Greetings from Sunny Florida!
The Dream is realized and finally in view! I'm still in shock and awe to think that we have actually made it here to Florida after many years of patiently waiting on God's timing, yet here I stand...happy and content. I love the weather right now with the cool breeze and temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s. Its still warm enough to wear shorts and go swimming if you wish, but not so hot that I need the air conditioner in the car (since our air compressor died).
My hopes to get outside and enjoy the fresh air with the kids is completely fulfilled as we get outside daily for hours at a time. There are so many wonderful local parks and free or inexpensive activities ...we just love it! As a homeschool mom, almost all of my time is spent searching for ideas to help educate my children in fun and creative ways. We take field trips, frequent the library, attend festivals and arts and crafts shows, surf the web and just explore the outdoors. Our bookwork is still required and lesson time usually takes place during lunch or in the evenings after my toddler is in bed. We haven't had too much trouble keeping our son ahead of pace as his personal desire to learn is so great and motivates him to enjoy his own research projects and discoveries. Educational dvds from the library system have been invaluable as there are so many to choose from and we have found them to be most helpful with our studies on the inventors and scientists. My son is going to begin a column in our blog about all his educational viewings of dvds and vhs or tv shows and give them a brief review and rating from his personal viewpoint. Hope you enjoy them!
Life in the deep south is very different yet very rewarding at the same time. We are thankful for so many things God has provided for us and continues to lead us towards the ultimate plan for our lives in His service. Right now we are pleasantly acquainted with many members of our new church family and have started to really get involved with teaching in Awanas and helping out with other forms of ministry. My husband enjoyed recently doing some drama/service by playing the part of Joseph, 2nd in command of all of Egypt from the Bible times as the Awana program celebrated a special event for the kids called Joseph's Egyptian Storehouse. It was a fun event and all the clubbers seemed to get a kick out of seeing him in costume and handing out baked goodies to all the students. Our son had fun seeing Dad in costume and I'm sure it was good for him to see the example of a father serving in ministry with a happy heart. Lead by example is what my Dad used to tell me...be the Eagle not the duck...anyone can follow...it takes someone with heart and determination to be a leader...these great encouraging words of advice were a true blessing to a once shy, quiet, yet bright and optimistic young lady....if Dad could only see me and my family of dramatic outspoken leaders now! He would probably think we were silly, happy and a little bit nuts, but I think he would proudly share in our ministry opportunities if he could. He always liked seeing us helping out with ministry opportunities for kids and I think that both my parent's own example of serving in the church with a happy heart led me to a life of service for our King too. Thanks mom (and dad)...I love you both very much and I praise God for you!
Our dream to live a fuller life for Jesus with more family time with the kids, more exercise and healthy eating, more fresh air and sunshine, more emphasis on family devotions and family ministry or community service together, and less time worrying about tomorrow...knowing God promises tomorrow will take care of itself. This dream is coming true piece by piece and I'm so grateful to our Lord and King for all He has done for us. May your personal goals and dreams as a family be within view and ready for you to reach out and grab them with both hands as I believe God wants us to "live the dream" as long as it begins with HIM. :)
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Missionary Focus: Our Friends, The Nielsen Family - Serving God in Papua New Guinea
My dearest friends and family,
It is my great pleasure and honor to introduce to you, our friends, the Nielsen family. They have begun an amazing journey in their lives together this past year when they accepted the calling to serve the Lord as Missionaries through the organization New Tribes Mission (NTM.org) and were sent to serve God among the tribes of Papua New Guinea. Karl and Kristen are bright, talented, Godly individuals willing to serve the Lord in Papua New Guinea along with their two beautiful daughters who have surely been a delight to the people in that country. The Nielsen family members all work hard to quickly learn the new language there and to share the love of Jesus in many ways with the tribes in PNG. Karl and Kristen have the opportunity to do everything from present the Gospel to the people, give their personal testimony, teach Math and Bible at the Numonohi Christian Academy, assist with duties at the busy local missionary center where they reside, and all the while continue to try and represent God's hands and feet to these villagers as they help them with daily needs. I'd like to ask you to join with me in a wonderful opportunity to pray and support this kind and loving Missionary family in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as God begins to work miracles through them in the lives of many. Please take a moment to visit their website and view gorgeous photos of the color and life within these tribal