Saturday, January 25, 2014

'God already knowed'

“But if you seek the Lord your God, you WILL FIND Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29
In my Word for You Today devotional it said this, “It is God, through His Word, Who speaks into existence His will for your life.  Our responsibility is to line up our will with God’s will.  When we do (not if we do), He empowers us to accomplish what normally would be humanly impossible.  Romans 1:17 says, “The just shall live by faith.”  And here is the kicker….. “Your faith is more important than your performance.  Yes, when God decrees something, we get to participate in it.  But in every case (not some cases), it is God who performs it.  The thing you’re worried about performing, God says will be done through HIS power.  Will you experience delays and disappointments?  Yes, but ultimately you won’t be denied, for God has decreed it.  You say, ‘But what about all my unanswered questions or all the loose ends that need to be tied up?’ It’s a ‘done deal’ as far as God’s concerned.  Romans 8:28 tells us this, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

In My Utmost for His Highest today it said this,
“As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him-to give him ’elbow room’.  We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses.   Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come?  Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him
The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way.  No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute.  We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way.  Suddenly-God meets our life-“….when it pleased God…..”  (Galatians 1:15) 
Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point.  Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.”
Today, I praise the Lord because He is allowing me to see Him and He is speaking to me.  He is meeting me right where I am, just as He promised!  
One thing about the Christian life I believe to be true is this: as a Christ follower, my relationship with Jesus is very personal but it is not to be private so I will continue to let you in on what God leads me to share.  You may not embrace my same feelings and you may disagree with my beliefs all together but as you read what He has laid on my heart today, I pray that you are encouraged in your own walk.  Whatever you are going through, struggling with or seeking answers to, I'm convinced that if you expect God to show up, you'll find that He's been there all along!
No matter where you are or what you are pursuing, I hope these words are as much an inspiration to you as they are to me, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go…..”  John 15:16

As one of our littles said this morning, “Mama, before Daddy got the call, God already knowed.” 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Is it Sufficient?

So now what?

What do you do when you all you hear is, "My grace is sufficient"?

When you don't have answers, when you don't have reasons, when you're left holding nothing but your faith and your family, what do you do?

I've asked myself that very question over and over and over the last couple of weeks...
others have even asked me that question over and over the last couple of weeks.

I don't know about you but when God says, "Dawn, my grace is all you need... it's ALL you need..." I'm tempted to argue and say, "no God, I'm gonna need more than that today".

Grace is great for offering a blessing or giving thanks before a meal.  Grace is wonderful when you want to exude a certain charm or attractiveness.  Grace is beautiful if you're a ballerina and you want to woo a crowd with your dance.  But when you want answers, when you need direction...grace???
Whether I want to admit it or not, I find myself thinking that grace is just not sufficient.

And THEN I realize that in the battle for my very soul, grace was indeed sufficient.  So, I dig a little deeper and I beg this God who owns my soul to show me how this grace is going to be sufficient, even now.

When he says, "Dawn, My power is made perfect in the midst of your weakness", I beg for His perfect power to be evident now and not later.

When he says, "Dawn, boast about your weaknesses so that I can shine through you, so the world can see Me and not you" I question why He won't just take away the pain and shine in other, less painful, ways.

As Philip Yancey pointed out in What's So Amazing About Grace?--> "how thickly the veil of ungrace obscures my view of God".

Remember me telling you about our trip to visit the Dr. here in Haiti?  If not, you can read about that here: No Average Saturday.  If so, you remember that it was anything but a pleasant experience.  I (unlike God) had no idea what the actual Dr. visit would entail but I did figure it wasn't going to be fun.  This current situation we find ourselves in was no surprise to God, but as details began to unfold and the reality of what was going on hit so hard, we cried out much like our own children cried out that day at the hospital in Limbe.

