Christmas 2008

I am emailing our Christmas letters this year, since with all our supporters from being overseas we have hundreds to send out! I have had many bounce back...wrong emails apparently! So while I still have many to send (I am sending them in batches) I thought I would post it here for those of you who may be interested! And if you are on our supporters list, but have a new email..let us know! Thanks!!

Hello everyone! Merry Christmas! We hope this letter finds you all enjoying this wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior! Our family is celebrating in a more traditional way this year! Last year we were in Malawi, Africa during the Christmas season. We were living there doing missions work. It was 95 degrees and sunny, there was very little commercialism, and we were al by ourselves! Though we loved the simplicity of the holiday, we missed our friends and family very much, so we are very happy to be able to spend the holiday with them this year! This year finds us in Troy, NY (near Albany) working at a wonderful little church here. For those who may not know, in April we came home from Malawi after breaking ties with Acts 3 Ministries. We stayed with Shawn’s parents for a few months, had several speaking engagements as missionary speakers, and eventually found ourselves candidating at Green Hills Alliance Church. It was small – on the verge of closing – but we are up to the challenge and are enjoying the people and the area. (I – Heather – DO NOT like winter, but am dealing!  ) We live in a nice area of the city in the top of a charming little brownstone. My brother in law says it reminds him of the Cosby Show from the outside! God provided fro us in amazing ways yet again as we did not have any furniture or anything to furnish our own place. Our stuff is from the shipping container that never went is still in Georgia, and the rest is in Malawi! Though we lack a year, there is plenty of room to play at the church, and some neat parks nearby. We are close to the library, a farmer’s market, and Little Italy – with some of the best Italian food ever! Come visit – it will be tight quarters, but lots of fun! So what about Malawi? Well we take each day and try to live in obedience to God. I don’t pretend to know all His plans anymore – I am just learning to enjoy all the different adventures and opportunities He gives! We continue to home school. John is in 6th grade, and started youth group this year! (I am feeling very old!) Anna is in 3rd grade, and Andrew is doing a combo of Kindergarten and 1st. RJ likes to think he’s in school, but his primary teachers are the Little Einstein kids and Backyardigans! When we first got back from Africa we were able to spend lots of time with family and friends. We started in Savannah with some of our closest friends – the Thomas family! We got to see both of our church families in that area – the Grace Church and the Port Wentworth CMA Church. We got to see Shawn’s good friend and mentor, Terry and Ruth Smith, as we made our way up the coast. When we finally made it all the way up North we were able to spend a few days with all of our parents and siblings (Except Dan and Heidi in Idaho…sniff, sniff!  ) We even spent some time in East Hampton with my sister Sommer and her family so Shawn could speak at their church. We spent to weeks in Kinsman, OH visiting our church family there and feeling very loved on! We were just getting back and feeling out of place and unsure of so much! It was wonderful to be able to spend a couple weeks with people who love us and know us so well! It was healing for us as well as the kids who got to go to VBS there and enjoy old friends! We were asked to speak at Delta Lake for Family Camp and Senior High Camp and absolutely loved that experience! It was the high light of the summer as we hung out with good friends (shout out to the Schuerholzes and Joneses!) and family! The kids got to know some second cousins and had a blast with them! IT was a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and fun!While the kids had their annual Cousin Camp with Shawn’s parents, Shawn and I were able to go to Canada to a friend’s cabin for a week of relaxation and prayer! (Thanks so much, McLaughlins!) Then we got together with Shawn’s extended family again for a celebration of Grandma Boda’s 95th birthday! It was great to be reminded of the wonderful heritage we have! We know that our family would not have survived this year with all it’s transitions and difficulties without your prayers and love. We felt like we had finally gotten settle in Malawi after 8 months just to pick up and have to transition back to the States again! There have been a lot of things that you have prayed for this year…Andrew’s foot surgery in Malawi, our ministry there and for protection when we had to go against leaders in Islam and witchcraft! You prayed as we had to make the decision to come back to the States, and as we worked though all these issues and emotions! You prayed as we floundered around this summer trying to figure out what was next! And you have been praying (again) as we adjust to life in another new place! Shawn and I thank you for your love and compassion to us, and as parents we thanks you, especially, for keeping our children uplifted – you are all so special to us! If you want to keep up with our lives (or see more pics besides the ones I am sending with this letter) you can check out our blog spot: http://www.malawiwally.blogspot.com/ . Or, if you are “Facebookers” you can look us up – we each have a page! Our other info:Home number: (518) 326- 1817, Cell: (607) 279-2244Address: 154 3rd Street, Troy, NY 12180Email: shawnheather96@yahoo.comGod bless you all this season! Shawn, Heather, John, Anna, Andrew, and RJ Wallace

mediocrity???

I am realizing that there is a pattern in my life that I think I have probably always followed. Recently I have taken up a little hobby of painting. My father in law gave me some basic pointers on oil painting while he was here, and I have made a few mediocre paintings...not bad for a beginner, I am told, but certainly nothing to rave about. I picked up some water color pencils the other day and used those to color in some drawings I made to add texture and depth. Once again...not bad, but nothing great. (Though it was a lot cleaner and faster...my kind of thing! LOL!) I am also a good cook...but not great; a good writer - even a few publishings - but not spectacular; I can carry a tune, but my voice isn't rich and deep; I play a "mean" bunch of chords or worship music, but don't ask me to read the hymnal or I will definitely choke; I've done some speaking recently and enjoy it, but have heard better. Mediocrity seems to be the theme of my life! On top of that, when I get tired of something, I stop doing whatever it is...scrapbooking, crafting, decorating, etc! I guess that's probably why I never get past "fine" to "wow!"
So I was thinking over things in my life and I am so thankful that there are few things I cannot just quit when I am tired of it! Being a fulltime mom and teacher and wife is tiring and can be boring sometimes! (Shocker, I know!) But if there was ever anything that I am determined to master, it is these roles in my life! It seems the more I do and the harder I try, the worse I think I am becoming, though! It can be relentless and challenging...but it can also be rewarding and fulfilling!
Take this day, for example...
We got up this morning and I was cold and grumpy and suffering from a "Nyquil hangover." I HATE cold weather and winter (in case you didn't know that about me!) and so facing each winter day is a struggle for me anyway. The kids had a pile of work to do for school, including 2 tests for John. He is at the end of his second unit, so there are a ton of things that he is learning and having to be tested in, but I have not done a great job at teaching him to study, so I was dreading that aspect of the day. Shawn came home early and helped me do school, and though I should have been happy about that, it just made me feel even more like I was failing! (I should note that he, in no way, made me feel this way!) By mid afternoon I was in my room crying about failing at life and missing my life in Malawi and hating the weather, and grieving about news I heard from a friend of things that she will be facing...I was overwhelmed and wanted to just give up and go to sleep!
But this is life, not a hobby or a whim. I cannot just give up. I could settle for mediocrity, but I desire so much more than that for my kids and my marriage! The people in this house are the one thing I will push on for.
And God is good...he willl not give me more than I can handle, even when I do not feel like I can handle what he has put in front of me!
By the end of the day we had conquered a few tests (with good grades!) and were even able to get ahead with a few lessons! The house is not clean, but we enjoyed the kids this afternoon. I look forward to doing some painting tomorrow with my extremely talented daughter - who will end up drawing and painting a lot better than her mom!
I guess I am willing to settle for mediocrity in the areas of my life that are not important in the eternal perpective.(crafting, singing, cleaning, cooking, etc) But I am not willing to be less than what God has designed me to be. So I will push on and pray! (Even though they are calling for the dreaded snow tonight!) I encourage you to do the same!

