Pictures

The Yummy Banana Pudding I made a few weeks ago!

Our Trip to the zoo! And a stop downtown on the way!

Going on a Mission's Trip

We are real-life missionaries going on a mission's trip. In July, a team will be coming from Virginia to an area in Costa Rica about 3 hours from here. They will be here for 9 days and have offered to cover our expenses for this trip. I belive there are 2 or 3 other language students (IMB) going as well. Neither John nor I feel like we can miss school or leave the kids for 9 days, so we are splitting the trip in half (hopefully). If not, then just I will be going for 5 days. Anyway, we will be working with the team doing VBS activities and ministry with children and we will be the translators from English to Spanish. Can you believe it? I'M NOT KIDDING! US translating - who would've thought. Thank God it will be simple messages for children. :) The trip will be in July - right around our one year anniversary here. We are both super excited about this opportunity; to get to know the team coming here; to translate; to share God's word; to plant seeds; and of course, lots of Spanish practice.

30 Day Challenge

I was challenged this weekend to read Phillipians for 30 days in a row. Yes, the entire book each day. Today was my first day and I read it out loud for special effect. I don't think I have read it all in one sitting before. Very powerful stuff! Changed my perspective all day and I am looking forward to the next 29 days. SOOOOO.....will you join me? I am challenging you to spend the next 30 days with me. Are you up for it? You'll be blessed and we can share stories of what God has taught us.

Restoration House

Great news! It's a super long story, but we have had a subsitute language teacher and she pretty much beat us down today and told us how much better her class is than ours and how we are at a lower level. Nice huh! That's not the good news. Anyway, I felt very deflated after this and then had to head on out to lead a Bible study in a foreign tongue that I stink at apparently. Anyway, I left my hand-written Bible study (in Spanish) in the house. So when I got there I realize all I had was myself and my Bible. My national friend said, "How are you going to teach the study? And I said, with God's help!" Anyway, I went on to teach the story of the woman who annointed Jesus' feet with oil! The entire study was PRECIOUS! God gave me the words to say and to teach and I did much more teaching b/c I had fewer questions for them. So the problem of not understanding them was pretty much solved. They did ask some questions, which I understood, and we had to read the verses 3-4 times so that they would understand them. They didn't even know what a Pharisee is and they had never heard this story before. So see....there are people in the world who definitely don't know God's word.

Anyway, to cut the story short and get to the point, I was able to lead a 22 year old to the feet of Jesus today. She prayed to receive Christ as the Lord and Savior of her life and she was very eager to become a Christian. Her name is Gabbie and she needs A LOT of prayer has she is trying to overcome her addictions. She has only been in the house 3 days and she ran away yesterday and came back today, so she is in a very vulnerable place. She has two small children (5 and 2) and her boyfriend is in the restoration house for men and he is not the father of her babies. Please pray that her seed will fall on fertile soil.

I wanted to quit before the study today. I seriously just didn't want to go to the house of restoration anymore. And God said, "You want to quit? You want to walk away from this ministery I have called you to because it's not easy and comfortable. You can't quit. This is your calling. This is your life! This isn't just a "hobby" that you do when you feel like it." WOW!!!!! I was soooo convicted and I went out and got on my face and just asked the Lord to change my attitude, to change me and to just have his way!!!! AND HE DID!!! All praise to HIM!!!!

Please pray for Gabbie! I will see her next week. When she prayed to received Christ it was truly beautiful. She said she had never prayed out loud before, but she could've fooled me. She gave Him her heart!

So.......I'm just going to ignore those comments from that language teacher. I might be waaaaaaaaaaaaaay below where she thinks I should be, but God is delighted to use my language to teach His word and lead people to His feet!!!!!!

The Church of Oprah

This video was sent to us and really opened our eyes to what we already believed to be true - but here is the actual proof. If you needed a reason to stop watching Oprah, here it is! Please forward this link to as many people as possible so that they can know the truth of what she believes and what she is spreading in this world!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA

Life

John and I have our Language Evaluations with the IMB next week - me on Tuesdday and John on Thursday. Please pray we will accuratley represent what we have learned and that nerves won't get the better of us. It is difficult to speak when you know every word you are saying is for a final "grade" or evaluation.

John preached today - he did WONDERFUL! He was soooo funny and very deep as well! Did I mention he looked gorgeous up there? He truly did. I was so proud to be the chapel speaker's wife. At least 10 people came up to ME to tell me how great he did. I'm so proud!!!!!

