I had the amazing privilege of working for, and being trained by Supercamp, by Quantum Learning. It was the best teacher training I ever received (and I have a degree in Education), and the best quality learning program I've seen. Their core is the 8 Keys of Excellence, which I have connected with the Fruit of the Spirit (There are 9, but I put kindness and gentleness together). These are 8 principles to live a life of excellence, and keys to success. Since I am teaching (mostly) 5th-8th graders, I also added an element from Supercamp learning (mind mapping, the maze, labels, SLANT, affinity process, above the line, VAK, OTFD and AAMR) which I think are interesting and important:
1.Integrity and Peace with Mind Mapping
2. Failure leads to Success and Joy with the Maze
3. Speak with Good Purpose and Kindness/Gentleness with Labels
4. This is it and Goodness (giving grace) with Slant
5. Commitment and Love with the Affinity process and Love Languages
6. Ownership and Faithfulness with Above the Line
7. Flexibility and Patience with VAK
8. Balance and Self-Control with OTFD and AAMR
I found videos on YouTube for each of these subjects, and I am excited to incorporate them into my classes at the International School! I made a YouTube Playlist, if you would like to be able to use this for your own teaching or knowledge. Just wanted to share!
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Monday, September 2, 2019
September Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog: ya get two this week! Yay! The first one we actually made a couple of weeks ago, while we were still making decisions, but now it is finalized, and we are (working towards paying off for the next couple of years from) buying land!
This is officially my parent's favorite video we've ever made:
This is officially my parent's favorite video we've ever made:
We had a lovely week, and Caid was able to receive training to become a school chaplain, opening doors to minister any public school in Brazil. This weekend we went to two different birthday parties--which was quite a lot for us. Brazilians go all out--or not at all, it seems. At Living Stones we celebrate birthdays because most of the kids do not get to have a party, as the level of parties is set pretty high (and very costly). I would not be surprised if the two parties we attended each cost a YEARLY minimum wage salary in Brazil (around USD$3,000). We were honored to be able to celebrate with these special people in our life.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Why do you keep going back? " I am going back because I feel like I should, and yet I am not at all going back because I feel like I should because I have lots of people telling me I shouldn’t. I am going back because I feel like I am needed, but I am going back because they don’t need me at all..."
2. Missionary Memes: We've been sent used lingerie and broken happy meal toys before...just sayin.
3. How to Reach out to Vulnerable Children: "So what does it take to reach out to a 12-year-old on the edges of society? Thankfully, Jesus shows us where to start."
4. The Life Changing Power of Representation: I don't think you get this until you have lived somewhere where you AREN'T represented. Where everywhere you look...you don't see yourself.
5. What Have you Seen? "When I listen to the things many American Christians think are important, what we "see" on a daily basis, I listen politely but so often I think of my Kenyan sister and wonder, "What she would think?"
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Sunday Funday Birthday
Happy Birthday to me:). Thank you for all the social media love and care! Our weekly vlog:
I know our vlog is absent of the normal two cute curly heads, but I think these stories are important too (and there will be more than one vlog posted this next week to make up for it).
It was a lovely week full of teaching and choir and Living Stones, and friends over and Taco Tuesday. Poor Jessica is catching up on shots (they require a lot here), and Sofia went with me to her first funeral (please do pray for our dear friend Sara and her family, who lost an uncle). The body was late to the funeral, so we actually left (at 9pm) before it arrived, but not before a confused Sofia went up to Sara and asked where her uncle was (oh dear). Conversations about death are very interesting with four year olds.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Unintended Consequences: From yours truly.
2. For those following the Amazon fires, please check this out and know that with all the media, something is being done now. Brazil is huge, and this is no where near us, so no worries on our safety.
3. Yellow Shirts and Wobbly Knees: this explains culture shock well.
It was a lovely week full of teaching and choir and Living Stones, and friends over and Taco Tuesday. Poor Jessica is catching up on shots (they require a lot here), and Sofia went with me to her first funeral (please do pray for our dear friend Sara and her family, who lost an uncle). The body was late to the funeral, so we actually left (at 9pm) before it arrived, but not before a confused Sofia went up to Sara and asked where her uncle was (oh dear). Conversations about death are very interesting with four year olds.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Unintended Consequences: From yours truly.
2. For those following the Amazon fires, please check this out and know that with all the media, something is being done now. Brazil is huge, and this is no where near us, so no worries on our safety.
3. Yellow Shirts and Wobbly Knees: this explains culture shock well.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Unintended Consequences
I think what worries me (some days) and scares me (on bad days) most about parenting is the unintended consequences.
I think being an intentional parent is one of the most important things about parenting. Planning how to train, guide, discipline, and raise this human being. Planning how NOT to react when they (act just like you and) are being ridiculous. But no matter how intentional I am about what I do and don't do, my kid is going to still have a whole bunch of problems, and pain, and stuff to work through. Because life.
And thank goodness I can trust God and just work on loving Him and loving them and when one day my kid comes up to me and says, "You really messed up on/with/because of this and this..." hopefully I can sit with grace and listen kindly (or maybe just nod) as they work through things. Because unintended consequences.
When I say to myself "I will never do this like my parents," I now wonder what events/life/culture led them to their reaction, and doing that in the first place. In general, from the basic family history I've received, I think parenting has gotten better over the generations of our family. I don't know much about my great-grandparents: they seemed to do the best with what they had--but it wasn't much during the great depression. And my grandparents, I love them, but wars and work and not really understanding relationships...my parents took the best of what they were given and kept moving. Not that my parents were perfect. Nope. I do hope that I do some things differently than they do: but I also see a lot of what they did as working to fix what what was done to them.
The problem is that for every action, there is a reaction, and we can't control what it is. We study history all we can, but over and over we are surprised at the unintended consequences that happen from our (hopefully) good intentions.
I think this is powerfully seen in politics (switching the conversation to politics here). Giving politicians the benefit of the doubt, let's assume they mostly do have good intentions at heart (because I am looking at the world as I want it to be). But one bill leads to one thing they never saw coming, which changes something else, to something else--and it gets scary really fast. That is why history is so important, especially in politics, to try to see these things ahead of time.
Because it is easier, let's look at Brazilian politics instead of American (assuming most of my readers are American). Bolsonaro has been called the "Trump of the Tropics." He has the same unfettered and raunchy mouth. In my personally opinion, it is a bit more dangerous in Brazil because the US government has always been established with many, many checks and balances. Brazilian government does not have such a foundation, and instead has a foundation of corruption and personal power.
Currently, the Amazon Rainforest is dangerously burning, and the president has said it was fake news, and perhaps the fires were set by NGOs (when it is around 90% sure the fires were set by ranchers wanting more deforested land). It has long been said that this rhetoric (in the USA as well) is just words, and at least, "We know he has no filter, rather than the two-faced politicians we don't know where they stand" or "He might be crooked, but he's bad at it and the other crooked ones are good at it."
The problem with this view is the unintended consequences (switching from president bashing to personal responsibility here). I was pretty young, but I remember the president Clinton scandal. I remember the uproar at his lack of character. I clearly see that lack in current presidents, and yet, from the same people who upheld character in the past, I see them giving a free pass, a "Yes, but..." I hear "Yes, he is horrid, but look at the results, the economy." "Yes, but he is better than the other options."
I cannot parent with this rhetoric, and do not think we should politic (made up word alert) with this rhetoric. I have no idea where the unintended consequences are going to take us, but I know it isn't anywhere good. I cannot give up on character, even if the other options only have fake character. I pray that God would give us the creativity to do something different than just resign ourselves to what options we have, or to embrace it because it gives us some of what we want, at the sacrifice of our character. I pray I would have the courage to walk this path with God, to trust Him with the unintended consequences.
And thank goodness I can trust God and just work on loving Him and loving them and when one day my kid comes up to me and says, "You really messed up on/with/because of this and this..." hopefully I can sit with grace and listen kindly (or maybe just nod) as they work through things. Because unintended consequences.
