Aaron and Rachael

Love, Go, Thrive

2019-01-23T17:31:00.000+08:00

Long time, no post...but I'm ready now to start again: LOVE, GO, THRIVE! I haven't blogged here for at least 5 years, oh my! We are still a traveling family, recruiting teachers to join us at our university in Asia; however, our family has grown and we now have four beautiful, Heaven-sent blessings!

While driving tonight in the rain and the snow in beautiful Canada, I was communing with God, worshipping and I really sensed His pleasure, mercy, and love. See, I had some ups and downs today with my heart interactions with one of my blessings...and unfortunately, I didn't always respond in a way that was a win-win, loving way my Heavenly Father responds to me when I'm now my best (shout out to "Win-Win Parenting," as I started their e-course last night). Yet, I truly heard Him speak His love, promises of transformation from the inside out, and His faithfulness as I pursue Him and pray that my little ones will follow and know Him, too. Thankfully, we did have some super fun and good heart connections as the day went on.

I start with that confession because during that drive and fellowship time with the Father, I also sensed Him say, "Why not start writing now, tonight at your hotel, and just use your old blogger until the new website is built?" See it's been on my heart to start writing a blog about life on the road and more: LOVE, GO, THRIVE: LOVE--loving God, loving people, including yourself, GO--stepping out and serving, following where the Father leads (and I hope include some of our travel deal tips for the "going" and to have some friends share some of their travel stories, too) and then THRIVE--not just surviving for a short time where He leads (even if it's your everyday life in your hometown and you're not on the road or a new place), but thriving in all aspects of life, including healthy, DIY ways to do so. It's on my heart to write more including and not limited to, our family's journey with nutrition, essential oils, striving to rest, healthy family and for our life, that includes how to travel affordably and home/road-school with family. I've been considering adding my thoughts and experiences to the world wide web for a number of years and when I share that thought with others, I've been encouraged to do so since so many people think travel and kids don't go together. Yet, it can be done with joy and special memories can be made throughout (Sidenote: I realize now that I was writing a little bit already when traveling with our firstborn--and looking back now, I'm so glad I did because it's really true that you forget many of those special little moments with your babies). I'm praying that this can be a blessing to many. Truly, we have had a grace to walk this unique journey and have learned so much from others along the way and it's my hope that I can communicate more about that to pass on the blessings.

Lately, my journaling habits have suffered as a mother of four young ones, ages 8, 6, 4, and 2. However, I have been intentionally starting up by at least writing three thankful thoughts or memories from the day in my planner/journal. I just had the idea to finish out tonight (journal style) with three thematic thoughts based on these words on my heart and in honor of our upcoming website: lovegothrive.com:

LOVE: I"m so thankful for Father's "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love" for me and for all (I love that repeated phrase from Sally Lloyd-Jones in the "Jesus Storybook Bible"). Father also really impressed the phrase from the "Day 1" song while driving tonight, "every morning, mercies new" and "I will build my life upon your love, it is a firm foundation" stood out, too. Lately, I've let fear creep in again in subtle ways--no more, my melody is a weapon, and I"m going to fight as a worshipping warrior (song: "fear is a liar" and "my fear doesn't stand a chance when I'm standing in your love"). I also thought about David tonight how he always went back to the Lord and reminded himself of who he was, not based on what he had done. I'm also thankful the Lord led me to focus on worship on the drive. I had been sirius radio hopping between Broadway, 40's and jazz, Sinatra channel, and the Christian music channels. I really felt the Lord say stay on the Christian channel on this drive. I started to wander during a crying toddler time and he reminded me the invitation from Him to stay on the Christian station. I'm so glad I did. Father was so faithful to speak and weave songs together, His presence was so strong and I was really challenged in my heart of hearts.

GO: today was a travel day full of packing and prep for the next three nights in a different city for a work conference...so obviously I think of "go" as talk about travel things, like packing all the dirty clothes in a separate suitcase with the swim stuff and other things we don't need to touch until later, but actually as I started to type in the GO section, I thought to continue on the last thought about "go" as it relates to my mission. My mission to train up these little ones in the way they should go. So I'll try to be brief since I need to stop to sleep and simply say, "Thank you, Lord, for the grace to start again tonight, tomorrow, and the next day with that mission on the forefront of my heart and mind." You always have the tools and can give me the direction I need in trying moments in my parenting (like Seth's testimony I listened to last night in win-win parenting of how God told him in a moment of frustration to ask his daughter if she needed to be held to help calm down, and she did and then they were able to talk calmly).