Jesu ndi Wabwino

It's been a while since my last post and I still don't really know what to write about. There is a lot of things happening in our lives and inside of each of us, but not things that would be of interest to most of you...or things I want to post all about! LOL!
Recently Shawn and I met with a man from SIM about missions opportunities. Though there are a lot of exciting ones, and I think the organization is a wonderful one, we cannot really think through those things right now. We told him that we needed to focus on the church here now for the next year, like we committed to. Then there is the continuing issue of our school debt still being there...SIM doesn't let you go with any outstanding amount. So here we are again, and here I am again feeling helpless. Though I suppose that is the best place to be, since God needs to be the one to make things happen and put things into place. We want to be sure that He is opening doors and sending us next time!
We have continued to hear from the guys in Malawi and Shawn is doing an online discipleship process with them. They are no longer part of acts 3 and are kind of floundering trying to figure out what is next. I still have a heart for them and honestly am praying that God opens doors for us to be abck with them someday.
But now we are here. And we met with a counselor this week to go through some of the things that happened over the last year. It was such a relief to have her give us permission to grieve and mourn and to do that in the way that is best for each of us. She encouraged us to love each other and be patient. I think we have an amazing marriage...but I am never against getting godly counsel from people...especially ones who have "been there, done that!" This couple was in AFrica for many years as missionaries and now do a lot of counseling with other missionaries.
Things seem to be going well at the church. The kids are making friends and there are some people that we are getting to know that I really like. God is Good!

what's up with my 6 year old?

So we are going trunk or treating this Friday at the Hoosick Falls Alliance Church. We had not planned to do anyhting after many lengthy discussions, but decided this was easy enough and was a good way to get the kids out and doing something! (Plus then we do not have to buy candy to hand out! I know, I am cheap!) Anyway...after I told the kids we were going, we all decide to look in their rooms to find costumes because I am not spending money on anything! (Again...cheap!) It was easy enough...there is an abundance of spider man and superman pjs, light sabers, and hunting supplies inthis house! And Anna wanted to be a bunny...simply wear grey sweat suit, tape ears on a headband, add a little face paint and pin a tail on - VOILA - bunny! RJ can't decide between Spiderman or superman - or bob the builder, but we have the hat! And John wants to be a soldier. Andrew on the other hand...he comes to me and says, "I want to be a platypus." WHAT? I don't even know if I can spell that right (did I?) How can I make a costume like that out of what we have in the house? So...I am asking for any creative ideas you may have! LOL!

Christmas is coming...

I LOVE Christmas! I admit it, I am one of those crazy people who counts down to the second that she can decorate her house! And I like having it up as long as possible! I just love it!! And I am glad to be in a place where it is soooo over commercialized this year! Yes, I just said that! Don't get me wrong...I know advertisers are using the holiday to make money, and they play on people's emotions and whatnot. I guess that is not the part I mean. And I certainly don't mean the part of going into debt or taking out a loan to buy gifts! But I LOVE the decorations, the songs, the hype that starts about his time of year! I love the count downs and the pagents and the times of seeing family! And I do love Christmas shopping for my kids...though we defintitely keep it a lot more simple than many people do! And I missed all this stuff last year in Malawi!
It was like I woke up a week before Christmas and say, "Oh yeah. I should get some gifts!" Ok, not quite like that. But I did go shopping the week before and there was no crowds or anything. That meant there was also no sales. No decorations. No Christmas music. There was a brief encounter of it in the "Game" store (a mini Walmart wanna be with hot pink signs!) But when I asked other missionaries how and where they shopped for Christmas, most told me they brought stuff from the States. And since we did not ever send the shipping container that was impossible! We had a great holiday - friends had dinner with us (ham and bean soup, fresh fruit, and chocoalte cake) and we LOVED hanging out on our porch in shorts and our swimsuits! (The kids in their swimsuits - not me!) I didn't miss the snow even one hundredth of a second!
However, this year I get to partake in the after thanksgiving craziness of shopping, the beautiful, twinkling lights and Chrsitmas carols that start in October! I am excited for my good old American Christmas! Now, if I could just get our tree here from Georgia...

A Three-year olds pick-up line!

So, we are at the NYS Museum this week and we are waiting for the carousel to open so the kids can ride. There is another little girl there (who happens to be African American, which makes this even funnier!) We are chatting with her - she is a funny little 3 or 4 year old! I say, "What horse do you like?" She responds, "The white one!" Without missing a beat RJ says, "HEY! I'M WHITE!" Crazy mzungu! LOL!

Top 10 reasons to have a messy house!

Kind of gross and over the top...but sooo funny!
by Jennifer Dyer
10. Everyday is a scavenger hunt—who can find their matching socks first?
9. Marker on the walls provides decorative color splashes.
8. The vacuum still has its new smell.
7. Pet hair provides good insulation—it saves on energy costs.
6. Toys cover carpet stains.
5. Fingerprints on the windows provide natural tinting.
4. Because "the house ate my homework" sounds so much better than that old dog excuse.
3. It's safe from criminals—they think the house has already been ransacked.
2. Food crumbs provide job security for the dog.
1. It's easier to count my blessings when I trip over them.

21 Rules

I was at the house of one of our local pastors recently and saw a sign posted on their fridge that said "The 21 Rules of This House." I wondered what that was, and as I looked closer I was very inpressed! I looked it up online and discovered that it is a book written by Greg Harris (Joshua's dad!) and many people are using it in their homeschooling! I am defintely going to be getting it as soon as I can. I am very intersted in reading through it. If you have read it, or know anything else about it, please let me know!! I am posting the rules below:

The 21 Rules of This House"

1. We obey our Lord Jesus Christ
2. We love, honor and pray for one another
3. We tell the truth
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds
7. When someone needs correction, we correct them in love
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive them
9. When someone is sad, we comfort them
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with them
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining
13. We take well care of everything God has given us
14. We do not create unneccessary work for others
15. When we open something, we close it
16. When we turn something on, we turn it off
17. When we take something out, we put it away
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept the discipline and instruction of the Lord

Wallace and Gromit!

Well, at least that what we would have named him if we had him since he was a puppy! We always thought Gromit would be a good name! BUT since we got him today and he is five years old, we decided to stick to the name Bailey! Yep - you read that right. We have a dog - again! I can't believe it myself, but the kids were really missing their dogs that we had to leave behind in Malawi! So when we were offered this dog for free we thought it was a good thing since he is already housebroken, neutered, and hypoallergenic! Whoo hoo!

Our week in review!

