Friday, October 9, 2009

Praying for missionaries

I found this list on wycliffe.org and used it as a prayer prompting activity in children's church last week. Each item had a visual reminder.

1.) Pray for missionaries to be able to spread God's Word. (Bible)

2.) Pray for missionaries to be protected. (angel)

3.) Pray for missionaries to get a good night sleep. (pillow)

4.) Pray for missionaries to have working technology and electricity. (radio)

5.) Pray for missionaries to be protected from insects that cause diseases. (plastic bug)

6.) Pray for people to remember to write letters to missionaries to encourage them. (stationary)

7.) Pray for missionaries to be able to learn the language of the people. (picture of lips)

8.) Pray for missionaries to like the food in their new country. (chopsticks)

9.) Pray for missionaries to be protected from the elements, whether cold or warm. (sunglasses)

10.) Pray for missionaries to not grow weary in doing good. (my own addition--visual reminder, hug)

To find this activity titled "Travel Bag" and other activities for kids go to: http://www.wycliffe.org/Resources/Kids/FreeCurriculum/BrightIdeas.aspx

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Arduino

Is it weird that I think this is cool?

I should mention, Josiah used some of the same of the parts to make this recently.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

I just thought it was funny...

Today when I was getting the car inspected, there we like five other cars in the bay. I flipped through a magazine and waited. About 20 minutes later, I heard a car start up, and before I even looked, I knew it was Sylvia. =) You know how mothers recognize their baby's cry? Well, I recognize the distinctive purr of my car's engine.

Monday, March 16, 2009

25 Random Things About me

Well, this idea circulated awhile ago on facebook, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it, for a variety of reasons. It did look fun though, so I sat down and wrote, and here's what I came up with.

1. I hate feeling left out.

2. I love to travel. Josiah calls me 'nomadic'.

3. I have a love-hate relationship with my car. I love her when she works, and hate her when she doesn't.

4. I love my husband to distraction. I often have to make a conscious effort to put my hope in God and not him.

5. I'm pretty sure I knew Elizabeth was going to be a girl, though we didn't find out until she was born. She fills my days with laughter and excitement.

6. In college I had a plethora of part-time jobs--Subway, Nick's of Clinton, Bath and Body Works, SportFit, On the Rocks Ice Co.--but my favorite by far was the college mailroom.

7. Though death scares me, I can't wait to see Jesus.

8. Moving to PA was one of the best decisions we've ever made, but not a day goes by that I don't miss my precious, crazy, loud family.

9. I still feel a little silly telling people we are missionaries. It sounds so official.

10. I grew up in home without a computer, and I'm very happily married to a guy who had his house networked with 8 of them in highschool.

11. It is a huge compliment to me when people think I understand technology. Last night I told someone, "I speak fluent Geek". I hope that becomes more true everyday.

12. I'm not a pet person. Part of me wishes I was. I'm definitely a people person, though.

13. In college a friend of mine (Sheila) was playing with my hair and noticed my head was pointed on top. I never noticed before that time.

14. I love roller coasters, though have occasionally talked myself out of getting on them--sometimes after standing in a long line.

15. I use lots of onions and garlic in my cooking.

16. I will often 'tweak' recipes just a bit, love the results, then not remember what I did the next time.

17. I cry easily.

18. I have always wished I could sing better than I do. I'm grateful Elizabeth shares my joy in singing.

19. I haven't really had the opportunity to use Microsoft Windows since I've been married to a Linux guy. I don't miss it. (The first time I wrote, "I haven't had the opportunity to use Windows since I've been married." Josiah pointed out that sounded a little funny.)

20. I love taking pictures.

21. I don't like to have lamps on while there's daylight streaming in through the windows. I don't like the mixture of natural and unnatural light.

22. I like being barefoot.

23. I want to have a garden.

24. I'm the oldest of seven kids. I think that explains a lot about me.

25. I share too much. I want desperately for others to see Jesus in me.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Happy Fauschnaut Day!


Elizabeth licking her lips to taste what was left of her doughnut we got while making a quick run to the post office/grocery store.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Having heard that this was a good movie, and having seen the previews, I thought that this would be a great intellectual film. At Christmastime, I eagerly set out with my family--sisters and brother and brothers-in-law, and one soon to be sister-in-law to be entertained. I have been unable to fully express my disappointment in words, but this article came close to articulating my feelings, so I thought I'd put a link to it here.

http://www.gospelandculture.org/2009/01/unfortunate-case-benjamin-button/

Sunday, February 15, 2009

There's a Party in Heaven!

That's what my mom used to say when one of us or someone we knew got saved. Here's what the Bible says: "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." --Luke 15:10 Also this one comes to mind, "And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." --Matthew 18: 3-4

Friday afternoon my sister Candace called to tell me that my niece Faith, had a loose tooth. She will be 5 in just a few weeks. She is one of my oldest nieces, and the first to coin the name "Uncle 'Siah" for Josiah. We were excited for her but honestly that is something a mom can rejoice in more than an aunt and uncle. Today Candace called again as we were walking in the door from church and told me Faith had some very important news to tell me, and that she wanted to tell me herself. I mentally prepared to be excited over a lost tooth, and understand her shy words perhaps with a new lisp because of a missing tooth. But her words were perfectly clear when she said, "Aunt Rachie, I became a Christian today." A moment later I had to apologize for screaming in her ear, and explain that I was crying because I was so happy for her. Even now my heart is bursting with joy, because my niece whom I prayed for has now become my sister in Christ.

After a moment I asked Faith to put Candace back on, so I could share in her excitment. She explained that Faith had been sick today, and that she had stayed home with her. Together they had "church" and read the story from Acts 26 of Paul recounting his conversion story to King Agrippa. Then Candace told Faith they were going to pray--Candace just had a simple blessing for their day in mind. When Faith bowed her head to pray though, she asked Jesus to forgive her for her sins and come into her heart. When Candace quizzed her to see if she understood what she just did, Faith said that her sins had been forgiven.

I am so thankful that Candace chose to share this special moment with me, the most important desicion that Faith will make in her life. It makes me so thankful for God who so freely and lovingly forgives us for all our sins the small ones and the big ones.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Married to a Techie

When we were dating and first married, Josiah had one of these. It's a PDA--a Visor Edge by Handspring. One time we were horseback riding on a college resident assistant retreat, and he pulled it out just so he could say he'd even used technology on a horse.

He called it his memory or brain or something (but really that's me). The part that used to really bug me was when he pulled it out on Sunday morning in church to read the Bible on it. I think it mostly bugged me because I worried what others might think--because to me it looked like he was working or playing while he should have been paying attention.

A few days ago at church, as I sat in the sound room with Josiah, both he and another lady next to me pulled out their blackberry and iphone, respectively, and looked up the appropriate passage. I giggled a little, because I suppose this is becoming normal--or maybe I'm just used to it because I'm married to a techie.



Sunday, January 4, 2009

Learning her ABC's


"If learning your letters is part of your job, meet alphabet Larry and alphabet Bob..." This quote is from one of the few childrens books I've had the privilege of memorizing, Bob and Larry's ABC's by Phil Vischer. We read the Veggie Tales books by Phil Vischer so often in fact, that when looking at books Elizabeth often says, "by Phil Vischer", but thats a side note.) These last couple months we've had the joy of watching her actually recognize some of her letters. On a good day, she can recognize all of the vowels. Here's a picture of her playing with playdough letters from last week.