Noah

Did I mention in one of my posts yesterday that I was thinking about calling the doctor about Noah? After seeing Noah pull a big clump of blood out of his nose yesterday (gross I know!!), I decided it was best to call the doctor. I talked to the sister (nurse) and she said that if he wasnt running a temperature, then he didnt have an infection. The blood could have been from being hit or something like that (I accidently hit him with the car door on Monday...maybe the blood is from that). She said to bring him in if he has a temperature or he starts bleeding fresh blood from his nose. None of that has happened so far so I guess he is ok. I tried looking up his nose, but you can just imagine how that was with my excitable two year old. The sister seemed to think that his teeth were causing him to wake up in the night. Actually, she was pretty sure of that. Hopefully, his teeth will come in soon. The second year molars sure are horrible.

Last night I decided to listen to a podcast. I had a really down day yesterday and felt pretty yucky for most of the day. There were so many to listen to I just prayed, "God, show me which one to listen to tonight." So I picked a Focus on the Family podcast. It was one of 3 parts, and I was just going to listen to the first one last night. It was titled, "God's Grace is Sufficient." When I started listening, it was not at all what I thought it would be. It a testimony from a lady who helped Jews escape the Netherlands during WWII. It was along the same lines as the testimonoy of Corrie Ten Boom. Actually, she crossed paths with Corrie in a concentration camp. It was so awesome I couldnt stop listening to it. An hour and a half later, I had listened to all three parts! Shane even joined me in the middle of the second one. We spent time talking about it when it was finished. We think we have it so bad, but we really have no idea...do we? I cant even imagine living during that time. So just remember, when you are down and think you have it bad...You actually have it pretty good! If you want to listen on your computer, just click here to listen to the first part. Then, you should be able to navigate your way through the other two parts. If you have trouble, let me know.

Krispy Kreme

We just found out that Krispy Kreme has come to Brisbane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those of you who dont know, Krispy Kreme has the best doughnuts in the world!!! Shane just happens to be flying to Brisbane on Thursday for work....so....guess what? He is going to buy us some. YEAH!

Going Home!

That's right! Our flights are now booked to go to the states for Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!! I am so happy! By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, it will have been almost 2 and 1/2 years since I have seen mom and dad...and since they have seen Noah! I'm already dreaming about Turkey and Dressing!!!! We cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A word from James

I know I havent been posting as much as I usually do, but to tell you the truth, I'm just tired. I dont know what is wrong with Noah. I am very close to taking him to the doctor. Last night, Shane was really sick as well. So it felt like it was me on my own, and when you feel tired, that is tough.

Anyways, here is some stuff that I read today from James MacDonald...

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1,4

Hidden in the last phrase of Psalm 23:4 is the assurance that when the Lord is your shepherd, you are safe and secure: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
A shepherd would be lost without two instruments: the rod, which is a tool of protection, and his staff, a tool of correction.

The word, rod literally can be translated “club.” A shepherd carries this tool to guard his sheep. The rod was a long piece of wood with a metal tip and sometimes metal studs driven through it. If a dangerous animal got near his flock, the shepherd would wield his rod and drive it away. This is a picture of God’s care and protection as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

Nothing is allowed in your life but that Almighty God has permitted it. Nothing you are experiencing is without His permission. God says, “We will let her go through that. She will draw down upon My strength and experience My love and goodness. Yes, allow that.” He’ll also say, “No, no. Don’t allow that. That will overwhelm him. He is not ready for that.” That is His protecting rod.

The shepherd also has another tool, the staff. The staff is that crooked, wooden thing you always see in a shepherd’s hands in the Christmas play. A shepherd will use that tool to get his sheep back on the right path. What are you doing over there? Get back over here. Back on the path! Has God had to do that to you sometimes? This is His correcting influence.

Protecting is safety. Correcting is security.

As hard as it is to have God correcting us, instructing us, and setting us straight, Hebrews 12 says that correction is proof of the Lord’s love (see vv.5-11). If you are without correction, then you don’t even know the Father. You are not one of His children.

There is something incredibly secure in knowing that the Lord loves you enough to keep at you. I grew up in a home where my dad had some things to say. And he had some ways of following through big-time if I didn’t listen to what he was saying. While that wasn’t always the happiest situation, it was security for me.

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” is a message of safety and security. The Lord’s correction and protection is proof of His love.

Teething

Oh man! Is it possible that we could have 2 children teething at the same time? Surely not. Surely not. That would not happen to us would it? Surely not. Surely not. I'm in complete denial I tell you!

Noah has been waking up in the middle of the night for about a week now. It is literally killing us. I dont know how single moms do it. This is definately a team effort. I couldnt not do it without Shane and he couldnt do it without me. Not only is he waking up in the middle of the night, but he is trying to get up at 5:30 as well. Yes, this is our darling little boy who was sleeping through the night at 8 weeks old!!! We are almost positive that it is his second year molars. From what our friends tell us, it is not uncommon for him to be acting this way if they are trying to come through. I do wish they would hurry up though. So far, he hasnt managed to wake Dave up. Actually, on the weekend, Dave even ended up sleeping from 7pm to 8am. I had to get him up because I was in a lot of pain (those breastfeeding moms know what I mean)!

