Homeschooling update

We continue to work hard on schooling and try to balance ministry and school. We have several teams coming for the next month and it will be challenging decided what days to school and when to be part of the teams activities. Above is a picture of Izzy working hard one day recently.


Last week we started a project to learn more about Veteran's Day. I had downloaded the project from a site called CurrClick.com. This site sends me a link for free currciculum every week and I always download everything even if I think I won't use it. So, we made our first lapbook. What is a lapbook? you may ask. A lapbook is a manilla folder folded slightly different and then filled and decorated with information. The purpose is to organize the information about a particular subject in an easy to understand, neat and attractive way. Both Ethan and Isabelle LOVED this project. Since Veteran's Day was last Tuesday, and the kids had literally no idea what a veteran was, we began the project.



The really cool part was that Uncle Mark was here during the time we were working on this project so we had a great discussion about his service in the Navy. The kids were surprised to learn that both Grandpa (my dad) and Ponca (Matt's grandpa) had also served in the Navy. We also met a man on the EFCN team that had served as a Marine. So he gave Ethan a summary of what Marine life was like and the specific jobs they do. It was a really neat way to learn about something and then a great finished project to keep and refer back to.





Also, Ethan has really gotten into reading. In the past two days he has read two chapter books each with over 9 chapters! He LOVES to read. Thanks again to our friends who donated books for our "library."






Isabelle also has really taken off in her reading. At a little different level than her brother, but growing a love to read, she has began reading at least two of the small simple books pictured here. Thanks again, for those that donated us quite a selection of these books.

The hands and power of God

One of the most wonderful things about our God is that He chooses to use us in mighty ways that are designed to fulfill his purposes. He doesn't care that we are not quite equipped to fulfill the job; He doesn't care that we might not be strong enough; He does not care that we might not be mature enough; He doesn't even care that we really don't even deserve the privelege of being chosen. He just uses us without expectation of our part in His plan- He just chooses to use us. He knows our weaknesses and exactly what we bring to the task at hand- which generally is nothing. He just chooses to use us to demonstrate His power and His hand at work.

This past week with the EFCN team from Naperville has been a true time of being able to bask in the power and glory of our God when He places His hand on a task and uses ordinary people to accomplish His purposes.

Last night, we shared in a time of celebration with the team at La Finca. This team came with the purpose of completing the new church building for the Los Guido church. This team funded the building project and arrived here to complete the roof and the floor. Many thanks were said by members of the New Life Church of Los Guido and also by members of the EFCN team. My sweet friend Luisa stood to speak her words of appreciation to the team, which she called "viejos," or "old folks!" As Mark translated what she had said- everyone busted out laughing. It is common to call someone by their "age" in this culture. For instance, when speaking to a teenage girl, you would say "muchacha," or the teenager. If you were directing someone to go to the older man across the room you would say "Vayase al viejo," or "Go to the older man." So, to her what she said was perfectly normal. However, when translated into English, it did sound rather funny. She used this terminology because she knew that their ages averaged in the 60's and some in the 70's.

This leads to my point: I admittedly was surprised at the ages of this "work team" when they arrived. I am truly happy to say that I as they said good-bye last night, I was more surprised at how God used them despite their ages to complete a mighty task. They really did work hard and the building is proof of that.

But what is even more proof, is that God's hand has guided and cared for this project since it started about a month ago. His purpose for this team was not just to build the building, but to build relationships that will last until eternity. Our God is a God of details. What I love to see in life is these little things that He cares for, like the weather, for instance. We had absolutely BEAUTIFUL weather in what should be the last stretch of rainy season. They should not be nice warm days full of sunshine and clear of rain. However, they were. Until last night when it began raining and it is raining again this morning already. God's hand was upon the team yesterday as they visited homes in La Carpio as well as Tejarcillos. They walked and met some of the people in the existing discipleship groups in La Carpio, as well as met some new friends. Then they travelled to Tejarcillos and walked through the Pines and visited with several families of the church. With all the things that have been happening lately, it was a decision covered in prayer to take the team into the Pines. However, God in his majesty, protected the team. They were able to meet members of several families in the church and spent sweet time in the home of Vilma and Ester- you may remember them. Vilma is one of the first from the Pines to complete book 1 and then move on to discipling a girl named Margerhita. What a blessing for the people of all three areas this team has been!

God's hand at work. If even one day of the team's time here had been rainy like this the project would not be where it is today, just a small amount of work left. Each litle detail that was God-organized and played out perfectly in His perfect order came together to get to where we are today.

Join me today in praising our God for the great thing He has done!

Uncle Mark

Quick update:
We've been enjoying the EFCN team from Naperville, IL this week. WOW! The people God can use to do his work. Don't ever listen to the lies of the enemy about age or strength. There are members of this team who are in their 70's and they WORK HARD!

We're also enjoying the company of Matt's brother, Mark. He came yesterday afternoon and will be here through tomorrow. He was able to come down just for a few days and it has been fun having him here.