THRIVE: Thriving today looked like me adapting to change my scheduled plans (instead of stressing out) so that my family could have more breathe time in our last hours on holiday and I could pack while Aaron worked on a few emails. I have learned that I can adapt my understanding of plans, but I prefer having some processing time. So in the midst of my big kids being tired and not motivated to help quickly and my younger two not easily putting their clothes on this morning (because the clothes feel funny), plans had to change and Aaron was willing to push out our departure time so that we could still play together, ice skating as a family, before hitting the road. So thank you, Lord, for the grace to adapt. It was quite amazing. Once I gave in to the change, I put a kids' show on and it happened to be Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and it happened to be about growing up and welcoming a new baby to their family. The songs were about helping out in our family (which was a timely reinforcement of what we were communicating to our kids). I literally was smiling while sitting on the ground, packing while listening and thanking the Lord for Mister Roger's and his legacy and ministry that lives on.

So if I were to add a picture from our day (which I'll try adding later since it's so late now and it's on my phone), it would be from our family ice skating time as the snow fell in beautiful Whistler, BC. It was an amazing deal ($6 CAD each and the baby was free) and we were even welcome to push our youngest in the stroller on the ice! We had been looking to ice skate since we got back to the USA from China a month ago and so the kids were so excited and really caught on quick (plus, they had those amazing walkers I hadn't seen before this trip). Another part of me from my childhood comes alive when I skate (ice or not) and it was so fun to do that with my babies. I was telling my kids how my dad would skate with us and make us go fast and I got to do the same with them. We are really working to be more intentional with health and stability this year as we travel and one way is to have some more down time in the midst of the trips, thus, the two nights in Whistler. I'm remembering and believing for restoration in the REST, as it was said in church this week.

May we Love as He loves, Go as He leads, and Thrive in a way that shares His joy and shines His love. rv

Follow us on Flickr:

2014-12-27T09:56:00.005+08:00

Great way to see where we have been!

Welcome Aaron Joseph!

2013-01-11T01:23:00.000+08:00

On December 31, 2012, we welcomed Aaron Joseph into our family. He was born at 6:36 pm weighing 9 lbs 9 oz and measuring 19.5 inches long. He is a sweet boy and we are thrilled he's here. Hannah loves being a big sister and would give him kisses all day long if we let her.

I plan to update this blog more now that it's working to email from my phone again. So more pictures and updates to come...

-Rachael

Skit ending: "I like it"

2012-07-19T17:27:00.000+08:00

Here's the end of my team's skit from last night. I know it won't make much sense, but really this clip is about Hannah's response to it. Laughing and "I like it" is how she showed her approval.

-Rachael

Sunshine Camp Day 1

2012-07-19T17:22:00.000+08:00

This year, I am co-coaching a life group and Aaron oversees a tribe (a handful of life groups). It works well so that he can fill in for me while I nap with Hannah and leave the evenings early. We also sponsored a student helper friend who came to camp last year to help me with Hannah. So far it's going well.

We had the opening ceremony and group photo this morning. We have been enjoying activities to get to know our life group while focusing on the important topic of "identity and purpose."

Here's a snapshot of my life group building a pyramid for "Sunshine Craze" points (team points we can earn; most likely I'll post a silly video or pic of some of the challenges later this week).

Our life group created a name for ourselves based on things we want to be known for: Gratitude Relationship Attitude Commitment Enthusiasm (GRACE). Pretty cool, huh? They want Hannah to be the mascot! ;)

-Rachael

Sunshine Camp Day 1

2012-07-19T16:55:00.000+08:00

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Encouragement and Gratitude Walls

2012-07-19T15:00:00.000+08:00

During our training and prep days, I was given the privilege of facilitating the artsy people to set up the Encouragement Card table and Gratitude Wall. Let's just say we have some creative volunteers!

Everyday campers, coaches, and staff are writing encouraging notes to each other, placing them in the hanging buckets on the wall, and hopefully developing a lifelong habit of showing appreciation to others, as their cards are sent out. Tribe leaders deliver the cards everyday after lunch.

Hannah had already received a sweet note today.

