it was another warm CHRISTmas here in indonesia, in both meanings of the word. it was a blazing 93 degrees with a stifling humidity. but it was also warm for the heart. we spent the day with good friends and had very good food. we are always so amazed at the "family" God has given us when we are overseas. i (kim) found myself to be very homesick this year. i think it is the improvement of technology. we now get to see pics of what we are missing. this is both wonderful and sad all at the same time. seeing drew at the family christmas night at FBC was so funny and we even felt like we were there. we laughed so hard our sides hurt just imagining seeing it live. thanks jennie for posting those. we got to see family pictures from kim's side of the family. it was so amazing seeing how everyone has grown, but sad to realize what things we have missed. so sorry Grant that i will not see you graduate and that i never saw a single game of your senior year. i am so proud of you and not so much because of what you do but because of who you are. we got to see pics of haylee all grown up, when we left she was just starting to crawl.
we shared all that above to let you know that even though we are so glad to be where God wants us to be, there are still struggles with missing home and family and friends and all that comes with all that. please pray for us as we are away from family.
we are still in the middle of a great break from school and work. it has been so restful. on friday we head to the beach. this will most likely become a family tradition because of how inexpensive and amazingly beautiful it is. we also get to eat seafood everynight that is caught that day and cooked for us on the grill. yes, we are truly suffering. we are looking forward to a great week of family time with games and times of playing games and talking. oh and swimming and once again attempting to boogie board without planting my face in the bottom of the indian ocean. not a very nummy experience.
we have been praying for all of you to experience CHRISTmas and new years that glorifies the Lord and honors Him and brings much glory to Him and joy to you.
Prayer Requests.
David: for a good beginning to a second semester.
that he will be used by God to bring students to Him and that he can teach them to see and seek His glory.
that he will continue to organize himself better and better so that he schedules do not conflict
wisdom in leadership
beginning seminary soon
Kim: for a balanced schedule of work, study and family time
patience in parenting
being all about Him and not about me.
continued wisdom in being volunteer nurse for the school
Grace: feeling so tired all the time
she is at the halfway point for her support for SeaTribes trip
finish the school year well.
learn to lean on Him and doing only what she knows is her best.
Emma: finish the school year well.
friendships
her allergies are flaring up again.
Jeff: has lost a lot of friends this year. (all moving to other countries). the last friend leaving is his best friend, Karston
finish the school year well.
school struggles
Abi: abi has asked Jesus into her life!!!!!!!!!!!!
pray for her young mind and heart to understand His love more and more
and even at the age of 5 she can start living for, in, and through Him.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and financial support. we are not unaware of the sacrifices you all make with your time and finances. we are blessed beyond all measure and we are asking the Lord to hold you in His hands and protect you and cause you to grow more and more in Him as you live for Him and walk in His way.
thanks so very much
30 December 2008
27 October 2008
more musings from the durhams
only one life,
’twill soon be past;
only what’s done
for Christ
will last.
just read that out of John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. i am so convicted by this book. so many times i find myself fretting over this and that. i get so weary. when i read this, i realized all that i fretted over had little to do with Christ. so convicting. i found myself just pleading with Him to help me focus on what is of Him. i dream of the day when i respond in a manner worthy of His gracious love for me. i am so glad that i do not have do anything (better said...can't do anything) to earn His love, forgiveness or favor. i praise Him daily for loving me, forgiving me and favoring me in spite of my failings. it is this Love that makes me want to do all for Him. This was on my heart.....thanks for reading
now for the update:
Wow!!! ok so we begin realizing more and more that we are “not in Kansas anymore, Toto.” So yeah, we have not had internet more than we have had it.....sad :-(
it has affected us more these last two months more than any other time since we have been here. all that to say.....we are so sorry to have not communicated more.
i have been able to borrow some internet from friends periodically to check email and facebook (the beloved facebook) but that is pretty much it.
we are having such a great time this year. both of us continue to be amazed that He is so amazing faithful to us to give us things to do that fill us up. truly, in all our busyness we are not getting all that tired. it so fun to be doing what He has chosen for us. we get up ready to start the day with a whistle and a spring in our steps. that is fun....thanks for praying because we truly believe that it is the strength of the Father through your prayers that is sustaining us.
david is really growing in his new positions of chaplain and member care coordinator. he is having meetings with individual students on a near daily basis. this is so cool, because he was not sure how many would voluntarily sign up for these 1 on 1 (or 1 on 2) times. turns out he has no free spaces left on his sign up sheet. these students have really shared their souls with him.
