Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

Growing Up

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

IMG_0970October and November are special months in our family as our little ones turn one year older.

Andrew, now a big 3 boy, is indeed, all boy. He loves climbing, digging in dirt, riding his bike, racing cars, hanging out with his daddy and singing at the top of his lungs. Just tonight, as Bryan was reading a book aboutIMG_0872 Piglet being scared of the dark, they began discussing the fact that Andrew did not need to be scared because Jesus was always with him. This prompted Andrew’s little mind and he burst out singing Steve Green’s “When I am afraid I will trust in You…”  Precious! He indeed is our special Drew boy and we often tell him that we will put a brick on his head because he is growing up too fast. Learning more Indonesian every day, we continue to pray that he will live up to his name and bring others to Jesus! 

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Mikayla celebrated her 1st birthday November 12th. In many ways, it was bittersweet knowing that our family back home has yet to meet this Princess, yet she has indeed lived up to her name as a GIFT from God with her contagious smile and body laugh! November 17th saw her take her FIRST steps and yet for the most part, she remains content crawling or riding in the wagon. She jabbers non-stop and loves dancing to music. Pulling on the dog’s tail, playing in the water with her brother, talking on her phone and EATING are a few other favorites.  She is a blessing to our family and we pray her life will be a blessing to many others as well!  IMG_1173

Fasting, Friends and Flights

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

This past month has beeen a FULL one filled with special memories, cultural opportunities and LOTS of activities!

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Our neighbor's family - Putri is the oldest of 6

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Preparing baked goods for our neighbors

FOR ONE, this past month has been the month of fasting (Ramadan) for the predominant religion. They awake at 0400 to eat and pray before their long day of fasting. Not even allowed to drink or swallow their own spit, their fast is broken at 1800 with large meals and loud celebrating. As the only Christians in our neighborhood, we were very aware of these happenings.

IMG_0236Yet this past week just ended the fasting month and people broke their fasting with large parties. An important part of this was our cultural obligation to visit each of our neighbors. It was a real blessing to interact with our neighbors and friends- giving them their gifts and deeping our relationship with them. Now we just continue to pray that their month long search for religious fulfillment will instead become a search for a relationship with the ONE TRUE GOD!
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Anna and Chicken Feet

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Yes, that is a whole fried fish, Brian

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Decorating Kayla's room

Another highlight this month was having our friends – Brian and Anna – visit. We enjoyed showing them around and letting them experience the unique Indonesian cusine. We also appreciated all their help with painting (Anna, honestly, the kids rooms would never have been decorated without you!) hanging shelves, watching the kids so we could actually go on a date and just giving us a break for the daily grind.  They were real troopers as they endured all the stares while visiting our neighbors, butchered some chickens for Melissa and helped with the monotonous task of sorting thousands of parts with Bryan at the hanger. We all had a blast and were sad to see them go!

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Heli returning to the hanger after a long week of flying

LASTLY, this month has been and continues to be filled with flights. Beginning with a medical evacuation (check out the related story!!!) and flying in a volunteer carpenter into the tribe to repair a church planter’s house, it continued with flights for a week long tribal Bible Conference and taking various translators and church planters interior to evaluate the tribal churches which were planted several years ago. Hoping to reopen and continue these works, as well as open new ones, leadership is using these evaluation flights to determine the next steps. It has been exciting getting to support these activities. Please continue to pray for safety and wisdom as decisions are being made and lots of flying is being done!

For more pictures of this past month, click here!

Her First Word

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
img_1768Our little princess is growing so fast. Now weighing in at 22lbs, crawling all over the place, enjoying lots of yummy foods and pulling herself up, we never cease to be amazed at our precious bundle of smiles.
Last week, we were plesantly surprised to hear Kayla utter her first word. (more…)

Our Family is Growing!!!

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Kakak (Detin) with the Kids

No, we are not expecting again, but we do have a new addition.

Let us introduce: Detin (or fondly called “Kakak” by Andrew meaning “older sibling”).

Originally from the Wana tribe, she was first exposed to missionaries when she was 12 years. Now 23, she has seriously been contemplating becoming a missionary herself and going through the missionary training here in Indonesia for nationals.
She moved from her tribal home to our home town 2 years ago and now into one of our spare bedrooms upstairs. She has worked in several occupations with missionary family’s throughout the years and since she needs a place to live for the time being as she waits on the Lord’s leading and confirmation, she helps around the house, helps Melissa learn more about Indonesian cooking and enjoys hanging out with our family. (more…)

Always Watching

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

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Little Puput - her name means Princess

My life as a missionary mom is much like any mother. I still have to change diapers, wake up with crying kids in the middle of the night, enjoy playing in the sandbox with my little boy and get excited about every new food Kayla eats. The only difference is that I am watched not just by my kids, but by everyone, wherever we go. We are orang Barat — white skinned people — and that makes us stand out. (more…)

One Amazing Guy

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Daddy`s Study Glasses and lots of laughs with his little boy helped him survive langage school.

I just wanted everyone to know that my husband is one amazing guy. He has always been capable with his hands – indeed, I don’t think there is anything he can’t repair, install or build – but he always second guessed himself in regards to learning a language. Yes, language school was a challenge, but it provided him (us) with a good foundation and many opportunities to lean on the Lord’s strength and not our own. And since moving to Central Sulawesi and working daily with our national coworker, Bryan’s language has grown by leaps and bounds. Sure, we both still have lots to learn, but I am so proud of Bryan and thank the Lord for my wonderful, handy man, now billingual husband!

Kid’s Korner

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Andrew, now 2 ½ years, loves having LOTS of neighbor kids to play with and is picking up new words daily. How is it that “NO” is a first word learned in any language? He graciously shares his bike with several neighbor kids and spends hours every day looking at pictures in books or reading with mom or dad. He loves to take things apart (just like his daddy) and is mommy\’s big helper in the kitchen and with his little sister. He has the ability to make her laugh when no one else can!

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Mikayla (usually called “Kayla) is growing by leaps and bounds. With four teeth, she has begun to experiment with carrots, potatoes, green beans, bananas and pears. She loves juice like her brother and can already hold her cup by herself. Now 7 months old, she is crawling on her own and has begun pulling herself up. Kayla is the talk of our neighborhood and adored by all.

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Click HERE for more pictures of the kids!