Today, I could almost swear that Dave is teething. Maybe I am paranoid. That is definately possible. I have had to put a bib on him because there is so much drool. He is also chewing on his hands (I know the difference between chewing his hands and sucking his thumb). I even reckon I can feel something in his mouth!!!! I couldnt get him to go down for his nap at lunch time (this is not normal because he hasnt had much sleep today because of my Bible study). He was chewing his hand, so I gave him some panadol and oral gel...now he is fast asleep and as peaceful as ever.

Surely not. Surely not. This wouldnt happen to us!!! Not 2 teething at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is funny

6 Years Already!

I cant believe how quickly time goes by. I feel like we have lived a lifetime in the 6 years that we have been married. I wonder where we will be in another 6 years. I uploaded some photos onto flickr. Click here to see the slideshow. See if you can figure out all the places we have been and where the photos were taken! I dont think they are in any particular order. I had some issues figuring it all out. I am so tired at the moment...I just dont feel like fooling with it.

Shane told me when I met him that life with him would be an adventure. That has certainly proved true so far. I'm so thankful for Shane, and the time God has given us together. Your a great husband and a wonderful Dad. I'm so glad I married you. I love you heaps!

My Journal

The other night I was looking for a book when I discovered my journal from Vietnam. Well, it was the first journal I kept when we were there before Noah was born. Actually, it is from the first day we arrived till I found out I was pregnant with Noah.

I started laughing when I read the first line..........

Our first week in Vietnam was not what we expected.

My Morning

The boys are asleep (at the same time!). The house is quiet. The bathroom is clean. The kitchen is clean. Tea is cooking in the crock-pot (slow cooker). The clothes are hanging on the line. I've had a shower. I've only felt frustrated with my kids once (or twice) this morning. I've helped color, paint, and "play dough" today. I've played with blocks and cars. I've read my Bible. I've fixed breakfast, morning tea, and lunch. I've gotten Noah ready for swimming. I've changed many many nappies including 2 poohs. The kids and I have talked to Grandma and Grandpa. I've missed Tennesse and my parents only once today. That's what I call "success" for the stay at home mom. Is my day over? Am I ready for bed? No way! It's only 1:30 in the afternoon!

I'm almost finished with my John Piper book, Dont Waste Your Life. You know...I really believe that nothing happens by chance. God knows and plans my every step. This book did not fall into my hands by chance, and I feel that God is really speaking to me through this book. It is great.

I'm going through reading this book, and low and behold, I come across a chapter on missions. What can I say? Thanks God...I needed to hear you speak to me. I'm thankful that you never give up on me, and that you care enough to keep moulding me and teaching me.

Some words from Piper...

God does not call us to ease, but to faithful joy. He is closing in on some of you, smiling and with tears in his eyes, knowing how much of himself he is going to show you--and how much it will cost.

God's word...

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27-28

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. Psalm 67:3-4

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!...Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." Psalm 96:3, 10

Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. God therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

I make it my ambitions to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." Romans 15:20-21

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Revelation 5:9-10

Dont forget to check out my "Please Help" post that I did earlier today.

Please Help!

Some friends of ours are currently serving in India. They need all of our help. They are in the process of raising funds for a school and children's home. Firstly, they need to build the school. Initial estimates for the school are around $60,000 for the building (this is a real good price!). These friends are really awesome people who love the Lord. If you would like more information, please email me at shaneandmarlana@hotmail.com. I can give you more details personally because security is an issue. I can also get you information on helping them with this project. If you live in Australia, gifts over $500 are tax deductible. It may take me a few days to get back to you because I need to contact them and get permission to share with you (once again security is a big issue here).

Laypeople, pastors, churches-all of us who stay behind--will find the "sweetest and most priceless rewards" as we enlarge our hearts to embrace not only the needs close to home, but also the hard and unreached places of the world.

John Piper

Say a prayer for this couple. Please ask God if He could be asking you to help with the needs that they have in India.

A quote

A house is a blessing if you can afford it, but a burden if you cannot.

Dave Ramsey

3 Months Old

Dave is 3 months old today. How time flies! He is such a blessing to our family and we love him so much!

Some thoughts

It's been another busy day for the Elson household, and it is only 1:30! The day is only half over.

I spent the morning at my young mum's Bible study. Our group is so amazing. It is great to just relate to other mums, but I find that they are becoming such close friends of mine. I dont know what I would do without them. It is hard getting both the kids ready to go, and today, I had to wake Dave up from his nap, but man...it's worth it! I am so thankful for their prayers. It is just great to be able to share openly with them about how God is moving in my life.

I just put Noah down for his nap. You know...he is such a funny kid. He is actually taking his first nap without his bed rail on. I will let you know if he rolls off! Ha! I'm washing his sheets, and I just dont have the energy to put the bed rail on twice in one day. I will just see how he goes. Anyways, I gave him his mickey, books to read, and some water. As I started to walk out of the room. He kept yelling Mom...Mom. So I walked back into his room. He wanted the covers on him. So I covered him up, and then he decided that he needed to hold everything at once. So he is trying to hold a cup of water, his mickey, and 3 books all at once as he lays down. I kept saying to him, "Noah, you cant hold it all. You need to only hold a few things." But his little mind couldnt comprehend that he didnt have enough hands to hold everything!

