Pennsylvania Pics

PJ with cousins Matt and Kylee.
Calvin with 2nd cousin, Chandler (they're only one month apart in age!).

Adele helping daddy set up the tent. We went camping a couple days at Po Paddy State Park (Tanner and Hannah, if you're reading, this is where we went with you all so many years ago!)

Elk "hunting" in Benezet, PA...up close and personal.

Is it winter yet? Calvin, PJ and cousin Paige pulled out this old sled...they're ready for some snow!

Cousins, PJ, Calvin and Paige swimming and playing.

His first roller coaster...and he loved it! The Crazy Mouse at DelGrosso's Park.

Another favorite was the corvette ride! (PJ likes the red one!)

Vacation Bible School at Bald Eagle CMA. PJ, Calvin and Adele loved it and we're still singing the songs from Bible School.

On our way out of the campground, we found this guy crossing the road. As you guessed, Paul stopped the car, jumped out and picked him up. He said it is a pine snake.

"Look mommy, my first trout!" Fishing in the creeks of PA made Paul and PJ very happy campers!

Gettting Settled

Two months of travel are over for the time being...ok, not really, we're travelling again tomorrow to Jax to attend a wedding of a friend's son, visit family and visit some supporters. I also plan to visit Chamblin's Bookmine...at some point, not sure when that will happen but it's on my agenda!
I just have to share a new discovery in my life. Most of you will not be impressed, in fact you will be disappointed! But, here it goes. I discovered the Seminole County library in our town! Adele and I went together the other day to check it out, get a card and such. I brought home a few books...and I feel like I'm stealing or something because of all these great quality books at my disposal. I was very much overwhelmed as I didn't go in with a book list...ok, I did but both books were for me not for the kids. I just am so excited at the resources at my fingertips with the library. I think if you are ever looking at ways to creatively support and encourage missionary families, send them books! I know it's expensive but, at least on our field, English books are expensive and good ones are hard to come by.
So, I've been preparing mentally for our year ahead of homeschool. I have basically decided to follow Susan Wise Bauer's and Jessie Wise's book The Well -Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. About six months ago I was sure I'd be using Sonlight (and who knows I may one day end up using Sonlight) but I wasn't having a peace about it. For those of you who don't know much about homeschool, Sonlight is a wondeful curriculum that has a beautiful multi-cultural flair to it...you read a lot to your kids and you can buy entire Cores for each year. Each Core comes with a teacher's manual and schedule...which really appealed to me. So, you might be wondering what changed? The more I thought having to keep to a schedule, it scared me. I do horribly with schedules (not so much that I can't keep one as much as if I get off schedule I instantly go into bad mood mommy). My kids have had enough of bad mood mommy and quite honestly so have I. In March I had an experience that I never want to relive and I am too embarrassed to tell you about it. Let's just say that I realized that home school for us wasn't fun on most days; in fact both PJ and I dreaded it. Sadly, since March, we've done very little. This brings me back to The Well-Trained Mind. As I've been reading I've realized how little we did this past year in homeschool. Yeah we did the stuff we had to do...we read, I taught reading, math, phonics and even a little science, but it wasn't fun and I didn't encourage PJ to be imaginative by giving him wonderful books to feast on (but I will interject that Paul did this by reading through many great works with PJ before bedtime). Now, I know that some of that is partly due to the lack of literature available but a lot of it is due to me and my attitude and how I looked at homeschool...I just wanted to get my agenda done before 11:30, no matter if it was done well or poorly...we just had to get it done. Now, don't get me wrong, you have to get work done...no doubt! But, there is a way in which to teach that encourages and brings out that creativity and imagination. I see it in my nieces and nephews (who I might add have wonderful parents who encourage this sort of thing) but sadly, I don't see it in myself. So, all of this to say that I am not doing Sonlight, not because I don't think it's great (in fact, I plan to do the read-alouds from Sonlight) but because I need to figure out our own rhythm to the day and let God show us. I deeply need your prayers for this year ahead. I plan to begin August 3, the day Paul begins seminary. There is much that needs reviewed with PJ. Please pray for his heart as well. I am learning just how influential I am in their lives (you'd think I would have figured that one out a long time ago!). I am seeing that the hurt I've caused him in the past makes him shut down when we start to do school and for that we need the healing balm of Jesus...for both of us. I am in such great need of our Savior's grace at this time...not only in homeschool but on so many fronts and I would ask you to pray for His presence to be known among us, that He would be merciful to me, a sinner.
With that said, I am going to the beach for a couple days next week..just me and my Bible and journal at the suggestion of my hubby. Please pray for a time of renewal and refreshing and pray for God to meet me there and assure me of His great love for me. Pray that I would see the sin in my life and repent of it and give it to Jesus and pray for the control of the Spirit over my life, for Him to reign and rule and govern.
I will try to post some pics from our time in PA last month. Thank you to those who continue to read this blog...sorry posts have been so sporadic, I hope you understand!