When I say to myself "I will never do this like my parents," I now wonder what events/life/culture led them to their reaction, and doing that in the first place. In general, from the basic family history I've received, I think parenting has gotten better over the generations of our family. I don't know much about my great-grandparents: they seemed to do the best with what they had--but it wasn't much during the great depression. And my grandparents, I love them, but wars and work and not really understanding relationships...my parents took the best of what they were given and kept moving. Not that my parents were perfect. Nope. I do hope that I do some things differently than they do: but I also see a lot of what they did as working to fix what what was done to them.
The problem is that for every action, there is a reaction, and we can't control what it is. We study history all we can, but over and over we are surprised at the unintended consequences that happen from our (hopefully) good intentions.
I think this is powerfully seen in politics (switching the conversation to politics here). Giving politicians the benefit of the doubt, let's assume they mostly do have good intentions at heart (because I am looking at the world as I want it to be). But one bill leads to one thing they never saw coming, which changes something else, to something else--and it gets scary really fast. That is why history is so important, especially in politics, to try to see these things ahead of time.
Because it is easier, let's look at Brazilian politics instead of American (assuming most of my readers are American). Bolsonaro has been called the "Trump of the Tropics." He has the same unfettered and raunchy mouth. In my personally opinion, it is a bit more dangerous in Brazil because the US government has always been established with many, many checks and balances. Brazilian government does not have such a foundation, and instead has a foundation of corruption and personal power.
Currently, the Amazon Rainforest is dangerously burning, and the president has said it was fake news, and perhaps the fires were set by NGOs (when it is around 90% sure the fires were set by ranchers wanting more deforested land). It has long been said that this rhetoric (in the USA as well) is just words, and at least, "We know he has no filter, rather than the two-faced politicians we don't know where they stand" or "He might be crooked, but he's bad at it and the other crooked ones are good at it."
The problem with this view is the unintended consequences (switching from president bashing to personal responsibility here). I was pretty young, but I remember the president Clinton scandal. I remember the uproar at his lack of character. I clearly see that lack in current presidents, and yet, from the same people who upheld character in the past, I see them giving a free pass, a "Yes, but..." I hear "Yes, he is horrid, but look at the results, the economy." "Yes, but he is better than the other options."
I cannot parent with this rhetoric, and do not think we should politic (made up word alert) with this rhetoric. I have no idea where the unintended consequences are going to take us, but I know it isn't anywhere good. I cannot give up on character, even if the other options only have fake character. I pray that God would give us the creativity to do something different than just resign ourselves to what options we have, or to embrace it because it gives us some of what we want, at the sacrifice of our character. I pray I would have the courage to walk this path with God, to trust Him with the unintended consequences.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Sunday Funday August
Our weekly vlog:
It was a really great week until Thursday, when Sofia and I got a bit sick--but we pulled through, and are both back to normal. Caid officially signed the papers: we are investing in a beautiful piece of land in Carpina. It is good to put down roots (a bit), and while we don't know if God will lead us to build a home on that land, or sell it to buy an already made home, it is good to move forward in that direction for our family. We enjoy having people over to our home (especially Taco Tuesday), and love having Pastor Assuerio and his family for dinner. They are heading back to Africa in two weeks (they were home for a three month home assignment), and we will so miss having them as neighbors! English class at the trash dump community and Cajueiro Claro were so great this week. Frank is visiting, and took this wonderful picture at Cajueiro:
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. If I could tell you three things: "Time is so much shorter than you think. You are so much richer than you think.You don’t have to find your calling."
2. When Life Knocks you Down Again: "God said it again, “You know where you fall. You know where to fall. You always land in the same place. On me.” “Wait. Falling is bad though. Falling is what weak people do. Falling means not trusting enough or learning enough or growing enough, right? It might mean I’m holding onto hurt or sin or unforgiveness.” We always make falling out to bad."
3. Josh Harris made the Right Decision: another way of looking at things with the two high profile Christians I've seen lately officially "Leaving the Faith." I think a lot of these feelings and questions a lot of people my generation are going through right now, and how the church has and is responding is a very important issue to discuss.
NOTE: It is my birthday next week, and I am getting an upgraded website as my present: one with a blog included in it...so things, eventually, as I get it together, will look a little different:).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. If I could tell you three things: "Time is so much shorter than you think. You are so much richer than you think.You don’t have to find your calling."
2. When Life Knocks you Down Again: "God said it again, “You know where you fall. You know where to fall. You always land in the same place. On me.” “Wait. Falling is bad though. Falling is what weak people do. Falling means not trusting enough or learning enough or growing enough, right? It might mean I’m holding onto hurt or sin or unforgiveness.” We always make falling out to bad."
3. Josh Harris made the Right Decision: another way of looking at things with the two high profile Christians I've seen lately officially "Leaving the Faith." I think a lot of these feelings and questions a lot of people my generation are going through right now, and how the church has and is responding is a very important issue to discuss.
NOTE: It is my birthday next week, and I am getting an upgraded website as my present: one with a blog included in it...so things, eventually, as I get it together, will look a little different:).
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Sunday Funday Father's Day
Happy Father's day! Before you tell me I am late--in Brazil it is celebrated the second Sunday of August. Here is our weekly vlog:
I can feel the weeks begin to fly by now, as we settle into the second semester with school and Living Stones programs. We are super excited about the special play at the International School at the end of the year, that we are practicing songs for already (I may or may not be singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star over 30 on Mondays). We are also excited about the Living Stones Weekend at the Gathering Place on October 25-27, that I will be flying in (solo) for. A really neat thing about this semester is that I have a chance to teach English at the Trash Dump Community (our partnership with PPC) as well! I really love those kids, so it is great to be back with them regularly (even if I end up stuck in the mud, as you can see on the video above).
I can feel the weeks begin to fly by now, as we settle into the second semester with school and Living Stones programs. We are super excited about the special play at the International School at the end of the year, that we are practicing songs for already (I may or may not be singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star over 30 on Mondays). We are also excited about the Living Stones Weekend at the Gathering Place on October 25-27, that I will be flying in (solo) for. A really neat thing about this semester is that I have a chance to teach English at the Trash Dump Community (our partnership with PPC) as well! I really love those kids, so it is great to be back with them regularly (even if I end up stuck in the mud, as you can see on the video above).
One Amazing Dad
Reads from the Interwebs:
Thursday, August 8, 2019
August Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
So I am a bit behind, as this was our week with Shelbyville in July, but it is all good:). The first week of school was quite amazing actually, as Jessica (my little shy introvert) loved her first (and continuing) days at school! Sofia jumped back into school with joy, but Jessie came home singing and smiling (not as common). Mondays are my crazy days, with 9 different classes, from ages 3-14, but we are getting the organization down well. The rest of the week Jessica and I just go to school in the afternoons, with 2 or 3 classes a day. Tuesday through Friday mornings I am then free to work on Living Stones things and visit all the programs, as well as teach English there. It is interesting to see as Caid begins his music ministry, how much more music is a part of my English teaching as well.
Caid has choir at our home on Mondays and Saturdays, teaches choir at the school on Mondays, music at the trash dump community on Wednesdays, helps with Jessica while I am at Living Stones, and is expanding his music ministry and building connections in many other locations, as well as giving voice lessons. And don't forget, Taco Tuesday at our home with our English speaking community. It is looking like a full, amazing semester!
Caid has choir at our home on Mondays and Saturdays, teaches choir at the school on Mondays, music at the trash dump community on Wednesdays, helps with Jessica while I am at Living Stones, and is expanding his music ministry and building connections in many other locations, as well as giving voice lessons. And don't forget, Taco Tuesday at our home with our English speaking community. It is looking like a full, amazing semester!
First day of school for us girls
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. If you send a Missionary some cookies: do you know the book this is based off of? It is rather perfect:)
2. "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" author says he isn't a Christian anymore: Growing up with him, and seeing many of my friends and aquantences entering this same life choice/phase/whatever it is...this is something we need to be praying about and be ready to respond as Jesus would have us to.
3. Cross cultural Economics: "For example, our 50,000 Kenya Shilling per month rent could be $350 US dollars one month and $500 USD the next all depending on the KSh/USD comparative value. This changed our cash flow from month to month at times from famine to feast or vice versa."
4. The Stranger: " I get a bathroom break, my son plays happily while I talk to a ticket agent, and I have extra hands for my luggage and my little boy. “It’s nothing dear”, they say. But it IS something. Every kind intervention counts. We never forget them."