This whole thing just got me thinking. There must be so many time in our life when we are trying to just "hold" onto everything all at once. God must look at us just as I looked at Noah...knowing that there is no way he can do it. He just had to let go of something so that he could go to sleep. God must see us struggle with this all the time. I dont mean only physical struggles...could be anything that we are holding "too tight" too.

I was holding Dave the other day as well, and I think I just took a moment to look at him. I was like, "Gosh...God must really love him." I dont know why that popped into my head. Maybe because I struggled so much with giving my kids to Him while we were in Vietnam. I know how much I love my kids, but God loves them more than I could ever imagine. What a nice thought and comfort that brought me.

I dont think I will make anymore posts today. Shane informed me that we are having a few "short-term" missos over for tea tonight. They spent a few weeks in Cambodia awhile back. And since that was our part of the world for sometime...Shane thinks it might be good to have a chat to them about what all they experienced over there. It can be a bit hard for short termers. They often come home, and people are still going about their lives as normal, and they have experienced something no one will ever understand. It will be good...although, I have no idea what I will make for tea (dinner).

Last but not least...some words from John Piper......

There is a war going on in the world between Christ and Satan, truth and falsehood, belief and unbelief. It tells me that there are weapons to be funded and used, but that these weapons are not swords or guns or bombs but the Gospel and prayer and self-sacrificing love. And it tells me that the stakes of this conflict are higher than any other war in history; they are eternal and infinite; heaven or hell, eternal joy or eternal torment.

I need to hear this message again and again, because I drift into a peacetime mind-set as certainly as rain falls down and flames go up. I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home." Before you know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I dont think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached peoples drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those who have forced me again and again toward a wartime mind-set.

Oh yeah...This weekend...Dave didnt sleep so great. BUT he made up for it last night. He slept from 7-7!!! And yesterday afternoon, BOTH boys took at 2 1/2 hour nap AT THE SAME TIME! Just Wonderful!

Tender Quilt

My heart rejoiced this morning when I received a package from my good friend in Vietnam. I worked with her in a quilting program that she started when I first went to Vietnam. Now, she is back and has started the quilting program again. This program helps street and handicapped teens by teaching them the skill of quilting so that they are able to get a job and dont have to live on the street anymore. My friend also teaches the girls English. This too is an invaluable skill. I am in contact with her regularly. Today, I received the 20 hand towels that I had ordered, and the girls made David the cutest quilt I have ever seen! Some of the girls I use to work with still work with her, but now there are many new girls too. Tender Quilt produces so much fruit!!!

If you are interested in hearing more about Tender Quilt or would like to buy any quilts or products made by the girls, please email me at shaneandmarlana@hotmail.com. Everything you buy goes to support these girls. Please be on your knees for this program and for all of these girls!

Our Little Sleeper

I'm happy to report that last night David slept from 7:30pm-7:30am!!!! How Awesome is that!!!! I have thought for the past few days that Dave was starting to stretch out his schedule, and low and behold, I'm right. Dont you just love being a mom the second time around! It is nice to THINK you know what you are doing with the second baby. Although, I will be the first one to admit that I am learning a lot with the second baby too. So far today, Dave has eaten every 4 hours. I suspect that he will switch between 3, 3 1/2, and 4 hours for a little while now. I dont expect him to stay on the 4 hour day schedule. Babies dont usually do that until they are about 4 months old (that is the "norm" anyways). He is a much bigger baby though than Noah was so maybe this schedule is here to stay until we start solids. Dave is such a good baby. We are so blessed! It is really nice for me and Shane to have both boys going to bed at the same time...then we actually get to have our evenings to ourselves!

Psalm 63:3

I was feeding Dave and trying to think about what I was going to post today on my blog, when I opened up my book and read this....

To make others glad in God with an everlasting gladness, our lives must show that he is more precious than life. "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you" (Psalm 63:3). To do this we must make sacrificial life choices rooted in the assurance that magnifying Christ through generosity and mercy is more satisfying than selfishness. If we walk away from risk to keep ourselves safe and solvent, we will waste our lives.

John Piper, Dont Waste Your Life

AMEN

A pooh at the pool!