please pray for him that the Father will give him His wisdom and His words to share with the kids who need the Love of an almighty Father.
please pray as well for david as he decides on the best plan of action for a distance learning seminary.
kim is having a blast serving up dinners 3 tuesdays each month. the first tuesday is always for new staff (for more orientation and just see how they are doing), then the 2nd tuesday is for a few teachers and spouses at a time (just for food and fun, and the 3rd tuesday is for students (we invite the whole class for food, fun, and fellowship). she loves cooking and watching others enjoy themselves and relax. what a blessing to use the gifts He has given in order to serve others and offer a respite from exhaustion, stress and culture stress.
please pray for kim to seek His peace and remember for Whom she is really doing it all. please pray for our budget as these dinners sometimes stretch it pretty thin...on that same thought please pray for Kim to lay this in the Father’s hands. she needs to remember that He loves her more than anything she can imagine and the He can be trusted in EVERYTHING
grace has once again been chosen to go on the Sea Tribes trip where she gets involved with children and house families as well as learning more and more about culture. She is immersed in it here.
please pray for grace as she does this trip again. there is a lot of prep work for this trip and she will once again need to raise funds for the trip. pray that she will grow to trust in Him more as she sees this trip come to be because of His provision (nothing that she has done herself)
emma is still struggling a bit with her allergies. it took us by surprise a bit, because she had been doing so well since we got here. now, her asthma and eczema seem to be a daily problem.
please pray for His healing touch on her health. also please pray for her as she has middle school struggles as well. especially pray for friendships that glorify the Father.
jeff is having a good year again. he was blessed to keep that same teacher. she is a kind and compassionate teacher. jeff has had some struggles with having good friends this year.
please pray for godly friends and a continued good attitude in school and at home.
abi is asking so many questions about having a relationship with the Father.
please pray for her young heart to accept Him and that she would grow up in Him
we have been watching the news from home. we are praying for all of you as the election draws near that God will bring to your mind who it is He would have you vote for. it is once again strange to watch our country's struggles from a very long distance away.
we are also watching the economy as it is doing its thing. i have never understood economic things very well, but i am fervently praying that God will bring peace and wisdom to all those who are struggling.
we would sure like to hear how you are doing.........hint hint.......how can we pray for you?
’twill soon be past;
only what’s done
for Christ
will last.
just read that out of John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. i am so convicted by this book. so many times i find myself fretting over this and that. i get so weary. when i read this, i realized all that i fretted over had little to do with Christ. so convicting. i found myself just pleading with Him to help me focus on what is of Him. i dream of the day when i respond in a manner worthy of His gracious love for me. i am so glad that i do not have do anything (better said...can't do anything) to earn His love, forgiveness or favor. i praise Him daily for loving me, forgiving me and favoring me in spite of my failings. it is this Love that makes me want to do all for Him. This was on my heart.....thanks for reading
now for the update:
Wow!!! ok so we begin realizing more and more that we are “not in Kansas anymore, Toto.” So yeah, we have not had internet more than we have had it.....sad :-(
it has affected us more these last two months more than any other time since we have been here. all that to say.....we are so sorry to have not communicated more.
i have been able to borrow some internet from friends periodically to check email and facebook (the beloved facebook) but that is pretty much it.
we are having such a great time this year. both of us continue to be amazed that He is so amazing faithful to us to give us things to do that fill us up. truly, in all our busyness we are not getting all that tired. it so fun to be doing what He has chosen for us. we get up ready to start the day with a whistle and a spring in our steps. that is fun....thanks for praying because we truly believe that it is the strength of the Father through your prayers that is sustaining us.
david is really growing in his new positions of chaplain and member care coordinator. he is having meetings with individual students on a near daily basis. this is so cool, because he was not sure how many would voluntarily sign up for these 1 on 1 (or 1 on 2) times. turns out he has no free spaces left on his sign up sheet. these students have really shared their souls with him.
please pray for him that the Father will give him His wisdom and His words to share with the kids who need the Love of an almighty Father.
please pray as well for david as he decides on the best plan of action for a distance learning seminary.
