i am here in florida. if you need to call me, i am using my dad's cell phone and it has unlimited minutes. 407-744-5988.
you can reach john at 480-345-0459.
we are all doing well.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
I will be taking a blogging break this month. I might check in occasionally, as time allows, but for the most part I will be eating, running, and spending time with friends and family in the good ol' US of A! :)
Merry Christmas to ALL of you! May Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection bring you immense peace, joy, and hope.
Merry Christmas to ALL of you! May Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection bring you immense peace, joy, and hope.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
just short updates
Please pray for Miles. He has a cold and his nose is filled with green mucus. In the morning he can hardly breathe. I know his body will heal itself with all of the breast milk he is getting, but we are flying on Tuesday and I want him to be okay.
Had another, not so great, day of homeschooling. The kids were incredibly wild and hyper. I wonder if they have Christmas fever, too!
John and I both ran the half-marathon. We finished feeling good, healthy and meeting our personal goals. :) I will write a blog about the race very soon! It will surprise you what the race was like.
We are heading to America in 5 days. To say we are excited is an understatement.
My dad and step-mom are flying out to Arizona to meet the kids so that they can see them. They haven't seen 2 of my children in 2 years and the other 2 in a year and a half. My children are bouncing off the walls with anticipation.
Last but not least....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....I hit my pre-pregnancy weight today. Gotta love Weight Watchers (and running 10 billion miles). 10 more lbs. to go to meet my ultimate goal weight and some serious toning and shaping is needed with the Power 90X workouts.
Had another, not so great, day of homeschooling. The kids were incredibly wild and hyper. I wonder if they have Christmas fever, too!
John and I both ran the half-marathon. We finished feeling good, healthy and meeting our personal goals. :) I will write a blog about the race very soon! It will surprise you what the race was like.
We are heading to America in 5 days. To say we are excited is an understatement.
My dad and step-mom are flying out to Arizona to meet the kids so that they can see them. They haven't seen 2 of my children in 2 years and the other 2 in a year and a half. My children are bouncing off the walls with anticipation.
Last but not least....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....I hit my pre-pregnancy weight today. Gotta love Weight Watchers (and running 10 billion miles). 10 more lbs. to go to meet my ultimate goal weight and some serious toning and shaping is needed with the Power 90X workouts.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Our People
Tonight we had our first annual Christmas fiesta with the people from Oasis. All I can say is "WOW!" It was incredible in every way; the food, fellowship, deserts, time of worship, gifts for the kids! I got teary eyed when I looked around at our friends and realized that "these are our people." These are the people that God has called us too. He picked us out of St. Cloud, FL and brought us to these people so that we can love on them, share our lives with them and bring them the Gospel. Tonight was one of the sweetest nights of fellowship I have had in a long time. From my new friend Rosita coming to help serve, to the people whom we were serving, it was all such a blessing to us as well as to them. Many pictures to come!
I have to say that the funniest moment of the night, for me, was when this couple told me that they were so happy that I had "recovered" my pre-pregnancy weight! :) These are the same people who "bluntly" told me I had gotten fat when I was about 6 months pregnant. Gotta love them! And then they told me how much my Spanish had improved. I told them they are absolutely right that I had "recovered" my weight, but absolutely wrong about my Spanish. It has only gotten worse, but they begged to differ. They said it was like a little kid and if you are with them all the time you don't see how much they are growing and changing, but when you aren't around them all the time and then you see them again, you can certainly see the difference! I still think they are completely and totally wrong (not trying to be humble, just truthful), but I am grateful for the compliment. A great night!
I have to say that the funniest moment of the night, for me, was when this couple told me that they were so happy that I had "recovered" my pre-pregnancy weight! :) These are the same people who "bluntly" told me I had gotten fat when I was about 6 months pregnant. Gotta love them! And then they told me how much my Spanish had improved. I told them they are absolutely right that I had "recovered" my weight, but absolutely wrong about my Spanish. It has only gotten worse, but they begged to differ. They said it was like a little kid and if you are with them all the time you don't see how much they are growing and changing, but when you aren't around them all the time and then you see them again, you can certainly see the difference! I still think they are completely and totally wrong (not trying to be humble, just truthful), but I am grateful for the compliment. A great night!
