Summer is Over

Summer is over, and I thought I would just add some extra pictures that we had from the summer. I hope you all have a great fall.

Changing Our Perspective

It is my turn (Doug) to write something. Since this is our family’s blog, and I don’t have my own, I am going to try and write an entry myself. This is a little scary for me, because if you have ever received an email from me, you will know that my grammar skills are not the most prolific.

I have really been trying to read more lately. There are many reasons why I am doing that, but I will have to talk about that later.

I have recently read a book by a man named Mark Batterson. He is the Pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C. The book is called “In a pit with a lion on a snowy day.” This is a book I would highly recommend. He also has a blog. Here is the link.
http://www.evotional.com/

There are so many great points in his book, but there is one that really stuck out to me.
Mark Batterson quotes C.S Lewis in his book. The quote says this. “If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where would I be now?

Mark says that we blame our circumstances when things are not going the way we want them to. We always look for something to blame. But I love this quote by Mark. (We are best buddies by the way. That is why I call him Mark.) He says, “Maybe our problem isn’t our circumstances. Maybe our problem is our perspective.”

Do you ever feel like God just thumps you on the head when he wants you to get something? I had one of those moments when I read this. So many times I pray for things in my life, and I feel like they should just happen the way I want them to happen. This probably stems from my sinful nature as a human being.

So many times I pray safe prayers. I pray for things that I know God could easily handle. I pray for things that are not really risky. I pray for things that will go exactly the way I want them to go. But I really should pray for God to change my perspective on life, His will, and my desires.

I love this quote by my friend Mark. (I'm just kidding about him being my best friend, although he seems like a really cool guy.) “If we could see what God sees, we would pray very different prayers.”

I know this is a great point, but it is very scary for me because I know that God has to break us down to build us up. Praying for His will means that in some cases we will pray for God to take us through some rough times. But as true as that may be, we can still hold on to the truth that God is always with us and will never leave us. And in the end we will be much stronger than we could have ever thought possible.

I will end with one more quote. "Maybe we should stop asking God to get us out of difficult circumstances and start asking Him what He wants us to get out of those difficult circumstances."

Is it ever going to go away????

After a week and a half of sick kiddos and a sick husband I can honestly say my greatest desire is for one vomit free day! So far, today we have made it, but the night is still young and seems to be the worst. They are all three sleeping peacefully at the moment, but that is what we have thought for several nights now!
I have taken them to their pediatrician twice, and to the E.R. once. Tomorrow I have to take stool samples to St. Lukes just to make sure it isn't something more than a stomach bug. Now that rates up there on my list of grossest tasks. I have to admit that Douglas had to help me, as I thought I was going to throw up. Oh please let this just go away! My twins have both lost about 2 pounds each, and they can't afford to lose anymore! Hopefully everyone else had a better Labor Day Weekend than us! All of our plans were cancelled!

The First Day of School

Well, we all made it through the first day of school! I can hardly believe my babies are in Kindergarten, and my Trev is a big THIRD GRADER! I had to head to school early to prepare for my 22 Kindergartners, and Doug brought the 3 kiddos. He had to sit through Kindergarten Orientation with the twins. Before leaving this morning I reminded Trev that his lunch money, and all of his signed forms were in his backpack. Needless to say everything is still in his backpack, and lunch was payed for with left over money from last year. I guess it runs in the family because I told Doug that all of Cassi and Christopher's signed forms were in there backpacks, but he forgot and filled out a whole new set for both of them. So much for listening to MOM! My fellow staff must think I am really on the ball!
WE hit the pool for the 4th day in a row! It was a great way to end the first day of school!

Romania Mission Trip

Well, we have been back from Romania for 2 weeks now, and I finally have time to write about it! It has been a little chaotic around here since our return. Doug's family left last Sunday, I have spent many hours setting up my Kindergarten classroom, and we made a trip to McCall.

Back to the trip- Doug and I had a great time in Romania. It was really neat to see and be a part of the work that is going on in there. We were able to help out with a spiritual growth camp for teenagers ages 14-20. There were over 400 campers in attendance the week that we were there. They traveled from all over the country, some even had a 24 hour train ride!

Doug was able to help out with the music, and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping prepare food for all of those hungry campers. I do not think American kids would of gone for the food that was served. Liver pate for breakfast anyone? Almost every meal other than breakfast was soup and bread. I don't think I want a piece of bread for a long time!

Trip Hi lights:

Most exciting moment: Seeing many teenagers make decisions for Christ

Scariest moment: riding on slick, curvey Romanian roads at high speeds (this is where a lot of prayer came in as the camp was four hours from the airport)

Most distgusting moment: The Romanian BBQ- They brought a live pig to the camp in a horse drawn cart. The pig was then stabbed to death and cut up in about 1 hour. We walked down to the kitchen during the process and there was blood and parts everywhere. The pigs head was sitting in the sink where all of the dishes were washed. About an hour later we were told that the BBQed pork was ready. After what I saw in the kitchen I had absolutely zero appetite. Even Doug with the cast iron stomach had trouble choking it down, although he did and enjoyed it.

Most relaxing moment: Taking my first hot shower in a week! On our way back we had to spend the night in Bucharest at a very nice Crowne Plaza. The first thing I did was take a steaming hot 45 minute shower!

Most eye opening moment: Traveling through the towns and villages of Romania and seeing how the people live. Most of them live in communist appartments, or very tiny rustic houses. We are so blessed to live in America!

Most tiring moment:

TRAVELING!!! Our trip itenerary- 5 hour flight, 6 hour lay over, 8 hour flight, 6 hour lay over, 5 hour flight, 4 hour lay over, 1 hour flight, and then the scariest 4 hour drive of our lives!

Thank you so much for remembering us in your prayers while we were away. We are so thankful that God allowed us to take this trip. We learned a lot and our hearts were truly burdened for missions in a new and exciting way.

River Trip # 2 and off to Romania

I am happy to report to you that our family floated the river today injury free! I have to admit that I was a little nervous after the last time when Doug and I both came home with black eyes. Trevar said this was the most fun we have had floating the river, and I would have to agree.
Doug had a BBQ for all of the people involved in his ministry, and then several of us floated together. The river was pretty crowded, but it turned out to be a great float!
Now we are off to our next adventure! We will be taking the kiddos to Baker, OR on Wednesday to my parent's home. They will be staying with them while Doug and I head to Romania on our missions trip. We are very excited, nervous, and me sad to leave my babies. We will be gone from Aug. 2-12. We are going to be helping one of our missionaries with a camp for teenagers. Doug will be speaking and leading music. Please pray that we can be a blessing to the missionaries, and also that many decisions would be made at camp.

Tag

I've been tagged by Kimberly



4 Jobs I've Had:

Family Farm Employee

Hotel Reservationist

Insurance

Teacher



4 Places I've Lived:

Baker City, OR

Springfield, MO

Houston, TX

Galion, OH



4 TV Shows I Like:

Designed to Sell

The Real Deal

30 Minute Meals

The Apprentice



4 Favorite Foods:

Watermelon

Grapes

Popcorn

Tootsie Rolls



4 Websites I Frequent:

ebay

LPM

The Learning Page

Proverbs 31



4 Places I'd rather be right now:

Hawaii

Lake Powell

Mexico

Hell's Canyon



4 Movies I Love:

Deja Vu

The Ultimate Gift

Cars (It's one of my kiddos favorites)

Surfs Up (It's the only other movie I can remember seeing recently besides Transformers-not a favorite, but okay!)

People I Tag:

Chrisanna

Stephanie Smith

Lori


Beth