is 74.5 percent, so we are praying to be able to wrap up the traveling/support raising this spring!

And a few pictures from Christmas. As parents we found the greatest joys in seeing our children's eyes shine with glee when they opened those gifts we carefully chose. We can't help but think of our loving heavenly Father who delights in giving "good gifts to His children."

Christmas dinner at the Arnolds, with our relatives from MA who stayed the week after the wedding to share Christmas with us.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-30T01:41:00.001+01:00

After a full and wonderful month of December, we are back on the blog again. :o) Hope everyone had a Christmas as joyous as ours was.

silliness

2009-11-20T06:20:00.005+01:00

We've had lots of fun with my sister and her family this week. The kids are having a blast. And Sarah and I got to go out shopping without the kids - twice!!!

The kids got their hands on these handy little toothbrushes with suction cups on the ends (thank you to the latest missions closet!) and figured out how much fun it is to pop them on the table. When it's too wet to play outside for three days in a row, you get a little desperate. Even hungry hippos and hi-ho-cherry-oh get old after a while. :o)

More cousin pictures here.

on the road again...

2009-11-20T06:10:00.003+01:00

happy car seats

transitions

2009-11-20T05:44:00.002+01:00

Moving days are the hardest on all of us. And they happen every few days or so. We have amazingly flexible kids though. Lucy curled up for little rest on her pack n play out in the hall before it got loaded up.

new van

2009-11-16T05:52:00.004+01:00

The Lord provided a van - almost exactly like our old one, but with about 100,000 fewer miles. It was not the one we went to Birmingham to buy, but God had another van waiting for us to find just in time. Traveling back north with the two vehicles went very smoothly and safely. Praise the Lord! Thank you to all who have prayed for us with the whole accident ordeal. God's protecting and providing hand was right there the whole time.

We spent a wonderful three days with my Mom and Dad in WI, and today we had a meeting in Sterling, IL. Wednesday and Sunday we will be in the Chicago area for meetings, so we will see my sister a lot this week. Pictures of her little cuties to come!

the van hunt

2009-11-08T22:17:00.002+01:00

Daniel has looked at 8 vans this week, and I think we've found our van, pending the mechanic's check. So we should be rolling out of here sometime tomorrow and heading up to OH to return the rental car and to pick up all the stuff we left at the church in OH because it wouldn't fit in the rental. We got some walkie talkies since we'll be split between the rental car and the new van from Alabama to Ohio. And so the journey continues... Three more weeks until home sweet home!

And a few pictures of my children for you today.

Caleb looks a lot like Daniel as a child in this picture. It's the cheeks I think. :o)

And then there is Lucy Mae, with her own little look.

portraits

2009-11-06T22:15:00.005+01:00

I finally got Lucy's one yr old pics taken. I know, she's 17 months, but that's still one isn't it? I was really happy with how well they turned out. You can view them here. The ones I chose are the first three listed.

You need to copy and paste access code: LTPP0363103142JCP

and name: jennifer arnold

"accident"

2009-11-05T13:21:00.005+01:00

In God's providence we were in a car accident last Wednesday in OH. It's hard to believe it's been a week already. The great thing is that everyone is ok. Those words are easy to say, and so easy to take for granted. Not a scratch. Even our necks feel basically fine. A Hummer ran a red light and broadsided us on Lucy's side. I think everyone says after any car accident, "It could have been so much worse if..." and we really felt that way. Your mind replays the entire scene over and over even when you try not to think about it any more, but in that we just praise and thank God for colliding the vehicles at His exact predetermined placement and speed.

Our van is totalled, so we are van shopping in Alabama! We've looked at two non-possibilites, and Daniel is driving out to Birmingham (90 mins away or so) to look at some more today. In the mean time we're in a 2010 brand spankin' new Ford Edge rental.