villages and to learn more about our friends, the Nielsens, and their great desire to serve God and reach the unsaved peoples in Papua New Guinea. Thank you in advance for any prayers or financial support you can give to the Nielsens. Opportunity to learn more about the mission center they work with or to donate and support them in their missionary field is also located on their website. God will truly bless you for your kindness and generosity. It's not very often I get to actually know the missionaries I am praying for and trying to help support, but it is a rare gift to have our lives touched by such unselfish people before God calls them into the field. I feel very honored to know them and to be able to support them in prayer and through this website and other means. They are a super family. I will continue to update you on what God is doing in their ministry in PNG, so feel free to check back often or go directly to their website to see more details. Blessings to all of you! http://www.ntm.org/karl_nielsen
It is my great pleasure and honor to introduce to you, our friends, the Nielsen family. They have begun an amazing journey in their lives together this past year when they accepted the calling to serve the Lord as Missionaries through the organization New Tribes Mission (NTM.org) and were sent to serve God among the tribes of Papua New Guinea. Karl and Kristen are bright, talented, Godly individuals willing to serve the Lord in Papua New Guinea along with their two beautiful daughters who have surely been a delight to the people in that country. The Nielsen family members all work hard to quickly learn the new language there and to share the love of Jesus in many ways with the tribes in PNG. Karl and Kristen have the opportunity to do everything from present the Gospel to the people, give their personal testimony, teach Math and Bible at the Numonohi Christian Academy, assist with duties at the busy local missionary center where they reside, and all the while continue to try and represent God's hands and feet to these villagers as they help them with daily needs. I'd like to ask you to join with me in a wonderful opportunity to pray and support this kind and loving Missionary family in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as God begins to work miracles through them in the lives of many. Please take a moment to visit their website and view gorgeous photos of the color and life within these tribal villages and to learn more about our friends, the Nielsens, and their great desire to serve God and reach the unsaved peoples in Papua New Guinea. Thank you in advance for any prayers or financial support you can give to the Nielsens. Opportunity to learn more about the mission center they work with or to donate and support them in their missionary field is also located on their website. God will truly bless you for your kindness and generosity. It's not very often I get to actually know the missionaries I am praying for and trying to help support, but it is a rare gift to have our lives touched by such unselfish people before God calls them into the field. I feel very honored to know them and to be able to support them in prayer and through this website and other means. They are a super family. I will continue to update you on what God is doing in their ministry in PNG, so feel free to check back often or go directly to their website to see more details. Blessings to all of you! http://www.ntm.org/karl_nielsen
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Joys of Turning Double Digits!
What a delight to share with you today the incredible journey we experience as parents as we watch our children grow in so many ways. JH turned double digits this past year and I remember specifically how badly he wanted to be 10. (I love you, JH!) He thought every day counting down to his birthday, "If only I was already double digits...I would be big!" I've got news for him...he IS already big! I'll be lucky if he doesn't pass me in height within the next 3 years ... and as you know ... I'm not that short. I'm not sure what it is that causes kids this age to have such a great desire to turn "double digits" but I know my niece MS was extremely excited when she turned 10 as well. (Hi, MS!) They feel more grown-up and closer to turning that next big milestone age of 13 ...the teen years! Our close friend JD is celebrating his 13th birthday this week along with his younger brother HD who is turning 6. Happy Birthday guys! Hope its the best birthday yet!!
No matter how old your child is, their birthday is always a special moment and a BIG DEAL to them. Make the most of it as best you can and help them feel extra special on their day. One of the extra things I like to do when I can is have a little fun by celebrating what we like to call their HALF BIRTHDAY. This means exactly 6 months after your last birthday...You would receive a half of a birthday card (kindly cut in half diagonally by mom or dad so it's impossible to read all the writing!) With this strange event, we follow up with half a cupcake or a couple of 1/2 size cookies each for dessert and sing, "Happy Half Birthday to You". I'm not sure I would try this idea with teenagers...they may think you're nuts! Or...they may think you're totally cool! Either way, it gives a good laugh and the message gets across that they are important enough to us for us to be creative and do something silly to make their day a little more special on the Half Year mark. We ususally give a token gift and let them choose somewhere special they would like to go that day...a park, playland, arcade, etc.
