With less than $3 of material, my boys could totally make these on their own! I can't wait!! Now the only problem is to make sure that no little marshmellow bullets get left behind or the dreaded ants and cockroaches will start congregating in my living room by the millions.
I used to believe that if kids didn't watch TV (we have never had one), and if they weren't allowed to play with guns (we tried), that they would grow up to be pacifists... hahahahah!
But as any mother of boys will tell you they make guns out of whatever there is available! If it's not a gun it's a sword.
God made them to be protectors of their own families someday. Might as well train them well. :)
Monday, December 8, 2008 - A multi-task post - wedding pics included ;)
This last month, was SUPER busy with my Beloved teaching classes and giving evangelism workshops, then with Thanksgiving at our house, and top it all off with the celebration of our 12th wedding anniversary. What a great month!
Here are some pictures to give you a peek:
In response to MARSHA's question; yes, I still love my wedding dress. But more than that I love the look on my Beloved's face in the picture below... I love him way more than I did that day, in a more genuine, deeper way. And I am ever so appreciative of him, and am SO glad that he chose me! :)
Next, we were so privileged to host the Thanksgiving dinner for our missionary family here in Trujillo. I had an absolute blast preparing and serving these wonderful friends...
"Alongside a Nativity scene at the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington, a sign put up by an atheist organization celebrates the winter solstice. But it's the rest of the sign that has some residents and Christian organizations calling atheists Scrooges for attacking the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth." Read article full HERE By Mallory Simon, CNN
"Most people think December is for Christians and view our signs as an intrusion, when actually it's the other way around," he said. "People have been celebrating the winter solstice long before Christmas. We see Christianity as the intruder, trying to steal the holiday from all of us humans." Dan Barker, atheist, ex-evangelical preacher.
According to the Bible,
"A fool says in his heart there is no God." Psalm 53:1
The article goes on to point out an ad campaign running this month in Washington, D.C., by the American Humanist Association: "Why believe in a God?" the advertisement asks. "Just be good for goodness sake."
Coincidence? Oh my.
"Edwords said the ad campaign, which features a shrugging Santa Claus, was not meant to attack Christmas but rather to reach out to an untapped audience.
Edwords maintains the campaign began in December mostly because the group had extra money left over for the year. The connection to Christmas is a coincidence, he said."
So it's coincidence that the entire campaign ad has Santa at is center? They were planning on running it in February, but they just happened to have left over funds now... who believes this stuff?
Politics? or Religion?
"As far as the criticism goes, Edwords said there are far more controversial placards in Washington.:
"That's D.C. -- this is a political center," he said. "If I can see a placard with dead fetuses on it, I think someone can look at our question and just think about it."
Christmas isn't a political issue... yet. This is religious. The expression of your religion intrudes on mine. Oh and yes, I can think about it. I think it is anti-biblical to be good for goodness sake.
Um, what?! Nativity scene violent??
The atheist message was never intended to attack anyone, Barker said.
"When people ask us, 'Why are you hateful? Why are you putting up something critical of people's holidays? -- we respond that we kind of feel that the Christian message is the hate message," he said. "On that Nativity scene, there is this threat of internal violence if we don't submit to that master. Hate speech goes both ways.
Unreasonable.
**Updated to reflect the fact that as I write the link now leads to the updated article which states someone has stolen the sign. I bet it will come out in a few minutes that some 'christian' has stolen it. I don't know who did it. But they're right stealing is wrong.
Friday, December 5, 2008 - In the Face of Adversity
In the Face of Adversity
Act one:
Characters: God
Satan
Job : blameless, upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. Rich in every sense : 7 sons + 3 daughter + 7,000 sheep + 3,000 camels + 500 yoke of oxen + 500 female donkeys + very many servants
He was the greatest of all the people of the east.
Pre-law, Job would offer burnt offerings to consecrate his children, "it may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts."
Scene one:
Satan came from roaming the earth, and God suggests to him his consideration of Job. God gives the go ahead to test Job's integrity.