Here is something to pray about. The Hummer driver is now saying that she had a green light, which is causing a big hang up with the insurance companies. They are waiting on the police report, which takes weeks to come through for some reason. Praise God that we did have clear witness on our side! Without that we wouldn't have had a leg to stand on. (If you ever see an accident happen, call in and be a witness. Someone somewhere will thank you.) So please pray that God would be praised in the way we deal with the aftermath. Please do pray for Daniel this week as he looks for a new van.

Other than all that, we are doing well. We were in Ringgold, Louisiana the early part of this week and stayed at Southland Christian Camp. I think that may have been the most rural place we've been at in the US ... well, close. The kids loved the campground, and we loved being out in the country. It was perfect timing between two busier conferences. We made new friends and renewed old acquaintances with the Saxton family and Dave and Joy Keck and baby Preston. Now we are in a conference in Huntsville, AL. We are staying in a beautifully furnished apartment in the church. And it's not creepy at all! :o)

my little space cadets

2009-11-05T13:17:00.000+01:00

We toured the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.

plans

2009-10-25T02:50:00.004+01:00

while I was tucking Caleb in bed tonight...

"When I get big I'm going to marry you. You are going to wear a big white dress, and I am going to set up a platform, and you are going to stand on it. Then I am going to go to Walmart all by myself and buy you flowers that still have the paper on. After I buy the flowers I am going come to the wedding and cut off the paper and give them to you to hold."

(Mama)But I already married Papa, and I can only get married once. Now I'm going out to talk to Papa, because he is my husband.

"Mama! You are going to have two husbands after I marry you!"

What should I tell him? Any suggestions???

Let's eat!

2009-10-18T03:38:00.003+02:00

Presentation is everything!

Lucy wasn't so sure at first. One minute it was a little pet crawling on the kitchen floor playing with her, the next minute it's on her dinner plate.
Caleb loved his lobster. He kept telling us that you don't eat the bones, only the meat.

the preparation

2009-10-18T03:31:00.002+02:00

pretty funny looking little creatures, but they sure taste good!

Lucy thought they were fun to play with.
Karlene puts them in a huge pot of shallow boiling water, covers and steams them.

15 minutes later, they are very dead and very red.

Lawbstuh!

2009-10-18T03:18:00.002+02:00

We spent the night with Daniel's Aunt Karlene and Uncle David in Kittery, ME. They treated us to their traditional Maine lobster dinner. First we drove down to the dock where the lobsters were in cages under water. David and Karlene's friend had just trapped them that day.

We picked our lobsters and threw them in the cooler.
and lowered the cage back into the water.

penobscot narrows

2009-10-18T03:01:00.002+02:00

We visited a supporting church in Corinth, ME, and on the way back we stopped and toured the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, the site of the second largest US naval defeat, second only to Pearl Harbor. The more recent bridge has an observatory, the tallest of its kind in the US. The view out of the observation deck was really breathtaking. It was cute to see the kids oh and ah over the fall colors and the tiny car and buildings below.

looking out

2009-10-18T02:50:00.004+02:00

each other

2009-10-05T04:40:00.003+02:00

This was taken late one night after a missions conference in NC. Caleb and Lucy have been great little travelers, and they have been dealing remarkably well with all the late nights. Although life is always changing for them, one thing that is always constant is each other. I've noticed them becoming closer lately. Not that they never fight and scream, but there are more tender moments now.

We are in NH now, just few hundred feet from the Maine border. We traveled the first 800 miles of the trip up on Friday, almost to the CT border. The kids were so good, so we just kept driving until we were too tired. For once, they outdid us. We will be in NH, then Mass, then OH, LA, AL, IL, and finish up the trip in WI for Thanksgiving. This will be a two-month trip, Lord willing. Our longest yet, so please pray for us not to get too homesick! It was weird to leave home still in the warm weather, knowing that it would be time to decorate for Christmas when we get home again. The fall colors up here are beautiful, and we enjoyed spending time with Daniel's Aunt Karlene and Uncle David in Kittery on Saturday. Looking forward to a busy week helping with various ministries in the church. I'll try to post more often than I have been lately :-)