New Friends

Lately, God has been blessing me with new friends. This week I had lunch with a friend from Colombia that I've known for a year or so and she introduced me to one of her friends from Brazil. We had a great time chatting and talking about religion. Open door maybe??

Then today I took the boys with me to a new friends house. I met her thru Karen who has 2 little girls almost the exact ages of my boys. She's an American married to an Austrian. We had a fantastic time hanging out. Angela has a little girl 3 months younger than Nathan and a 2 month old baby boy. We have made plans to celebrate 4th of July together and have our hubbies meet. Yeah!

What is great about all this is God is keeping my "social circle" full. Just the way I like it. We have friends from England and though we don't see them much (hint, hint-PIPS), they are a breath of fresh air when we do get together. One couple we had been studying the Bible with a couple of times have moved to the U.S. for a new job. He's from Germany and she's from Taiwan. They were also great board game friends, we were so sad to see them leave, but hopefully the seeds have been planted.

Tomorrow is the last day of school and I think all I have to do is pick up my grades. I know learning German will always be an ongoing learning experience, but I sure am looking forward to a little break.

I just wanted to share my praises of the week. God knows just what to bring our way AND at the right time.

-Krista-

Exciting times

I just have to brag on Nathan. He's done a fantastic job this week of potty training! Those of you who have kids and have gone thru this know that it's a day to celebrate when you hear little footsteps running to the bathroom and "I go pee, Mom!" Tonight he got out of bed..many times actually, but twice for a bathroom break!! The reason for tonights excitement is because we bought poster board and 'Cars' stickers today. He really wanted to decorate that poster board. Up till now we were trying the "you get a little car (like matchbox cars) if you pee in the toilet". That was great because we bought in bulk and were only giving him a car every other day or so which is odd because he really likes playing with cars. He would actually tell us after we asked him if he needed to go, "No, I no need to go and I no want a car today". BUT this week he was receiving 4-5 cars a day and Danny & I had to come up with a better idea :) He wasn't interested in stickers when we first started training but now, hopefully this will be the cheaper and just as exciting reward. We are praying that this will 'take' and come August he will be all trained and ready to board a plane.

-Krista-

Neighbors helping neighbors

A couple of weekends ago Danny was asked by our Landlord to help him out with hauling hay. The field next to our house is where they get hay every year. Danny grew up in this type of environment and said he really enjoyed getting out there to help. It was also a good way to get to know other neighbors who were helping as well. We're just praying that all these little seemingly unimportant situations/meetings will be open doors for a spiritual impact and friendship.

-Krista-

Test results

Yesterday I had a HUGE test over everything I've learned this entire semester. I don't need to tell those of you who know me well that I hate taking test. I get nervous and 'lock-up'. My stomach gets tight and uneasy. The reason I didn't mention this yesterday is because I felt that writing it out would make me even more nervous! It took 3 hrs. and I'm so glad it's over. I think we find out today how we did. I still have the rest of this week and all of next before school is out. I'm ready for summer!!!

Now for a little family update:

Nathan is full of energy! He's loving going outside all day. He is doing so much better with his potty training. He's finally stopping what he's doing (most of the time) to go run to the toilet. Yeah! I'm praying he really 'gets this' by our plane trip in August. His speech is much better too. He still stutters at times, but it's not as bad as it was when I started school. Nate is also a great big brother. He doesn't like to hear Micah cry. He'll run get the paci and give it to Micah while saying, "It's ok...it's ok...ssshhh..." So sweet!

Micah is pulling up on everything, not to mention how he's perfected crawling! He has a total of 6 teeth now. The top 2 finally came in. He adores Nathan and wants to be in the same room with him. Start praying for us and our trip in August to the U.S. I'm a bit nervous having 2 kids on the plane and because of the $$ Micah will be riding in my lap. Nathan has always flown soooo good! I'm praying Micah is just as easy going and care-free.

Danny is busy meeting with a couple of guys and praying to make a spiritual impact on them. This morning a friend of mine from school last year flew to States because her husband got a new job. She was the friend I was able to give a Bible to last year. We were able to read over it a few times and I'm just praying the seeds will take root one day. God is good though... I've met a handful of new people in the last few weeks that are not moving and I look at it as God helping replace those that are moving. We're praying we're ever mindful of those God places in our paths. What a responsibility!!!

-Krista-

Sandbox

A couple of weeks ago our Landlord was over trimming some vines with his ladder (we didn't have a tall enough one). He noticed Nathan playing in the flower beds with his little trucks and digging. He commented that Nathan needed a sandbox. Danny said that we almost bought him one for his birthday but decided on something else. When the vines were trimmed our Landlord left and was back within the hour.... with a homemade sandbox! He went and screwed some boards together and VIOLA-a sandbox! He also brough some sand a few days later and his wife bough Nathan a 'starter' kit with a bucket, shovel, rake, etc. It was such a sweet and thoughtful act. Anytime someone takes an interest in my kids... well, it touches my heart.

-Krista-

ps- I won't ask you who you think might've had more fun ;) Hahaha!

If

Today I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite poems (not that I am much of a poem person). One of my college professors used to read this before each lecture when I was at BBC. At the time I thought it was a little corny to read it that often. Upon further reflection, however, the words of this poem are worth memorizing and wouldn't be bad words to live by (second to the Bible of course). So without further ado:


[IF]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!


--Rudyard Kipling



Have a great day!

Danny

Little Preacher

A few days ago we were sitting around the breakfast table as a family listening to a sermon from one of my favorite preachers; Dr. John Piper. Krista and I were listening intently to the Dr. Piper as he delivered a challenging sermon about marriage. Micah was sitting in his high chair contently drinking his morning bottle. And Nathan was sitting in his seat, seemingly in his own world, eating his pancakes. As Dr. Piper emphasized his closing point, Nathan looked at me and repeated what he said word for word. I looked at Krista and said, "He is already turning into a little preacher and quoting John Piper like his daddy." She rolled her eyes and I just grinned. What a proud moment. Have a great day!

Danny