5. When your last goodbye was your last goodbye: "Mary died this year . . . on the wrong side of the planet. In the city and with the people she loved . . . but nowhere near me. Wrong side. I love living abroad . . . but this part is stupid." SO IMPORTANT.
6. Waiting is a kind of Hope: beautiful bird story for the soul.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Last July Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
and also:
Last Monday was especially eventful, as we had a ribbon party (see video above) for a family we know, and that evening, Caid had his first official choir practice at our home. He has been giving voice lessons and working with different groups on music, but it has long been his dream to build an eclectic choir where they could train and learn and grow and perform for God's glory--but then also each one share all that with their own churches and ministries.
In middle school, a choir teacher saw potential in Caid and started investing in him, and it was one of the things that helped an ADHD unfocused kid have an (energy) outlet, a joy, and now, a ministry. It is amazing to see what God is doing!
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Refusing Silence in the threat of History Repeating Itself: "Why are we safely living in America, free to pursue our dreams and interests while 70 million people were born into countries that they have had to flee? God’s Sovereignty. We don’t get to choose where we are born, we only get to choose what we will do with what we’ve been given."
2. Here, Hold my Bag: " I thought if I just dug around long enough, my life and look would fall into place. Put together. Something that could hold all of me."
3. Expat, with a Drill: "Tools are just one example of things that would be considered gratuitous luxuries in my new world and base essentials in my old.I have three friends here who own a car. Three. That’s it. Where I come from it’s nothing for ONE person to own three cars but unthinkable to have none."
4. An Epidemic of Disbelief: A long secular read, but important. I had no idea.
5. Why wait until Marriage, what I wished I'd known: Ann Voskamp's reflections on how she had the right general idea, but the wrong motivations and ways to explain it. Really beautiful.
6. How to fall in Love with Normal again: Love this perspective of coming back to where you are serving as a missionary, which is, weirdly, where NORMAL is for you as a missionary.
And as every week--I recommend listening to The Holy Post Podcast, which the last couple of episodes had me "amen"ing loudly to.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Sunday Funday Thursday
I realize that today is Thursday, not Sunday. The idea is that I finish a weekly vlog sometime during the week, and that I read through my uplifting blogs/readings on Sunday. That happens most of the time. But to pull it all together to post...that often takes longer. So there you have it: Sunday Funday on Thursday.
Our weekly vlog:
We meant to take it easy last week, but that didn't really happen. We were so blessed to see our good friends, the Soares family, go with friends to see Toy Story 4 (we have a movie theater in our town now!!! Makes it so much easier!), enjoy family time (read: eat ice cream together), while Caid helped out at a day camp ministry week and I planned for the fall semester. With 16 classes a week at the International school, and 4 weekly classes at Living Stones, it is a lot of planning.
“Love let her in.”
2. Dear American Church: "You want, so sincerely, to be a healing force in the world. And so, I’m sorry. For how I’ve judged. And thank you, for loving me. There is so much wrong with just about everything. And there is so much hope in just about everything."
3. From the other side of the trip: "Sitting on this side of well-thought out and prepared for short-term trips, I am reminded how God’s math is not my math. The extra hours these trips cost you? The foolish questions the participants ask? The food they won’t eat? It is worth it. I have to admit, that I did not expect for Elizabeth, David, and Grace to come away with such tidy lessons for me (for us) related to culture, the life of a missionary, or team. Sounds almost too neat, doesn’t it? But God in his mercy may have the lessons so clear and “simple” as if to highlight that His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts. This letter is merely to give you a glimpse of the parts of a summer trip you might not see."
4. When Missionaries return broken: "There is a missing piece in that go-send picture, because the one who goes out will eventually come back. How will they be welcomed back? What kind of support systems are in place? Who will be the “receiver” of the returned missionary?"
Our weekly vlog:
We meant to take it easy last week, but that didn't really happen. We were so blessed to see our good friends, the Soares family, go with friends to see Toy Story 4 (we have a movie theater in our town now!!! Makes it so much easier!), enjoy family time (read: eat ice cream together), while Caid helped out at a day camp ministry week and I planned for the fall semester. With 16 classes a week at the International school, and 4 weekly classes at Living Stones, it is a lot of planning.
(Yep, Rebekah is taller than me now)
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. About where we are all from: "“Who let a child like this into this country?”
I looked that doctor right back in the eye:“Love let her in.”
2. Dear American Church: "You want, so sincerely, to be a healing force in the world. And so, I’m sorry. For how I’ve judged. And thank you, for loving me. There is so much wrong with just about everything. And there is so much hope in just about everything."
3. From the other side of the trip: "Sitting on this side of well-thought out and prepared for short-term trips, I am reminded how God’s math is not my math. The extra hours these trips cost you? The foolish questions the participants ask? The food they won’t eat? It is worth it. I have to admit, that I did not expect for Elizabeth, David, and Grace to come away with such tidy lessons for me (for us) related to culture, the life of a missionary, or team. Sounds almost too neat, doesn’t it? But God in his mercy may have the lessons so clear and “simple” as if to highlight that His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts. This letter is merely to give you a glimpse of the parts of a summer trip you might not see."
4. When Missionaries return broken: "There is a missing piece in that go-send picture, because the one who goes out will eventually come back. How will they be welcomed back? What kind of support systems are in place? Who will be the “receiver” of the returned missionary?"
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Sunday Funday July
Our weekly vlog:
We have been resting (just a little) after three weeks of Short Term Mission Trips (STMTs), and Caid putting in 200 hours the last two weeks. Unfortunately, the girls don't understand how to sleep in later than 5:30 (maybe 6), so not really much rest. Last week with Shelbyville community church was incredible, and you will be seeing lots of pictures and video from it over the next while, but here were some of my favorite:
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Dipping your toes: something I wrote to explain some things between STMT, LTMT, and Missionary life.
2. 10 Lessons learned about rest, work, and myself: "I once heard someone say, “The people who go the distance are the people that can pull themselves from the game and sit on the sidelines-regularly.” I think this is the most profound reminder I received over the past month. My work isn’t really mine. I’m following Jesus wherever He leads and one day He will lead me away from Mercy House. It will go on because it belongs to Him."
3. Facing shame and finding our way: "As our time came to a close, she leaned forward. “Young man, can I ask you what you do to help the poor?”
Her question wasn’t accusative, demanding, or condescending. It was just a question. But to me it felt laced with expectation. If I lied to Mother Teresa, I was surely putting my life in jeopardy. So I told the truth. I glanced away and said, “I’m really not doing anything.”
She could have condemned me, chastised me, or struck me with a lightsaber and I wouldn’t have blamed her. Instead, she smiled and said, “Everyone can do something.”
4. White Evangelicals least likely to say the US has responsibility to accept refugees: This kills me! Because many (read--most) social justice issues I feel that the church has a responsibility to do more than the government--we should be taking care of our communities, our neighbors, and our enemies as well--but this is concerning public policy that is making decisions to not allow us to care for people. Precautions--yes, rules--yes: but this? NO. As someone who has had years of visa problems getting into a country--it is important.
5. Newsletter code words: so true!
"Code: Visa application process
Meaning: We’ve quit our jobs, given away our belongings, raised support, and are ready to go, but if this paperwork is denied all our plans are totally stuffed.
Code: Health issues
Meaning: This mainly means diarrhea."
6. In-flightisms: love it! "Cartnering: This is the act of hovering next to the food cart as it’s making its way down the aisle. Timing a trip to the bathroom with the distribution of meals is truly an art form, and it is best done passive-aggressively (such as by wearing a smile while dancing from one foot to the other)."
We have been resting (just a little) after three weeks of Short Term Mission Trips (STMTs), and Caid putting in 200 hours the last two weeks. Unfortunately, the girls don't understand how to sleep in later than 5:30 (maybe 6), so not really much rest. Last week with Shelbyville community church was incredible, and you will be seeing lots of pictures and video from it over the next while, but here were some of my favorite:
1. Dipping your toes: something I wrote to explain some things between STMT, LTMT, and Missionary life.
2. 10 Lessons learned about rest, work, and myself: "I once heard someone say, “The people who go the distance are the people that can pull themselves from the game and sit on the sidelines-regularly.” I think this is the most profound reminder I received over the past month. My work isn’t really mine. I’m following Jesus wherever He leads and one day He will lead me away from Mercy House. It will go on because it belongs to Him."