*commentary: Satan knew well who Job was, his situation as well as his status with God.
Scene two:
Take away oxen - take away donkeys - take away servants - take away sheep - take away camels - take away more servants - take away 7 sons - take away 3 daughters.
Job falls on the ground and worships.
Job:
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord."
Act two:
Characters: God
Satan
Job
Job's wife: married to the ex-greatest-of-all-people-in-the-east, has just lost 7 sons, 3 daughters, livestock and very many servants
Scene one:
Same scene; higher stakes
Scene two:
Job is struck with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Job is sitting in the ashes, as his wife says to him,
Job's wife:
"Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."
Commentary: His wife wouldn't have passed the test. She was married to (only a short time ago) the greatest man of the east - and I doubt it was only because of his wealth, by the way. She lost her sons, daughters, her comfortable life, and with it all, probably her status as wife of the 'great one'.
She is frustrated!
She says to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Give up! It's too hard, this isn't your fault; it's God's! Being good won't help you now, we've lost it all, and look at yourself, you're miserable! Give up and die. (some encouragement, huh?)
Job's response:
"You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. (*note he did not call her a foolish woman) Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil (disaster, adversity)?
The End
We would be shallow not to accept adversity and yet when it comes upon us many times like Job's wife, we want to throw in the towel. "This is too hard, I don't want to live like this, I can't take it anymore."
But Job reminds us wisely, patiently, kindly, righteously (and recall that he's suffering more than most of us ever will - possessions, position & now his wife) that that kind of speech/thought is foolish. When we talk/think like that, we're forgetting who God is and that He is in control. He reminds us that if we are believers, we are talking like someone we're not. We're thinking like a fool would think, "The fool says in his heart there is no God".
Job lost it all, but Job still has God. Or better put, God still has Job. In his misery, for his suffering was very great (2:13) he reminds us, when we are ready to give up,
"You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive adversity?"
O Lord, keep us. Help us to see You and to see what you see. Help us not to give up, but to press in. To hold on tight. Fix our eyes on You who have endured so much (Heb 12:1).
When we are so utterly burdened beyond what our strength can possibly bear, despairing of even life itself, bring us to You. When we are near death, help us to rely on You who raise the dead.
He delivered us from such a deadly peril (our sins), and He will deliver us (our sanctification). On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.
~ taken from 2 Cor. 4:8-12 (emphasis mine)
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Christ,
so that His LIFE may also be made manifest in our bodies."
"So we do not lose heart."
"The things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Read 2 Corinthians 2:8-18 for context
"You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your might."
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments..."
Read all of Deuteronomy 6-11 to know who God is.
Dedicated to my suffering family members, and to all who are suffering.
I love you all and am weeping and praying for all of you.
Monday, November 17, 2008 - Things that make our family unique
Today I read the Heart of the Matter Online meme... it's Monday and it was posted Friday... oh well. :) Here are my thoughts on the following: The Things That Make Our Family Unique. What experiences do I have that I can share with other mothers?
I'll just tell you all about me, although most anyone who reads this blog already knows all of this. As I was writing the following, I realized that I practically don't exist apart from my husband. My identity is wrapped up in who we are together. So, most of what follows is about us. (Is that bad?)
My husband and I both grew up in 'christian homes' and have always attended church - not that we always liked going, naturally.
We both went to private christian school all the way from kindergarten to graduation. My grade school even had uniforms - colors? - brown and gold plaid. wow, were they were lovely.
We both lived in the same house each with our respective families, from birth until marriage (of course we've made up for lost time having moved over 20 times in the past 12 years).
Both of us have always been very involved in sports. I played soccer, basketball, softball, ran track, was a cheerleader, statistician, and was a lifeguard. Micah did all the same minus softball, cheerleading, stats and lifeguarding. heheh.
We were married young, at 19 & 20 - very much committed to a lifetime with each other, very much not knowing all that that meant.
Being married did not come easily to us. We were are not one of those couples that naturally never argue, and always respond lovingly. Ashamedly, I have to admit, it took us years to learn to get along! (I've been responsible for Micah's wish for rooftop living on occasion!)
