Although Homeschooling can be a lot of work, it is a joy to have this privilege with my kids. My little Preschooler, Tiernan, can read simple words now...he loves being a student! :)
Another amazing thing has been the ability to video skype with family and friends back home!! We weren't sure if this was something we would be able to do.....so thankful!
I can get emotional about this one too.....a privilege to recently have had Bob Kennel over for lunch while he was passing through Wewak. Like my parents have been an inspiration to me over the years because of their love for God and desire to do things that count for eternity, so have Bob and his wife Noby. As we were preparing to head to PNG and I would struggle with emotions about leaving family, home, etc....we heard that Bob and Noby, who had many years before been involved in a church plant amongst an unreached people group of Papua New Guinea (The Kennels and their co-workers had seen believers taught and discipled unto mature believers and an indiginous, self supporting church with functioning leaders established, who were sending out their own people to see other groups reached with the Gospel), were heading into another people group here to start over with language learning (although in the same language 'family' as the previous group, still a separate and different language) and help aid a team of existing missionaries to teach and disciple new believers. Although in his early 60's, Bob has, in under a year, learned the language and Noby isn't too far behind! He has been teaching through Galatians and about to start Ephesians - key Epistles to ground believers in their walks with the Lord. This has been such an encouragement to me as I was struggling inwardly at times with asking myself, "is this worth it?"! If they can do it, not only once, but a second time........then so can I!
This is kind of shallow of me, but another thing I was lamenting before we came here was the fact that our kids might grow up not knowing what a playground is! Well, it just so happens that here on the base we are at for this year, there is a mini playground....fun trees to climb in.....beaches nearby......not to mention the many friends that our kids have to play with! God is good!
Ben and I are thankful too for our fellow missionaries here on base and in the different tribal areas here in Papua New Guinea. We feel priviledged to know these people!
Forgot to mention the amazingly created creatures and critters.....not that they are all enjoyable, but this tree frog is pretty amazing!
Can't forget the Ghiradelli chocolate chips.....a definite blessing! Thanks Mom!! :)
Meta is a blessing.....a friend now to me and my family. I think that Silas has won her heart.....he calls her 'Peta' :) She helps us around the house two mornings a week while I homeschool then we sit and talk in Pidgin for a couple of hours during and after lunch. She is a big help for me and my language study....patient as I ask her for the hundredth time how to say something or as I try to say something fairly simple but it takes a whole minute to get from my brain to come out of my mouth!
This is just a random picture, but if you are reading this, you are one of my 'blessings'. My beloved family, 'family-in-laws', and my friends.....thank you for being a part of my life! You are missed much!
The greatest blessing, which is definetely not 'little' is what the words below talk about....Jesus.....these are the lyrics from the group, Leeland...... 'Via Dolorosa'.......great song!
He traded His crown for a crown of thorns,
He picked up His cross and laid down His sword.
He stumbled down the road, bruised and beaten for me,
Jesus walked the way of grief, hallelujah.
On the Via Dolorosa
All my sin was carried away.
And the power of Hell was broken
As He gave His life away.
He knew it was to come from the very start,
But His love for all the world beat inside His heart.
He climbed the road of suffering to the hill of Cavalry,
Where the saints would be redeemed, hallelujah.
On the Via Dolorosa
All my sin was carried away.
And the power of Hell was broken
As He gave His life away.
Jesus fixed His eyes upon the new horizon,
Soon He would rise and the world would be forgiven.
Hallelujah, Jesus rose again.
On the cross He shed His blood on Calvary,
And I'm thankful for the journey of my King.
On the Via Dolorosa
All my sin was carried away.
And the power of Hell was broken
As He gave His life away.
Oh, as He gave His life away.
He traded His crown for a crown of thorns.
