A Family inlove with Jesus

Dear Edgar

2011-04-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

I am overjoyed in my heart about an awesome testimony we have to share!!!!

Recently our kids befriended a neighbor. Edgar (pictured above) is a cute kid! After the first day of playing Jackson, Braden and Trinity began to tell him about all that Jesus has done because of His love for us. The cool part was that the kids really liked Edgar, but really had a burden for him to come to know the Lord.

The kids began sharing with Edgar about heaven and hell, about the difference between knowing about Jesus & having a relationship with Jesus!

Edgar's heart began to be moved! Edgar's reply was, "I want Jesus to be my Savior too!" Then they helped Edgar pray to the Lord. Later that day the kids shared with us what had happened. Thank You Jesus for your love!

We have really enjoyed getting to know him & see the friendship with him grow. Braden has given Edgar his first Bible & now the kids are reading a chapter or 2 of Luke & then talking about it together. Please keep Edgar in your prayers that he would continue to grow in relationship with the Lord.

Preparing for our departure to Davao City, Philippines!

2011-03-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

We are so excited about preparing for our move to Davao City, Philippines in early July of 2011. We are excited about co laboring with other FIRE International missionaries that have labored for nearly a decade in the Philippines. We have great respect for these families & are honored to join the Philippines team in whatever way the Lord directs.

We are also encouraged because jour children Jackson, Braden & Trinity already know several of the other missionary kids on the team!!! Instant friendships & a community of homeschoolers. We couldn’t ask for more!

Our hearts are burning with passion to share the love of Jesus! Our desire is not only to reach the unreached, but we have been given a burden to see healing and restoration to the lives of those who are in spiritual darkness and have been imprisoned by the enemy. Specifically, we hope is to be a part of the end of modern day slavery in the area of human trafficking.

We are almost where we need to be! We still need to raise $700 in monthly support. It sounds like a lot, but when the body comes together – it really isn’t!!! We are all called to missions, whether you are called to literally go, support those who are called to go and/or pray.

Would you consider joining us in the Great Commission?
No dollar amount is too small!
You can give monthly or annually – either way is needed!

All donations made through FIRE International are tax deductible. Checks can be mailed to:
FIRE INTERNATIONAL
PO BOX 5306
Concord, NC 28027
Make checks payable to FIRE International and in the memo line write "Trent and Amy Pruett"

Or you can donate online by clicking our blog title "Preparing for our departure to Davao City, Philippines!" at the top of this page.
Be sure to put Trent and Amy Pruett in the missionary to be designated to.

If you feel provoked by the Holy Spirit to sow into this ministry, please let us know if you can stand with us. Different than our time in Thailand we are a part of a missions sending agency. FIRE International is requesting that we have our amount “pledged” prior to our departure. So, let us know if you can and are able to partner with us by replying to this blog. Thanks so much!

Love,
Trent, Amy, Jackson, Braden & Trinity Pruett

Returning to the blog world!

2011-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

My heart is free to sing! For some time now I have not quite known what exactly to blog about. The past 2.5 years has been one of seeking God for clarity & direction. We have felt the Lord showing us many smaller pictures, but not quite sure how it was all going to come together. Well, the picture is clear! We look forward to sharing with you the details soon! We have a few more details to finalize - hopefully this week - and we will be posting as soon as we are able!!!

Good Devotional :)

2010-03-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

Give Out The Blessing
taken by Streams in the Desert, by Mrs. Charles Cowman

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his inner being shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38).

Some of us are shivering and wondering why the Holy Spirit does not fill us. We have plenty coming in, but we do not give it out. Give out the blessing that you have, start larger plans for service and blessing, and you will soon find that the Holy Ghost is before you, and He will present you with blessings for service, and give you all that He can trust you to give away to others.
There is a beautiful fact in nature which has its spiritual parallels. There is no music so heavenly as an Aeolian harp, and the Aeolian harp is nothing but a set of musical chords arranged in harmony, and then left to be touched by the unseen fingers of the wandering winds. And as the breath of heaven floats over the chords, it is said that notes almost Divine float out upon the air, as if a choir of angels were wandering around and touching the strings.