We had kids pretty much right away and the first two right in a row.
When we'd been married for 3 years we went and lived in Peru for a year. Our boys were 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 when we left.
We experienced living in a VERY different culture and HAVING to learn another language to survive.
Being away from family, and adapting to a different culture together has taught us a LOT as a couple; marriage-wise as well as spiritually and emotionally.
Before children we both wanted to have 4 kids. After the first one was born, and after each subsequent child, my husband has said, 'I think maybe this should be the last one'. We now have 5. hahahahah.
I was a nanny before I had children. I loved it. I actually went to school and graduated with a title for that. Did you even know there was such a thing?
My husband is an licensed electrician. He loves to be busy and to work with his hands, it's in his genes.
As commended missionaries, we both absolutely love being in full-time ministry. It is seriously one of the most challenging assignments we can imagine, and yet one of the most interesting and fulfilling.
We've lived in Peru for 5 years and after years of study, feel that we have a pretty good handle on the culture and language. It really is a beautiful eye-opening thing to know another culture this well. It really helps to see that we are just strangers passing through with our eyes set on the city whose builder and architect is God.
My husband's dream since we first stepped foot in the jungle has been to conquer it - at least make a brave attempt to reach many isolated people with the gospel. During our first year, we actually enjoyed living in the jungle despite the heat and other discomforts and had planned to go back there. The Lord directed otherwise until recently.
I used to be a pretty organized person and was able to keep a handle on most of my responsibilities - that person is long gone, I can't even imagine how that might feel anymore :)
My husband and I are practically polar opposites. Early bird, night owl; spontaneous, planner; extrovert, small circle of friends; fast-paced, steady; male, female :) We're both firstborns and quite driven.
We both would love to write and speak to further the kingdom of God. My husband has written numerous courses in Spanish and published one evangelistic tract. I LOVE to study and teach the Word of God have written some women's Bible studies and hope to be available as the Lord leads and provides opportunity to use my gifting as my children grow.
We have homeschooled for 6 years and very much enjoy the blessing of knowing and educating our children.
My friend Emily at The Learning Never Stops had this up, and I thought it looked fun, so here's everything you could possibly want to know about my beloved hubby...
1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? If he could, he'd be watching basketball, but since we don't have TV, he'd be staring at a blank screen. *you have to have cable here to have tv.
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Caesar. Loves it.
3. What's one food he doesn't like? Tuna fish. He says he's allergic. You gotta get this, he's eaten ants, grubs, wild boar, monkey, snake, turtle, he's even drank chewed-corn-spit-back-into-pot-and-left-to-ferment-drink. But he will flat out refuse tuna. He's weird. I say it's all in the mind.
4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? wow. we've never ever been out to a bar. heheh. But he'd order a Dr. Pepper if we were in the States. I'd order rootbeer... oh, I MISS rootbeer! ...oh, oops... this is not about me.
5. Where did he go to high school? Same one as I did! We were high school sweethearts - Portland Christian High School.
6. What size shoe does he wear? 11
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Bibles (it is unbelievable how many this man owns). bows and arrows, hunting stuff, evangelistic tracts - funny combination of interests!
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? cheese. plain cheese on white bread. no mayo, nothing. dry. sticky. my absolute least favorite. of course.
9. What would he eat every day if he could? a full three course home cooked meal, every meal.
10. What is his favorite cereal? cereal? he likes hashbrowns, pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage... c'mon!
11. What would he never wear? Pink. ever. never. ever. - Emily, our husbands would probably be best friends. :)
12. What is his favorite sports team? Trailblazers... this year anyway .
13. Who will he vote for? He didn't, the bum. He hadn't worked out his absentee ballot in time. (neither did I, by no fault of my own I might add... I was really bummed. he wasn't.)
14. Who is his best friend? I hope he'd think of me, but he might say his dad. I'm not sure.
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? I make this weird popping noise sometimes when I'm trying to scratch my inner eardrum. He HATES it. I'm sorry. It is weird. I shouldn't have mentioned it.