Guess what Noah did? The joy of having kids. Life will never be boring I'm sure. Noah has swim lessons every Wednesday morning. It's pretty special because (1) we didnt have this opportunity for him in Vietnam and (2) Daddy comes home from work for an hour and takes him. When Noah and Shane arrived back home this morning after swim lessons, I decided to go out and meet them in the driveway. I noticed that Noah still had his swim diaper on along with his swim pants. Shane usually changes him into normal clothes after each lesson because it is better for him to be dry in the car and have a normal diaper on. Well, Shane began to tell me about how they had gotten out of the pool, and he realized that Noah had done a pooh when he was starting to change his clothes. He didnt want anyone to see that Noah had poohed so he was trying to hide it! Then while he was doing that, the actual "pooh" fell out of Noah's diaper and onto the change table. Shane was horrified so he scooped the pooh up into Noah's towel, kept Noah's swim diaper and swim pants on, and brought him home. Then he comes home, and tells me that he cant clean up because it is soooo important that he hurry and get back to work. Who do you think has to clean up the mess????? Right...good old mom! Anyways, I end up having to cut Noah's swim diaper off of him because if I pull it off, pooh is going to go all over his legs!!! I throw him in the shower with Shane and started to clean up. Shane didnt tell me WHICH towel he put the pooh in, so I ended up accidently dumping the pooh on the kitchen floor. What a mess!!!! I am still laughing about it though...even as I email this I cant stop laughing. Gotta love kids (and husbands too)!

JUST DO IT

If God shows you something to do, don't say, "I'll do it" - JUST DO IT! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will.
Oswald Chambers

Davy Crockett

I love singing this song to Dave. What a good song! I actually had to learn it in the 4th grade as part of Tennessee history. This makes me home sick. Ahhh...cant wait to go home! Sometimes Christmas cant come soon enough! If you need a translation from "southern" terms to "aussie" terms, let me know.

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
The greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so's he knew ev'ry tree
Kilt him a b'ar when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier

Fought single-handed through many a war
Till the enemy was whipped and peace was in store
And while he was handlin' this risky chore
He made himself a legend forever more
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who knew no fear

He went off to Congress and served a spell
Fixin' up the Government and the laws as well
Took over Washington, so I heard tell
And he patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seeing his duty clear

When he came home his politic'ing was done
And the western march had just begun
So he packed his gear and his trusty gun
And lit out a-grinnin' to follow the sun
Davy, Davy Crockett, leading the pioneer

WHAT DO YOU THINK? TRUE or FALSE?

What Marlana Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Some Quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Once a man has found God in his earthly bliss and thanked him for it, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to remind himself that these earthly pleasures are only transitory, and that it is good for him to accustom himself to the idea of eternity.

To be in Christ...means to be in the church.

It is grace to know God's commands. They release us from self-made plans and conflicts.

From Christ alone must we know what we should do.

You have granted me many blessings; now let me also accept what is hard from your hands.

I look back on the past without any self-reproach and accept the present in the same spirit.

Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single-mindedly and unresistingly lets his yoke rest upon him, finds his burden easy and, under its gentle pressure, receives the power to persevere in the right way.

All human strivings and drives are finally directed towards God and can only find their complete satisfaction in him.

My Sweetie

Here is my little sweetie..Dave. Yeah...he's sucking his thumb. Like I said before. We have tried everything. This weekend I finally gave up the fight. On Friday night, he woke up at 4:30, and on Saturday night, he woke at 4. We were pretty sure that he was waking for comfort and not for food. Shane tried to put the dummy in his mouth on Friday and Saturday, but it just made things worse. In fact, it made Dave quite mad!!! I've been keeping mittens and socks on his hands, but on Saturday, I just let him be and he was so content. He isnt even really sucking his thumb that much to be honest. I am just too tired! For the first time last night, I did not put mittens on his hands just to see if he would suck his thumb in the night and go to sleep. Sure enough, he woke up at 4:30. He wasnt crying, but I knew he was awake. Before I knew it, I could here him sucking on his hand (He wiggles out of his wrap). He went back to sleep, and slept till 6:30 (He slept from 8pm-6:30am). Obviously, he was only waking up for comfort and not food. Just a note...Shane woke up and asked me if Dave woke up during the night. I guess Shane slept through too...haha.

This weekend went by so quick. We were pretty much zombies all weekend considering the fact that we were getting up at 4 in the morning to feed Dave. Noah, Dave, and I got to go and see Daddy score a soccer goal!!! I think that is 3 goals so far this season for Shane! On Sunday, we had a great day of resting!! Shane let me go out to the shed where it is air-conditioned and have a long sleep. Then we went to a friends birthday party. He was turning 1, and it was a great party...so peaceful like. Much better than Noah's crazy terrible twos party! Everything just seemed really calm! It was really nice.

I'm off to aerobics tonight, and then Shane and I are sitting down for some nice time together to just talk about our goals and passions with regards to ministry and work overseas. As we start our time of thinking things through once again, we want to be clear on what God has placed on our hearts. We are really praying for clarity.

We have a good week lined up to talk with some experienced people in our line of work. It is always so good when God gives us people who have "been there and done that"! The wisdom they have is such a blessing. I know I am really starting to change...well...GOD is changing me. I know I am being refined by Him through all we have been through and experienced. It is a good feeling to know He loves me enough to change me into who I should be.

I am starting to feel a heavy burden for the lost once again. I didnt know if I would ever feel that way again after our experiences, but it is a great heaviness I have on my heart lately, and it is something I cant shake or get rid of.

Well...I better go have a rest while the boys are resting.

Noah and Cousin Cooper

Here are some photos of Noah and his cousin, Cooper.

The boys!

Here are some pictures of the boys. Enjoy!

We've tried everything!