We had another good week of school and many visits with people here! We went to a park yesterday with the kids (and today...we try to get outside where they can run at least once a day!) Anyway, it had a huge beach area that was, of course, closed for the winter. However, it was a whole 60 degrees out, and the kids decided they were sooooo hot! They initially were wading, with their jeans rolled up. Somehow they ended up full-out swimming i jeans and t-shirts! Even RJ and Andrew, who hardly touched the water this summer when we would go the a beach, were sitting in it and swimming! Crazy kids! By the time they got to the car they were freezing, so we took off their wet tops and wrapped them in dry coats.

We are starting to get to know our way around here a little better! Well, Shawn knows his way around pretty good already - but it will take me a long time! I am at least feeling like it is familiar when people mention a store or something! Wewent ot a little local dive today called "Gus'" for hotdogs! It is famous in this area, and it really cheap and good for a greasy spoon type place! Come visit and we can all go!

We went to a place called "Indian Ladder Farms" on Monday with my sister Somemr andher family! It was a lot of fun and we picked apples and played on the playground. There was a tiny little petting zoo area, and we fed some dirty looking sheep! They were gentle though!

TGIF - almost!

We are almost through with our first week of homeschool this year and things are going really well! Though John in particular is still NOT a fan of doing school - we have had no major attitude problems, and I have even watched as John helped Andrew learn sounds by playing memory the other day! Aunt Lorraine was here today and gave Andrew some extra special attention (since she use to teach 1st grade) and he was in heaven! We have made 4 trips to the library in the last week, and that is awesome! I am glad that we went this direction with the curriculum! I have attached a few pics of Anna and Andrew doing work today!

We are getting settled and this apartment is starting to feel like home! It is really cozy! We are so thankful that God provided the way he did!

I am getting ready to host a crew of college kids on Saturday (I hope!) I look forward to being the one to be able to serve them good food away from home and provide a place of relaxation and fun! I love college age people!

you know you've lived in Africa when...

Found this online! Soooooo true!!

You know you're from Africa when......
it doesn't seem right to pay the asking price on anything in a store. If you can't barter for it, it's not worth having....
you're appalled that American grocery stores only sell one or two different types of bananas....
your parents yell at you for forgetting to use silverware in public....
(I did this recently with my kids!
you're going to visit your Grandparents and take you passport ~ just in case you have to evacuate....
you find all the non-white people on campus so you can be a minority again....
you can lead a 20 minute conversation starting with "walleponaua!!" (or Muli Bwanji)and keep it going by replying "ehh" in numerous different tone-levels for the next half an hour! (...and have the other person exactly understand what you are saying!!)...
you fear for you life while riding in a minibus....anywhere!...
you call everyone older then you uncle or aunt....
you'd rather be barefoot
you know that the bloody gooey mess they call beef jerky in the States would never pass for true biltong....
every toothpaste is colgate....
every soap is surf....
every softdrink is coca cola or fanta. (WARM)...
you have uncles and aunts who are younger than you....
black outs are nothing new to you....
no running water for a day is just another ordinary thing...
40 degrees is cold....
You can do your monthly shopping on the pavement....
four cars are driving parallel to each other on a one-lane road....
The smell of freshly rained on mud paths/tarmac is comforting....
being an hour late equals being "on time"...you get car sick cuz the roads just can't have enough potholes!...
you pass by someones house and you know what they gonna have for dinner cuz u can pretty much see and/or smell what's cooking...
you can bribe a cop and get away with it!...
you have an over whelming urge to wash all your salad in milton (baby bottle bleach, supposedly kills cholera) and add a bit of charcoal to your milk just to get the taste your used to....
You know that the police isn't always the safest place to go when you're in trouble....
Cramming 7 passangers in a 4 passenger taxi is really not a big deal....
you know never to question what you're eating (even if it does taste good), cuz sometimes you just don't want to know....
you invite people for a get together at 7 and they all come at 9....
football is played with some sort of ROUND ball and WITHOUT hands....
everyone in your country plays soccer....
you cram 24 people into a 14 passenger matuatu and have never felt closer to your African friends....
you make friends with the local shepherd and know the goats by name....
carry purell like it's your life supply....
you spent countless hours shining your shoes when u know very well that by the time you get to the taxi stop, they'll be covered in unbeleivable dirt!...
you keep converting the value of things in your home currency when u see the dollar value....
a plane flies by and you just cant help but look up!...
you have another name in your home language....
you hate American corn, because it's never hard enough....
you've drunk real chai, not this coffeeshop stuff. (AMEN!)...
you remember being so confused about how you could pay for something with a visa......
you expect people to tell you they're fine before you ask them...
you used to shower under the rain....
someone is riding their bike down the road with corrugated iron strapped width wise across the back of the bike and its taking up more than half of the road....
you miss rain on a corrugated iron roof; it's so loud you have to shout to be heard....
you've been proposed to while walking down the street (if you're a girl, that is, lol)..
.you know what true hospitality and generosity is...
when those who have almost nothing still welcome you in with open arms and are willing to share everything they have with you - even though they barely know you!...
someone asks you how much your sister costs
9or your daughter!)....
your brother tries to sell you to his college roommate for 36 cows or goats......
You unwrap all your gifts carefully, so that you can reuse the wrapper....
You call a person you've never met before uncle or aunt....
more than 90% of the music CD's and cassettes in your home are illegal copies....
you have almost always carry overweight baggage when traveling by plane....
Nobody in your family informs you that they are coming over for a visit....
You only make telephone calls at a cheaper rate at night...
You never have less than 20 people to meet you at the airport or see you off even if it is a local flight....
someone offers seven cows for your infant sisters future hand in marriage....you learn the native words for "white person" everywhere you go, because you hear it shouted everywhere you go (MZUNGU!)....
something that would normally take half an hour in the Western world takes a few days or weeks...and if it didn't it just wouldn't be fun....
you find it completely natural to have burglar-bars outside your windows...
you know the DSTV channels by heart..
.you known not to question the contents of your food when it tastes good...
you bought your cellphone through your car window...
chicken is a luxury...
you wonder why there aren't any herds of cows and goats walking down the street in North America...
you can smell the rain before it comes...
you can look up at the sky and see every star clearly...
the sunset is something to look forward to...
you miss the the sound of rain on your tin roof at night, the after-rain smell, and the spectacular lightning shows....
the only thing you throw away is avacado stones, and even then you wonder if you should save them and plant a tree..
.every white thing you own has permently turned a curious shade of orange...
everywhere you walk children run up to you shouting, 'how are you! how are you, how are you?' mzungu! mzungu!...
You spend as little time as possible in the toilet, and can hold your breath for amazing lengths of time....
you always drink your drink straight away in front of the shop, and give them the bottle back....
you spray 'Doom' in your tent before going to bed....
when americans tell you that the "chai" you're drinking isn't real because it's not indian, and they think it's tea with milk. it's milk with tea.
you´re NOT in Africa and you miss everything everybody else mentioned so much it hurts....
you dream about Africa - a lot. ....
you think of giving up trying to convince people of what it´s really like - even though they really do try, they often just don´t understand....
you expect to be able to buy roast corn, fried meat or fish, boiled yams or cassava etc whilst you are travelling on public transport....
having mud-orange feet is normal....
you get the songs from the celltel and pepsi baridi adverts stuck in your head...
you learn quickly that pedestrians DO NOT have the right-of-way...
you'd rather be barefoot ...
you realize that after leaving africa you can never have another piece of fruit that will ever taste as good as it does there...
you can buy anything you like at traffic lights, from fruit to hangers to kitchen knifes....
your 'guard dogs' were the most lovable pets ever...
you prefer music that's slightly out of tune...
b.o. is a comforting smell...
you reuse plastic throwaways...
$2 is too much for a t-shirt...
the smell of an old, smoky diesel engine makes you smile and long for 'home'...
pop comes in bottles...
you aren't surprised when you have to stop the car to let three giraffes finish crossing the highway in front of you...
you buy your milk in a triangular carboard container from a hut on the side of the road
...you know that an umbrella is useless during the rainy season and simply accept the fact that you'll be wet for 3 months... and really don't mind either....
you've seen a sky so blue you could cry, with thick, perfect white clouds you can almost taste..
.people bump into the car in front, check out the damage, hand over some money (maybe!) and then drive off! ...
you think nothing of driving down a road that has potholes bigger than anything!..
.you get culture shock in a grocery store, when you see the shelves completely stocked with 15 different kinds of whatever! ...
you're an expert at packing bags and people into cars . . . and making everything fit!!!...
When there's no electricity, you're in bed by dark and up at sunrise....
......you buy a movie on the street, get home and watch it, and realize that you can hear the person chomping on their popcorn in the theatre...only the best :)...
you're sure your going to die 9 times in a 5 minute minibus trip...
You remeber the smell of the first rain signaling the end of the dry season...
you hand in your glass bottle of fizzy soft drink back to the shop keeper for recycling just to get your deposit back...
you just can't explain the concept of snow....
your bed back in north america doesn't seem right without a mosquito net...
when you try to convince your friends and family that it actually is a lot more logical and easier to transport things on your head...
Milo is your favorite drink...
everyone is family...
you wonder where all the elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and other animals are while your driving down the high way...
pop a squat has a whole new meaning...
when a baboon has taken your food right out of your hand....\
.tears well up in your eyes as you read this list, either wishing that you were back in Africa or glad that you are still there...

