tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65389169052580392382024-03-07T04:38:57.922-05:00One Momma's JourneyMy wonderings and wanderingsJackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-36301481120781421212015-09-20T16:06:00.003-05:002015-09-20T16:47:51.385-05:00Home and Reliving My Trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I can't believe I've been home for a week already. In some ways it seems like so much longer. I arrived home on Sunday and Monday I was absolutely worthless. Thankfully David worked from home and left late that afternoon for Miami so he was able to help with the girls. He left Monday night and Tuesday I was back in full swing. I enjoyed a lovely Axum latte and a decent bike ride. I attended my dog class Tuesday night with Tasha and she was a star. Wednesday went along as normal until Wednesday night when I was practicing a drill with Tasha and we tripped over each other...landed right on my knee on the sidewalk and thought I was truly hurt. Thankfully I was banged up but no trip to the ER was necessary...Thanks to Dr. Cox and his lovely bride who did a phone consult :) On top of that I was coming down with a cold thingy in Ethiopia that hit me full board around Thursday so that meant I was laid up this weekend. As of today I think I will live and life moves forward with David traveling all week and home on the weekends for the next month :( I just say I earned my trip to Ethiopia...13 days traded for 25....I'm still ahead :)<br />
<br />
I couldn't post much while on the trip because the wifi was so spotty. The problem is that the wifi out here where we live is spotty too so I am trying to get this done with pictures while I have some extra help from David's mifi.<br />
<br />
<br />
Day One in Ethiopia-<br />
I'm going to try to start over and record a little about each day. I will also post photos to go along with the post. I'm sure this is more for me than for anyone who may happen to read it, but it needs to be done so that I can begin to process all I experienced and try to gain some perspective now that I'm home.<br />
<br />
After many hours in the air we arrived at our hotel in Addis Ababa. I don't remember much about the hotel because I was so tired when we arrived. We made ourselves go get some food at a restaurant that Jack and Pam had visited before. I think they served American style food because I seem to remember someone ordering pizza and I got some sort of chicken which I'm pretty sure I posted a photo of on facebook. What I do remember about Addis is how much it reminded me of Delhi, India. The traffic was nothing like India though, nothing compares to India's traffic and horn honking. But right across the street from our hotel was some sort of village made of tin. It is like they found a spot and decided to make their home there and that somehow it just grew into a village of sorts.Those type of villages were all over Delhi. There were also people just hanging out a lot. In America you don't just see groups of men hanging out in the middle of the day unless you are in a downtrodden neighborhood. Ethiopia is definitely downtrodden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdzl8rk7EEJFkz4L-9NFZP2SpAnESUYABuiruaVai0Y87RcQWC96cdAFxsU9-nZ1Wc1C2DLtUv7OI2AoXLuyFM41w4ViVFvH8QWr3zvhMVQ0-DqTD8fpMwarVs_DhGxLAgG-76h9XeFL9/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdzl8rk7EEJFkz4L-9NFZP2SpAnESUYABuiruaVai0Y87RcQWC96cdAFxsU9-nZ1Wc1C2DLtUv7OI2AoXLuyFM41w4ViVFvH8QWr3zvhMVQ0-DqTD8fpMwarVs_DhGxLAgG-76h9XeFL9/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexvAF7DCn3Q-ojABAWylVek4q6qwU7uQsLGQAmZPUhoiyNx8cu1-fFLZNAI7ekVroGGR_t2s93siAneT-UdBb8oZ3i1MVhmPR0ACROhOvATBCTgmVDWocwmPcSWs7_R3R-fUpKxcrk0mq/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexvAF7DCn3Q-ojABAWylVek4q6qwU7uQsLGQAmZPUhoiyNx8cu1-fFLZNAI7ekVroGGR_t2s93siAneT-UdBb8oZ3i1MVhmPR0ACROhOvATBCTgmVDWocwmPcSWs7_R3R-fUpKxcrk0mq/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRgYWDCuu3y5CQryLqc_UH2er3PmpoJx0l0aTkui5WuEaHp2-6MmpvCkzRP2YDdRoaKLKuzVs2xorxPkobTckPzqlPsjri3bJ-36CYmLDmHJzgVzcsW-ehbbimOXkbDlfcOCSx2LSUU9R/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRgYWDCuu3y5CQryLqc_UH2er3PmpoJx0l0aTkui5WuEaHp2-6MmpvCkzRP2YDdRoaKLKuzVs2xorxPkobTckPzqlPsjri3bJ-36CYmLDmHJzgVzcsW-ehbbimOXkbDlfcOCSx2LSUU9R/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIK4BBIY2Q_ngXmkWi82sMcVG0L3ZfqSwcm5-yYktD7QG6dQ4a5AR9uRwHw36bvWlZOSADCYMiNCyAjHN026AtcXrRBXLiC3Ac9gjLsEAh62pr4wZ_ahQVOkXPAAJnxkbsRCsG6QJI4aa/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIK4BBIY2Q_ngXmkWi82sMcVG0L3ZfqSwcm5-yYktD7QG6dQ4a5AR9uRwHw36bvWlZOSADCYMiNCyAjHN026AtcXrRBXLiC3Ac9gjLsEAh62pr4wZ_ahQVOkXPAAJnxkbsRCsG6QJI4aa/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It immediately seemed dirty to me. Hot and dry and poor. Though there are many wealthy people in Addis, being in a "developing" country just has a different feel to it. The wealthy may be behind walls and gates, but right outside their compound poverty awaits. It is everywhere. Escape is only temporary. The poor are very resourceful though. Look at this ladder...pretty amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ubIdtBs19LXh7cRZjnIbGZaYjTLe6Chpgo_KYD9Uz6Z31ZAUUZZolo2oSVxPHGu4qH_QDByGQIMlzLNgo90Zuf-rqVynNDjfG5nDuDWmWarJjx-fRNCpY8u9oBcnD5PY4zvAWKesrJ03/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ubIdtBs19LXh7cRZjnIbGZaYjTLe6Chpgo_KYD9Uz6Z31ZAUUZZolo2oSVxPHGu4qH_QDByGQIMlzLNgo90Zuf-rqVynNDjfG5nDuDWmWarJjx-fRNCpY8u9oBcnD5PY4zvAWKesrJ03/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We went to bed early that first day because we had an early flight to Gondar the next morning. <br />
That was Day One.<br />
Grace and Peace,<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br /></div>
Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-42321572725494207092015-09-07T15:19:00.000-05:002015-09-07T15:19:38.847-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP1N1Oz16UHL4oNVgc3fzMb8d-RUcR2Tp1nqexyEcTeey8cMD1eeTT869nWN_kj5uJDjl4ozS31Kyrn9BWDur3FTzbV3qV7u3BetQnrvqNWjiYtabZsXazkWpu8FeJv1UxjXbg1eqiPJR/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP1N1Oz16UHL4oNVgc3fzMb8d-RUcR2Tp1nqexyEcTeey8cMD1eeTT869nWN_kj5uJDjl4ozS31Kyrn9BWDur3FTzbV3qV7u3BetQnrvqNWjiYtabZsXazkWpu8FeJv1UxjXbg1eqiPJR/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaOoiA1-6KHhDQIj4aqdUviUt-UEsflZlifBkoOvhcfZtXfDU0l5am2jHuwuIItv1O4foamWSVgnrK28pA56g2f89_yCdw1YyIXdyN2-A5i4YDRzDqUXnX6jsKILgwGCNBci6mC2Gem8C/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaOoiA1-6KHhDQIj4aqdUviUt-UEsflZlifBkoOvhcfZtXfDU0l5am2jHuwuIItv1O4foamWSVgnrK28pA56g2f89_yCdw1YyIXdyN2-A5i4YDRzDqUXnX6jsKILgwGCNBci6mC2Gem8C/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This was our first day at Operation Rescue Ethiopia(ORE) in Adwa with the seventy five children who are a part of the program there. I found out today that 90% of them are true orphans who have lost at least one parent to HIV. They are beautiful children who are attending school and then half days with the ORE program where they receive tutoring, food and medical care. It is a great program. They welcomed us with flower leis and songs. We gave them lots of balls to play with. It was a fun day and we get to go back for the next 4 days. I will try to load photos but the internet service is poor so it may not work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAkPI0ROtKU3K2GvW3HjcIVJAFwqpjSzwKpTieixxncXOKPNBTiZ2xzgBX62mcIaBcNFujDboU6rhEf71lSnuWB6XuWjox4CuZn8nEPiEIYwc70AMrK-tUC4TyMofDd2KalyLEXPwFQjG/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAkPI0ROtKU3K2GvW3HjcIVJAFwqpjSzwKpTieixxncXOKPNBTiZ2xzgBX62mcIaBcNFujDboU6rhEf71lSnuWB6XuWjox4CuZn8nEPiEIYwc70AMrK-tUC4TyMofDd2KalyLEXPwFQjG/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nl5CBS0616a2CNtiK__JMIRk057EM3F2o1ZYlzTnO1jGZC2TG7FYc7D-_BpGb8zyu0qdayqoGobD4J4OCDy6kr6rcUdwbW1eS484NDO3Z5dVwKrtMPpv5odsg6OcUZG25n2muo5rnTgP/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nl5CBS0616a2CNtiK__JMIRk057EM3F2o1ZYlzTnO1jGZC2TG7FYc7D-_BpGb8zyu0qdayqoGobD4J4OCDy6kr6rcUdwbW1eS484NDO3Z5dVwKrtMPpv5odsg6OcUZG25n2muo5rnTgP/s320/065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today when we returned to Axum I had the joy and pleasure to buy my friend, Filimon, his school uniform and school books for his classes that will start in 10 days. Filimon lives at home with his mother, but they are very very poor. There are many children in Axum that look to the foreigners/tourists to make their living. They are very aware that Americans are compassionate and will often buy trinkets from them. If they are really lucky they can find one who will "sponsor" them and purchase some things that they need. These are not homeless grown ups....these are children. Filimon is twelve years old and going into the 8th grade. Today before he knew that I was going to buy him anything he brought me 2 postcards with messages written on the back.<br />
To: Mom Jacky From: Filimon<br />
Call me a "sucker", but I just want to do all I can to help him succeed. He is just a boy and I believe it is my calling as a Christian to meet his physical needs and hopefully have the chance to speak to him of Christ's love. Only God knows but that this was the very purpose He allowed me to come on this trip. I pray He is pleased because it gives me great joy to share what I have with Filimon. I may even get to meet his mother this week. Please pray that he will understand when I tell him that I am giving to him because God has given to me and because God loves him. I can't do for all the children, but I can do for this one and hopefully for him it will make a difference.<br />
<br />
Did you know that Ethiopia has it's own calendar? I am like 8 years younger here! They also have their own time. Their days begin at 6am instead of midnight like ours. All this stuff kind of blows my mind. I honestly can't wrap my little American mind around it.<br />
<br />
Today at ORE they had the coffee ceremony for us. They roast the coffee over an open fire, hand grind it and boil it and then serve it with freshly popped popcorn. It's so fun! I think I should learn to do this for family and friends! It is quite a process though they make it look easy. Needless to say I am loving being here. Jack and Pam (our team leaders) have done a great job and we are all working well together. Thank you for praying for us. Please don't stop. We have 5 days to go!<br />
Much love,<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br /></div>
Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-13070550102180009602015-09-05T06:48:00.000-05:002015-09-05T06:48:39.092-05:00Losing Track of the days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We arrived in Axum today after spending a full day and night in Gondar. We toured an Orthodox church that is over 400 years old and we visited the Royal Compound that had at least 6 castles or more. They were beautiful and amazing when you think of the fact that they were all done by hand and built without machines of any sort.<br />
<br />
We haven't had access to the Internet for the last 2 days. These are some thoughts I wrote while sitting in the airport waiting to depart for Axum. I'm not going to take the time to rewrite it all, but am just going to post it as I wrote it.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is Saturday, September 4, 2015. The days very quickly run
together on trips like this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me start by saying, Ethiopia is poor. My only reference is India and I would say
that Ethiopia is “India poor”. It is
dirty and dusty and the people are resilient and amazing. We middle class
Americans are such wimps. Yet, I find myself in awe of the people here. Those
who walk with Jesus take nothing for granted. They find themselves walking in constant dependence on God. Nothing is assumed. The poor really do
have something on us. I understand now
what Renaut meant when he said that when you tell an Ethiopian that God answers
prayer they know its true. We are so completely self sufficient in America that
we just don’t know what it is to truly depend on God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So today when we were leaving our hotel, which was set high
upon a hill, we saw many people out to exercise…that blew my mind. In a country
where so many are poor they are still exercising. Our guide said they were
probably wealthier people who had been advised by their physician to exercise.
So now I have to try to absorb this concept when my mind was already blown by
the poverty. I think it is just so difficult to understand another culture,
period. Certainly not in a 10 day period.