still kicking

We're okay. Just want to let you all know that hopefully in the next couple weeks blogposts will resume to a more regular schedule! At this moment we are in North Carolina at MTW's re-entry retreat for long term missionarys. Everyone is having a lot of fun (as far as the kids go) and so are we, for that matter! We moved into our home on the 4th of July! It's great and God is so good. All our neighbors seem friendly and we're looking forward to getting to know them more. Our kids were so happy to be "home" and have enjoyed playing in the back yard (yes, we have a yard!!! we are so excited about this!).
So, thank you to those of you who have been praying for us. We are adjusting. Seminary starts in just a few weeks for Paul (3 weeks of Greek and then a full load in the fall).
Please continue to pray for our adjustment and pray for our team in Thailand adn the Thai people.

still traveling...

We've been in Pennsylvania for two weeks now! Crazy how time flies. We've really enjoyed being "home". Paul has spent much time with my pastor at the church I grew up in. He's been a minister of God's grace for over 50 years at the same church! He has been a great source of encouragement and support to Paul. We have been visiting many family and friends in the area and it's been wonderful to recount God's goodness to our team and the work in Thailand.
We took a two day family camping trip the earlier part of this week. It was complete with a thunder storm in the night, fishing and an old railway tunnel from the late 1800s. Our tent never leaked and the kids never woke during the storm and we were protected from the bears and other wildlife. It was a wonderful time and the kids loved it. I will try to get some pictures on here before too long.

Our adjustment seems to be going smoothly. I love being here but I will be happy to be settled in Orlando! Lack of routine and all that has it's affect on me...and on the children, but God is good to give us His grace. I do continue to miss Thailand. There are lots of folks there right now for the summer helping out and it all sounds so fun and exciting. One group is working specifically with the campus ministry and so it hurts that we can't be there to be part of all that is happening. I've missed the close community we had there and I feel almost dead to that world right now. (That sounds really dramatic, doesn't it?!) I just mean that we left and now others have filled those missing places (and that is good and healthy) but there's just a huge hole in my heart. I correspond with our friends there and have received recent news that Fon will not be coming to America as a nanny afterall. That also saddens me though I trust God and His will for her...I was looking forward to seeing her sooner rather than later!
I'm also dreading (a little bit) the transition to yet a new city and place and that fear is manifesting itself as well. I am excited but I also realize we're starting all over again and it is a little overwhelming thinking of long days with small children and no community!!! I know I shouldn't worry, I know God has already shown Himself faithful. I tell you readers out there this so you can pray for me and us as we settle there. I really am not complaining! I realized yesterday as I was talking to Paul about "stuff" that I have a lot of fear right now and I know that this fear is not of the Lord, so please pray that I wouldn't be afraid and that I would fully trust Christ.
So, that is where I am right now concerning our transition to American life. I know so many of you are praying for us, please don't stop! And, please don't stop praying for the Thais. Check out the sidebar for new blogs (the short termers that are in Thailand).

Traveling on..

We returned yesterday from Paul's sister's and husband's house out in western Florida. We all get along really well...and this time we had new people to meet as we each had two children that had been born during our time in Thailand. The great thing is these children are boys (3 years old) and then girls (1 1/2 years old). Pictured here we have Adele, Vinnie (8 weeks older than Adele), Lincoln (7 weeks younger than Calvin) and Calvin. They all got along really well, for the most part. It was a joy to meet these two precious children.

We were going to go to the beach on Monday but the weather turned and instead of being upper 80s and sunny, it was upper 60s, overcast with some misting rain. This is really weird for Florida. And, needless to say, Paul and I were freezing. The boys did ok...in fact PJ refused to wear sweatpants which means we have a bit of a fight coming once Florida winter does hit. =) So, we headed to Chuck E Cheese's for some mass fun. The Ream family boys said it was the most fun they've ever had at Chuck E Cheese's and the husbands said the same...thanks to the NBL basketball hoop shoots! Later that day and again on Tuesday we made a fire outside in the backyard. We sang some folk-y songs thanks to Becky and her guitar and we even toasted marshmallows! A first for Calvin and Adele.
[Pictured above: Me with Adele and Lincoln.]

