bungy jumping

After church and lunch today, Trinity decided that she needed a little excitement in her life.  Actually this had been something on her 'bucket list" and when she discovered the cost and convenience to go in Thailand at X-Centre- she definitely wanted to go.  It all started when I babysat Josh and Lisa's kids last week so they could jump tandem for their 5 year wedding anniversary.  They came back telling us how fun it was, and Trinity just knew that she wanted to go. I was her photographer!  No way would you get me to jump 150 ft....... way too high for me.  Here's the progression:

She wasted no time at all  and as soon as she got up there she  simply leaned forward to start the fall. 

I think this is the point of "no turning back"!

She is one crazy and brave girl!  I could never do this!

The bounce back up????

The proud jumper with her certificate!

It's always fun to meet new people out there and watch them take the plunge. We met a cute couple on their honeymoon from another country, but he took two attempts at the top and never did  jump.  I don't blame him.  Ask Jon about his experience at the top!  It's a pretty funny story!

CONGRATULATIONS, Trinity!  I was happy to be your photographer. I'm so so sorry that I messed up on my job and did not get the movie form!  Next time!

summer deliciousness

Yesterday, we got our second harvest of mangoes off the trees in our yard.  Since they are only the green sour variety, they are not my favorite- although these were some of the best I've ever had.  Love our staff and the way they are so excited to get free produce off of our trees and share them with their friends and neighbors.

Our Tamarind มะขาม (or Makam) trees were also full so they got a few big bags full of them too.

Those are not monkeys in our trees, but two of our staff (who also seemed to be part monkey.) 

Some of them were deliciously sweet!

Yellow mangoes are still my favorite hot season fruit and mango smoothies are almost daily consumed in our home lately.  Another all time favorite is mango salsa.  This restaurant is just up the street from our Call2all office and  just looking at this picture makes me want to go get some more right now.

Several of you have asked about how our 88 year old Sam is doing?  I guess after writing that "oh so sad" post, it's only right I keep you updated.  This picture was taken one of the first days after he came to live with us as a puppy 12.5 years ago.  He has taken a turn for the good and is doing so much better.  He is walking again, so it must have been a temporary injury.  No more carrying him from place to place in the yard.  He is still slow, hard of hearing, and aging but still  lovable.  Our big decision has been put on hold for awhile, but we are still concerned about leaving him for our trip to the USA this summer.

my bulbs

I enjoy a little gardening every now and then.  Growing things here in the tropics is a whole lot different from  on our farm in the mid-west.  Last year in between my foot surgeries, I decided to plant some bulbs around our cabin.  This was a whole new way of gardening for me.  I remember my mom planting bulbs when I was a kid, but I did not pay much attention to how she did it.

These are my bulbs before they went into the soil. I have thought about those bulbs so much since last fall and wondered  many times, if they will really sprout   It amazes me.... that bulbs are planted into the cold soil before the ground freezes for the winter.  Poor things, it just doesn't make sense to me to put them in the ground before it snows, and................. that over six months later they might come out and bloom and be beautiful, even after just sitting in the dirt all winter.

So now, I'm over here in Thailand and spring is arriving in Iowa and I keep wondering if I did it right and if they will really produce.

It has made me think  about the seeds that God talks about that we plant. In I Corinthians 3, He talks about "one plants the seed, one waters the seed, and God causes the growth".  In my flower garden and in my relationships, my job is to plant and trust Him for the outcome.

When talking to someone who does not believe in Jesus, it can feel discouraging when I do not see an immediate result.  Usually I don't know if something I said produced anything at all, but that does not mean I should not be a witness.  I cannot rely on the results that I see.

Other times, I have heard from someone that I talked to a LONG time ago and I never ever knew that my words meant anything.  It is encouraging to receive an e-mail  or phone call and find out that something that I did or said years ago, had an influence in their life that I had no idea of.

These situations remind me to keep faithful in talking with people and reaching out, even when I see no results. If it seems to me the person is not interested, that is only my perception.  Just like my little bulbs, a flower or fruit just may be produced in God's timing.