My heart is so overwhelmed by being here. I just keep having to stop and
absorb that I am in Africa. And then in another moment my senses are bombarded
with the fact that I am in Africa. We go from being in a hotel most Ethiopians could never afford and touring
their castles and churches to driving down the road with donkeys, and cows, and
sheep and dogs that look half starved. In America you would be arrested if you
had an animal in these conditions and here all the animals look as though they
are starving. I showed our waiter last night pictures and video of Tasha and
told him how we treat our dogs. He laughed at the photo of Tasha in the front
seat of the car and asked laughingly if she was driving. America is so messed
up in some big ways. It’s bazaar . When life is survival for a culture even the
animals seem to know it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people at the Goha Hotel were courteous and beautiful. I
wish I had asked to take a picture with them. I am bummed that I didn’t think
of that until right now. They are so hospitable and want to know that our stay
was good. Funny story, I asked for a
latte and the young waiter brought me a cup and proceeded to fill it with
steaming milk…to the top…no coffee at all. When I asked him where was the
coffee, he poured in the tiniest bit…I added sugar and then burnt my tongue on
it. It was scalding. We laughed and laughed. I think Jill snorted! It was
great. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We played Farkle outside in the beautiful weather on the veranda of the hotel and quiet Kevin Cox beat us all. We are bonding
together and these first two days will add such value to our relationships and
to each individual so that when things get tough and we are tired we will be able
to give each other grace. Taking two days to adjust to the time difference has
been a wonderful plan. We are becoming a team. A little piece of Mosaic Church
here in Ethiopia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find the Lord removing my inner criticalness and calling me
not to discern the value of people, but accepting their value and embracing
them for exactly who they are. I’m not proud of that sin that lives within me
but I am awed by God as He changes me from the inside out and is teaching me by
His Holy Spirit that every single person deserves love instead of constantly
deciding if they are worthy of my love. I know how terrible that sounds. I am
just being honest. God is doing a mighty work in me as He has allowed me to be
a part of this team and I am humbled and amazed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some other random thoughts I jotted down on my phone today:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my daily life where every need I have is met before I even ask...medical, sustenance, housing, clothing, and still I am called to rely on God for everything....how do I do this?How do I live and rely on God? The best I can come up with is to live outside of my natural life...to live a life that I cannot live on my own...every single day walking into situations where I acknowledge my need for God. Sometimes I take real risks and do things that seem a little crazy because I want to live this life for something other than myself. American Christians often think that raising Godly children is the goal...and not that I don't need God in my parenting because I surely do, but much of it I can accomplish in my own strength. I must choose to place myself in situations that if God doesn't show up, I'm sunk. How do I do this in my day to day "Axum Coffee drinking"life? What must I change in my comfortable life that will allow me the privilege and joy of reliance on Christ in my every day? How am I living that allows me to see God answer prayer? Where am I standing and waiting for God to show up? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people in Ethiopia are sweet and friendly with their broad smiles...I see Fitsimti in the beautiful young women everywhere I look...and Birhanu in the boys playing soccer on the fields...though no one's smile compares to his. What must God have in store for them? It could only be His hand that has placed them in such a place of safety and plenty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Ethiopia body odor is real.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flying into Axum there were people living right next to the airstrip. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a long and random post. Tomorrow we will begin our work at ORE with the children. I'll post more later.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In His love, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br /></div>
Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-65495406775725150762015-09-03T03:47:00.000-05:002015-09-03T03:47:00.788-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So we made it to Addis Ababa. According to Jane's guide book Addis is the 3rd largest capital city in the world. The weather is quite nice. There's a lovely breeze which we are thankful for since the hotel doesn't have air conditioning. So our windows are open and the city is alive with 3rd world country sounds...shovels scraping, horns honking, people calling to one another...although it is much quieter than New Delhi was with all their horn honking. There is not alot of traffic where we are which is interesting. We are not too far from the airport so maybe that is why. We are staying one night here and then heading to Gondar tomorrow morning bright and early.<br />
<br />
Our flight was uneventful thankfully. It felt like it went on forever. They fed us several times which was nice. I love airline food. I really do. A little bit of everything and I find it quite tasty. I know that's weird, but it's true. I couldn't sleep much on the flight but a couple of times I was out. One time my seat mate crawled right over me to get to his seat because he didn't want to wake me up. Wasn't that considerate of him? I was amazed when I woke up and he was back in his seat and I didn't even feel him crawl over me. I watched several movies which was weird for me. Usually I start a movie and fall asleep. I finally watched " Woman in Gold". That was a good story. I also watched "The Longest Ride" which was enjoyable. I had never heard of it, but it had a cowboy on it and was rated PG so I thought I'd give it a try. At the end I saw that it was a movie by Nicholas Sparks and that seemed to fit. Then, just for Cat I watched "Legally Blonde" because it is listed as a Classic choice. Though I had all that time to veg out and just do nothing, I'm not so much a fan of the long flights.<br />
<br />
When we arrived at the airport we had to wait in line to get our Visas. After that we had to claim our 24 bags/crates at baggage claim. After that we were to go to a scanning machine for them to examine all our bags and ask us questions and possibly confiscate or charge us extra taxes. This was the prayer I asked you to pray that we would get through customs with no problems....well, did the Lord ever answer your prayers!!! They didn't examine a SINGLE bag!!! Seriously, it was miraculous. We were just waved right on through. God's unmerited favor just slows me down and I stand amazed! Thank you for praying. Don't stop!!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XZSyM9aUCLo83UqAR4JGZGifOu7ZRw7JJyggYFAq8Ar_767IbAjzCYU43GVmDMmDTp3Bw4ppglFaW64f12N5kIJj0aqXvzIKuD9CritXyyCce3lsfUeBara7_nkRn9HuzHdhyphenhyphen-n69wSV/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XZSyM9aUCLo83UqAR4JGZGifOu7ZRw7JJyggYFAq8Ar_767IbAjzCYU43GVmDMmDTp3Bw4ppglFaW64f12N5kIJj0aqXvzIKuD9CritXyyCce3lsfUeBara7_nkRn9HuzHdhyphenhyphen-n69wSV/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJv78J2XNBO2-zT9GXqUUkq11aL6hfv-jpEgQ6bSPNwMCpbcheuiDXTQ2bgxWytYt0EJGk-4rVisxnLtTTT8LW0Qf5L4zy4HBNszmp8_iw1PvSuEVe6rwZVbTALyd-0rEY5NYjX5iakOg/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJv78J2XNBO2-zT9GXqUUkq11aL6hfv-jpEgQ6bSPNwMCpbcheuiDXTQ2bgxWytYt0EJGk-4rVisxnLtTTT8LW0Qf5L4zy4HBNszmp8_iw1PvSuEVe6rwZVbTALyd-0rEY5NYjX5iakOg/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuzZCrUL_hgz4neDOPiohc3IY8l1Zz9YcZ_m3x0fQrBwmeyYBoA8Aia6SlIsZp0YtnO_cFstnOCul6AxQzRA9ZZ2CUN0onAdD8Gf0jgadbDWM6_9gZY5GTX_3tbZniAHW7_NlSioqOdxf/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuzZCrUL_hgz4neDOPiohc3IY8l1Zz9YcZ_m3x0fQrBwmeyYBoA8Aia6SlIsZp0YtnO_cFstnOCul6AxQzRA9ZZ2CUN0onAdD8Gf0jgadbDWM6_9gZY5GTX_3tbZniAHW7_NlSioqOdxf/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xdHj-cO9EGjW_BydZdqV3wn_9w8W7HRsCm34AK2re5cl6uajHoDm6Sq-4BNDnz9qJ5GQvGTlcQy9hvGWF3jtv9dTMQJxDzNFNePjfgDwwiEd82QwH40SlKWMMjYg2zGbRmDbk9RxOoX2/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xdHj-cO9EGjW_BydZdqV3wn_9w8W7HRsCm34AK2re5cl6uajHoDm6Sq-4BNDnz9qJ5GQvGTlcQy9hvGWF3jtv9dTMQJxDzNFNePjfgDwwiEd82QwH40SlKWMMjYg2zGbRmDbk9RxOoX2/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXCKQK3-R1EWzXVwfE5XccFdha1VWymqL7tf_z8j0Y6ZRgE4dnRXxiYUBtaG3Hio0sRHQJonnG5mbZUuc9dRv4LhSN1OkKwL2Eho1RuPAjB36pcOKGI2N8RgfdTaPVa5VuOmeOBrlqoZA/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXCKQK3-R1EWzXVwfE5XccFdha1VWymqL7tf_z8j0Y6ZRgE4dnRXxiYUBtaG3Hio0sRHQJonnG5mbZUuc9dRv4LhSN1OkKwL2Eho1RuPAjB36pcOKGI2N8RgfdTaPVa5VuOmeOBrlqoZA/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5Sas7GlmiKChMKo-UqoQj8XtjqbqUvtztOkqKIkyndoegZmWe0aTxLwHpvBwuwyZu85TRvYT_kERvdCmzsoFLoTE_UJ-rexmL0tN8twIWCCmjwG6ZxdhG8rYcwAwqOt_grJ5k1QaRdrw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5Sas7GlmiKChMKo-UqoQj8XtjqbqUvtztOkqKIkyndoegZmWe0aTxLwHpvBwuwyZu85TRvYT_kERvdCmzsoFLoTE_UJ-rexmL0tN8twIWCCmjwG6ZxdhG8rYcwAwqOt_grJ5k1QaRdrw/s320/007.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlqf_6x0J-b6HJtGjg65fS0YLszUfSVS_CPyWEJK7jpaNyBgf0OAp_xEgnkV2yKLzT0raR30rvFFs4yTPSCp6zZOoOeh_d38bHHV5HNbgfkHs7ua62WmbShITzHcfYQhyqRz55UpZDB6V/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlqf_6x0J-b6HJtGjg65fS0YLszUfSVS_CPyWEJK7jpaNyBgf0OAp_xEgnkV2yKLzT0raR30rvFFs4yTPSCp6zZOoOeh_d38bHHV5HNbgfkHs7ua62WmbShITzHcfYQhyqRz55UpZDB6V/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvfJVv3EUkDC58YG2wPJb29NpzPfQAETPsp1A6k45pG6n2MY_s_oNOIwsVaDGs_GLpbXQyuosxk95wvIFaCm2T9U2kNkqrnU18dQvNLkZXjOQIhyphenhyphenC3LW7dBb2tLCIybNgjd15JTpXsbny/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvfJVv3EUkDC58YG2wPJb29NpzPfQAETPsp1A6k45pG6n2MY_s_oNOIwsVaDGs_GLpbXQyuosxk95wvIFaCm2T9U2kNkqrnU18dQvNLkZXjOQIhyphenhyphenC3LW7dBb2tLCIybNgjd15JTpXsbny/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniCeqTS-H9lcjQN0Hn0xYEwX2dX8bYAbo1iOyUHaI9xI9-EMOrLNJUy_emjez9BRgHHYHc1-fopE1CXsUDy3SIfGyg98UZa125kKClqqZUYVQqHaOO106tcfAc0MaJ2AgZ8hJ2-GGOQjM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniCeqTS-H9lcjQN0Hn0xYEwX2dX8bYAbo1iOyUHaI9xI9-EMOrLNJUy_emjez9BRgHHYHc1-fopE1CXsUDy3SIfGyg98UZa125kKClqqZUYVQqHaOO106tcfAc0MaJ2AgZ8hJ2-GGOQjM/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here are some photos from our hotel window. We are staying at the Addissinia Hotel if you want to look it up.<br />
Much love,<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br /></div>
Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-24258813273575147722015-09-02T04:44:00.001-05:002015-09-02T04:44:59.275-05:00Prayer Requests<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This never loaded last night so I'm trying again this morning....</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our team met at the church to load up at 4 this afternoon. After a word of prayer by Gabe, our missions pastor, we all loaded up. With all our suitcases and medical equipment checked I am happy to report that we had an uneventful flight to Dulles in Washington DC where we will catch our flight in the morning to Ethiopia. I'm now settled in for the night planning to wake up for breakfast at 6. I realized that I haven't really given specific prayer requests so I thought I would do so now. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because half of our team is traveling for medical missions, we are traveling with medical equipment. Please pray that we will have favor in customs on the Ethiopia side and that all our medical equipment will arrive safely.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Please pray that we can all get our bodies switched to Ethiopian time quickly...on the flight over if possible.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Please pray for God to be our strength as we adjust to the altitude, food and anything else I don't even know to ask for yet :) </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most of all ask God to give us His favor as we seek to love Him and love others for Him. May He supernaturally remove any and all prejudices and judgmental attitudes from our secret selves and to allow us to serve and live well. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thank you from the bottom of my grateful ❤️<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">!</span></span></div></div>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-57976183022168260582015-08-30T11:34:00.000-05:002015-08-30T11:34:43.619-05:00Saying Bye to Momo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnOVppUeyZqMG1xmHc1HZR1xzv_Q16JMYR9T5CbzXdImch8DUJKURdUCsfqgHxKMcV-PQ5vYniGsVcnJ-bZMwskIevBFxKrzzvvoEZ_Q7r_8_NLytccZqRnHLBFURWwbM_OezvCFw7ehy/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnOVppUeyZqMG1xmHc1HZR1xzv_Q16JMYR9T5CbzXdImch8DUJKURdUCsfqgHxKMcV-PQ5vYniGsVcnJ-bZMwskIevBFxKrzzvvoEZ_Q7r_8_NLytccZqRnHLBFURWwbM_OezvCFw7ehy/s320/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEgZWZSofMjKvw1oVAxPoAD75H-8A5G-k3xeMWX7wA2UasWbmWe3bhtMa7pDH8jY-YoUZSyRDHtSoZ04HFcyvYHkLUUnlSMuAEyZ43hDBiKNGSmfrnJCOHe1NNPVUV1OE8gapebNzpsVi/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEgZWZSofMjKvw1oVAxPoAD75H-8A5G-k3xeMWX7wA2UasWbmWe3bhtMa7pDH8jY-YoUZSyRDHtSoZ04HFcyvYHkLUUnlSMuAEyZ43hDBiKNGSmfrnJCOHe1NNPVUV1OE8gapebNzpsVi/s320/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So this weekend we said goodbye to our Japanese student. Momo was with us for the month of August. She was beautiful and delightful, agreeable in every way. The students come to America to see the sights and practice their English. The program we are involved in is called Mission to Japan and the students come knowing that Bible classes are part of the program, though most of them have no religion at all. Japan is a country whose people give very little thought about God. Momo told me that before she came to America she did not think about God and had no opportunity to learn about God. That is not uncommon, but rather the norm for Japanese youth. We open our home to them to allow them to see what American families are like. We welcome them to our table and our hearts, but the truth is, with all my heart I want them to meet Jesus. Even now, I am moved to tears thinking about any of our students coming to believe in Christ and to follow His teachings for the rest of their lives. To meet them again in Heaven is my heart's desire. So we invite them to witness our messy lives, our imperfect homes, our parenting, pets, and marriages hoping that somehow in the midst of it all they might have their eyes opened by the One who loves them and that somehow they might get a glimpse of our passion for Jesus and His passion for them. If they can see Him then all the sacrifices will have been worth it. It's not the hardest thing in the world one can do for Jesus, but it is hard....BUT if they see Him then it is all worth it and that is why we continue to do it even though it is difficult. Momo was able to see Ellie's baptism at church two weeks ago. She told me that she was "touched in her heart" though she didn't understand why. I pray that she will continue to wonder about that. We had a lot of time to talk together, just the two of us, and I pray that those conversations will be replayed in her mind over the next few weeks as she moves back into her normal lives. I pray that God will bring Christians into her life and that everywhere she turns she will meet people who know Christ, though she had never noticed them before. I pray that she will read the Bible she was given and be swept away by God's love and plan for her life. I pray for her eternal salvation.<br />