He can move the mountains...

I love this song right now! I wake up singing it and go to bed with it in my mind still! God is soooooo mighty and amazing!

Mighty to Save

Everyone needs compassion

Love that’s never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Saviour

The hope of nations

My Saviour He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender

Shine Your light and let the whole world see

We’re singing

For the glory of the risen King

Frank Maini

We just finished up our second day of school, adn today went much smoother than yesterday! You would think after homeschooling for 6 years already I would have this down! LOL! We are using a new curriculum for the older two and it is mostly on the computer, so that makes things a little complicated since we only have one computer - but I am very thankful for that one!!

It is rainy and grey here today - the kind of day that makes me want to make a crock pot of thick, heart soup and cuddle up under a comforter with a good book! (That's pretty much how I feel all winter!) ha!

We heard from one of the pastors that we worked with in Malawi (see pic!) and he has removed himself from Acts III and is doing some ministry on his own. He asked us to pray for him ans family, and I told him we would definitely do that. So I am passing that request on to you - his name is Frank Maini (pronounced "mine") and his wife is Esther. He has 4 kids that they care for. Thanks!

We are having a group of college students over for a big chili dinner on Saturday and I am excited about that! I have always loved this age! It is fun to be in a city with 3 colleges! I am also happy because this is a very multi cultural area. One of our guys at church works with international students, so I am hoping that we have many nations walking through our doors!

Well, school is over and it is spaghettio time --0 I know, so healthy!! talk to you later!

Brownstones and Books!

Well, we are moved in and almost settled! It's hard to believe the twists and turns our lives have taken in the past two years - but it has been a fun ride! Last year when we packed up, gave stuff away, burned stuff, and stored stuff to move to Africa, we felt it was a long term thing! Little did we expect that a year later we would be living on the top story of a beautiful brownstone in Troy, NY filled with wonderful furniture and other things from all of you! CRAZY!

We are feeling like this is starting to be home! We got library cards a few days ago - we can walk to the library, it is only a block or two away! We got TV, internet and phone hooked up today! And we are meeting neighbors and getting familiar with the area!

I am reading the newest "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" book! I love this series! (Have I mentioned that before? LOL!) The problem is, it is making me very homesick for Africa! There are so many stories and ways that the author says things that take me back to places in Malawi! I am going to love living here in Troy, but I do pray that God takes us ack to Africa someday! I always heard that Africa gets in your blood...and it definitely did mine!

Moving right along...again!

Hello all! We are back from Canada and all rested up! (Thanks so much Richard and Robin - you are amazing!) The kids absolutely loved cousin camp, and they were all depressed it was over - until we reminded them that the next day family from Tennessee was coming in! The love this family, so they were psyched! This weekend Shawn's grandmother is celebrating her 95th birthday and there is family coming from all over! It will be a lot of fun, and we are glad to be able to be a part of it!
Well, we have news! We are moving in less than two weeks to Troy, NY (near Albany) to be the pastor at the Green Hills Alliance Church! We are very excited about this move. The church is very small - on the brink of closing, actually. We are moving there to love on the people and give it our all! The people left are wonderful and ready to do what it takes to get their church healthy again. We will be going next week to look for a place to live and then on to my sister's house in East Hampton, Long Island. Shawn is preaching there and then doing my niece's baby dedication! When we get back we will be moving that week. His first Sunday is supposed to be August 31!
I know you are all wondering what this means for overseas for us...well, honestly we are wondering that too. But we prayed for open and closed doors. God closed the EE door for us and opened this one. We are in the process of applying with SIM. But right this minute we are feeling a need to get our family settled somewhere, in our own place for while. The kids especially are feeling very unsure about each day as they wake up and desire to know what will happen and where we will be tomorrow! We will continue the application process for SIM and just give it over to God. (That sounds so holy and peaceful, when in reality I do not feel that way - but I am getting there!)
So, what can you pray for?
1. That we find a house next week in the two days we are in Troy! That it would be the right place!
2. That we would be safe in all our travels the next few weeks.
3. That we could get settled andstart school and have a little more consistancy for the kids
4. That God would continue leading us and giving peace as far as the overseas thing goes.
5. That we could open our hearts to the wonderful people of the church. That we will love them and be loved by them and together we couldreach that city for Jesus!
Thanks so much!

A week away

Well, today is the first day of cousin camp 2008! My kids are so excited - and so am I because this is the first year that ALL the kids can go! So RJ will finally experience cc and Shawn and I are escaping to a friend's cabin in Canada for the week! YAY! We are going to relax, boat, read, pray, and just enjoy doing next to nothing for a few days! I admit, that I still feel pangs of guilt about leaving the kids - even though they will not even be thinking about us at all most of the time! It's so hard to be a mom! LOL!
Today is also my 34th birthday. 34 and living with mom and dad - yep, that's my life! We are still waiting and owndering and praying. There are a few things that pop up here and there. We will see, I guess.
We spent a fun couple of days with my mom and everyone there! The kids got to play with some of those cousins, and they love that - especially Anna, who completely enjoys her cousin Libby! We will see them in a few weeks at my other sister's house for her new daughter's dedication. That was the only thing that made them willing to leave yesterday! :)
So, I will not ble blogging this week because we have no cell phone or internet reception! Have a good week!