At first, I was against using the dummy (pacifier). I didnt want Dave to have one because it was so hard taking it away from Noah. Dave has never liked the dummy. He will take it once in awhile, but he has never been very keen on it. Since Dave was born, he has wanted to suck his hands. Shane use to have to hold his hands away from his face so that I could feed him! A few weeks ago, I noticed that Dave was sucking on his fist. Then one day, I looked over and he was sucking his thumb. Panic! I dont like the dummy, but I REALLY dont like the thumb. So we have tried every dummy in Australia and Dave still does not like it. So this is a picture of all the dummies that we have tried. He isnt really sucking his thumb, but sometimes he tries to. I'm trying to prevent it, but to tell you the truth...I'm tired. I cant watch him every moment of the day and make sure he isnt doing it. I try to keep gloves on his hands so that he cant get to his thumb, but I dont want to do that all the time. I've decided that I will try to keep him from sucking his thumb, but I'm definately not going to stress over it or try to work my life around it. There are so many more important things than this.

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake

Brownies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs, sugar, and vanilla

2. Using a wooden spoon, beat lightly till just combined. Stir in flour and nuts.

3. Spread batter into a greased pan.

Brownie-Swirl-Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Brownie mixture

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.

2. Mix in sugar until blended.

3. Add egg and vanilla. Mix just until blended.

4. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie batter. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.

5. Bake at 350 F for 35 to 40 minutes. In Australia, I end up backing everything at 200 C.

Enjoy!

Quiet Times

Currently, I am reading 2 books. Dont Waste Your Life by John Piper and Mountain Rain by Eileen Crossman. Mountain Rain is a biography of James Fraser, who at only 22 years old abandoned a promising engineering career to go and bring the Good News of Christ to the Lisu people of the Yunnan provine in China. This book is really good, and I am gaining so much insight from it. Last night, I was reading about a few temptations that he struggled with when first arriving in China. When I think about temptations, I always think about things like Jesus in the desert or various temptations that we normally struggle with such as idolatry, etc. But he spoke about the temptation he had to slacken his communion with God.

Here is some from the book...
Once again, discipline became all important to him in maintaining his walk with God. He had to get up early, before the inn grew lively and distracting. He soon found prayer haunts in places on the hills, different ones for different weather. A habit he formed early was to walk up and down, praying aloud, talking as a man talks to his friend. Sometimes he would pray for the city as he sat and looked over it from the hills.

How many of us do this on a regular basis? Man...I can really relate to slackening in my communion with God. What? A misso slacking? Yes, we are human too! Sometimes, those doing God's work get so busy with His work that we forget about Him. In Thailand, we had a friend speak about this and how when you neglect God and forget about Him...that is a really bad place to be. I remember crying on Shane's shoulder while she was speaking because I knew in my heart that she was speaking for us as well. You get so wrapped up in working for God that you forget about God and your time with Him. I dont think our work was about going to Vietnam or even about spreading the Gospel. I KNOW what it was about....it was about Me...and God changing me and working in my life. My friend, Stephanie, told me that one time. As an overseas worker, I always though everything came back to Vietnam or the Vietnamese people, but it didnt. It was about God drawing me close to him and teaching me to be who I am suppose to be in Him.

Cooking!

Noah and I have been doing a little bit of baking. We are about to start making some cookies now, but we baked a brownie-swirl-cheesecake today for Daddy when he gets home from work!

Dave's Sitting!

Yep...thats right. Dave is sitting (with support of course!). I placed him up against some pillows and he stayed there. He even tries to do it on his own! He is sitting really well for a 11 week old baby!

What is normal?

When Shane and I were first married, we went on a short term missions trip to Madang, PNG. It was a great experience, and we still keep in touch with the missionaries there. We just received an email from some friends. They have a little boy named Noah who is about a year old. Her email really spoke volumes to me. Lets just say that I can really relate to what she said. Please read this email and pray for this family. It is so hard sometimes just getting from day to day in their line of work.

Here is her email....

I think one of these days I will just admit to myself that trying to live a “normal” life over here is not something that was meant to be. Life’s an adventure, might as well hang on and enjoy the ride right? Or freak out by all the twists and turns it makes. I have in my mind how I think life should be, even over here on the mission field, and since returning from our furlough last August, God has blown my ideas and expectations out the window. Sure there are things that Kyle and I think are important. They ARE important, things that NEED to be done, like buildings needing to be built, offices remodled, guesthouse and housing taken care of, people’s needs to be met, stability in our own home life, time for each other, our son. I could continue. But God has other agendas for us in the midst of the “work” for Him. Every upset that has come our way this past year, has been like another hurdle for me to jump over, hold my breath under, just waiting until life can just be “normal” again. But what IS normal? God doesn’t ask us to “weather” every storm, hold our breath and hunker down until it has passed on by us.…but to STAND UP INSIDE the storm, the challenges, the difficulties, and embrace WITH JOY the lessons He has for us in those times. “Normal” isn’t the easy life… where we slide through days, weeks even months, without a tremor to our well placed plans and expectations. Maybe normal is embracing those things that God brings daily into our lives, that challenge us to grow, step outside our comfort zones, and trust Him even when the circumstances He has placed us in don’t make sense. I want my “normal” to be accepting with joy all that God’s hand and grace decides to give me for that day. Because trials… ARE normal. I think I have a long way to go in this…but with all the changes our little family has been through this past year…one thing has never changed…His faithfulness to stand beside us all the way, and teach us wonderful lessons from all the places he decides to take us. Normal? God is… the only constant, sure, steadfast, unmovable, unchangeable, normal thing in this world. I am glad we are Standing on THAT rock, and nor our own understanding as we walk through life.