I am in a homesick funk! I am dreaming about home, thinking about home and missing it terribly. Although I'm not crying about it, my heart is down and longs to have some parts of my old life back. I thought I was past this, but I'm sure it's going to creep up time and time again, but maybe a little less strong each time. I miss my family, my church, my friends (Deidre,Steff, Kitty, Kathryn, Heidi, Zoey, Heather, Jenn, Helen, etc...), running club, my van and as always Target! I noticed that I tend to blog more when I am missing home. :)

STRESS

Okay, so I went to the ENT today for some nose and ear problems and allergies. No big deal, but just wanted to breathe a little better. Of course I have a deviated Septum and sinus inflammation that's pushing against my eustation tubes (spelling) and lots of allergies. Going to start on some sinus spray and other stuff. No biggie - so I think. But then the ENT notices some spots on my arms and says I either have fungus or allergies ( I think it's allergies). And then she tells me that the inside of my throat is stained white and she is concerned. Why would you be concerned about this? Well, she said that stomache acid, when one is under stress, will reflux up and stain the tongue white. The kind of white you can't brush off. And my tongue is SUPER white. HMMMMMM! Could I have stress in my life. Well, remember the chest pains I complained about a few weeks ago...well now I have my answer - reflux from stress. So, she wants me to have a GI scope. Then, she said I HAVE to see a urologist for some other issues (I have a bladder disease) and a kidney stone follow-up (I had 6 stones last year that I haven't followed up on. Okay, can you believe I'm only 32? Anyway, this is what stress will do to your body - send it crazy. And the ENT said I have GOT to get my body back in symmetry b/c one problem causes another. Bladder inflammation causes allergie problems and inflammation in other parts of the body. Blah, blah, blah!!! And I need to alleviate stress. I said that I would have to quit language school for that to happen! :) She was a a VERY thorough and nice doctor and I seriously only went for a stuffy nose. I left a little overwhelmed and of course stressed. I don't have time for appointments and stuff. Seriously don't have time! So I made dermatologist appt. for me and Jaxson in MAY (he needs to go anyway). So look in the back of your mouth and see if it stained white. If it doesn't brush off then you'll know why!!!! STESSS!!!!!

But the truth is that this semester I have felt life is very balanced and going well. I have felt much calmer and more even keel. And I've only cried 4 times in 4 months instead of 18 times a month. So, all that said, God has really brought my stress level down and helped me to balance it more.

John's prayer request

Tomorrow I will be the chapel speaker’s wife! John is going to preach for his very first time at chapel tomorrow at school. So get this – he is nervous out of his mind and he asked me to ask for your prayers. He is really coveting them. He has preached in Spanish several times and wasn’t even nervous at all and didn’t prepare half as much as he has for this. He is nervous because the room will be filled with Pastors and theologians and his missionary peers who know the Bible inside and out. He said he has never felt this intimidated or nervous about preaching before. And I understand why! Although, I believe he is actually quite good and I know he will do amazing, he is still asking you to pray for him. 10:45 a.m. tomorrow morning is the time!!!

A letter from daddy....

We received this letter from daddy yesterday. He is coming home tonight around 5 or 6 p.m. Today is his birthday so it's a bummer he has to be alone on a bus all day.

Anyway, thought you might enjoy his observations. Some exerts:

"Hope all is going well. How did you sleep. It took me forever to fall asleep. But I got up, hung around the room and watched an 80`s movie with John Cusack. Pretty old school, but it passed the time. I am bored out of my mind. I wish you were here with me. I just had some lunch. Food is so cheap here. I can get a full combo meal for $3 or less. So yesterday, I spent $1.75 on lunch and only $2.75 for dinner. I just splurged and spent $3.35 for lunch.

There are some really funny observations that I have made here. Taxis are yellow here, not red. Even though it is 20 degrees hotter here than San Jose, people still wear pants. I passed a really big beauty salon called "Illusions." Pretty appropriate. The funniest thing is that even though there is a person already riding in a taxi, the driver will stop and pick up other passengers. So you can be sitting in a taxi by yourself, and the driver will pull over and pick up a stranger to sit next to you. I don´t know if the taxis have two meters, but I have no idea how they work out the fare. I was sitting outside eating just now and within 10 minutes, I saw this happen twice. The first time, there was a lady already in the taxi, and two other ladies haled the cab down, and the two ladies squeezed in the back seat with the lady already in the taxi. I felt so bad for that lady. They practically squeezed her out of the other window.