<br />
Is hosting difficult? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Will we do it again? Most definitely. Hosting a person from another country is like going on a missions trip without ever leaving the comfort of your own bed.....I wonder what my bed in Axum will be like??? Stay tuned....<br />
<br /><img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br /></div>
Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-19663116028108402342015-08-27T14:20:00.000-05:002015-08-27T14:20:33.094-05:00Heading to Ethiopia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been years, literally, since I've blogged. I wouldn't have thought that much time had passed, but it has....years...wow. There is certainly no way to catch up the last 3 years here and really that's not the point of this post, but I am stunned that life just flies on by as though it were nothing but a moment when in reality we have lived a ton of life in the last 3 years.<br />
<br />
On September 1st I will be traveling with a group of fellow Christ followers from Mosaic Church to Axum, Ethiopia. We are a group of twelve, seven women and five men, who desire to bring hope to hurting people. There are two surgeons in our group and several nurses who will be working in the local hospital there. The rest of us will be working with a team at Operation Rescue Ethiopia which is located nearby in Adwa. ORE is a non-profit organization who's objective is to take orphans, street children and extremely poor children from their vulnerable situations and help them to achieve their maximum potential-academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will lead the children through some Bible classes and serve the workers there in any way that we can. ORE is one of the ministries that Mosaic Church partners with. I am so privileged and excited to have this opportunity to travel to Ethiopia to share the love of Christ.<br />
<br />
Why go to Ethiopia?, you might ask. Well, let me give you a little background to this story. I became enthralled with Ethiopia several years ago when I read a book titled, "There is No Me Without You". I think Ellie was two at the time. As a result of reading that book I decided we needed to adopt from Ethiopia. Shocking, right? I asked David out on a date and told him about my desire. He assured me that our family was full. Still, my heart had been challenged and changed. My mind had been opened to the pain of this ravaged country and its hurting children.(Though we weren't called to adopt, we did begin to sponsor a young Ethiopian boy named Alemgena). Then, three years or so after reading the book, we were called to be a part of Mosaic Church where the pastor and his wife "happened" to be in the process of adopting four children from Ethiopia. If we weren't called to adopt from Ethiopia I could certainly pray for and embrace those who were and so I did. These beautiful children have been a part of our church family for over 3 years now and Ethiopia has become even more dear to me.<br />
<br />
My heart is so full as I anticipate traveling to a country who's children have already touched my heart. Please pray for our team that we will be a light that shines brightly, a love that loves deeply and eyes that see the value of every single person we meet. May we represent God well and make His glory known as we serve in His name. He doesn't need us, but He has welcomed us into this story. I am humbled and amazed.<br />
<br />
Our Team:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3C3mXrTj0e-wkWNoSXa2hjNXYJuWiY5vC8EilOTlrGNmEaEOatiMz6SD3GB4U1Pw3ILS9uVp8CMBNVaJUR052Sn-HObu3Md8juCrsQityXKGq0RuaKB8KhB3B6LMq0PU459mmrBFS7dr/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3C3mXrTj0e-wkWNoSXa2hjNXYJuWiY5vC8EilOTlrGNmEaEOatiMz6SD3GB4U1Pw3ILS9uVp8CMBNVaJUR052Sn-HObu3Md8juCrsQityXKGq0RuaKB8KhB3B6LMq0PU459mmrBFS7dr/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
God bless, <br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br /></div>
Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-80717587043992227862012-06-23T15:26:00.003-05:002012-06-23T15:36:09.618-05:00He Put a New Song In My HeartHey there! I'm at a women's conference this weekend. It is amazing. It is my first conference since God put a new song in my heart and enlarged my understanding of Him and His sovereignty. It is like I have a new set of ears. I am hearing things in a new way as though I've never heard them before. I am enjoying myself, but that would come as no surprise to those who know me. Spending all day long listening to amazing teachers is sort of my idea of a great cruise vacation if you throw in some beach, fun in the sun, time too.
All day yesterday I listened to some brilliant teachers. I heard John Piper! A big name in Christian circles. A phenomenal writer and communicator, but not someone I had ever seen or heard. He was amazing. I really liked him and though he spoke truths that deeply challenged my heart I was most challenged by a breakout session today by <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org">Paige Benton Brown</a>. She spoke on the kingdom. What it is, what it isn't and how we are to affect it. I am a simple thinker and pretty darn literal and so when someone speaks plainly I like it. When they are straightforward and direct I like it. She was entertaining, extremely knowledgable, and direct.
I highly recommend this session. She spoke for an hour all about the kingdom of God.
The last thing she implored us to do was to go home, lay out on top of our bed all the resources God has given us and then ask God what He wants us to do with them for the kingdom. She said we aren't given the talents or resources we have so our families can be blessed. God gave us all that we have for the benefit of the redemption of the kingdom. She asked us to think about what we are doing that would distinguish us from the nice neighbor who isn't a follower of Jesus Christ. She asked us to pray over all that God has given us...money, children, talents, abilities, jobs and gifts, and ask God what He wants us to do with them in the kingdom. I must be getting older because I broke the "rules" and didn't go to any more break out groups, but instead I sat down to make my list. It's an interesting list...I'll try to post later when I figure out what He wants me to do.
I hope you are leaning into God and sensing His passion for you in new and exciting ways.
In His grace,
<br /><p><br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p><br />Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-33048915365440598302012-06-07T17:21:00.001-05:002012-06-07T17:21:34.882-05:0010 Months is a long time...Make a Girl's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Right now I am <a href="http://www.bocaresort.com/">here</a> with David. He is working and I am playng. I can't believe it's been 10 months since I've blogged...no wait, yes I can. It's been a crazy year. Full and fun and sometimes frantic, but its our life and we keep rolling along. Speaking of rolling, I've been riding my bike for the last 9 months and so for Mother's Day and our anniversary David bought me a road bike (the racing kind with skinny tires). It is fun and makes me much faster which I am enjoying. I almost feel like an athlete for the first time in my life. I would never have expected that at my age, but I'm grateful for the changes I've been able to make this last year. The Lord challenged me to make some changes in January of 2011 and by His grace I've been attempting to make those changes. I feel better than I have felt in years. I am a living testimony that anyone can change. <br />
<br />
We finished the school year strong. Ellie completed Kindergarten and was awarded the Faith Warrior award for her class. Sweet little thing works so hard to be good at all she does. Just don't try to talk her into doing something she doesn't want to do. It ain't happenin. Davie finished 3rd grade with straight A's all year long. The girl works hard at all she does and won't give up until she accomplishes her goal. Cat Jo finished 10th grade...it was a tough year. If you want someone to have fun with, she's your girl....work? Not so much. Sounds just a little too familiar. Let's just say it is ever so hard to watch our kids make the same mistakes we did. She is a delight to this momma's heart in so many ways and a shot in the arm at the same time. We don't have alot of time left with her at home and that truth has David and I making careful decisions. Matt is in Japan again and has about 6 weeks left. He should graduate this next year and then he hopes to teach in Japan full time. All I can say is, thank You, Lord, for Skype. We will be using Skype a lot in the next year since Sarah and Chris are moving to California in January. Chris is going to work for his family's business outside Monterey. He will train here for the next 7 months and then they will make the move after Christmas. Life brings a lot of changes and our goal is to allow God to do His thing, celebrate His goodness in the midst of it, and remember that life is not a thing to be controlled. David and I have been making this journey together for the last 29 years. We celebrated our anniversary this week. Suffice it to say that I am truly thankful for him. <br />
<br />
Updating my blog allows me to introduce you to some of the 8th grade girls from <a href="http://www.friendsofthegoodsamaritans.org/">The Good Samaritan School</a> that still need sponsors. Some of you may remember that I visited India in June 2010. In case you don't, you can read about it <a href="http://www.onemommasjourney.blogspot.com/2010/06/day-1.html">here.</a> I implore you to consider taking $34 a month and giving it to a child at risk in New Delhi, India. These girls have very little hope without an education and to receive and education they need sponsors. I am posting all of their photos and information in the hopes that some of you will choose to become sponsors. Please consider this life changing opportunity. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAawtAyUJ1Pt0gOPIM4jjP2dZsgW1MvgJjTPiou5uPU85Cf9l7rUhJMrt9X1DOvOU8BofeWwwY7l-pDRgDBWV5VK9-Nzd_bL1Of4APslhWimvfMu3Qj4KS64mTBDAUonbWq9u3Ex7n4rY/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAawtAyUJ1Pt0gOPIM4jjP2dZsgW1MvgJjTPiou5uPU85Cf9l7rUhJMrt9X1DOvOU8BofeWwwY7l-pDRgDBWV5VK9-Nzd_bL1Of4APslhWimvfMu3Qj4KS64mTBDAUonbWq9u3Ex7n4rY/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+001.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYduOslNVzCWUN0WH7eBPV42j-x8JsypYfjbVQpftUYROnnqAPqqfYQ_vSPcxFbTjr8R2LIJOCu8-GqddoeRggrLIQUkaAcPQZBfObSkVJIB0AUkhHajAOErKZWsBA679bM5dJ_iersjWp/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYduOslNVzCWUN0WH7eBPV42j-x8JsypYfjbVQpftUYROnnqAPqqfYQ_vSPcxFbTjr8R2LIJOCu8-GqddoeRggrLIQUkaAcPQZBfObSkVJIB0AUkhHajAOErKZWsBA679bM5dJ_iersjWp/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+002.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEECi6RIln13nLj-z-vJBuvfi9gAl9ZrpF2Aah2TrNSwJNcouN7tI2YKkkcPW3L_SP7KKq6ZTxZLZbxc_khJ2uoYVtYfUibFN-O4DgD4b9SGrw8_XIXYh1XNxrszMBEABq1RzZjHAmjOZ/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEECi6RIln13nLj-z-vJBuvfi9gAl9ZrpF2Aah2TrNSwJNcouN7tI2YKkkcPW3L_SP7KKq6ZTxZLZbxc_khJ2uoYVtYfUibFN-O4DgD4b9SGrw8_XIXYh1XNxrszMBEABq1RzZjHAmjOZ/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+003.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwdMw4_p3ZE_E29vLBghyphenhyphenbgM19ye0iE_qqP2iEbkNes2JI2erru8t0piJ2Jn1RY1MTQv-7qOnpukuKpHiadXgScTHUwKLxsGgLQE04McEVFIE-58hufjC3SrJDLNhm7QBV0EKGw3YUNZw/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwdMw4_p3ZE_E29vLBghyphenhyphenbgM19ye0iE_qqP2iEbkNes2JI2erru8t0piJ2Jn1RY1MTQv-7qOnpukuKpHiadXgScTHUwKLxsGgLQE04McEVFIE-58hufjC3SrJDLNhm7QBV0EKGw3YUNZw/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+004.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKOfVaDrD9N22PdU4crYLhz8RTq2UOuwEMhWmHJrpCFpJe6W8fT5fWoimdZoHcxFdlmUv9mriny7nsK9aV2rgWRuJtlZLCWkTyVD0l8uofliR0MaWnYRj4fB1zpjkwBQlO4wh3L_k-7xW/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKOfVaDrD9N22PdU4crYLhz8RTq2UOuwEMhWmHJrpCFpJe6W8fT5fWoimdZoHcxFdlmUv9mriny7nsK9aV2rgWRuJtlZLCWkTyVD0l8uofliR0MaWnYRj4fB1zpjkwBQlO4wh3L_k-7xW/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+005.