So as you can see, one creative friend drew a cartoon caricature of Aaron and Hannah (the drawing next to Aaron's on the poster) for the Encouragement poster.

I'll post a pic soon of our growing Gratitude wall later.

-Rachael

Welcoming the Campers

2012-07-19T14:41:00.000+08:00

The coaches and participants who were at camp early for training welcomed the incoming campers with JOYful songs, dances, cheers, and service (helping them with their things to their rooms, showing them to dinner and around campus, etc.). Here's a clip of a camp version of the old Jeremiah was a bullfrog (welcome to our camp called Sunshine...) "Joy to the world" song. Enjoy!

-Rachael

Reconnecting with old friends at camp

2012-07-19T14:29:00.000+08:00

We are back at Sunshine Camp and have enjoyed seeing some friends we made here last year. Here's Hannah posing with one of her buddies.

We came a few days early for training. It's been good to experience camp with some other families here, as well.

-Rachael

Shabbot Shalom

2012-06-24T21:36:00.000+08:00

Friday evening and Saturday we were greeted 10+ times with "Shabbot Shalom" or Sabbath Peace. Then after service Saturday we bumped into someone we met in Hong Kong last January who works with our friends in Beijing! (small world)

Going on a walk: friends and critters

2012-06-24T18:23:00.000+08:00

New friends

2012-06-24T14:36:00.000+08:00

This last part of our trip we have enjoyed living in community. Hannah has made some good new friends. This is Maria, a three year old, that Hannah wakes up asking for "Ria." It's been great for Hannah to have some friends to play with. We have enjoyed getting to know their family, too.

JesusBoat.com and Capernaum

2012-06-16T18:17:00.000+08:00

We stopped at a museum that had an exhibit of a 1st century boat recently discovered. The gift store was the highlight with a mixture of Jewish oils, perfumes and shofars along with Christian Bibles, books and trinkets. We then went to Capernaum where Peter is from and where Jesus taught. We walked through a 4th century Synagogue built on the one that Jesus taught in. Prayer letters can be seen stuffed into the cracks.

Video blog: Tiberius to Capernaum

2012-06-16T16:25:00.000+08:00

Day 3 in Israel

Runners on the promenade

2012-06-15T13:11:00.001+08:00

I forgot to mention in my last post, it's also been so nice to see all kinds of runners on the promenade, beach, and everywhere else basically. There was a great running group this morning with different pace groups and I remembered my past running life (ha ha). Now I get my best workouts running after my almost two year old and get to work on my upper body and core strength carrying her around. ;) I do still get to get some runs in, but it's not as often these days. :) I'm thankful to run with Hannah (she does like to run, I'll have to video that sometime). It's also fun to see the runners around here.

-Rachael

Early morning adventures

2012-06-15T12:54:00.000+08:00

Hannah and I are used to getting up early, however jet lag got her up at 4:30 am local time today and after an hour or so of trying to get her back to sleep, we went out so daddy could sleep.

Yesterday, we also went for a morning walk and found a great playground near where we're staying. This morning, at 6 am we played at that park again and then ventured for a walk to the waterfront, Mediterranean Sea. Hannah didn't like the soft sand in her toes and so she wanted me to carry her. She did like the waves coming up over her feet and she liked the foot washing station afterwards best (note yesterday's blog of her love of the water playground!).

After 7 am, we were able to find a cafe open. We actually went to the same chain yesterday at a different place, so it was nice to know what we could get. Hannah ate the two egg omelet, I liked the tomato cucumber salad they serve with cottage cheese, tahini and lemon, as well as my cappuccino and chocolate croissant, of course! (great breakfast package deal complete with OJ). I am looking forward to the Carmel Market after this where we can get some more falafel, schwarma, and hummus for later. (we are enjoying the fresh food here, if you can't tell!). The market is so refreshing to walk through with all the fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese and meat. I will take some pictures today, that'll have to be my next post...

More soon...

-Rachael

Day 1: Tel Aviv

2012-06-15T00:15:00.000+08:00

We are in Israel! First Stop Tel Aviv.

2012-06-15T00:00:00.000+08:00

Hannah close up

2012-04-29T10:59:00.000+08:00

Picture by Van Sok Sok (cantonese for Uncle ans Van's family name) this morning.

Hannah and I will hold down the fort this weekend.

-Rachael

Luoyang home visit (Aaron and the guys)

2012-04-29T10:56:00.000+08:00

On our way to Luoyang with students Shaq and Alisha with teacher friends Gordon and Van.