And so it is possible to keep our hearts so open to the touch of the Holy Spirit that He can play upon them at will, as we quietly wait in the pathway of His service.--Days of Heaven upon Earth
When the apostles received the baptism with the Holy Ghost they did not rent the upper room and stay there to hold holiness meetings, but went everywhere preaching the gospel. --Will Huff

"If I have eaten my morsel alone,"
The patriarch spoke with scorn;
What would he think of the Church were he shown
Heathendom-huge, forlorn,
Godless, Christless, with soul unfed,
While the Church's ailment is fullness of bread,
Eating her morsel alone?
"Freely ye have received, so give,"
He bade, who hath given us all.
How shall the soul in us longer live
Deaf to their starving call,
For whom the blood of the Lord was shed,
And His body broken to give them. bread,
If we eat our morsel alone!"
--Archbishop Alexander "Where is Abel thy brother?" (Gen. 4:9).

My thought summary: So freely you have beeen given, freely you shall give....The more you give, the more you will have to give!!!!! Very motivating!!!

Prayer

2010-02-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

So, I wrote this in my journal the other day. Then, later that day I realized I hadn't blogged and how I had hoped to be better about blogging. Which is why I figured I would put this prayer up and open up! I know I am not a poet....but this is how I was praying and it just ended up like this....

I can’t deny this stirring in my heart…..
The stirring for so much more than I have to give.
A calling, at times, I have tried to run from,
Tried to deny and tried to just live.

From the depths of something so much greater than I am
I pray that You Lord will be glorified with this vessel.
A stirring to follow the Lamb
O’ the precious Lamb!

Fill me Lord
Use me Lord
Mold me Lord
And Guide me Lord.

Pour Your Spirit out of me.
Let my hands be your hands.
Let my feet be led by you.
Give me the strength to stand.

I want my eyes see as you do
And let me continue to have an ear to hear you
O my beautiful God!
Let Your words of Life flow from me too.

I cannot give into the pressures surrounding me.
Pressure to live my life for something other than what you have destined it for.
I will live for you and you alone my Lord….
My strength in whom I adore!

For You, my Lord, are perfect and Love and all that I need is in You!
Thank you for the cross,
Thank you for the Resurrection
& thank You for all that I have no idea that you are…

For You are unimaginable & I’m incapable of capturing the vastness of which You are….yet….You are my Father, You are my Savior…………..Selah

Blogging world....

2010-01-11T05:52:00.001-08:00

Well, I have just returned from an intense season in which I was stretched to the extreme with my schedule. In the midst of that, there was no way to maintain my obligations & home and keep up the blog. It looks as though I may be able to return to the blog world and share my heart more frequently...

I felt that it would be important to post this as it is near and dear to our families heart. As Christians we need to be praying for the lost. I am adding a wiget to target unreached people. Pray as led.....Well....if you are reading this - PRAY ANYWAY! lol

Live for Him!
Amy

Concord & FIRE School/International

2009-07-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Well, we have moved and are settled in our little home here in Concord North Carolina :) We are really enjoying this season of being a part of a community of people that are after the heart of God!

Why FIRE? Well, in short, we were praying and felt that in returning to the mission field we were needing a "sending body". Our original body of people has sadly been a bit scattered. Now God is doing awesome things in the lives of those in which we were involved with, but it was not what we felt we were needing in line with Scripture of a covering, acountability and Pastorial care. Also, our official sending church is not in operation either today. So! We prayed and felt led that FIRE was our next destination.

So here we are in Concord, North Carolina attending the FIRE School of Ministry - so that after we complete the ministry school we can be sent out by their FIRE International agency. Actually, I am attending FIRE School of Ministry while Trent is working to pay the bills :) God has blessed him with an amazing job that could possibly lead to "tent making" and support or partially support our ministry!!! Please be praying for this!

We are seeking the Lord about direction upon completion here. We know the Lord has already placed in our hearts missions. It may not be want our fleshly desires would have - but deep in our hearts (sometimes real deep - LOL) it is what God has given us a heart for. So! Join us in prayer during this season of filling up & soaking in because we are here to be sent out WHERE EVER that may be!