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfJ6gKdun_D4rFV-wJ4YRFJ7ACp8Le0uNT_p7kaz7V9OogjCJckqLyGCyVoYHPoqXbNvvWCj6wiigtqSmOyKW7_vYHlZZrYsYTdxx862jAd9a6GcebcVFug69KjYfsUTDc52LiTCwylpI/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfJ6gKdun_D4rFV-wJ4YRFJ7ACp8Le0uNT_p7kaz7V9OogjCJckqLyGCyVoYHPoqXbNvvWCj6wiigtqSmOyKW7_vYHlZZrYsYTdxx862jAd9a6GcebcVFug69KjYfsUTDc52LiTCwylpI/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+006.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOEtAS9o-jmnbH4fmnDfL02g9y7GpVb9F37aayJw63dkajMxA4RrK_U3kRdFYIWIZbDPwBlUUajZpU7qYDKCbrZ52rejjbOxRIaqi2lrzKVSjuL-S9H_L6EcuKt4rwPyej0LVvXuVqbQZ/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOEtAS9o-jmnbH4fmnDfL02g9y7GpVb9F37aayJw63dkajMxA4RrK_U3kRdFYIWIZbDPwBlUUajZpU7qYDKCbrZ52rejjbOxRIaqi2lrzKVSjuL-S9H_L6EcuKt4rwPyej0LVvXuVqbQZ/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+007.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGOd7GrqxmVET5ZgE3Uloa-p3ohNRzC7QAMnZEw9DQJlj8bwUxKoBJ2Vimc4KUqGf0tKcxM8JuTFUiO47BAWmv5Y9Rn0LlRbVP0SVD5oMsakdR4hNWusu1S0fDtvlYnC2S9ScraeedvOA/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGOd7GrqxmVET5ZgE3Uloa-p3ohNRzC7QAMnZEw9DQJlj8bwUxKoBJ2Vimc4KUqGf0tKcxM8JuTFUiO47BAWmv5Y9Rn0LlRbVP0SVD5oMsakdR4hNWusu1S0fDtvlYnC2S9ScraeedvOA/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+010.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB2mtk-Mx-jybHk6dra4-u9wvEsBOj6ra_TQcag_QQzRFPPen53j29tOloELMVyLPZgPeVOnvJHDqdMt95aUQQIbMCMGyx2QENlWFZkwXFBamanCLf9rF69ThJJw2UN0dc6uqlNPmWkTC/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB2mtk-Mx-jybHk6dra4-u9wvEsBOj6ra_TQcag_QQzRFPPen53j29tOloELMVyLPZgPeVOnvJHDqdMt95aUQQIbMCMGyx2QENlWFZkwXFBamanCLf9rF69ThJJw2UN0dc6uqlNPmWkTC/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+008.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGHjkezH8aCHjjhyphenhyphencROTfAPagPJdBTTWGhtToy-AYeODYfjy4o1d0VqcoKPTWMkOPObN23ZcOHElfKNNb5NNEM11mfELz33PPOYuwr8WedmLqM3mk4j4WUj6Vm0vA6KNunS3KC7CQ0HLU/s1600/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGHjkezH8aCHjjhyphenhyphencROTfAPagPJdBTTWGhtToy-AYeODYfjy4o1d0VqcoKPTWMkOPObN23ZcOHElfKNNb5NNEM11mfELz33PPOYuwr8WedmLqM3mk4j4WUj6Vm0vA6KNunS3KC7CQ0HLU/s400/Good+Samaritan+School+Girls+009.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
It would make my day actually my year and theirs if you would choose to become a sponsor. Take the step, you won't regret it. Be blessed,<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /><br />
<br /></div>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-32536343920765463642011-08-10T14:56:00.018-05:002011-08-10T15:54:12.279-05:00Gratitude...it's Meant to be a Way of LifeHappy Wednesday! I have finished the book, "One Thousand Gifts" and I am so very glad I read it. I haven't begun to keep a gratitude journal, but today I decided <em>how</em> I am going to do it. I am going to keep a journal in my car, one in the kitchen and one beside my bed. These are the places where I spend most of my time. Hopefully I can teach my children to pause and celebrate their moments with God too. I don't expect these journals to be pretty, but I do hope that they will be filled with the moments where God's love and blessing was revealed to us on a daily basis. My life is full and we have had a wonderful summer. Just for fun I am going to post some pictures of our fun. I hope you enjoy them and I hope that you have had a memory making summer filled with moments from God to celebrate.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVZwzI59XChh2ifzxaihDBx9-Y7lkgEjME6Cu3VkIGeootG-lCSkST_3hkY9EGNY6rPLDytCaX0_iBaSrVr7wIVyc8XgaTFHUI5O7RGldvHJ0NK1SlNAeYiTCcKHwA9xd1ZzbRWRruzzd/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+141.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVZwzI59XChh2ifzxaihDBx9-Y7lkgEjME6Cu3VkIGeootG-lCSkST_3hkY9EGNY6rPLDytCaX0_iBaSrVr7wIVyc8XgaTFHUI5O7RGldvHJ0NK1SlNAeYiTCcKHwA9xd1ZzbRWRruzzd/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+141.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639322809531032130" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BpBScppzr0vuZVh3Ui1LKBBlY8ZsPhyphenhyphenK7qaPlOcx-DA6CgvAL4GsdumCItXg1Z3TGJ4TEmTOb5aUkc2nB8GjiE3TAptiOHPdyGY_0pSkMqGIto05x2Ka-SuQkJ778plB9cWgb3gWBefH/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BpBScppzr0vuZVh3Ui1LKBBlY8ZsPhyphenhyphenK7qaPlOcx-DA6CgvAL4GsdumCItXg1Z3TGJ4TEmTOb5aUkc2nB8GjiE3TAptiOHPdyGY_0pSkMqGIto05x2Ka-SuQkJ778plB9cWgb3gWBefH/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+184.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639323039634744658" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFJWCpKCmm8gAJ673BLdv3RSzM1Hac3HwHZ42zgxVphCeSoP41EcB2cQEZyVObQk98gl-26yBknrg3B0vaVZ0hmWYnhxIOnV89ehSUogoUpeEzhmTPYs_rxdDMmlnOvMOXhJR8gcYeVjS/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+194.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFJWCpKCmm8gAJ673BLdv3RSzM1Hac3HwHZ42zgxVphCeSoP41EcB2cQEZyVObQk98gl-26yBknrg3B0vaVZ0hmWYnhxIOnV89ehSUogoUpeEzhmTPYs_rxdDMmlnOvMOXhJR8gcYeVjS/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+194.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639323325176911922" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI93u7HOBCzAfChXrY3o9FT6p2xGl7ommGIBqrT8aO7wMllE8IXSzzPUqE3jtn92yGX28Pn5P56paM6PYYfMMlatvNTU2R_tMIcgbiIRSBN8qLehK8xRgnVGWAPUXH7om71Iq2u6dR-5o/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI93u7HOBCzAfChXrY3o9FT6p2xGl7ommGIBqrT8aO7wMllE8IXSzzPUqE3jtn92yGX28Pn5P56paM6PYYfMMlatvNTU2R_tMIcgbiIRSBN8qLehK8xRgnVGWAPUXH7om71Iq2u6dR-5o/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639323613745727234" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObNXxeZZv0b1Xha4C02sEwWK4o8BTrQsJn_BBtjOXD9kifbvxk8sDnutmC4sidQtllkmW7EIBsoPHUK8UH8olxxSw6nNAC-Iw8Jfa6i3yA2ro0ZRoGMqlPYT2KHrwMRJiaLLpUXEy1lk5/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+239.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObNXxeZZv0b1Xha4C02sEwWK4o8BTrQsJn_BBtjOXD9kifbvxk8sDnutmC4sidQtllkmW7EIBsoPHUK8UH8olxxSw6nNAC-Iw8Jfa6i3yA2ro0ZRoGMqlPYT2KHrwMRJiaLLpUXEy1lk5/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+239.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639324025343986610" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR66t79e2Yb_J8Q3g4_BYaaDAjK0yVBfGkMBKNJKjrtZqU60bpeRYZLbC-r9WByNxB9FarYZQPDpMVrKG3DxNiW4llzJeLM7bChzcyStm9prfHJ_Ri8LoDnuuqqsiw5HHllUo5GhF3X2ZX/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+283.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR66t79e2Yb_J8Q3g4_BYaaDAjK0yVBfGkMBKNJKjrtZqU60bpeRYZLbC-r9WByNxB9FarYZQPDpMVrKG3DxNiW4llzJeLM7bChzcyStm9prfHJ_Ri8LoDnuuqqsiw5HHllUo5GhF3X2ZX/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+283.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639324272288118018" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mn-ZQUInZBnOohCpaezQZ_p5tNMOg3bxU94p_tEllOF-U0AhYhNWjm0m8qnXHJeIy9bam1uJKVGsspQQwKgwTZlxXZ-vMHiKHdlwkGLJUUQBcR8e9XfDc8GONJlu9Bk4pEmDw7FD88El/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+274.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mn-ZQUInZBnOohCpaezQZ_p5tNMOg3bxU94p_tEllOF-U0AhYhNWjm0m8qnXHJeIy9bam1uJKVGsspQQwKgwTZlxXZ-vMHiKHdlwkGLJUUQBcR8e9XfDc8GONJlu9Bk4pEmDw7FD88El/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+274.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639324825946535922" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7MuCLniPG0VFZRHcivs7UQhb3mQHtA1F4hzZqcsag9tChgVlAupyP4v2_yVyCym3c8tlNBm5QeMziJLa3ei7seGu1XrtvdVTk0lKqoD0Is3ykI2Laa858YHLd3Lknm_ESSjDgpExsfkK/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+417.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7MuCLniPG0VFZRHcivs7UQhb3mQHtA1F4hzZqcsag9tChgVlAupyP4v2_yVyCym3c8tlNBm5QeMziJLa3ei7seGu1XrtvdVTk0lKqoD0Is3ykI2Laa858YHLd3Lknm_ESSjDgpExsfkK/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+417.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639325251398612722" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxjpj4QtyUJIxOVltAlbLaLSSxmVhhZ49jEk5KogJ1hReDgsMQhCk3rqzIaSd-sVZdEO3IEM-0SYdkLQn_zvy4tf6FkW8IV4aYt5OUAVWf4BtomH76OeFIkNVdrlq-nMtAoV69obBVBOM/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+447.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxjpj4QtyUJIxOVltAlbLaLSSxmVhhZ49jEk5KogJ1hReDgsMQhCk3rqzIaSd-sVZdEO3IEM-0SYdkLQn_zvy4tf6FkW8IV4aYt5OUAVWf4BtomH76OeFIkNVdrlq-nMtAoV69obBVBOM/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+447.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639325791452230642" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj664eJkKc95nkEriRQjPbU63BUT0J3gMhTO9sIKjRYzr9yQHRUwhNCX-d84BCW5aEw9ujo5f2QCVb2DDYJTM4hDAUDvRtkg0DX5JjcpVvMkL54ZpwMsxMpLu2FbIe9IoX7QCWWlktH2Xtm/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+449.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj664eJkKc95nkEriRQjPbU63BUT0J3gMhTO9sIKjRYzr9yQHRUwhNCX-d84BCW5aEw9ujo5f2QCVb2DDYJTM4hDAUDvRtkg0DX5JjcpVvMkL54ZpwMsxMpLu2FbIe9IoX7QCWWlktH2Xtm/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+449.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639326335261377170" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqBdeFyVB_vABWnSZO32B3j75FcWrMek7kgWa_aopRXofXpOA6-DSRBESON8FpHRA8aTJzEe72-97uf24HpdfED9sI_gspXV0IBWHQoo_yaKz282szR1b3c1IFCZDO7oe2p8951TmUmWN/s1600/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+677.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqBdeFyVB_vABWnSZO32B3j75FcWrMek7kgWa_aopRXofXpOA6-DSRBESON8FpHRA8aTJzEe72-97uf24HpdfED9sI_gspXV0IBWHQoo_yaKz282szR1b3c1IFCZDO7oe2p8951TmUmWN/s400/ft+lauderdale%252C+ky%252C+tn+and+nc+summer+2011+677.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639326871831736050" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANDPo7oi32KWhnt6Pv3OcF6XIbqDTf9Q-PCIq37iIvSJWFxzQHEsdhaO-WMRezIG6uekgh44DoJGjpzL68iwVIt8oej3MZQmh_8Ehxyppn9s0f1PDxbzwfdLAYe5lM5p_rhUxzCDpBSFy/s1600/Iowa+July+2011+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANDPo7oi32KWhnt6Pv3OcF6XIbqDTf9Q-PCIq37iIvSJWFxzQHEsdhaO-WMRezIG6uekgh44DoJGjpzL68iwVIt8oej3MZQmh_8Ehxyppn9s0f1PDxbzwfdLAYe5lM5p_rhUxzCDpBSFy/s400/Iowa+July+2011+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639327780043404514" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnefOPjeRA-DuEFGxdsV5fHODdv6zdWvvS728h9HNqjrRDp3MfsebR4wzw8puUFwD1-Gj_b-0ou06qpmXFtsrzW1n89wZTgsE1SADF7YfiXBnA7MXy7xGdIxMMGfdly9dtexAQDpuKZLQw/s1600/Iowa+July+2011+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnefOPjeRA-DuEFGxdsV5fHODdv6zdWvvS728h9HNqjrRDp3MfsebR4wzw8puUFwD1-Gj_b-0ou06qpmXFtsrzW1n89wZTgsE1SADF7YfiXBnA7MXy7xGdIxMMGfdly9dtexAQDpuKZLQw/s400/Iowa+July+2011+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639330729121555810" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuzgTc0iaeeW3uneqwtG58Gv1-WrwfK4wHbLPHp9T5QiaeuncULdDd5wt3iq2M7Fv6afrcrZKbNjCvHSPuXFClRSQD2ZXDAawH0fOUETAkbKe_qS0AktmsWjnCYlIf2k18X5QVlMY1LMm/s1600/Iowa+July+2011+066.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuzgTc0iaeeW3uneqwtG58Gv1-WrwfK4wHbLPHp9T5QiaeuncULdDd5wt3iq2M7Fv6afrcrZKbNjCvHSPuXFClRSQD2ZXDAawH0fOUETAkbKe_qS0AktmsWjnCYlIf2k18X5QVlMY1LMm/s400/Iowa+July+2011+066.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639332470219509202" /></a>
<br />
<br />Many many blessings....it's all grace,
<br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" />
<br /></p>
<br />Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-22595508082089164972011-07-29T23:18:00.006-05:002011-07-29T23:47:26.826-05:00Chapter 9 and Only 2 to goChapter 9 speaks of humility and going lower, bending the knee in a humble state...even lower...allowing God to be God and me to receive whatever He gives as a gift of grace. <br /><br />In the midst of this truth life comes barging in. Voskamp gives these two definitions..."<strong>Lament</strong> is a cry of belief in a <em>good</em> God, a God who has His ear to our hearts, a God who transfigures the ugly into beauty. <strong>Complaint</strong> is the bitter howl of unbelief in any benevolent God in this moment, a distrust in the love-beat of the Father's heart. God's anger kindles hot when the essence of the complaint implies doubt in His love..." I was speaking with someone today who was definitely complaining about God. There is a HUGE difference in pouring our hearts out in a humble state to a God we trust and complaining about God and His ways, not trusting in His goodness at all. Our attitude in the midst of life goes back to what we believe about God Himself. Is He good or not? This question and the answer to it will color our entire journey in this life. It will permeate our lives through and through. Somehow we must come to the conclusion that first and foremost God is good and He is trustworthy. He cares about us in a perfect way. We must see beyond the moment of pain to the goodness of who He is and His perfect love for us. We must accept this from our low position and allow His Godness to reign in our lives. Again, gratitude is the key...it seems to be the beginning and the end to the fullness of life we are all seeking. The joy that allows us to celebrate in the midst of pain <em>who</em> He is and the trust in <em>what</em> He is doing. This is not easy...but without a bended knee it is impossible. "I can't be receptive to God unless I receive what He gives."<br /><br />Abba, Father, <br />Let me humble myself by laying low before You and seeing all that You allow in my life as a way to bring You honor. This life is hard and You never deny that. You know that I am but dust. Praise and thanks be to You, the One with the plan, the One that I can trust and rest in. You are good all the time. I will put my hope in You.<br /> <br />Yours, <br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-44327581227375811522011-07-28T21:29:00.005-05:002011-07-28T22:54:21.890-05:00I am HomeIt is Thursday night. Last night our flight got in around 8:45pm and so by the time we got home it was 11. I slept hard and late this morning. I love to travel and I loved being with Christie, but I really love the feeling of coming home. I can't even imagine how it will feel someday to finally be really Home. The only thing I know is that it will be glorious!