Annual Christmas Card Plea
This is becoming my yearly tradition!!
Please don't forget the Phams when you send out your Christmas cards/pictures. We love to put them on our fridge so we can show you off to our Peruvian friends and also pray for you. This year, I will save you a $1 or $2 and you can send them to:
Jessica Pham
C/O Dean Greer
6495 Apple St.
St. Cloud, FL 34771
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Please don't forget the Phams when you send out your Christmas cards/pictures. We love to put them on our fridge so we can show you off to our Peruvian friends and also pray for you. This year, I will save you a $1 or $2 and you can send them to:
Jessica Pham
C/O Dean Greer
6495 Apple St.
St. Cloud, FL 34771
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Oh Mortal Man
This morning, during my quiet time (should I even call it that? kids are coming in and out while I am nursing a baby and it lasts for like 10 minutes due to constant distractions).... Okay, let me rephrase. This morning when I was briefly reading the word of God, trying to soak up whatever bit of wisdom, guidance or encouragement that I could get in a few short moments before I had 5 kids on top of me, I was reading in Ezekiel.
Basically it was very gloom and doom. The Israelites continued to disobey and worship false gods, etc., etc. God kept speaking (I believe to Ezekiel) and calling him "Mortal man." Of all of the things I probably could've gleaned from these verses, what struck me the most was the phrase "mortal man." I dunno...I guess as a human, although I know this life won't last forever, I almost feel immortal. Not immortal in the sense that I am so powerful and can conquer the galaxies for all eternity, but immortal in that I know "one" day I will die, but it doesn't really feel like that day will truly ever come. It seems so distant and far off and almost like it doesn't exist! Does that make sense?
I was reminded that the only thing that lasts forever is God. He is the only "immortal" being or thing that has ever existed or will ever exist.
So as I started pondering my own "mortality" (Oh, mortal man am I), I started thinking about my own life and what is important to me. So often I get grumpy or irritated or out of sorts (whatever word you want to call it) about different things. I don't like a dirty house. I like to stay on tasks. I like my kids to obey the first time, all the time. I don't like to walk into a bathroom and find poop in the toilet, etc. I often times, let my circumstances, or emotions dictate how I feel, how I treat my family, how I minister, how I live on a day-to-day basis. I think I put "stock" in things that aren't so important (maybe important to this world, but not necessarily to the almighty God), in light of eternity, because they feel important TODAY. I will NEVER get an opportunity to live this life, here on earth again. I only get one chance to do it and do it well. A chance to to it and "love" it well.
I told John that I know for certain when I am dying, I will NEVER look back at my life and say:
"I wish I would've kept my house cleaner."
"I wish I would've done that home schooling curriculum just perfect and would have not deviated from it."
"I wish I would've educated my kids better and sent them to a first class school."
"I wish I would've spoken Spanish better."
"I wish I would've ran more miles."
"I wish I would've......." I could go on and on.
The things I would regret would be:
"I wish I would've been more patient and not stuck to the curriculum."
"I wish I would've just laughed more."
"I wish I would've just hugged my kids all day, everyday instead of demanding so much from them."
"I wish I would've spent more time with my kids."
"I wish I would've loved my husband more."
"I wish I would've called my family every day."
"I wish I would've never raised my voice or shown irritation with anyone in my life."
"I wish I would've forgive more easily."
Again, I could go on and on.
I would not have one regret about stuff, activities, goals, daily duties or work. All my regrets would be about how I lived day in and day out with my family. Did I love them ENOUGH?
I put these thought into actions today by just continually remembering my own mortality and what regrets I don't want to have at the end of this life. I let the dishes sit there ALL day long. I let the floor get super, duper dirty (oh, that is so hard for me), and I certainly didn't stick to some man-made curriculm to dictate my day. But, I had great conversations with my hubby. I loved on a precious baby. I listened to a 9-year-old give an amazing presentation about Julius Cesar. I filled in the mazes that my kids made from scratch. I watched a 6 year old read a book above his ability and I put a weed in my hair just to please a 3 year old (she thought it was a flower). And I was truly filled with an indescribable peace because God kept me focused on what is important; the stuff that won't leave regrets; the stuff that will keep this "mortal man" on the right track to loving and living like the immortal God intended.
