" Okay, Anna Mei, here is your math problem..."
"I'm thinking...I'm thinking...."
"It IS the right answer ?????? Whoa!"Friday, January 22, 2010
Anna Mei's Day In Pictures
" Okay, Anna Mei, here is your math problem..." "I'm thinking...I'm thinking....""It IS the right answer ?????? Whoa!"
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Busy Day
Jillian, Joy and Elizabeth transfer the food to the new refrigerator.
Can you tell we are excited?
Jillian, Joy and I say good-bye to our old model. Yea!Hello, all—
It has been an eventful day.
First off, let me say that I am no longer taller than my refrigerator. There’s a new Panasonic in the kitchen now…415 liters in size (14.6 cubic feet). It is much larger than the old one, which lacked a separate freezer compartment and still had to be manually defrosted, creating a large puddle in the floor. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed the “playhouse” they made from the box. Tonight, four of them are sleeping in it. Jillian is the lone voice of sanity that opted for the bed. J
This evening, the three older girls (Jillian, Anna Mei and Elizabeth) and I began some formalized motherly chats about “becoming women.” Jillian has been looking forward to it for weeks now. Elizabeth begged me to let her join in; Anna Mei is alternately interested/not interested. When I told Elizabeth she could be “in the group”, she struck a pose and started singing, “I’m the Statue of Puberty.” Ha! We gathered in a cozy circle over hot tea, and began with Scriptures from Psalm 139 and 1 Corinthians 6. It was a good discussion and we will continue round 2 next week.
Riding with Tony on the motorbike today, I noticed that so many of the motorbikes do not have turn signals. It is customary here for the passenger on the back of the bike to provide the signals: you simply stick out your right or left arm (depending on the intended direction) and vigorously shake your hand.
Our household is turning into a band! Jillian received drums for Christmas. Joy and Faith are now taking piano (and loving it—Joy can play the melody of “Silent Night” with no mistakes), and Jillian, Anna Mei and Elizabeth have begun to learn to play the recorder in our music time. They are all doing well. I am loving it immensely!
Work is progressing quickly at Promise House, the new orphanage here in Danang. Looks like children will soon move in. Remember them. Their ages are 5-12, so the transition from all that they have known (even if it has been terrible deprivation) may be difficult and frightening for them. We are looking for ways to make it easier.
Related to Promise House…a great praise. Tony was interviewing someone for a job there, and during their discussion, the applicant joined the faith. Remember this young man also.
That pretty much covers our day here. It is night now. I am off to bed…if it is not raining in the morning, Jillian wants me to take a bike ride with her to the beach at about 5:45 am.
Tonight, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for this happy life.
Grace and peace,
Cindy
It has been an eventful day.
First off, let me say that I am no longer taller than my refrigerator. There’s a new Panasonic in the kitchen now…415 liters in size (14.6 cubic feet). It is much larger than the old one, which lacked a separate freezer compartment and still had to be manually defrosted, creating a large puddle in the floor. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed the “playhouse” they made from the box. Tonight, four of them are sleeping in it. Jillian is the lone voice of sanity that opted for the bed. J
This evening, the three older girls (Jillian, Anna Mei and Elizabeth) and I began some formalized motherly chats about “becoming women.” Jillian has been looking forward to it for weeks now. Elizabeth begged me to let her join in; Anna Mei is alternately interested/not interested. When I told Elizabeth she could be “in the group”, she struck a pose and started singing, “I’m the Statue of Puberty.” Ha! We gathered in a cozy circle over hot tea, and began with Scriptures from Psalm 139 and 1 Corinthians 6. It was a good discussion and we will continue round 2 next week.
Riding with Tony on the motorbike today, I noticed that so many of the motorbikes do not have turn signals. It is customary here for the passenger on the back of the bike to provide the signals: you simply stick out your right or left arm (depending on the intended direction) and vigorously shake your hand.
Our household is turning into a band! Jillian received drums for Christmas. Joy and Faith are now taking piano (and loving it—Joy can play the melody of “Silent Night” with no mistakes), and Jillian, Anna Mei and Elizabeth have begun to learn to play the recorder in our music time. They are all doing well. I am loving it immensely!