<br /><br /> After sleeping in a bit it was right back to real life. Hungry kids. Dirty clothes. Unpacked suitcases. Schedules to keep. Finding and maintaining the eucharisteo in the middle of all this is going to be way more of a challenge than I imagined, but I am up for the challenge. God is going to teach me and I am going to be taught. I want to live life to the fullest and I do believe that this is the path I am to take to get there. <br /><br />Chapter 8 is entitled "How Will He Not Also?". This chapter explores and explains the importance of trust in God. Voskamp expresses the wrong idea that our belief can be passive and how trust is the antithesis of stress. "Belief in God has to be more than mental assent, more than a cliched exercise in cognition. Belief is a verb, something you do." She challenges me with the statement, "If authentic, saving belief is the act of trusting, then to choose stress is an act of disbelief...atheism. Anything less than gratitude and trust is practical atheism." <br /><br />Well....that's a bit to think about. Ann Voskamp continues to capture the truth in such a brand new way for me that every chapter fills my head and my heart with such a longing to grasp this and put in into practice so that my life will flow with gratitude. As soon as I finish this book I am going to begin to keep a list of the graces I see every day. I am making myself wait until I finish, but I am thinking of them throughout the day...watching for Him in the moment. I don't know if I will post my graces here, but I am going to be keeping them in writing. I had a sweet friend tell me that just since May she has recorded over 1300 graces in her life. I was amazed and touched by that. It is possible to do this and top allow gratitude to change my life. I sure hope you will join me on this journey. I have another book to write about <br />when I am done with this one. It is called, Reckless Faith. It is amazing in an entirely different way. <br /><br />Be blessed and while you are at it, write them down.<br />With love, <br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-89883203797748087282011-07-26T12:50:00.002-05:002011-07-26T13:54:40.504-05:00Eucharisteo...Always the Eucharisteo"The practice of giving thanks...eucharisteo...this is the way we practice the presence of God, stay present to His presence, and it is always a practice of the eyes. We don't have to change what we see. Only the <span style="font-style:italic;">way</span> we see."<br /><br />That statement from Chapter 7 is the real deal. That is the real deal in the midst of good things and hard things....traffic and fights with kids and bills and butterflies and beach trips...disagreements with spouses and fun vacations...babies and sickness...seeing God...finding Him in the midst of it all is the key to celebrating life to the fullest. It's the key to being in His presence at all times. I'm attempting to practice this here on vacation and take it home with me to practice in real life. I'll let you know how it goes. :-)<br /><br />Thank You Lord for this new way to think about all of life. Bless Ann Voskamp for her tenacious seeking of You and then her vulnerability to share with the rest of the world. Please give me eyes to see you in the midst of the struggles and in those around me; not just in the obvious things but in the whole of life. Prepare my heart to go home and to see you there in the everyday. Holy are You Lord and worthy of all praise. <br />Yours,<br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-79047596290410967092011-07-25T22:45:00.002-05:002011-07-25T23:18:52.020-05:00I Want to See GodI had a horrible headache last night and so I missed a day of posting and actually didn't even finish my chapter of reading. I have figured out something about this book. As far as I'm concerned this book needs to be read a chapter at a time in one sitting. Because Voskamp writes in such a poetic style if I put it down in the middle of a chapter and then try to come back to it, it just doesn't work for me. That's all I have to say about that. <br /><br />This evening after a full day at the Blank Park Zoo I am yawning and having a hard time putting two thoughts together. Iowa is unbelievably hot this visit and the heat- it does wear me out. I did enjoy this chapter though. It addresses exactly what we want from God. I like this from the book, "how I want to see the weight of glory break my thick scales, the weight of glory smash the chains of desperate materialism, split the numbing shell of deadening entertainment, bust up the ice of catatonic hearts. I want to see God...." I love the way she is able to identify exactly what she wants God to do in her and for her...that she might see Him and worship. Our hearts long to worship something...I want mine to worship Him. The way to experience Him is to see Him all around me all the time....euchristeo. <br /><br />Oh Lord, give me eyes to see You all around me so that praise and gratitude might flow from my lips all day long because You have awakened my heart to the truth that You are all around me if am willing to truly see. Give me an undivided heart, Lord. Make me fully Thine. I cry holy holy holy is the Lord. The One who is and is to come. I love and worship You.<br />Yours,<br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-54063514178403534092011-07-23T15:14:00.004-05:002011-07-23T16:35:04.719-05:00God is Always Good and I Am Always LovedChapter 5 asks and then answers some hard questions. Voskamp has put into words what I have wondered so many times. Often when something goes the way a person wants they might quip, "God is good." I have often thought in response to myself, "Would they still say that if things hadn't gone the way they wanted? Would I?" If I truly believe God is good all the time...how will I respond when the hard things of life happen? What I know is that they <span style="font-style:italic;">will</span> happen. "Should I not accept good from You, and not trouble?"(Job 2:10) <br /><br />So many people become disillusioned with God when things don't go the way they hoped or imagined. My mom is mad at God and has been for as long as I can remember because her life has been filled with trouble. I'm not saying her life hasn't been filled with hard things. She has had some very difficult, heart breaking experiences that are seemingly impossible to resolve within oneself. But, if God is good then there has to be a way to embrace the trouble He allows. The only way it would seem possible is to believe with all our hearts that God will bring beauty from ashes...light from darkness. According to Voskamp, God desires to "transfigure all". "Christ became ugly that we might become beautiful. Can I believe the gospel that God is patiently transfiguring all the notes of my life into the song of His Son?" <br /><br />Abba, Daddy,<br />This is the prayer of my heart...that I would always believe that You are always good and I am always loved. That is the place I want to live. The place where <span style="font-weight:bold;">all</span> is grace. Where nothing is taken for granted. The place where both joy and sadness are received from Your hand. Where I am at peace in the moment, so connected to You that like Job I am willing to accept good and trouble. Counting it all grace.<br />Yours, <br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-59959626515350825772011-07-22T11:38:00.003-05:002011-07-22T12:26:36.880-05:00How Long Does It Take Your Soul To Realize Your Life Is Full?Today's chapter is about slowing down to savor life...not life as a whole, but life's moments. The idea that life is made up of moments is not new. Many of us have heard the saying that reminds us that life is made up of the moments that take our breath away....nice saying but it is lacking. According to Voskamp <span style="font-style:italic;">all</span> of life has the potential to be breath taking moments. Slowing down emotionally and then inviting the Spirit to make us aware of the miracle of each moment. <br /><br />Thinking about this I am struck by the question she asks, "how long does it take your soul to realize that your life is full?" For me this is the inside, my inner self, my soul slowing down to recognize and give thanks in the very moment for all that God has given me. Grace...gratitude...thankfulness...in the midst of a very packed full life. When I get home from vacation my busy life is waiting for me. My schedule is packed full of appointments and activities. That is my life as a mom. So many are my tasks. That will not change, but my attitude and grasp of the sacredness in the moments can. After all, it's all grace. Every moment is a gift from my Maker who loves me so. It really is all grace and I desire to recognize it as such.<br /><br />Lord, You have given me this time away from home. You have made this all possible. In the midst of this You have chosen to surprise me with Yourself. You have given me this remarkable opportunity to make changes to my life that will allow me to see more of You in everything and everyone around me. May this time, this vacation, be a standing stone in my life as the days I was surprised by joy in the midst of the every day. Glory to Your name. Hallelujah!<br />Yours,<br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-44466831657104270172011-07-21T22:26:00.005-05:002011-07-21T23:20:05.584-05:00Thursday...Thankful Thursday...Chapter 3Today it is late when I finally get to sit down and read the 3rd chapter of the book, "One Thousand Gifts". It is now quiet and all the kids are in bed. There were 8 kids, 3 moms and 1 grandma here today all doing life together. It was a busy, but laid back day all at the same time. We laughed a lot. We talked about serious things a little, but mostly we just hung together. It was delightful really. <br /><br />In the last two days as I have been reading this book and thinking hard about what I have been reading I realize that this is going to be a book that I apply daily or not at all. This euchristeo lifestyle must become just that, a lifestyle and I am all in. Period. I truly believe that Ann Voskamp has put to words what my spiritual life was missing. Gratitude. If you don't really know me then you may not know the struggle I have with critical discontented thoughts, but it is very real. My criticalness is not so much about my circumstances as it is with the people around me. I am most critical and discontent with those closest to me. You can imagine, and if you are close to me you know this firsthand, I can be not so fun to be around. God has revealed to me through the years the danger this type of thinking can have on all my relationships and so I have been journeying with Him looking for how to "fix" this unhealthy part of myself, but honestly I didn't know how to practically change this. The Lord revealed to me at ladies retreat a few weeks ago a new way to apply a familiar verse :<br />Philippians 4:8"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." I felt the Lord calling me to use this verse as the lens I look at others through....like a new filter on my perception of others. I understood that truth, but didn't know how to apply it until I began reading this book. A life of gratitude will cause me to be so much more focused on my thankfulness that I won't be able to live in criticalness. Those two attitudes are mutually exclusive. God knows that I am simple and that I need very direct ways to apply truth and He is showing me those ways through the principles presented in this book.<br /><br />One other honest confession...since I have been journeying through mid-life these last few years I have begun struggling with anxious thoughts and these thoughts come in the dead of night. They are not rational thoughts in the daytime, but in the night when I wake from my <br />sleep they seem to be quite worthy of my attention nearly to the point of panic. Last night this happened. I am away from home at my dear friend's house vacationing with my two little girls and her family. When I awoke in an anxious state last night I was able to begin to apply the <br />practices of this book and give thanks to God for the exact moment I was in. Normally I would have turned on the tv for an escape from my thoughts, but last night I just kept talking to God and being grateful for right where I was until I calmly fell back asleep. Unless you struggle with nighttime, perimenopausal anxiety this may not seem like a huge victory....but if you do then you know what a big deal this was. I know I am in the beginning of all this....but peeps, I think I am onto something. <br /><br />Lord, thank You for using the experiences of others combined with the truth of Your word to teach me how to live this life in full and complete gratitude. Euchristeo...grace, thanksgiving, joy...I want this to be my theme song evermore. <br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-30373117766921857632011-07-20T12:12:00.005-05:002011-07-20T15:20:22.052-05:00Day 2 How Do We Then Live?It's Chapter 2 that I'm reading today. <br />The first question Voskamp offers that I must at least internally address and slow down to ponder is "<span style="font-style:italic;">How do we live fully so we are fully ready to die?"</span> That is the question that causes my heart to race...that causes me to stop in my tracks...that allows tears to form in my eyes...how do I live this life so that all that really matters <span style="font-style:italic;">is all that matters</span>? If this life is all there is then eat, drink and be merry...do what you feel...live all this world has to offer to the fullest...if this is all there is. BUT if this life is the training ground for eternity...if this life is the preparation place where we are to become intimate with our Maker...the place He has chosen for us to journey with His indwelling Spirit to choose to live beyond all the earthly pleasures, choosing to live for something, some purpose, some goal beyond today then certainly this question is worth my meditation. <br /><br />I've been reading the book of James over and over this summer and according to James, the brother of Christ, this life matters a lot and what we do in this life is what makes our faith legitimate. James 1:22 says, " Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Based on this verse and the whole of James' message what we do here counts <span style="font-style:italic;">There</span>. It would seem to me that each persons journey to eternity would be figuring out for themselves what really counts <span style="font-style:italic;">here and There.