16. How many states has he lived in? 3. Born in Oregon, lived in Washington, moved to Iowa. But currently lives in Peru, with me :)
17. What is his heritage? Belgian. His mom is 100%, her parents immigrated to the US and had a farm in Minnesota. cool.
18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what would it be? berry pie. he doesn't like cake.
19. Did he play sports in high school? Basketball. basketball. basketball. He slept with his ball, folks.
20. What could he spend hours doing? preaching, boating in the amazon regions of Peru, hunting, basketball. writing a 5 sentence e-mail. hahahahah, I'm serious :)
21. What's something cool about him? He loves to preach the gospel. He is so brave. He knows his Bible really well. He married ME.
Around the house... there are fall/thanksgiving decorations waiting to be put up.
One of my favorite things...is when my husband grills and I don't have to cook for guests!! :)
A few plans for the rest of the week...have hopes to spend as much time as possible with some old friends who've come to teach in the Bible Institute all the way from Britain.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
... well, I'm uploading a video that is taking FOREVER
...so I'm posting this and will add when it's finished :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008 - Heart of the Matter... Heartbeat Live!
Heartbeat Live is a new FREE weekly event that brings you the best speakers, writers, and curriculum authors in a fun, online, interactive style. Join us from the comfort of your own home…you’ll laugh, learn, and be inspired. You’ll even be able to chat with the speaker.
Please join us for the launch on Tuesday, November 11 at 3:00 CST, as we welcome Mrs. Amy Grant Bayliss as our first speaker.
So if you are tired of the same old stuff on the radio and you crave a serving of encouragement with a side of laughter, please register HERE. Simply enter your name and email address and you will receive log in instructions within 48 hours. You only have to register once to access all the weekly events. And since you should never keep fun to yourself, be sure to tell your friends so they can join us too.
As a very special treat everyone who attends Amy’s session will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com!!
Let me just tell y'all, that as an international homeschooler, I am VERY excited about this!
Did you get the part about fun & FREE?!
So, come on, join us!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008 - Homeschool Memoirs # 10
I normally post these over on my other blog. But this isn't exactly school related, it's me related, so I'm posting here :)
Entry description:The time will be changing again. I think on Sunday but not sure. Anyhow this is our 10th Homeschool Memoirs so this week it’s going to be about 10 timely facts about you! Write 10 interesting, crazy, weird, fun facts about you! Include facts about you as a woman, a wife, a mommy, a homeschooler, a homekeeper, a taxi-driver, a cook, etc . I only put 10 facts because I didn’t want to overwhelm you, but you’re welcome to do more! I just posted 101 Facts about myself on my blog, which you can take a look at if you should like.
I couldn't stand the color pink until I had my first baby girl. Now it's one of my favorite colors! ...along with black, white, grey, blue, brown, green, orange, yellow... heheh.
I did a Tae Bo workout video this morning.. and was embarrassed for anyone to see me do it!! Oh my, these things should be rated PG-13 for the amazing attire... spandex galore!
My mom is my hero... she's the best at finding things!!! ;)
Homeschooling/Education is my hobby - a very time consuming one at that.
I am making homemade salsa, waiting on the cilantro.
My 5 children were all born within a 10 year span, but are not spaced every two years.
I finally feel completely myself again - a year and 2 months after my last baby.
I like wearing skirts... and plan to sew some soon.
I have always been fascinated by missionaries since I was a little girl, but never thought I'd be married to one.
My greatest goal in life is to walk closely with my Savior and to know Him well before I get to see Him face-to-face... Oh how I long for the day!
Friday, October 24, 2008 - News from the jungle...
We just thought we should tell you that we arrived safely with absolutely no problems. We did not get a flat tire, or run out of gas, or get buried by a landslide!! It was amazing. (Our camera broke, Mya´s diaper exploded and the kids were wrestling in the back seat for 2/3 of the way... but that´s besides the point. We´re here now, and happy :)
So, thank you for praying for us!