I wish the front of our cabin could look like the spring bulbs at the top of this page, but I'm just hoping that only a few have sprouted up to greet me someday when I am back in Iowa.  If not, I guess I'll just have to do some more planting!

TRINITY

This past week, God gave us the opportunity to host another guest.  I only met Trinity here in Thailand  but she is from Fayetteville, so we immediately had some common ground. She is in Thailand for a month, attending a conference, and researching opportunities for work. We have a common enjoyment of photography, so I took her out and about on a few photo shoots.  She's looking for opportunities to work in the areas that God has gifted her in.

We also share a common appreciation for flavored coffees, so we gave some support to local coffee shops  in between other appointments. It seems that God has brought several people into the paths of Mike and I  recently who are feeling a tug in their heart to serve God in Asia and trying to figure out how to go about that. Having so many dreams and unknowns in our lives can be both exciting and stressful.  We all want to know the end plan as quickly as possible, but sometimes it is a slow process.   It brings back memories of our beginning days of asking questions like..... which group, what location, where will the support come from, etc.  Without a doubt, I know that God takes delight in directing our steps day by day as we seek Him.  It has been a joy to hear Trinity's heart this week, as she processes her decisions and to see her desire to do what God wants with her life.

Temperatures are still soaring here, with it being at least 100F. every day this week. It looks like it's not letting up for the next  few weeks either.  I certainly don't do the heat as well as I used to. I just looked over my calendar and realized that out of the past 15 weeks, we've had guests with us 9 of those weeks. If God wants us to use our extra space to help people, than we want to be available to meet those needs.  I'm still learning that it's about just being available day by day for whatever and whoever He brings into our paths. 

two expectant daughters

Jennifer and Bethany's pregnancy's are moving along and it won't be long till we'll have two more grand-babies.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart!"   God already has the life of these little ones all planned out and we are just excited to meet them and know them.  Sometimes when we feel a bit anxious about unknowns in our future, it is really senseless as this verse reminds us that God already has each of our days planned out and He just wants us to trust him. His plan is the very best plan too- so why not just go with plan #1! It will be so fun to watch the lives and plans of these little ones develop.

Jennifer is due July 2 , is now 30 weeks and  in her last trimester.  She has been documenting her pregnancy on her blog with fun updates each week and her "countdown of the weeks" t-shirt. Check it out!  They will wait to find out boy or girl on delivery day.

Bethany is almost six months.  She's had a rougher time of it feeling so tired and sick- but it's getting better. They know they are having a girl, so we're busy choosing pink, frilly, and sweet things for baby girl!

I sure would enjoy being with them both during their pregnancies, but so thankful for the way I've been able to watch them grow via pictures.

I was one of those mom's that really enjoyed filling out all of baby's "firsts" in a baby book and documenting their baby years.  I'm finally letting go of them and passing them on to them now to compare with their babies, which I know will be so fun for them.

 

Hoping they enjoy reading through them as much as I did this past week.

After years of the girls being separated by states, I'm so glad they've been able to live near each other these past two years.  Next weekend, they'll go away for their last "Sister's Weekend" for quite awhile.  Life is going to change for all of them.  Marisa will be moving to Thailand, and the other three could be making some geographical moves, too. Bethany and Jenny will enjoy their last weekend away before motherhood changes their lives forever. Hoping for an memorable weekend for all of them.

One Thousand Gifts

After about a year and a half, I have finished my list of one thousand gifts in my life.  When I finished  reading  the book One Thousand Gifts, I decided to take on the challenge of listing the everyday blessings in my life and chronicling God's gifts to me.

It was a good experience for me to document so many blessings in my life that I take for granted.  Some days, I could not write fast enough about all the gifts that God brought to mind.  Other days, I had to pause and remind myself  about  what I had to be thankful for. So many times, it's the little things in my life... the ordinary and everyday things that I simply forget to have an attitude of gratefulness for and yet I truly am thankful for them.  That is when this exercise was most rewarding. The author Ann Voskamp was a bit too flowery and poetic for my style and I felt she repeated the message; making me a bit weary about halfway through the book.  However, overall I recommend  the exercise of  remembering our gifts, blessings and things to be thankful for. I am more grateful as a result!