Now where did that all come from you ask? Good question.. I guess I just sat down to write you an update about our past week here and things just started coming out as I wondered what to write. This past week was just another mini struggle in the whole scheme of things I have been learning. My struggle this week was my dental issues continuing to get worse. I had had a root canal done while we were living in Moresby and it never fully “healed”. I struggled with headaches and jaw aches daily and little energy. Then 2 weeks after we got home the filling caved in, and the headaches were back. So I flew back to Moresby to get it fixed ( 3 weeks ago) But again it started to cave in this past week and the headaches and jaw aches continued.

SO this past week I packed up again, and headed to Goroka where a team from the States had come to minister. An American Dentist was on that team and he was seeing patients for a week who needed emergency work done. Praise the Lord!! I flew up to see him and he FINISHED the supposedly already finished root canal I had done in Moresby. ( OUCH!!!) But the headaches persisted and he didn’t know what caused them and I started to get discouraged. Along with that, no daddy for Noah, schedule all messed up, Noah getting sick, and still hoping to get some answers on things or just a FIX to the problem so I could return to normal added stress to the situation. My “flesh” just sighs and goes good grief, to be able to get in a car and DRIVE to the dentist would be so NORMAL right about now. Instead of catching a 206, trying to find a room at the guest house, chartering flights, and ultimately spending a week away from home and ministry to fix a TOOTH, an exercise in patience and faith that God knows what He is doing was a good lesson for me. He takes care of all our needs, and provides what we need, when we need it, faithfully.

So we are all home together again. Surprisingly the headaches are starting to get better and I feel like I have more energy through the day. As we settle back into our ministry, life, and routine, again I realize ... life is going to be what God chooses it to be. He is going to take us to the places, and teach us truths about Himself that he wants us to learn. If that cant happen in the normal of daily life, and He needs to upset things a bit to refine us, however often that may be…then that is GOOD… that is NORMAL… that is GOD.

This all may seem silly coming from just a tooth problem.. but in reality it goes way back to me just learning to let go and trust God for the plans He has for my life and the life of my family and our ministry over here. If you think of it, pray with me that I would continue to grow and be FLEXIBLE to all the changes this life brings my way and that I would not long for the “normal” life I had back home. I have come to realize that this earth is not my home, PNG is not my home, even the USA is not my home. Rather HEAVEN is my home, and the different roads God takes me on to get there are going to be full of twists and turns, straight shots and narrow places. But when I GET there.. Ahhh now THAT will be what Normal is supposed to be – Praising HIS name…. Forever.

Growing with you
Jen for Kyle and Noah too

The tank

Here is a picture of the "tank" that I'm about to put the kids in to go for a walk. I literally feel like I'm driving a tank. It is huge. A big thanks to my friend, Tamra, for letting me use it until she has more babies..haha. If you look close you can see Dave in the back (we have walked before).

Another busy day....laundry and dishes. My friend, Louise, came over for lunch. She is such a blessing, and I really enjoy spending time with her.

Dave has been crazy today. Is it possible he is going through a growth spurt? All he wants to do is eat....sleeps have even been few and far between today. I'm just about to give up on the dummy/pacifier. He hates it, wont take it, and screams louder when I try to put it in. I dont know if it is worth the trouble anymore. I cant stay beside him all day pushing it back in. He seems to take great pleasure in popping it out of his mouth. This thumb stuff is still lingering, but not so bad now. He doesnt try to suck it as much anymore. Even if he does get it in his mouth, he seems to want to bite it and isnt actually sucking.

Well...I should go if I'm going to do this walk thing. Dave is screaming, and I need a distraction!

Great Testimony

Check this out. It is really great!

http://www.wretch.cc/video/ritahsia&func=single&vid=2282608&rpage=2&p=0

What I miss about Vietnam.....

Believe it or not....there are many things that I do miss about Vietnam. Many things have been on my mind lately concerning Vietnam...so here are a few things I miss.