[Pictured below: Paul at the fire dressed for winter (!), Ethan (almost 11) winnowing a spear and Becky playing guitar.]

PJ and Ben (9) were knights most of the weekend and at times Ethan would join them in their play.

Ben also found a Scarlet King Snake on their back patio area. The house became alive with excitement as five little boys and two daddies came to inspect. After making sure the snake wasn't the deadly coral snake the little boys and big boys alike had fun holding our new pet whose name is Boa. Yes, you heard right...we now have a pet snake. There will be rules...o, there will be rules! PJ had no fear holding it though, for which I am truly very grateful. I grew up (ok I still do) fearing snakes but I married Paul, who doesn't fear them unless there is a sensible reason for the snake to be feared and thankfully PJ has picked up on that. Calvin was very interested in the snake too, but he only "petted" it this time. We'll see how he warms up to it. Also, notice the sleeveless shirt PJ is wearing and Calvin in a sweatshirt. PJ ran around like this in 60 and 70 degree weather...no problems adjusting for this kid!

Lincoln and Calvin enjoyed playing cars but they also enjoyed several games of Hi!Ho! Cherry-O...thanks Uncle Matt!






And Uncle Matt spent many moments reading to the smaller children.

After our Monday plans of going to the beach were squashed we decided to go on Tuesday which was only a few degrees warmer but less rain. We packed up after eating lunch and headed to a nearby beach on the Gulf. We were there about 10 minutes, fully garbed (except the older boys) when we decided we couldn't stay very much longer. The older boys (Ethan, Ben and PJ) were sorely disappointed but the rest of us were thrilled to be out of the cold gusts.

While driving back to the East Coast we drove through rain almost the whole way. When we arrived at Grampy and Grammie's we noticed water everywhere...the pond is full and so is the swimming pool and now we're all just waiting to see our friend, Mr. Sun, so we can go outside and play. Never before have my boys asked me over and over again "when is it going to stop raining?" just so they can go outside and play!

Just want to say one more time.. Thank you Matt and Becky, Ethan, Ben, Linc and Vinnie for the GREAT time! We can't wait to see you again!

fishing

This was the fresh catch of the day yesterday. Paul, PJ and Calvin caught five Sailor's Choice and the other day they caught one flounder. Paul grilled them up for supper last night.

Before leaving Thailand we were schemeing and saving for a canoe to buy in America since we would be living in Florida with many waterways at our disposal. Last week we found a used canoe and trailer for sale on Craigslist and are happy with our buy. I tried to download some more pictures than just these two but they wouldn't download.

[My boys with their catch.]

"the woods"

Our first week found us waking early. I enjoyed several mornings of peace and quiet beside the pond, watching the ducks and listening to the birds flittering about and waiting for the sun to make it's appearance. Isn't it beautiful? I like to refer to Paul's parents property as "Grampy's farm." It's not really a farm, but they have a barn and chickens, ducks, cats, a dog, turkeys a tractor and a garden...so it feels pretty close to a farm! PJ has taken to calling it "the woods." Two days after we were here, we went over to our home church and PJ asked if we could go back to "the woods" referring to Grammie and Grampy's house!

The ducks never cease to entertain me. I could sit out there all day and watch them. One of them has a nest in the barn...so hopefully we'll be seeing some ducklings around so long as nothing gets them for their dinner.

The boys swinging on the tire swing.

If you know Paul, then you know his love for fishing. He has wasted no time in teaching PJ and Calvin the ins and outs of it. Here he is teaching PJ to reel in a big one...they caught five fish today at the intercoastal! (more to come later on that)

Adele is also enjoying the laid back life of a farm. She now says "duck" and "oh" for "no". She always wants to be outside and like her brother PJ, loves the cats and dog.

She is also enjoying her cousin, Erin, who is just nine months older. They usually get along great, unless one of them is tired (and that is usually Adele...and she gets mean).

The boys have enjoyed their boy cousins but Calvin also pals around with Erin some too, as they are only a year apart. Lego-mania and all kinds of pretend play unfold when the boys are together. It's fun to eavesdrop in on their play and we thank God that they live right next door...as I think their being here has helped with our children's adjusment to life here.

