Christmas Critters 2008

I'll go ahead and forwarn you, grab a cup of coffee and take a seat...this is a rather lengthy one!

Christmas Critters in South Asia, Part One...

Yeah! After just about 2 years of being on the other side of the globe, we were able to head to America for Christmas! Knowing that there are 2.5 million lost people in our "area", we wanted to share the Reason for the Season before leaving. We weren't expecting to have a bout with Dengue fever--which kept us from having all the parties we wanted to for Christmas--but at least, we still were able to have some fun with our Youth group!

We wanted to share with them the meanings of the different decorations we use...so we let them help decorate our tree. We shared how Martin Luther used the tree to teach about the Trinity (3 corners) and that it is an evergreen (reminiscent of our everlasting life that we can have in Christ). We put on the lights referring to Jesus as, "The Light of the World".

We did something out of the ordinary, putting on the star next explaining that the star shone in the Bethlehem sky, pointing the way to the Savior.

After placing the red beads on the tree (symbolic of Jesus' blood that was shed to forgive us for our sins), we allowed them to help with the ornaments--also giving each a "meaning"...the apples (first sin), candy cane (red-blood, white-purity when we are forgiven, cane-shepherds were first to hear of birth), blue balls (baptism)...you get the picture, I don't want to bore you!

All done! Here's our crew...

Waiting on the gift giving...

It's time!

We also decorated sugar cookies...YUM!

"I just wanna get a liiiitttttllllle bit more, ok?"

I think Brooke's a little warm, what do you think?

It was a fun night with our Youth!

We were thankful to be able to share exactly WHO we celebrate!

Another opportunity to celebrate came at the home of some nationals. Their house church put on their second Christmas program.

There was lots of singing, some dancing, lots of sharing, and of course... SANTA...

I did say there was some dancing, didn't I?

We couldn't let Christmas pass without giving out fruit baskets (complete with tracts, Bibles, and/or Jesus movies) to our neighbors and friends. They look a little different than what we're used to when they're filled with apples, oranges, mangoes, papayas and limes!!!

And one last shot before we headed to the states...our Christmas Critters!

Part Two... Christmas Critters in the US

We had a blast visiting with family and friends, eating lots of awesome food, and fellowshipping with our Siloam and Red Bank families. But we'll just fill you in on the holiday celebrations...

One of our favorite traditions is hanging at Grandma and Grandpa Jim's on Christmas Eve...

Can you imagine this crew when they all get together?
I really don't know where all this silliness came from! Well, I guess I do!!

Actually, I know I do!

Hangin' with cousins...

It's Christmas morning! Not a great shot, but I wanted you to see the stockings some of our Lydia ladies made for us...although they had no clue what they were or what they were used for!
Another tradition...singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus"

And yet another tradition...reading the first Christmas story from Luke 2 and opening our first gift--our Gift from God--baby Jesus.

And yes, it just wouldn't be Christmas without some fried turkey! So, on for another favorite--heading to Granny's to be with her and Uncle Kyle!

Lots of goodies...

Yep, that's the guy who fried the turkey alright!

What a guy wouldn't do for his sweet little nieces!

While we were hanging in Lexington with Granny, our cousins couldn't live without us (and we were glad they couldn't!), so they headed our way and we took on Frankie's Fun Park!

And of course, when we got back to 96 we got to play some more!

Erin decided she'd let Anna borrow her princess dress--since she could wear Brooke's!
We even got to hang with Ma some more!

And thanks to the kids and parents at The Learning Express in Greenwood...

We got to bring loads of goodies back home to South Asia! Now if we could have just fit Las Cascadas in our suitcase, we'd be on cloud nine!

Actually, because of the grace of God we're sitting pretty on top of those clouds!

Thankful Critters

We are thankful each day for all that God has given us, yet Thanksgiving (Did I just say Thanksgiving and it's February?? I'm a little behind aren't I?) gives us a great opportunity to focus a day simply on the Giver of all that is good. Usually, we are surrounded by family on this day and this year was no different. However, being on the other side of the world we find ourselves getting to celebrate with our spiritual family this holiday season.

Our spiritual family feeding on loads of good food...yep, even turkey!

Our most South Asian child of the crew even enjoyed the American delicacies...and of course, we all enjoyed Jerod's cheesecake!!

I've got a feeling our friend Adam will never ask again, "You got anything I can help you with?"

Well, this one doesn't tell much of a story, I just thought it was beautiful!

Our dear dishwashing buddy downloaded a football game

so we could even have game after the meal!

For those who don't know Brooke all that well, she's rather a very busy bee...

as this picture indicates!

Just call her flash!

So, what was Brooke busy doing?
Cheering, of course...

And helping others cheer!

And playing finger puppets!

Well, at least some of the guys got to watch the game!

Following the game, the little ones were inspired to head out in the dark for their own front yard football clash...Wanna know what Dee's using as pads? 2 stuffed puppies!

It was too cute, motorcycle helmet and all!

Yes, it is hard sometimes to be away from our families and friends, especially during the holidays...but as you can see, God's grace is amazing. It always comes in abundance and we find ourselves so overwhelmed that He could love us so much and provide for us the way He does. HE IS GOOD!!

We hope you have had the opportunity to experience Him...you'll find He's all you'll ever need!

Time for School!

Yup, It's that time again...after a long summer break (surely I didn't just say that since it's never-ending-summer on this side of the globe for us) the kiddos are ready for school. Tessa*, our MK teacher came in July and has been getting adjusted to the culture, learning the language and preparing for the Serendib crew...
The kids will not be able to use the "I had to walk a mile in the snow to get to school" pity party on their children since all they do is head upstairs! Uh-oh, looks like we got a stow-away!

The whole crew...Yup, Tessa's* got her hands full!

We've got some first-graders!

So, for the "It could only happen in South Asia" funny story of the week, the prize goes to Daniel...When discussing what plants and animals need to survive, of course, sun and light were mentioned...but what do cows eat? TRASH!

Little Dee is our new brother in Christ!

This was the day (well, one of them...along with the wedding day!) we had been praying for since Daniel was in the womb. From birth, Daniel has been taught the Scriptures--

about who God is and His love for mankind.

You may recall us sharing the story of getting the evangecard (a flat version of the evangecube) in India when we went for our SC training. We were challenged to share it with others, and if we did, we would get a stack of cards. Well, Steven came home that night and taught it to the kids. Later that week, he saw Caleb teaching it to Daniel (along with others he met). Daniel then came to me and “taught” it to me. Daniel has shown much interest in spiritual things lately. He had a deep discussion with his Daddy and then later with both of us but because of his age, we did not want it to seem as if we were pushing him. We prayed instead, that it would linger in his heart and that it would be something that was continually brought up.

Wednesday night (August 29), as he and Caleb lay in the bed, he began asking Caleb questions. Caleb led him through the plan of salvation and then through the sinner’s prayer! We rejoice because not only had we been praying for Daniel’s salvation, but also for Caleb to be able to see some fruit of all the seed he had been planting over the last several months. Isn't He amazing?

So, here we are...getting ready for Dee's baptism in the Indian Ocean...but first, Daddy encourages and exhorts him as he makes his decision to follow Christ public.

Because Caleb was the one who actually led Daniel through the prayer of salvation, we thought it only appropriate that he get to assist in this special occasion...
Notice the approaching wave?

Daniel not only got baptized by his daddy and brother,

but that giant wave as well...which came at just the time he went under!

Now that's a baptism!

Caleb praying for his little bubby...

What a day!

That's my boy...my new brother in Christ!