Today, Matt and Mark were at La Finca for the day helping Coco and a few of the guys from the team who stayed back from their paseo to work. They had a long hard day of work, but it was a good day for them and the the guys on the team.

The rest of the team went on a day trip to a nearby volcano and waterfall gardens and rainforest area. Three guys couldn't stand to let a day go by without working, so they stayed back. We as a team here, are always encouraged by teams, but this kind of dedication to a project is extrememly encouraging. Thanks, EFCN!!!!!

Tonight, Matt had the devotional and afterwards the team laid hands on us and prayed specifically for our family. It was powerful and encouraging for us.

Tomorrow, Matt and Mark still are not sure of their plans, but Mark has to be at the airport by mid-afternoon. Then we have the rest of the day full. The kids have enjoyed him being here and can't quite understand why he's leaving so soon...

just a few pictures

Here are just a few pictures from our trip. I took over 200 pictures mainly of just our time with our family while we were there! Obviously only a handful will make the cut to the blog. We've been having problems with our camera and trying to get pictures downloaded from the camera to the computer. For some reason, the computer is not recognizing the camera...oh technologoly!!!

Anyways...the pics...


My aunt Sandy, mom and I were able to enjoy dinner out with Audrey and Samantha one night. Samantha took this picture. She did a good job, huh?


The McCarty's came to visit us twice and also let us borrow their car for the time we were back! Sweet times!


Aunt Brooke and little Tator Tot (Samantha)


Brooke, Tanner and Ethan


The kids were able to go trick-or-treating with their grandparents since we were back for Halloween. It was a fun evening of walking around Frankfort and just being together.


Rog, Sue, Mark and Angyl and our family at Camp Cullom


Mimi and grandkids in leaves


My mom and me


Matt and Brooke :)


the grandmas and the granddaughters


Brooke and Courtney


Andrew, Steph and the kids


My mom and Dad (I love this picture!)


Our trip ended with a dream come true for Ethan. He had a free admission ticket to the new Legoland Discovery Center in Chicago and really wanted to be able to go with his dad and Alex. We didn't know if it was going to work out or not....but it did... and they went! They had a great time and Ethan, as you can imagine, LOVED it!


My dad (a rare photo of him smiling- this picture is such a blessing to me)

more to come later :)

Home Sweet Home

Hi! It is late and I really need to get to bed...however I wanted to share the joy of home sweet home we all felt today.

We enjoyed our visit to the states immensly and I loved every minute of time I had with my mom and my aunt, the unforgettable sweet way Samantha's arms felt around my neck every time she hugged me, the comfortableness of the Jenkin's home, Mike's smile, Katrina just being herself, my sweet friends, the church families we partner with and the fun of a Halloween night spent walking around Frankfort with Pappy, mimi and Ging-ging. The day at Camp Cullom with our entire family from both sides plus some extras. The smell of freshly plowed dirt still lingers in my nostrils and the happiness of working the farm with his dad is still fresh with Matt. Celebrating the engagement of a dear friend is a memory I'll cherish for some time and sweet fellowship with Alex and his family and even Kelly, not to mention fantastic pizza was a great way to end our time back. The beautiful colors of fall are etched in my mind and I am grateful to have been able to experience them again.

This trip back was a gift from God and one we do not take for granted. We understand all too well how scarce these precious times with family and friends will be for our family. Therefore, we feel blessed. In all that, though, there is an unmistakeable feeling of not quite fitting in when I am there. After living here over a year now, I feel a little between worlds when I am in the states. It is as if everything is vaguely familiar, but not enough to put a name to any one thing. Being with family will never grow tiresome or burdensome again. Fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, in our heart language, is something to value as a privelege, not a right. However, at times, for me it is becoming more and more apparent that I am from a different world. Being in Wal-mart for instance is completely overwhelming to me, the woman who does her grocery shopping in a little shop where I ask for my purchases from behind a wall of bars and the owner hands them (my purchases) to me through a little door in the bars. She then tallys my purchases with a hand-held calculator and writes them on a large piece of paper on the counter as she tallies them. If I am short a few colones she circles my total and sends me on my way, knowing full well I'll be back after while with the rest. I stood in the cereal aisle in WalMart a good 20 minutes one night pondering the necessity of what had to be over 100 choices. (I did however find one I thouroughly enjoyed and brought back two boxes!) But seriously- do Americans really need a hundred cereals to choose from? Then, I turn around and there are about as many options if you prefer oats, cream of wheat or grits. It is evident the simplicity my life has now as compared to even a year and a half ago. When we are here in our daily routine, the laid back Costa Rican style is easy to adapt. We love it and love the way the ladies at the bread store knows all three of our kids names, the pulperia guy sleeps at the counter every day, but wakes up as we enter and greets us as if sleeping in your store when no one is in it is completely normal. The people in the neighborhood will stop and talk with the kids as they play in the front patio. When I need to purchase items that I can't get in the two stores here in our neighborhood I walk about 7 blocks to the nearest large grocery store (think IGA) and get what I need, rain or shine. My church is made up of ex-drug addicts, gang members and people who live in shacks made of tin and held together with bottle caps. What apicture of grace God has given me to look at and experience each day.

