As there seems to be a shifting clog somewhere in the mysterious network of drain lines somewhere in the house- we're unable to take warm showers in the primary bathroom...
Now I don't mind the cold shower all that much and find them quite refreshing, but Lori on the other hand, finds them quite miserable. So this afternoon she relayed how she took care of that problem. No, it wasn't through re-routing of the plumbing, as I would have done, but instead through prayer- something I sadly didn't think of.
Trepid, as she stepped foot into the shower she prayed for a better-than-tepid shower. She turned on the water and it... still felt cold. Saddened for a moment that God didn't answer her prayer, she thought for a moment then prayed again, "God, could you please allow me not to feel cold?" Guess what? Sure as shower, Lori exclaimed that she didn't shiver or shake or feel any discomfort from the "less than modern convenience"! Praise God we can ask Him for His help, even in the small things.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. ~Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Sometimes He doesn't answer our prayers when we want or how we want. But maybe, if we re-consider what we are asking and ask according to His will and His ways, which we can only know by reading His word, He would be happy to oblige!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
An Italian Anniversary Dinner
Thank you to our kind parents who provided a gift enabling us to go out on a nice Italian date!
Our meal was complete with lasagna, pizza margharita, and a toast... with garlic toast!
Our meal was complete with lasagna, pizza margharita, and a toast... with garlic toast!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Two Anniversaries- Marriage & The Blog...
We are having a lovely anniversary... sick with food poisoning from the train ride, homeless, and staying at a hostel with screaming children! Despite those things, we are glad for we have the Lord and each other! He has surely carried us with patience, healing, and excellent housing prospects!
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ~Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ~Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Finally Arrived!
Two flights, a taxi-cab ride (including a mistaken side-trip to the bus station), a 17hr train ride (14hr standard ride + 3hrs for striking an intoxicated pedestrian), and a songtao ride to the church (as we didn't have a home to return), we safely arrived back in Northern Thailand early Friday morning (even with all our luggage)!
Thank you all for covering us with your prayers. Please pray for that man who was hit. The Holy Spirit prompted me to go and help. Thank the Lord, I obeyed. I arrived at the scene just in time to avoid absolute catastrophe from the First Responders about to paralyze the man with their "technique" or rather lack of training.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. ~Psalm 16:11 NLT
Thank you all for covering us with your prayers. Please pray for that man who was hit. The Holy Spirit prompted me to go and help. Thank the Lord, I obeyed. I arrived at the scene just in time to avoid absolute catastrophe from the First Responders about to paralyze the man with their "technique" or rather lack of training.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. ~Psalm 16:11 NLT
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Life is 10% Occurence & 90% Response
We are currently in Taipei, Taiwan at a neat little lounge with internet and showers awaiting our flight back to Thailand! We didn't pack our toiletries or towel in our carry-on, so just dried ourselves off with a t-shirt and hairdryer. =O Thankfully they had complimentary soap!
What an adventure we've already seen!
Anders' Dad & Mom drove us to LAX where we unloaded our luggage three times at three different terminals! We purchased our tickets through Delta, they put us on Air China Airlines, and we finally (third time's a charm) found out we weren't flying on Delta, nor Air China, but China Airlines... goodness.
After saying our tearful good-byes and thinking we were finally on our way...
We spent two and one-half hours at the check in counter trying to understand why our second leg of our journey had been cancelled and we hadn't been re-booked to another flight. China Air rep said "Can't you see I'm very busy? This isn't our problem, please move aside so I may help other passengers check in." Taking a large breath, saying a little prayer, Lori ran over to the Delta Terminal (visiting them for the second time now) and I insisted upon using the agent's phone to call Delta so she could explain it and not back out so easy. Delta blamed China and China blamed Delta and us. China Airlines said we should have called three days ahead of time to check our itinerary. Huh?? Never have done that before.
Thanks be to God, we finally ended up getting on the first leg of our flight, arriving at the boarding gate fifteen minutes prior to departure. (Note: we originally arrived at the airport 3.5hrs ahead of time). They moved our second leg of the flight 12hrs later after much convincing that we deserve a ticket. We later found out that Delta needed a favor and China Air needed a favor and we were in the middle of their "deal".
