WGM, Remodeling. & Father's Day

We had a missionary couple who I have known for several years stay with us on Thursday night. They work with World Gospel Mission (WGM) and have been on deputation (homeland ministry assignment) or "rest & support raising" over the last year or so. They are planning on returning back to Mexico in about 2 months. I originally met them when I took a semester off at the end of my sophomore year at Asbury to work with WGM for 6 1/2 months. They were very influential in my life at a crucial point and I have been very grateful for their support and influence during that time. This has been the first time since 1999 that I have seen them and it was great to hear more about their ministry, family, and catch up on people we had both worked with. We had a great time hosting them and also had a few of our friends in the Berea area over to have coffee & dessert to have an informal time to get to know about the work they are involved in, about some of the experiences they have had with their family, and to simply get to know them on a personal level.

On a much different note I finally finished up priming the downstairs bathroom ... still waiting for Sarah to decide on the color but at least it looks nice. I also started really working on finishing pulling the wallpaper & old paint off the walls of the upstairs bathroom. It'll be awhile before it's done but I'm enjoying the work.

Sarah allowed me and Benjamin to go to Lowes last night to pick out my Father's day gift. Good thing she wasn't with us... I think she would have been bored after 30 minutes... Benjamin did great because we talked about hammers and I let him carry a little one around while I finished up my shopping. She worked hard helping me wrap up some loose ends around the house today and I really appreciate all that she had done.

Happy Father's Day pop. Look forward to celebrating a more in years to come. Thanks for all of your help and encouragement over the years. Glad to see you enjoying your grandchildren.

Outreach

I recently finished reading Bedside Manor: One Doctor's Family written by R.Schaeffer who served with her husband at Red Bird Mission in rural Eastern Kentucky for almost 50 years. I always enjoy reading biographical accounts of people who have served in ministry especially when I've had a chance to talk with them in person. They are currently in their 90's and still have an amazing and active impact on their community. They have become special to our family just in the short time we've known them. I definately include them in my list of people who I consider Hero's of the Faith.

On a more humanitarian level I was wondering if anyone has heard about or had any experience with KIVA... their website is www.kiva.org. It's an intersting concept and I've become more interested in it since watching a segment on Public TV about a month ago. We're not currently participating but are considering. If you have any thoughts or insights I'd love to hear them.

On Their Way...

We have some close friends who will be heading off for the next couple of years to China. They'll be taking their two children and "studying" Chinese at a University there. I've updated their blog link under "Bryan's Blog" on the right but you can also click here to read more: http://williamsinqinghai.blogspot.com/

We also have another couple, Roger & Camille, who we went to college with who will be returning to the US from China in a couple of weeks. They are expecting and the new arrival will come in about 8 weeks. They have several details to work out between now and that time.

I've also had several exciting opportunities with my business over the last couple of weeks. In the next couple of days I should have a chance to meet with a couple of prospects. I continue to receive positive feedback from my seminars and hope that the material is useful and equips the participants.

Sari Bari

Thought I'd share this link with you. It's an interesting project in India. The Sari blankets are made by women who have left the red light districts in India and have take a brave new step into a new life. This new chance of freedom holds the promise of diginity, respect, and way of life that was never before possible. The Sari Blanket is made made out of five layers of Saris. Each blanket is put together by hand and then hand stitched. Each Sari Blanket is unique and there are no two blankets exactly alike.

If you have a chance check out the website and read more about Sari Bari: http://www.saribari.blogspot.com/

Simple Pleasures

One of my goals for this year is to read several works by C.S.Lewis. The one I've recently started is The Pilgrim's Regress. I'd forgotten how I found it both enjoyable and challenging it is to read works by Lewis. There are times when I'll read one section and then sit for a few minutes just trying to process what I just read.

We also found out that some friends of ours from college who have been serving in Nepal basically since they graduated will be in the US for a couple of months this summer. Hopefully we can work out a visit. It'd be great to see them in person. If you have time check out their recent post about their family time at a National Park in Nepal... http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=silasinkathmandu

We also recently made major progress in preparing to remodel one of the bedrooms in our house. We'd naturally let it become the undeclared Junk room aka... the Catch-all room. Now most of the superfluous stuff is out and we are almost ready to paint.