My BFF, Lola!

It's true, I have a new BFF! She is smart and patient, gentle mannered, and never loses her calm no matter how manyt times I don't listen to her! I love my in-law's GPS system! I call her Lola after the GPS unit in the insanely funny movie, RV. Anyway...moving on!
I took Shawn to the sirport for his EE interview today. We had to leave at 4:30 AM and I was in Rochester all day waiting for him to return. (In fact, I am sitting in a hotel parking lot right now soaking up the free wi fi - how sad is that!?!) :) I do not know why it didn't occur to either one of us that he could have just paid for parking for the day! We are losers! LOL!
He called after the interview and said that it went very well, and the guy wants us to continue in the process of going with EE. It would be in western Africa - Ghana (weird, huh, Lorraine?) BUT after talking in great length to the man, it is not really the type of thing that we would enjoy all that much! It is a lot of administration and very little relationship and discipleship. Of course, we would do that on our own, but the "job" would definitely be a job, and that is not really what we want. We will pray about it, but I think this is a closed door.
So now what?
You tell me if you get any burning bushes or visions...cause I am at a loss.
We are waiting to hear from the church, and we will look at a few other options that we put on the wayside because we want to look at one thing at a time.
Whew...
I am ready for Lola to take me home!!!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the day that Shawn flies to Atlanta for an interview with EE. I will be going to the airport in Rochester to drop him off and then sit there all day, so if anyone is in Rochester and wants to visit...look me up!!!
We were hoping to hear from the church we visited last weekend, but I guess God is continuing in His quest to teach me patience! (I am a slow learner!) If we hear anyhting, we will let you know. I admit that I am ready to get into our own house and feel a little more settled.
Thanks for your prayers...we will blog again soon!!!!

info overload

We got news from Malawi this week that the house we had been staying in was broken into. The missionary that lives there now had $500 stolen from him and a digital camera. He had the money there because he was getting ready to buy bibles for a church that he would be visiting soon, so that is especially sad. The envelope was even marked for it. We also found out that our video camera is gone. (We still have things there, as we had expected to go back by this fall when we left.) Things like this happen in Africa. It is sad, but you grow to expect it if you are there for any period of time. I am glad that no one was hurt. The hardest part is that the thief appears to be someone we all know – but that is usually how it is also!
So, we could live our lives there in fear and mistrust or we could choose to love people. The same thing applies for here in the States. As Shawn and I get ready to look at churches to interim at while we figure out if we are going back overseas, I have had a hard time getting all my emotions in check. I want to tell myself not to get too involved, but I know that’s not what God has for me. So I get a little angry that I have to love people and get my heart broken again. I get even more worried that my kids will do this! But God never promises that our hearts won’t be broken – in fact his is broken each day by the creation that he made to worship and love him, who chose not too! Craziness, this God of ours! And Dangerous, overwhelming, take-your breath away! But I am so amazed and awed to be his child.
We got a few updates from a friend's daughter who is in Swaziland this week, and I read through tears as my heart longed to be in Africa. God is good.
In other news, Shawn finally had his teeth removed yesterday. He was put under general anesthesia, and coming out of it was pretty funny! They kicked him out of office before he was even really awake – they were really busy and needed the room, I guess! I practically dragged him out to the car, all the while saying, “Babe, open your eyes so you can see where you are going and we don’t fall on the gravel!” When I said that he would open his mouth wider! Then I would start laughing and he would get heavier…it’s amazing that we didn’t land in a pile on the driveway! I got him in the car and asked how to get home and he said, “Left,” so I turned left. Then he said, “No, right.” Then a minute later he said, “Left.” I just laughed because I realized that he wasn’t going to be much help, and found my way pretty easily! Every 10 minutes or so he would wake up and say, “Am I done?” Finally I left him in the car to get his prescription at Rite Aid and when I came back out he was actually awake for the first time! He doesn’t remember anything before that!
Then today he decided to try to finish a painting job because the weather was nice, but he was only there a few minutes when a bee stung him in the eye twice! He was in a lot of pain and started getting nauseas (he did just have surgery!) so I took him home! Poor guy! He is doing much better now! LOL!
I tried to publish photos last post, but I can't tell on dial up if it worked! Sorry! It takes a long time!!!

moving right along

Hello, everyone! I hope that this new blog finds you all enjoying life! We just got back from Delta Lake and are getting caught up on laundry and other things! We had so much fun speaking at family camp and senior high camp! God really used it as a time of refreshing and relaxing for us as a family, also. We played with friends and cousins (All of us!) and just plain enjoyed life! We also heard wonderful speakers and worshipped with awesome worship leaders. You can see pics of both family camp and explorer camp at the delta lake website! We had a lot of fun with the Schuerholz and Jones families…it was a like a big Kenmore vacation! LOL!
Last Sunday Shawn spoke at a church, and we are going back again this weekend to see about moving there for a while to work with them. They are a small church, and we are praying about the possibility of going there and loving them and letting God use us as he sees fit. Please pray for wisdom about all this!
So, what does that mean for going back on the mission field? Well, first of all, this is a mission field - just not as “exotic” as Africa! (And a lot more snow – yuck!) BUT we are still looking at going back overseas by next summer or when God opens the right doors. Shawn is still interviewing in a couple weeks with Evangelism Explosion and we will definitely keep you updated. Anything we do would require raising support, so we would not be leaving before next summer at the earliest anyway. We are willing to commit to June 2009 with this church if things work well this weekend. I don’t know what the future holds…I just know we want to be used by God and we want to obey. Please continue to pray that we would clearly obey his will for us each day. I admit that my heart is still in Africa, but I do not want to put my life (and my heart) on hold any longer.
We are sitting here enjoying the Home Run Derby for the All-Star game, so I will sign off for now. Thanks for your support!

From Delta..

This has been such a good week of family camp at Delta Lake!  We have enjoyed family, friends, activities, wonderful and challenging sermons, and good times of prayer and worship.  We are heading into a new week of senior high camp this week, and Shawn will be doing some of the missions speaking.  We are also here just to hang out with the teens and be available for them to talk to and ask questions about missions and whatnot!  We are really looking forward to it.

Thanks for your continued prayers and intercessions for us.  We have talked with a lot of people this week and done a lot of praying.  We came into this week wondering what God wanted from us, and we ended the week having a wonderful peace and excitement about being a part of this unknown adventure!  We will keep you all updated!

yakkety yak

We are getting ready to head off to Delta Lake this weekend to be there for 17 day! We are so excited about this oppotunity to share about what God is doing in Malawi and in us! Shawn speaks 10 times throughout family camp, and I speak with him some of those times and also to the kids each day. Then we stay on for the following week of Senior High camp and Shawn will be the missionary speaker there. We are all happy to be in a cottage and see family and friends and swim (if it ever gets warm again) and all that fun stuff! God is so good! This has been a rather stressful time for us emotionally as we sit and wait...but we also realize that it is a time to be with people we love and heal and fall more in love with him! We went through a time last summer of sitting and waiting for the time in Malawi, and God allowed us a wonderful summer with family. So this time we are learning to be patient, be still ,and LISTEN! Why is that soooooo hard?
We heard from Evangelism Explosion today and are setting up a time to meet with the leaders in person July 26th. Please keep us in prayer over the next month that we would stay healthy and strong with all the speaking and emotions!

