Vacation

This week we're taking some time to visit some friends and just spend some time together as a family. Right now we are in Nezhen with Paul & Gretchen Fournier and their 3 kids. Paul is the Pastor of Calvary Chapel Nezhen. Yesterday we packed a picnic lunch and went for a long walk in the woods. We spent the rest of the day in their little pool. It's been good getting away, relaxing, fellowshiping and just playing with Gavin and Emma.
.

Remembering Grandpa

One year ago today we said goodbye to my dad. We said goodbye and let him go. He went home. He went home to be with his Father, his Savior, His Lord. At that moment my heart felt as if it had been crushed, but my soul rejoiced. My dad was healed. He was given a new body free from all pain. I miss my dad terribly, but this one thing gives me peace and joy. He is healed. He is sitting at the feet of Jesus and he is whole. His only concern is Jesus, His only thought is God.

I often find myself thinking of my dad, wondering what he is doing at that very moment. I always picture him sitting at his drums with his head back, his eyes closed and his arms flailing all around, leading the beat of the angels praises to God!

Today I am sad because I can’t hug my dad. I can’t feel his scratchy wiskers on my cheek, I can’t smell his scent. I can’t see his smile or hear his laugh. But, I can remember the time he prayed with me, sitting on his lap, to ask Jesus into my heart. I can remember hundreds of family dinners that ended in laughter-induced stomachaches. I remember several Christmas mornings driving around looking for an open restaurant for breakfast. I remember his voice change on the phone when I told him I was getting married and I remember the look on his face when he saw me in my wedding dress. I remember the proud smile on his face when he first saw Gavin, and then again with Emma. I remember him playing drums, eyes closed, worshipping the Lord for almost 30 years. I think of all these things and realize that the list is endless.

A couple of weeks ago Gavin asked me if we could listen to “grandpa’s music.” A few years ago my dad recorded an album with the praise band and choir from Fellowship in the Pass. We hadn’t listened to it in quite a while so we were excited to turn it on and listen together. Emma asked me to dance so I scooped her up and within a couple of minutes I was weeping out loud. I looked at Gavin, his face was wet with tears and he wanted to be a part of the dance. As I turned to look at Conor he was coming up behind us, tears flowing, also wanting to be part of our dance. We danced and sang and cried together for most of the album. I am so blessed to have my dad’s music. I am blessed to have so many beautiful memories of my dad praising God. He loved to worship God.

This video clip is Gavin and Emma dancing. Right on the other side of the door, my dad was playing the drums. We could hear him loud and clear and the kids joined right in. This was the last time he played the drums for church. He worshiped God until the very end. That is how I remember my dad. I pray that Gavin and Emma would remember this too. And I pray that like my dad, we would all worship Jesus until the very end.

Majesty, worship His Majesty! Unto Jesus be all Glory and Honor and Praise!!! Amen!

.

Babysitting

Today we had the chance to hang out with Maia for the whole day. I thought she would have a lot of fun getting some work done on the computer with me, but it put her right to sleep. She's a Mac girl and my PC just was not impressing her.

Vintage Emma

Introducing Auntie Chris

We'd like to introduce you to Christine Zurbach, also known as Auntie Chris to Gavin and Emma. Chris is from California and has been a missionary in Ukraine for the past 5 years. We have had the privilege of serving with her in Priluki and now here in Chernigov. She's a great girl! Many of you know her and know what we're talking about! Well, Christine just started a blog and I would encourage you to check it out here. Supposedly there is a picture of Jake and myself posing as characters from one of our favorite movies. But you all know that you can't believe everything you see on the internet!

Hostage Situation

The 19 left.

Many of you know that on July 19th Korean Christian aid workers where taken hostage in

Afghanistan. Twenty three hostages, all church volunteers, were seized by Taliban militants. Two were executed and two others were freed. There are still 19 being held. Today they reached a deal with Taliban militants to free the 19 remaining. They are asking Korea to withdraw its 200 troops from Afghanistan and that Seoul would stop all Christian missionary work in Afghanistan. I just wanted to post this so more people would be praying for them. This story is not even top news right now. Two dead and 19 people are being held hostage and Owen Wilson is getting more press. Sad! Check out The story and the time line over the past month.

