Missions & Our Prayer Request

Recently Tom and I have been convicted of our need to give more generously. We listened to this sermon series, for more vision and better understanding of God's words on generosity. We have been immensely blessed by other families who share their homes and meals with us, who encourage us, and so on. God has financially blessed us right now. I just don't where to begin. I don't if there is a "right amount" to give.

We are also wondering, praying, pondering, struggling with a calling to short term (long term?????) mission work. Tom has been asked to go on a trip to India next year and we both consider work in Africa to be of great interest. But when? Should we take the kids? Are they too little? Too vulnerable to illness? These are my mother-worries. Maybe you friends have pondered these things, too. Will you pray for us? For clarity? For the Words of God and the People of God to reveal His will to us? And if YOU are one of those people to whom God has given wisdom concerning financial things or experience with family missions - please share your wisdom with us.

I came across this interesting video on a friend's blog. I like the images, they stick with me and resonate with my experiences in Africa (everyone is indeed joyful). I have not yet decided where and to whom to give generously, but this is one idea.

Camping

This last weekend (Memorial Day holiday for Americans) we went camping in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland. It was lovely. The boys enjoyed sleeping in the tent and it went surprisingly well. We went to the same campground last year, and it was good to be back. It is also fun to check the pictures from last year. Life has changed drastically for us! But God remains constant, and so do the mountains - big, awesome, unmovable.

Italy with Uncle Mark

A couple weeks ago Uncle Mark, Miss Krystal, and Mr. Jared came to visit. We took them to Italy. We all had a marvelous and fast 5 days together. It was warm and sunny the entire time. Uncle Mark and Miss Krystal read stories with the little guys in the "way-back-seat", Mr. Jared fed Josiah his baby food and entertained, and all the back-seat members played Jenga in the Van. We drove through the Alps, we saw the "leaning tower" in Pisa, rode bikes on the city wall of Lucca, swam in the beautiful Mediterranean, ate pizza and seafood. The boys loved all the extra attention, Tom and I loved the backseat assistance, as well as the young-man-backs to haul the kids on our hikes. We love Uncle Mark - he's cool. We love Uncle Mark's friends, too! Bella Italia is, well, beautiful!

Play Me a Song, Nathaniel

Nathaniel discovered a new music interest - the harmonica. Check out his musical debut right here!!

Mother's Day Dedication

Yesterday was Mother's Day. It was a busy Sunday for us, like usual. Tom and I have both been singing on the praise team at church the last several weeks, which I enjoy, but it makes for busy Sundays! The boys gave me a cute little photo album - it amazing to see in one little book how they grow and change in the blink of an eye. How precious and beautiful they are!! I really wanted a nap for Mother's Day, but that didn't happen...oh well =) I did enjoy a nice dinner out with my boys and got a free glass of sparkling wine just for being a Mom! (It was Mutter's Tag in Germany, as well.)

Yesterday was also a significant day in our commitment to parenting. We had an opportunity to dedicate our boys and ourselves to the Lord in the presence of our church body. Mary and Joseph dedicated their son, Jesus (Luke 2:22), Hannah dedicated her son, Samuel (1 Samuel 1:22-24), and many dedications of tools, animals, tabernacles, and temples were made for the Lord's use throughout the Old Testament. I am so glad we had such an opportunity. I think it is great reminder for the whole church body that we are responsible to pray for others and their families.

We have a lot of interesting travels coming up in the next month, so I probably won't be blogging for awhile...then there will be a big rush when we get home from all our fun! But, here's a couple recent photos of our cuties.

Little Smarty Pants

Josiah is amazing me these days. He's suddenly so excitable and communicative! He can sign "more", wave hello and good-bye, clap his hands, and even (consistently) makes a sound somewhat like "hey" every time someone says hi and waves at him. All of these skills he acquired in the last week. I'm not exaggerating! He really wants to move and go places, but he cannot do it yet. He wiggles and squirms and rolls a little, but not far. I am glad to wait for mobility, since I know that makes Mamma's life more difficult! He will be 8 months on Sunday. Just for the curious...he's 27 inches and 18 pounds.