God didn't inflict this pain on us any more than I inflicted pain on my own children that Saturday.  But just as I didn't stop the painful situation (knowing that it was for a greater purpose), God has not stopped the painful reality of our current loss because I believe He has a much greater purpose in store.  I hated that my children were in pain and I hated that they were scared and I hated that they were experiencing such traumatic things that day but I knew that if I stopped it all then we wouldn't be able to move on with the greater purpose ahead of us.  So, I wrapped my arms around them, I rallied prayer warriors to pray us through and I even cried with my children in that office that day and I believe God has been and continues to do the same with me/with us even now.  He has wrapped His big ole arms around my feeble little self and He has felt every feeling I've felt during this current trial.

He hasn't walked away from me just as I didn't walk away from my children.  He knows we are scared and He says, "Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

He hasn't told me to smile and pretend it doesn't hurt, just as I wouldn't tell my children to 'suck up the pain' and pretend it didn't hurt.  He knows it hurts and He reminds me in John 16 that, "...you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy."  (verse 20)

He promises that when I ask in His name that I, "...will receive, and [my] joy will be complete." (verse 24) He says, "I have told you these things, so that in ME you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble, but take heart!  I have overcome the world." (verse 33)

And He has also reminded me that, just like that Saturday, these pains are temporary.  "Our momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17)

While I cannot control what happens to me on this earth, I can control how I respond.  I can trust God when He says that, "All this is for your benefit, so that the GRACE that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 4:15)

So how does one really delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties as Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12?  I'm still learning that but I can tell you this...  I am also learning that His grace (*the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation) IS sufficient!



*definition from wikipedia

Friday, January 17, 2014

Word of God, speak.....

"I want you to rejoice today, refusing to worry about tomorrow.  Search for all that I have prepared for you, anticipating abundant blessings and accepting difficulties as they come..... Come to Me with all your needs, knowing that My glorious riches are a more-than-adequate-supply.  Stay in continual communication with Me, so that you can live above your circumstances even while you are in the midst of them." ~Jesus Calling today

"Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  You can be sure that God will take everything you need, HIS generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.  Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity.  Yes." ~Philippians 4:6-7,19 (MSG)


One year ago today, we left our home in MS to embark on our journey to Haiti..... a journey I still believe God orchestrated.  None of it was a mistake.  We do not question God's hand in any of this.  Even now, we do not question Him...

My God hasn't afflicted us but my God has allowed this affliction... Without question, I will celebrate every day I have left here and I will trust Him to reveal where we will land next.

"Thank you for responding to me; you've truly become my salvation!  
The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone!
This is God's work.
We rub our eyes - we can hardly believe it!
This is the very day God acted - let's celebrate and be festive!
Salvation now, God, Salvation now!
Oh yes, God - a free and full life!" ~Psalm 118: 21-25

"Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything, in the One who makes me who I am." ~Philippians 4:13 (MSG)


'Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty!  
For freedom You, Lord, have set me free...  And yes, I am free indeed.  
You rewrote my name, unshackled all my shame and opened my eyes to see.... I am free!'
(~The Shanes)

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

January 15, 2014

With each new day, we praise God for you who are touching base and lifting us up through prayer and words of encouragement.

Yesterday, we were able to talk to Pastor Frank on the phone.  He informed us that he received a call earlier in the week from LifeBridge Church.  He stated that if he intends to continue receiving support from them for his home church in Homestead, FL and for the orphanage here in Camp Coq then he is expected to stand with LifeBridge Church in their decision in asking us to leave the Mission House and the community of Camp Coq.

The Leadership Team at LifeBridge Church offered us a severance package, with partial payment being contingent on our leaving no later than March 15, 2014.


While we can't begin to describe the emotions we are experiencing right now as a family, we still stand on the same truths we have shared with you over the last 362 days that we have been here.