God Bless You!
Amy
you can read more about FIRE INTERNATIONAL here:
http://www.fire-international.org/aboutFI.aspx

Nehemiah - Trents Sermon June 14, 2009

2009-06-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

Today Trent got a chance to share with Liberty Lighthouse Church of Sherman Texas, thanks to our dear friends John and Stephanie Blake!! I am uploading for one of our friends and maybe you too will enjoy.

I missed the first 2 minutes, but Trent has just begun introducing the topic of Nehemiah and how Jerusalem came to be in such a state or peril the story begins. (Nehemiah 1:2-3)

(click title of this blog entry to hear sermon - it will automatically start)

Family update:

Trent and I are moving to North Carolina to attend a ministy and missions college. We believe God will be sharing His heart for us and directing us in the call upon our lives. From there we hope to be firmly planted in the place in which we feel the Lord is leading us. It is not the plan to relocate quite so often :) But! Not our will, but His will. Please keep us in your prayers during this preparation season.

Trent and the boys checking out the clues they found around the backyard....Those guys are always up to something!

Ahh! Fun in the sand at the local "beach club"....not quite the waters of Thailand, but very fun none the less!

Just a quick snapshot while at a birthday party at the club :) Aren't they cute!??!?

God of This City

2009-04-14T07:17:00.001-07:00

Let's come together as a unified body of Believers in the North Dallas Metroplex for an evening of worship and prayer, asking God to pour out revival on our city and on His people!

God of the City
May 5, 2009
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Pizza Hut Park, Frisco
Ticket Information: http://www.godofthecity.com/

Greater is He

2009-03-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

Greater is He that is in me, than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

enough said...

Eternity....

2009-02-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

We have been back for a bit now in the USA. I love the conveniences this country offers!!! But, you know what? There are a lot of distractions here! This morning Trent and I were on our knees and praying that we would not be distracted with the conveniences we now have.

We are determined to keep our eyes on Jesus! To live for ETERNITY!!! Regardless if we are job searching in the worst time EVER to be searching for a job, or if living in America is not as amazing as we thought it was going to be.

I feel like this morning we entered the presence of the Lord and was quenched & FILLED, & touched & just the fire of God fanning us!!! I just felt led to share that whatever you are going through, refuse to live for anything less than the fullness of the life God has for you! "OH GOD! Stamp ETERNITY my eyeballs (Leonard Ravenhill said that :))Be blessed!

Looking Unto Jesus

2009-01-17T19:47:00.000-08:00

Recently I renamed the "blog". I wasn't quite sure what to name it, but I figured I would go with my fall back for everything else in life - Looking Unto Jesus!

So, welcome to Looking Unto Jesus!

Trent has this book by Isaac Ambrose and it is titled "Looking Unto Jesus". The book has 694 pages & it is all based on the one Scripture Hebrews 12:2, "Looking Unto Jesus, the beginner and finisher of our faith"

I love the simplicity of that. I am BANKING ON THAT! I love that I do not have to have all of life figured out. I love that I don't have to have the answers. I love that all I have to do is know Him & that He does!

As for an update on our family situation! Well, quite a bit is going on..... So I will do my best to journal it out.

1. We are here and living in McKinney Texas - very happy!
2. We are looking unto Jesus about it ALL

We are praying through what God would have for us.....

We have landed in McKinney!

2009-01-08T11:54:00.001-08:00

We have made it safely to McKinney Texas & I am loving every minute of it! It has been awhile since I have posted, so feeling a bit rusty I thought I would upload some good, light stuff! Here you go!

W.I.F.E.

2008-12-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

I just love this picture!

I got to tell you that God is molding me every day in being a wife and mother. I am praying that God's Word would be alive and active in me - specifically in these areas, my first calling.