Goodbye Songkran...More Fun Next Year

88 year old Sam!

 
I've had a dog in my family for as long as I can remember.  There was Colonel, Shep,  Bootsie,  and Lassie, on our Iowa farms. Then Coco, Poochie, Waldo, Toby, and Annie here in Asia.  I'm not a huge dog lover, but I think our dogs have completed our family.   In fact, our dogs have always been outside dogs, but they have added fun and love to our family. Here in Thailand I have appreciated  having them for protection from burglars and snakes.

In all my years of being a dog owner, I have never had to deal with what we are facing now.  Through the years each dog has died suddenly from accidents of one sort or another. (Eating something poisonous or hit by a car on the farm, etc) It's always been sad and unexpected.

Sam is 12.5  years old and as a pure bred Labrador, that equals age 88 in people years.   He has been a very healthy dog, but just this past year is having a lot of health issues.  I am slowly accepting the fact that Sam will not be with us much longer.  He is approaching the point in his life when life is not as  enjoyable for him.   I've been reading about when as his owner is the time in his life that it would be kinder for Sam to be put to sleep- to prevent longer suffering. 

I recently had a close friend who went through this before me.  Her dog could not walk and could barely eat, so he soiled himself in his sleep and basically cried and  slept all day.  It was a hard decision for her and I do not want Sam to suffer like that.

I have read that Euthanasia literally means "gentle death."  Euthanasia is an act of love toward a dog that is no longer able to enjoy life.  This decision will not be easy for us. I read this statement with tears running down my cheeks...

"The decision to end a life is never easy. It is a personal, loving decision to euthanize a pet for which the quality of life has deteriorated. It takes courage to assume this last duty and it is our last responsibility to a pet that has given us love and companionship. There is also no easy human comparison. The bond between dog and owner is a very special one. It is easy to become emotionally caught up in keeping your dog alive when you know that there is no hope of him regaining his health."

So we need wisdom to know what is best for Sam now.  The thought of not having him to greet me each day is something I can hardly think about.  We will have his vet come by the house to talk about this tomorrow.  Something is wrong and he cannot stand up today-- but he wags his tail delightedly any time I come near him.  We will be leaving him for travels during the summer months in 6 weeks, so need to take that into account too.  I know that we are not the first ones to go through this.  If you have had to make a decision like this- please leave me a comment below and give me your advice from experience.  I want what is best for Sam, I do not want to make him suffer because of my not wanting to lose him.  He's just a dog, but has been part of our family for almost 13 years and I'd love to keep him forever! Thanks for any advice you have!

Happy Thai New Year

Today was day one of the world's largest three day water-fight here in Thailand called Songkran.  After being splashed, squirted, and slapped with water for many years, this year we are deciding to take a break.  Knowing that next year it will be fun to watch the grand kids enjoy it, the break this year feels good.  I had to borrow this photo to show you what is happening all over our city April 13-15.  As I was out in our yard hanging out clothes, I could hear the drums, loud music, and squeals from cold water tosses on the main road near our house.

I thought we'd avoid it until,  Mike and I did have to make a quick run up to our local small store and then I got a few pictures on this road near our house.

Our girls use to have a point system of who they got wet.  It was always higher points for people who were totally dry and hoping not to get wet.  As I darted into the store, I was pretty sure someone would get some high points off me and when a little boy tossed water at his friend, I thought it was at me and gave a loud scream throughout the parking lot. Oops- and I DID stay dry!

Songkran and hot season also means Mango season.  We've been having Mango shakes and smoothies every single day.  Delicious beyond description!

The trees in our yard are full of green mangoes this year.

Which means that some of our staff and friends came over for their annual collection of our mangos.  We don't eat  many of this green kind, so they got a pretty good stash to share with friends today. Blueberry is home for the holidays from her stewardess job in Singapore, so I loved seeing her and catching up with her.  

 

They ended up with at least 3 big rice bags full and we still passed them out to our neighbors, too.  In two weeks, we'll get the second harvest. 