</span><br /><br />Reading further Voskamp states that joy, a holy joy, might be what our quest for "more" is all about. She also brings to light that when Jesus had only a few hours left to live He took that time with His disciples to offer thanks..."eucharisteo"....thanks...grace...He took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks...He took the bread as a gift and gave thanks. (I pause here to just realize for myself that saying "grace"<br />before a meal is to stop for a moment and see all that is placed before us as a gift. Recently it has been revealed to me anew that "it's all grace"....-all that I have is all from His hand and that I have it at all is because of His graciousness toward me. It has nothing to do with me<br />or my moral living...not my rules or standards...nothing about me at all...it's all Him...it's all grace. So as I say grace at our next meal...maybe I can remember anew that "it's all grace".) Voskamp states that deep joy, chara, is found only at the table of the eucharisteo...the table of thanksgiving. The question bears repeating, "is the height of my chara joy dependent on the depths of my eucharisteo thanks?" thanks in the here and now...right where we are...in the midst of whatever circumstance we find ourselves...seeing God in the present...grace, thanksgiving, joy...could that be the answer in our search for more? Could that be goal of today....of tomorrow...to living our fullest life? The verse that immediately comes to me is found in ICor 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This could be the secret of a full life...<span style="font-style:italic;">the</span>Life that is lived in light of eternity. I believe her thoughts to be true. "Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle. And the one that says "non-euchristeo , ingratitude was <span style="font-style:italic;">the</span> fall--humanitity's discontent with all that God freely gives." and again, "our very saving is <br /> with our gratitude". "Thanksgiving-giving thanks in everything-prepares the way that God might show us His fullest salvation in Christ. I would never experience the fullness of my salvation until I expressed the fullness of my thanks everyday and euchristeo is elemental to living the saved life."<br /><br />As I have attempted to process the beginnings of this book here I have realized on only the 2nd day that I probably won't be able to take the time to process here, like this, every day. Nor do I think that you will have time to read my thoughts everyday. But, today, for the moment I am thankful certainly to be on this journey and to have the time while on vacation to soak in the truth of what I have read so far and to know that the life I am to live is one of gratitude in all things. I am anxious to see how Voskamp continues in her poetical way to teach me the joy and life of thanksgiving. <br /><br />Grace. Thanksgiving. Joy.<br /><br />With joyous thanksgiving, <br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /> <br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-49763351824155789202011-07-20T00:03:00.006-05:002011-07-20T01:09:08.833-05:00Better Late Than NeverHey there folks!<br /><br />Time is a flyin' by. What a crazy, busy, memory making summer we are having. I finally got to the bookstore today and bought the book I've heard so much about..."One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I am going to attempt to daily take some time to process this book on my blog. I am famous for getting too busy to write...but, I'm gonna try to stick with this one. To quote Andy Stanley, "application makes all the difference."<br /><br />So this is entry no.1<br />The book is about discovering God in the everyday and celebrating by choosing gratitude. The very first chapter is a bit of a heart wrencher, but certainly brings to life the challenge of faith in the midst of human tragedy. For my first entry I am just going to quote the author's poignant description of the human struggle of faith in God. "I wake and put feet to the plank floors, and I believe the Serpent's hissing lie, the refrain of his campaign through the ages: God isn't good. It's the cornerstone of his(the enemy's)movement. That God withholds good from His children, that God does not genuinely, fully, love us. Doubting God's goodness, distrusting His intent, discontent with what He's given, we desire more."<br /><br />I have never actually understood in such a clear way that the very struggle most of us have in trusting God is our own disbelief in the very character of God. That seems like such a "duh" now, but as I have journeyed with so many who have wrestled with their faith, Voskamp<br />seems to have hit the nail on the head. From the beginning, in that perfect garden, all the Enemy had to do was to get Adam and Eve to the<br /> point of discontentment...dissatisfaction...a hunger for something more... to have them wrapped around his finger. And he has been preaching that same message ever since.<br /><br />I am in a new place with God than I ever have been before. I am learning to trust Him and see Him as so much bigger than ever before and I think this book is going to enrich my journey. Like I said before I am a bit late in reading this book, but if you haven't read it and want to join me, I'd certainly love to have you and would welcome your comments. You can find the book in any bookstore and catch up easy. Just<br />one short chapter a day...2 if you start tomorrow.<br /><br />Many blessings and love. Hope to see you tomorrow.<p><br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-15282757857182270752011-04-25T22:26:00.020-05:002011-04-25T23:47:47.448-05:00It's Birthday Season Again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3g4V3egwpXiNKKsj3dNCSFs6f3gM_TWMsQo_spTMB-4Lx0Tc8U023kStoKAP3AmEr_lxAHM0COR1G7iRDB9P_Ch9Ci5xO5utJ7bN18IMhP7EK_ofpawnSlHaqiDfZ1ccMnTcT1nZWPn4/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3g4V3egwpXiNKKsj3dNCSFs6f3gM_TWMsQo_spTMB-4Lx0Tc8U023kStoKAP3AmEr_lxAHM0COR1G7iRDB9P_Ch9Ci5xO5utJ7bN18IMhP7EK_ofpawnSlHaqiDfZ1ccMnTcT1nZWPn4/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+095.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599748105995433106" /></a><br />It begins in February for our family and ends the end of May. 6 birthdays to celebrate in 3 months! Whew, it can get crazy. We are big on traditions at our house and one birthday tradition is that you get to pick your favorite meal for your celebration. Another tradition, as of two years ago, is a picture in the birthday hat. Here's what we have so far this year...<br /><br />Davie turned 8 and requested Chinese food for her birthday party. She grew 3 inches this year and the doctor believes she will be taller than me when she is finished growing. Her favorite things are gymnastics, reading, singing, playing with friends and technology...any kind of computer games. Angry Birds is our favorite!Davie has had her share of tears with the moving of our dear friends just recently. What a tender hearted girl she is.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B5EuMxVyqdR3iV2helSLnaAcNtfSbPMzbP1KvkbfHzloPXiotNtNtKBc0KL1gtumjLne0mUKEYimUozWtT_KqlZapWWeAaBAvut9EyFLnvTTjjcYfHEAaUcgT4DphEQ68OMLjuF2BEOd/s1600/Misc+fun+for+the+Wimberlys+Jan-Mar+2011+115.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B5EuMxVyqdR3iV2helSLnaAcNtfSbPMzbP1KvkbfHzloPXiotNtNtKBc0KL1gtumjLne0mUKEYimUozWtT_KqlZapWWeAaBAvut9EyFLnvTTjjcYfHEAaUcgT4DphEQ68OMLjuF2BEOd/s400/Misc+fun+for+the+Wimberlys+Jan-Mar+2011+115.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599735007518823666" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tx2mL6_9VK4mZBbOl_ji0wmev6hwwbfmtvYnfl8aFsiQmsNp4EZGvRSn1EzFUr-fRRsLBZCa0kIyRMmgn3Lc6vbwuvAhrdRiW2Ev_NGXwmnjtiz362CdWWNvLqC2S41x7Go8TYjhdpOZ/s1600/Misc+fun+for+the+Wimberlys+Jan-Mar+2011+112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tx2mL6_9VK4mZBbOl_ji0wmev6hwwbfmtvYnfl8aFsiQmsNp4EZGvRSn1EzFUr-fRRsLBZCa0kIyRMmgn3Lc6vbwuvAhrdRiW2Ev_NGXwmnjtiz362CdWWNvLqC2S41x7Go8TYjhdpOZ/s400/Misc+fun+for+the+Wimberlys+Jan-Mar+2011+112.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599733950999283714" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTluVRhHt741gQrzNu5FAfk4QMO1GOmXlCofkGPQotK-AhBXq_ERd0OsaxaUMS9zWRWZarLjbs0JdMp6YlB4_8txz5RkUg6y79GFyl8tsFxGkn9VyFSWRHAGA5Z87syGYr5EJecaPDTje/s1600/Misc+fun+for+the+Wimberlys+Jan-Mar+2011+093.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTluVRhHt741gQrzNu5FAfk4QMO1GOmXlCofkGPQotK-AhBXq_ERd0OsaxaUMS9zWRWZarLjbs0JdMp6YlB4_8txz5RkUg6y79GFyl8tsFxGkn9VyFSWRHAGA5Z87syGYr5EJecaPDTje/s400/Misc+fun+for+the+Wimberlys+Jan-Mar+2011+093.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599734311710622306" /></a>After Davie's birthday comes Sarah's. She turned 24 this year. She requested burgers on the grill and a traditional birthday cake. We are so proud of Sarah's hard work this year teaching 1st grade and are thrilled for her that she gets to teach middle school Language Arts next year. She is our first born and a wonderful woman!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIIaLhdx7ZP_Rveag4DE1xpw4-bu2By9VxDr4xNlwXA979CxjG3PyIIehIIeqNeUb0sqa_8hLtmOr8BaDOfzLQsAvlnu4mvz9pxISD9nLU6Y0I50DOI4BEhbucdaszr39miBtL1P33wBh/s1600/SJ+BDay%252C+DAB+Girl+Scouts+March+2011+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIIaLhdx7ZP_Rveag4DE1xpw4-bu2By9VxDr4xNlwXA979CxjG3PyIIehIIeqNeUb0sqa_8hLtmOr8BaDOfzLQsAvlnu4mvz9pxISD9nLU6Y0I50DOI4BEhbucdaszr39miBtL1P33wBh/s400/SJ+BDay%252C+DAB+Girl+Scouts+March+2011+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599736541348804338" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYsMfYpplB7QHfcTp-YmVf9rNgdP4yAOHsH-4BrqkEzCyOS0CfgWS6c20kGUuzFvxrieE6zLB8_ulbY3yHOJqmN58iPsUeI_4Idu4Qo23AlDRn0oVU5J9SHalP0qtOwRD6Po0mCnFnYsZ/s1600/SJ+BDay%252C+DAB+Girl+Scouts+March+2011+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYsMfYpplB7QHfcTp-YmVf9rNgdP4yAOHsH-4BrqkEzCyOS0CfgWS6c20kGUuzFvxrieE6zLB8_ulbY3yHOJqmN58iPsUeI_4Idu4Qo23AlDRn0oVU5J9SHalP0qtOwRD6Po0mCnFnYsZ/s400/SJ+BDay%252C+DAB+Girl+Scouts+March+2011+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599737882455333314" /></a><br />Next on our birthday tour is Catherine Jo. She has become "Cat" to all her friends. She turned 15!!!! I know...hard to believe. Catherine is a delight as long as we are not attempting to do homework. She is fun to laugh at and laugh with. We have a great time together most of the time and we are excited for the woman she is becoming.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jHztbdaNeOvKvRtfFlqGjH12HGnUlZ1xBHYrY1YwwkgRJaU18jqGEooy2c9dbhutu4J2sIatcD-a2Ah2cjDovQZRmP_ZHZ7pEAJ4bePOmHUnEQmK9k2QceWuLdlmB2yX_ot_f0yU6brN/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jHztbdaNeOvKvRtfFlqGjH12HGnUlZ1xBHYrY1YwwkgRJaU18jqGEooy2c9dbhutu4J2sIatcD-a2Ah2cjDovQZRmP_ZHZ7pEAJ4bePOmHUnEQmK9k2QceWuLdlmB2yX_ot_f0yU6brN/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599741294144675282" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTcPqXjbzJ7QUbpXSET1IY7aC-alrW4LbLpH1jsvqvJgl3Xn6gOWhMnqeSqWkzsqweoXkT7BCVwKG9kk136baU-lsXWzmDLdDNohS0MQd8hSe8JMjYupV7ZZzd1gN9gbVH_7JxOodArhx/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTcPqXjbzJ7QUbpXSET1IY7aC-alrW4LbLpH1jsvqvJgl3Xn6gOWhMnqeSqWkzsqweoXkT7BCVwKG9kk136baU-lsXWzmDLdDNohS0MQd8hSe8JMjYupV7ZZzd1gN9gbVH_7JxOodArhx/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599741914228786914" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM16OZD6U2y8GczdQnfixWqBQRzSVFTdHAYazjsiyr3Mf-_FH_T08SEUU7dDkJSGScL2KXTQ6qFd77Ehzz_vGhv3phmSf2_uAICIZdweSy8yJml75r_XqpePus9BLBsAjlZ0ZmxuSJL-GO/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM16OZD6U2y8GczdQnfixWqBQRzSVFTdHAYazjsiyr3Mf-_FH_T08SEUU7dDkJSGScL2KXTQ6qFd77Ehzz_vGhv3phmSf2_uAICIZdweSy8yJml75r_XqpePus9BLBsAjlZ0ZmxuSJL-GO/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599742512462449826" /></a>This year our baby turned 5 on Easter! Eliana Joy is so much fun. She started going to speech this year, but it was difficult for me to let go of the cute way she has always said things. Her "ofay" became "ok". Bummer. She is trying to conquer her "s"s and it is giving her a fit, but she works hard on it. She will go to kindergarten in the fall and I am sure that I am going to have the time to finally have that spotless house I've always wanted...haha.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz8eBVIK5m_y5k4x7DVdnGH4B5YzfZliKlm4Bj0LhZ6a3ksWKWbCn_yfcoxkGfHV-J4DL90TgYPoZPx96uq8qs8SIXTozGznLj9kEc2u7l53CZc2Oh8H7ofYx7Z2nZkdpS5LXTfnzmXbC/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+065.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz8eBVIK5m_y5k4x7DVdnGH4B5YzfZliKlm4Bj0LhZ6a3ksWKWbCn_yfcoxkGfHV-J4DL90TgYPoZPx96uq8qs8SIXTozGznLj9kEc2u7l53CZc2Oh8H7ofYx7Z2nZkdpS5LXTfnzmXbC/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+065.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599743202071481426" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtiuIClEEySIcVbWAnkbM8v4nB0zq-Solrczv07eXcNJHdrOIlUdHcSHKxP94ioR7WdT3SQG84ir1TXyfvVLO73b2ea3B8WbDuiX5LlUboBEiwmlOiyeAfPK_ksytnkcOosPLutC4v_wm/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtiuIClEEySIcVbWAnkbM8v4nB0zq-Solrczv07eXcNJHdrOIlUdHcSHKxP94ioR7WdT3SQG84ir1TXyfvVLO73b2ea3B8WbDuiX5LlUboBEiwmlOiyeAfPK_ksytnkcOosPLutC4v_wm/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+070.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599744074475172546" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW0lLWS5VoP-th5VmeZgF_oPitYofL7C9UJanNWn4DwjeJc9Jswd1I8z4MddjBzPYEgZakerKJEjWG1wlFUSZC_uGvNUB9wmzxd6ZbWIyQaCUpVNkMx8JjK2TQ2wIIIFMbQyk-6vllnmA/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW0lLWS5VoP-th5VmeZgF_oPitYofL7C9UJanNWn4DwjeJc9Jswd1I8z4MddjBzPYEgZakerKJEjWG1wlFUSZC_uGvNUB9wmzxd6ZbWIyQaCUpVNkMx8JjK2TQ2wIIIFMbQyk-6vllnmA/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+075.