Reading today I came across a cute little "gem" by Elizabeth George from her book , A Wife After God's Own Heart. :

W- Warm up his life with your love
I- Improve his life as a helper
F- Follow his leadership with a willing heart
E- Esteem him highly with utmost respect

What a beautiful picture. By the power of the Holy Spirit - let it be a reality! I hope this encourages you as it does me.

-6

2008-12-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

I am a Texan. Born and raised in Texas. I served on the mission field in Ban Nam Khem, Thailand for a couple years (tropical climate). I am temporarily living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My journal entry for today:

IT IS -6 Degrees outside.

I am trying to walk "in the Spirit and not in my flesh" towards this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trent said it best last night as he joked..."I am convinced that there will not only be fire in hell, but it will be cold too!"

Todays prayer: "Lord, thank You for all the years you blessed us to live in Texas"

Encouraging!

2008-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift up your hands toward Him for the life of your children." - Lamentations 2:19

I came across this Scripture today & was touched deeply by it. So, I thought I would post it and pray that it is just as encouraging for any other parents out there that may stumble across this blog.

Every day being a Mother is a high calling. It doesn't always "feel" like it as we are wiping "snotty" noses, maybe changing diapers, or even settling little...disputes between the little angels.

However, it is a high call! We are shaping! We are discipling! Stand in Him and be encouraged to pour out - especially in the mundane things of life. They are life shaping moments.

Do it all unto Jesus.

My High Council

2008-12-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

I don’t know about you, but I have the tendency to just run right to Trent and say what ever I am thinking about. Usually I have not put too much thought into those words. Probably because I know Trent loves me unconditionally – ha ha! But, being the good husband he is – he does his best to try to correct my wrong thinking, fix my problem/situation, and/or try to encourage me.

To no fault of his, most of the time- I don’t want to hear it! Unless of course, he is giving me a big FAT

I said it! It is true!!!

99% of the time my husband is right on! Rebuke and all (when needed)! But, after being corrected by the Holy Spirit on receiving a word of correction, the Lord revealed to me my real “problem”.

My real problem being that I did not come to Him first. The Holy Spirit is my High Counselor. The good news for this uninsured lady is that I have full insurance in HIM!

By going to the Lord first, even before my best friend and husband, I have the ability to allow my thoughts to come in align with His thoughts. To allow the Lord into that intimate place of High Council He longs to be. Not that there is wrong in seeking your spouse’s council, but what a beautiful intimacy to share that with the Lord.

The second part of what I feel like the Holy Spirit was sharing with me is the power in my words.

Proverbs 18:21 (New American Standard Bible)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

By taking time out to meet with the Lord and seek Him in my thinking, opinions, and concerns – this allows me to protect myself from…..myself! Choosing words of life, rather than words of death! There is power in that!

Not to mention, I get to be the help meet to Trent he needs, instead of more work! Ha!

Fighting Home School Burnout!

2008-12-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

Hello!

I wanted to take a minute to jot down some challenges to the call of home schooling. I often write here things dear to my heart. I pray that as the Lord guides and directs my thoughts to come in align with His, that it blesses those who might be going through something similiar.

Well, recently home schooling has been so difficult! My children are precious. I am realizing that I am not! LOL! Just kidding, but honestly my attitude toward the challenges have not been....precious! Anyway, I know a lot of mothers who are venturing out into the home school realm. I am by no means a pro as I have only been doing it 3 years now, but I do have some insight to some challenges.

Why did I want to home school.... Well, initially it was a group of reasons.
1. We were moving to the foreign mission field.
2. I wanted to be the influence in my childrens lives.
3. I see raising children more as discipleship than education alone.
4. I thought it would be fun!

I am sure there are many more that might come to mind, but those are the ones I remembered. Well, home school is just like everything else in life. There is a excitement of the curriculmn & the anticipation of what it will be like. It is still fun, but for me it grew into the reality of the discipline of it. There is also challenges as to the responses from your children. Some days I just think, "Are they getting it?!" Another difficulty is the 24/7 of child rearing. "Mother's day out programs" being something of the past at this point - I realize it for those refueling times they had been.