And so, the realization I have is that my life is different, and I pray it will forever remain different, from all that I loved about my old life. I will rejoice in any opportunity to return to the life of old to reconnect with family and friends, however, I pray that uncomfortableness once there will remian as a forever reminder of the privelege God has given me to take the gospel to the nations, specifically here in Costa Rica.

Admittedly, it was hard to say good-bye, as it always will be. This time might have been a little tougher than last time, even. However, it is good to be back home. The comfort of your own bed, the familiarity of your neighbors, and the smell of the and the sound of the rain are all things that remind me that my life is here. We spent the day today with our friend Lucia and my God reminded me of just how special my life is here. Could you pray for my friend Lucia as her life is not an easy one, yet she remains one of the most faithful people I have ever met and I am constantly encouraged by her faith and trust in God Almighty. Would you pray for her five children: Carlos, David (Da-veed), Pamela, Michelle and Daniel. Please pray for her husband Carlos, who is living a life of bondage in alcoholism and rage resulting separation from his Heavenly Father. Please pray for the basic necessities of life even down to adequate clothes and food for each day for her and her family. Please pray for their safety and protection as they live day-to-day in a city where violence rages around them.

My life here is purposeful, meaningful and of value because of the privelege of living it with people like Lucia who exhibit the love of Christ to all. Christ died for me and for her and it is in his death that we became sisters. While my heart aches for those I love in the states, what a privelege God has given my family to be part of what he is doing right here.

Moms, I love you both, but know my heart beats to be here. My soul breathes for the purposes He has for me and for Matt. I long to see His purposes lived out for Ethan, for Isabelle and for Audrey that are being established right here, even in these early years of their lives.

My God, My Jesus, My Counselor, Thank you, for what you are doing here. May I always trust in you to complete your promises, that you will always bring good in the midst of sorrow and difficulty, and that you have a vision greater than my mind can ever understand and that reaches farther than my eyes can ever see and is more vivid than my mind can ever imagine. I love you.

Update

I only have a few minutes this morning but thought I would update you that we made it to Indiana and are enjoying the time we have with family. Yesterday was an absolutely wonderful day spent at a local woods and nature conserve called Camp Cullom. We used to visit this place every fall and spring with Matt's parents. Yesterday, they joined us as well as his brother and sister-in-law and my parents and brother, my niece and also my cousin and his fiancee. It was a wonderful day and I am so thankful we were able to do that. We were blessed to be able to visit with a supporting church Wednesday night. Matt was able to help out with a community project they had going on this weekend as well. Today we head to another church to speak during the service and fellowship afterwards. The afternoon will be spent with one of my lifelong friends and her children and then off to anevening spent with our church family. I know that most of our missionary friends are not able to leave for the states for periods of several years at a time. God is so good to allow us this time here with our family. I am very thankful to be here.

Please pray that our visits with these churches would be fruitful and God would continue to open the hearts of individuals, as we are still very much raising support.

Please also pray for the Los guido choir today as they lead worship in Tejarcillos for the service this morning.

on the road again...

Ok, so really we'll be "in the air again..." but anyway ( I couldn't resist quoting good old Willie Nelson- I know I probably should have...)

So, we'll be leaving in a couple of hours. The kids are so excited! We've got everything ready and waiting by the door.

I wanted to share the real power of your prayers that I personally have felt in the past few days. We have spent several really good days in a row with our team. We don't always get to do this because of our different schedules in the different areas, but this week we have been able to spend alot of time together. I thank God for the people he has given us to serve with. We all have different strengths and weakness and I can really see a true picture of the Body of Christ when we are together. It is really a gift to be here and have the quality of character that is present in each of our teammates.

Thank you Father again for the way you so intricately care about the details of our lives, right down to looking at the different strengths and weaknesses each memeber of our team has. I know you knew way before anyone on this earth knew about any of us how well we would all fit together and the plans you have for us that we don't even know about yet. I thank you for the way you thought out in detail bringing us all together to be here in this time serving you. I ask you God to work out those same details in the lives of the youth and adults we have in the churches here. I pray that your plans come together even in these days for their future. May the people you've connected us to as a team, in some way be used in the lives of your humble servants in Los Guido, Tejarcillos and La Carpio so that your Kingdom may be furthered. Father, I ask you for your protection and safety as we travel today. I also ask that you work in the hearts of those we'll come in contact with that we may be salt and light and share your glory with those you allow us to meet. I pray as well that you would work in a mighty way in the area of our support and may these 9 days be fruitful in that respect. I love you, Father. Amen

Fall fun

Well, even though there really is no fall season here, we celebrated fall last night with our team. Melinda organized a pumpkin carving party for the kids and it was really a fun evening! We all ate supper together then spread out in a big circle and carved pumpkins. It was really fun and I'll write more about it later :) and post pictures, but I am not sure when...