So those are just a couple of things different here than C.R. Oh yeah, they called pieces of fried chicken¨"presas" instead of "piezas" like in C.R. At least that is important in my world.

I found this internet cafe that only charges 75 cents for an hour, instead of a dollar for 45 minutes at the hotel. There´s like 36 computer stations here.

I am going to find the bus stop that will take me back to the border after this. But I´m not looking forward to getting out there in the heat. Because, yes, I am wearing jeans to blend in. On that note. It is amazing what putting me in another country does for my language confidence. It kills it. I totally have not wanted to talk to anybody. I am not as confident in my spanish when I get pulled out of my comfortable little community of teachers and language partners."

Daddy is gone.........and......

When daddy is away...the family will play.

John has set sail via bus for Panama to renew his tourist visa. He will resume relations with his family on Sunday. :) We will surely miss him, but we are going to PARTY!!!!!! He was the only one in the family not granted a student visa here in C.R. b/c of some problems with his Vietnamese birth certificate. Long story!

Bible study today at the house of restoration = MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!! WAY BETTER!!!!!!!!!!

After the study, one woman pulled me aside to share some problems she is having with her daughter who won't forgive her. Boy, have I been on the other side of that coin (the one who won't forgive). She is going to try to get her daughter to come next week so that we can talk. It's neat to see how God uses every experience from our past (good or bad) for His purposes. I was able to prayer fervently for this woman. She loves the way English sounds, so she allowed me to prayer for her in English.

My friend Pam and I discipled Blanca last night and we are trying to teach her about prayer and reading the Bible! So far, so good! Please keep praying for her.

On another note, Jaxson's language is adorable: Yesterday he said, "People shouldn't glitter."

Translation: People should not litter!

Today he said, "I like helltells."

Translation: I like hotels!

Tonight he said: "I'm thirty!"

Translation: I'm thirsty

AND PTL!!!!!! I met a woman here with similar child-rearing and child-having beliefs and we have bonded from the moment that we met. Her name is Jessica, and she is pregnant with her third kid and she is going to have as many kids as the Lord will give her, she's a homeschooling mom like myself, a missionary and our personalities are very similar. She laughs at my stories and I laugh at hers. We can talk non-stop for hours like old friends. We have so much in common and we share so many of the same beliefs and values about families and parenting. I just praise the Lord for bringing her into my life (although she will quickly exit in August) because we can swap parenting ideas and share our visions for our families! And now we have EACH OTHER and our 7 kids! :)

A leaky roof and God's protection.....

It started raining heavily a week ago. On that day our roof started leaking quite a bit. The rain stopped! The leak stopped! It rained again and we had more of a leaky roof. Kind of strange to us since it rained for like 8 months straight and it had never leaked. Did I mention this is in our bedroom at the foot of our bed? The repairman came to check it out today. And he found the problem!

A bullet and a bullet hole. Yes, you read that right! A BULLLET!!!!!

People shoot there guns in the air here for fun and for special effects during holidays. Well, the bullet has to land somewhere. It went through our roof, but stopped between the roof and the inside ceiling. I am dumbstruck and in awe and also thankful that we were protected at the same time. I won't even go into all the possible "bad" scenarios that could've played out, but didn't.

Seriously, I can't believe the cause of the leak was from a bullet. This is why we need continual prayers. :)

Happy Easter from the Phams

We made you a cute little Easter Video, but the file was too big for You Tube! Bummer! So we took these pictures instead - notice that Jaxson is in His Pajamas. We truly enjoyed celebrating this day of our risen Savior and we hope His death and life bring you purpose, joy and intimacy with God that can only come through Jesus!

They were all so cute - who can choose just one? Notice how much lighter Avery's hair is then the other children. Who knows, maybe our next kid will be a blondie!

Homegoing of one of God's precious Little Ones - Haillie Caples - 21 months

This is an Update from Yesterday's prayer request - please read it first!!!!!! This update was written by my good friend Janey Neibor! It is with intense sadness and tears for the family that I post this blog!