• Fresh fruit and Vegetables. I miss the grapefruit, the mang cut (dont know the English word for this fruit), and chom choms (Rambutans...they are so expensive here) the most. We could buy fresh fruit and Veg every single day and it didnt cost us very much at all!
• The food. There were so many times that I didnt want to eat Vietnamese food, but now that I no longer am able to eat it...I really really want it! I miss Pho (although I make a pretty good pho...ask shane), Bun Cha Gio (springrolls in noodles), etc. I miss the good rice! Cooking was something that I should have learned to do...I should have taken advantage of learning to cook Vietnamese when I had the chance. I miss sinh to dau....the best strawberry drink in vietnam made with condesed milk!!!! I miss fresh lime juice and orange juice. I miss the salt, pepper, and lime dipping sauce. I miss the great tasting soy sauce...not the crap we have here! I miss the passionfruit cheesecake that we use to buy.
• I miss riding on the back of the motorbike with Shane. I even miss taking a xe om....a motorbike taxi (riding with someone you dont know). I miss my helmet...the pink one with flowers on it and my matching pink raincoat that I had to wear in the wet season.
• I miss the cyclo. This is where you ride in the front and a guy pedals behind you.
• I miss Chi Thao. She was our house helper who did everything. She did some weird stuff sometimes, but she could clean, cook, and sew. She could even take care of plants too! Sometimes it was stressful having a helper, but other times it was a blessing among all the stress.
• I miss Ho Chi Minh City...and knowing what is sold on all the streets.
• I miss the street sellers...always selling cheap food/fruit/veg.
• I miss friends that we made...Gira and Hoang come to my mind first of all. Hoang use to say she liked me because I would eat anything. We use to eat blood clams together. It was actually really good!! I miss people like Gira who actually are hungry to learn the word of God. Never have I met anyone like him who just wanted to learn about Jesus ALL the time! I have recently found myself thinking about the tender quilt girls. They are doing great I have heard.
• I really miss Mai. Even though she wasnt on our second team....she is so dear to me, and I pray for her everyday and the work she is doing.
• I miss Mui Ne, Dalat, Hanoi, and Hoi An. Travel with a child is so hard, but these places are so unique and interesting. We didnt go to Hoi An with Noah...I was pregant then though.
• I miss ordering take away and having it delievered to your door for free.
• I miss the bread lady that use to come by our house at 5 in the morning yelling...banh me (bread).
• I miss the markets and the shopping...and having shane bargin for me.
• I miss the excitement we would experience when we thought that we were doing the work we were called to do.
• I miss the way we felt in the beginning where we had "everything" ahead of us.

Well...I think I hear my Dave crying so this list will have to do for now. We are really praying for God to show us what we should do. All we want to do is be obedient...nothing else matters in this life except what we do for God. I think I'm learning this lesson the hard way....but I'm thankful that God is a God that doesnt give up on me and is willing to keep teaching me new things everyday.

My Polls...

Thanks to all of you who voted on my last poll. Yes, Shane should buy me a dryer and a dishwasher too! I will let you know if or when that ever happens! I have a new poll. Check it out. Fill free to email me and explain your choice. I dont know if many of you like to travel, but I'm just curious to hear people's thoughts. Traveling is an interesting topic for many people. Anyways, it is something fun to do!

Dave's Rollerblinds

Here are the blinds/shades we ordered for Daves room. They are so great, and it makes the room really dark for sleeping.

Our weekend..

I cant believe our weekend is almost over. It goes by too fast...sometimes...I wish it would last forever. Saturday was a pretty busy day. We took both of the boys shopping with us. I got up and called the doctor at 8am to see if we could get Noah in to be checked out. We got an appointment at 10am. We spent the morning working through our finances and our budget for the month, which was good considering the fact that we were about to go shopping. It's always good to know how much you have to spend instead of just spending and paying the consequences later on.

The doctor's appointment went well. The doctor still says that the bites Noah and I have are from an insect. He suggested getting our house fumigated because there is obviously something biting us. We are going to be doing that next month because you have to book about a month in advance. Noah had to be put on an antibiotic though because he has scratched his sores so much. Yuck...just no self-controll I suppose. But what 2 year old has self-control anyways? We got the prescription for his flu vaccine as well. The doctor also suggested we take some worm medicine especially since we had not taken any since returning from Vietnam. It is ok too for me take the medicine while I'm nursing.

So after the doctor, we went to the chemist. Then, we bought Noah 3 pairs of pants...size 2. I have a bunch of size 3 pants for him, but they are just way too long, and he is tripping over them. I am going to get the size 3 pants fixed so he can wear them now, and then I can let the seam out and make them longer for next year. We ended up having to go to another chemist to get the flu vaccine. There is only one chemist in town that carries it. After that we went back to the doctor and Noah got his flu shot. Not pretty, but he survived. He has to go back in a month to get a second flu injection. Children under 2 must get 2 injections for some reason. Dave cant have the shot until he is 6 months old.

I ended up going grocery shopping on Saturday afternoon. Shane was going on Friday, but he was too tired when he got home from work. As soon as I was home from shopping, Shane left to go to soccer where he scored ANOTHER goal!!!!! And that is our Saturday over with!!!

Today, we went to church, and had a restful afternoon together. We tried to get the boys to have a sleep at the same time, but it just didnt work. Noah went down for his nap, and Dave didnt want to go down for his. We finally got him to sleep at 2, and then Noah woke up at 2:15!!!! At least Dave ended up sleeping till 5!!! It just would have been nice to have them sleep at the same time.

Weekends are just too short. After being with Shane 24/7 for the past 3 years, I sure do find it hard having him go off to work everyday (not that he didnt work in Vietnam...it is just different here). I just miss him I guess. Well, I think I will finish up for tonight and go spend some time with him now that both kids are in bed asleep!