We also had yummy treats! Pumkin pie, pumkin custard and apple pie- all homemade. Izzy and I made cookies yesterday during the day, too. And thanks to Doug and Larry, we had candy corn and M & M's to snack on, too :)

Melinda even had a little craft for the kids to do and she made carmel apples , also. It was really a great evening and it was very sweet for her to plan it! Noemy gave the kids a litte treat bag at the end of the night as well! It was both her and Coco's first time to ever carve a pumkin. Meg baked the seeds as well. YUMMY!

Because I spent the day at home, I was able to get the suitcases packed except what we'll pack the morning we leave! What a relief. I also have found the things I was looking for to take back for a few people! :)

Quick update

It has been a week since my last post...sorry about that...

We are preparing for a quick visit to the states. It is again time to leave the country (actually we are leaving a little bit early this time, but as a team, we are trying to work three different schedules and this time worked best for us and the team). So, we decided to head to the states for about 9 days. We leave Tuesday and will be back November 6th. We'll be visiting with two separate supporting churches and it will be very nice to reconnect with them and family and friends. We are thankful for the opportunity to be able to go back.

I began packing last week (yes, that is my Gran's influence- always be prepared) and I am glad I did. I pulled the suitcases out and they were covered in mold! EEEWWW! Mold is a common problem here, but we've never really had to deal with it much, so it was surprising to me. This week, I finished up packing the kids and I and yesterday I began organizing what I thought I'd bring for school. What a process! I don't want to take too much because of weight restrictions and everything, but I want to make sure we can have good, quality days while we are there, also. So, I've been organizing and printing some curriculum I have on the computer and figuring out what I will be packing. I will probably begin packing it later tonight.

I have to go looking for a few things to bring back as well and I am trying to figure this all out in my head. I know that it will all get done...I just begin stressing when I think of being gone all day Saturday and Sunday and then Moday morning as well...We'll make it there and that is what will matter :)

We'e having vehicle trouble. The rough roads we travel on every day are a leading cause of car trouble and almost every month now since we received the van, we've had it in the shop. Would you join us in praying that it would be fixed timely and also that God in his sovereignty would provide the funds for the re-occurring trouble we continue to have. We have not, unfortunately, seen an increase in support despite the many increase in monthly expenses we have. We trust God that all of this in His mighty and capable hands.

Also, please pray about this mold situation. This week, I noticed a huge increase on the patio outside the girl's room and the living room. I found mold in their closet and a couple of their things that were ruined. Then, today, I noticed mold on two of our photo albums. I am hoping it is just a passing thing. Please pray that it won't become a problem in the future.

The next time you hear from me might be from the states...Have a great weekend!

Blessings

Every Wednesday Matt is gone all day to La Carpio. You may be thinking, "I thought you were going to La Carpio, Brooke?" Well, I was for most of the "summer" months. However, once we started school, I quickly realized I was not going to be able to manage both a day away in La Carpio and also get in a full week of school with Ethan and Isabelle. So, once Matt finished his classes at ILE, we switched places and he now goes each week. God's timing is perfect because the week before we made the switch there was a group of 8 new boys wanting to be discipled that Matt is now discipling each week. Please pray for these young boys as they grow in the word of God and for Matt as their teacher, that he may be able to keep them under control and also understand their conversation and questions and answers. There names are Melvin, Gravin, Elvis, Noel, Michael, Ismael and Justo and Josue, who cannot read, but sits each week with the group and listens to the lessons.

Matt gets back around 4:00 and we leave for Tejarcillos prayer service around 4:30-4:45. The church in Tejarcillos has been struggling for some time. We have seen a dramatic change in the church since we have been here. We now see God building up the faithful servants he has in Tejarcillos and are beginning to see a community of believers forming. What is even more amazing is that we are starting to see entire families come to church together to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For some time now, attendance has been very scarce on Wednesday nights. Sometimes, it felt as if maybe we should not even have the service. However, in recent weeks, we have seen God working. We see God bringing adults back to the church. What was truly a church full of children when we first came to Tejarcillos two years ago, is now a church where God has placed two families who are truly committed to serving Him. We are trusting God will work in their lives to mold them into who he has created them to be, and also that God will use them as examples to others. We are convinced that God has plans to prosper His Church in Tejarcillos, not plans of harm. We know God has plans to give the Church in Tejarcillos hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Last night was a beautiful service. I pray always that I will enter into the Court's of our King each time I enter a time of worship, whether at a service or in the privacy of my own home with praise and with an attitude of reverance for our God. Last night, this was made easy by the presence of our Holy God. About 35 of us were gathered on what had been a cold, rainy day, although the rain had stopped for a few hours. Before the service starts each week, a man named Fran, a leader in the church, has been leading a Bible challenge game. We are separated in to three teams. Everyone has their Bible and he calls out a chapter and verse and then says the book that we can find the passage in and then we are free to open our Bibles and begin searching. It has proven to be a fun way of starting the evening.