God is faithful...
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." Deuteronomy 32:4

God is sovereign...
"You are the one and only God, sovereign over all kingdoms on earth, Maker of heaven, maker of earth." 2 Kings 19:15 
"The Master declares, 'I'm A to Z.  I'm The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive.  I'm The Sovereign-Strong." Revelation 1:8

God is good...
"Yes! God is good!  His loyal love goes on forever!" 2 Chronicles 5:12
"Yes!  God is good!  His love never quits!" 2 Chronicles 7:3

God is trustworthy and He has not abandoned us...
"Those who know your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you." Psalm 9:10


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Battle Cry

We are in the middle of a battle, people....  but not a battle like you may think.  We are not fighting people, though it is evident some are pushing that pretty hard.  No, this battle that we are in is no different than the battle I mentioned on September 2nd in This Means War.

"Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from?  Do you think they just happen?  Think again." James 4:1

Our enemy is angry.  He tried to stop us from coming to Haiti before we ever got here.  He's been tearing through relationships since the day we answered the call..... a call that we wrestled with for over a year before we ever answered.  Philip Thurman spoke at the Missions service at LifeBridge Church in June of 2011 and said, "Maybe one of you are being called to go and relocate to be used there (in Haiti) full-time." I wept in my seat until I couldn't sit any longer and then I got up and walked out.  The thought of moving to a foreign country scared me half to death but I knew inside that wasn't the first time God was nudging me to get out of my comfortable life and relocate to one that I had never even physically visited.  Over the course of the next 6 months my fear switched to a nervous excitement.  And in February 2012 after John returned from Haiti that January, we both talked and prayed together before God and said, "here we are... send us."

We believe that it was, indeed, God that sent us.  Yes, so many rallied around us and lots of people from LifeBridge Church along with others across the United States gave time and money to see this thing through, but somewhere along the way I think the source has been misconstrued.  All of a sudden, people are angry that they aren't able to call the shots.  Was this ever man's work to claim?

When you pray for spiritual eyes and you position yourself at the feet of Christ, I believe God allows you to see with spiritual eyes.  Confusion is not from God, people.  This confusion that is buzzing like a swarm of bees is not from our Creator.

Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither heights nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." but you can bet your bippy that the Evil One will do all he can to try and make us, as God's children, doubt that!  When one tactic doesn't work, he uses another.  From lies to loneliness, from heat to health issues, from cockroaches to humans... yes, humans.  He's on a mission of his own and that is to make us doubt the mission we've been called to.  All of us....... that which we've ALL been called to.  You don't have to move around the world with your family and start life over in the middle of your life to be on a mission.  We didn't move to Haiti by ourselves.  "The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened."~Utmost for His Highest  

Many of you moved with us almost a year ago, in Spirit.  You weren't called to move physically but you were called to move in prayer and in Spirit and you have been faithful to stand beside us all along the way.  But I think maybe many have forgotten that those of you who have been faithful have ultimately been faithful to God and those who have been unfaithful have been unfaithful to God, not us!

"So let God work his will in you.  Yell a loud no to the devil and watch him scamper.  Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time.  Quit dabbling in sin.  Purify your inner life.  Quit playing the field.  Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out.  The fun and games are over.  Get serious, really serious.  Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. Don't bad mouth each other, friends.  It's God's Word, the Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk.  You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it.  God is in charge of deciding human destiny.  Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others? ...if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil." (James 4:7-12, 17 -MSG) 

Our enemy is very real and though we do not fear him, God calls us to position ourselves in prayer.  The time is now!!  The NIV version of James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

1 Peter 5:6 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Some people had their minds made up before we ever left Mississippi that we would fail in our work here in Haiti but how long before it's evident that this is not our work and praying that God's work fails is just a waste of prayer time.  At any point, the same God that called us to work here can relocate us as He desires and we pray that if that is in His plan that we will see that clearly.  But we also pray that if the push to leave is nothing more than man's attempts, that, that will be clear, as well.

