Road trip...again

We had an interesting trip yesterday. We got up at 3:30am and left around 4:30am.Partly because we wanted to see Grammy more, and to make it to Front Royal in timefor a dinner with a bunch of relatives that we don't get to see very often.

After about 10 hours of driving time, while I was driving, I stepped on the gas and it seemed like nothing was happening, the car was still running, but I was justslowing down. So I pulled over to the side of the road, and the car died...nothing...I tried starting it again, and still nothing. So here we are, 2 hours away from our destination, and the van just dies. It was acting like we ran out of gas, and we had just filled up. We got a visit from a police, and then some guy stopped to make sure we had a phone to call someone. Dad checked as many things as he could with what we had in the car and then we got in touch with Grammy and asked her about coming and picking us up...that would mean we would be out there for 2 hours waiting. The car insurance paid for a tow, but only one person could ride in the tow truck. But here is the nice part about it....God was really looking out for us... When saying the name of the town we just passed, Grammy said "Roy, I think your cousins live out there! Let me call and see if they can pick you up." On that day they were only behind us about an exit or 2 shopping. And when Grammy called they were about 2 minuets away from us! They pulled up behind us, took Mom, Hannah, Lydia and I to their house while Dad stayed and waited for the tow truck. Then Dad called and our only car mechanic relative gave directions to the towing service to take our van to the mechanic place he works at, and he put in a new alternator in record time that they happened to have on hand...and we were ready to go off again!

While Dad was with the van, we were at their house... the girls were having a wonderful time with the 4 cats, 3 dogs, and 4 horses. Hannah helped muck out the stalls, and Lydia ran around out side with the cats and dogs. God really provided.

Reunion

We just got back from MN yesterday. Rachel and Stephen hosted us as well as Ben and Joe, Jess, and their kids. We had a wonderful family reunion! God really blessed the time we spent together. Part of the reason we were getting together was because of the Taiwan trip coming up for Dad, Mom, Hannah, Lydia and I. We won't get to see them for about a year.

Today I mudded the basement bathroom, and ran some errands with Lydia. It is so nice to have a 4 year old running around the house. She helps me to "stop and smell the roses", or at least stop and watch her ride the plastic horse at Meijers. We leave tomorrow for Front Royal, VA. Dark and early. Here is a link to some of the pictures from our MN Family reunion.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3886&l=32ce7&id=504907608

Discovery

We took my cousins to the Children's Discovery Museum yesterday here in Normal. It was a really cool place! If I was their age, I would be running all over the place and would never want to leave. Three floors of creative fun! We went in the morning, and then after lunch and nap time, I took 3 of my cousins with Hannah back, until it closed at 5. Amelia, after getting ready for bed one night, had this slightly mischievous look on her face and whispered to me "I have a REALLY good idea!" I asked her "what is that?" She said "tomorrow, when I brush my teeth, and put the tooth paste on my toothbrush, I am going to brush my lips!" I thought that this was funny, and I asked her "well,why are you going to do that?" And she said "I never thought of it before!"

Laura, Luke and Hannah making things with Perlor Beads

Here a cousin there a cousin...

My Uncle Michael and Aunt Christie are in Guatemala on a missions trip for about 8 days. So we are watching their kids as they serve. Having 6 of my cousins in our house has been quite different. But good! Now we know more of what it is like to have 8 kids in the house. Though I guess technicly it is 9, including me. But there is something about being 25 that puts you in a different category than "kid", even though I am still living at home. This morning we are all doing chores, cleaning bathrooms, washing windows, and doing odds and ends that have to get done before our family leaves for Taiwan in August.

Amelia with our huge flowers! And she really wanted a picture with them.

Isaac mowing our lawn, he has been such a great help!