Work is progressing quickly at Promise House, the new orphanage here in Danang. Looks like children will soon move in. Remember them. Their ages are 5-12, so the transition from all that they have known (even if it has been terrible deprivation) may be difficult and frightening for them. We are looking for ways to make it easier.
Related to Promise House…a great praise. Tony was interviewing someone for a job there, and during their discussion, the applicant joined the faith. Remember this young man also.
That pretty much covers our day here. It is night now. I am off to bed…if it is not raining in the morning, Jillian wants me to take a bike ride with her to the beach at about 5:45 am.
Tonight, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for this happy life.
Grace and peace,
Cindy
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
That Lock Has To Go
It is morning in Vietnam! Earlier, I went out to the courtyard to unlock the gate for the day.
It seems to me that in Vietnam, as in life, even padlocks can outlive their usefulness. We have used the same heavy padlock on our front gate since our arrival here. Every night, we secure the gate into our courtyard, and also during the day if we leave the house. It's been a useful lock--it is heavy, it has kept unwanted visitors out, and at times it has been used to keep little residents in. :)
But, I think it may be time for the lock to go. For several weeks now, when it is unlocked, the whole lock comes apart. The key is hard to turn, and if you're not careful, when it does open, the heavy bottom part of the lock will fall on your toes. There is some visible rust, and the lock only stays together when it is completely engaged.
Hmmm...it got me to thinking about the situations and attitudes that I have "locked up" for safe-keeping. So, I've been taking inventory this morning. Holy Spirit, what is locked in me?
-forgiveness withheld?-grief treasured to a near form of spiritual worship?
-furnaced anger occasionally stoked to roaring heat?
-regret replayed and relived until I am sufficiently miserable?
-hardships or difficult circumstances trotted out to evoke excuse or pity?
Maybe it's time to get rid of some locks in my life. How about you?
Here in Danang, the old lock goes, but another will replace it. Can I trust my Father to throw away the old locks and put in some new ones?
...rest in knowing that I am forgiven
...comfort that no loss is beyond His help
...humility to release offense to His judgment and resolution
...acceptance that He is touched with the feeling of my weaknesses
...courage to believe that He is the victory
After every meal, we have a little saying that we repeat together. More than a statement of unity, it is a prayed "life-statement" to the Lord Himself: "My heart, Your heart, one heart. Jesus is Victor." Can you pray it from your heart today?
Grace and peace!
It seems to me that in Vietnam, as in life, even padlocks can outlive their usefulness. We have used the same heavy padlock on our front gate since our arrival here. Every night, we secure the gate into our courtyard, and also during the day if we leave the house. It's been a useful lock--it is heavy, it has kept unwanted visitors out, and at times it has been used to keep little residents in. :)
But, I think it may be time for the lock to go. For several weeks now, when it is unlocked, the whole lock comes apart. The key is hard to turn, and if you're not careful, when it does open, the heavy bottom part of the lock will fall on your toes. There is some visible rust, and the lock only stays together when it is completely engaged.
Hmmm...it got me to thinking about the situations and attitudes that I have "locked up" for safe-keeping. So, I've been taking inventory this morning. Holy Spirit, what is locked in me?
-forgiveness withheld?-grief treasured to a near form of spiritual worship?
-furnaced anger occasionally stoked to roaring heat?
-regret replayed and relived until I am sufficiently miserable?
-hardships or difficult circumstances trotted out to evoke excuse or pity?
Maybe it's time to get rid of some locks in my life. How about you?
Here in Danang, the old lock goes, but another will replace it. Can I trust my Father to throw away the old locks and put in some new ones?
...rest in knowing that I am forgiven
...comfort that no loss is beyond His help
...humility to release offense to His judgment and resolution
...acceptance that He is touched with the feeling of my weaknesses
...courage to believe that He is the victory
After every meal, we have a little saying that we repeat together. More than a statement of unity, it is a prayed "life-statement" to the Lord Himself: "My heart, Your heart, one heart. Jesus is Victor." Can you pray it from your heart today?