3. Facing shame and finding our way: "As our time came to a close, she leaned forward. “Young man, can I ask you what you do to help the poor?”
Her question wasn’t accusative, demanding, or condescending. It was just a question. But to me it felt laced with expectation. If I lied to Mother Teresa, I was surely putting my life in jeopardy. So I told the truth. I glanced away and said, “I’m really not doing anything.”
She could have condemned me, chastised me, or struck me with a lightsaber and I wouldn’t have blamed her. Instead, she smiled and said, “Everyone can do something.”
4. White Evangelicals least likely to say the US has responsibility to accept refugees: This kills me! Because many (read--most) social justice issues I feel that the church has a responsibility to do more than the government--we should be taking care of our communities, our neighbors, and our enemies as well--but this is concerning public policy that is making decisions to not allow us to care for people. Precautions--yes, rules--yes: but this? NO. As someone who has had years of visa problems getting into a country--it is important.
5. Newsletter code words: so true!
"Code: Visa application process
Meaning: We’ve quit our jobs, given away our belongings, raised support, and are ready to go, but if this paperwork is denied all our plans are totally stuffed.
Code: Health issues
Meaning: This mainly means diarrhea."
6. In-flightisms: love it! "Cartnering: This is the act of hovering next to the food cart as it’s making its way down the aisle. Timing a trip to the bathroom with the distribution of meals is truly an art form, and it is best done passive-aggressively (such as by wearing a smile while dancing from one foot to the other)."
Dipping Your Toes
I was talking with a friend about a mutual friend who was currently on a mission's trip to Mexico. "Yeah--she is doing what you do!" my friend said.
NOPE.
Every once in awhile a realize that there is often a huge disconnect between my life and what other people think my life is. Let me explain.
Short Term Mission Trips is to Missionary life what dipping your toes in the pool is to swimming laps.
There is a large discussion in Missiology (study of Missions) about the current (large) role of STMT (short term mission trips) in missions, and Christianity in general. There are those for and against. There are right ways and wrong ways to do STMTs. But to clarify, going to Mexico for a week (or so) is not being a missionary.
In some sense, we are all missionaries. I am a firm believer in STMTs, because it was a STMT that started my journey to becoming a missionary. But a STMT is better called a "vision trip" or a "learning exchange trip." It is a moment in time where you push pause on your life (not STOP), and see another life--and then return to the original life--hopefully a different person, adding in new learnings and experiences.
A SHORT term mission trip is SHORT, generally between a week to a month. A LONG term mission trip would be like an internship, generally at least 3 months to a year. But they are both "trips." They both imply a pause on the rest of your life while you try something different.
As I wrote here, "Officially, I would say when most people think of the word “Missionary,” they mean someone who has moved (become a migrant) somewhere different (than their own culture) for the specific purpose of telling others about Jesus (direct spiritual ministry in some form), mostly being supported (at least partially) by Christians from their original culture/home."
This isn't the only definition of Missionary--nor should it be. I think the ways we do missions should be as different and colorful as the people who do them. But because it is so hard to do things outside of a general definition (see the conversation at the top of this blog for an example), some definition and explanation is needed.
To me, I didn't feel I could call myself a missionary for a long time because (among other reasons) I was in limbo land between long term missions and missionary for so long. I had visa issues, and so could only be in Brazil for 6 months a year. I still had a life in the USA that I returned to. I had a room with clothes in the closet and pictures on the wall--in the USA. In Brazil I had to pack everything up each time a left, and didn't know for sure when/if/where I would return. After about 5 years of this, I realized I needed to make some inward decisions about my life, and where it was headed. From there, I started transitioning into what I consider a missionary...but it took a lot of time and failure (also because in current culture, I think it is harder for single missionaries to do this).
Now that I am married with two Brazilian children in Brazil, I can tell you it feels different. We are renting, but we have a home. We have a home that is our home. That when we leave, our pictures stay on the walls. While other people may use it, it is still our home. In the USA, our clothes and things are in storage. When in the USA, we stay in someone else's home. While God may call us to return to the USA someday, our lives are not on pause in the USA--they have ended, and we are living our lives in Brazil.
This moving, this ending is what I feel really defines a Missionary. We will always be connected (STRONGLY) to the USA by our family and friends, but our lives are here in Brazil.
I do not say any of this to diminish the work and importance of STMTs (or Long Term Mission Trips) I thank each person who gave of their time and money to come to Brazil and serve here with us. Who pushed "pause" on their life and invested and poured into the ministries and people here. But it isn't the same thing as being a missionary, and it is important to know that, as I have personally found out.
Do come and dip your toes into the water: just don't think that in a week or two you will be swimming laps.
NOPE.
Every once in awhile a realize that there is often a huge disconnect between my life and what other people think my life is. Let me explain.
Short Term Mission Trips is to Missionary life what dipping your toes in the pool is to swimming laps.
There is a large discussion in Missiology (study of Missions) about the current (large) role of STMT (short term mission trips) in missions, and Christianity in general. There are those for and against. There are right ways and wrong ways to do STMTs. But to clarify, going to Mexico for a week (or so) is not being a missionary.
In some sense, we are all missionaries. I am a firm believer in STMTs, because it was a STMT that started my journey to becoming a missionary. But a STMT is better called a "vision trip" or a "learning exchange trip." It is a moment in time where you push pause on your life (not STOP), and see another life--and then return to the original life--hopefully a different person, adding in new learnings and experiences.
A SHORT term mission trip is SHORT, generally between a week to a month. A LONG term mission trip would be like an internship, generally at least 3 months to a year. But they are both "trips." They both imply a pause on the rest of your life while you try something different.
As I wrote here, "Officially, I would say when most people think of the word “Missionary,” they mean someone who has moved (become a migrant) somewhere different (than their own culture) for the specific purpose of telling others about Jesus (direct spiritual ministry in some form), mostly being supported (at least partially) by Christians from their original culture/home."
This isn't the only definition of Missionary--nor should it be. I think the ways we do missions should be as different and colorful as the people who do them. But because it is so hard to do things outside of a general definition (see the conversation at the top of this blog for an example), some definition and explanation is needed.
To me, I didn't feel I could call myself a missionary for a long time because (among other reasons) I was in limbo land between long term missions and missionary for so long. I had visa issues, and so could only be in Brazil for 6 months a year. I still had a life in the USA that I returned to. I had a room with clothes in the closet and pictures on the wall--in the USA. In Brazil I had to pack everything up each time a left, and didn't know for sure when/if/where I would return. After about 5 years of this, I realized I needed to make some inward decisions about my life, and where it was headed. From there, I started transitioning into what I consider a missionary...but it took a lot of time and failure (also because in current culture, I think it is harder for single missionaries to do this).
Now that I am married with two Brazilian children in Brazil, I can tell you it feels different. We are renting, but we have a home. We have a home that is our home. That when we leave, our pictures stay on the walls. While other people may use it, it is still our home. In the USA, our clothes and things are in storage. When in the USA, we stay in someone else's home. While God may call us to return to the USA someday, our lives are not on pause in the USA--they have ended, and we are living our lives in Brazil.
This moving, this ending is what I feel really defines a Missionary. We will always be connected (STRONGLY) to the USA by our family and friends, but our lives are here in Brazil.
I do not say any of this to diminish the work and importance of STMTs (or Long Term Mission Trips) I thank each person who gave of their time and money to come to Brazil and serve here with us. Who pushed "pause" on their life and invested and poured into the ministries and people here. But it isn't the same thing as being a missionary, and it is important to know that, as I have personally found out.
Do come and dip your toes into the water: just don't think that in a week or two you will be swimming laps.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
July Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
It is Short Term Mission Trip season! We had an amazing group from New Jersey run a great English camp and other ministries, a group from Morning Star in Ohio run some VBS and Basketball clinics, and now our friends from Shelbyville Community church are here, running an English VBS in Cajueiro Claro. My daughters are overjoyed with an abundance of attention, love, and candy.