"What can man do to me?" (Ps 118:6)  "They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns..." (vs 12)  "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me." (vs 13)  "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (vs 14)

We need you now more than ever!  We need you to join us in prayer... not for John and Dawn or Caleb, Kylie, Kinley and Cabila to be spared from more heartache and pain but
...for God's plan to be carried out as He purposed it - both here and there.
...for a very real enemy to be seen for who he is.
...for those who are engaging in the enemy's work to be stopped in their tracks.
...for truth to be as clear as writing on the wall.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7: 14

As God promised Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:3, "I'll let you know what to do next.", He will let us know what to do next.


Monday, January 13, 2014

I'm calling out, 'Father'

I can walk through the storm
I can walk by faith when my sight is gone
Just as long as You are here with me

And I can gain everything
But what do I have if I don't have the King?
Oh, I need to know You are here with me...

Here I am... I'm calling out, "Father"
Can you hear me? 
Can you hear me?
I don't want to go without You

Here I am..
Can you talk a little louder so I can hear You?
I want to hear You!
I don't want to move without You

Even though I believe 
You've taken up a home inside of me
And You'll never leave
I still need to know You are here with me

Here I am... I'm calling out, "Father"
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
I don't want to go without You

Here I am..
Can you talk a little louder so I can hear You?
I want to hear You!
I don't want to move without You

If your presence goes, I don't want to stay
If your presence stays, I don't want to go

If your presence goes, Lord, I don't want to stay......
If you presence stays, Lord, I don't want to go!!!

I need You!

Here I am... I'm calling out, "Father"
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
I don't want to go without You!

Here I am...
Can you talk a little louder so I can hear You?
I want to hear You!
I don't want to move without You

Here I am... I'm calling out, "Father"
Can you hear me?  Can you talk a little louder so I can hear You?
I don't want to go without You!  
I don't want to move without You!

These are lyrics from Shane and Shane's, "Without You" but these words are also echo'd in my heart tonight.

I don't want to take a step without my Father's permission.
I don't want to speak a word without my Father's permission.
I don't want to move a muscle without my Father's permission.

Oh, God, that You would continue to speak to our hearts about Your plan.  Drown out the voices of the enemy, we pray.  May your perfect will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.


"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." 
~Ernest Hemingway

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Hope Rising

On December 28th we noticed we had a very hungry caterpillar on the premises...



On the 29th, he attached himself to a 'neighbor' leaf and started curling up...




On the 30th, we saw the chrysalis!  :)




We watched and watched each day in total amazement.  

Through heavy rains and some pretty strong winds, the chrysalis remained in tact, unharmed.  



The tree where it was attached swayed in the wind and the leaf blew up and down but the chrysalis never moved.  

So A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.


"Be alert, be present." (Isaiah 43:18)

 

"I'm about to do something brand-new." (vs. 19)


"It's bursting out!  Don't you see it?" (vs. 19)


"There it is!" (vs. 19)






"Reach out and experience the breadth!  Test its length!  Plumb the depths!  Rise to the heights!  Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.  God can do anything, you know - far more thank you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!  He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3: 18-21



I can't begin to tell you what being able to witness this miracle of life has done for me over the last couple of weeks.  Through the many parallels, I find comfort and joy.  

What perfect peace there is through trusting.  What beauty there is in waiting.  What freedom there is in living inside His protective covering.  

I continue to be amazed at my Savior's compassion...  

My Hope is rising!  

Friday, January 10, 2014

Guess what?

So many of you have asked and have been praying that we would soon have help at the Mission House again and we are excited to tell you that Se Telis has decided to come work with us!


After being without help for 2 months, we thank God for making a way for her to be here!!!  We talked with her last Friday and she started on Monday.

We are convinced that she is one of the best cooks in Camp Coq!  It's with big smiles and happy tummies that we say, Yippee!!!  Welcome to the family, Se Telis!


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Challenged and Inspired

We had a pretty rocky weekend...one that was jump started with a phone call.  LifeBridge Church is ending their support of our job here in Haiti.  With the news, we were floored but God was not.  