Grace and peace!
Learning is caught not taught
A view of the plaza where we can ride beside the river.
The crew is in front of me. Elizabeth, Tony (on the left), Jillian, Faith and Joy on the right. Where's Anna Mei? Leading the way, of course!
Sword fighting on the plaza!
A fishing boat on the Han River.“Mom, guess what Dad is doing now?”
It wasn’t hard to figure out. It was New Year’s Day. We had taken the girls on a bike ride to the Han River bridge. Relaxing on the plaza, the girls had made fast friends with a group of five Vietnamese kids. They were ragged and thin. In and out of the river they waded, catching fish with their hands, splashing, playing. Two of the boys had plastic swords. Faith had had the forethought to put her collapsible sword in the basket of her bike, so she was ready for fencing. It’s amazing how much communication goes on without language!
They kids played up a sweat. Nearby a street vendor sold cold sugar cane juice. I was reading on bench by the river when Elizabeth popped the question. “Mom, guess what Dad’s doing now?” I didn’t even look up. “He’s buying sugar cane juice for everyone,” I said. “Yep,” she said, “That’s nice, isn’t it?” I nodded, smiling.
It was a great bike ride. A beautiful day. Lots of fun and laughter. And sharing.
Grace and peace!
It wasn’t hard to figure out. It was New Year’s Day. We had taken the girls on a bike ride to the Han River bridge. Relaxing on the plaza, the girls had made fast friends with a group of five Vietnamese kids. They were ragged and thin. In and out of the river they waded, catching fish with their hands, splashing, playing. Two of the boys had plastic swords. Faith had had the forethought to put her collapsible sword in the basket of her bike, so she was ready for fencing. It’s amazing how much communication goes on without language!
They kids played up a sweat. Nearby a street vendor sold cold sugar cane juice. I was reading on bench by the river when Elizabeth popped the question. “Mom, guess what Dad’s doing now?” I didn’t even look up. “He’s buying sugar cane juice for everyone,” I said. “Yep,” she said, “That’s nice, isn’t it?” I nodded, smiling.
It was a great bike ride. A beautiful day. Lots of fun and laughter. And sharing.
Grace and peace!
Happy New Year!
Elizabeth is drinking sugar cane juice, served (like all drinks here) in a baggie.
Anna Mei at the start of another wonderful creation!
I love this picture...the girls taking a break from a bike ride along the Han River. Anna Mei was doing cartwheels nearby!
Bathing beauty at the Red Beach Resort pool. For a small fee, you can swim all day!
Faith loved floating on the raft.Pretty great way to celebrate the new year, eh?
Always Learning
Even after living here for a year and a half, I find life amusing and sometimes surprising.
The week before Christmas, I was invited to sing at an outreach service held at a local Vietnamese church. The service was in English, and many university students were invited.
In the afternoon before the service, we were invited to a “party” at the church. Tony was preparing to preach the next day, so I took the girls and, thankfully, Quyen. The “party” turned out to be a Vietnamese service with food at the end. There were songs, prayers and a message. The event was held at Bee’s church and she had taken off the day at our house so she could cook at the church. It was late afternoon, so all the girls fell asleep during the service.
After we ate, I called a taxi to go home. In a few minutes, a taxi pulled up out front, honking for us. Clearly, the driver wanted us to hurry. He stood outside the taxi, motioning for us to move quickly across the dirt driveway. Just as we got in the taxi, Faith noticed that she had left a small stuffed animal inside the building. So, we had to stop the driver so she could run back in and get it. He was noticeably unhappy about it.
Just as she was coming back, another taxi pulled into the church area. He, too, began honking—but not at us. He was pointing at our driver, who promptly got out, opened our doors and motioned for us to get into the second taxi.