I know so many of you are praying for us, and we are so thankful for it. God's grace is sufficient. It's been so fun to share with two churches and many supporters what God has done in Bangkok in just the four years we were there...our hearts ache for Thailand but we know God will continue on His work among the Thai people while we follow His call here...it isn't easy though!

We will be traveling a good bit in the next month and a half so please keep us in your prayers. We leave Thursday to visit Paul's sister and family in western Florida for a few days, then Paul leaves late next week for a rafting trip down the Colorado River with his dad and brothers. Around the 29th of May we leave for Pennsylvania where we will spend a month visiting supporting churches and friends while staying with my parents. The end of June we will head back to Florida to move into our home in Orlando. So, we would appreciate your continued prayers for us. Living out of suitcases gets old after a while, but pray that we would find joy in and not get tired of it anytime soon! =)

adjusted and overdue!

[PJ releasing his turtle, Christmas, at the King's park]

Hi all...let me clarify the title of this post...we are adjusted to the time difference...but other things are taking time. I am finding, suprisingly, that Americans, in general, are still nice people. The sounds really negative...but if you heard about our trip home you would understand where I am coming from! I won't go there though...don't want to complain. Today we took a trip to St. Augustine and was amazed at the number of people who spoke to Adele and were just friendly. So, that is good news!

[Calvin about to release his turtle, Green]

So, here are some pictures of our last days in Thailand and of our trip home. I want to thank Miss Mary, Catherine, Clint and Katy for coming over the day we left and helped me tremendously get last minute things done. I can't thank you enough for the love you all showed us on our last day there. We desperately miss all our friends and church family in Thailand. We shared about Thailand last night at a local church and I had to stop watching the video our teammate, Tim, made because I started to tear up because I was seeing so many of those dear to us. God is gracious and we are slowly get used to life here. I will say that there are still crazy drivers here...and I have hardly driven because I am afraid to turn into the wrong lane at an intersection!

[Adele running around at Narita Airport, Japan]

[Boys playing at the Toyko airport]

we're nearly on our way...

It's 9:42pm, Sunday night. We'll be leaving our home in just 5 hours time to head to the Suvarnaphumi Airport. It's been a challenging but fun and fulfilling week. Adele was admitted, once again, into the hospital on Tuesday night..this time with early pneumonia. From there the schedule I had made for the rest of the week went out the window. We were in hospital for three days and returned home Friday around noon. I know many of you are praying...and those prayers have surely carried Paul, me and the children through this week. The picture was taken at our going away party on Thursday evening. The two women pictured with us are P'Naa and P'Khay...two women who have become very dear to me. (Adele was still in hospital and did not attend the going away party). P'Khay went on our church's retreat this past weekend! Pray for her!

Anyway, we don't feel like we're about to board a plane even though all our belongings are in bags and some are even already loaded into the team truck to be taken to the airport. We don't feel like we're saying goodbye and yet, we are. It's very weird. PJ has turned inward and is obviously affected by our move, definitely melancholy. Calvin is still happy go lucky and laughing and playing. Adele doesn't have a clue! All three kids are on medication (Calvin has a sinus infection, PJ has bronchitis and Adele...well you know what's up with her). And through all this, we know God is the ONE we can rely on. He is the One carrying us through, He is so gracious and good to give us enough strength for this journey...both today and tomorrow, and beyond. Grace for the moment...He doesn't promise us all His grace all at once...He promises grace to be sufficient in our weakness. He gives it in just the perfect measurement to our need and we give Him the glory for the things He does through us. We know you all are praying...and we are so thankful. We can't wait to see you, each one, at some point in the coming weeks, months and years ahead.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel.

Easter, Songkran and friends

Last week was a fun one...even with all the sickness. We celebrated the Lord's resurrection on Sunday. Paul bought the boys fun and bright flower shirts for the Thai holiday of Songkran which they also wore on Easter. They woke in the morning and found their baskets hidden.

Adele was so funny trying to find her little "basket." She really didn't have a basket but I used a little bunny handbag that my mom sent a couple years ago for her. The boys enjoyed their chocolate and gummy hearts.

The following day was the first day of Thai Songkran. We invited Rhianna and her kids and Jeana and her kids over for a "pool party" and water battle. They had a blast together.

Here is Adele with her basket. She loves putting the eggs together and taking them apart.