I finally decided to keep self-rising flour on stock...up until this point I'd buy it occasionally or I'd get by with all-purpose. My sister-in-law recommend Hudson Cream self-rising. So I finally found a few more pennies and purchased a name brand rather than the store generic. I've been pleased and would recommend trying it if you haven't already.

Christmas Train

If you haven't kept up with Isaac Clardy's Christmas Train Project you should really check out these two links. It was a great success.

http://www.sammyclary.blogspot.com/ & http://www3.caringbridge.org/sc/isaacsjournal/index.htm

Family & Friends

Benjamin and I spent most of last weekend in Mississippi. Our purpose was to attend one of those family reunion's where your meet extended family who you really don't know and catch up with a few people you haven't seen in years. This is the King Family reunion or my mother's mother side of the family. I hadn't been in several years and though it'd be good to see everyone and also introduce Benjamin to them. Benjamin and I were able to see almost all of my mother's family in the short time we were there. Mom and I also had a nice time driving around and talking about the small town and communities she where grew up. It was nice for me to take a few photos of locations around them that have special significance to me.

Benjamin also got to visit with his Great-Grandmother - ie. my father's mother. She's still doing great at 89 and made some wonderful cake and sauce. My father also enjoyed driving him around on the tractor for a while. His uncle - my brother - enjoyed teaching him how to wipe his hands on his jeans after he plays in the mud.

Tonite we had the Phelps family over for dinner. Just after college '99 I went on a mission trip with Go International and Marissa Phelps was on the team. Marissa and I have kept in touch off and on ever since. Now that we live in Berea we were able to have her, her husband and daughter over for dinner, dessert and coffee. We really enjoyed talking with them and hearing about some of the work she is involved in through Go International. Benjamin had a nice time sharing his toys and entertaining their 3 year old daughter. Hopefully we'll get a chance to talk with them more in the near future.

I also wanted to share about a tragic lost that our friends family here in Berea has experienced. Their nephews age 19 and 17 were killed in a car accident on Wednesday night. Most of their family will be traveling to the Berea area tonight and tomorrow in time for the funeral on Monday. Please remember to pray for this family as the cope with this sudden loss.

Movie & Football

Sarah and I watched End of the Spear on last Friday night. It's a fairly new release chronicling the story of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot and 3 other missionary familys with their work with the Waodani. Several years ago I read Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot. The book really changed the way I viewed things and was a large influence on several major decisions in my life. So naturally I was very skeptical of any movie based on the same events. I was very pleased with the movie and would recommend checking it out if you have the chance.

On a much more superficial note - I was very happy to see UK beat GA last saturday. Sarah and I are also pulling for Louisville to make it to the BCS championship game. Of course I'm also pulling for USM to become bowl eligable as well.

Firsts

1. Benjamin’s first haircut was on Friday. His curls are gone and I couldn’t get Sarah to agree to a rat-tail or a mullet. He looks pretty sharp.
2. My parent’s first trip to Berea. Great time – they brought up a piano and another mattress set so we actually have a true bed for company. We had a great time with them and Benjamin really enjoyed hanging out with his grandparents.
3. Our first trip to Henderson Settlement. This is an outreach that the church I grew up at in Mississippi helps support. It was a good experience and you can check out the website at www.hendersonsettlement.org
4. Our first hiking trip since we’ve been in Kentucky. We didn’t hike all that far but really got a chance to check out all the fall colors. The colors are at their peak for the next week or two. We hiked at Pine Mountain State Park down "Chained Rock" trial. Benjamin did great during our road trip and hike.
5. A mostly retired couple from Anderson, SC came up and visited us on Monday. They stayed the night on Sunday and then spent most of Monday sight-seeing and shopping. It was great to visit with them.
   
   You can check out a few pictures by clicking on the links to the right.

Gifts for Kids

Below is an excerpt from the the Issac Clardy blog posted by Issac's father Sammy. I think this is really awesome and plan on supporting. To read more visit the link Issac Clardy in the right column.

"Issac is wanting to do something for the kids in the hospital during Christmas because he remembers what it is like since he has been in the hospital during Christmas for three of the last 5 years. He is asking everyone he knows to help. We have talked with some folks here at the hospital and they have given him the ok. He is going to be giving out presents to kids that are in the hospital during the Christmas season. If you would like to help simply visit your local toy store and purchase a small gift between $5-$10 and then send the wrapped gift c/o Isaac's Christmas Train 6735 Hopeful Road Florence,KY 41042. There are boys and girls ranging in age from 3 months - 15 years old. Please pick one age group. Indicate on the outside of the gift wrap the age range of the gift and whether or not it is for a boy or girl. We wiil be delivering the gifts in the middle of December and will hopefully have some pics to post."