I was perplexed until Quyen explained. When we called for the taxi, the “main office” dispatched a car. Many taxi drivers heard the dispatch. One of them was close and he came first, unbeknownst to the dispatcher. Some of the drivers here steal fares. If they can beat the dispatched taxi to the fare, and get away before the driver who was sent arrives, no one knows who took the fare, and the driver pockets the all the money. But, as in our case, if the dispatched taxi sees who is picking up the fare, he reports it to the main office and the offending driver is caught (and most likely fined). No wonder the first driver was in such a hurry! I had to laugh…I’m sure he never dreamed that he would be trying to herd 7 girls (4 of them under age 10) into his “getaway car.”
I wonder in the months we have lived here how many drivers have been sent to us and been disappointed that we had been “stolen” when they arrived? Hmmmm…that might explain why they are sometimes slow to come. J
The moral of the story: Don’t try to cut in line to get ahead. You never know when the Lord will use a 7-year-old to expose your deeds!
Grace and peace!
The week before Christmas, I was invited to sing at an outreach service held at a local Vietnamese church. The service was in English, and many university students were invited.
In the afternoon before the service, we were invited to a “party” at the church. Tony was preparing to preach the next day, so I took the girls and, thankfully, Quyen. The “party” turned out to be a Vietnamese service with food at the end. There were songs, prayers and a message. The event was held at Bee’s church and she had taken off the day at our house so she could cook at the church. It was late afternoon, so all the girls fell asleep during the service.
After we ate, I called a taxi to go home. In a few minutes, a taxi pulled up out front, honking for us. Clearly, the driver wanted us to hurry. He stood outside the taxi, motioning for us to move quickly across the dirt driveway. Just as we got in the taxi, Faith noticed that she had left a small stuffed animal inside the building. So, we had to stop the driver so she could run back in and get it. He was noticeably unhappy about it.
Just as she was coming back, another taxi pulled into the church area. He, too, began honking—but not at us. He was pointing at our driver, who promptly got out, opened our doors and motioned for us to get into the second taxi.
I was perplexed until Quyen explained. When we called for the taxi, the “main office” dispatched a car. Many taxi drivers heard the dispatch. One of them was close and he came first, unbeknownst to the dispatcher. Some of the drivers here steal fares. If they can beat the dispatched taxi to the fare, and get away before the driver who was sent arrives, no one knows who took the fare, and the driver pockets the all the money. But, as in our case, if the dispatched taxi sees who is picking up the fare, he reports it to the main office and the offending driver is caught (and most likely fined). No wonder the first driver was in such a hurry! I had to laugh…I’m sure he never dreamed that he would be trying to herd 7 girls (4 of them under age 10) into his “getaway car.”
I wonder in the months we have lived here how many drivers have been sent to us and been disappointed that we had been “stolen” when they arrived? Hmmmm…that might explain why they are sometimes slow to come. J
The moral of the story: Don’t try to cut in line to get ahead. You never know when the Lord will use a 7-year-old to expose your deeds!
Grace and peace!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Living in the Tens
Hello, all—
Happy New Year!
The coming of a new year always encourages me. I enjoy the opportunity to begin again, to have a fresh start, a clean slate.
A few weeks ago, I started thinking about the significance in my own life of 2010. I began thinking about ways my life could be better by incorporating activities that could be done in just 10 minutes a day: reading a good book, cross stitch, power nap, etc. But then, a phrase began recurring in my thoughts…living in the tens. It captured my interest. I did a little investigating about the number 10 in the Bible. And I was amazed.
The number 10 refers to a completeness of order, marking the entirety of anything—there is nothing wanting, the cycle is complete. With numbers, the whole “decimal” system consists of so many tens, of which the first is a type of the whole (10, 20, 30, etc.).
The Bible contains many references to tens. Here are just a few (and I do mean a few of the entire list I have compiled)…
There are 10 generations from Adam to Noah; and 10 more from Noah to Abraham.
10 Commandments
10 Egyptian Plagues
10 Trials that proved Abraham’s faith
10 Rebellions of Israel in the Wilderness (Nu. 14:22)
10 Gerahs paid by each man at a time of Census
10 righteous people would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah
In the Tabernacle: 10 Linen curtains, 10 Pillars, 10 sockets ,The ground plans and elevations proceed by tens
In the account of Abraham’s servant finding a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24: 10 camels, 10 shekels of gold, a 10-day stay, and 10-thousand blessings
I could go on, but I think we get the picture: 10 is a number of significance in the Bible. I will mention one more, it is the 10 words used throughout Psalm 119 to refer to the Word of God. They are: Way, Precepts, Ordinances, Judgments, Statutes, Testimony, Commandment, Law, Righteousness and Word. One of these words is found in every verse of Psalm 119, with 3 exceptions (vs.90, 122, and 132).
