Daddy Daycare Part 2

Daddy Daycare

The past two weeks as Christine has taught summer school I have stayed home to take care of Josiah. It is so fun to watch all the little things that he does during the day. We have been playing wrestle mania, steamroller, and hide and seek. Despite my best efforts he has one upped me on keeping the house from turning into a disaster area. Taking my two week homemaking career seriously I've made two bread loaves and rice pizza, which was quite tasty. Josiah's latest interests are planes and vehicles. Everytime he hears a plane he points both arms up in the air. For any cars or when we ride the bus, it is "vroom, vroom" of course with lots of spit as he says it. After Christine has finished working we have taken some afternoon trips to the beach and Noah's Ark. Taking care of the little guy is a tough job, and he's just one!. Props to all the moms out there, you're awesome!

When Men Die, God Moves

So last week while Christine and Josiah were saying their last goodbyes, I was in Connecticut at a conference. For a few months now I've read more books and scriptures than ever before in my life. For the simple reason that I know there is more to the life I live as a Christian. I have read many autobiographies of men and women who have lived amazing lives for God. This has caused a hunger in me because I now understand more fully the exchange of identity, authority, righteousness and power that occurs when we submit fully to Christ as Lord. Most Churches and therefore Christians accept a watered down gospel which is basically say this prayer to get your name in the book of life and then go living your normal life. This results in weak, powerless, fearful, selfish and ignorant Christians that are fooled into believing life is all about them. The finished work of Jesus after the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit was not just to get us to heaven but to get heaven into us. Jesus brought the kingdom of heaven to earth. Anything that was sick, evil, perverted was made whole, pure, and right again. Through his relationship with the Father, certain of his identity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit within him he did these things. We have access to the same resources and Jesus expects us to use them to continue doing what he did, both miraculous and humanitarian. The root of all of this is love and last week saw this demonstrated and taught in ways I've never seen. The speakers alone were worth the cross country flight. All were top notch but down to earth. here is a youtube link to Dan Mohler On the streets, malls, restuarants of an area known for being cold hearted I saw many come to tears after being touched by God's love through words, prophecies, healings. I saw a man who for twenty years have nagging back pain due to his right leg being 2-3 inches shorter grow out in front of my eyes! Tumors leaving from a girl who claimed to be Wicca and hated Jesus, but was left in shock after God demonstrating his love through us. For me the best part came after the conference when I was on my way back. I was able to die to myself (getting over fear, pride, etc) to allow the Holy Spirit to heal a woman's back, prophecy with a another woman and share God's love with everyone I sat next to on the plane. In fact I talked from DC to LA, 5 hrs, encouraging and praying for my seatmates. You can check out more info about the conferences which occur almost every month all around the country. www.powerandlove.org More updates to come from the HK side

Good to Know

Life has been a bit crazy the last few days as I try to get over jet lag, get my life in HK in order, and return to the classroom for teaching 125 energetic 5, 6, and 7 year olds each day.

Today I remarked to my TA, "I think we are under control."

A little boy working at his desk popped his head up and added "I'm under control."

Home

"The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other." ~Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say

Air travel still amazes me. I spent 15 hours in a cramped space juggling toddler snacks, sippy cups, board books and a tired baby- then stepped off the plane and was in China. This is our fourth year in Hong Kong and I still can't believe I live here.

As Josiah and I rode home from the airport through the high winds of the typhoon 8 raging around us, I remembered how I first fell in love with this city. I felt a connection to the lush green mountians, the rectangular apartment windows extending 60 stories all alit at 11:30 at night, the horizontal neon signs, and chatter of Cantonese along the crowded streets. This city still holds so much energy and optomism for me.

Then I thouht back to beauitful Arroyo Grande, California, the quaint town where I grew up. A place where people say "hello" on the streets and kids play baseball in the park. I love how blue the sky gets in Arroyo Grande and the way people stroll through the Staurday famers market collecting vegies and flowers in their baskets.

It is a sweet reunion to see our Hong Kong friends again, yet so bitter saying good bye to our California family. I am so excited for Heaven where there will be just one home with everyone there. But for now I am enjoying both my homes, and trying not to be too homesick for the other.

Too Cute!

These baby animals at the zoo were so precious. . . I hope they make you smile today (:

Seven Years of Bliss

On Monday Jason and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary. We definitely are starting to feel like "old married people" (our wedding photos are on FILM)but rejoice in each year the Lord has given us together. Our hearts continue to become more one.

We celebrated with dinner at the Beach House in Solana Beach (beautiful!) We got coffee, watched the sunset, then went to the ever- romantic Wal Mart to get Jason a replacement wedding band. Too bad the titanium rings there were too big for his fingers.




If you were at our wedding leave a comment!

Park in the Park

The new Padres stadium, Petco Park, is brilliant! Although I still cheer for the Dodgers, I do enjoy the San Diego stadium. It is right on the bay and incorporates old buildings from the downtown into the structure. The best part is the "Park in the Park," a grassy knoll in the outfield complete with a playground, kid sized baseball diamond, and sandlot that goes right up to the field. The game went for 13 innings and Josiah was so happy the whole time! We were able to relax, stretch out and move around. Oh, and the Dodger won 7-6. . ."true blue, true Dodger blue".

Summer Moments

Josiah is having lots of new experiences in California. He is loving all of the open spaces, sand, surf and strawberries. He got acquainted with his cousins; Olivia was his little teacher and Soren roughened Josiah up with his "tough love". We are so thankful for the gift of family and are already trying to plan when we can be together again. Here are some highlight from Arroyo Grande. . .

Tubby Time with Olivia and Soren

Batting lessons at Lopez Lake

Water park fun

With Naana in the Santa Maria Children's Museum

Learning the BBQ family secrets from Grandad

Staying cool in the backyard

Three little monkeys in the Santa Barbara Zoo