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599744909443663266" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRA5sp7PKdRSqejgnckHq_yRZz2i71mtl_rf1yB09A4C39YG_dmx6Lr6Qmi0qCDyORb-j11gShH_ha_t90ACvk6PiL-VgVjQ8V0gjq0iosN76BI6ViKZTQ_NhRf-_-JPF-7H2KFT3_RLQ/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRA5sp7PKdRSqejgnckHq_yRZz2i71mtl_rf1yB09A4C39YG_dmx6Lr6Qmi0qCDyORb-j11gShH_ha_t90ACvk6PiL-VgVjQ8V0gjq0iosN76BI6ViKZTQ_NhRf-_-JPF-7H2KFT3_RLQ/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599745497846210994" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzu8o7YVIDj7fZB1dvRHRc-mlQ1DAMfQwhmL18fkArKUn34HiHZSN_xTpfljl3YiqKVCq5f1drzyLYQm1VmugpDACSlVzJ9DjQTqx5FVfNlgmUvif4ZU8RLOyoSW239g-x3sC9E5XJ944/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+084.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzu8o7YVIDj7fZB1dvRHRc-mlQ1DAMfQwhmL18fkArKUn34HiHZSN_xTpfljl3YiqKVCq5f1drzyLYQm1VmugpDACSlVzJ9DjQTqx5FVfNlgmUvif4ZU8RLOyoSW239g-x3sC9E5XJ944/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599746405309432530" /></a><br />Matthew or Matt Matt as he is fondly known by the little girls has his 21st birthday in Japan this year! He is leaving before his birthday and was kind enough to pose in the birthday hat for me at Ellie's party yesterday. Matt is growing up and has made us proud as he wrestles with decisions and walks in faith with God. Please pray for him while he is in Japan for 35 days. God worked a financial miracle to allow him to go again this year with "Mission to Japan" and we are asking God to keep him safe and protected from radiation and such....trusting the Lord with our precious son.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRUtNpcnDSf1Z9lmsQJCjAaCdCTCBfcBaXdRoSTEoZXZ0gf3QxQ5ci88zBomQvnZAhUixvJv1xdC27L41hBOsM2X0AryExbmIMbZdAa0NNFRVO4rZOUQgMA-nbhBbZ2SAIuRKmMrXAzZS/s1600/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRUtNpcnDSf1Z9lmsQJCjAaCdCTCBfcBaXdRoSTEoZXZ0gf3QxQ5ci88zBomQvnZAhUixvJv1xdC27L41hBOsM2X0AryExbmIMbZdAa0NNFRVO4rZOUQgMA-nbhBbZ2SAIuRKmMrXAzZS/s400/Easter+%2540+Dunwells+and+birthdays+2011+094.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599747134411653874" /></a><br />So this is how we spend spring at our house....celebrating! I sure hope you had a wonderful Easter with your loved ones and that you find tons to celebrate in the coming months. <br />With much love and celebration,<p><br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-34975997591981695762011-04-22T19:39:00.014-05:002011-04-22T22:21:38.135-05:00Huge Life Changes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8IyJy0GGjh0M2sQkn3gosAlpJFDFT0iZ-VvaJu9tsCvJPfDVSpat1sl1Qa-0enUowdf3AufhXhT_cD__99AvoG_HHjEAbMFARY4GIboHGU3OzOHVkkjfAzO6D9KgDF854Fjt-E-WqcAl/s1600/DSC_8352.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8IyJy0GGjh0M2sQkn3gosAlpJFDFT0iZ-VvaJu9tsCvJPfDVSpat1sl1Qa-0enUowdf3AufhXhT_cD__99AvoG_HHjEAbMFARY4GIboHGU3OzOHVkkjfAzO6D9KgDF854Fjt-E-WqcAl/s400/DSC_8352.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598600669284092498" /></a><br />So, it's been quite a while. Life moves along at a rapid pace and then something happens and you are stopped dead in your tracks. I had something like that happen to me in December and it came to fruition today. <br /><br />My dear friend, Christie and her husband, Jon, (who was also our pastor), went to dinner with us before Christmas to let us know that they were leaving the pastorate and moving to Christie's home town in Iowa. I was completely surprised by this news. Stunned to say the least. Christie and I have not only been close friends for over 20 years, but we have been the kind of friends who have done all of life together. We talk on the phone nearly every day and it was not unusual for us to talk several times a day. She was like the sister I never had. Our kids were also super close. She had two boys, one 18 months older than Davie, and one 18 months older than Ellie. We spent so much time together. Once I knew they were leaving it was tempting to pull away in order to somehow lesson the pain, but I promised Christie that I wouldn't and that I would spend as much time as ever with her until the day they left and today was that day. I am so so sad. It's not that I'm not excited for the adventure that is ahead of them. It's not that I don't trust that they are following God's will. I am just so sad because my life will be so empty without her here to share it. We have committed to staying in touch and sending lots of photos, but we both know that this move changes everything. I have tried to be brave and pretend that somehow they will be back, but today I realized that they really won't.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhVBbLFbCdKNAAyjMuO2lf7BohshCWMgKCpxEM_mHEUksB5Jwo_hkZkZVtZM_5RKlECklEc4kkjadQyUquOcdhPuRtcrJCU8lTPfGuSfvoKf_0KdcEu5bPg-gWmfC9a_ddTIKDZnc3PAZ/s1600/DSC_8360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhVBbLFbCdKNAAyjMuO2lf7BohshCWMgKCpxEM_mHEUksB5Jwo_hkZkZVtZM_5RKlECklEc4kkjadQyUquOcdhPuRtcrJCU8lTPfGuSfvoKf_0KdcEu5bPg-gWmfC9a_ddTIKDZnc3PAZ/s400/DSC_8360.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598598623803847650" /></a> Every year that we could we spent Easter together. We had our final Florida Easter together on the 10th of this month. We had a nice time that ended with some tears. These are photos from that day.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGfqV07ZUHkJeqKFoZKBfUp8IZ5z8PJ7_CSlnwTKddE_VW1EvuzDsjm6NBr6nTJsjWAXZ5SmBkDvgpAVX863VLGCzj3ltjRqob0UddRkuGe-9GAtitRhVP2kA6m-qlOS-6sMuR5JeaQhN/s1600/DSC_8325.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGfqV07ZUHkJeqKFoZKBfUp8IZ5z8PJ7_CSlnwTKddE_VW1EvuzDsjm6NBr6nTJsjWAXZ5SmBkDvgpAVX863VLGCzj3ltjRqob0UddRkuGe-9GAtitRhVP2kA6m-qlOS-6sMuR5JeaQhN/s400/DSC_8325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598605722224492322" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodLSFK3Mgf7i_0DT3_wboKu0U3AAx6hpMDjH-PXttHGd3xnhCMR-0rA1Xt0yQesHwSpdbJliJGmiZ2LIKElEe6XZ4BVGGJuXQhWW_l3MryY87HxKp9AR7OV25c1xuVxLVtLtHepMXeRtu/s1600/DSC_8334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodLSFK3Mgf7i_0DT3_wboKu0U3AAx6hpMDjH-PXttHGd3xnhCMR-0rA1Xt0yQesHwSpdbJliJGmiZ2LIKElEe6XZ4BVGGJuXQhWW_l3MryY87HxKp9AR7OV25c1xuVxLVtLtHepMXeRtu/s400/DSC_8334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598610558906624306" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXdyd_grX4BGnncZqISccSokqqLKcE71Y4oV50nag12EITeuLm5ruJHH7WozVKcwye-UWL8nbo7SZEq2v9e1bvb-PLjAGHSZn_sf5CxUfjwOoBq6xHxaW-tHEdOf06EmFPeQdmCpcdxiW/s1600/DSC_8331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXdyd_grX4BGnncZqISccSokqqLKcE71Y4oV50nag12EITeuLm5ruJHH7WozVKcwye-UWL8nbo7SZEq2v9e1bvb-PLjAGHSZn_sf5CxUfjwOoBq6xHxaW-tHEdOf06EmFPeQdmCpcdxiW/s400/DSC_8331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598610988497989570" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszlNUyD77XkeQpVcztz-Yjv9sigU2SROw-tq7oR5OX9z1ljKYxfqol-FT51a0iLUKVZ3-KKOoce2iNmpycMhm5oNt-ukC92aSZCrDLP0FcEwAyj235CO8LQ5e3W2LM2oEBnVv85Fspqm7/s1600/DSC_8341.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszlNUyD77XkeQpVcztz-Yjv9sigU2SROw-tq7oR5OX9z1ljKYxfqol-FT51a0iLUKVZ3-KKOoce2iNmpycMhm5oNt-ukC92aSZCrDLP0FcEwAyj235CO8LQ5e3W2LM2oEBnVv85Fspqm7/s400/DSC_8341.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598611752021941522" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJUwaTjXIZ7IBZWac-v-BWuwNAJzT8PBKJoE-fXkwvwbgoGY4_7oAtJh6BWO9fm5UDfSHaEvtNF-4Kh0b8GDyi9o4xOMqkG0vLCSEzNllxLzuXz9CIsPdVcTJBKrmRO53aXkuXrDKcdui/s1600/DSC_8340.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJUwaTjXIZ7IBZWac-v-BWuwNAJzT8PBKJoE-fXkwvwbgoGY4_7oAtJh6BWO9fm5UDfSHaEvtNF-4Kh0b8GDyi9o4xOMqkG0vLCSEzNllxLzuXz9CIsPdVcTJBKrmRO53aXkuXrDKcdui/s400/DSC_8340.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598612114183279810" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3sbpcb9_R68oxcseWCM5FkEu63g4FaZ0yDmZG2ZMwmf-fyBCHNV0VLXMIgOPeQOvmryDuTpZJ7u7YIA-Wd-SAcn7P_xkfl61cd-ZM6jX1sXPT0AGi1NOhf2xa1PsHy2ve6_kkl_ygJU9/s1600/DSC_8346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3sbpcb9_R68oxcseWCM5FkEu63g4FaZ0yDmZG2ZMwmf-fyBCHNV0VLXMIgOPeQOvmryDuTpZJ7u7YIA-Wd-SAcn7P_xkfl61cd-ZM6jX1sXPT0AGi1NOhf2xa1PsHy2ve6_kkl_ygJU9/s400/DSC_8346.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598612481114163490" /></a><br />Last night we had our final Chickfila dinner with the kids. Poor little Davie cried all the way home. She dearly loves the Dunwells and listed all the things on the way home that she would miss about them. I didn't do that last night, but I will do it here. <br /><br />My ode to the Dunwells and some of the things I will miss about them...<br />hanging out in their driveway while the kids play on all their fun toys<br />talking about nothing and everything<br />spending birthdays and lots of holidays together<br />their boys and how sweet they were to my girls<br />Christie's help with all my decorating projects<br />swimming together all summer<br />Addison's attempts at eavesdropping<br />Jon's joking with my girls<br />talking about adoption<br />beach days<br />her family's visits<br />Chickfila on a whim<br />Chipotle meals outside<br />shopping<br />talking on the phone on the way anywhere and everywhere<br />walking in our little Mayberry town<br />Christmas parades<br />4th of July<br />my Christmas lights by Christie<br /><br />The list could go on and on. God promises to comfort those who mourn and I am counting on that. Grief is such a hard emotion to process. I want to move through it so quickly and as I do I find myself in a bad place...stressed to the max, eating too much...not healthy choices. Davie had the right idea...bawling your eyes out...pretty darn healthy, but not something I do very easily so I'm blogging instead :-) I have loved my time with Christie and have no delusions of replacing her, but I am trusting God to fill my heart with Himself and new friends to live life with.<br /><br />Which brings me to the second huge life change for us. After much prayer and consideration David and I have decided together to leave our church and follow God into a new journey with Him. That decision also brings huge grief to my life. We know He is moving us and we trust Him to guide us, but it is a bit scary. The people of Westwood Church have loved us well. We have loved them and served with them for our entire married life. There isn't a single ministry there that we have not participated in at one time or another over the years. Leaving our "home" to strike out and find a new place to be able to minister and be ministered to is a daunting task...impossible...if He did not go before us....so here's to the Lord God Almighty who goes before and behind us....here's to celebrating Easter and our Risen Lord in a new place, with new faces and an anticipation of new things to come. I certainly pray that your Easter is spent with ones you love and that the reality of His resurrection is new for us all this year.<br />He is Risen!<br />With much love,<br /><img style="border:0;" align="left" src="http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x468/SPBocci/momssignature.png" /><br /></p>Jackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-78870186270493864282010-10-20T02:28:00.024-05:002010-11-09T09:50:38.902-05:00Dr. Ananthi Jebusingh and Laura Marie Come For a Visit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildY5Gujj41A3M1iD2aLoS708Gkr828Tdlt5MfKW3cCHMlJ51Z_aY4WgGl-rDK0D1rNWxwutEMFsFo0DfFXhJ4BK4P3P3LkhP7VPJ5f3BdRx657qzWwDiQpPsE9w4zI0owsa5hzVffE1xc/s1600/Ananthi%2527s+visit+and+Oct+31+Putt+Putt+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildY5Gujj41A3M1iD2aLoS708Gkr828Tdlt5MfKW3cCHMlJ51Z_aY4WgGl-rDK0D1rNWxwutEMFsFo0DfFXhJ4BK4P3P3LkhP7VPJ5f3BdRx657qzWwDiQpPsE9w4zI0owsa5hzVffE1xc/s400/Ananthi%2527s+visit+and+Oct+31+Putt+Putt+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537528079989220738" /></a>Last month my precious friends, Ananthi and Laura Marie, came to visit as a part of their fund raising campaign for <a href="http://www.friendsofthegoodsamaritans.org/">The Good Samaritan School</a> in Delhi, India. I may, possibly, once or twice, have mentioned my missions trip to this school last June. It was my first missions trip and it renewed my life long passion for serving overseas. It pretty much changed my life! Anyway, they arrived on a Thursday night and bright and early Friday morning Ananthi spoke at the chapel service at Davie's school. She was so wonderful with the children. She was just so captivating! The Good Samaritan School has a wonderful history and an amazing story of God's calling and provision for the slum children of India. Ananthi and Laura Marie travel once a year in the U.S. to share about what the school does and what the needs are. The Good Samaritan School operates completely on the generosity of Christians who believe that a Christian education can change the lives of the impoverished children in Delhi. One of the unique aspects of the school is that they teach English and in India if a child can learn English they can gain employment and help support their family. Like many charitable organizations The GSS is struggling financially and have discerned that the best way to meet the needs of the children is for the children to have individual sponsors. So, on this trip Ananthi spoke to as many as would listen about the ministry and needs of the school. If you have read my posts in the past then you know that my heart was changed because of the needs and the joy I witnessed in the midst of such great need while in Delhi. Having Ananthi and Laura come to my home was such a joy and to be able to show them a bit of hospitality was my privilege and pleasure. We stayed busy and made sweet memories. The photo above is from the Friday night dinner we had with some precious friends who prayed for me faithfully while I was in India(Laura is behind the camera).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlhFxgd9fTTbnT1GEG5I7yBI-RXGGe80kDGblOvmIGwFXP_82iuDa3oJ2pgLEQATSN9uN-dbtgJrCwaeoLdhLkg9HR7kS3h-qFdlgupDUD14AhRYZcv2WE1-rYe4uFXv7qyAxKbBZCzNB/s1600/P1010294.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlhFxgd9fTTbnT1GEG5I7yBI-RXGGe80kDGblOvmIGwFXP_82iuDa3oJ2pgLEQATSN9uN-dbtgJrCwaeoLdhLkg9HR7kS3h-qFdlgupDUD14AhRYZcv2WE1-rYe4uFXv7qyAxKbBZCzNB/s400/P1010294.