After the game, Pastor Rogelio started the service with a challenge for each of us and himself as well. "How many times do you personally sit in the service each week, get filled up with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, enjoy the company of brothers and sisters, and then go home and in no more than a couple of hours forget the gift God just gave you? How often does this happen that we go to church or our discipleship group and then don't take the very lesson we have just learned and apply it to our lives? How wonderful it would be if we could just take the time to seek the Lord, remembering to take our burdens to Him. He is waiting for us to say to him, "I am so tired of this in my life. God, I trust you to help me rid my life of this sin." But how often we do NOT do that and the sin festers and grows in our lives and we find ourselves distanced from our Creator."

He then proceeded to ask if there was anyone who desired to come before the throne of Christ right now and lay down the burden's of their heart. What followed was a wonderful time of prayer and laying down our hearts before the throne of God. Each person there shared their hearts and personal prayer requests, after which was a wonderful time of prayer. I personally shared of how thankful I am that even though I fail my God every single day as His daughter, as a wife and as a mother, his mercies are new every morning and his grace and love are never-ending.

The service ended with several beautiful songs that served as offerings of praise to Jesus. One of the songs has become a favorite of mine. It is called Que Sería de mí. The words say:

What would I be if you hadn't reached me?
What would I be if you hadn't forgiven me?
I would have an emptiness in my heart.
I would wonder about without a course and without direction.
If it were not for your grace and for your love.
If it were not for your grace and for your love.
I'd be like a wounded bird that dies on the floor.
I'd be like a deer that cries for water in the desert.
If it weren't for your grace and for your love.

I love the words of this song. They are so true. What would I be if not for Christ's grace and love?

Generally, after the service we have a time of fellowhip and coffee is served. As Rogelio closed the service, the couple that is in charge of the coffee realized something had happened with the coffee maker and the coffee was not ready yet. So, instead of everyone hurrying off to their homes, no one moved. It didn't seem to matter that the service was over and we had no coffee to share. So, a few people offered to share songs of praise. A woman who was at the service for the first time sang the first stanza and chorus of Because He Lives. It was by far perfect, but she sang it joyfully and for the Lord. Then, two of the teenagers got up with Audrey and sang one of our family favorites, called La Niña de Tus Ojos. This is a song the girls love and know all the words to. After that Fran and Ariel led the congregation in one more song about the freedom we have in our God. It was really beautiful watching people freely make offerings to God. Of course, I thought it was neat that the two youth and Audrey were singing together :) By then, the coffee was ready and still, people seemed eager to sit and chat with each other. It was 8:00 before people finally started to gather their things and begin leaving. Rogelio was smiling so big after the service. I thanked him for sharing and for the evening. He commented on how beautiful it was.

Jeremiah 29:12-14 says, "Then you call upon me and come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity."

Matt and I pray fervently that God will bring back the people of Tejarcillos from captivity. Would you join us in praying this as well? Would you pray for the spiritual growth of the people already actively ivolved in the church. Would you pray that God would allow these servants to evangelize to the lost and that God would bring new believers to be part of this church. Would you pray that the discipleship of all the believers would remain the priority of the leadership of this church. Would you also pray that as the church grows, God will continue to uphold the cause of the oppressed, give food to the hungry and release the people of Tejarcillos, who are prisoners of sin, from the bondage they currently live in. (Psalm 146:7)

School days...

Here is an update on the last week of school...

We've been studying South America, learning about different animals from the rainforest, as well as other interesting facts, and practicing skip counting in Math as well as reviewing basic math skills.

We did a couple experiements throughout this study that were very interesting as well as fun!

One day Ethan was reading a National Geographic for kids magazine and found an experiement he wanted to try. It was very simple so we decided to do it. It is called Kitchen Fishin' and you can find it at www.kids.nationalgeographic.com

Here are a few pictures detailing the experiment:

We first poured water into a bowl. We pretended that the water was the ocean. Next, we sprinkled pepper into the bowl and pretended that we were releasing little fishes into the ocean to be free.


Then the assistant stuck one finger into the bowl and pretended that it was a shark. Can you see what happened to all the fish? They swam AWAY from the shark. (All the pepper went to the edge of the bowl once we stuck our finger in).


Finally, we removed our finger and then we took some sugar and sprinkled it into the bowl. We pretended this was food for the fish. What do you think happened? The fish came swimming back to eat the food! (The pepper gravitated back to the center of the bowl towards the sugar)

How did this work? What is the secret?

The secret is a little bit of liquid soap placed on the finger of the assistant before sticking it into the water. The soap acts as a repellant and the sugar acts as a magnet and attracts the pepper to it. It was really a fun way to begin a discussion about magnets and how they work.