We also had Jan, Jose and Joas for lunch last Friday. It was such a special time together. Can you believe Joas will be one next month? I can't get over it. He is such a sweet little guy. We were thrilled to see them one last time before we leave.

thanks for praying

Thanks for the prayers. PJ is back to normal and I think the other two are too! Paul and I are still a little under the weather. We're getting there!



We welcomed Kirk last night to MTW Thailand for three months. Please be in prayer for him as he adjusts to life here. Paul is out and about showing him our neighborhood and teaching him how to get around using "song theow's" (trucks with bench seats in the back) and where to get things.



This morning I visited some dear friends of our team. Our team recently opened up a handicrafts shop in Ram 2 where a couple of women we know and love work at making handbags. Today was the first day I went to see the shop. I visited with P'Wi and P'Nong and it was such a sweet time. Please pray for this ministry. They make bags and they are beautiful! I forgot my camera, though, so I will have to go back and take some more pictures. =) I will say that finding the place was a bit of a challenge, but I finally found it!

11 Days

11 days left. It seems pretty surreal that in 11 days we will be on a plane heading across the Pacific Ocean to "home." I think I am in some sort of denial...not because I don't want to see all of you loved ones in the States but it just seems a bit like a dream! Of course, our stuff is packed for the most part but we are still functioning as life as normal in many ways. We are welcoming a three month intern tomorrow. Kirk will be staying with us until we leave and Pat, one of our Thai staff, is also moving in with us tomorrow. So, in a lot of ways ministering is still happening even amidst the boxes and dust and cleaning! We are also hoping to have a small dinner Friday or Saturday night with a few of our Thai friends.

I started out to write this post to request prayer...of course! Our family has been sick for a month or more (more like two!). I thought we were coming out of the woods with all this sickness but last night PJ came down with a high fever and vomitting. Please pray for us to all get better before we board that plane! I am struggling with this as well because I want PJ to enjoy his last few days here with his friends. I want him to be able to spend as much time as possible with Emmy and Ethan but being sick doesn't help that endeavor! And, I guess, I want the same for myself too! So, I have been praying for God to once again sustain us with His grace and be content in this situation. It's not ideal, but for some reason, He has seen fit to allow all this to happen, so I need to be content with it and praise Him for it.

I know many of you are praying, and we are so thankful for those prayers. Please continue to pray for the transition of our lives from Thai life to American life and for the team and ministry we are leaving for this season of time.
Trusting in Him who called us as sons,
crystal

"For what I received I passed on to you as first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..."

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

I Corinthians 15:3-4; 55-57


Happy Easter!

my answer...

Good answers to the two who responded to my question on "how do we know God loves us?" I think you are right, Kim. We have to believe in the Word of God and the promises therein. The verse I shared with my friend is Romans 8: 38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no any powers, neither height nor depth, no anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It all boils down to Jesus. He is the key. He has secured God's love for us by dying on the cross and paying the penalty for our sin and then rising again, therefore, defeating sin. Of course, there is believing this is so that Kim shared. I listened to a Piper sermon last night. It's his Palm Sunday sermon, "The Son of Man must be lifted up- Like the Serpent" (this past Sunday's sermon). It was taken from John 3 when Jesus meets with Nicodemus and Jesus tells Nicodemus that He must be like the serpent that was lifted up back in Numbers. It's a great sermon and if you have those in your life who are really struggling with believing (or if YOU are struggling with believing) listen and see if God will use it to encourage you.

a question on the love of God

After I wrote my last post, I met with a Thai friend that I am discipling. Below is a question she asked me and I am curious to find out what YOU would have answered...

"How do we know God loves us?"


I've been memorizing Scripture using Navigators memory system with her as well. One of the verses for this last week was Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Most of you who read this blog are probably quite familiar with this nugget from the Bible. I know I am. We remind each other of this verse often when we find ourselves stressed or worried about particular situations, but I know for me...the verse became too familiar. The other night, God graciously showed me how familiar I am with His Word....in a bad way! In a way that says, "yeah, I know that already." The beautiful thing about coming alongside a new believer is that God encourages you and teaches you new things just as He is teaching the new believer. I saw my friend's excitement over this verse. I saw her say, in essence, "wow, this is just what I need for right now in my life. God's Word is amazing! and I have peace...this verse is TRUE!"
And, then what follows is her going out into this world of darkness and proclaiming the greatness of her God, the True God, Jesus Christ. And, slowly others listen and want to hear more. Continue to pray for the lost, continue to pray for the new believers, continue to pray for us as missionaries. We thank God for you!

