Where have I been?

Ok, I do not like reading blogs that are as sporadic as mine. My feeble excuse is that I've been very busy (just like all the rest of you!)
Here's one thing that's kept me hoppin'. Our neighbor children were on a school break in October, so we decided to teach the girls a baking class. They wanted to "learn how to make cake". We settled for cupcakes one night, then chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, and then pizza on the final night. They wanted shrimp on their pizza, so we obliged them on that one. We had a great pizza party, with them heaping their pizza with ketchup. Yes, I said ketchup. I forgot how much they like ketchup on pizza...
We did this on Tues. and Thurs. nights for about 3 weeks. It was very fun, but it was quite draining to me. The preparation and planning, and all the cleanup afterwards. However, I know its worth it to invest some time into these girls now while they're so young.
Last week was Andrew's birthday, so we invited some friends over for that. Each one of these things is a blessing, but it isn't always easy to reach across the cultural lines. People unknowingly say things that hurt me.  I don't sometime know what's proper, and probably offend them. Even here, I find myself looking for a comfort zone...a place to stay "safe".  I'm glad for Martin on that one...he's good at gently nudging me out, but also knows when I've had enough.

Homesick...

I have heard a voice...calling me to Himself through loneliness and homesickness. A place where feelings run deep and the heart seeks.
 A cool evening breeze, palm trees silhouetted against an azure blue sky on a tropical morning - these scenes of beauty thrust forth feelings from within me. A longing, a yearning for home. To belong.

Yet where is home? California, Washington, Ohio, Chiang Mai - all these hold a piece of my heart. However, none can fully satisfy my longing. I go to one place,and I miss another.

I know now why I'm called a pilgrim. I was created for eternity,
for the "land that stretches afar" as Joni E. Tada would say.

Made of dust, but made for more.

I'm learning more of leaning on Him. To be fully resting in my Jesus...that is Home. He is Home.

Its a quiet Sunday afternoon...ahh. Perfect time to re-enter the blogging world :)
Since our website can only be written on from Martin's laptop, I decided I would like to start my own blog, here.
I would like to share with you about our life in Thailand...from a wife/mother perspective. Things I see and think about, new recipes I am trying (that's one of my favorite things to do!), or a funny saying from our children, or the ups and downs of home school.

New Website

Just wanted to let you all know about our new website at www.utmostforchrist.com

We will posting blogs there.

You can save it in your bookmarks, or sign up for RSS feeds. We hope to keep it updated regularly. You will not be able leave comments on the new blog, but you can send them to our email.

thankyou. martin.

May God receive all the Glory and Honor for all that He is doing here in S.E.Asia.

...More on Joop Jang

Last evening as I approached the entrance to our home, I could see Joop Jang just outside our gate squatting down by our fence. I knew what she was doing but I kind of pretended not to see her. But as I pulled up to the gate, she stood up and pulled up her shorts and smiled at me. Later that evening she relieved herself again out by the road while playing hide and seek. That's twice in one night. Later, Dinah burst in the house saying that Jen was crying because of something Joop Jang had done to her. I tried to ignore it hoping that it was no big deal, but as we watched out the window, we could tell the situation was only getting worse. So, I went out there and with my arm on both of their shoulders I tried to find out what was going on. Finding out that there was indeed two sides to the story, I ask them to apologize to each other. I also explained the need for forgiveness and love. Thankfully, last Thursday, Ang had taught them the song, "...Love your neighbor as yourself, for God loves all..." So, the words to that song came in handy as I explained the need to love each other as we love our own self. The situation got better, and for the most part, they continued playing.

It is not easy. It is hard to know what to do in these situations. And yet we believe that if Jesus were here, He would be out there showing them the Father's love.

As you pray for us, please lift up these children also. I believe that someday they will be disciples of Jesus, if we apply ourselves to pray for them. Martin.

Jesus is Lord of all

This morning in church we sang this song, Jesus is Lord of all.

I sobbed as we sang, because the words reflect so well what has been on my heart lately.

All of my conflicts, all my thoughts-

Jesus is Lord of all.

I sure have had a lot of these this week, Lord! So many thoughts and conflicts in my heart.

His love wins the battles I could not have fought;

Jesus is Lord of all.

What words of hope are these! Your love and power wins these spiritual battles that I cannot fight. I often bear more resemblance to a limp dishrag than to Hudson Taylor.

All of my longings, all my dreams -

Jesus is Lord of all.

Longings for our children to have a "normal" childhood. Since I was young, I have dreamed of adopting children from another country. These things may never happen - but I know I can trust my Jesus through it all.

All of my failures, His power redeems;

Jesus is Lord of all.

All of my failures this week have been stamped REDEEMED. O thank You, Jesus, for giving me fresh starts and more opportunities.

All my possessions and all my life,

Jesus is Lord of all.

Suddenly I'm standing outside on a cold, windy day. Listening to the rise and fall of the auctioneer's voice, feeling a twisty something in my stomach and tears in my eyes. Looking at drills, desks, and dolls. Wedding gifts and wood working tools. Plates and pillows, beds, blankets and books all await their turn.

You just don't realize how much your stuff means to you, and even defines you, until its all going away. That day was so hard, Jesus. Its still hard to think about.

This week, I found myself again giving up. Yearning to see the twinkle in my dad's eye and feel his big hug. Longing for the laughter, the warmth of sharing with my sisters in Christ.

Is it worth it? I have pondered this question often lately.

I got my answer today. Jesus is worth it all! Rachel.

Fatherless

She’s only 6. I’m sure we’ve told you about her before. She has caused problems with the other children when they come to our house on Thursday nights, and often ends up crying or putting up a big fuss. She pouts if she doesn’t get her way. What is her deal? Well, she’s hurting. She’s fatherless. No, she’s not an orphan. She’s fatherless. She doesn’t have a Papa in her life, actively caring for her heart and her needs. She craves love and attention from her Papa, but ever since he left her home, and was replaced by another man, those needs aren’t getting met. Her name is Joop Jang.

God said in the Bible that He would be a Father to the Fatherless. That is a promise which He is purposing to fulfill, and we are delighted in hope that we might get to be a part of it.

The other day Thailand had an event called “Children’s Day”. Every year the whole country sets aside a day to bless their children. Near our village they brought in some big toys such a ferris wheel, carousel, train...etc. They let the children ride for free all day. We enjoyed being there, but what stood out to me the most, was how Joop Jang looked to me the same way the other children were looking to their parents. Her parents weren’t there. First, she brought me her water bottles to hold while she got on the carousel. At noon I asked her if she was hungry. She said, “yes”. So, I bought her a sausage. Then later in the day, she came up to me and said. “I’m thirsty”. So I bought her a drink. Then before each ride she would hand me her drink, and the rag that she was using to wipe the sweat from her face, so that I could hold them for her. As she was going around on the carousel, or the ferris wheel she would look at me and smile and wave real big. I smiled and waved back. At 2 PM, I decided it was time to take my daughter and head home. I asked Joop Jang if she had a ride home and she said yes. Then, when she realized that we were leaving she started to pout, and look all around. “Who am I going to be with in this crowd of people?” she thought. Remember, she’s only 6 years old. Then she saw another friend from our village and ran to be with her.

It didn’t sink in until later. I almost wept as I thought about what it was like when I was 5 years old and got lost at church. I was scared, and I was in the safest place possible. What must it be like for her? What must it be like to be 6 years old in a crowd of people without a Papa on “Children’s Day?” I don’t really know the answer to that question, but one thing I do know. I know what it’s like to be loved and cared for by my Heavenly Papa, and I hope by the Grace of God to show the same to her. Please pray for her and her family. Martin.