AS IRON SHARPENS IRON

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Joshua has learned this scripture first hand….

This week a friend taught him how to make farting sounds with his hand nestled into his underarm. I knew this day would come, after all boys will be boys. However, Joshua (like when he learned to snap or whistle) he cannot stop with the discussing sounds, which of course sends all the other boys into laughter. Oh the joys of being outnumbered!

And, to my delight, has already passed on his new found talent to other innocent boys….

boyz!

WELCOME HOME to HARLINGEN

Sunday, August 30, 2009
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17

We are ½ way into our two week time in Harlingen (our home before we moved to Paraguay) and it feels really good to be back. Saturday night we had a fun “Welcome Home” party that our good friends hosted. It was fun (and a bit overwhelming) see everyone at once. We were again reminded at God's incredible gift of friendship...not only that we are called HIS friend, but that he has gifted us with amazing friendships here on this earth. We are so blessed!







Ginny with her girlfreinds


Ryan reconnecting with his buds...they picked up right where they left off...throwing the football


Micah with the always funny Dr Leibert, Jeff's residency director and the doc who delivered Tyler

ON OUR WAY TO HARLINGEN

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

On our way down to Harlingen we stopped in San Antonio to meet and have lunch with the Ortiz family. David was born in Paraguay (it is such a small world) and is now practicing medicine in the states. A mutual friend and physician in Paraguay gave him our name. We had a great time talking about Paraguay and missions and praying together in Chic-Fil-A.

SHARING ABOUT PARAGUAY this week

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Monday we had lunch with Dick Ackley, our SIM regional rep. He was such a wealth of encouragement.

Thursday we had lunch with the missions pastor at a local church. He took time out of his busy schedule to hear our vision for reaching Paraguayans for Christ.

Thursday evening we ate dinner with some new friends and had a very blessed time.

Saturday we met friends (who we knew from our Lubbock days), who are now living in Waco. They are currently raising support and hope to be able to move to Uganda in January. What a joy it was to hear the ministry vision God has put on their heart. They have four girls (same ages as my kids) who they home school. We hope to see them again before they leave.

The Forester Family (missinaries to Uganda) and us


Last night we were invited to eat dinner at Jeff’s best friend from high school’s parent’s house.

Each time we share about Paraguay I realize how much I love serving there. We feel so honored that God would choose my family to minister in San Francisco, rural Paraguay. He has allowed us to learn from incredible missionaries, to have favor in the eyes of the town, to witness a harvest of godly Paraguayan men and women and to fall in love with Him more each day. To God be the glory!

Today we head to Harlingen (where we used to live). We will be staying in 3 different homes over the two weeks. There’s a “welcome back” party planned, beach trips and zoo trips planned, and several dinner appointments. Jeff will share at 2 churches and once at the residency. He will also share in Mexico one day at a school for Pastors. Pray for us – a safe journey (6 hours) and blessed reunions.

A FEW PICTURES OF THE KIDS

Tyler on his bike


Joshua hot and sweaty, but still oh so cute


Ginny teach Micah how to hold the bat


Ryan loves baseball


tea party with my girl

ENOYING AMERICA!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

We have been in the states one month today. Some things have been very easy for us to get used to again and other things have been a bit of a challenge.

Here are some of the things we have enjoyed so far:

Taking a bath with bubbles
Playing Uncle Steve’s Guitar Hero and Wii
Snow cones (Tyler got his tongue stuck. It was quite funny!)
Drinking Dr. Pepper
Going to the library
Piano lessons
Splash parks
“Printmaking funshop” at the Bell Country Museum in Belton (Ryan went)
The Waco zoo (Ginny and Joshua went with a church group)
Playing at the lake (Ryan went with a church group)
Eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch, pop tarts, cheddar cheese, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
Spending time with grandparents (Ryan has been walking with grandpa every morning)
Conveniences: Microwave (I forget that it is there), dishwasher (I still like hand-washing better!), and clothes drier (now that is a machine I could get use to)

Joshua/Santa Clause in the bath


Ryan playing Guitar Hero with Uncle Steve


Snow cones


Jeff helping Joshua with piano lessons


Ryan enjoying a Dr. Pepper


Things that have been a bit harder to get used to:
Coming to a complete stop when at a stop sign, being able to turn right on red, and using the turn signal
Throwing toilet paper in the toilet (instead of the trash car)
Feeling rude just saying, “hi” to people instead of greeting them with a kiss on both cheeks
Closing doors in order to keep in the air-conditioning
Always feeling a bit cold due to the air-conditioning
Shopping at Wal-Mart. I love the one-stop shopping but there are so many choices
Answering questions from my children like: “Why does everyone have 2 cars?” (Ginny)

MIDLAND, Texas

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Friday we drove to Midland to visit the Dokes. Ben and his wife, Leslie, went to high school and church together. We’ve had a lot of fun together over the years…and we had fun laughing about those times.

And now, after 9 days away and sleeping in 7 different cities with 7 different families, it is good to back in Belton. We put 1700 miles on our car and we didn’t even leave Texas! Thanks to everyone who let us crash at their place, who listened to us share about Paraguay and who loved on our kids.

The Doke family and us

CAMP and DIMMITT, Texas

Friday, August 13, 2009

We picked the kids up from camp. They had an incredible time! Ryan thanked me over and over again for letting him go. He made some new friends and participated in some fun activities. His favorite part was canoeing and archery. Ginny said her favorite part was swimming and laughing. We praise God that while at camp, Ginny prayed with her counselor to ask Jesus into her heart.

Ginny at camp


row row row your boat


Ryan with some new buddies


Jeff sharing terere with the campers


Mid-afternoon we arrived in Dimmitt to visit Oma and Uncle Jedidiah and their family. Liz grew up in this town and in the house where we are staying. Aunt Vern made wonderful chicken and dumplings last night and Liz’s sister made delicious homemade ice cream.

To the death!


A duel - Joshua and Oma


Thirsty?


Jumping on a wet trampoline - Ginny, Ryan and cousin, Abby