Godknows STEKA!

I have written before about a wonderful man in Malawi named Godknows (yes, that is actually his name) and his wife Helen, who run a ministry for street kids. They are te real thing, and God is working in them and through them in amazing ways! Here is a direct link to their blog if you want to check it out more (and I suggest you do!)
http://steka-malawi.blogspot.com/

Things of the past

Well, this has been a very emotional past few months for my family. I am not sure we even realized how much we were affected by the last year! So many people keep apologizing for the way things panned out in Malawi, but I want to tell you (though I appreciate your love) it was not a bad experience in general! I have been working through some of my feelings of grief recently. Some have wondered about my mourning a place that we lived only 8 months and where we had a lot of crazy experiences and adjusting. I have even wondered this myself. Honestly, while I really cared for the people we worked with and loved the other relationships I formed, I still realize that it was less than a year. There were some good relationships - especially with the other missionaries - that I am missing a great deal. And there were many other things that I felt were "on the verge" of being really amazing - whether that be ministry things, relationships, or even in our family. But I was still puzzled by the feelings that I was continuing to experience.
Then yesterday in church I was having trouble focusing (nothing to do with the sermon - I was thinking too much!) So I started flipping through my bible and it suddenly hit me why I am grieveing Malawi so much right now. When we were first there and I was experiencing intense lonliness and wondering whar God was up too, I immersed myself in Psalms. All through that book I have names of people in Malawi written, situations that I was praying for, and personal things having to do with Malawi. There are places where I wrote about my anger, my lonliness, my amazement with God's provsion and love, and my frustrations. There are names of people that I love written next to special passages, and answers to prayers that I saw unfold.
Though I look back on my time and wonder what exactly my part was in Malawi, I can see that my prayer life was pushed to a point it had never been (therefore my love relationship with our Savior was automatically stretchd and grown!) Also, my love for these people and this country was birthed in a way that is different from a normal love.
Am I making any sense? LOL!
I am not saying all this for any reason other than becuase I am working it out in my head, and it helps to blog and get your thoughts!
Thank you for your continued prayers for us as we heal, grow, and seek!

Home again, home again...

I guess. We are quickly figuring out that the only real home we will have is heaven. We feel so displaced on this earth right now, that is a comfort to know that we have an eternal home eventually! It was really awesome to spend the last two weeks with our kinsman family. WE love the people there so much, and God has blessed us in abundance with these friends!
Shawn will be doing some painting this week if it is not raining all week. In a couple weeks we will be off again to Delta Lake this time to speak. I am going to ask you all a very specific prayer request...could you please pray that we will have a more solid idea for our future by then? I am certainly not putting God to the test with a time limit - I am learning to trust him. But it is rather frustrating to speak about our time in Malawi and not be able to say anything about what the future holds for us other than that it is not Malawi! Since we will be speaking a lot at Delta, I would love to have a little bit of a clue. Thank you for your prayers about these things!
Happy Flag day!

Make new friends, keep the old...

One is silver and the other is gold!
Do you remember that little song that we used to sing as kids? The older I get, the more I realize this is true!
We have spent this week in PA/OH visiting friends. The beginning of the trip included one of our best friends in college and his wife, Matt and Patti. They have 3 year old twins and just had a baby yesterday, so it was a fun visit! The twins adore my kids, and it is fun to watch them be the "big" kids that the other kids want to follow around and be like! I will try to post pics when we get home!
Then we made it to Jamestown for the graduation party of Nathan Stevenson, and we are at their house for another week. We got together with all the people from the church and area that we love and missed. In fact, we have been on the go since we got here! I am not complaining though - it is nice to be loved and missed! And I realized how very much these wonderful people will always be a part of our lives! We met the new pastor and his wife and really like them - God placed the perfect people here! He is an encourager, and the church needed that!
I got to spend time with some of the families that I strive to be like when it ocmes to parenting and loving God. If you don't have any of those in your life, you need to find them, because it is a wonderful thing!
Since Shawn's dentist appointement was cancelled because his dentist broke his arm (Yikes) we decided to stay an extra week (after talking to the pastor and the district to make t was ok) so the kids can go to VBS here. Terry has her two grandchildren here this week from Georgia, so my kids are loving that too!
One of the things I realized that has been a blessing about at the moving that we have done is the friend factor. At each church or place that we have lived we have developed friendships that have become real and long lasting. Recently I even hooked up with my best friend though high school, and that has been such a blessing! To have friendships where people have known you your whole life almost is fun, crazy, and a little unconfortable sometimes...but a good reminder of what God is doing and has done in our lives!
We continue to seek out God's next step for our future. We have done a lot of talking with people we love and respect here, and I am thankful for the chance to process things a little more. We filled out the application for EE and will be talking with them after they contact all our references (we hope!) LOL! We thank you for your continued prayers!
Please keep Emmanuel and Frank in your prayers. Frank is the missionary that is living in the house that was ours there and is working with th guys. Acts III is giving them many problems, and I am feeling bad for getting Frank mixed up in it all! He's a big boy, and he is a good friend, so I am sure he can handle it, but you can still be praying for him!
Keep in touch and let us know what is going on in your life!

Fun, fun!

Well, it is actually starting to get warmer here finally! (Today was a little chilly, but we pushed in knowing that it is supposed to be warm again this week!) LOL!
I spent the weekend with Shawn’s family. That may not sound like a big deal – but Shawn’s family is a big deal! (Literally…166 people from Grandma on down!) There was a family wedding and we had fun with cousins, aunts, and uncles that we do not get to see nearly enough! It started on Thursday when Aunt Dolly, Uncle Mike, Timothy, and Stacy got here from Tennessee. My kids LOVE Timothy, so they had a blast on the trampoline, playing video games, and keeping this wonderful 19 year old young man busy! The wedding was beautiful, and I realized anew how glad I was to be a part of this family. Congratulations Wes and Barb! (YAY!) On Sunday then we went out to he Chinese Buffet in town to eat and it was a good thing that we reserved the party room because we had almost 50 people there! Crazy, but fun! John met up with his cousin Jonathan, who is a former MK to Gabon, Africa, so they had fun talking. Then he warmed up to another cousin that is close to his age and they talked video games and whatnot. Both of these cousins will be at Delta Lake next month while we are there, so he is very excited about that!
Speaking of Delta Lake, Shawn and I will be one of the missionary speakers there for family camp this year! We will be speaking to adults, teens, and kids! That means we get to stay in the missionary cottage and we get our meals in the cafeteria. Jon and Esta Schuerholz will be there also, so our kids are really excited to see all their friends! (So are Shawn and I!) The following week we will stay and Shawn will be the missionary speaker for Senior High Camp. God is so good to allow these fun and special times for us!
This has been a good week for me as I daydream about what and where God will take us in the next year. We are looking at hopefully doing an interim pastorate while we raise funds and prayer support. That will give us a place to be and to do ministry while we are here. We had to write to the missionaries in Malawi today and tell them that we will not be back there to live and work. They have been very supportive and are doing what they can to make everything easy for us.
Shawn speaks to a man from Evangelism Explosion in Africa tomorrow about the possibility of partnering with them. Please keep that in your prayers as we seek out the perfect spot for our family.
Also, please keep Shawn in prayer for his teeth! He had a consult with an oral surgeon today, and it will still be another week and a half before they do anything. However, he is happy that they will take out two teeth and they will do it while he is out! LOL!
We are hoping to go to PA and Ohio this week to see friends and talk to the District. We are soooooo looking forward to seeing our dear friends there. We can’t wait to talk and catch up and pray and laugh and hang out together!
That’s all for now!