kim is having a blast serving up dinners 3 tuesdays each month. the first tuesday is always for new staff (for more orientation and just see how they are doing), then the 2nd tuesday is for a few teachers and spouses at a time (just for food and fun, and the 3rd tuesday is for students (we invite the whole class for food, fun, and fellowship). she loves cooking and watching others enjoy themselves and relax. what a blessing to use the gifts He has given in order to serve others and offer a respite from exhaustion, stress and culture stress.
please pray for kim to seek His peace and remember for Whom she is really doing it all. please pray for our budget as these dinners sometimes stretch it pretty thin...on that same thought please pray for Kim to lay this in the Father’s hands. she needs to remember that He loves her more than anything she can imagine and the He can be trusted in EVERYTHING
grace has once again been chosen to go on the Sea Tribes trip where she gets involved with children and house families as well as learning more and more about culture. She is immersed in it here.
please pray for grace as she does this trip again. there is a lot of prep work for this trip and she will once again need to raise funds for the trip. pray that she will grow to trust in Him more as she sees this trip come to be because of His provision (nothing that she has done herself)
emma is still struggling a bit with her allergies. it took us by surprise a bit, because she had been doing so well since we got here. now, her asthma and eczema seem to be a daily problem.
please pray for His healing touch on her health. also please pray for her as she has middle school struggles as well. especially pray for friendships that glorify the Father.
jeff is having a good year again. he was blessed to keep that same teacher. she is a kind and compassionate teacher. jeff has had some struggles with having good friends this year.
please pray for godly friends and a continued good attitude in school and at home.
abi is asking so many questions about having a relationship with the Father.
please pray for her young heart to accept Him and that she would grow up in Him
we have been watching the news from home. we are praying for all of you as the election draws near that God will bring to your mind who it is He would have you vote for. it is once again strange to watch our country's struggles from a very long distance away.
we are also watching the economy as it is doing its thing. i have never understood economic things very well, but i am fervently praying that God will bring peace and wisdom to all those who are struggling.
we would sure like to hear how you are doing.........hint hint.......how can we pray for you?
26 August 2008
Crazy Busy but Awesome Times
Hello again.
so sorry for being so long again. please pray for consistent internet and for my web page program to start working again.
I am writing to you from a new blog because my old webpage is experiencing serious technical difficulties. i believe it is still accessible but it is not editing very well.
we are all doing ok here in Indonesia. we are feeling at home. it took longer here than in Bolivia. not sure why. just noting that in a conversation with some friends here. we do love it here. some really good friends and a great job.
this school year is gearing up to be a busy one, but we truly believe that God has something amazing in store for our school. we have almost 200 students in our school this year. this is a huge praise. He is faithful.
our new administration team, Pete and Charity, could use your prayers for strength, wisdom from Him, and energy this year. it is proving to be a busy and tough one early on. they are a phenomenal team. we are grateful for their humble, godly leadership. david and i have partnered with these guys in prayer and accountability.
david is going to need your prayers for wisdom, strength, and energy as well. he is so excited about his role this year. he is so energized to be offering spiritual leadership to staff and students. pray that God will bless him with wisdom and godly counsel.
kim is working as the school nurse and teaching health. this is not quite the stretch of teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) was last year. :-) she is enjoying teaching the class. she so loves to be in contact with the students and engaging them in conversation about their lives and thoughts. pray for good relationships with the students.
the kiddos are having a great beginning of the school year. new friends, new classes and new teachers. we are so blessed to have such flexible children.
thanks so much for all your prayers and your financial support of the work that goes on here at the school. it is such a blessing. we could not do what we are doing here if it were not for you. thanks for being a most vital part of what goes on in our work with these kids at this school.
we are humbled and honored to have you as friends!!!
We got this idea from some friends of ours in Bolivia:
We are reading:
kim: Crazy Love by Francis Chan....highly recommend his podcasts as well.
The Shack by William Young...jury is still out/have not decided what i think yet
My Bible (ESV) daily.....my favorite book
Cost of Discipleship by Deitrich Bonhoeffer...tough read/convicting
Peacemaker by Ken Sande....CONVICTING and awesome
david: Mars Hill Classified Series by Austin Boyd
The Warriors by Mark Andrew Olsen...go Mark, man this is awesome stuff.
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Peacemaker by Ken Sande
My Bible
grace: Black by Ted Dekker
When God Writes Your Life Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy
The Chase by Jerry Bridges
My Bible
emma: The Silver Chair by CS Lewis
Her Bible
jeff: Holes by ?