In preparation for Easter

Friends, I want to encourage you to check out Lenten Lights. This series of readings is put out by one of my favorite pastors...John Piper. If you are like me and have young kids, you can start these devotional readings tomorrow (the Saturday the weekend of Palm Sunday) and read one daily until Easter. The instructions are on the site.
One thing I will severely miss about Thailand is the lack of commercialization of "Christian" holidays. I put "Christian" in parenthesis because I feel that much of the hype and materialism that accompanies Christian holidays in essence makes the holiday no different than celebrating the Easter Bunny or Old St. Nick. I am not saying that I am against gift giving or Easter baskets or even the Easter Bunny (!), but it's nice to simply reflect on the Cross of Christ and on the events that led to His death on that Cross for us, without worrying about the jellybeans or the ham for Sunday dinner. Again, I don't say this to condemn those who have ham or jellybeans...I will be the first to line up and eat ham and jellybeans on Easter when we get Stateside...but I do hope living here in a land of complete darkness, will have changed me so much that I will never put the ham and jellybeans over the Christ. So, check out what John and Noelle Piper have compiled, reading from the Word, to reflect upon during this week before Easter.

On another note, I've been thinking a lot lately about God's love. I mentioned a few posts ago about a Living in Grace seminar we had here in Bangkok. It was so encouraging. Ron, the guy who came out here to share with us what it means to live by grace on a daily, practical level, shared his first point is that God is a God of love and that this is the most important attribute of God. I've been reflecting on just how radical that one thought alone is. I think about my Thai friends who don't know Christ. They know no God who is love. The only gods they know invoke fear instead of love. We truly have a revolutionary teaching, a teaching that shows us that GOD LOVES US! We are LOVED by an everlasting, eternal GOOD GOD! Ron encouraged us to do something EVERY day to remind us of God's love for us. I admit, I haven't done this, but I do find myself reminding myself often, that God loves me. Wow, God loves me. There's nothing I can do to to cause God to love me any more or less (paraphrased from Jerry Bridges in "Transforming Grace"). I think, if only I could get this thru to my Thai friends. If only they could understand the Gospel...that it's so radically different they would believe. But, of course, God is in control but I am seeing the lights starting to go on. Ron also shared how unbelievers see God's love thru the fellowship of believers. I have never before in my life believed this more than I do right at this moment. I have a Thai friend. She's a bit older...she's definitely my Phii (older sister in Thai) and at first glance you might assume as I did, that she would be the LAST person to be interestd in the Gospel. You might suppose she has no desire for God at this point in her life, and you might be right. On the other hand (and where I stand), I believe God is severely at work in her life. She comes to EVERY outreach event we have. Whether it's mom's group or a campus party, she is there...and often with her two teenaged kiddos. Not only does she come and participate and have a GREAT time, she comes early to help prepare food. I can only believe one thing about this...she sees God's love thru us as we minister in His name. She wants to be around us. She hasn't come to church yet, but I pray she does one day soon. She recently heard the Gospel clearly spelled out. Pray for God to open her heart more and more and that He would woo her to Himself. I know He is able.
This has turned into quite a long post. I hope to encourage you to praise God for His LOVE! Remind yourself daily...do something (I thought about tatooing it to my forehead but I didn't know if Paul would like it!) to remind yourself daily. I will try to do it too. We have an amazing story to share with people. We have an amazing God. "O Love that will not let me go" wrote the hymn writer. Amen to that.

Some recent pics of the kiddos

Keeping cool in the local pool. The boys were told not to get in, but they could play with the water(we all have colds) but that didn't last long. I went out and saw that they were drenched and figured, "o well, they only have a few more weeks with Noong Aam" (our little neighbor friend).

And, here's our little Adele Grace. This picture must have been taken two weeks ago. She's getting so big and tall. She was in the hospital this past weekend with Bronchitis, but I am happy to report she is doing much better, please continue to pray for a complete healing for all of us. We don't want to spend our last few weeks here hunkered away in the house because of sickness.

