Comfort

Posted on November 14, 2012 by David

We have been blessed with two amazing boys.  They bring so much joy to our lives!  As a parent, it’s torture to watch our children suffer, be in pain, be ill or have heartache.  Both boys have gone through a lot emotionally during our furlough.  Jonah has suffered through physical struggles, as well as, emotional.  Joshua has suffered through emotional struggles watching his brother go through surgeries, therapy and has suffered in other areas emotionally.  Our family has been through a lot and we rest on the assurance that the Lord will use our sufferings and struggles for His good.

Our family rented the DVD Dolphin Tale.  When we got to the scene when the dolphin had her stump bandaged after the amputation of her tail, Jonah looked at us and said, “That’s like me.”  David and I already were tearing up just from the movie, but once he said that the tears really started to flow.  He has a way to see things from a perspective that others can’t imagine because of what he’s been through.  He can sympathize with others who have lost body parts because of his own loss.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

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Veterans Day Reflection

Posted on November 11, 2012 by David

This picture was taken when we were in Washington DC this summer. This morning in Washington D.C. they read the names on the wall of the 58,000 US soldiers who died in Vietnam, this year also marks the 30th anniversary of that monument.

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What to do?

Posted on November 5, 2012 by David

With the election coming up in the United States we have created a special vote just for our blog readers.

We have been purchasing gifts for Joshua and Jonah for Christmas throughout the summer.  Our first Christmas in Cameroon, we didn’t have anything to give them at Christmas due to the shipment not arriving between the time we arrived and Christmas.  We purchased some items from other missionaries and wrapped each piece of the mega block set individually so they would have more to open.  We prefer to not repeat that particular scenario again.

While in Pennsylvania, we purchased some unique games and toys.  When it was time to pack to leave we decided to mail a box of the Christmas gifts to Missouri to save space and to prevent the boys from seeing the gifts.  Well, the box arrived damaged in Missouri with the majority of the gifts we had purchased missing.  We didn’t insure the box, so we didn’t have any recourse with the Post Office.

We have been repurchasing gifts to take back with us.  Yesterday we made a purchase and hid the items in a container that we will be traveling back to Cameroon with.  This morning on homeschool break, Jonah being his curious little self, decided to peek into the containers and discovered the gifts.  Plus he shared his discovery with his brother.  So, we’re trying to decide what we should do as parents.

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One more question

Posted on November 2, 2012 by David

If you have spent any time alone with our children you soon realize that they like to ask questions. They are naturally inquisitive young men. Yesterday Jonah and I went to his LAST appointment at Children’s Mercy. I thought I would share with you some of the questions he asked me, I didn’t have all the answers but that didn’t stop him from asking questions.

Did you see the person who made my first cast?

Did you see that person who said I could kick her if it hurt? (The doctor in Pennsylvania said the same thing and he kicked the doctor, to the doctor’s surprise)

Why do I need a name bracelet?

Why don’t they know my name? I’ve come a million times don’t they know my name.

Why do I need socks?

I hope she gives me a sticker. Can I have one now?

I smell popcorn, do you smell it?

Can I sit down by you?

Why is there paper on the bed?

Where does the paper come from?

Why is the book missing its things?

How high can my popper pop?

Did you know …?

Has Jonah or Joshua asked you a question? Why not share it with everyone.

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Better then Bacon

Posted on October 26, 2012 by David

Yes I am a bacon fan; in case you missed it I was able to sample a bacon ice cream sundae.

My wife came home the other day with a new discovery. In my opinion this wonderful find could change the world, or at least give some people some very happy taste buds. I’m hopeful that this blog post will encourage the people that made this to begin mass marketing Baconnaise to the rest of the world or at least Cameroon.

It is called Baconnaise. There slogan is “Everything should taste like bacon.” I was skeptical at first but now I think this delicacy should be used on everything. DeAnna called and told me that she had purchased an early Christmas present and I’m glad she did.

For those who like BACON but feel that they can’t eat it with everything, Baconnaise now makes it possible to have the taste of bacon with everything.

Enjoy your Friday and try some Baconnaise.

Warning: This is not a paid advertisement just a happy consumer.

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Celebration of 30 years of prayer

Posted on October 25, 2012 by David

Wycliffe USA is halfway through their celebration of 30 years of prayer of the Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project on their Prayer Blog and I am in awe when I see what God does when His people pray.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Today’s story was about a young girl who imagined big and started praying for the Konai of Papua New Guinea when she was 4. At that time in 2002 the Konai were still waiting for God’s Word so Karen began to pray because, “I think it’s important for everyone to have the chance to have the Gospel and know about Jesus and what he did for them,” Karen said.

