At the close of the teaching time, mom’s were invited to handle the snakes and lizards and even a crocodile. When the children saw that ‘mom’ would do it, they were much less intimidated to take a closer look themselves. Had lots of fun and best of all it was free. All of the kids were fascinated – Emma was particularly fearless. Below are a few quick pics.

Grace & Peace,
JBL

Get more info about Mike the Reptile Guy at seereptiles.com.

Outside, the smell of downed leaves and damp earth is in the air. It’s cool tonight and dark already. The raking is done for the day.

As I kicked off my shoes and came in the door, I heard the dishwasher running. A lamp glowed in the corner and I could hear my son through the baby monitor – we had such a great time outside earlier. Sitting down at my desk with a fresh cup of coffee I sense God’s goodness washing over me.

I am just steps from fresh water. I can change the temperature in my home with just the turn of a dial. A soft bed with clean sheets waits for me. Two healthy little girls will soon hug me and give me kisses just before their bed-time. The pantry is full.

My list of blessings is great. So many things I take for granted.

Though the sun shines on the righteous and wicked alike, I am amazed by the One who fashioned it. How humbling it is to point to Jesus with our very lives. I pray that in thankfulness, mine will do so.

Grace & Peace,
JBL

Though our children certainly aren’t babies anymore, we’ve tried where we can to introduce new foods and enjoy the adventure of shopping for something we haven’t eaten before. That alone is an incredible blessing isn’t it? We have choices. A world of food is available at the local market.

Perhaps it’s my Canadian roots, I’m not sure, but fish prepared in a variety of ways is a treat for me. Salted and dried, fried, baked, breaded, you name it. There is often a can of kippered snacks in my cupboard. The only caveat to enjoying a tasty treat of pressed fish in hot mustard sauce is having to do so outside. Kim’s tolerance to the aroma is low.

This past weekend, I was in good company – my father had a big jar of pickled herring. It was time to see if my son, Carter, was up to the challenge. Keeping in mind that this little guy will dig a week old french fry out of the folds of his car-seat for a snack I didn’t think he’d offer any resistance. That said, though the flesh is firm, the outside bits of pickled herring are a little slippery, and the smell… well, use your imagination.

With a little help from Papa, his mouth opened wide, in it went, and…… nothing. No nose wrinkling, no surprised looks, no wide eyed, slack jawed, get this thing out of my mouth reaction of any kind. Could have been a slice of banana for all he cared. How about that. So things are shaping up well for Thailand. Looks like there may be two of us lining up for squid on a stick. I wonder if you can pickle squid.

Grace & Peace,
JBL

I really like the idea of posting “on the road”. Perhaps accessibility will see me posting a little more often.

So here it goes….

From the Wall Street Journal:

Nearby, 40-year-old farmer Katik was sifting through the remains of his concrete home. During the landslide, while he was in another village buying stomach-ache medicine for his daughter, part of his house was sheared off and disappeared into the mud down the hill. The body of his wife was fished from the river farther downstream later.

Mr. Katik says he no longer has any hope of finding his daughter alive. His life savings — 100 grams of gold and $500 in cash — were lost in the mud. The few belongings that he managed to find, carefully stacked on the ground, included a toilet seat cover, a kerosene lamp and a Japanese umbrella decorated with blue elephants.

When I read this story, I wept. Though tragedy sometimes seems everywhere, this one got through to me. I ache for that man. His treasure is a little pile of debris… a toilet seat. He has nothing else. I don’t ache because he has little. I ache for his loss… and wonder if he has other treasure, treasure in Heaven that he will never loose. I wonder if anyone has ever shared with him, if there were any believers in his village, if there are any workers in the region… How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14,15

Who will go? Will you?

Grace & Peace,
JBL

Photo © WSJ/Yarosiav Trofimov

Though I’ve had the JBLog up and running for the last couple of days, the theme I used was a ’stop-gap’ measure until I could develop something to match the new N49TH site. With a little tweaking, I think I’m close to what I was after – a great portfolio site and a personal blog site with a similar look & feel. What do you think!?

Thanks to all of you for your patience as I’ve made these transitions. This blog has served a vital role in staying connected with many of you. Your readership is appreciated. Though I can’t keep myself from ‘tinkering under the hood’, I believe that all of the major changes are complete.

Grace & Peace,
JBL

The url http://blog.labombard.net will soon point to the new site.

At present you can access the new site at http://www.labombard.net/jblog

Thanks everyone, and thanks Blogger!!

I’ll keep you posted – no pun intended.

Grace & Peace,
JBL