Salzburg

This last weekend we spent in Salzburg, Austria. It was a marvelous spring weekend. The hills were indeed alive! Salzburg is a beautiful city tucked around the Salzach River valley in the Alps. This is where Mozart was born and raised and composed many a tune. This is also where the Von Trapp family from the "Sound of Music" lived and the movie was filmed. There are many lovely castles, palaces, gardens, and a nice zoo. We spent lots of time outdoors. We stayed with a very kind Christian couple who "grandparented" our kiddos with hugs and toys and grandmotherly advice. We attended church with them at their church on Sunday (it was our first time to attend a worship service and Nat attended Sunday school in German). The boys were so good and Tom and I enjoyed time to walk and talk and take in our surroundings. We rode the train up and down the mountain side, saw and toured the Hohensalzburg fortress, the Mirabell Palace Gardens, the Hellbrunn palace gardens, the water fountain park, and checked out the local zoo. We also peaked inside Mozart's residence, but it was closed for tours when we were there.

Enjoy our photo slide show of Salzburg! If it does not play automatically when you open up our blogsite you may need to click on the "microphone" icon to make the slide show and music begin.

Multitasking Moms

Every week I have the wonderful privilege and challenge to lead other women in a study of the book of Luke. If I am ever on your mind on Thursday, perhaps the Lord is telling you to pray for our bible study. I'd love it if you would pray for me and with me! Also, I had a great opportunity to share a short message with the ladies at a baby shower last weekend at our church. Here it is. I hope this is a help and encouragement to my other mom friends as well.

“Multitasking Mama”

Have you ever…

Talked on the phone, made dinner, and jiggled a baby on your hip at the same time?

Nursed a baby while helping an older child in the bathtub?

Taken your shower with another child or 2 in the tub for their bath?

Practiced spelling words or math facts with your child while you were driving?

Read a book to your child while you were waiting in line or for an appointment somewhere?

We can see from God’s word that He has made us to function on many levels and do so successfully and with His blessing. Here are a few verses to direct our attention to God’s daily "multitask" plans for our lives.

Dt. 6: 4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Eph. 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Prov. 21:5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

Col. 3:12-17 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

These verses give me instruction to teach the word of God while walking, sitting, when you get up in the morning and when you lie down at night. We are to practice many different disciplines such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness, and patience. God gave us each 24 hours in each day, and He does want us to sleep, so His instructions are not impossible!

Here’s a few of my suggestions and some from other pastors and teachers.
1) Act out or sign bible verses and sing bible verse songs (you can do this with your kids while you walk, make dinner, or clean house) Here's a sign language dictionary.
2) Learn bible verses in a rhythm… Nathaniel likes to chant and clap. We often swing on the playground while rhythmically reciting verses, or say each word as we climb up and down our flights of stairs in our apartment.
3) Look for opportunities to teach your kids about God’s attributes, for example- the grocery store can be a place to learn about God’s creativity, God’s care for us, or our responsibility for stewardship of our money.
4) Use discipline as a time to show and explain to your children about God’s righteous standard and our failures to meet up to His standards. Then love them, hug them, pray with them, and explain Christ’s mercy and in doing so you will have shown and explained the good news of the gospel. If your kids disobey like mine does, you will have multiple opportunities to do this every day!
5) Listen to scripture from a CD or audio download, which you can do especially while you drive, cook, exercise, or do housework:
www.peasantprincess.com (great sermon series on marriage, can download to listen on your computer or MP3 player)
www.marshillchurch.org (many great sermons come from this church, I liked the series on Proverbs)
www.gnpcb.org/esv/browse (listen to any portion of the ESV bible either from your computer or download as MP3)
www.audiotreasure.com/indexKJV.htm (listen to any portion of the KJV bible on the computer or download as MP3)
www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ (listen to different sermons, seminars, etc. all with deep, biblical theology)
christianaudio.com/free_download.php (free book to download as an MP3 each month)

John Piper says it well when he speaks of one of the main purposes of the family:

"A parent ought to have in mind from the beginning: the way I hold this child, and the way I spank this child, and the way I affirm this child and the way I demand things from the child; should be telling them who God is and showing them who God is and giving them a feel for who God is; both in His sweet and tender side and in His tough and powerful and just and wrathful side. A child ought to see right through mom and dad eventually to God."

I encourage you to fill your lives, your days, with intentional work for the Lord. It’s not a matter of cramming many little details into a chaotic day. Pray for and seek out ways to fill your one spiritual plate with delicious, satisfying, and divine nourishment for your soul and your children’s souls.

One caution, though, be careful not to multi-task in a way that is illegal!
Feeding and Driving February 27, 2009 KETTERING, Ohio -- A Dayton mother is facing charges for breast feeding her daughter while driving her other children to school. Ms.C was pulled over by Kettering police Thursday while taking her other children to school. Police say C could have injured her child and others because she was breast feeding and talking on the cell phone while driving the vehicle. C was issued citations for child endangering and violating the child restraint law. C told News Center 7 Friday, "If my child's hungry, I'm going to feed it." C said she will take the advice of the officers into consideration, but she may breast feed her baby while driving in the future if she feels that it is necessary. She could face up to 180 days in jail and fines for the child endangering citation.