A different day, we were discussing many different types of birds that are found in the rainforests and tropical forests. The curriculum had some interesting facts about eggs and the strength of their shells as well as an experiment to demonstrate their strength. Lucia helped us with this experiement. We usually end up doing experiments the days she is with us, which makes it all the more interesting because we then have to explain the experiment in Spanish. I usually explain it to Isabelle and Ethan and then they both have a part to explain to Lucia in Spanish- it gives them a lesson in Spanish as well :)

So, the experiment called for us to remove the egg yolk and white from four eggs by cutting a small hole in the smallest end of the egg and then pouring the inside out. Then we were to place the eggs on the table in a rectangular pattern, with the end with the hole down.

Lucia and Ethan with one of the hollowed out eggs.


Setting up


After getting set up, we were to add weight slowly to see just how much weight the egg shells could hold. I forgot to make the holes even all the way around and so the first batch didn't hold very much, plus we used heavy books to start with.


Two had cracked, but we used the other two and smaller books to try agin. The last two egg shells held 5 small books and one larger notebook! They really are strong!

Here are few pictures of our school room.

This is the starting point of our day. We spend most of the day working here at the table and everything we need is in this room. It is so great to have this extra space and it helps me stay organized. Everything is out where I can see it and most things are within an arm's reach.


After we moved, we finally broke down and bought a bookshelf. We'd done without for the past year mainly because we couldn't find one we really liked that was within our budget. We found this one for half the price we'd seen other places and it is working great!


This is the reading chair. We have reading time every day and this is a favorite spot to read individually. It also doubles as the spot both Matt and I use for our quiet times. I love this chair because I can sit in it and curl up with a book (on the rare occasion that I have time to do tht!) and it is big enough to cuddle in as we read together :)


Ethan in his spot at the table. Both he and Isabelle have their own spots at the table with me in the middle :)


This is our prayer map. We've got pictures posted of the other missionaries we know and where they are serving. We'd love to post your picture, too :) Just email us a copy or put it in the mail! Praying for specific families who are serving around the world is part of our daily routine as well.

Kiddie quotes

Here are a few quotes from the kids I thought I'd share:

This morning as I watched Isabelle walk over to me after waking up, she looked as if she'd grown inches just overnight! (It probably helped that she was wearing Audrey's pj's that were way too small for her. Yes, they have begun wearing each other's clothes already!)Anyway, here is how our conversation went:
Mommy: "Isabelle, you look so big today! Did you grow last night?"
Iz: "Well, yes, a little bit. God makes us grow a little bit every day, ya know?"
Mommy: "Well, I guess you are right. It just looks like you grew ALOT last night!"
Iz: "Ging-ging always tells me she hopes I stop growing, but I tell her I can't. God just keeps me growing!"
Mommy: "Well, sometimes I really want you to stop growing, too, because I just love you so much the way you are now...But I also can't wait to see how God grows you up, either."



Last night as I was putting Audrey to bed we had the following converstaion:
Audrey: "Momma, know what?"
Me: "What, baby?"
A: "Last night after you had shut all the lights off and you and Daddy and Sissy and Bubby were all in bed, it was dark in the livin' room. I opened my door and looked out and saw Alex sittin' on the couch. He didn't look at me. He wasn't watching tv or playin on his computer. He was just looking at something...I don't know what."
Me: "Oh, really?"
A: "For real, Momma! I saw him. He didn't look at me!"
Me: "Was he sleeping?"
A: "No, he was just sitting there. Looking at something. I went back in my room and closed the door and when I opened it again, he was gone."
Me: "Oh! Where did he go?"
A: "He just left the house! I don't know where he went. He just gone! For real Mommy! He was here!"

I guess she's missing Alex!


Yesterday, Ethan and I finished reading the biography of Nate Saint. We had been reading it as part of our curriculum study on South America. The curriculum includees several biographies of missionaries throughout the year. As of late, the story of Nate Saint and his life have been a regular topic in our household. We were into the last chapters of the book.

For those of you who do not know the story, Nate Saint was a missionary serving in Ecuador, who along with a group of four other men serving in the same area, was brutally killed at the hands of the very people who they were trying to take the message of the gospel to. Later, members of his family and even a wife of another of the men that were killed, went back to these very people, and shared Christ with them. Now the village and others around it are for the first time learning about Jesus and has been changed for the glory of Christ.

During these last chapters, the account of the men's death is told in a very respectable way. Ethan and I had already talked about what had happened to Nate Saint and the men. Matt and I also watched the movie, The End of the Spear, which portrays the story, with him together a few weeks ago.

Despite knowing the story, reading through the events of what happened were very difficult for him and admittedly for me, too. He began softly crying, but asked me to continue reading. He got pretty choked up as the author describes Steve Saint's, who is Nate Saint's young son, thoughts about not being able to share a specific moment with his dad. Also, when his young daughter realized it was her birthday the day she found out her daddy was never coming home again.

We made it through the book and later began discussing it at lunch with Lucia, who was with us yesterday. We enjoyed a wonderful discussion with her as she lovingly talked with Ethan about the sadness of the story, but what purpose God had in allowing it.

Later at dinner, Ethan said that he was pretty sure God wouldn't call him to the jungle of Ecuador because Nate Saint had died and now the Waodoni knew about Jesus. I said he was right about the Waodoni, however there were many areas in the world where people still live just like the Waodoni's and no one has ever went to share Jesus with them.