I see the beauty of home schooling. But! How do I avoid that burn out feeling? Feeling home school burn out , I just read was described by examples such as a lack of patience or maybe even overreacting to minor things. Well, the last 2 weeks that was me to a T! I don't know how it crept up on me, but I was in burnout. 3 years non stop homeschool, 24/7 with the kids, motherhood duties like laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.

So, I had to reflect. I have such HIGH expectations of my kids and myself. We have had 3 moves in the past 2 years(2 being international), and lots of change. Not to mention we are moving AGAIN at the end of the month. And I am trying to find a way to finish our late started school year with the worlds calendar system.

I realize...I need to relax! I need to quit trying and let the Lord do it! Yes, I have to get up and fill up & teach, but I need to rest in the Lord. I also realize that I have to not go by the worlds standards - even to the calendar months! Of course the standards by which I hold my childrens education to is still the highest. So, today we did 1 Math class. We had fun at school today & are going to have a GREAT weekend! By taking a little break, and learning what the Lord had to show me through it - we will all be able to restart again Monday.

SO! If you ever get to the point of feeling the burn out in home school. Don't feel condemned! Take a break, give it to God, and follow the desire that took you to home schooling. For me, discipling my kids in the way they should go. That is it. If we don't finish our school year until AUGUST! There is liberty! If I feel overwhelmed to be perfect in their education, well that is a good thing, but I am learning to take a day off to get my house caught up if that needs to be done. Freedom, baby!

My brother in law Todd Pruett once said to me, "Amy, everything, every person, every situation as a child of God is to form you into the image of Christ". That 100% applies to HOME SCHOOLING!

LET LOVE REIGN in YOU!

And you know I love my kids, so here are some snapshots as we decorated Christmas cookies yesterday :)

Good Ol' days....

2008-11-16T12:02:00.001-08:00

Have you ever thought to yourself…”Do you remember the good old days?” Well, yesterday Jackson and I were in the truck going to his follow up appointment & he was staring out the window when he asked me that very question.

I have to admit the question perplexed me as I thought of how many good OLD days he has had in his little life of 8 years! I thought it was cute & he went on to describe the beach days in Ban Nam Khem, Thailand. He went on further to describe how he wished you could pray and God would take you back in time. Now there was much more to this conversation, but I will stop there.

I kept thinking about the good old days in my mind. What were the good old days to me? Well, if you have ever tried to get something back that is already gone – well it is just impossible!

For example, I remember being so excited about coming home from Thailand the first time. I could barely wait! Now it was a good time (aside from all the warfare), but in NO WAY did we return to the way things had been. On the contrary – I was ready to go back to Thailand at that point.

Then Trent and I were talking this morning & were talking about God’s plans for us. Then he said something similar to this, “Watch out for the trend of thinking back or trying to look ahead.”

Honestly, it really irritated me! AH! Why? Well, because that is exactly what I was doing! Convicted? Yes. I am ready to get on with what God has for our family. Notice = I. I am ready. But, it really ministered to me as I thought upon that statement.

Then the Scripture came to mind, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Just as I am growing in faith of God’s provision, I need to be just as faithful in trusting God with HIS plans for our lives & in HIS timing. I am ready now, but HE has not yet moved us. Do you find yourself looking back or looking ahead? Well, don’t let the devil rob you of TODAY!
********************************************************************************* We celebrated Jackson and Bradens 8th birthday party this weekend. It was a surprise party :) Enjoy the pictures of us celebrating Star Wars style!!!

Beautiful

2008-11-11T06:36:00.000-08:00

The heart of a child is the most precious of God's creation.
Never break it. At all costs, never break it.

-- Joseph L. Whitten

Lord help me to gently, without compromise, and completely in love guide the children YOU have given in the way they should go. To know You first and the reality of You in their lives.

Here we go again...

2008-11-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

Well, after several days of ups and downs with Jackson's asthma - we ended back in the ER Sunday night. This time we did not have to go through all of the quarantine so that is a big PLUS!