My Bible
abi. my first Bible by Kenneth Taylor
anything by Dr Seuss
love you guys
have a great day
reflect Him in all you do
david, kim, grace, em, jeff, and abi
so sorry for being so long again. please pray for consistent internet and for my web page program to start working again.
I am writing to you from a new blog because my old webpage is experiencing serious technical difficulties. i believe it is still accessible but it is not editing very well.
we are all doing ok here in Indonesia. we are feeling at home. it took longer here than in Bolivia. not sure why. just noting that in a conversation with some friends here. we do love it here. some really good friends and a great job.
this school year is gearing up to be a busy one, but we truly believe that God has something amazing in store for our school. we have almost 200 students in our school this year. this is a huge praise. He is faithful.
our new administration team, Pete and Charity, could use your prayers for strength, wisdom from Him, and energy this year. it is proving to be a busy and tough one early on. they are a phenomenal team. we are grateful for their humble, godly leadership. david and i have partnered with these guys in prayer and accountability.
david is going to need your prayers for wisdom, strength, and energy as well. he is so excited about his role this year. he is so energized to be offering spiritual leadership to staff and students. pray that God will bless him with wisdom and godly counsel.
kim is working as the school nurse and teaching health. this is not quite the stretch of teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) was last year. :-) she is enjoying teaching the class. she so loves to be in contact with the students and engaging them in conversation about their lives and thoughts. pray for good relationships with the students.
the kiddos are having a great beginning of the school year. new friends, new classes and new teachers. we are so blessed to have such flexible children.
thanks so much for all your prayers and your financial support of the work that goes on here at the school. it is such a blessing. we could not do what we are doing here if it were not for you. thanks for being a most vital part of what goes on in our work with these kids at this school.
we are humbled and honored to have you as friends!!!
We got this idea from some friends of ours in Bolivia:
We are reading:
kim: Crazy Love by Francis Chan....highly recommend his podcasts as well.
The Shack by William Young...jury is still out/have not decided what i think yet
My Bible (ESV) daily.....my favorite book
Cost of Discipleship by Deitrich Bonhoeffer...tough read/convicting
Peacemaker by Ken Sande....CONVICTING and awesome
david: Mars Hill Classified Series by Austin Boyd
The Warriors by Mark Andrew Olsen...go Mark, man this is awesome stuff.
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Peacemaker by Ken Sande
My Bible
grace: Black by Ted Dekker
When God Writes Your Life Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy
The Chase by Jerry Bridges
My Bible
emma: The Silver Chair by CS Lewis
Her Bible
jeff: Holes by ?
My Bible
abi. my first Bible by Kenneth Taylor
anything by Dr Seuss
love you guys
have a great day
reflect Him in all you do
david, kim, grace, em, jeff, and abi
18 February 2008
Shine Brightly
Ok so that is probably not the greatest picture of shining bright but i think it will actually be better for a point that was shown to me earlier (besides the fact that i have not infringed on any copyrights :-) )
So anyway, i was sitting at starbucks (surprise, surprise) i was sitting in one of the comfy chairs (another surprise because they are usually taken) and i was doing some prep work for a Bible study on conflict management that i am doing with a new friend of mine. i am also listening to my ipod in order to drown out the starbucksy music. then i look up from the Scriptures and the book, and i see this poster; it says “Shine Brightly” and another one that said “Find Your Glow.” i was intrigued. so i read on (squinting because i am getting older and finding hard to admit that i need stronger lenses in my glasses....again) and it says “Find Your Glow ... with our new tea lattes.” and “Shine Bright...while trying a new tea latte.” Ok, all of you should know that i am a true starbucks fan, but something really bugged me here. starbucks was advertising for great teas by getting us where we live. Everyone wants to shine bright. There is not one person out there that is not looking for their glow. it is just that most do not know what it is they are looking for. and i am sorry starbucks, but it ain’t tea. we are made to seek, to search out that something more that will make us warm, peaceful, and glowing. It is Jesus. It is Him. Nothing and no one else. Not one thing this world has to offer can cause us to shine bright or glow. we were made to worship. our sole purpose in life is to reflect His glory right back to Him.
