The ordinary and not so ordinary

 I thought I'd give you a glimpse into some of the everyday things of life, as well 

as the not so ordinary. This picture sums up Hudson's new favorite thing: climbing, then getting stuck and needing help to get down.

 This was SO unexpected.  A sweet, humble woman from church and Bible

 study surprised me with a gift: this Karen shirt.  In Thai culture you don't open

  gifts in front of each other, so I had to wait until everyone left.  I couldn't smile

 right either, because I had minor dental surgery that left me with a half-smile. ;)

 We had to say goodbye to friend's who have been here 

8 years.  Their son is one of Jack's best friends, and Jack's 

first big goodbye to someone moving. We're so thankful for their

example and impact.

 Ken has a new coffee supplier: this Christian man 

started a rehab facility for convicts to learn to farm and

roast coffee, to live an honorable life.

 Max is using a hand grinder with the coffee beans.

 Oh  look, guess who can crawl on chairs now.

 Max celebrated 100 days of school!

 This was a sick day, (except for Hudson) but they don't look so sick.  This was

day 2 with no fevers.  They probably should have gone to 

school, but I liked having them home. 

 Oh look, he can  climb onto tables too.

Valentines Day!  We ate heart-shaped waffles by candlelight, even though the sun

was still up.  Ken showed off his syrup pouring skills, and I was so excited to find that 

fabric at the market to make a bunting and tablecloth! 

 Hmmm, someone was caught eating the pumpkin I just 

roasted and had cooling on the counter.  Yes, he 

can  reach onto the counters too.

 Produce Aisle!  This isn't a common sight; usually

fruit and vegetable carts are smaller or on motorbikes.  

 It was  such a joy to visit this little church.  The woman in 

the picture below attends church with us.  She also came to Bible study and 

then returned to her village and led many of her family members to Christ!

They now have a church that meets in a field, under this sala. Max is playing

rock, paper, scissors with the boys.

Hudson loves Thai people and this  makes

my heart happy. 

The city we drove through to get to the village is known

for ceramics, so we stopped in to tour the factory. 

 Going to church!

 This was just before we arrived at the church.

Max had an "Insect Museum."  He loves bugs and did 

a great job presenting.   

 He has to rest after all that climbing!  Sweetest moment:

he grabbed his blanket, crawled behind and the curtain and just

stared outside until he fell asleep.

 Somtimes he goes over to his crib just to 

snuggle with his blanket and suck his thumb.  Melts my heart!

 He's 1!  Happy First Birthday.  We played in the 

sprinklers.

 A cake all to himself.

And this kid is 14!! He celebrated with a group of

friends at an airsoft field. 

 Birthday pics with mom.

 When the air is clean enough, Hudson and I walk around

our neighborhood. I was taking the picture below when the owner of the house, said, "Do you want some of the flowers? It startled me!  He's very nice, and his wife attended our Christmas outreach.  I like to walk and pray for our community and hope to meet more people and build relationships...this takes a looong time, but I'm not quitting!

 Our church met at this location one Sunday, and the kids

loved playing on the rocks in the stream.

 Until this day, I have NEVER EVER seen Captain Crunch here!  This

is always the first cereal I eat when I visit the USA.  (and then  I realize I'm not 10 and I can't handle the sugar like I used to.)  I didn't buy it, ($10 a box) but it made me smile.

Look at that, he climbs inside cabinets too.

Happy New Year!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Oh, this is an exciting event to share with you!  Long story short: Over a year ago, God put the idea in my heart to create a "walk-through the Gospel story" in a way the Thai people could easily understand. 

We asked our small church family to help, and invited our neighborhood, knowing there was the possibilility that no one would come. BUT, the Lord brought neighbors from 5 different homes to come!

When they entered our yard they were greeted and handed an MP3 player with earbuds.  They chose English or Thai language and were guided to station 1, and began listening.

Station 1: 

 They heard about everything having a beginning,except God, and how they are part of the story.  Each person was asked add a brushstroke to the canvas to symbolize their place in God's creation.

 Station 2 is such a contrast, just look at the colors!  It shows death,work, and struggle. They learned how sin entered the world, and the hope that a Redeemer would come.  The people were asked to pick up a rock and carry it the rest of journey to represent the weight of their sin.

 Station 3: God pursues His people.

 Here they heard how God gave them laws to guide them and protect them, how He 

parted the Red Sea, and how he chose unlikely people to accomplish His plan.

 Station 4: Man rejects God.

This wooden chest reminds them of the law being stored away and

forgotten.  The scrolls remind them that God sent prophets to pursue and warn His people, but ultimately they too would reject Him.

 Station 5: The promise fulfilled!

Jesus is born to an unlikely woman, in an impossible way,

proclaimed to unimportant people.  God did what

we wouldn't expect!

 Station 6: Jesus' ministry

Jesus had the ability to heal the sick and perform miracles.

He showed the love of God but also spoke the truth of

who He was: God in flesh.  This angered many.

 Station 7:  The cross

Jesus was killed to pay for our sin.  He was

the bridge between a holy God and sinful people.

Station 8: Burial and Resurrection

The people walked inside the tomb and listened about Jesus

 conquering sin and death!

 Inside the tomb: burial clothes. 

 The people were asked to leave the rock they had been carrying at the tomb, because their sin had been paid through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  

 Station 9: Free resources! There were people abvailable to answer questions and to invite them back to church the next day.

 I'd like to share the pictures of an hour after we began. There is

something sobering about darkness that creates a beautiful background

to walk through and contemplate the truths spoken.

 Many people added to the canvas.

 The darkness drew you in closer to really see

what was happening.

 The children said that going into the tomb was their 

favorite part.  I loved seeing all the rocks left there

 The next day we had church at our house.  Most everyone

asked to walk through the stations again!

 All of these children, yet silence as they listened.

 This mother and daughter made a special trip just to walk through. 

 They attend Bible study at our home.

Thank you for journeying with us, friends.  We ask for your

continued prayers as we seek God in 2020.  May more people

know freedom in Jesus, may husbands join their wives in the joy

of salvation!  Please pray that our family desires Christ above

all, as it is a daily battle.  Finally, please pray for our financial support to increase. This has been a very difficult year financially and we have felt it in ways that cause us to question how much longer we can stay.  

 

 Happy New Year!  May we all have the joy of this kid on a good day. :)

Thank you for loving us.  Our hearts miss you even more at this time of year.