Basically it was very gloom and doom. The Israelites continued to disobey and worship false gods, etc., etc. God kept speaking (I believe to Ezekiel) and calling him "Mortal man." Of all of the things I probably could've gleaned from these verses, what struck me the most was the phrase "mortal man." I dunno...I guess as a human, although I know this life won't last forever, I almost feel immortal. Not immortal in the sense that I am so powerful and can conquer the galaxies for all eternity, but immortal in that I know "one" day I will die, but it doesn't really feel like that day will truly ever come. It seems so distant and far off and almost like it doesn't exist! Does that make sense?
I was reminded that the only thing that lasts forever is God. He is the only "immortal" being or thing that has ever existed or will ever exist.
So as I started pondering my own "mortality" (Oh, mortal man am I), I started thinking about my own life and what is important to me. So often I get grumpy or irritated or out of sorts (whatever word you want to call it) about different things. I don't like a dirty house. I like to stay on tasks. I like my kids to obey the first time, all the time. I don't like to walk into a bathroom and find poop in the toilet, etc. I often times, let my circumstances, or emotions dictate how I feel, how I treat my family, how I minister, how I live on a day-to-day basis. I think I put "stock" in things that aren't so important (maybe important to this world, but not necessarily to the almighty God), in light of eternity, because they feel important TODAY. I will NEVER get an opportunity to live this life, here on earth again. I only get one chance to do it and do it well. A chance to to it and "love" it well.
I told John that I know for certain when I am dying, I will NEVER look back at my life and say:
"I wish I would've kept my house cleaner."
"I wish I would've done that home schooling curriculum just perfect and would have not deviated from it."
"I wish I would've educated my kids better and sent them to a first class school."
"I wish I would've spoken Spanish better."
"I wish I would've ran more miles."
"I wish I would've......." I could go on and on.
The things I would regret would be:
"I wish I would've been more patient and not stuck to the curriculum."
"I wish I would've just laughed more."
"I wish I would've just hugged my kids all day, everyday instead of demanding so much from them."
"I wish I would've spent more time with my kids."
"I wish I would've loved my husband more."
"I wish I would've called my family every day."
"I wish I would've never raised my voice or shown irritation with anyone in my life."
"I wish I would've forgive more easily."
Again, I could go on and on.
I would not have one regret about stuff, activities, goals, daily duties or work. All my regrets would be about how I lived day in and day out with my family. Did I love them ENOUGH?
I put these thought into actions today by just continually remembering my own mortality and what regrets I don't want to have at the end of this life. I let the dishes sit there ALL day long. I let the floor get super, duper dirty (oh, that is so hard for me), and I certainly didn't stick to some man-made curriculm to dictate my day. But, I had great conversations with my hubby. I loved on a precious baby. I listened to a 9-year-old give an amazing presentation about Julius Cesar. I filled in the mazes that my kids made from scratch. I watched a 6 year old read a book above his ability and I put a weed in my hair just to please a 3 year old (she thought it was a flower). And I was truly filled with an indescribable peace because God kept me focused on what is important; the stuff that won't leave regrets; the stuff that will keep this "mortal man" on the right track to loving and living like the immortal God intended.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Where are my keys?
Things have been kind of crazy over here the past few days. John has been sick since last Friday and the kids have been on and off sick. Today it was Parker! And yesterday and today I felt ill as well. At least I was functionable today.
Last night, Avery had my keys as I was cooking supper. Around 10:45 p.m. we realized they were lost. We searched for them until almost midnight. Let's review....Avery said she put them up high outside, gave them to me, put them in her room, left them in the grass, gave them to me, and put them in her bike basket - you get the point. We searched and searched and searched. We woke up this morning and started searching again. We even gave a "reward" for whichever kid could find the keys. They hunted as well. Parker made a list of all the places he had checked for the keys. It was really cute. Anyway, we gave up and admitted defeat. I must mention that instead of getting mad, I just prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. I said, "Lord, I know that you know where these keys are. Please show us."