And, I thought all you cousins and friends out there would like to see the creative tunnel the boys made last week. The tunnel is named "Invisit Height Tree Cat Tunnel". I am not sure what "invisit" means but my guess is it means it's really tall. =)

MTW Thailand Team Retreat 2009

Last month, we got away as a team to the beach town of Pranburi (about 5KM south of Hua Hin, Thailand). We had a wonderful weekend of worship, relaxation and fellowship.
You can see from the pictures that our accomodations were beautiful and simple which just enhanced the relaxed atmosphere we all enjoyed so much. We heard teaching from John 15 on Abiding in Jesus and we were encouraged to do just that.

We also enjoyed the beautiful beach. The water was so clean and the first day it was so warm. It rained the following day and that cooled the water off a bit, but it was still delightful. Pictured with Adele is our friend Ying.
When I am with our team, I rarely have to worry about my kids. They are usually being entertained by someone and this retreat was no different. Bekah enjoyed following Adele around and making sure she wasn't getting into trouble.

Phii Chai and his son Joshua (pronounced "Yo-chua" in Thai) catch a few relaxing minutes on the swing at the hotel.
It wouldn't be a team retreat if we didn't play soccer on the beach. Ok, I confess, I don't play and it's only the second year of soccer on the beach, but the tradition has begun! I will say there was some pretty hard hits and scrapes that resulted from this pick-up game...and Jan was right there with them, kicking hard. =)

Another worship time in the "dining area" of the hotel.
PJ and Calvin spent much time with the Veldhorst children. Here they are with Katy.
This year, we were able to have a BBQ. We made shish-kabobs and our Thai friends roasted up some squid and shrimp too along with some naam jeem. DELICIOUS!

Here's PJ with a coconut he found. It was heavy...can you see the strain in his face? Check out those muscles!!!

We had a great time together. If you were praying, thank you! And, thank God with us for the team of people we have to work with here.

Pray for Maisie

The lovely family you see is the Tanchanapongs. They are Thai and have recently added another member to their family...Meno. Natee is a huge encouragement and support to the church plant the MTW Thailand team has begun here in Ram 2 and it was actually thru his friendship with Natee at Covenant Seminary that our team leader, Dave, came to Thailand as a missionary. This past week Maisie (shown in picture at her first birthday last year, April 4) was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. Please keep this precious family in your prayers as they see their baby girl go thru chemo and as they trust in God to do His work in them and thru them. Meno, Maisie's baby brother is just six weeks old. Pray for us as a team to know how to encourage them during this time. We know we can trust God and we know He is good. May He prove Himself faithful, once again. Thank you for praying.

promised pics from Paul's trip north

Hi everyone,

here are a few pics of Paul's time up north among the Karen people. These particular villages and people are not refugees in Thailand but are actually Thai citizens...I believe Paul said they've been here about two generations. They moved to Thailand due to persecution they face(d) in Burma. These villages are in a quite remote part of Thailand up steep and windy mountains with electricity and water sporadic.

Paul enjoyed, very much, sharing from God's Word with the believers in these villages.

This is Boonchu and Paul. Boonchu translated for Paul into the Karen language.

A view from the road of one of the villages and the surrounding mountains.

Paul and one of the Karen pastors. The Karen people wear a hand-woven style dress and as you can see, they graciously gave Paul a shirt and gave him two bags as well. And, they sent a shirt home for me as well!

Paul's time up north was amazing, but Sunday was day of most excitement there as he witnessed God's providential hand at work. The worship service was just closing when a young man ran into the church to tell the pastor that his 2 year old son was not doing well at all. He had been sick all day with diahhrea but now the little boy was unconscious. They prayed, loaded into Boonchu's truck and drove as fast as possible to the nearest hospital. Paul was scared. He said he had never been so scared in all his life. Not only for his own life (Boonchu was driving really fast on very narrow and steep mountain roads) but also for the life of the little boy. Paul really didn't think the boy would make it. They arrived at a dilapidated old hospital and immediately hooked the baby up to IV. The doctor told them that if they had gone onto Chiang Mai the boy would have died. (They drove about 1 1/2 hours to the hospital and Chiang Mai, second largest city in Thailand is about four hours from the village where Paul was preaching.) Well, the good news is that the boy started to regain strength from the IV and praise be to God, didn't die.

If you want to hear more about Paul's trip up north, just ask him when we return! I know he'd love to recount the ways God showed himself faithful during his time up north. If you would be so kind, please pray for some other teammates who are heading up to the hilltribes this Saturday. Dave (team leader) will be teaching from the Bible and three of our single women (Tang, Ying and Melanie) are going up to help with children's ministry. Please pray for safety and for God to use them mightily to encourage our Karen brothers and sisters.

just to let you know...