Some answers

Hello everyone!
So many of you have been praying for us as Shawn met with the people in the IFAP office of the CMA this week. I am happy to report that it went very well!
After meeting with Phil Skellie, we were pleased that he wants us to continue to work with IFAP and that he desires to recommend us to the board as full fledged tent makers! Shawn and Phil talked through a lot of the things that happened in our lives in the past year, and then started talking about what's next.
Our next step is finding an organization to go with. Phil suggested that we look into going with Evangelism Explosion, since Shawn is a trainer and we both use it all the time! So we have contacted some people about that, and will be talking with them this week some more. We were also told to look more closely at SIM, as it is reputable and world-wide! So we have a few things we are looking at! Please continue to pray for us as we talk with people and seek out what God has for us next!
One of the things that Phil said was that he prefer we not go back to Malawi. We have been praying for wisdom in this decision, as there were a lot of pros and cons about this! His idea was that there are a lot of strikes against us there with the government and stuff now because of Acts III, and there is really no reason to fight things constantly when there are other things that will be battles! We agree with him, and agree to submit to this decision. So, we are not going back to Malawi. (So FINAL! I have grieved about this, but knew it was a possibility.) We would like to go back to Eastern Africa, because we know the culture some, and we really liked it, but we are truly open to going wherever we are needed the most. This is another thing you can continue to pray about for us!
As we talk with people over then next few weeks and get some things a little more concrete, we will update you. We will also start trying to get our speaking schedule together, so please do not feel like we have forgotten you!
Thanks so much for your faithfulness in prayer!

Details, details...kinda

Hello everyone! I am writing this rather reluctantly, but with a feeling that it is necessary. I have had many questions since we came back about why we are no longer with Acts III. There have also been many conversations with others that know the complete situation, and they feel I should address things a little more. While I am not sure exactly how to do that, I do agree that all of you who have supported us in prayer and finances deserve a clearer picture of things, so I will be frank and honest.
Shawn and I were (admittedly) desperate to get to the missions field in a foreign country. At the time that we were presented with the opportunity to go with Acts III, we were also presented with another informal offer of a missions job. After praying for open and closed doors, and begging God for his leading, we felt that Malawi, by way of Acts III was the way God was leading.
Before we left there were a few red flags and things that we should have opened our eyes a little more with Acts III, but we attributed it to an immaturity in leadership as far as their Christian walk. Within days of being in Malawi, things became obvious that immaturity was not the only issue. After 6 months we received an email, having no prior discussion. That basically lead us to terminate our relationship with this ministry. We were in Malawi for another month trying to tie up loose ands and talk with the pastors that we worked with. We are now in New York with Shawn’s parents, and have broken all ties to Acts III in every way. Please do not ask us about the blogs and the web site, as we do not have anything to do with it and no longer read it ourselves. My suggestion would be to stop reading it. Please do not send any more support to Acts III for us. Please do not associate us with the ministry in any way.
I say this not in an evil or vengeful way. I truly feel that God did desire for us to go to Malawi with Acts III ministries. We learned so much there! We realized that we do want to be overseas; that we love being in a different culture, despite the difficulties that come with adjusting a family of 6; that our children won’t die from living in a different place, but rather they will be stronger, better people for it because that is what God desires in their life as a part of our family; that we can live a life that is so much more simple than we ever knew possible; that missionaries are people too – and we met some amazing ones there that we will always cherish! God doesn’t make mistakes…and we believe with all our heart that the 7 months we spent in Malawi was not a mistake in any way.
So, now what? Hahaha…good question! We recently learned that Acts III went to the government with some accusations and had our work papers revoked. That in itself is not such a big deal, as there are many missionaries and churches there that would gladly sponsor us to come back under them, and since they have been there for 15 years or more, they hold a lot of respect. The question facing us now is really more of where does God want us? Shawn plans to go to the headquarters of the CMA this weekend to present our ministry and desires to the IFAP office. However, the CMA does not have a field in Malawi. We will be raising our own funds, and have talked with other missionaries and compared budgets, and ours seems to be right on par, even with the student loans we have; but the CMA does not like you to have debt. So here are some of the specifics that we are begging you to pray about over the next week:
1. For God to continue working in us with forgiveness and love; that he would point out areas that we need improvement in, and we would willingly and humbly accept these things.
2. Do we go back overseas? It seems that we should…we can do it, we want to do it, and we enjoy it. However, we aren’t ruling out a missions-type ministry in the States…and by that I mean inner city or church planting! (All ministries are missions, I hope!)
3. That we would have some leading in whom to go with. Honestly, having been born into the CMA (practically), and knowing the wonderful way that they do missions, we would prefer to go with them as full-fledged IFAP tentmakers, possibly starting a field in Malawi. But if they are not interested in us, we have to decide what to do next. We have seriously looked in SIM, because it is recommended by so many other missionaries and is a reputable, large, world-wide organization. There have been other offers from a few missionaries. We are not however, being foolish or desperate this time around. Should God open doors, we will walk through them until they close.
4. Does it need to be Malawi? Let’s not be overly romantic here…we were there for only 7 months, and many of those months were hard ones of adjusting! We love it, we love the people, and we love the area. However, we both agree that our calling has more to do with what we will be doing rather than where we do it. Shawn is gifted in discipleship, teaching, mentoring, and counseling. (I enjoy doing these things alongside him!) We want to go where those things are needed most, and where our way of doing this (relationship-oriented) can be best utilized. Yes, Malawi needs this, but so do many other places. So if the CMA says, “We want you, but we need you in __________, not Malawi” we have another choice to make.
5. That through all of these decisions we would not lose focus of our real purpose…to delight ourselves in him and to love with all our heart, mind, and soul! Ministry is a side affect of these things!

Thanks for sitting through my rather serious blog! And thank you, thank you, thank you for all your prayers and love. Thank you for trusting in and supporting us in our efforts to serve Him!

a little of this and a little of that...