So, we sit down to eat lunch and I move the laptop that has been sitting on a dining room chair, since last night, to a different spot. As I lift up the laptop guess what I find? Yep, MY KEYS!!!! I called John right away laughing. I said, "I guess I win the 5 soles." :) But since I'm so nice, I decided to share my prize money with the three kids that helped look so dilligently. They were all bummed that they weren't the ones to find the keys because they wanted the prize money ALL to themselves.
On another note...(this is for my runner friends who read the blog), tonight I FINALLY broke the 10 minute per mile mark for the first time since I had the baby (yes, I did this sick). I completed 8 miles in a 9:35 overall pace. Yep, 1:16:44! I was even able to pull out an 8:55 mile and an 8:51 the last two miles. I am super, duper happy. The Lima half-marathon is next Tuesday and tonight's run just made me more excited for it.
So I will never, ever brag about the baby sleeping through the night again. The past two nights, he has woken up EVERY 3 hours again. The only thing I can think is that he hasn't had a bowel movement in like 5 days and maybe his belly is hurting. I will never take 6 or 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep for granted again. It has felt like having a newborn all over again. I am just praying, praying, praying that he does better tonight.
Please pray that Parker, John, Jaxson, and I all feel better.
One more thing.....John and I wanted to attend our churches annual Christmas dinner this coming Monday night. Well, it is $5 per plate, per person. And our family is big so that it would cost $30! OUCH! The Pastor's wife called us tonight to talk to us about pricing and what not. We found out that the dinner doesn't start until 9 p.m. Yes, you read that correctly - 9 p.m. WELCOME TO LIMA!! So I guess we won't be attending that one afterall. And now you know why I am not an early riser anymore; nothing starts until at least 11 a.m. around here and things go WAY late into the night. That's great if you don't have little kids! :)
Last night, Avery had my keys as I was cooking supper. Around 10:45 p.m. we realized they were lost. We searched for them until almost midnight. Let's review....Avery said she put them up high outside, gave them to me, put them in her room, left them in the grass, gave them to me, and put them in her bike basket - you get the point. We searched and searched and searched. We woke up this morning and started searching again. We even gave a "reward" for whichever kid could find the keys. They hunted as well. Parker made a list of all the places he had checked for the keys. It was really cute. Anyway, we gave up and admitted defeat. I must mention that instead of getting mad, I just prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. I said, "Lord, I know that you know where these keys are. Please show us."
So, we sit down to eat lunch and I move the laptop that has been sitting on a dining room chair, since last night, to a different spot. As I lift up the laptop guess what I find? Yep, MY KEYS!!!! I called John right away laughing. I said, "I guess I win the 5 soles." :) But since I'm so nice, I decided to share my prize money with the three kids that helped look so dilligently. They were all bummed that they weren't the ones to find the keys because they wanted the prize money ALL to themselves.
On another note...(this is for my runner friends who read the blog), tonight I FINALLY broke the 10 minute per mile mark for the first time since I had the baby (yes, I did this sick). I completed 8 miles in a 9:35 overall pace. Yep, 1:16:44! I was even able to pull out an 8:55 mile and an 8:51 the last two miles. I am super, duper happy. The Lima half-marathon is next Tuesday and tonight's run just made me more excited for it.
So I will never, ever brag about the baby sleeping through the night again. The past two nights, he has woken up EVERY 3 hours again. The only thing I can think is that he hasn't had a bowel movement in like 5 days and maybe his belly is hurting. I will never take 6 or 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep for granted again. It has felt like having a newborn all over again. I am just praying, praying, praying that he does better tonight.
Please pray that Parker, John, Jaxson, and I all feel better.
One more thing.....John and I wanted to attend our churches annual Christmas dinner this coming Monday night. Well, it is $5 per plate, per person. And our family is big so that it would cost $30! OUCH! The Pastor's wife called us tonight to talk to us about pricing and what not. We found out that the dinner doesn't start until 9 p.m. Yes, you read that correctly - 9 p.m. WELCOME TO LIMA!! So I guess we won't be attending that one afterall. And now you know why I am not an early riser anymore; nothing starts until at least 11 a.m. around here and things go WAY late into the night. That's great if you don't have little kids! :)
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