My Refuge and Strength

Dad gave the call to worship today, Ps 18:2-3a in Chinese and English. Pastor Duane Otto preached today at Christ Church. Here are some of the notes I took today on the sermon. A lot is my interpretation of what he said."My Refuge and Strength" Ps. 3 When hard times come, it reminds us of who's we are, because it is in those times that we seek refuge in the "lap" of our Lord.God is a shield about me, He watches over me, and anything that happens to me is from His hand, even the bad. We tend to put up our own "safety net", and not put our full confidence in Him. Romans 8:28A good indication of the trust you have in God is, do you worry ? Do you fear? vs. 5-6Peace comes from God. Remember who you are in Christ. John 14:27; Eph. 2:14 Sunday School - Strategize and "plan" less - Pray moreEven Jesus (fully God, and fully man) prayed. He even asked that "this cup pass", displaying a reliance on the Father. Pray alone or with others. Remember we are not a "lone wolf". We are part of the body of Christ and need to help "bear each others burdens".Pray the Psalms, there are Psalms that apply to different situations. Example: David repenting of Adultery Ps. 51

Fortune Cookie

Have you ever gone to a Chinese Restaurant and picked up a fortune cookie? I have thought it strange that they have them in the Chinese restaurants here in the States, but not in China. The whole time I lived there I did not see one. I guess it is an American tradition really. Anyway... I find it interesting to read what they say, and I wonder who gets the job to come up with these "sayings". Sometimes they are scary (trust me), funny, and thought provoking. I don't believe in "fortunes" but I do believe in God. And wonder sometimes what God does with fortune cookies. He uses us and our weaknesses, he uses the wrong things that we do... does he use fortune cookies?

So, what do you think of this one, My Uncle got this after we all ate at the Hot Wok.

"Women are mothers at heart, men are bachelors at heart."

Do you think this is somewhat accurate?
I know this is a far fetched really weird post, but I was trying to find something to post, and this came to mind.

Weeds!

The weed guy came over to our house and saw me outside. He asked, "What are you going to do about your weeds?" I told him maybe he should ask my parents....so I go to get them. "Mom and Dad, there is this guy outside asking what we are going to do about our weeds, and he wants to talk to one of you. Dad: "we want to keep them." Mom: "he said that about my three dandelions?! I'll go talk to him." The result....Hannah gets paid to dig up the three dandelions (OK, OK, it was 57).

Taiwan?

It looks more and more like I will be going to Taiwan with my family. We don't know for sure yet. But what we do know is that the Lord wants us to be willing and ready to go.
The plan is for us to be in Taiwan for the school year to teach at an "English Village" that will be set up for around 20 teachers. My parents would be part of the leadership of the team. We will be teaching many different parts of our western culture in our village...not sure what those are yet, but it should be interesting. Young Taiwanese students will come through and visit these different classes. At least this is my understanding so far.
The Company that would be sponsoring us and the other teachers know that we are a Christian organization, and seem willing to let us use the class rooms that they provide for other christian meetings. This will be a good opportunity for us to get to know and share the love of God with the Taiwanese people that we are around.

It will be neat to go to Taiwan again...English Camp Teachers - February 03 at Sun Moon Lake

What?

Praise the Lord, we are homeless no more! I never thought that I would be considered normal, I have always been out-side of Normal. But now that we have a house in Normal, I guess that means I'm normal? But if most people are living out-side of Normal, like I was, and there are only a few people in Normal, does that mean that those in Normal are normal? Or do we just think that we are normal? Do normal people move to Normal because they think that is where they belong? Or do un-normal people move there because they want people to think they are normal, and hope that when you live in Normal that you will become normal, or at least that people will think you are normal?

Home is where the family is

After 6 months of living out of suit cases, at various family and friends houses, my family is still wondering what God has for us on a more long term basis. Do we go out on missions for awhile? Do we settle down, buy a house with a white picket fence, and get a nice job here in the states? Please pray for us.
I took a train and saw my family this weekend. Some really good news! My little sister prayed to receive Christ as her savior! Some other news, Ben is off to MT, he will be taking a Gray Hound bus to see J&J. Not sure how long he will be gone. I guess only God knows what he has for him in this timeThe snow around here has been amazing! So deep, and powdery, for the longest time. It is only now starting to be really good snowball snow. This Hawaii girl is not so sure what to think of the below zero weather we have had recently, but I think I am getting used to it.