Last night, Micah met the group of believers here, that have relocated to the city from the churches along the river between here and Yurimaguas. They are a small group of 6 adults and 16 young people and meet in a really small house on the outskirts of the city. They are badly in need of another meeting place where they could meet more comfortably as well as add to their number.
In consideration of moving here, we´re trying to get a good look at the city. Today we´ve gone all around looking at different places to rent to get an idea of what there is around here and for how much. We´ve been pleasantly surprised to find that there are in fact many options. There are lots of houses to rent but strangely it seems to be a lot more expensive than in Trujillo. In our search we´ve found a property/building that would be PERFECT for a church really close to where they are already meeting on a main road and 2 blocks away from a really cool house for rent. The property has a huge open building and room for a soccer field, and the house has a huge mango tree, an avocado tree and a lime tree... what else could we ask for?!
We are seeking the Lord´s leading. We are strangely beginning to think that He must be leading us to win the lottery!! hahahah! We are convinced however that our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and if He leads, He will provide. And we would maintain that He is unaffected by economic recessions! Please continue to pray with us!
Life has been speeding along as usual. We've been pretty busy over the last couple months but things are just about to speed up! As I write, everything is packed and we're about to leave for another trip to the jungle... driving. That's actually what prompted me to write! Please, please pray again as we're headed back to the jungle.
Here are a few specific requests for this next week:
that we'd see just what the Lord would have us to see; that we'd have open hearts
we'd meet the people that He wants us meet
that we'd be able to get a good idea if the Lord has work for us to do there
safe travel & health
The next few months are jammed packed, with hardly any breathing room.
Please pray for the following over the next few months:
November -
classes for IBEM (Bible Institute), 4 weeks
December -
conference in mtns (Chonta Alta), 1 week
evangelistic campaign in Ayacucho, 1 week
short-termer from Houston for Christmas break, 2-3 weeks
January -
Capacitacion Biblica - Trujillo, 2 weeks
another jungle trip planned, 2 weeks
February -
classes for IBEM (Bible Institute), 4 weeks
Capacitacion Biblica - Yurimaguas, 2 weeks
In the midst of all of this we are considering the possibility of ministry in the jungle in the somewhat near future. Would you pray with us about that? Pray that the Lord would give wisdom and clear guidance. We really are slowly leaning in that direction, and just pray that the Lord would guide us patiently, as we try to be good sheep :) We want to do what He wants us to do. We may not be good at lots of things, but we want to do what we were made for. So we wait for Him, 'cause He's the one who knows us best of all.
We so covet your prayers.
Thank you for loving us,
Amy for all
I could have a clean house... but then I might think I could do it all on my own.
Everything would stay organized... but then what on earth would I do all day?
People would think I have it all together... maybe I'd think so too - we'd all be wrong :)
I would have more time to myself... but I'd probably fill that up with loads of selfish ambition.
Could do more things outside of home... and forget the sweetness of quiet.
I would probably look younger... for awhile - beauty is fleeting - would that help me to fear the Lord more?
I could do more ministry... but perhaps get distracted from what my true calling and purpose is.
I'd have more money to spend on things I want... and become more self-absorbed than I already am.
I would still have a youthful figure... and remained totally vain.
We could have had a really nice house and really cool stuff... only always wanting more.
We could travel the world... and lose sight of the fact that we're just strangers here.
I would probably have everything under control... and lose sight of just how much I need the Lord.
My life would have been much different. But I am so thankful that God has given me these five wonderful blessings, to help in the process of sanctifying me and drawing me close to Him.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - Then and Now with Colleen Elliot
We did the coolest thing today!! I am so proud of myself for making this homeschool moment!
hahah.
Okay, so my kids were not THRILLED, but I was!
We LOVE going over the Elliots' house. They are this AMAZING couple that live less than a block from us. Maybe you've heard of them? Well, probably not. But you probably have heard of Jim Elliot. Well, Bert is his older brother and Colleen is Bert's wife. They've been in Peru as missionaries for 60 years!! We have the privilege of hanging out with them pretty much as often as we'd like! That is cool.