sitting in starbucks was a wonderful insightful moment. i loved it, i felt like i had some kind of epiphany. the Lord spoke, i listened, i responded. it was awesome. but just as i was thinking how wonderful it was i began to realize even on the “angkot” ride to starbucks i was not showing His glory. i was frustrated cuz i could not sit near the window therefore it was hot and humid and a little smelly. i was irritated when i walked into starbucks because my favorite chair was taken (one, by the way, if i had sat in i would not have seen the posters). i had fussed at grace for something she had no control over right before i left for starbucks. i had let my glow, my ability to “shine brightly” be dimmed by my own interests, my own desires, my own moods.
as soon as i put my focus on myself or even others there is no glory to be reflected back to God, instead i often hinder His plan and most definitely hinder His glory. BUT, when i am putting my focus where it belongs, on Him..abiding in Him, and imitating Him, then i am giving Him what He wants, what He deserves, what He demands. i am giving Him His rightful worship. i am reflecting Him back to Him.
emma had told me before. “mom, be the moon” meaning be the reflection of the Light, not the source.
04 February 2008
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10
such a familiar verse. one that i was reminded of by reading another blog. i have forgotten that recently. i have been living my life real small lately. i have been forgetting to ALWAYS live it through Him and His power. aaarrrrgggghhh i am so amazed He has not shaken His finger at me and fussed at me good, but no He oh so very lovingly, patiently, and faithfully shown me that i am falling flat on my face at every turn.
i am so glad that He lovingly disciplines us and does not allow us to stay in our path of destruction. what a pity that would be, because then we could not live our life abundantly.
this week is Week Without Walls at our school. this is a time when the students divide into various groups and participate in acts of service or cultural experiences. david is taking part in a group that teaches ESL to young adults here in bandung. he is experiencing joy in this as he sees how relationships are being built. grace is going overnight to an indonesian boarding school which is interested in bridging the gap between their cultures. we are excited to see grace interested in this. emma is participating with a group working with a deaf school and she has learned a lot of sign language and is looking forward to building friendships. jeff is in a group that is going to be interacting with some kids that go to various indonesian schools. he gets to play with them and go out to eat with them. jeff is geared perfectly for this group because of his love for playing and his love for people. abi is helping to cook and fill up "boxes of love" we are so blessed to be a part of a school that serves its community.
please pray that we will "live large" but not in, of or for ourselves but for God's glory and His renown.
please continue to pray for us regarding housing. we need patience, wisdom and a quiet spirit to know what it is God wants for us. (as opposed to simply wanting something for ourselves)
please pray for the school. we are building a new school campus and are praying that the funds will continue to come in for that and that all the builders will be safe.
please pray too for all the changes that will occur because of the move. many families have lived in this current community for years and it is difficult to think about what to do regarding schooling and housing. pray for peace for them.
please continue to pray for our health. this does seem to always be where satan likes to get us. nothing serious, but just nagging, frustrating and tiresome.
we again are so grateful for your prayers and your support. we thank God for each of you.
with much love and appreciation
david, kim, grace, emma, jeff and abi
i am so glad that He lovingly disciplines us and does not allow us to stay in our path of destruction. what a pity that would be, because then we could not live our life abundantly.
this week is Week Without Walls at our school. this is a time when the students divide into various groups and participate in acts of service or cultural experiences. david is taking part in a group that teaches ESL to young adults here in bandung. he is experiencing joy in this as he sees how relationships are being built. grace is going overnight to an indonesian boarding school which is interested in bridging the gap between their cultures. we are excited to see grace interested in this. emma is participating with a group working with a deaf school and she has learned a lot of sign language and is looking forward to building friendships. jeff is in a group that is going to be interacting with some kids that go to various indonesian schools. he gets to play with them and go out to eat with them. jeff is geared perfectly for this group because of his love for playing and his love for people. abi is helping to cook and fill up "boxes of love" we are so blessed to be a part of a school that serves its community.
please pray that we will "live large" but not in, of or for ourselves but for God's glory and His renown.
please continue to pray for us regarding housing. we need patience, wisdom and a quiet spirit to know what it is God wants for us. (as opposed to simply wanting something for ourselves)
please pray for the school. we are building a new school campus and are praying that the funds will continue to come in for that and that all the builders will be safe.
please pray too for all the changes that will occur because of the move. many families have lived in this current community for years and it is difficult to think about what to do regarding schooling and housing. pray for peace for them.
please continue to pray for our health. this does seem to always be where satan likes to get us. nothing serious, but just nagging, frustrating and tiresome.
we again are so grateful for your prayers and your support. we thank God for each of you.
with much love and appreciation
david, kim, grace, emma, jeff and abi
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