He said, "Well, God did call us to Tejarcillos and people get killed there, too. I guess it doesn't matter where God calls us, we just go and share Jesus no matter what!"


Thank you, Father, for my three beautiful children!

Pictures

Here are a few pictures of the last few weeks...Enjoy...more to come later from recent homeschool experiements :)


Alex and the kids before he left for Nicaragua on his trip around Latin America


Alex and Audge


Alex took us all out to eat at Fresa's on his last night. It was really fun and a nice time of fellowship :)Not to mention some fabulous pinto :)


Alex, his cousin Caleb and his friend Greg before the big trip :) We enjoyed getting to know Caleb and Greg and Ethan loved having some guys to hang with.


Some crazy dancing kids I saw one day


Ethan and Audrey dancing away (I'm thinking this will be a wedding slideshow photo)


Ethan and Isabelle dancing (this one, too)


Some crazy silly faces :)


My sweet little girls


Power Puff Rangers (a combination of Power Puff girls and Power Rangers)


Our cat, Gatita (Her name is "Cereal" but we call her "Gatita" y todavía estamos buscando "Leche")


Isa


My baby. Look how much she has grown...where have these last few years gone?

Pantalones Cortos

I just have to tell you about a little task I've set myself to completing! I have been searching for a good book to read without much success. I have looked in several bookstores for what they have in English, but the selection is so limited and what they do have is outrageously overpriced...I'll just have to wait to hit Barnes and Noble when we go back to Indiana...

However, during my search, I began browsing through the youth section, and found a book in Spanish called "Ramona la valiente." Which, in English, is Ramona the Brave. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Ramona and Beezus books by Beverly Cleary and have been reading them for over a year. So, when I saw this one I picked it up and began reading it, OUTLOUD in the bookstore and to my complete enjoyment, realized I could actually understand what I was reading!!! I have been very frustrated that it is very hard for me to understand what I am reading when I try to read in Spanish. So, this was a true joy for me to find this book and be able to understand it. I know it will be fun for Ethan and I to read through it together! (Yes, I bought it for about $4.00 paperback).

Later, as I was telling this story to a friend, she asked me about another book called "Pantalones Cortos" that she and her husband had read. It is by a Costa Rican author and is a collection of diary entries written by an 11 year old boy. It is written at a fourth-grade reading level, which for me is the perfect reading/comprehension level! She gave me the book and told me to enjoy it! I have been looking for it for quite some time, but the bookstores have been sold out when I had went. So, this made me even more excited than before.



This particular book is full of sayings and slang native to Costa Rica, which is great for us. I started reading that day and can't get enough of it! This morning, I was reading outloud to Ethan and it is amazing what he understands. There were several times I asked him what a passage meant and he knew right on. Some things I asked him if he knew because I did not know- and he did! At times, he would just laugh outloud! The book is really funny and the main character, Arturo, is much like the character of Ramona, in the other book I bought. So, we've laughed alot while reading this one. There are of course, some things I do not understand, so I am taking notes as I read and will ask around about what the variuos sayings and words mean. But the absoultely wonderful thing is that I can sit and read a passage one time and totally get what it is saying! Maybe those of you that have studied another language can back me up here- but this is like a feeling of jubilation- let me tell you! Not to mention all the new phrases I am picking up.

This probably isn't very exciting to you, that I am excited to be reading two books written for 10 year olds, but it is a huge thing for me...and I thought I'd share :)

Vale la pena

I've been thinking for days about how to write what I am about to say. It has taken much time to process an event that happened this past weekend and today I am going to share with you in an attempt to seek your prayers.

First I'd like to share scripture with you:

Suffering for Doing Good
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1 Peter 3:8-22 (New International Version)

We've asked for prayers many times for protection for our family. This has been a long-time prayer request. We live in a society where an armed guard is present at every bank, many grocery stores and even stores like Aldi or Big Lots. We have bars on our windows and doors and a high wall along our back patio topped with a thick roll of razor wire and broken glass. We have anti-theft devices on our vehicles and multiple locks on our doors.

We minister in cities where drugs, violence and theft are a way of life. The areas we serve in are known to be "bad areas." I once had a taxi driver tell me he normally would not go near Tejarcillos, but since I was a young women with my daughter (I had Isabelle with me), he'd take me because of why we were here and what we were doing(I had explained that we were missionaries and this was the area God had called us to). He was fearful that something might happen to us and warned me to consider the cost.

We have personally felt the effects of this type of society as well as have others on our team in the form of theft, damaged vehicles and even being threatened with a knife. Recently, even more so as, the violence in all three areas has dramatically increased.

Last week, a young man was killed near the homes of several Los Guido church leaders for his tennis shoes. The question in the front of my mind has been "Is a life worth no more than a pair of tennis shoes?"