As our hearts still flip with emotions and our minds race with questions, we land at this...the work God called us to do here in Haiti is not finished.  The dream He planted in our hearts is not dead.   

It is no coincidence that we have been flooded with scriptures the last month that put this all in perspective.  We will continue to praise God just as the army in battle did at the command of King Jehoshaphat.  Our very personal Savior knew we would need to fall back on the story in 2 Chronicles 20 when I blogged about it last February.  (Praising

Although hurt, we are full of hope.  

"Blessed is he whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever." Psalm 146:5

The last couple of years of faith building have not been in vain.  

"When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!  Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance." James 1:2-4

We have such comfort in knowing that it is God who has been in charge all along and it is God who is constantly preparing our hearts for what is next.  We have no doubt that this is all part of a plan for good. 

"This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves...  'Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present.  I'm about to do something brand-new.  It's bursting out!  Don't you see it?  There it is!  I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.  Wild animals will say, 'thank you!'...because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me." Isaiah 43:16-21

We praise God that so many of you have followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit and sent us messages of encouragement the past several days.  We welcome your contact!  The last thing we need is more isolation over these thousands of miles. As we face many mountains, we need your encouragement and your prayers right now.  As we tire, we need to be lifted up by you, our family in Christ. 

Our children are experiencing the faithfulness of God in a way I cannot even describe.  I am so moved by their honesty and yet also by their incredible level of trust!  It really is an honor to sit with them and explain that while their Daddy and I will always do what we can for them that God designed us to be dependent on Him every day that we live, not just every now and then.  They are seeing that some times when the world says hurry up and do something, our Father says 'Be Still' and take note of what I AM doing.   

We feel certain that God is our Protector.  He is our Refuge.  He is our Strength...and even more so now than He's ever been before.  We know there is no limit to what He can accomplish through this.  We know that the work we have been a part of here has never been based on our own talents and strength but instead on His and His alone.  He doesn't need us to make sure His work is carried out here in Haiti but He chose us.  

We received some advice before we ever moved to Haiti from some Missionary friends in Mississippi.  They said, "Do what you are capable of doing and trust God to do the rest.  Your call will sustain you through the ups and downs." I'm so grateful I jotted down what they said almost 2 years ago because in light of the current matter and even in future matters, it is still great advice!    

We are both challenged and inspired by Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4...
"Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.
Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!
We’re not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, “I believed it, so I said it,” we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever."

We know that just as sure as God called us to join Him in this work here, He will sustain us.  We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by the things of this world, but our focus must be on the things of heaven.  Therefore, as we strive to stay true to this calling, we thank you so much for your prayers in this regard.  

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

~Happy Birthday, Jesus~

Our first Christmas in Haiti was full of excitement!


The kids at church sang at the Christmas Eve service!


Kylie did such an awesome job singing with her Haitian friends!!


Cabila sang, too!  Isn't he handsome in red?

Sister Nicole led the young men and women in songs!


We heard from 'Mary' and 'Joseph'...
 


...and from Mary's parents, too!



The shepherds spoke...



...and then there was lots of worshiping and praising and adoration for the King of Kings!


Kinley fell asleep before the rest of the festivities began but didn't she look cute in her Christmas attire? (smiles)

We had a birthday party at the Mission House...




 ...with cake and singing, of course!






Mirlande and Wisline came back to visit!



Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday, Jesus'!

(I love this photo even though it's out of focus...  look at John's & Robenson's face as they are singing!!!)



We have so much to be thankful for...











And our friends, Ed and Michelle, sent us this big bird for Christmas dinner!



The kids were ecstatic!!!



(especially since they got to cut their own turkey, themselves!!!)


 


As 2013 ends, we praise God for this past year with new family and friends and for His many blessings and we praise God for you, our family and friends 'back home'.  May we all come to know Jesus in 2014 like we've never known Him before.  May His blessings overwhelm us, all!  Happy New Year!
God bless you all!