We were relieved and feeling that we were out of the woods, in comparison to other options (like spending the night at LAX).
Not so much...Upon arriving in Taipei, we learned there were seats available on our originally scheduled flight, but they were in business class and if we wanted to take that flight, we must pay the difference. =(
They also mentioned they couldn't find our luggage, at which point they decided "to fit us in" on our originally scheduled flight, then told us to take up the luggage issue with China Air in Bangkok. Second prayer answered.
We decided to cool down, pray and take showers (hence the t-shirt). After a much needed shower, we were told that our luggage has been located and it would arrive in Bangkok on our originally scheduled flight. Third prayer answered!
Moral of the story? Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it. It looks like God has fun sometimes trying to determine how we will respond to things that seem so disastrous at the moment.
What an adventure we've already seen!
Anders' Dad & Mom drove us to LAX where we unloaded our luggage three times at three different terminals! We purchased our tickets through Delta, they put us on Air China Airlines, and we finally (third time's a charm) found out we weren't flying on Delta, nor Air China, but China Airlines... goodness.
After saying our tearful good-byes and thinking we were finally on our way...
We spent two and one-half hours at the check in counter trying to understand why our second leg of our journey had been cancelled and we hadn't been re-booked to another flight. China Air rep said "Can't you see I'm very busy? This isn't our problem, please move aside so I may help other passengers check in." Taking a large breath, saying a little prayer, Lori ran over to the Delta Terminal (visiting them for the second time now) and I insisted upon using the agent's phone to call Delta so she could explain it and not back out so easy. Delta blamed China and China blamed Delta and us. China Airlines said we should have called three days ahead of time to check our itinerary. Huh?? Never have done that before.
Thanks be to God, we finally ended up getting on the first leg of our flight, arriving at the boarding gate fifteen minutes prior to departure. (Note: we originally arrived at the airport 3.5hrs ahead of time). They moved our second leg of the flight 12hrs later after much convincing that we deserve a ticket. We later found out that Delta needed a favor and China Air needed a favor and we were in the middle of their "deal".
We were relieved and feeling that we were out of the woods, in comparison to other options (like spending the night at LAX).
Not so much...Upon arriving in Taipei, we learned there were seats available on our originally scheduled flight, but they were in business class and if we wanted to take that flight, we must pay the difference. =(
They also mentioned they couldn't find our luggage, at which point they decided "to fit us in" on our originally scheduled flight, then told us to take up the luggage issue with China Air in Bangkok. Second prayer answered.
We decided to cool down, pray and take showers (hence the t-shirt). After a much needed shower, we were told that our luggage has been located and it would arrive in Bangkok on our originally scheduled flight. Third prayer answered!
Moral of the story? Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it. It looks like God has fun sometimes trying to determine how we will respond to things that seem so disastrous at the moment.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Back in Cali… Temporarily that is!
We’d love to see anyone who is available while we’re back this summer, as we probably won't be returning for a couple years. We’ll be between California & Minnesota until August 12th, so please, let us know if you’re around so we can get together!
We're having a little potluck this Saturday July 11th @ 4:30 @ The Ranch. If you're interested in seeing us and hearing more about what Lori & I have been up to, come & bring a dish to share. We'd love to see you! Again, pass this along to anyone who's interested. Please email RSVP.
Also, we'd be happy to speak to your church or small group, if you'd like to hear encouraging stories.
Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. ~Mark 1:17-18
We're having a little potluck this Saturday July 11th @ 4:30 @ The Ranch. If you're interested in seeing us and hearing more about what Lori & I have been up to, come & bring a dish to share. We'd love to see you! Again, pass this along to anyone who's interested. Please email RSVP.
Also, we'd be happy to speak to your church or small group, if you'd like to hear encouraging stories.
Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. ~Mark 1:17-18
Monday, June 29, 2009
Newsletter- Did you get it?
We recently sent out our latest newsletter, outlining everything we’ve been up to recently and some upcoming projects. If you did not receive this newsletter and would like to be added to our email list, please email us and let us know. Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement!
Also, check out our new logo at top! Our contact info will always be listed there.
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
~ Romans 12:12, NLT
Also, check out our new logo at top! Our contact info will always be listed there.
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
~ Romans 12:12, NLT
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