The kitchen chair.....

As you can see from one of the pictures above, Noah got his foot caught in the kitchen chair. Shane got it out though, but he though it was crazy that I wanted to take a picture of Noah in pain just so ya'll could read it on my blog. hahaha! It wasnt life or death I assure you!

Another busy day. I have had a bit of time to write in my blog though. The blinds man came and installed Dave's rollerblinds (shades). The funny thing is that he installed them during Noah's nap, and Noah didnt even wake up...drill and all! The blinds look fabulous! I think we will do Noah's room too when we save up the money. Happy Sleeping!

Got some cleaning done, but not everything I needed to do. I spent lots of time this morning playing with Noah and just holding Dave. Cleaning can wait. Who cares!

Poor Shane is off running errands again. He is off to the grocery store after work. I think it has almost been 4 weeks since we have last done a big shop. We just havent had the time. I am learning how to make groceries last especially since we are no longer living off credit.

We may be off to the doctor tomorrow morning. Our normal doctor is working tomorrow so I will call as soon as we get up. It is a first call/first serve set up...so hopefully we will get in. A few weeks ago, I broke out with these spots/bites. I went to the doctor, and he said it was just insect bites. Now, Noah has them all over one of his knees, and they have come back on me as well. I think it is best we get checked out again.

Hopefully, we are in for a really nice weekend. I dont know about Shane though...he is going to a men's ministry football night tonight, but he is SUPPOSE to mow the yard and do some work on our car. To tell you the truth...neither one of us are motivated to do anything on the weekend these days. It's just nice to rest and spend time together as a family...maybe we will go to the beach!

Noah's Sandbox

Here are some photos of Noah playing in his sandbox. We got this for him for his birthday. He loves it.

The breadmaker...

Here is the nice loaf of bread that was waiting for us when we woke up this morning. So nice!!! We are using Mum Elson's breadmaker and we can set the timer so that our bread is waiting for us when we get up. It is really great. We are so sick of having to run and buy bread that isnt very healthy. This way we are eating healthier, saving some money, and having great tasting bread!

A friend....

Here is a great website of one of our friends in Vietnam. Just click here to have a look. We did a few things with him in our "spare" time. The work is really great!

Crazy Day Part 2

Here are some photos of Noah just being....Noah! I love my boys....they are wonderful (to me at least).

What a day! I managed to get all of the laundry finished and tea (dinner, supper) on the table. It doesnt seem like much, but it was!!! I was off to aerobics at 5:30 when Shane got home from work. It was another tough night at the gym, and I really dont think I will be able to walk in the morning!

We have decided that we will get Noah his flu shot (needle) next week. Last year, there were a few young children that died from the flu so we think it is best for him to get this shot. The doctor said that Dave is too young so he will not be getting his shot this year.

Another topic that has dominated my day has been....worms!! So many kids here seem to have them. I found out today that a friend's girl has them. Then, another friend called me, and she thinks her little girl could have worms too. We seem to know lots about them with us living in Vietnam and all!! haha! I told her how to look for them, etc. It was quite funny. We learned lots being in Vietnam. Anyways, we are all going to be taking worm medicine this weekend. We havent done it since returning home...which we would normally have done. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Well, I'm off to set the timer on the breadmaker so we have fresh bread in the morning and then to bed. I sure do hope no one wakes up tonight!!!!!

Oh yeah! Dave's shade (rollerblinds) are being installed in the morning! Yeah...for dark rooms that make sleeping easier!

Crazy Day!

Today has been so busy. We just got home last night from Hervey Bay. Shane had to go there for a training for his work so the boys and I went with him and stayed with Mum and Dad Elson for the night. It was good and nice not to be in a house that I had to clean. I am not a fan of traveling anymore. It really is a bit stressful for me now that I have kids. The Lord is getting me through it though one trip at a time. Part of me still loves it...but just not the part that has kids. Know what I mean?

We didnt get home till 9 or 9:30, and I was so tired. Noah woke up twice in the night. He has been having nightmares. He just starts screaming, and we have to actually go in and wake him up to get him to stop screaming and crying. Poor little guy. At least Dave sleeps through it all! Dave got up at 5:30 to eat. Then, he went back to bed till 9. If only we could coordinate the boy's sleeping times!!!

So I havent had much sleep, and it is killing me. So far today, I've done 4 loads of laundry, changed all the sheets, fixed morning tea and lunch for Noah, and washed dishes twice. It doesnt sound like much, but it is 12:30 already, and I havent stopped since I got up. All I want to do is go to sleep.

Noah ran to me this morning saying..."Mommy...potty". Then, he ran in the bathroom and picked up the potty seat to put on the big potty. When I pulled his nappy off, I realized that he had ALREADY done his pooh. I'm still proud of him for telling me. We are progressing...thats for sure.

Poor Shane is on his lunch break running errands around town. He just went to pick up more nappies (diapers), then he is going to the chemist to get us medicine, and then to target to pick up a few things.

What a day! And it's not even over!!