Josiah

After a couple Nathaniel updates, I am sure all the grandmas and aunties are looking for some Josiah cute photos! So here they are - cuter than ever! He sits up so tall and loves to see the world from that point of view. He is NOT into naps at all these days, but at least he's a happy "little camper."

And Now It's Time for Silly Songs with Nathaniel...

Nathaniel has become quite the singer lately. I have enjoyed his renditions of many familiar tunes. He hears them in a different way sometimes. For instance, one of his favorite little ditties these days is the theme song from Veggie Tales. He sings, "If you like to waltz with potatoes up and down the row dew smile..." He sings the alphabet about 50 times a day. It is his favorite song! L-M-N-O-P sounds like "Elmo P" every time! Some of his other current favorites are Itsy Bitsy Spider, I Will Make You Fishers of Men, and Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Enjoy our videos of Nathaniel in concert!

The Potty-Train

Well, we've finally arrived at the momentous day...week...month. However long it really takes. Nathaniel is potty-training. He's doing great, though! He is very inspired and eager to wear his Lightning McQueen underwear and receive a little John Deere tractor gummy for each success (the gifts are from Grandma Jan). Who wouldn't be motivated by such excitement?

Boys' Rooms

Last week I finally had a couple hours to myself to work on the boys' rooms decor. I bought items, paints, canvas, etc. quite some time ago and it has just been waiting for me to work at it.
I painted 3 animal paintings for Josiah's room, which match the "Africa" type decor I planned for his room. I love how they turned out! I am so excited about the bright happy room he has now!
I ordered photos of cars, trucks, planes, trains, boats, etc. for Nathaniel's room. Many of the photos have family members in them. There are also a couple pictures Nat painted and I framed. His room is transportation themed and he loves it!

Snowy Day

This winter has been much snowier than last winter here. We've tried to get out and enjoy it a few times. I bought old-fashioned wood sleds for Tom's birthday, and we went sledding a couple weeks ago. There are really no hills in our area, but it was fun to pull Nathaniel around and we did find a little "lump" near the autobahn ramp! So here's a few photos of our fun sled rides.

Mmmm...Cereal

At the end of January, Josiah started eating a little cereal. It is always funny to watch a little person try to figure out how to eat baby food! Nathaniel was entertained by the whole messy meal, too. Josiah made some great expressions to let us know it was not to his liking. But, we persisted. The next day went a little better, less grimace more eating. And now he can't get enough! He LOVES to eat...rice cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, apples, pears, bananas. The pictures show a humorous progression of facial expressions from disgust to curiosity to contentment.

Christmas 2008

For 3 weeks in December we visited the USA. We saw many precious family members and enjoyed meeting the new little ones! It is good to be back home now and over with "jet-lag," but it was also wonderful to be back in familiar territory. It was a Merry Christmas, indeed. Enjoy the show!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday My Love!

Yesterday was Tom's birthday. I love you Tom! I love how you discipline and laugh with our boys. I love your smile. I love that you are pursuing excellence in our marriage and in your relationship with God. I love being married to you because you are fun and good lookin' and Godly. I'm proud of all you do. Happy Birthday.

5 Months...

Here are the most recent photos I took of our little Josiah. He is growing so much and smiling all the time, as you can see. He is not much of a long-time sleeper, but at least he is joyful when he is awake. And, he even has a tooth now!

Hamburg Weekend

This last weekend we spent in Hamburg. It was the first weekend of Advent, and the beginning of Weihnachtmarkts all throughout Germany. They are so festive with sparkly lights, warm scents of mulled wine and roasting nuts, and vendors offering all kinds of gifts and gadgets. We went to a few in the city of Hamburg and in Luebeck as well.

We stayed with a wonderful family who once hosted Tom as a foreign exchange student while he was in high-school! It has been more than 12 years since he had seen them or even had contact! When he recalled their address, he wrote them about our living in Germany. They were excited to meet his whole family and asked us to come stay with them for a few days. We gladly accepted the invitation! It is always a wonderful experience in culture, language, and friendship to stay with a family, in their home. We enjoyed their hospitality, cultural insight, and touring around Hamburg (and the harbor) with resident experts! They loved on Nat and JT and enjoyed lots of affection in return.