Impact-Full

YEA! So happy to say that the weeks of my husbands traveling, that I dreaded months ago, have come to an end!  

Plus, this week I had lunch with a friend returning from the US, and it dawned on me that she is the first friend of the many traveling this summer to return to town.  Definitely makes me feel that we are on the home stretch of summer furlough season here.  As I have learned after 2 summer school breaks living in Chiang Mai is there is a mass exodus in the 1st 2 weeks of June, and then a mass entrance in the end of July and beginning of August.  

Still going strong doing the summer bible study with Good Morning Girls.  If you are looking for a good book to read or looking for a bible study to start in the fall, I would definitely recommend the book we are reading.  It is titled "Anything" by the author Jennie Allen.  God is doing a great work in my heart and stirring up a fire in me this summer. 

I just want to share some highlights from my chapters this week that are challenging and impact-full.

"I don't want to make decisions based on my adequacy and capacity.  I don't want to miss what God has for us because I am afraid.  Just because we are willing didn't mean it was easy.  I still wanted God to be more clear, so we could be more sure." (Chapter 15)

"In parenting...you have two or maybe three babies who turn into toddlers. At some point you either live perpetually anxious or give in and embrace the fact that your life is now completely out of control.  Once you embrace that, parenting shifts from an agenda to an experience." (Chapter 16)

"Our reality is a cross, a heaven, and a God who sees us and gives us his Spirit so we can do something while we are here.  And that's not building a cute, easy life for ourselves where the pros outweigh the cons."  (Chapter 16)

"We doubt because of the risk, the cost, the abandonment of rights and comforts, the disapproval of people you really love, and then on top of it all, because you have now officially picked a fight with the devil.
The devil is real, and nothing ticks him off more than people waking up from the numb stupor he has crafted to keep us harmless."
(Chapter 17)

"To accept that life is supposed to be hard is the beginning of joy.  There is freedom in understanding that heaven is coming and we are not there yet.  We're called to live, instead, aware that we are at war with a ruthless enemy who is trying to destroy us if we are living surrendered to Jesus." (Chapter 17)

"God has bigger purposes in allowing us to suffer, bigger than just winning.  He allows us to suffer because we change through suffering.  We hurt with others better.  We become humble.  We want him more." (Chapter 17)

Even as I read them out of context of the book here, they challenge and inspire me to know God more.  This really is a great book to read, and study scripture along with it.  (She has lots of scripture references that go along the way with the above quotes).  

Today I will end with God's Word:

"Now I am coming to You, 

and I speak these things in the world

so that they may have My joy completed in them.

I have given them Your word.  

The world hated them because they are not of the world, 

as I am not of the world.

I am not praying that You take them out of the world 

but that You protect them from the evil one.  

They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.  

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.  

As You sent Me into the world, 

I also have sent them into the world."

John 17 v.13-18

WE ARE THEM.

This is my blessed & non-traveling life,

Jennifer

Summer Break is Upon Us...AND I'M SO EXCITED!

This time last year I was overcome with anxiety about having my daughter home everyday after being in school full-time for 7 months.  So the title of this post may surprise you that I am actually excited to be looking forward at the next 9 weeks of having 3 very active little girls around me all day.  

As I think about this change, I think there are 2 reasons.  

First, I have come to realize that each summer the girls are at a certain age to enjoy.  There will NEVER be another summer that I will have a 5 year old and two 2 year olds other than this summer.  If I stop all the nonsense that keeps me busy or preoccupied (i.e. TV, games, straightening every item, etc.) I might actually appreciate the fun that being 2 and 5 really is. 

Also, while "blog browsing" I found an online bible study group called "Good Morning Girls" (GMG).  Since signing up for their summer study, they have put together a "For Kids" version study guide using the same scriptures as my study guide.  I have often thought about starting a bible study time with Hope and the twins, but have never put that good intention into action.  Their study guide is great with all kinds of resource links for each scripture, including a craft and songs.  The idea of doing this WITH my girls is so exciting to me!  If you are interested to use their materials this summer click here.

If you are familiar with GMG, please let me know how your experience went in the comments below.  And for others who might be interested, I look forward to sharing my experience in about 8-10 weeks!

About a month ago I started to really stress about the months of June and July because my husband is traveling out of town for weeks at a time.  Let's just be honest, having all three girls at home without him is hard work.  But then I heard myself dreading days, weeks, and months that hadn't even happened yet.  It dawned on me, "how can I enjoy today or the days to come if I am dreading them?"  I can't...but I want to enjoy them...I want to find joy in each day.  

I believe that it is up to me to change my mind from dread to joy.

And just being able to write this blog about my excitement for the summer months to come proves that as we choose what to focus on, God can change my heart for the better.

This is my enjoyable life as a traveling mother!
Jennifer

Draw Near

Those of you reading who know me well, probably know that I usually have A LOT to say ;-)...yes, I am a talker,  Well, all I can say is that at least I'm aware of it...that's the first step right?  That to say I have started Another Blog that I wanted to let you all know about, and I'm super excited to finally officially announce it...

Creating Life From Scratch

It is still somewhat "under construction", as I continue to add pictures from the past year of our family life.  There is a new post about pumpkins that I recommend to read (especially my fellow Americans).

