New Highway

We are moving- I say "we" cause I would really like to get Josh and the kids to share with you too.. but we are heading over to wordpress.. you can find us here:

http://sharknbake.wordpress.com

:) mel

Hello out there..

I guess I haven't had much to say lately.. ;) It's been a weird season.. of sorting some stuffs out..

BUT today id just like to reflect on

New born babies
And black eyes from the swimming pools
and church cookbooks
AND home town parades
And Hope
and crazy aunts
and the old faithful HAT that never leaves Noah's head
AND faithful friends
and library reading programs
AND the grandpa pushing A out on the cart at Fareway
and salamanders
AND five suitcases from place to place
and Nate's message on Grace.

God's been working on this mess.. i am so grateful that He is. I dont know how thankful that ive been lately.

But today, Im thankful that im His.

bizarre...

This video thoroughly prepared us for our trip to Bulgaria.

The kids and I have been researching the culture within Trinidad & Tobago. Where did we go again for solid information? YouTube.

I guess that Bizarre Foods isn't really a great starting place. Five little kids watching Mr. Zimmern catch and cook iguana & mussels, then chase them with pigs tails, cow skin soup, and chicken feet doesn't REALLY prepare them, does it? Does it.. ? Will we really become "trini-s"?

I mean it's one think to live in a culture, but to immerse ones self in the culture is another step.

Josh tried really hard this week. We drove to look at a station wagon. It was if we were the lead characters in some really weird movie. I have tried to put it into words, but I Can't.. Let's just say it's a whole nother world in the hills of Arkansas.

And then... I realized as we headed back home that the white headed figures I saw on roadside a few weeks ago were not some secret meeting of pointed headed alive types, but indeed garden gnomes. Phew.. Note that it was LATE, and raining, and my mom wouldn't let me turn around..

Last night at youth we talked about compasses & maps.

Although we would all love a map, most of the time God gives us only a compass and leaves us with uncharted territory :)

Art in the Trenches

During WWI Edward Stinn was a young man in the trenches in the middle of France. Amidst the sounds, smells, and fears he found himself carving into the artillery shells, creating art masterpieces, pieces of himself. He was my grandfather.

Ralph Winter writes of a ship named the Queen Mary who was designed as a beautiful luxury cruise liner. During WWII she was converted into a battle ship carrying men across the ocean. It was designed to carry 3,000 passengers, converted to carry 15,000 soldiers. From peace time to war time.

Are we expectant of the fine silverware and lush feather beds or are we bunked with brothers that we are willing to fight for the purpose before us if it means our life? If it means survival of more, less for us? Is it peace time or war time?

I don't always understand what is going on behind the scenes. Apparently, I think that God should have assigned me a commander & allow me to call things how they are. But, sometimes in war our perception can be the enemy's greatest ally.

He reminds me that this war is already won, although the battles continue. Am I willing to fight for what I believe? Fight past self gain and self pity? Am I rejoicing in the trenches; in the fear, in the chaos, in the dark quietness.. Do I understand that this is His war & that I have somehow throughout all time in grace I been written into it? Am I making Art in the Trenches to bring Him glory?

Watch out, maybe I'll design a tatoo & have my own art up my arms.. that'll get em talking...

I won't tell you about the butterflies tats that I designed in high school for Josh & I.. ;)

Chuck.

My kids Love Chuck.
I had a cat named Chuck once.
He was actually my dad's cat. Well actually my cat that became my dad's cat.

I am excited.
The wheels have been starting to turn in prep for Trinidad...
It's exciting.

Oliver loves Chuck.
Chuck loved my dad.
My dad was a crazy guy.
I miss him.
He would have watched Chuck with Oliver.

Im excited.
Mainly cause I know it's God and not me.
Trinidad. Not Chuck.

We are entering a season where there are so many things that need to happen to make it happen.
But it's God making it happen.
So that's exciting.

So is Chuck.

12 years and counting...

It's been an adventure. The last dozen years or so.
I am thankful for it.
I am thankful for the hard times that encompass me with fears,
which make me drop to my knees vulnerably.
I am thankful for the silly times and more importantly the silly people.
I am thankful for Josh.
That he is crazy in love with a real Christ.
And trusts Him.
With his relationships.
And his family.
I am thankful for the lonely times.
and the scared times.
And the times of extreme heart-wrenching pain.
For it will make me fully understand the Glory of the Lord when I see Him face to face.
And I am thankful for the minutes not yet flown by.
I pray that they may be an investment in His Glory.

I have hesitantly been holding back my excitement in the next stage of this story.

Im not sure why.

But..
We are heading here next fall.

and the following nine months we get to live cross culturally and become part of a new school which trains and raises up leaders to GO.

Why? that's here.

Please pray for us as all the pieces come together :)

drop in visit..

it's really no fun when you don't have occasional drop in visits. so we brought one to you..

greetings from an independent little girl in an independence day dress. she is having a picnic if you were wondering.

what this photo doesn't capture is her mommy running around the yard with her camera, talking to her husband on the phone, coaxing a little white dog back into the house with a treat.

we try to do school. henri tries.

i think noah's trying. not sure about that.

note the number of books (&coffee) at the table and lack of children.

you have to use the potty? don't be frightened by the sectapus. he's friendly. unless you try to take his legs.

the backyard.. yes we still have the Christmas tree.. complete with dress shoes and duct tape.

oliver takes a brief break to send his love. yes.. this is a necessary part of kindergarten. im not sure that he would get out of his jammies for a real visit, but he will share his games.. happy monday!