.........................................................................................................................................................

8/29/07 Update

Today 12 more hostages were released. Click here for the full story.

Continue to pray for the remaining 7.

...........................................................................................................................................................

8/30/07 Update

The last seven South Korean hostages are released. Click here for full story.

And here for :Taliban vows more abductions.

Coming This Fall

In just a few weeks five of our sister churches here in Ukraine will be heading up to Chrenigov for our second annual Fall Conference. This years topic will be on the church. We will discuss the need for being a part of the church, what God wants happening in the church, and the mission of the church. Please be praying for our church as we plan and prepare to host this event. We are so excited to fellowship and worship together September 21-23. We'll be sure to take a lot of pictures and post all about our time together.

-

"This church exists for the glory of God. We set our sights on this awesome end in all that we do together." -Mark Dever

Props From DG

I introduced you to my good friend and fellow laborer Jake Knotts a handful of posts ago. For a long time he's been really working hard to get good christian authors translated and printed here in Ukraine. Well, John Piper's ministry desiringGod just mentioned Jake on their blog for his efforts to get Piper's books published here. Pretty cool! Anyway, check out DG'sblog and In Lumine the publishing company Jake as started.

Sedniv

A few days ago Gavin and I went into a kids camp called Sedniv, not far from Chernigov. It is a camp for orphans and kids that come from troubled homes. We got the chance to go in with a few others from our church and some friends from another church. We went and did a Bible study, songs, games and crafts. Gavin and I got to run the game station. It is awesome being able to take him with me to these type of things now that he is getting older. As you can see we had a lot of fun and the competition was fierce! Oh, and Alex thanks again for the pictures!

Home Again, Home Again

Well, I am back. I got in late Friday night from Budapest. I wanted to update you on what happened, but just haven't had the time. Thank you for your prayers. It is always hard having to be away from my family and it was really hard this time with all of us being sick. Thank God, everyone is starting to feel better. It was a long train trip down to Budapest. It's a 24 hour ride. I was glad to make the trip with my good friend Paul Fournier. He also needed visa's for him and his son. Once in Budapest we managed to make our way over to the Ukrainian Embassy, where they told us that they would not be granting us any visa's. We were told that they no longer give out religious, cultural, or private visa's to Americans with or without an invitation letter. As Americans we can be in Ukraine without a visa for 90 days. After 90 days we must leave and re-enter Ukraine. So, for now our whole family is required to leave Ukraine every 3 months. This news was quite a shock to us because we were told by the same embassy, only a month before, that coming and obtaining a religious visa would be no problem. It was definitely hard to receive this news after being on a hot train for 24 hours, knowing it was going to be just as long of a trip returning home, empty handed. Praise the Lord this only means we need to leave the country every 90 days. It could be a lot worse! It is going to be a hassle, but a very little thing to be able to still serve the Lord in Ukraine. Please be praying that we would be able to buy a car soon. With this new turn of events and others, the need for our family to have a car for ministry and for our sanity is becoming greater and greater.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for us and supporting us. It was great to get your comments and emails of encouragement. We love you and are very thankful for you.

Visa's, Trains, and Sore Throats

Please keep us in your prayers over the next few days. Conor is on his way to Hungary. Him and Paul Fournier are traveling to the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest in order to renew our visa's. The Fournier's are also in need of new visa's so the guys were able to make the trek together on the train. After a twenty-four hour trip, they should arrive in Budapest on Tuesday morning. Pray that they will be able to get to the embassy during those morning hours and begin the process of renewing the visa's. Pray that we, and the Fournier's, will all be granted long-term visa's. We are trying for four or five years. Pray that the paperwork will go through quickly and Conor and Paul will be able to return within the next couple of days. Pray for their journey home, that they will be able to find a train or bus back to Kiev as soon as possible. Please pray for healing for our family. We are all sick with head colds. Conor left here this morning with little sleep, a sore throat and a cough. The kids and I are all home with the same symptoms. We are so thankful for all of you. We know that God is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine!

How Great

How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! -Daniel 4:3b

.