We enjoyed having Kim visit us this week from California  She had come here on a building project with the Waterloo guys last year, and feels God telling her to come back again long term.  We talked through different options with her as a plan.  I know she'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom for her.

Kim was a Muay Thai champion boxer in the USA, so we went to the Muay Thai school just down the road from us.  I've driven by this gym hundreds of times, so it was fun for me to finally stop and get a more up close view of the place.

Tomorrow is my sweet nephew Jesse and Allison's wedding.  They are putting the wedding on an Internet live stream so that people like me can watch it.  I'm sad to not be a part especially since all my siblings are there without me- and yet so thankful that I can be a part via Internet.  Gotta get to bed because the wedding starts at 6:30am here in Thailand!  Happy Songkran and Best Wishes Jess and Allison! 

David and Goliath

I am reading through the Bible this year in the chronological order. (Thanks to Marisa's encouragement to do it as a family)  Today I read I Samuel 16-17 and absolutley LOVE the story of David and Goliath.  I'm pretty sure that it is many a little boys favorite Bible story, with a good reason and one of my favorites,  too. Cannot ever be reminded of the lessons in this story enough......

• I Samuel 16:7, God said to Samuel "Do not look at appearance or height of stature....for God sees not as man sees, man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart." God, please help me to not judge people by outward impressions- before I even know them.

• I Samuel 17:45, David shouted to Goliath- " You come to me with a sword and spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven."  Oh, if I only had  faith like this little boy that all I really need is the name of the Lord and what can be done in God's power.

 If you want a good and encouraging bedtime storry tonight.  Read it in the Living Bible to your kids. It is so down to earth and suspenseful and powerful.

Reach the Campus today, Reach the World Tomorrow

Michael made this ministry update video of what has been happening this past year at the University of Arkansas.  Both Jon and Marisa and Michael and Bethany have been on the Cru staff team working there the past few years. Michael did a great job!  It is encouraging to us and we want to share it with you!

Reach the Campus Today, Reach the World Tomorrow from Michael Allen on Vimeo.

The Cocking Girls

I had all of our girls while living here in Asia away from family and I'm not going to lie and say it was always easy.  I missed having my mom and sister and other relatives around to help with them.  I remember very specifically one period of time while going through the demands of little ones just wishing that someone would give me a break and help me. It sounded so nice to drop the kids off at Grandma's  for a day now and then.  I'd look at some older women and notice how easy and free their schedules were.  I told myself that when I get that age- I definitely will remember to help younger moms by taking their kids and giving them a chance to think and breathe alone every now and then.  Here I am in empty nest now  and I must say that I have not done well in  carrying through with that promise to myself. We actually have not had many young families on our teams.

Last week, I did get to give some other staff friends a break so that they could do a ministry trip to another country.  How fun for me to have 3 girls in our home (ages 11,10,9) for 4 days.

Bethany is 11 (almost 12) and stayed in our Bethany's room. She actually reminds me of our Bethany.

Ellie is 10 and the artist of the family.

 Micah is 9 and an animal lover, actually they all are.  It was fun for me to see the uniqueness of each of their girls even at young ages. 

We had so much fun and kept busy with lots of activities during their visit. It was almost like an aunties summer camp, with all the fun things we did.

The peak of hot season is here and the sultry heat led us to the mall to do some painting fun.

 They did a great job on their sculptures. 

We swam at our neighborhood pool and they  played in our yard pool to keep cool.

We made "Welcome Home" signs to surprise Dad and Mom when they got home.

Good job girls!

We went to the pet market and chose some pets for them to add to their family, but Mike vetoed our idea! I think Tim and Lisa were glad that Mike was around for that decision.

More crafting projects!

You can't really spend too much time at our house without getting in a few games of our favorite "Four Square"!

We had such a fun time together.  They are sweet girls!  I told their parents I did not hear them fight or argue one single time. They were polite and appreciative and so easy to care for.  Brought back memories of days long ago around this house- to hear the laughter of 3 little girls in the yard and in their rooms.  Auntie Judy and Uncle Mike loved our time with you!