As of today...the six week countdown to our departure date has begun. Sad? yes. Happy? yes. Bitter-sweet is the best word to describe an experience such as leaving one place and heading to another. (In one of my favorite children's books there is a quote that I love that pertains to this coming and going that seems to dictate our lives on so many levels, "a little bit sad about the place you are leaving, a little bit glad about the place you are going. It is a time of quiet wonder..." from McCloskey's "Time of Wonder"). Please be in prayer for us. We have some throwing out of things to do (always hard for me, especially when it comes to art work of PJ or Calvin) and some organizing of things and, of course, packing. Now, in case you didn't know, I am a procrastinator. Always have been, probably always will be and I've been thinking..."we've got lots of time...no need to rush into it." Well, today I was strongly encouraged by my friend and teammate to get on the ball with it...like YESTERDAY! And, then I started thinking about our other dear friends and teammates, the Mills, who return in about three weeks time. So, that has gotten me in gear and today I started to clean and pack away pictures and knick-knacks. My goal is to have everything packed and distributed and to it's new owner or in it's rightful place before the Mills arrive on April 9. =) I want to be able to spend every possible minute with the Mills family as well as spending those last couple weeks with our dear friends here. It really seems impossible that nearly four years have gone by. I know there will be many tears in the coming weeks...mainly tears of leaving and also seeing so many growing and trusting in Christ, but I am sure there will be tears of frustration and tiredness of just getting all the stuff where it needs to be. Working here it has been beautiful to see God building His kingdom. It's impressive to see the Holy Spirit at work in lives and changing them for Christ's glory....knowing that I had very little to do with it and yet somehow, someway, God has called each of us here to live out our lives among the Thai people.

I will try to post some pics of Paul's trip up north. And, we had a team retreat this past weekend which was a lot of fun and another reminder of God's faithfulness to our team. I laughed so hard I cried one night (with Jan...I always laugh really hard with her!) and we had a blast swimming in the ocean with the boys. Adele enjoyed stuffing her face with sand...yeah, I thought one mouthful of that and that would be the end of it but Adele being Adele she had to prove me wrong! I will try to get pics of all this on here soon! Until then, please pray for us. Please pray for open doors to share Christ with those who we haven't yet had many opportunities. Oh, and also pray for a campus dinner we are having here on Thursday evening. Pray for good conversations about the Lord. Thanks for your prayers. They sustain us and God hears...
pressing on,.
crystal

Swimming Season

I read online that there are snowfalls and -10 degree weather in parts of the east and northeast of America...but here, it's swimming season! =) That's right folks...no more cold weather for our bodies, it's HOT season...and I do believe it's fierce this year! We've enjoyed several trips to the swimming pool already and we even, for the first time ever, made it to Leo Land (a swim park on the top of a local mall. PJ and his friend, Ethan, had a GREAT time going down slides. Calvin enjoyed splashing about and so did Adele. It was great to go with friends...outings are always more fun with friends! (sorry I have no pics due to forgetting my camera each time!)
Tomorrow, we are going swimming again with the mom's group ladies and their children. Please pray for this time to be lots of fun and for God to use it to build those relationships even more.

And, since I am asking for prayer requests, I would ask for you to pray for my dear hubby as he heads up to northern Thailand to visit some Karen hilltribe churches. He will be sharing from God's Word on several occassions so please pray for strength for him. We are VERY excited about this opportunity he has to go and encourage the churches there (we wish we all could go but it's not meant to be...this time!). There is a lot to share in regards to this ministry but for now, I will just ask for prayer and maybe over the course of the next few weeks I can give you all more info regarding what God is doing among the Karen people. Paul leaves tomorrow (saturday) and returns wednesday.

There's been so much happening in this part of the world that it seems impossible to catch you all up...and I won't even try. Just know that God is at work...both in us and in our Thai friends. Pray for stamina and strength for our team as we undergo much transition in the next few weeks and months. We will be celebrating two years of Thai worship this Sunday!!! Can you believe it? Well, it's true. Please praise God with us for the ways He is growing His church here in Ram 2. You, who faithfully pray for us, play a major role in what we see God doing here...and we hope you all know how much we love you and appreciate every encouraging word and every prayer offered for us and the church here in Thailand.
Have a great weekend...you might hear from me again soon, but I can't promise you anything!!!