He is doing well & breathing is better. He is having more testing done to see what these "triggers" could be. So, he should be home later today or tomorrow. Daddy is there with him. I have to report that Jackson was SO BRAVE! It can be kinda scary not breathing too well & then he had to go through SEVERAL attempts before they were able to get an IV in. He wanted me to take pictures for Braden & Trinity to show how brave he was being. So, I thought I would share them with you.

The face covers are just preventative of the spread of respiratory infections on a children's floor. No quarantine! We are believing God for a COMPLETE healing! No more asthma in Jesus Name!

Today's Thought & Challenge!

2008-11-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
-Philippians 4:8 NASB

Challenge: Practice LOVE

Encouragement: Trinity thinking according to Philippians 4:8

Thanksgiving time.....

2008-10-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it is already cold here! And, guess what!?!? This is nothing with what I am about to share, but – we won new snow suits for the kids on ebay for $24.99 each! If you do not know, snow suits for the kids that will do the job here in S.D. are very expensive!!! We have just moved from the tropics & it gets below zero here & we have been praying how to go about the cold with our kids. Then in complete shock, I won a ridiculous bid on ebay. I know that it was and is The Hand of God! Here is my kids all suited up…..now all we need is some snow!

I find it a bit interesting that we have returned to the states – right before the holidays….. Anyway, I start there because I have had such a different perspective on life since returning to America. Don’t get me wrong, I saw God in all the little things in Thailand too. I loved our time in Thailand! It was life giving, sustaining, and changing!!! But, to live life away from many modern conveniences, wow, it just proves that they are indeed – conveniences. Gifts!
So, I continue to thank the Lord daily for the things I feel so blessed. From hot water at the kitchen sink to a drying machine for our laundry. But today I have to add an AMAZING PRAISE report!
Once we got here, within 8 days, Jackson became ill. He had a serious infection that was also overdramatized into a airborne disease by the hospital. Anyway, needless to say after a few doctor appointments, an emergency ambulance ride, a good stay in an isolated private airflow room, including all medications and a breathing machine to take home……it started adding up! If you didn’t know, we don’t have insurance! But, then again we do! We have Holy Ghost insurance! Ha!
The bills starting coming….we couldn’t pay. We talked to the hospital. Then, we got a notice from a collection company over one of the bills. We stood still in FAITH!
Yesterday we got a call….a beautiful call. The State of South Dakota has covered our medical bills! From our prescriptions to our ambulance rides to our hospital stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You Jesus! I want to encourage you who are reading. Just when the enemy tries to get you to doubt the faithful Father! Stand Firm! He is Jehovah Jirah – The Lord Will Provide!

The Change is a Hard Reality in Many Areas

2008-10-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

Notice new photo's to the right....new slideshow...

As you may already know, my sister in law, Carrie Pruett, is sick with Typhoid Fever in Chiang Mai Thailand. We had been serving with them for about 2 years while we were in Thailand ourselves. Please keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery. She is on medication & is finally able to rest.

When this happened I started feeling very ..... very .... strange. For lack there of a better explanation. It was a feeling of helplessness. I know I can pray, but I could not physically help. Help by taking the children so that Todd could be free. Help by making meals. All the things we would naturally do like when we were together. So we prayed our hearts out! I share that to explain this "transitional feeling" our entire family is feeling.

It is like you are in the middle of 2 places. You go from being a foreigner to being a citizen. That may not explain it well. But regardless - we are all starting to have feeling about our return to America. It is great in so many ways & we know, that we know it is the Will of God for us, but wow - so different!

Braden still cries A LOT about missing plants, our dog, our house there. He likes everything THERE! He misses his cousins and friends with whom he played with A LOT. He misses his family there (Unlces and Aunts both related and not). He is by far having the hardest adjustment.

Trinity cried herself almost to sleep last night about missing her cousins. She doesn't know why we have to be apart. It is heart wrenching to hear her cry, because it is such a deep cry.

Jackson, well he is by far our BEST at this transition. 1 month later & he misses our home there, but content with today.

Trent too is doing really well, but the reality of not being on the mission field is hard to swallow even in the will of God. He is praying and praying to stay working full time for God.