Ten years later this young girl is looking forward to 2015 when the Konai New Testament is scheduled to be completed and she is hoping to make the trip to Papua New Guinea to celebrate with them the dedication of their New Testament.

I have no idea where the workers are going to come from to complete the remaining 80 languages in Cameroon that have yet to be started, but God does. It’s my job to pray, I’m imagining big because I know that we have a big God and it’s His power that is at work within us.

Will you join with me in prayer?

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG

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When are we leaving the USA?

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David

Our furlough has been a roller coaster with extreme high’s and low’s.  The Lord has been very loving and faithful to us every step of the way and He continues to be.

We’ve been asked when we are leaving to return to Cameroon.  The answer is, we don’t know.  We are hopeful to return near the end of November.  The day that we received the quotes for return airfare, was the same day that DeAnna received a phone call from the doctor concerning health tests.  DeAnna will be having surgery on October 29th and we are waiting to purchase our return tickets.  We would like to ask for prayer for DeAnna’s upcoming surgery and recovery.

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Blessed

Posted on October 12, 2012 by David

We are doing well!  Our lives have been a roller coaster since May with extreme highs and lows.  We are thrilled that Jonah had a good report from the surgeons in Pennsylvania and Missouri.  Both have confirmed that there isn’t any sign of further infection in his amputated finger – hooray!!!!  We returned to Missouri on Tuesday and Jonah was back to his Missouri surgeon on Thursday.  He has more therapy to do, mostly for his middle finger that has stiffness and scarring issues.

We are so happy to finally be hearing good news at doctor’s appointments.  His surgeon in Missouri said we can start looking into our return to Cameroon from a medical standpoint.  Jonah will have another another appointment and more therapy, but we can begin the process to return to Cameroon.

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Passing through Paradise

Posted on October 1, 2012 by David

If you’ve reached Intercourse you’ve gone too far, you should have made a right turn at Paradise to get to the Cherry Crest farms. And if you ended up at Blue Ball you went north instead of south. These are the names of the towns that are on the map to get to Cherry Crest farms in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Yes I know I am a little immature to mention the names of these towns but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a little giggle. I know you laughed.

Rope race to ring the bell

We had some friends from Cameroon that met us in Lancaster.  I climbed the rope in case you didn’t recognize me in the picture above!  While we were exiting the corn maze we ran into a person we met in Orlando, Florida who works in Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe as well – it’s a small world.

From the middle of the corn maze

If you are in Lancaster County or even several hours away this is a not-to-miss stop. This was the first time I have ever done a corn maze and I’m not sure I would feel comfortable about doing the maze at night with a flashlight, but for the brave ones out there this is an option.  We decided to venture on the intermediate daytime route that had a few clues along the way and we were able to make it through the maze it 44 minutes. The advanced route gives you no clues and can take up to 4 hours to complete.

Tractor races

The boys had a blast jumping on the barnyard jump and racing in the tractor pedal karts. There were 50 plus farm activities to do, but our kids stuck with just a few over and over again. You are permitted to bring your own food but who can pass funnel cake and fresh roasted sweet corn on the cob, the corn is free if you print the coupon from their website. They had a ga-ga pit too,  I guess this sport is officially becoming main stream now that I have seen it in two different locations.

Barnyard Jump

One of the 25 Cool Things to Do this Summer – Sports Illustrated Kids

People come out grinning from Ear to Ear – CNN

Straw Bale Racer

 

 

 

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Family Fun

Posted on September 26, 2012 by David

It’s been an emotionally, physically and financially draining furlough.  We have been blessed immensely from many of you from prayers to financial gifts to taking us shopping to helping us with some of our medical bills to allowing us to live in your homes to letting us borrow your vehicle – BLESSED!

We have had very little time for rest and relaxation.  We received a gift and were able to get away for a few days to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  It was amazing!  Jonah said the first night, while we were eating pizza in our room, “You are spoiling us!”  After three surgeries, two casts, one splint and bandages, making very little opportunity for Jonah to be able to swim during the summer months, it was terrific for all of us to be able to spend time swimming and playing at the awesome water park.

Getting ready for story time

Jonah and Joshua on the snake

Water slide fun!

 

 

 

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