Well, we (I) love to get them going on old memories. So, the other night we were over there having pizza and we were talking about the days before TV and radio and such and I got this fancy idea to record these invaluable retellings of history. Today we did it! We recorded and saved several sessions! Conversations include subjects like TV, radio, travel, etc. comparisons of Then and Now. Oh I love this! I can't wait 'til my kids are old enough to REALLY appreciate it...
Running for public office pretty much guarantees that you will be open for all sorts of criticism, with all kinds of ruthless people delving into your public and private life looking for something to smear you with.
I can't stand it. I wish there was some limit to it. I can understand pointing out past voting records and looking at the person's history and such. But I don't know why it has to be so ugly. I think political campaigns are mean and nasty. Both sides. I don't like it. I read this earlier and I felt so sad for John McCain. A man John McCain had publicly noted his admiration for, harshly compares McCain's campaign to a segregationalist from the 60's. Read the complete article HERE. I know the candidates somewhat expect it and may even be hardened to it, but still...
"Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement, says the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminds him of the hateful atmosphere that segregationist Gov. George Wallace fostered in Alabama in the 1960s.
"I am saddened that John Lewis, a man I've always admired, would make such a brazen and baseless attack on my character and the character of the thousands of hardworking Americans who come to our events to cheer for the kind of reform that will put America on the right track," McCain said.
In August, while appearing at a forum on faith, McCain was asked to name three "wise people" he would listen to. He cited Lewis as well as Gen. David Petreaus, head of U.S. troops in Iraq, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, a top adviser to his campaign.
Author: Elisabeth Elliot Source: Keep A Quiet Heart Scripture Reference:1 Chronicles 11:10
What Do You Mean By Submission?
People are always asking me this. What is this business of "submission" you're always talking about? We're not really very comfortable with this. Seems kinds of negative. Sounds as though women are not worth as much as men. Aren't women supposed to exercise their gifts? Can't they ever open their mouths?
I wouldn't be very comfortable with that kind of submission either. As a matter of fact, I'm not particularly comfortable with any kind, but since it was God's idea and not mine, I had better come to terms with what the Bible says about it and stop rejecting the whole thing just because it is so often misunderstood and wrongly defined. I came across a lucid example of what it means in 1 Chronicles 11:10, NEB: "Of David's heroes these were the chief, men who lent their full strength to his government and, with all Israel, joined in making him king." There it is. The recognition, first of all, of God-given authority. Recognizing it, accepting it, they then lent their full strength to it, and did everything in their power to make him--not them--king.
Christians--both men and women--recognize first the authority of Christ. They pray "Thy will be done." They set about making an honest effort to cooperate with what He is doing, straightening out the kinks in their own lives according to His wishes. A Christian woman, then, in submission to God, recognizes the divinely assigned authority of her husband (he didn't earn it, remember, he received it by appointment!. She then sets about lending her full strength to helping him do what he's supposed to do, be what he's supposed to be--her head. She's not always trying to get her own way. She's trying to make it easier for him to do his job. She seeks to contribute to his purpose, not to scheme how to accomplish her own.
If this sounds suspiciously like some worn-out traditionalist view, or (worse) like a typical Elisabeth Elliot opinion, test it with the straightedge of Scripture. What does submission to Christ mean? "Wives, submit yourself to your husbands, as to the Lord." Compare and connect.
Monday, September 22, 2008 - good imagination, honey
My mom brought some stuff for the kids to create something and make memories - sequins, foam, pipe cleaners... you know, the good stuff. The kids were off to a good start, each one creating their own turtle ornaments using a combination of the above. When prettypinkprincess was done with hers, she started on another. When she was ready for the glue, she called to Hammy (that's what the kids call her) for help.
Hammy: Oh, wow. What did you make?
PrettyPinkPrincess: It's a dead body with a blanket over it.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!! I seriously laughed for about 5 minutes!
I am my Beloved's and He is mine.