This last week Hope and Sheraz had a week off of school for the semester break and I wanted to share  from a fun filled week together, as spending time as a family has been sparse for us.  We started off the week by driving home from our visit to Chiang Rai over last weekend, which is a town about 3 hours north of Chiang Mai.  We had been invited to visit by some local YWAMers, and it was great for Sheraz and I to feel right at home as a "YWAM couple".

Our 3 little girls are great car travelers, and this has been a huge blessing for us.

Another thing this week brought was that I finally changed the wallpaper on my computer, and for some reason it was this verse

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

~ James 4 v.8  

After looking at this verse for 5 days, Friday God showed me exactly what it means.  The girls and I ended the week by going to a GREAT pool in the area with some of our play group friends.  

After letting the twins swim for a little bit they mostly stayed on the side with me while we watched Hope slide and swim.  As I was standing there and Keziah was standing near my leg, I could feel her closing in on my leg and eventually in a full on hug of my leg.  I thought to myself, "someone around her must be causing some fear or anxiousness in her little heart for her to want to be so close to mommy.  As I looked over, sure enough there was a strange (to her) lady giving her attention and smiling at her.  In that moment it dawned on me the meaning of this verse in James.  

When we have something in our lives that causes us to be anxious, or for us adults we would feel "stress", that is when we often draw near to God by praying or reading scripture.  Let me tell you how much I adored that feeling of Keziah drawing so close to my leg that NOTHING was going to tear her away.  Even though for her it wasn't an actual enemy, for us many times the devil is "playing" with us to cause us stress.  That is the time we are to "Draw near to God" and hold on tight.  

I really love when God gives me such a real life example of His Word, now that verse has so much more meaning for my life.  

This is my life in the traveling motherhood!

Jennifer

Happy 5th Birthday Hope!

My little girl celebrated her 5th birthday today!  Since Hope just started Grade 1, she will be learning to read and about books having a beginning, middle, and end.  So here's how her day went...

Beginning:

We hung balloons as she slept last night (yes, Hope is that little bump at the head of her bed)

Happy Birthday banner.
Amazing what you can do with just a few craft supplies & of course...Cardboard!

Middle:

Cupcakes ready to go to school for the party.
Hope & I have been watching Cupcake Wars and here is the product of our inspiration ;-)

Hope at school doing her work.

She caught a glimpse of mommy, love this picture of her!

Singing Happy Birthday with all her friends.

Blowing the candles!

YEEEAAAAAAA!

Friends. Eli, Hope, and Abella

More birthday friends; Nong Iy, Janina, Square, Mikey, Jhan

More birthday friends; Phena, Phosa, Kate, Eli, Alize, Angelique

The "boys" and Ms Jenny; Jonas, Spencer, and Oscar

Birthday certificate presented to Hope from Miss West!

Ending: 

And her choice for dinner....McDonalds!
A true American 5 year old in Thailand, Ha Ha.

Playing in the play area at the new McDonalds

Birthday chocolate sundae!

And sisters enjoying Hope's birthday
Keziah was actually pushing the stroller with Zarah cracking up sitting inside.
They brought a little joy to the people sitting around us!

The End

& 

Goodnight!

4th of July Kids Carnival

Cannot believe it has taken me over a week to blog about our big Carnival that we hosted on the 4th of July.  After being inspired by Pinterest, I thought it would be fun to do it for Hope and her friends so they could see each other in the summer.  But I didn't get serious until my friend Tammy said she sounded like fun too AND she would help!  So here are the pictures of our good time!

Sign out front, made from paper plates & paint!

Hope excited for the day to start!

Decorations of balloons and fabric banners

Game Signs.

made from cardboard boxes & paint

Fish out of Water

Hit the Target

Karla working her game booth

Spray Away

Spray Away

Clothespin Drop

Ring Toss

Tattoo

Tickets = Prizes!

Prize Table

Twins enjoying the Carnival out on the lawn (Thanks Gook!)

Popcorn!           Popsicle!           Popdog! 

Delivering POP-Dogs  (best way ever to serve hot dogs!)

Wet & Wild

Water Balloon Toss!

Have to say that one of the funnest parts of the day was watching the kids at the 3-legged races!

Congratulations to the winners Kate & Abella!

What a day! 

 Even as exhausted as I was the 2nd half of the day...I would do it again in a heartbeat.  

So much fun for the kids!!

P.S. A BIG THANKS to everyone who helped prepare and during the event.

Summer fun with the kids

Week 1: Zarah's 1st visit to a play area, she loved it!

Week 1: Keziah's 1st slide!  Weeeeeeee!

Week 1: Hope playing on the swings, she loved having her sisters with her!

Week 2: Fruits & Vegetables, this is Hope's craft.

Week 2: Fruits & Vegetables, Tuesday Time to Cook Day!

The was a great snack to have a helper, Hope washed the vege's,
scooped out the bread to make bowls, and put the ranch dip in.  

Also helped put the vege's in the bowl & of course eat them!

(The best part about this kitchen time was that I couldn't get Hope to think about eating celery & peppers.  But...once we made it "fun" she ate them all with joy!)

Week 2: Combined "friend day" & "theater day". Hope & her friend Janina on the way to the movies!

Watching Madagascar 3 in 3D, great movie!

So far so good this summer, it has been fun playing with my daughters!

Will keep you posted as we go...

~ Jennifer