But then... we remind them they are another year older in Christ. Its always a good thing to sit down with your child once or twice a year or more and see how well they can describe the Gospel message to you. It gives a glimpse of their understanding of spiritual concepts and how well they can communicate what they know and believe. God will bless your efforts to allow your child to expand their minds and see the bigger picture of who God is and what Jesus really did for us that day he died for us on the cross. I felt that this year with turning 10, my son really expressed his inner desire to get Baptised and we know that soon he will get that opportunity. Bible memorization and communicating his understanding of the Gospel were two keys our pastor felt he needed to be able to do when JH first asked to be baptised two years ago. We feel he is now ready and hope to share in this joyous event with you someday soon.
Double Digits has brought with it lots of growing pains for JH, changes physically (needing to wear deodorant now and growing out of 2 shoe sizes in 3 mos!) and emotionally (better social awareness and maturity), but most of all - new challenges spiritually- as JH begins to ask more and more questions into understanding God's plan for his life. We welcome this challenge with open arms because a child that is curious and asking questions is on the right track to enriching and improving their relationship with Jesus Christ.
I hope you find this year (no matter what age your child is at) to be a year filled with new insight and understanding from your child's perspective on who God is. May you all rejoice in your children and crave to fan their flame of passion for living a life for Christ. We only get to have them for a short time in our lives...tomorrow brings another year and another step closer to JH developing more into a man of God and venturing out on his own. May we all prepare our children for that wonderful day when God calls them. Live the dream of a better life in Christ. Enrich your lives in His Word and shower your children with the love of Jesus. Praise the Lord for His Goodness. May you and your families be truly blessed today!
No matter how old your child is, their birthday is always a special moment and a BIG DEAL to them. Make the most of it as best you can and help them feel extra special on their day. One of the extra things I like to do when I can is have a little fun by celebrating what we like to call their HALF BIRTHDAY. This means exactly 6 months after your last birthday...You would receive a half of a birthday card (kindly cut in half diagonally by mom or dad so it's impossible to read all the writing!) With this strange event, we follow up with half a cupcake or a couple of 1/2 size cookies each for dessert and sing, "Happy Half Birthday to You". I'm not sure I would try this idea with teenagers...they may think you're nuts! Or...they may think you're totally cool! Either way, it gives a good laugh and the message gets across that they are important enough to us for us to be creative and do something silly to make their day a little more special on the Half Year mark. We ususally give a token gift and let them choose somewhere special they would like to go that day...a park, playland, arcade, etc.
But then... we remind them they are another year older in Christ. Its always a good thing to sit down with your child once or twice a year or more and see how well they can describe the Gospel message to you. It gives a glimpse of their understanding of spiritual concepts and how well they can communicate what they know and believe. God will bless your efforts to allow your child to expand their minds and see the bigger picture of who God is and what Jesus really did for us that day he died for us on the cross. I felt that this year with turning 10, my son really expressed his inner desire to get Baptised and we know that soon he will get that opportunity. Bible memorization and communicating his understanding of the Gospel were two keys our pastor felt he needed to be able to do when JH first asked to be baptised two years ago. We feel he is now ready and hope to share in this joyous event with you someday soon.
Double Digits has brought with it lots of growing pains for JH, changes physically (needing to wear deodorant now and growing out of 2 shoe sizes in 3 mos!) and emotionally (better social awareness and maturity), but most of all - new challenges spiritually- as JH begins to ask more and more questions into understanding God's plan for his life. We welcome this challenge with open arms because a child that is curious and asking questions is on the right track to enriching and improving their relationship with Jesus Christ.
I hope you find this year (no matter what age your child is at) to be a year filled with new insight and understanding from your child's perspective on who God is. May you all rejoice in your children and crave to fan their flame of passion for living a life for Christ. We only get to have them for a short time in our lives...tomorrow brings another year and another step closer to JH developing more into a man of God and venturing out on his own. May we all prepare our children for that wonderful day when God calls them. Live the dream of a better life in Christ. Enrich your lives in His Word and shower your children with the love of Jesus. Praise the Lord for His Goodness. May you and your families be truly blessed today!
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