Own Little World

I just saw this video tonight and it really resonated with my heart, plus I love Matthew West. One word that God spoke to me in Mozambique was that He wants us to go back to Hong Kong, not as "ex-pats" but as missionaries. It is as easy in Hong Kong as anywhere else to get caught up in our "own little world", so we are asking God what this looks like. What does that look like for you?

He Made It!!!

For those of you wondering, Jason made it to the wedding!!! I haven't heard much from him, other than the wedding was beautiful and Karina was gorgeous. Here is a photo my mother- in- law sent me from her iPad. Thanks for all of your prayers. God's grace covers everything. What a relief that we can release control and trust that He is in and over all things.

Yep, I dropped the ball . . . big time.

I have said, if there is anything I am currently a professional at, it is a packer. Pack, unpack, repack has been our mantra this year. This week alone we have laid our heads in five different places, ai- ya! I have prided myself in how well we have done up until this week at holding the pieces together. We hadn’t lost one thing and have managed to simulate normal life in many unnormal conditions (Dubai airport floor, Greyhound bus, friend’s living rooms etc). Then this week hit. First we lost the keys to Jason’s Aunt’s condo. Then yesterday Jason lost his wallet. But the kicker was today when Jason went to check in for his flight to New Zealand and handed the lady Annette’s passport!!! Apparently she had a very surprised expression on her face. I had packed Jason with the wrong passport, then driven four hours with the kids up to my parents’ house. Tonight I was balling my eyes out knowing that possibly Jason would now miss his brother’s wedding- this Saturday!! I was getting set to hop in the car and drive four hours back to LA to deliver the passport.

Whew, deep breath. You’ll be happy to know my amazing husband handled the situation better than me. He is booked for tomorrow’s flight (no transfer fees- a God thing and it probably didn’t hurt that he has such long eyelashes), he will drive up tomorrow to get the passport, back to LA and then land in Auckland the morning of the wedding!!!! Please pray for each of those steps to be smooth.

Last night I was listening to a message from Heidi Baker that I had missed at Harvest School. She was talking about the messy realities of ministry and said, “It is so over- rated to have it all together all the time.” I know what she means. Personally, I love being “together”. I feel so empowered by organization and knowing where everything is. But despite my utmost striving, I am not together all the time. And I love that even in that low moment there is grace and there is freedom. So this is me, being wrecked. No cute photos, no amazing testimony. Just a tired mom who dropped the ball and is learning to be okay with it.

Northern California Trip

I am a little late in posting this, but I wanted to share a few moments with you from our trip to Northern California. We pretty much drove the furthest distance you can in California, from San Diego to Redding. The trip took about nine hours, but we got to enjoy the company of Jen, who drove up with us. The big occasion was meeting Matt's soon-to-be-bride Karina. They are such a dynamic, incredible couple and we loved getting to see their lives, work, ministries and friends. They were so generous to host us in the midst of preparing for a wedding just weeks away. We were able to spend some fun times together a you can see. . .

Turtle Bay Exploration Center in Redding- so much fun for kids

Uncle Matt is a kid at heart!!!

Auntie Karina made crowns with the kids. Josiah said "I'm so 'ehsited' to have my new Auntie Karina!"

The three daughter- in- laws with Mama Paine. Gerry flew up for the weekend.

We had a bridal shower/ bachlorette party for Karina and things got a little

wild at the Spice Lounge (:

We drove up to Mt. Shasta for a fun snow play day. It was the first time the kids had ever experienced snow! Josiah immediately began throwing snowballs, while Annette just stood frozen in one spot. Being the sub- tropical people that we are, we were seriously lacking in the snow gear department. We improvised with plastic bags on their hands and feet. It worked great and we all had a blast.

We went a little out of our way on our way back to San Diego to explore San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Of course the boys got a little crazy!

Rowing our boat at Golden Gate Park

The Coastal Redwoods in Santa Cruz. Don't you just love little people next to big trees?

Annette is Two!!

Horray! Today our bubbly, energetic, fun- loving, spirited little girl turns TWO!!! Jason and I remember so clearly March 12, 2010 at Prince of Wales hospital when we waited hand in hand for Annette to arrive. We reminisced about how fast my labor went, how eager Annette was to make her appearance, how tiny she was (only 5 pounds!), and how she hasn't slowed down since!

Yesterday we had a backyard family BBQ at Jason's parents house to celebrate Annette's day. Jason's brother, Mike, and my sister, Angela, drove down from LA. We were also blessed with the presence of our friend from Mozambique, Kahterine, who happened to be in San Diego for the week. It was so fun celebrating together!!

Annette was VERY into being the birthday girl and so excited about her pink butterfly cake. She loved the attention, blowing out her candles, opening gifts, and even let us blindfold her for "pin the antenna on the butterfly".

We love Auntie Angela!!

Trying out her new clothes and smart phone (:

Bye Bye February

I realized I have not posted many photos recently. So before we get too far into March, here is a slice of February. . .

Fun with Naana

Jason added Annette's name to our "family tree"

Super Bowl Party on Sunday (in HK it is on Monday)

Avila Beach- we spontaneously swung by the beach, that's why the kids are stripped down to their underwear!

Fire Station Tour

Aunt Terilee's 30th Birthday

Twin Day, thank you Emily!
Valentine's Day

Uncle Mike is so fun!

Beautiful Nicole's Wedding (Nicole was my college roommate- love her!)

Cousin Matthew visits So Cal

Sunny San Diego
Building with Grandpa. They made this toolbox (complete with *real* tools) and a table together

Josiah took his first flight in Bluebird!! A 4th generation pilot?

Playing with Grandma's pearls

Please Take Two Minute and Read This

This was posted to facebook yesterday by our friend Kerri Johnson who we went to school with in Mozambique. It is such a great model to us of what normal, everyday ministry can look like in America. There are times I feel the Holy Spirit prompting me to talk to someone but I don't obey. Think if Kerri hadn't . . .

So I have been going to local shops and praying before I go in for who He wants me to pray over, listening to what I hear before I go in and great signs and wonders are happening. So today I was going into Walmart. I prayed before I went in and heard "April" and saw a rose. So I was like, what does that mean? I went in and started to pray for people. I was walking around the store looking for people and I came across a man who was at least 6 feet 5 inches and I heard "pray for Him". So I went over and introduced myself and asked him if I could pray for him. He said "ya, ok." So I started to pray for him and I heared the Lord tell me "family death". So I said "Has anything happen in your family recently?" He said "Yes, my four year old daughter just died 3 weeks ago with cancer." So I asked what her name was and he replied "April Rose and he told me that his wife died during child birth four years ago." I prayed for him and at the end he was sobbing and said to me "thank you. I was going to commit suicide today that is what I was at the store for to get the stuff for it. I didn't think that God heared my prayers anymore and I don't see a reason to live." At which point I told him my testimony of how I had tried to kill myself two times in a row and each attempt failed and I got saved the following day. After I told him this he told me he wanted to know Jesus like that and I got to pray with him and he accepted JESUS AS HIS SAVIOR!!! Thank You Jesus We PRAISE YOU LORD!!!!