Still, I have kept searching, trying to surmise what meaning there might be for me in the phrase, “living in the tens.” If you are like me, there are some things that need completing in your life. Maybe some attitudes that need to come to an end. Situations that need to come to a conclusion, instead of continuing like a circular roller coaster, up and down, only to begin again. In my own life, I want a new season of fellowship with God, of fruitfulness in ministry, of spiritual strength and wisdom. Ahhhh…but how to get there?
Then, I was reminded of John 10:10. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy. But I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” I see here three keys to living that abundant life.
The first is discernment. We must discern who or what the thieves are. Of course, Satan, the enemy of my soul and yours, is at the top of the list. But, I think we give him too much assistance (at least I know I do). It is like the saying…”We have met the enemy, and it is us.”
So, who or what are the enemies in my life that come to steal trust, joy and commitment? What thieves work to kill the loving relationship with my heavenly Father? Who or what threatens to destroy my fruitfulness in God’s kingdom?
I listed a few thieves, you can probably add more…
Pride
Unresolved anger or bitterness
Being double-minded: wanting the ways of God at times, wanting my own way at others
Habitual sin
Indifference
Nurtured or coddled sorrow, regret or hurt
Fear
Disappointment
Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the “thieves” that some to steal, kill and destroy in each of our lives.
Secondly, living an abundant life will require some discipline on my part. I must walk toward all that the Lord has for me. He will not “drop it” on me without my assent and participation. Jesus said that we “might” have life—it is not a given, but it is available. I must follow through on what He puts on my heart to do. Obedience. Surrender. Mother Teresa said, “I do not pray for success, I pray for faithfulness.”
The third component of abundant life is delight. It is not merely “life” that Jesus offers, it is “abundant life.” And I say, “Yes!”
I have confident hope that the goodness of God awaits us. Why? Because of Romans 8:38, 39, which lists ten (of course) things that can never separate us from the love of Christ: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers; nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And, if that is not enough, consider the ten “I Am’s” from the Gospel of John:
"I am the Bread of Life" (6:35).
"I am the Bread of Life which came down from heaven" (6:41).
"I am the Living Bread" (6:51).
"I am the Light of the world" (8:12).
"I am One that bear witness of Myself" (8:18).
"I am the Door of the sheep" (10:7,9).
"I am the Good Shepherd" (10:14).
"I am the Resurrection and the Life" (14:6).
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (14:6).
"I am the True Vine" (15:1,5).
This is our God. Sufficient for every need. Tender in every sorrow. Reassuring in every quandary. Whatever we lack, He has.
As we enter 2010, I want to live “in the tens.” That is, I want to experience in complete fullness all of what the Lord has for me. I want to defeat the thieves that come to steal, kill and destroy and I want to live in abundance…abundant faithfulness, abundant obedience, abundant joy, abundant wisdom, abundant fruitfulness.
It’s a new decade…the decade of “the tens.” May God grant us a spiritual harvest of the life He desires to give us!
Grace and peace!
Happy New Year!
The coming of a new year always encourages me. I enjoy the opportunity to begin again, to have a fresh start, a clean slate.
A few weeks ago, I started thinking about the significance in my own life of 2010. I began thinking about ways my life could be better by incorporating activities that could be done in just 10 minutes a day: reading a good book, cross stitch, power nap, etc. But then, a phrase began recurring in my thoughts…living in the tens. It captured my interest. I did a little investigating about the number 10 in the Bible. And I was amazed.
The number 10 refers to a completeness of order, marking the entirety of anything—there is nothing wanting, the cycle is complete. With numbers, the whole “decimal” system consists of so many tens, of which the first is a type of the whole (10, 20, 30, etc.).
