FOREIGN STUDENT

Well, it is official. We are getting a foreign exchange student in August. His name is Bank. Well, that's not his real name, just a nickname. He is from Bangkok, Thailand. He will be here in August. I am super excited. I think this is going to be a great opportunity for us, our families, and the kids at church! Please be in prayer for him and his family as he is going to be away from his home and all that he has known for 10 months! Also, be in prayer for us. The national religion in Thailand is Buddhism. Pray that God guides our words and our lifestyle in a way that will show Bank the love of Christ.

Adventures in Babysitting

We've had the joy this week to babysit again, and thankfully there haven't been any snake sightings! We've had a great time with the baby! She is so sweet! She did get sick on Wednesday, and I had to experience the whole ear infection nightmare. We aren't sure how long she is going to be here, but she has been a blast. I am very proud of myself. I didn't think I could handle the early mornings and late nights, but I have done well. She makes it easy! I have realized that maybe I could do this kid thing! Maybe it wouldn't be so difficult! Maybe God is up to something right now, who knows! : )

Loving Them...

It's been almost 2 years since Robert began working with the youth at our church. Today was one of those L-O-N-G Saturdays. We had an Easter Egg Hunt, then he had a practice for our Easter program, and we had a bon fire tonight for the youth. When we first started with the youth, days like today thrilled my heart. I wanted to be with the kids as much as I could and I wanted to just be apart of everything they did. Well, gradually, life got too busy and what I loved often became what I loved to hate. I'm NOT saying I hated the kids, b/c that would never happen, but I hated the busy life. I forgot why we were in this thing called ministry in the first place. Until today. Yes, we were busy all day. But, I remembered why I loved them so much. They just want somebody to love them. Somebody to spend time with them and just listen to them. I forgot how wonderful it was to just listen to what they had to say and just hang out with them. We have a great group of kids and youth at our church and they have so much potential. I adore them all. God has removed the dread of being too busy and replaced it with the desire to love these kids more. It was like a fresh start. A new day. I am so blessed to be apart of their lives. "Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Foreign Exchange

Last year, Robert and I talked about getting a foreign exchange student. We couldn't agree on the sex of the student, so we just quit the whole idea all together! We ended up having William move in with us in August (if you don't know the story, its a long one). I guess he was God's version of "foreign exchange". Although he was American, he was a complete stranger to us. He lived here until the end of November. Anyway, a week or so ago, a lady came to the church with a flyer advertising foreign exchange students. One of the countries on the flyer was Thailand. Robert was super excited! We talked it over and decided to call the lady for more info. Our thought was that if we are going to adopt from Thailand, why not host a student from there and learn as much as we can about the country. Robert has handled most of the process, which has been very quick and easy. We did decide that we would get a boy and our first choice country was Thailand. Hopefully, we will know more soon as far as when the student will come and the ins and outs of the program! Pray for us! We think hosting a student will be such a great experience for not just our family, but also for the kids at church! And, you never know where you plant the seed and it will grow!!!