“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.” John 11:25

Dear Praying Friends of St. Cloud :

This Easter morning almost all of you heard sermons on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, one of the promises of Christ’s resurrection is the reality of eternal life because of Jesus' death for our sins, and His resurrection. Jesus Christ has changed the meaning of death for those who believe in Him! Physical death is but a transition from life on earth with Christ, to live in heaven with Christ. To be with Christ is far better. (Philippians 1:23) With Christ’s resurrection death is conquered (I Corinthians 15:54).

Sadly, early this morning, 21-month old Haillie Caples passed away. Yesterday, you were asked to pray when it was reported that she fell when she climbed over the rail of her crib yesterday, landed on her head and went into a coma and had emergency brain surgery. She was at her father’s home. Few of us can even imagine the deep pain associated with the loss of a child, especially one so young.

Although Christ has given us victory over death, it is still very sad to say goodbye to loved ones, especially at such a young and tender age. There are changes and adjustments in many lives that will be made. Many questions will have to be dealt with and it will be a great time of sorrow for those who loved Haillie and who remains on this earth. As Christians, we have a great opportunity to comfort those that are grieving. (I Thessalonians 4:18) Right now, there are many people grieving. Please pray for her mom Hettie (single mother), her two brothers Edward and Austin (8 and 6), and grandparents Carl and Sue Padgett and Mary Padgett (Hettie’s mom), aunts Dorthea and Carla. Carla and her husband are both serving with the Army in Germany . Pray for Haillie’s father and girlfriend. Hettie attends First Baptist St. Cloud and some of the family attends Hickory Tree Community Church. Pray for their church family to have wisdom on how to help them during this time of great need.

Pray for all the logistics and the financial concerns with the burial of little Haillie. The family is in a period of shock and it is difficult to make these kinds of decisions.

Pray for friends to help them through this process and for good decisions to be made.

Pray for the family as they go through gamut of emotions involved with Haillie’s death: the shock, the weeping, loneliness and depression, possible guilt feelings, perhaps anger and hostility and maybe listlessness.

Pray for friends to help them process the loss they are experiencing and to comfort them during this sad time.

Pray for godly friends to step in to help the kid’s process what has happened and for an advocate to be with them during this time of turmoil. Their world has turned upside down and is very confusing right now.

Pray for them to realize God’s comfort in the loss of their sister.

Pray for godly friends to help support Hettie during this time too, as there is a special bond between a mother and her child.

Pray for a gradual return to hope and focus on Christ and realize that God will help them through these periods of grieving.

Pray for the salvation of many members of this family, and for them to realize God’s great love and forgiveness. Ask God to work this tragedy out to do great things for each surviving member of this family so that He will be glorified

YOUR PRAYERS ARE NEEDED - URGENT

I can't go into all the awful details on my blog, but please pray for baby Haillie Caples in St. Cloud, Florida from my home church. I was pregnant with her mother, Hettie, when I was carrying Avery. She had Hailie 4 months after Avery was born and now she is almost 2. Anyway, the baby was with her father and his girlfriend last night and they said she fell out of the crib. She was rushed to Arnold Palmer and had major brain surgery within hours of arriving. She had major Brain trauma (with no cracked skull) and one side of her brain I think collapsed or was on top of the other side. There are so many details about this situation that I can't publish, but please be praying for the mom and for justice and for peace for the mother. The mother got a call as soon as she returned home from the hospital to go back up to the hospital b/c the baby has no brain function and they have to say good-bye to her. She, obviously, is hysterical and really needs every single prayer she can be offered. Due to crazy circumstances, all of which she is innocent in, she has not been able to see the baby since October until today. Please pray for Hailie (the baby), Hattie (the mom), the little brothers, the grandma and the entire family - peace, strength, comfort, wisdom, understanding, love and anything you can think of. Please pray that there will be an investigation into the cause of this baby's accident. I will keep you posted.

John has been very upset about this situation and he scooped Avery out of bed and just cradled her enjoying every moment we have with her. We are never promised tomorrow....God is using this to show us to cherish every moment - TODAY!!!!

Fun times......

Great week, lots of fun....so far:

Horton Hears a Who and lots of pop-corn
The Zoo downtown
Amusement Park (parque de diversiones)
Roller Skating
Swimming All Day in Escazu (yes, that's the name of the city)
Parque Chino and a dinner out with another family
A BBQ with friends
Smores on the Grill (2 times)

Are we fun parents or what? :) Pictures to come.

God has blessed us abundantly with amazing friends here! We are so grateful! I think leaving might be sad and a little more challening than we anticipated.