Hi all! Just wanted to tell you that we got an email from Emmanuel yesyeday, and he seems to be doing ok with the stuff happening in his life. You can keep praying for him!
Shawn is still very sick with his ear or teeth...whatever it is, he is up all night in pain and is not getting rest. And we still are waiting for all the paperwork to go through so we can get him to a dentist and doctor! Please pray for him, especially since he has to be on a plane next week when he goes to Colorado Springs.
I had a very nice mother's day going out to lunch with family and then spending the rest of the day at Rob and Deb's. I hope you all had a good day too!
I spoke at a mother daughter banquet Friday night in Medina, NY and had a wonderful evening with some lovely ladies! They seemed responsive to my testimony, and I enjoyed meeting them! I have to admit, I am not exactly thrilled at being forced into the role of "speaker" just because I am a missionary, but God continues to stretch and grow me! I realize a lot of the reason that I get nervous is pride, and that has no place in my life anyway! I speak again tonight at Shawn's parent's chuch to a group of ladies. I do not have butterflies yet...
RJ is doing wonderfully with the potty training! It is really a relief! I know that there are some of you thinking, "Too much info!" But think back to ttimes of buying diapers and stuff, and you will know why I am soooooo excited! LOL!
Have a wonderful day!!!

Emmanuel update

Here is the most recent we have heard from our friend Frank about Emmanuel...keep praying for him!

"You all need to know what happened this week with Emmanuel. I told you about the healing of his father a couple of weeks ago. Well on Thursday night Emmanuel called me that his father had just DIED. Quite a shock. He was NOT sick. While Emmanuel and his younger brother were out of the house a particular family member came into the house and poisoned his father and he died almost instantly. The person was seen and identified, and Emmanuel found the water and glass that was used and it was tested and confirmed. That person is now in prison.

I met Emmanuel this morning to give him some financial assistance, and got a clearer picture of what was going on. These family members involved in this plot were angry at Emmanuel's father over an issue of land out in the home village. When the father was sick they saw it as an opportunity to get advantage by taking him there and putting him under the control of the witchdoctors. When we prayed over him and he was healed their plan was thwarted and this made them even angrier. I really believe now that the sickness he had had was because of witching, to gain control of the land that the father had control of.

I am tempted to say, TIA, baby! (This is Africa) but this kind of thing happens everywhere in the world, even in the USA. But it is still incomprehensible type of thinking from our point of view. I reminded Emmanuel that through the grieving process to remember that his father was SAVED and he is in heaven with Jesus. When I asked the Lord Thursday night about going to the house to pray for him to be resurrected from the dead my impression was to leave it, that God said the father was with HIM.

I know that you all would want to know all about this, that you can be praying for him, his brother and mother and the situation in general, that God would work in the midst of it and others in the family can be brought to Christ through this. "

what's up with us?

Well, we have been visiting parents and family this past week. I tried to post a picture of Anna and her bff and cousin Libby, but it takes too long on dial up! I enjoyed seeing my mom and we were able to speak at my grandmother's Methodist church and my mother's independant church. We are now back in Ithaca and I am getting ready to speak at a mother and daughter banquet on Friday night and then at an Alliance Women's night on Monday! Busy, busy! Shawn will be leaving to go to Colorado Springs in about a week and a half, so we will have more concrete info to share with you all about our future then! (PRAY!!!!)

The kids have enjoyed a couple weeks off from school as we travelled and stuff, but we officially started again today, amid moans and groans! (They think it is the highlight of my day, apparently!) They are enjoying being at Grandma and Grandpa's house and jumping on the trampoline, riding bike, and playing outside! (I am still waiting for warm weather!) LOL

Shawn and I continue to get rested, pray, read, and talk with others that we trust about our future. We are feeling very free with the knowledge that God is in control and that HE holds our future in his hands!

Honestly, I have found myself missing people in Malawi, and missing some of the things there like our house and the familiar routine of life there! I am missing my dear friends there and the men and women we grew to know and love. It is an odd feeling to not know where "home" is! Everyone says, "Welcome home!" and I wonder..but then someone asked if Malawi was home, and I had to wonder...we were only there 7 months! I guess maybe realizing that the only time I will really be home is heaven is a good thing! Actaully, our kids have voiced the same thing in not so many words, and I am glad that they are understanding this concept already!

In not-so-romantic-mission-field news...we are REALLY trying to potty train RJ! Once again...pray! AHHHHH! I hate this aspect of motherhood! Thankfully we live with my mom-in-law who is like the potty training master!

So, not much exotic or exciting happening here! Let us know what is going on with you!!!

Can I have some cheese with this whine?

Sorry to you all who have lived through the winter here...but if it is possible, I hate the cold waether even more since I lived in Malawi! I miss my winter weather of 70 degrees!
It is stinking cold!!!!
We are feeling quite a bit better, thank you all for your prayers!

moni nonse!

Hi everyone! Well, it seems that we are having difficulties with the blog site that we had before, and so we decided to give in and join the very well respected world of blogspot.com! We have many friends and family members on this, so it made sense! I hope this is the last time you will have to bookmark a new web site for our blog! Pepani! (Sorry!)
We are looking at a two week mark from leaving Malawi, and it is kind of crazy to think about! In some ways it is hard to believe that it has only been that long! We have spent time in Georgia and spoke at two churches there; then we were in Toccoa Falls with friends there; then we met a friend who works with SIM in Columbia, SC for lunch and on to a few days in Elizabethton, TN to see Shawn's Aunt and Uncle there; after that we spent the night with friends and Shawn's mentor in PA, and FINALLY to NY where we had lunch with Shawn's brother and sis-in-law then made it to Ithaca with his parents! Exhausting, to say the least! We are still adjusting our bodies and minds to being here, and we have had some sicknesses and times of feeling very unsure! We thank you for your continued prayers and support!
It has been a funny thing, coming back to the States! Most of the things that we thought we missed we have come to realize that we don;t really miss them all that much after all! I thought I would LOVE going to Walmart after an 8 month hiatus...lo and behold, it did nothing for me! I still like to shop, but I actually miss the bargaining and the market and stuff! (Shawn thinks I am nuts!) I thought I would love relaxing and watching the million tv channels we have access to, and though there are a few things I like, the tv being on all day drives me nuts! I thought a piece of good NY style pizza was all I needed...but the grease made me feel sick all night! Weird! I guess we are continuing to realize that the important things really are the people! I knew I missed friends and family, but seeing them again, and hearing their voices, made me realize that I missed them even more than I thought! You are part of that! We love you!
I am looking forward to seeing my family this week, as we haven't been there yet.
RJ turns 3 tomorrow! Unbelievable! My baby is three! I have an article that I cut out of the paper when John was born called, "Loving the three year old, but missing the baby." I thought the person was crazy...of course, I have been in the middle of diapers, bottles, potty training, etc for 10 years now! But suddenly the whole article is making sense! (add nostalgic sigh in here!)
We ask that you would continue to pray for the following:
1. That God would continue to open and close doors and would be very specific.
2. That we would get healthy and remain that way while we start the whole speaking thing!
3. For Shawn's meeting with Phil Skellie in Colorado Springs in mid-May.
4. For the men and women we left behind in Malawi, particularly for Emmanuel (in the pic above with Shawn), Steve, and Henry.
Thank you...we couldn't even think about doing any of this without you!