We are so grateful for the love and encouragement of so many people who are giving their time, effort, and money to share in our lives and love on us and our Brazilian family and ministries. We know for sure there are good ways, bad ways, and so-so ways to do missions trips, and I am so glad to be a part of a team who is working to give their best. If you want to more about that, check out this video:
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. The amount of persecuted Christian refugees allowed into the country has dropped by 70%
2. Discovering your passion and purpose in the midst of pain
3. The Bible's impact on Human rights
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. The amount of persecuted Christian refugees allowed into the country has dropped by 70%
2. Discovering your passion and purpose in the midst of pain
3. The Bible's impact on Human rights
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Last June Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
Last week, Monday was Sao Joao (see our celebration in the above video), and Tuesday was Sofia's birthday and the start of English camp. It was a wonderful time, and we are so grateful for the American group that came and made it happen! But, we are sad to see our friend, Rachael (yes, in my head I pronounce the extra "a") leave. She was an amazing intern and teacher, and we will not be able to fill her shoes half so gracefully. She left with many words of wisdom, some of which I caught on a video coming soon!
During this amazing week, we got an extra surprise: an unexpected third mission's trip group coming (they planned, bought tickets, and arrived all in the same week)! God opened unbelievable doors, and Caid is working hard as their kombe driver and full-time translator this week (the girls and I join until nap time is evidently needed each day). Please do keep us in your prayers, as it is a lot of organizing and leg work, as well as translating (and losing your voice), and we are super excited about our friends from Shelbyville Community Church arriving Sunday!
Last week, Monday was Sao Joao (see our celebration in the above video), and Tuesday was Sofia's birthday and the start of English camp. It was a wonderful time, and we are so grateful for the American group that came and made it happen! But, we are sad to see our friend, Rachael (yes, in my head I pronounce the extra "a") leave. She was an amazing intern and teacher, and we will not be able to fill her shoes half so gracefully. She left with many words of wisdom, some of which I caught on a video coming soon!
During this amazing week, we got an extra surprise: an unexpected third mission's trip group coming (they planned, bought tickets, and arrived all in the same week)! God opened unbelievable doors, and Caid is working hard as their kombe driver and full-time translator this week (the girls and I join until nap time is evidently needed each day). Please do keep us in your prayers, as it is a lot of organizing and leg work, as well as translating (and losing your voice), and we are super excited about our friends from Shelbyville Community Church arriving Sunday!
Reads from the Interwebs (lots of great stuff this week!!):
1. Staying grounded while single and living abroad: "I have never felt so purpose-filled and aimless at the same time. I have never had as many lasting relationships and yet been so alone. Those three years were some of my best professionally and worst personally. But those days living overseas by myself defined me. I saw who I really was—my best and my worst self—and ultimately those years led me into finding strength and wholeness in my individuality."
2. Because it's time to shout their worth: "Advocacy is not only for those of us born into a privileged space; it is for everyone. Even if you are among those who need others to shout your worth, there is someone sitting behind you who needs you to shout theirs."
3. Detention centers explained, James Dobson gives into fear at the boarder: unfortunately, I don't have answers, but I do know fear isn't one of them. but Don't look away.
4. This undid me: "The famous trucks are already here and we are waiting for it to begin. I am completely calm. You — my only and dearest one, do not blame yourself for what happened, it was our destiny. We did what we could. Stay healthy and remember my words that time will heal — if not completely — then — at least partially..."
5. The time Rehema loved me anyway: “Look at me and now look at Mama Kennedy (that’s what they call me)… Who do you see in front of you? Do you see two completely different women? Do you see our different color? Do you see our different backgrounds? Look at her education and look at mine? Look at the opportunities she has had being raised in America and look at mine having grown up in the village? You have two women who came from opposite ends of privilege and poverty, and we both have the same message for you: In Christ alone is our only hope. You can have everything…and still be searching. You can have nothing…and still, be searching. It’s Jesus alone who satisfies.”
6. Too much member care--can there be such a thing? this asks really good questions.
7. Want Successful kids? Science says do these 5 things every day: 1. Stay on top of them 2. Praise them correctly 3. Take them outside 4. Read to them correctly 5. Make them do chores.
8. Three ways to improve short term missions trips: 1. Stop calling it a Short Term Mission Trip 2. Put away your wallet 3. Think beyond the short term hit and run
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Sunday Funday June
Our weekly vlog:
When I talked to my family this Sunday, my dad said "Does the government pay for all those holidays? You have had holidays every week for the past three weeks!" (St. Antonio: June 13, Corpus Christi: June 20, and Sao Joao: June 24) This was our vlog from last year around this time:
Here is a video from three years ago about Sao Joao, for you to know a bit more:
Our regular schedule has been off, but it has been a good time for our family together, and getting ready for the short term missions trips coming this year. Sofia was dancing around the house, chanting "English camp is coming!" last week, and I know all the other kids at the International school are just as excited for this fun time.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. What Makes you a Great Dad: Musings from Ann Voskamp about Father's Day, and basically I am waiting to celebrate it until Brazil does in August--that is how I organized holidays this year (because you have to organize them or celebrate some twice, which sometimes you just don't have the energy for).
2. Expatriate, Immigrant, Racist? Answering some definition questions I had: " Immigrants have an intention to stay, for the expatriates this intention isn’t mentioned and isn’t clear."
3. How to Welcome her back: "For you, her reentry is an event you’ve been waiting for. It’s here. It’s over. It’s time to continue your daily rhythms of life. For her, it’s a marathon and she’s barely at the halfway mark. She is staggering in intense, complex, conflicting emotions. Exhausted by the logistical and emotional fatigue of farewells and deluge of decisions, her life is in upheaval."
4. Burnout Cure: "So there is this rest rhythm — even 5 minutes in the middle of the day to: Look up into the limbs of a tree and stretch out your own arms and breathe in deep. The Japanese call it “forest bathing.”
5. For Those who Don't Belong: "Could it be that this is a feeling common to those who reside in the margins? Are there places where someone can feel accepted, perhaps because compassion is offered and empathy is freely given, and yet still not feel a sense of belonging? How do we determine that we are not alone? Storytelling.
We can break the cycle of loneliness and the sense that we do not belong when we take the time to share our stories and listen—genuinely listen—to the stories of others."
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
No Father's Day Sunday Funday
The Holidays are all messed up again! Valentine's Day was June 12, June 13th was a local holiday (with no school) for St. Anthony Day, and Father's day isn't until the second Sunday in August. Our weekly vlog was our awesome couple's dinner:
Having a surprise (to us) holiday on June 13th was a really great reset for our family, and a time to snuggle in our home with lots and lots of rain! It was cold enough that Sofia wanted to wear a sweater (for about 5 minutes), and Caid even put on pants (by cold, I mean like 70 degrees). I (Rachel) really loved getting to do a special English lesson on Valentine's day (how it is the same and how it is different from Brazilian boyfriend/girlfriend day) with candy and games at all the Living Stone's programs and at the Trash dump community. We also got to celebrate lots of birthdays at Living Stones--right before most of the programs are ending for winter break (Cajueiro Claro's break isn't until later).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Even Jesus had a Boat: "“Ok, this is what life is like there. You can’t change all the stuff happening around you. So what can you change to help you continue living there?” asked my counselor friend." (So for us, the title would be "Even Jesus had Air Conditioning")
2. Inner Endings: “All endings require inner work.” – Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero
3. What did I ever do to deserve this blue passport? "All because God put my soul into the body of a person who happened to be born on US soil. That's it. There is nothing else differentiating me from the soul of the Honduran woman holding desperately onto her baby with one hand and the top of a moving train with the other. I am not better than her. I am not more valuable than her. I have not worked harder than her. There's nothing I have done that makes me deserve that blue passport more than her."
4. Beauty of Biracial Belonging: "true belonging can only be preceded by true acceptance. Acceptance can only be acquired when we become vulnerable enough to share our lives with others."
5.What the sustainable movement is missing about privilege: SO IMPORTANT.