Peaches, Potatoes, & Tomatoes

Part of our weekly excitement in Berea is going to the Walmart Supercenter down the road and checking out their various produce. Each week I try to pick out a fruit or vegetable that we don't routinely purchase and that is not available locally at the farmers market. Tonite we picked up some Saturn Peaches. I really was tired of the nice looking peaches that I'd been purchasing that really tasted like chaulk. I tried one when after we got home and was very pleased. I went online and read some great write-ups here and here.

We're also trying to support some of the local farmers by shopping at the farmer's market. This week we picked up a huge cantalupe for a 1.50 and 2 lbs of various types of small potatoes. One variety was a darker color on the outside and almost a blue-purple inside. How cool would those mashed potatos look? I also picked up a pint of various cherry tomatoes. Sarah's favorite was the yellow variety. I'll have to go back this week and ask the actually variety or name so we'll know if we get around to planing a garden next year.

I've also added a Blog link to my friend Bryan's blog. He hasn't updated in a while but what can you expect when you're whole family has been in China for the last several weeks. I'm also working on at least one link to my photos. To be continued...

First

On Sunday we visited a church here and met a young lady just out of college who was getting ready to go to Russia to spend a year there with Campus Crusade for Christ. We wanted to hear more about what she would be doing, what brought her to that decision, and how she was doing on support. So we invited her over for coffee and dessert last night. We sat around the table on our back porch for about 2 hours talking with her and sharing about some of our experiences. We are very excited for her. She leaves next week and really only has a small amount of support left to raise. I would ask that you keep Laura and her team of 4 others in your prayers as she completes her fund-raising and prepares to go to Russia. She has been on a 6 week trip before but this will be her first year long trip.

Benjamin has had a several first the last couple of days. The two I think I am most proud of are that he caught his first bug (a small moth) - I let him play with it for a while then we turned it loose (before he ate it) ... and that he ate and enjoyed his first Grits this morning. He's really coming along well :-) We are also working with him on learning a little sign language. He had "More" down for a while - and now he has picked up "Thank You" and "Please". I checked out a book for the library to give us a few more ideas on words he could learn. He also is really into things with wheels - not just touching and spinning the wheels but actually pusing the car or tractor down the hall or across the floor. Finally he's rode his first Trike - or tricycle - stationary for now but he likes it. It was one of his birthday presents that we finally finished putting together.

Family, China, & Friends

Today was Sarah’s first day at her new job. It was nice to have her come home relatively relaxed – at least compared to the last several months. I was starting to work on cooking dinner and she said “I’ll help” – and then she proceeded to cook up a really great taco meal: ground beef, black beans, sautéed mushrooms & onions, diced fresh tomatoes, grated cheese – throw in a little lettuce and a batch of soft-corn tortillas and it was a good meal. Afterwards we turned on the stereo – watch our son play all over the living and dining room – and then we finished off with a little ice-cream and chocolate syrup. At one point little Benjamin was lying on a pillow on the middle of the floor, polishing off the rest of his milk out of his bigger sippy cup, staring at the ceiling, wearing his little John Deer (24m) t-shirt, and listening to John Mellencamp. It was a priceless picture. It was an unusually calm, non-stressful evening – great time with the family.

On Sunday night we drove over to Louisville, KY to here our friends Roger & Camille share one last time before they headed back to China. They have been there about 5 years and have been back in the states about 6 months. They have had some really amazing experiences and it has been an absolute blessing to be able to participate with them in their ministry. The “sending off” service was absolutely amazing. I know the experience was very meaningful to both me and Sarah.

We also met another friend from college at the church service. Both of us drove about 2 hours – and basically met in the middle. Our friend Anna and her husband joined us at the church service and then we went out to eat at Bucca-di-beppos in Louisville. Other than their wedding the last time we saw Anna was at that same restaurant when Sarah graduated from med school 3 years ago. It was great to catch up with them and we look forward to seeing them a little more often.

If you get a chance you may want to click here to catch up on what is going on with little Issac Clardy. He is really struggling right now.