Too Young?

I was convicted recently about something....something lacking in my son's life.  And (I hate to admit it!) it was my own words that the Holy Spirit used to convict me!  

I had sent Martha to her room to have her quiet time.  She has a devotional book that she "reads" every morning.  It has a picture of a cat on the front, so she calls it her "Cat Book"!  Since we have made her a schedule, quiet time is part of her every day routine.  Yes, she is only 3 and not yet saved, but what better time to instill Godly habits into her life than now? 

After I had helped Martha get settled for her quiet time, I spent the next few minutes explaining to Ian why Martha couldn't play right now.  And while I was explaining, the Holy Spirit started doing some explaining to me!  At first I protested - saying, "But Ian is too young!"  "Too young?" I heard the Holy Spirit say!  "Too young to start forming Godly habits - the same habits you are trying to teach his sister?  Why wait to start teaching him and training him?"  Have you ever "rolled your eyes" at the Holy Spirit?  Well, I did as I started to protest some more with my lame excuse "He'll never sit still!"  Will I never remember that the Holy Spirit knows all these things already?  So, the Holy Spirit once again reminded me that Ian is not to young to start learning to sit still and have quiet time.  So....I surrendered, took Ian to his room, got his "Bible" (Bible storybook) and got him settled on his bed with "Oof" and "Bear."

He didn't stay on his bed reading for very long, but it was a start!

Oh, the joy that the Holy Spirit filled my heart with as I saw my children learning the habit of quiet time with the Lord!  

At this very moment, Ian is walking around the living room with my "clumpy shoes"!  What a reminder of how our children try to fill our shoes and walk in our footsteps!  It makes me take a moment to ask myself - "Where am I leading my children?"  

Too Young?  Jesus didn't think so when he said, "...Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:  for of such is the kingdom of God."  Not only did he allow the children to come unto Him, but the Bible also says in that same verse, "But Jesus called them unto him..."  

Too Young? 

Say, "Cheese!"

I thought everyone would enjoy seeing some of my favorite pictures!

 This was taken while we were in Iquitos.  Ian was pushing me on the swing.  Don't you know he enjoyed it?!

 After we bought heaters for the kids rooms, Matt cut holes in the boxes for the kids - they were dying to play with the boxes anyway!  At least this way they could see what they were running into - including each other!

 These two pictures were taken while we were in Iquitos.  Ian thought he was a "Big Man" riding on that bicycle!

 Martha had a turn also on the bicycle.  It did Mama's heart good to see the boys helping her!

 Here's my Honey crammed (quite literally!) into a combi (one form of our local transportation)!

 Martha had just finished eating a "Pinguino" (it's like a chocolate hostess cupcake).  She sure enjoyed every bit of it!

 Here's my "Little Lady" having a great time on the swing at Efata Baptist Deaf Church in Iquitos!  I think she's finally starting to get the hang of making the swing go by herself!

Just a Moment!

Aahh!  Quiet...beautiful silence.....can you hear it?  The only sounds I hear at this moment is the heater - yes, you read it correctly, the HEATER, the noise of the buses going by, and the sound of the tea kettle telling my water is ready for a cup of delicious Monaco coffee in my favorite coffee cup!

And now I know you are wondering a couple of things at least.  First you are still probably hung up on the mention of the heater.  Yes, it is cold outside....well, okay it is all a matter of perspective. I realize  61°F  is really not THAT cold!  But after living in the Philippines for 7 and 1/2 years, 61° might as well be 31°!  When you put it in Celsius - it sounds even worse - 16°C!!

Next you are probably wondering how in the world am I experiencing such blissful quietness and solitude?  Nope, it is NOT 4a.m.!  The kids have gone to bed early (not much nap today, so they - and Mommy - were ready!), and Matt is down playing "futbol" (soccer) with the guys!

Do you ever have days when you wish you had "just a moment"?  I find myself repeating those very words every day.  My response to Martha calling for help from the bathroom?  "Just a Moment" - as I hurriedly dry my hands from washing dishes!  My answer to Ian asking for "a snack, Mommy, a snack"?  "Just a moment" - as I come in from switching laundry loads that I just remembered!  My answer to my Dear Honey needing help with a project?  "Just a moment" - as I am finishing up lunch preparations!  Sometimes I find myself needing my own "Just a Moment"!  Then God sweetly gives me that "moment" - like right now.  God has given me this moment to share my cup of coffee and some of my thoughts with you.  How thankful I am for these moments.....like when the power goes out while I'm catching up on my blog....!

...Power's back on!  When I think about that phrase "Just a Moment" I find myself wondering just how many moments of my day do I actually share with my Saviour?  Yes, I have my quiet time every morning, but do I really let Him share every moment of my day with Him - or do I say, "Just a Moment, Lord...!"  How thankful I am to realize that my Lord never tells me, "Just a Moment, Sarie....I have to finish the dishes first!"  How grateful I am when I think of all the "moments" God has given to me!

Here's a picture of one of my favorite moments!  This was at the "Parque de las Aguas" (Park of the Water Fountains).  Matt and I got to go there for our anniversary! (Power's out again...my clothes in the dryer will NEVER get dry...but that a "Life on the Mission Field Moment"!)

Have a beautiful week thanking our Saviour for all those "Just a Moments" He gives you this week!

Life on the Mission Field

I wanted to share some pictures with you of our life on the mission field.

 

It is always handy to have a "bird's eye view" of where you are staying!  This was in Iquitos.

This is what you do with your cereal bowl when you are done eating!  Keep in mind - this is IAN'S idea of what to do - not Mommy or Daddy's idea!  Thankfully there was no milk with his cereal!

Out of paper?  The lady I buy fruit from at the market has a simple solution - use the banana peel to add up your total - then give it to your customer!  I'll never worry about having notepaper again as long as I have bananas in the house!

Martha was signing along with me while I was signing a special.  I didn't notice her, but Daddy did!  I look forward to the day we can sign specials together!

As a Missionary Mom, it is always a joy and a blessing to see my children interacting with the people God has called us to reach!  Everyone here loves our children, they love them!  The Deaf, especially, love to see the children signing to them!

Missionary Kids

What do YOU do when traveling with children?  We let ours RUN!!!!

Then when they are good and tired, we let them lay on the floor!

We have been so blessed.  I am so thankful for my two kiddos!  As many of you know, we recently took a trip to Iquitos, Peru.  The kids had a great time, and they travel well!  Of course, being cute American missionary children has its advantages!  The stewardesses on all the flights always stop for a chat with the cute little white kids who speak some Spanish!

 Martha was really enjoying her breakfast - what could be better than a huge coffee cup of warm milk, a piece of bread with egg tucked inside, and jelly to smear in between the egg and the bread?

Here is my "Little Man" playing with Abuelo's hat!

Our language teacher and his wife have adopted my children as their grandchildren.  Martha and Ian love Abuelo and Abuela, and love spending time with them!

There is so much to share with you about our recent trip.  I'll have to do a "series" I guess to share everything with you all!

Food for Thought:  Why does the stewardess on the plane explain how to work the seatbelt AFTER she has already checked to make sure yours is on and fastened?