6. Jesus Storybook Bible in 38 Languages: one of my favorites--I NEED this in Portuguese! Like 5 copies at least.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Even Jesus had a Boat: "“Ok, this is what life is like there. You can’t change all the stuff happening around you. So what can you change to help you continue living there?” asked my counselor friend." (So for us, the title would be "Even Jesus had Air Conditioning")
2. Inner Endings: “All endings require inner work.” – Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero
3. What did I ever do to deserve this blue passport? "All because God put my soul into the body of a person who happened to be born on US soil. That's it. There is nothing else differentiating me from the soul of the Honduran woman holding desperately onto her baby with one hand and the top of a moving train with the other. I am not better than her. I am not more valuable than her. I have not worked harder than her. There's nothing I have done that makes me deserve that blue passport more than her."
4. Beauty of Biracial Belonging: "true belonging can only be preceded by true acceptance. Acceptance can only be acquired when we become vulnerable enough to share our lives with others."
5.What the sustainable movement is missing about privilege: SO IMPORTANT.
6. Jesus Storybook Bible in 38 Languages: one of my favorites--I NEED this in Portuguese! Like 5 copies at least.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Namorados Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
Super excited to finally get to see what God is doing in Feira Nova! We had a lovely week celebrating Valentine's Day! Let me explain for you: USA Valentine's Day is February 14th, but in Brazil, because Carnaval is such a big deal (and is sometimes right around February 14th), they decided to celebrate their version of Valentine's Day on June 12th instead. But it is called "Dia dos Namorados" which is "Boyfriend/girlfriend day." After our Valentine's Day in the USA, I bought a bunch of candy and cards to bring and show all the Living Stones kids a bit of what it is like to celebrate in the USA, and how it isn't just about boyfriends and girlfriends. Caid and I got to have a special date, as well as the annual couple's dinner at church, which is put on by all the single ladies:
(All the single ladies at Cajueiro Claro)
(It's grape juice, guys)
No reads from the Internet this week, guys...nothing really stood out. But I do hope you have a wonderful week! As far as my social media progress, I think I am really appreciating using each app only one day a week, and it makes my scrolling intentional and much more about commenting and responding to people, rather than just aimlessly "checking." God bless you!
Monday, June 3, 2019
June Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
Last week we had our first Taco Tuesday hosted at the blue house, and I got to visit Feira Nova for the first time. We are really excited about some special plans at the International school, and Caid and I were really impressed with "Shazam!" It was a really great movie! I am working on a spiral garden and composting (look at all that adulting:)), and Caid is loving the keyboard we were able to bring from the USA, working on writing songs, and voice lessons, as he scouts out future choir members.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Mad is not our only choice: "Something clicked for me. "Honey," I said, "I just realized something. I think that sometimes you choose feeling mad over feeling bad. You choose mad because that's a more comfortable emotion than feeling sad or guilty. It's really hard to admit when we do something wrong, and it's a lot easier to be mad at someone who is mad back at you."
2. When life cracks your heart: “I screamed at the heavens, demanding a different answer, a second chance, to go back, to do it over, do it better, but instead I began living a life I didn’t choose.”
3. Black hair school for adoptive parents: Love this! My hair journey is on Instagram with #2girlsncurls. "As an African American woman herself, Swint understands how important hair is to black culture, referring to our hair as “our crown” and additionally making mention to the role that hair plays in overall self-esteem, even at a young age. “When you feel good about how you look, that propels you into the world as a productive citizen.” Swint gets it and she’s making sure that parents of transracial families all over the country have the necessary resources and understand that, too."
4. Subversive Mother's Day: " Charity alleviates the effects of poverty – treating diarrhea in milk-powder-fed babies for example. While justice seeks to eliminate the root causes of that sickness – in this case misleading corporate advertising and a lack of access to clean water for all. We need BOTH charity (or mercy) and justice.But at its worst, charity becomes a substitute for justice, when it should merely be a stop-gap measure:"
God bless you, and may you have a lovely week!
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Mad is not our only choice: "Something clicked for me. "Honey," I said, "I just realized something. I think that sometimes you choose feeling mad over feeling bad. You choose mad because that's a more comfortable emotion than feeling sad or guilty. It's really hard to admit when we do something wrong, and it's a lot easier to be mad at someone who is mad back at you."
2. When life cracks your heart: “I screamed at the heavens, demanding a different answer, a second chance, to go back, to do it over, do it better, but instead I began living a life I didn’t choose.”
3. Black hair school for adoptive parents: Love this! My hair journey is on Instagram with #2girlsncurls. "As an African American woman herself, Swint understands how important hair is to black culture, referring to our hair as “our crown” and additionally making mention to the role that hair plays in overall self-esteem, even at a young age. “When you feel good about how you look, that propels you into the world as a productive citizen.” Swint gets it and she’s making sure that parents of transracial families all over the country have the necessary resources and understand that, too."
4. Subversive Mother's Day: " Charity alleviates the effects of poverty – treating diarrhea in milk-powder-fed babies for example. While justice seeks to eliminate the root causes of that sickness – in this case misleading corporate advertising and a lack of access to clean water for all. We need BOTH charity (or mercy) and justice.But at its worst, charity becomes a substitute for justice, when it should merely be a stop-gap measure:"
God bless you, and may you have a lovely week!
Monday, May 27, 2019
Sunday Funday May
Our weekly vlog:
We feel pretty settled in now (and hopefully done with the stomach flu). Sofia is doing well at all day preschool, and Jessica is getting used to being an only child during the day. She has started singing a lot--nothing understandable about it--but definitely singing, and it brings us all joy as we see her step a bit outside of her introverted self.
We are slowly getting ourselves back into things at Living Stones, school, church, and PPC (our partners at the trash dump) as well as finding a gym, starting a garden, and those kind of things. We are excited to restart the beloved Taco Tuesdays tomorrow, and get to know some new team members here in Brazil. I have enjoyed my first week of restricting social media (just on certain days), although mostly it has just freed me up to Pinterest house organizing things instead (perhaps I should make one Pinterest day a week?).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. The Holy Post on Abortion: If you haven't heard the Holy Post Podcast, I recommend it (and I am just getting into podcasts), and if you've been wondering about abortion policies going around--please check this out--it was a blessing to me personally.
2. Singleness and the commitment to Community: I loved the "Single" theme at Velvet Ashes! As someone who loved and enjoyed her single years, I still connect and pass on when I see good things written about it. Finding my community while single in Brazil made all the difference, and it was truly a taste of heaven.
3. Hard Times? "Suffering is an invitation to stop pretending. Suffering in an invitation to stop avoiding. Suffering is an invitation to let go of control. Suffering is an invitation to pour out our hearts. Suffering is an invitation to lament to God."
4. Dear Single Girl: YES! As someone who was a single missionary for 10 years, and now a married one for 5, I have seen my marital status open doors I never imagined in ministry--but also close other ones I needed to grieve and let go of. Go live your calling, your passion, your joy!
5. The Bible Project: we've been enjoying watching these, and it was especially encouraging to me this weekend as I was pretty sick Saturday and Sunday.
We are slowly getting ourselves back into things at Living Stones, school, church, and PPC (our partners at the trash dump) as well as finding a gym, starting a garden, and those kind of things. We are excited to restart the beloved Taco Tuesdays tomorrow, and get to know some new team members here in Brazil. I have enjoyed my first week of restricting social media (just on certain days), although mostly it has just freed me up to Pinterest house organizing things instead (perhaps I should make one Pinterest day a week?).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. The Holy Post on Abortion: If you haven't heard the Holy Post Podcast, I recommend it (and I am just getting into podcasts), and if you've been wondering about abortion policies going around--please check this out--it was a blessing to me personally.
2. Singleness and the commitment to Community: I loved the "Single" theme at Velvet Ashes! As someone who loved and enjoyed her single years, I still connect and pass on when I see good things written about it. Finding my community while single in Brazil made all the difference, and it was truly a taste of heaven.
3. Hard Times? "Suffering is an invitation to stop pretending. Suffering in an invitation to stop avoiding. Suffering is an invitation to let go of control. Suffering is an invitation to pour out our hearts. Suffering is an invitation to lament to God."
4. Dear Single Girl: YES! As someone who was a single missionary for 10 years, and now a married one for 5, I have seen my marital status open doors I never imagined in ministry--but also close other ones I needed to grieve and let go of. Go live your calling, your passion, your joy!