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537541263186216898" /></a><br />One of the sweetest times that weekend was when Ananthi and I were able to go visit Leu Gardens together. It was wonderful to spend time with Ananthi and share our hearts. She is such a precious person. We talked about books and family and life. One of the things about Ananthi that I admire and want to emulate is her teachable spirit. Even as learned as she is, she is always taking notes and writing things down. I shared about books I had been reading and what the Lord was showing me. I shared about struggles in my extended family. She shared wisdom and her commitment to pray for me and for these situations. We also share a love for nature and photography and so the gardens were a perfect place for us to go. We saw many beautiful flowers and butterflies. I even saw a red-tailed hawk eating something in a tree...I'd never seen that before!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtO_0uJEVGoGA_NhGD5OMSf_CI7-Exf-kyyFsJ49WYrgQT1iGapjwD30HMvoikYLnon_JHiiA6QjYocym-eka6S4Knfou76fTURQO1JOiFAVTJrJRloLUPqJlGtelSMd9sIThfKYu13av/s1600/P1010326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtO_0uJEVGoGA_NhGD5OMSf_CI7-Exf-kyyFsJ49WYrgQT1iGapjwD30HMvoikYLnon_JHiiA6QjYocym-eka6S4Knfou76fTURQO1JOiFAVTJrJRloLUPqJlGtelSMd9sIThfKYu13av/s400/P1010326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537542487265934226" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMCiZd_JNbg-dWWdheJBhCS-FdlQABW39CpkVbnsDk_5sp1nvoj6ztr18txrCeRGkgNl4RjDM2mi8thBKf_1b7tiHoOeVslUj67UeWMdKvXZMx5ygF46fy7bYnCkQFWRgRwThC86Kei5F/s1600/P1010299.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMCiZd_JNbg-dWWdheJBhCS-FdlQABW39CpkVbnsDk_5sp1nvoj6ztr18txrCeRGkgNl4RjDM2mi8thBKf_1b7tiHoOeVslUj67UeWMdKvXZMx5ygF46fy7bYnCkQFWRgRwThC86Kei5F/s400/P1010299.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537538481636883058" /></a><br /> We talked about the school and the children and my hopes to visit the school again in the next year...but <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> in June! Maybe September or November over Thanksgiving break or something. We shall see. I am open to friends joining me....any takers? You will LOVE it! I promise!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54uwPLZTGWVb8AxfDmt59_m5YhD_egQbLKyU5Wn3bo22NNcQV1GypbWYEnembXYPIuDbJzG876_BV2UFpIeAZ28mWbm84Za1SWS_8jDSkqyeQlMoG9B2v3WmzbFv3U61aMQoXflFphwmf/s1600/Mercy%2527s+card2-4-11-2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54uwPLZTGWVb8AxfDmt59_m5YhD_egQbLKyU5Wn3bo22NNcQV1GypbWYEnembXYPIuDbJzG876_BV2UFpIeAZ28mWbm84Za1SWS_8jDSkqyeQlMoG9B2v3WmzbFv3U61aMQoXflFphwmf/s400/Mercy%2527s+card2-4-11-2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537546118613252722" /></a><br />I want to share a bit about my sponsor child from the Good Samaritan School. Her name is Mercy. She is 14 years old and the only child of her parents who work for the school. She is the top student in her class. In India they have these big major exams to move ahead in school and she just took her midterm and again scored the highest in her class. She is this sweet and shy teenager who reached out to me while I was there. When she found out that I liked to read she loaned me some of her favorite books. I knew then that we were kindred spirits and that I wanted to sponsor her. Through our sponsorship Mercy is given a real chance to continue her education and then even go to the university when she graduates. University is so inexpensive, like $300 for the year, that I am hoping that we can sponsor her all the way through. My eyes fill with tears at the chance that she has to go to college and make her way in the world. Mercy comes from a Christian family and so she is blessed with supportive parents who understand the importance of an education, even for a girl. When I found out that Ananthi was coming I began to plan what I wanted to send back to Mercy. If you know me it will come as no surprise that I sent her the Anne of Green Gables book series and The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe series along with a few other things. It was so sweet that when she sent her thank you note that she said she is most thankful that I will be coming back. Isn't that remarkable? When you sponsor a child you change their lives and in the process God changes you. His heart for the poor becomes your heart for the poor. We fulfill a deep God-given need in ourselves when we give and serve those less fortunate than us. We were created to serve...and not just ourselves or our own families, but the world. If you are interested in child sponsorship you can go <a href="http://www.friendsofthegoodsamaritans.org/feeder.htm">here</a> and fill out the appropriate forms. It is only $35 a month. Please give it prayerful consideration. All through the Bible we are called as ones who should minister to those less fortunate than ourselves. Proverbs 21:13 says,"Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 22:9 says, "The generous will themselves be blessed,for they share their food with the poor." Prov 29:7 "The righteous care about justice for the poor,but the wicked have no such concern." Please consider what your gift could mean to the life of another. With love, jsJackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-25465235085010371032010-10-20T01:55:00.004-05:002010-10-20T02:27:05.294-05:00It's a Wonderful Thing...Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1oOb2oH8ZHycdghRiM5Y32vp_rLeIUND5jskTU2wv4ggO7eNpLytVkZEb243U-FurFGdZN2485mCmteDFa5dCsC6ar7FXPu2yx5sqfB54rFZhXcE-jNg2MPen819zAqqxlUppa8eMDAH/s1600/labor+day+2010+and+DA%27s+1st+gym+meet+Oct2+2010+210.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1oOb2oH8ZHycdghRiM5Y32vp_rLeIUND5jskTU2wv4ggO7eNpLytVkZEb243U-FurFGdZN2485mCmteDFa5dCsC6ar7FXPu2yx5sqfB54rFZhXcE-jNg2MPen819zAqqxlUppa8eMDAH/s400/labor+day+2010+and+DA%27s+1st+gym+meet+Oct2+2010+210.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530026175347602290" /></a>(This photo has nothing to do with my blog...I just loved it.)<br /><br /><br />I don't think I could ever be a true writer. It takes tremendous discipline, time and focus to sit down daily, even weekly, and post my thoughts. But, when I don't do it in a logical manner then I end up trying to process all my thoughts for the last few weeks at one time, in one post, in the middle of the night. Not a very good plan. With that duly noted I am going to try to put some thoughts down over the next few days and actually post in small doses. My thoughts probably won't be anything too noteworthy, but I do have a few things rolling around in the ol' noggin that need to get out. <br /><br />I attended the Women of Faith conference this past weekend. For the most part I enjoyed it. I have thought for years that they do too many commercials, but it seems to work for them...so what do I know? While I enjoyed all the speakers tremendously, the one I heard and enjoyed the best was <a href="http://www.andyandrews.com/">Andy Andrews</a>. Apparently he is a best selling author with a ton of books out there that I was completely unaware of, although my friend Kathy did mention one in passing this summer, but I paid little attention to her recommendation. I should have listened to her! Mr. Andrews is a master storyteller. He is a southern guy from Alabama and he was able to draw me in as he shared of his life's difficulties and lessons. The thought I took home from him in a big way is that "every decision in our life matters". There is no way to know the impact our life will have on those who come behind us as we live in service to God and others. I love that thought. All of us want to know, <span style="font-style:italic;">need</span> to know that our life counts for something. When God set eternity in the hearts of men He also created the desire for our lives to count....for all eternity. I love the thought that my life, a rather average one, can affect the world in a big way when I take advantage of the opportunities for good that God puts in my path and because that matters to me I can trust that God will take my efforts and do things I can't even imagine. I really do love that thought. In Ephesians 3 the apostle Paul says it this way, <span style="font-style:italic;">"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!"</span> He can take my life of obedience and service and do more than I could ask or imagine. Amazing! I pray that your life's decisions have an eternal value and that you are always living with eternity in mind. <br />With love,<br />Jackie SueJackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-58636809399770888012010-09-19T20:58:00.008-05:002010-09-21T10:29:27.123-05:00Ananthi is Coming to Town<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tjoErM8prTL1kcuoiJO96WhvYyeotnNOo-YFZjECrRWw67VtdHm8W97qLsTxNu6oM9J5X4CtGd5JAulLEKcsi-HscJpIKfgj37jH-W4-VTp0HV57VhzfhU0u4psgDnjPGZgzR2HG-wAA/s1600/last+day+at+the+school+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tjoErM8prTL1kcuoiJO96WhvYyeotnNOo-YFZjECrRWw67VtdHm8W97qLsTxNu6oM9J5X4CtGd5JAulLEKcsi-HscJpIKfgj37jH-W4-VTp0HV57VhzfhU0u4psgDnjPGZgzR2HG-wAA/s400/last+day+at+the+school+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519387786664714482" /></a><br />I haven't said much about India, but it is never far from my thoughts and daily in my prayers! As many of you know the re-entry into life in America after time spent in a 3rd world country is difficult. I knew that much of what I experienced would be hard to explain and I also knew that God had allowed me the experience to change ME not so I could expect others to change. As I processed all that I saw and experienced I am happy to say that India has found its way into my heart and I can't wait to go back! David wants me to wait at least a year before I plan another trip and I am good with that. <br /><br />As I made the transition to being at home I wondered regularly how I was going to be a part of what was going on in <a href="http://www.friendsofthegoodsamaritans.org/feeder.htm">the Good Samaritan School</a>. After I had prayed about India one day and asked, "what next?" Laura Marie, the director of the Good Samaritan School stateside, called. I was excited to hear from her and humbled when she asked me and if I would be willing to host an event for the founder of the school, Ananthi Jebasingh, in October. I told her I would pray about it and began to seek the Lord about how to accomplish this. He had answered my prayer of "what next?" much sooner than I had expected and so I began to get busy. The first thing I did was made an appointment with my pastor and missions director at my church. The next thing I did was to make contact with my childrens' schools. Following are the times and places that Ananthi will be speaking in Orlando. <br /><br />Friday, October 8th at 9:45am Ananthi will be speaking at the chapel service of <a href="http://www.fcs-fl.org/">Family Christian School</a>. <br /><br />Saturday, October 9th at 6:00pm she will be sharing for a few minutes at <a href="http://www.westwoodchurch.com/">Westwood Church's </a>Saturday service<br /><br />Sunday, October 10th at 9:00am and 10:45am she will be the missions moment in both services at Westwood.<br /><br />Sunday, October 10th at 6:30pm Ananthi will be sharing her heart about the ministry God has called her to in India at a Dessert fellowship at Westwood Church.<br /><br />Anyone is welcome to attend any of these opportunities, but the most information will be given at the Sunday evening event. I cannot begin to adequately express my excitement about the opportunity God is allowing as Ananthi comes to share. She is a holy woman that you will enjoy hearing and she has a holy calling that you won't want to miss. Please come and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to leave a comment and I will get in touch with you. Many blessings and much love, JSJackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538916905258039238.post-83195588912822297792010-08-17T11:18:00.002-05:002010-08-17T11:59:18.997-05:00Life is FullRight now I am in the midst of waiting...not my favorite thing, but honestly having some time to just sit is a gift so I will choose to be thankful for this wait.<br /> <br />Our Japanese student is here and he is delightful. He cooked a yummy curry dinner last night(hard to believe after India that I would eat it...) but it was delicious. His name is Shimone and he is 23. I keep beating him at Wii darts and that is fun and he seems to enjoy the craziness that is our family which warms my heart. Every year that we do this we wonder if we will love our student as much as the last one and I can tell you that every year we do. I am always surprised by how quickly my affection comes and how deep the commitment to them is. It truly is as though they are one of us. We only have 2 more weeks with him and we will miss him when he goes.<br /><br />School has started for Catherine Jo. Another time of adjustments...new school...new program...new classes...equals family mtg to establish new guidelines. It went well though and we are thankful for our mediator and the hope that comes with a renewed commitment to relationships and excellence. It is going to be a good year.<br /><br />India has remained on my mind, in my prayers, and in my heart. I am so excited about the chance to see Ananthi when she and Laura Marie come to the area in October. I will post more on that later.<br /><br />I am currently in a Bible study about attitudes by James Macdonald. It is one of the most revolutionizing studies I have ever done. It touches me and challenges me to the core of my being. Wrong attitudes are exposed and studied and then the next week the Godly attitude to be added to my life to replace the destructive one is studied. Powerful stuff. What are you studying right now? I'd love to hear about it! Life<br />continues to bring circumstances that will challenge my faith...health issues...parenting challenges...relational stuff...but by my Lord's grace I will bring Him pleasure as I choose to believe Him and live a faith filled life.<br /><br />I will post new summer photos soon...that's the good stuff, I know. Leave a post and let me know how you are, will you? I am a "words" person...your words fill me up. Much much love, jsJackie Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817700476441898813noreply@blogger.com0