Me, well I have a very different attitude coming back. A very thankful heart! I am so happy for all the conveniences that we have here & the easy communication with people ANYWHERE. But I do miss the joy of serving there. I miss our team. I miss our dog too.... But more than anyway of being able to actually describe it, it is just this lost in the middle before we walk into what God has before us.

So! I do not post this to be a downer. Really, it is a great day! I just thought I would put in a journal entry about some realities we have had returning to the states. People have asked me, "Do you miss Thailand?" Then I thought, maybe other people returning from the mission field might be able to relate? Anyway, here is my view point about our cross cultural move - 1 month after stepping back onto American soil.

Motherhood, home school, and ministry

2008-10-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the maddness~

It has been quite a while since I have posted - sorry! It usually takes me a while to get into my groove once I have an adjustment. Well, I feel like I am getting there. So, what's been going on?

Jax - He is free!!!! Yes, no more being confined to the house!!! No more sickness! No wheezing - complete healing!!!! Woo hoo!

Braden - Still would rather be in Thailand. Still really sad about leaving our dog, Samson. BUT! We are making progress. He does not cry EVERY day about Samson. So, we are using this difficult time as a ministry for him - handpicked by God.

Look! Matching pants :) And yes, it is already COLD here!

Trinity - WOW! The word that comes to mind...LIFE....LOTS OF LIFE! That girl is something special!!!! She is a comedian at about 99% of the time. She has a heart of worship & is singing most of the time worship songs to God. She is such a joy!

Trent - Praying, seeking God's direction in many areas. Already helping out in the church as opportunitites arise. Not to mention, becoming very handy! Trent used to not have a handy bone in his body. But guess what?!?!? He is handy! He even made a table!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check it out:

I don't know about you, but I am IMPRESSED!

Amy - Home schooling, ironing, staying ontop of laundry, home cooked meals in a fast paced world....preparing lesson plans for both Junior High & Childrens Church! I love it! I love being used :D It is so fun to prepare for sharing the love of God with children and youth & God has given me an opportunity to do that!! Thank you Jesus! As for the home, I think stepping back into a world where things are more convenient that it has given me such a thankful heart. In Thailand daily chores are so much work. You have the heat, and very few of the conveniences that you have here. So with these new found freedoms my goal is to remain thankful & to do a better job of living my life unto the Lord serving my family. Laundry is so much more easy here that I am done so quickly & am actually ironing! I know many moms out there have that down, but this is a new accomplishment for me. I am enjoying the will of God for us right now!!!

This washer and dryer IN PERFECT working condition was given to us as a gift to help us set up a home in America....once again.

Home school....Well, this is a huge deal now. Going into 2nd grade with my kids has been a big adjustment. Right now it is taking us from 9:30 am to 3:00 in the afternoon. This takes commitment from each of us. We do have break in the morning & then an hour for lunch to break up the day. It is just longer than last year! More classes, more time. But hey, the kids are getting smarter! Me too!

Ministry. Well, we have officially taken on the Childrens & Junior High positions at New Life Christian Fellowship here in Sioux Falls. We are excited to get started. There had been a Sunday School class for the kids. All ages in one as the staff was short handed. They were however getting solid teaching! Both Michele & Rita were serving whole heartedly & we hope to be able to follow in their footsteps! So we are excited to put a special ministry together for them. We are going to now have a midweek program for them & Sunday mornings. Sunday morning will now have the childrens program & an age appropriate Junior High program. There is a special need for hands on ministry for this age group for what they are about to walk into. Trent will be heading up the Junior High along with serving in Men's minsitry, assistance to everything Jeff needs, and he will also be doing Prison Ministry.

I will be doing the lesson planning for both. I will be specifically handling the Childrens Ministry, and helping Trent in anyway. There are a lot of opportunities to serve here and I am trying to go slow. I want to say yes to everything, but I know I have to take one step at a time. I am praying about leading a weekly new Christian discipleship for women as well as prison ministry for women. Keep me in your prayers for hearing what the Lord is asking of me. Not what I can do to be busy, but what He is truly asking of me.

I hope this catches you up to date, and I will post again soon!