5. The Bible Project: we've been enjoying watching these, and it was especially encouraging to me this weekend as I was pretty sick Saturday and Sunday.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
The Holy Post on Abortion
I have been listening to the podcast called "The Holy Post" for a couple months, and have really enjoyed it--it has the guy from Veggie Tales, is witty, and covers current topics in a healthy way. Today I drove to Lagoa de Itaenga Living Stones (for the first time by myself) and was impressed enough by how they covered the abortion topic that I listened to it twice. I strongly suggest that you listen yourself to episode 352: Athleisure, Abortion, and Ancient Squirrels with Mike Nawrocki. I will summarize/quote the best parts about abortion (the bold parts are my thoughts):
"If you could reduce significantly the amount of abortions, without overturning Row v. Wade OR overturn Row v. Wade and have no change in the number of abortions--which would you pick? Abortion was not invented in 1973, it can't be undone with a court ruling."
What will undo abortions is people (the church) coming along side women before they ever get to an abortion clinic--and being there still after she leaves: no matter what choice she made inside.
"After the Civil War, reconstruction totally failed--why? Because at the end of the day, they (many Christian abolitionists) weren't against racism, they were just against slavery. My concern is that they (many Christian conservatives) will fight to overturn Row v. Wade and may succeed, just to end up seeing the abortion rate go up. Because at the end of the day, do they care about helping women who are pregnant, or just about getting evil legislation off the books?"
Are we just trying to get the government to do the work for us (on abortion), because it is easier than the actual hard work of relationships and adoption and loving hurting and broken people?
"Around 25% of abortions are done by pill or injection (50% in Europe). All these women have to do is go online and buy this drug and induce an abortion. Women have always had ways of aborting unwanted pregnancies and will continue no matter what is overturned. As the church, if we believe in the sanctity of life and care about these women, then we need a holistic response, not just a political one."
With politics, I think it is important to remember that they (the government) aren't going to solve all the problems, no matter how much they end up voting like you wanted them to. God chose us Christians to be the agents of change, and He chose to work through the local church (like it or not).
We need to find many different ways to reduce abortions, protect women, and protect babies. I am against abortion (just as I am against murder), and think it should not be done (just like murder), and should be illegal (just like murder). But, there are many other things that need to be done (over the counter cheap birth control, more male accountability, sex education...) before, during, and (perhaps?) after Row v. Wade.
Here are four other abortion/politics blogs from the past:
3 Things I learned from the Women's March on Washington
Never Ever
Stop Calling your Congressman and Start Making Relationships
Politics
In closing, I am posting from Seth Woods (I've never met him, it is a Facebook post that a friend posted, but I felt too intimidated to repost on Facebook because I am just not ready for that drama):
"If you could reduce significantly the amount of abortions, without overturning Row v. Wade OR overturn Row v. Wade and have no change in the number of abortions--which would you pick? Abortion was not invented in 1973, it can't be undone with a court ruling."
What will undo abortions is people (the church) coming along side women before they ever get to an abortion clinic--and being there still after she leaves: no matter what choice she made inside.
"After the Civil War, reconstruction totally failed--why? Because at the end of the day, they (many Christian abolitionists) weren't against racism, they were just against slavery. My concern is that they (many Christian conservatives) will fight to overturn Row v. Wade and may succeed, just to end up seeing the abortion rate go up. Because at the end of the day, do they care about helping women who are pregnant, or just about getting evil legislation off the books?"
Are we just trying to get the government to do the work for us (on abortion), because it is easier than the actual hard work of relationships and adoption and loving hurting and broken people?
"Around 25% of abortions are done by pill or injection (50% in Europe). All these women have to do is go online and buy this drug and induce an abortion. Women have always had ways of aborting unwanted pregnancies and will continue no matter what is overturned. As the church, if we believe in the sanctity of life and care about these women, then we need a holistic response, not just a political one."
With politics, I think it is important to remember that they (the government) aren't going to solve all the problems, no matter how much they end up voting like you wanted them to. God chose us Christians to be the agents of change, and He chose to work through the local church (like it or not).
We need to find many different ways to reduce abortions, protect women, and protect babies. I am against abortion (just as I am against murder), and think it should not be done (just like murder), and should be illegal (just like murder). But, there are many other things that need to be done (over the counter cheap birth control, more male accountability, sex education...) before, during, and (perhaps?) after Row v. Wade.
Here are four other abortion/politics blogs from the past:
3 Things I learned from the Women's March on Washington
Never Ever
Stop Calling your Congressman and Start Making Relationships
Politics
In closing, I am posting from Seth Woods (I've never met him, it is a Facebook post that a friend posted, but I felt too intimidated to repost on Facebook because I am just not ready for that drama):
I need to talk to my conservative/Christian friends and family for a minute. About abortion.
First: if you hold the personal belief or conviction that abortion is wrong, is a sin, is against God's will... That is absolutely okay, and understandable. There are so many reasons to feel this way, not just from a theological/religious standpoint, but from personal experiences, hopes, desires, etc. Your belief about where you stand on the moral/ethical merits of abortion are yours to have, to cherish, to speak about, to share. They are your human rights and your constitutional rights in our country.
Second: America is not a Christian nation. It is not a nation for Christians. It is a nation for all. I know this can be genuinely hard to accept. I grew up in the church too. We are sold this idea of a Christian nation, one nation under God. That was never what we had. What we have is a nation founded on the idea of liberty and equality, with the men drafting the documents having the amazing foresight to make the language broader than their own beliefs about equality (which many of them felt only applied to white landowning men). Thank God! What they gave us was so much greater than their own biases. They gave us room to grow in our understanding of equality and freedom and mutual cooperation. And so all faiths are welcome here. And that is beautiful.
Third: Knowing and hopefully accepting that, we can recognize that there are large portions of our fellow Americans who are not Christian. Imagine a Jewish senator putting forth a bill that would require every male -infant, child, and adult - to be circumcised. Or a Muslim governor signing a bill into law that states all citizens must pray five times a day on their prayer mats. You would be very understandably (and as far as the constitution goes, rightly) upset over someone trying to legislate their beliefs onto your lives and bodies...
Four: Your politicians are using you. They are using your deeply held spiritual and emotional beliefs about abortion to justify racial, gender, and class inequality. The men pushing these laws are concerned with power, not with the unborn. There are documented cases of GOP "pro-life" politicians who are pushing legislation like this with one hand and with the other hand are encouraging their secret girlfriends to terminate their very secret and unwanted pregnancies. For you, this issue is about speaking up for what you believe. For many many of the politicians, it is about feeding their own personal agendas and increasing their power. YOU GIVE THEM THAT POWER. And they are grossly abusing it, not to the glory of God. Please stop letting them use you to control people.
Five: this is pretty core, and I'm not sure how to say it, so forgive me my ineloquence here. If you want to see a world without abortion, you need to work to create a world that doesn't need abortion. That world cannot be legislated into being. That was never the job of the church anyway - to legislate their way to the kingdom of god? Ugh. You may want to see a world that didn't drink alcohol - how did prohibition work out? No more drunks? No. You cannot legislate morality. You can work toward it though. I love that you love the unborn. I love that you have a heart that feels that. Please have a heart for those who are already born as well. Please be truly pro-life, and take care of women instead of criminalizing them. A world that didn't need abortions would be one where birth control was extremely affordable and available, where young people everywhere were well educated about sex. It would look like accepting that abstinence is not the only choice that young people are going to make - "I believe sex is supposed to be saved till marriage, however, if you choose to have sex before marriage, as many of you will, there are things that are very important for you to know" is a totally acceptable way to talk about your beliefs AND the facts of life with your kids.
You are NEVER going to get close to having a world where people don't have sex unless they are married. TRUST ME. That will never happen. You absolutely can work toward a realistic world where we take care of people, where we help and educate and love people in a way where the number of unwanted pregnancies declines drastically. Do you want a world where people aren't allowed to get abortions? Or do you want a world where people dont need to get abortions, where it's not even a question or an issue that they have to face, because they have been equipped with the tools to navigate sex and relationships and personal choices with maturity and safety and love? And look, I haven't even brought up the very very troubling issue of rape, incest, abuse. And real quick on that: you CANNOT make decisions like that for another person. YOU CANNOT DO THAT. A person who has been abused needs to have our support, our ear, our compassion, and if they need assistance or advice or comfort or a friend then we can be that. What we can't do is make a life altering decision for them after they have already experienced a traumatic life altering assault. We shouldn't be making those decisions for anyone (just like we shouldn't have the legal ability to tell anyone else whether or not to drink, or to pray, or to get circumcised).