The Bible contains many references to tens. Here are just a few (and I do mean a few of the entire list I have compiled)…
There are 10 generations from Adam to Noah; and 10 more from Noah to Abraham.
10 Commandments
10 Egyptian Plagues
10 Trials that proved Abraham’s faith
10 Rebellions of Israel in the Wilderness (Nu. 14:22)
10 Gerahs paid by each man at a time of Census
10 righteous people would have saved Sodom and Gomorrah
In the Tabernacle: 10 Linen curtains, 10 Pillars, 10 sockets ,The ground plans and elevations proceed by tens
In the account of Abraham’s servant finding a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24: 10 camels, 10 shekels of gold, a 10-day stay, and 10-thousand blessings
I could go on, but I think we get the picture: 10 is a number of significance in the Bible. I will mention one more, it is the 10 words used throughout Psalm 119 to refer to the Word of God. They are: Way, Precepts, Ordinances, Judgments, Statutes, Testimony, Commandment, Law, Righteousness and Word. One of these words is found in every verse of Psalm 119, with 3 exceptions (vs.90, 122, and 132).
Still, I have kept searching, trying to surmise what meaning there might be for me in the phrase, “living in the tens.” If you are like me, there are some things that need completing in your life. Maybe some attitudes that need to come to an end. Situations that need to come to a conclusion, instead of continuing like a circular roller coaster, up and down, only to begin again. In my own life, I want a new season of fellowship with God, of fruitfulness in ministry, of spiritual strength and wisdom. Ahhhh…but how to get there?
Then, I was reminded of John 10:10. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy. But I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” I see here three keys to living that abundant life.
The first is discernment. We must discern who or what the thieves are. Of course, Satan, the enemy of my soul and yours, is at the top of the list. But, I think we give him too much assistance (at least I know I do). It is like the saying…”We have met the enemy, and it is us.”
So, who or what are the enemies in my life that come to steal trust, joy and commitment? What thieves work to kill the loving relationship with my heavenly Father? Who or what threatens to destroy my fruitfulness in God’s kingdom?
I listed a few thieves, you can probably add more…
Pride
Unresolved anger or bitterness
Being double-minded: wanting the ways of God at times, wanting my own way at others
Habitual sin
Indifference
Nurtured or coddled sorrow, regret or hurt
Fear
Disappointment
Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the “thieves” that some to steal, kill and destroy in each of our lives.
Secondly, living an abundant life will require some discipline on my part. I must walk toward all that the Lord has for me. He will not “drop it” on me without my assent and participation. Jesus said that we “might” have life—it is not a given, but it is available. I must follow through on what He puts on my heart to do. Obedience. Surrender. Mother Teresa said, “I do not pray for success, I pray for faithfulness.”
The third component of abundant life is delight. It is not merely “life” that Jesus offers, it is “abundant life.” And I say, “Yes!”
I have confident hope that the goodness of God awaits us. Why? Because of Romans 8:38, 39, which lists ten (of course) things that can never separate us from the love of Christ: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers; nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And, if that is not enough, consider the ten “I Am’s” from the Gospel of John:
"I am the Bread of Life" (6:35).
"I am the Bread of Life which came down from heaven" (6:41).
"I am the Living Bread" (6:51).
"I am the Light of the world" (8:12).
"I am One that bear witness of Myself" (8:18).
"I am the Door of the sheep" (10:7,9).
"I am the Good Shepherd" (10:14).
"I am the Resurrection and the Life" (14:6).
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (14:6).
"I am the True Vine" (15:1,5).
This is our God. Sufficient for every need. Tender in every sorrow. Reassuring in every quandary. Whatever we lack, He has.
As we enter 2010, I want to live “in the tens.” That is, I want to experience in complete fullness all of what the Lord has for me. I want to defeat the thieves that come to steal, kill and destroy and I want to live in abundance…abundant faithfulness, abundant obedience, abundant joy, abundant wisdom, abundant fruitfulness.
It’s a new decade…the decade of “the tens.” May God grant us a spiritual harvest of the life He desires to give us!
Grace and peace!
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