Yesterday in a local newspaper, it was reported that a baby between the ages of 1 and 2 was shot and killed as his mother unknowingly walked into the crossfire of a shoot out while carrying him. A young life innocently taken and mother forever changed because of senseless violence.

Last weekend, I was with our three children along with other members of our team at the base of the Pines in Tejarcillos, as we witnessed a robbery at gunpoint not more than 3 feet from us. I praise God for his protection and that through his grace our children were virtually unaware of what was going on just a few feet from them.

The afternoon we witnessed the robbery, as we sat in the porch area of Pastor Rogelio's house, the question came up, "Is it worth it?" ("Vale la pena?") One church leader shared his strong feelings of anger at what he'd just seen, especially because he knew the two teenagers who committed the crime. He asked us to pray for him, as his former life used to be full of things of that sort and he never wants to fall into that life again, yet the anger inside him at what he sees on a daily basis, fights to take control.

1 Peter 3:9 stands out to me. "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Verse 11 says, "He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it."

"...Consider the cost..." the taxi driver warned me.

How easy it would be to try fight the crime we see, to strike back, to let our anger overcome the love Christ has placed in our hearts. How easy it would be to turn from La Carpio, Los Guido or Tejarcillos and never go back, believing the lie that God wants us to stay where we are safe and our children are protected. I thought it, believe me, I did. There is nothing I've ever seen that has rocked me to my knees more than this.

What a blessing verses 14 - 18 are. What a sweet reminder of the blessing we have in Christ Jesus. Again, I admit, pretty hard to choke down as well. Verse 14 says that those that suffer for what is right are blessed and then in verse 17 scripture says that it is better to be in the will of God, doing what is right, and suffering, than doing evil. Praise be to God that what we have seen and been through is on the far end of the suffering and persecution scale of many in this world.

Verse 18 puts it all into the right perspective. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit..." Jesus Christ died for the sins of all men, whether good or whether evil. Men (and women) who commit crimes all over the world, even the man that we saw commit the armed robbery the other day. Christ was put to death and his resurrection saves us from eternal condemnation and separation from an eternity with Him in heaven.

Alex reminded us of these scriptures Sunday as he preached in Los Guido and also of the story of the five missionaries who were brutally killed in Equador and about whom the book, The End of the Spear, was written. I read this book before we made the decision to come to Costa Rica to serve. I knew then, as I do now, that the cost of serving Christ is high. It is not to be taken lightly. The wives of those missionaries that were killed, later went back to the same village to live with the very men who had brutally killed their husbands. They lived in that village with their children and today, the entire village has come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Five lives were lost but so many more were gained for the Kingdom.

Luke 14:25-27 speaks of the cost of being a Disciple of Jesus Christ.

25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

I remember reading this verse before we came to Costa Rica and even sharing it with my family, as a way of sharing with them what I believed to be God's call on my life. I still believe this to be true today and the call of our lives has not changed. God has still placed the call of taking the gospel to Costa Rica, specifically these three areas, and more like them all over the country.

I am shaken and, yes, scared. But 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." Pastor Rogelio ends each of his prayer letters with this scripture and it is by the holy power of these words we must strive on. Matt and I have to be very aware and continually seeking wisdom from God about where and when to include our children in the daily ministry. But we also know that God did not call us here to minister without them. We know He has great lessons for them to learn as well.

I share all of this with you today, because while it is my desire to live only in the fear of the Lord, I sit here today, fearful of the safety of my husband and children, of Pastor Rogelio and his family, of our church leaders, of the youth, of the innocent children whose lives are affected and changed in unimaginable ways due to the extreme violence they witness every day, and of our team. I fear the feelings that may come into my heart if the violence reaches a higher, much more personal level. I cannot with absolute certainty, say I would have the strength to go back like those women did. My prayer is that I would choose to follow Christ, no matter what He asks of me, but my flesh is weak, and that would be a great test of my faith. You can pray for my heart to always be rooted in the strength and wisdom of Jesus.

We ask all of you faithful prayer partners to fall to your knees at the feet of Christ on the behalf of the churches in these areas, for the youth and young adults who fight a daily battle to resist the trap of a life of violence. Pray for them as they may, in their own house, witness unspeakable crime and violence. Pray they would seek to use the resources provided by our God as a means of escaping this cycle of life. Pray for the young children who are effected by this violence, who may lose fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and others to this violence. Pray that God would use the churches to be a light in the darkness in these areas as they continue to take the gospel to all men. Pray for our team to make wise decisions and continually seek wisdom from the Lord. Pray we would seek His gudance and follow His path. Pray for our family as well.

My heart desires to live as 1 Peter 3:8 descibes, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

I am encouraged by 1 Peter 3:15. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

The hope in my heart comes from only from Jesus Christ and it is because of Him, and only Him, that I am here, that I go against what my mind tells me and continue to return to a place where someone might one day see something that I have or think I have something of value and take action to get it that may result in an injury or worse. At times, it is almost unbearable to think of things like this. However, in those moments, it is the Holy Spirit that graciously reminds me "How can you not, my precious child, when you know what HE did for you?"