Thankful for time in Oregon, Next stop: So Cal

2011-11-28T08:56:00.001+08:00

We've had a fruitful and special time while recruiting in Oregon. We started in the Portland area and visited a few universities. Aaron had the opportunity to share about teaching in Asia with a TESOL class at George Fox and Hannah and I made connections with other departments on campus. Aaron visited two other universities and had network meetings with leaders in the Portland area for the week (and then in Eugene). Halfway through the week, Hannah and I joined my mom to help my sister and her newborn baby girl (and Aaron met up with us in time for Thanksgiving)! We're thankful for the time we've had in Oregon and are excited to see how many people will join us at our university because of this trip. Aaron said he could have had three more weeks of meetings here because of the great connections he made!

My sister, Kim, and her husband, Everett, welcomed their firstborn, Betty Ann Meadows, on Sunday, November 13, weighing 7 pounds 7 ounces, 21 inches long. Here's some pictures of Betty and Hannah, as well as her cousins from California who were also in Oregon for the Thanksgiving holiday. The kids are wearing their special Chinese outfits we brought them for an early Christmas present.

We're so thankful for these special times together! Hannah has even started saying "Aa-ma=Grandma" (the day we left Grandma Vorbau and she recognizes both Grandmas as "Aa-ma") and gets so happy to see her cousins (and aunties, uncles, and grandparents...and their dogs, ha ha!)! ;) Yesterday when her cousins came over, she stamped her feet wildly and hugged them as they walked in. So precious!

Our next stop is Long Beach, CA, for a conference and recruiting meetings. We will be in Nor Cal for follow-up meetings and appointments starting December 6-27. Send us an email if you have time to meet up for a visit!

-Rachael

Hannah's piano lesson

2011-11-03T14:11:00.001+08:00

Here's another perspective of Hannah's piano lesson.

Recruiting updates and a video of Hannah at the piano

2011-11-03T13:18:00.003+08:00

Today marks two weeks of being in America for the fall recruiting trip. The first week we had appointments and preparations in Northern CA. For the past week, Aaron has been traveling around Los Angeles meeting with university professors, organizations and networks to share about the opportunities abroad. After almost a week of middle of the night jet lag parties with Hannah, we're adjusted and have started attending meetings with Aaron. This week, Hannah and I are helping at the first university conference on our itinerary.

At today's lunch meeting, we enjoyed a staff member (later I found out he was one of the chefs) playing a lovely grand piano. Hannah was able to sit with him and have a turn playing piano. He had to go back to work and I had a turn to play after they did. Moments after I started playing a gentleman came up and requested a song. He asked if I could play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (if you know our love story, you'll remember that's our song!). It was encouraging and I felt like playing "He loves us" after that as I felt his deep love for us.

We'll be in LA for the rest of the week and then Aaron speaks at UC Davis and in Sacramento next week.

More soon...

-Rachael

Let the Fall 2011 Recruiting Trip begin!

2011-10-18T09:44:00.000+08:00

We are "on the road again" so to speak. This morning we left our university to go to Beijing for a business meeting and tomorrow we will fly to America for the Fall 2011 Recruiting Trip. We will be visiting various places and conferences in northern and southern California, New Mexico, Oregon, Missouri, and Kansas to network and recruit new foreign faculty and international students.

I'll be blogging our trip and hopefully seeing some of you soon! Let us know if you or someone you know is interested in hearing more about going abroad. See more and contact Aaron at www.academicsinasia.com.

-Rachael

Camp 2: Day 3 & 4 Quotes and Notes

2011-07-31T23:19:00.000+08:00

Day 3's topic was relationship, friendship and love for others. The theme was a friend loves at all times.

"When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong along with the fearful, the true mixed in with the facade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way."
-Fred Rogers, "Mr. Rogers"

Day 4's topic was goals, future, and purpose. One of the unique lessons taught through an activity is on "Successful Failure" and "Failing forward" as John Maxwell calls it. Here's a picture of the students competing to make the world's worst cell phone! The activity helps students to break free of the fear of failure.

The most special activity of camp was last night, "Deep Listening." Students shared their hopes and dreams with their life group and encouraged each other. I am sure today's goodbyes are going to be tough for everyone after this fun week of bonding and building friendships.

-Rachael