There's so much more. So much. And it all needs to be said - not just said but talked about. But here's what I want to end this with: WE NEED YOU. We need each other. We have become so divided from each other, and so much of that is because we rely on our intermediaries: the media, the politicians, the social media algorithms. But we are never going to go anywhere unless we come together to figure this out. No matter what you believe this issue really is (a woman's issue, a moral issue), it is not JUST that. Left and Right. It is multifaceted, it is personal, and there are real people on both sides. And so I am saying to you my conservative christian pro-life friends: we need you. We need you to stop letting your politicians use you. We need you to BE THE BODY OF CHRIST to people. Not because we believe what you believe, but because we could use some very Christ-like people right now. Who challenge the powerful and who love people, not judge them, not further abuse them, not investigate them after they have miscarried a pregnancy.
We are never all going to believe the same things. But we do not have to be enemies, we do not have be opposed. I get that this sounds crazy, but we need to work together to build that world where people are loved and safe, where humans have freedom to make choices, and we have equipped them out of love and with love. Please work with us to make that world where women are not put in a position to need an abortion. Our women are amazing and powerful and inspiring, and if we could make a world where they are not always having to fight to be heard or respected or taken seriously, then I think we would all be blown away by what they could accomplish for the world.
Thanks for reading this. It was written out of respect and love and with an open heart. If you are reading this, it is because I love you. Thanks.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Two Weeks of Sunday Fundays
Last week I was out of commission as far as vlogging goes, as we were changing continents as well as moving houses, but here are two vlogs to catch you up:
I will let you know how it goes:)
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Tear down a fence and build a bench
2. Hard goodbyes, sweet hellos: perfect timing for this one!
3. Tips for the tightrope of social media: inspiration for my above practicing of intentional days
4. Dear mom of littles...
5. 15 things I want to tell graduating third culture kids
6. Don't look down: an interesting perspective
our next vlog, coming out this week, will have our trip to Brazil, moving houses, and Sofia's first (full) day of preschool!
We are all doing well, thank you! Jessica hated flying, and let everyone on the plane know it, but has actually settled in quite well (considering how much she doesn't like change). Sofia has told everyone she has forgotten Portuguese, but still responds to everything in both languages. Caid has his air conditioners!!!! And I really enjoy the feeling of getting things done--and moving/unpacking has been a challenge as well as quite rewarding.
We had a lovely last week with family and friends, and then Mother's Day with my mom before we flew back to Brazil. I am a pre-griever (Caid is a right-as-it-happens griver, and I am not sure what the girls are yet--perhaps Jessie is a post-griever?) so most of my angst is dealt with before leaving happens, as my practical self then pops out and says, "Let's getter done." But as we flew into Recife and I saw around the area we live from the sky, my heart jumped once again, and I wondered anew at this amazing love that God put in me for this country.
Especially as we deal with all this change in our life, I have felt God calling me to more responsible use of social media. For me it is a wonderful tool that I love, but parts of it can become just scrolling through, which often ends up wasteful. I am working on being more intentional and focusing on something special each day--and only using my regular social medial sites once a week (so if I don't respond right away, you know why: but text, email, messenger, and whatsapp are all still on). To help me remember, I am trying:
Make-it-up Monday (catch-up day)
Taco Tuesday (fellowship with food day)
Worship Wednesday
Insta-Thursday
Facebook Friday
Snapchat Saturday
I will let you know how it goes:)
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Tear down a fence and build a bench
2. Hard goodbyes, sweet hellos: perfect timing for this one!
3. Tips for the tightrope of social media: inspiration for my above practicing of intentional days
4. Dear mom of littles...
5. 15 things I want to tell graduating third culture kids
6. Don't look down: an interesting perspective
Monday, May 6, 2019
May Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
Last week was dentist trips for everyone, and this week is doctor visits, and we figured out (after having a male dentist and doctor) that Sofia loves all the female staff, and then shuts down around male staff (our Brazilian pediatrician is female). Luckily, they were kind men who waited for her to calm down and adjust (and sit in my lap the whole time). We also loved having my aunt and uncle visit for a week from California (that video will be coming soon).
A week from today (Monday) we drive to Chicago early in the morning (tickets out of Chicago were half the price they were through Indianapolis), then fly to Atlanta, then to Sao Paulo, and then to Recife. Hopefully, by lunch on Tuesday we will be almost home (we live about an hour from the Recife airport). It is a long trip for the little ladies, but we are ready and hoping for the best. Thank you so much for all your prayers, and know that next week's Sunday Funday will probably be a bit late:).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Sorry kids, it's not your best life: Yes. So well put.
2. The Enneagram type of the Avengers: confession time--Caid and I are super into superhero movies and shows:).
3. What to know before you go: Super important! If I had time, I'd love to put together a list like this of things to know before you return as well! A great resource.
Last week was dentist trips for everyone, and this week is doctor visits, and we figured out (after having a male dentist and doctor) that Sofia loves all the female staff, and then shuts down around male staff (our Brazilian pediatrician is female). Luckily, they were kind men who waited for her to calm down and adjust (and sit in my lap the whole time). We also loved having my aunt and uncle visit for a week from California (that video will be coming soon).
A week from today (Monday) we drive to Chicago early in the morning (tickets out of Chicago were half the price they were through Indianapolis), then fly to Atlanta, then to Sao Paulo, and then to Recife. Hopefully, by lunch on Tuesday we will be almost home (we live about an hour from the Recife airport). It is a long trip for the little ladies, but we are ready and hoping for the best. Thank you so much for all your prayers, and know that next week's Sunday Funday will probably be a bit late:).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Sorry kids, it's not your best life: Yes. So well put.
2. The Enneagram type of the Avengers: confession time--Caid and I are super into superhero movies and shows:).
3. What to know before you go: Super important! If I had time, I'd love to put together a list like this of things to know before you return as well! A great resource.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Two Weeks Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
And we also did our first YouTube live, answering some questions we had been given:) It is NOT 5 minutes or less:
Two weeks guys. Two.
I always step into high gear two weeks before a big transition- finalizing and realistically cutting down my to-do list, trying to think of all the last minute stuff so it doesn’t catch me by surprise (but some things always do). Even my appetite changes.
We have done a good job with hitting all our main goals and living life well for this home assignment. We are excited and ready to return to Brazil.
But what they don’t tell you is that the better you do something- the more you open your heart- the greater the connections and love and vulnerability: the harder it is to leave.
My hardest goodbyes (from Brazil and the USA) are always after the sweetest times.
Not all goodbyes are hard. Sometimes you just know it is time. Sometimes God blesses with this unexpected peace about everything. But just because a goodbye is hard doesn’t mean it is bad. In fact, you could say that most hard goodbyes are because the time together was so good.
And so it is because right now is so good: squishing in time with friends and family and learning and growth...that it makes goodbyes harder.
Thank you for the hard goodbyes.
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. After Jim Elliot: I think it is so important to look back and realize anyone (ANYONE) that we have put up on a pedestal shouldn't be there--and if we can't find any faults, or think they are practically perfect, something is missing. And most of them would tell you the same thing (the ones that don't...watch out for them). I mean, just look at the Bible: lots of messed up people. The only one I can think of that wasn't was Daniel, and it makes me wonder sometime. He just seems too perfect sometimes. I know that I personally put way too many missionaries on a pedestal, and that just wasn't healthy. I think we should read--and hope my daughters will--about past missionaries and what God did through them, but I hope they are honest, open looks at all aspects of missionary life.
2. The true Purpose of Home Assignment: almost done with ours!
3. On World Earth Day: so I missed that it was Earth day last week, but I have been increasingly convicted about how I treat nature and use resources the past couple of years: and I think it is a godly conviction as well as a practical one. I am not talking about feeling all guilty about global warming, I am talking about having a healthy perspective that God created the world, and it is a gift to be used wisely and carefully, not just for my convenience and gain. Unfortunately, I have seen many Christians take a stance that current American consumerism/packaging/way of life isn't something they need to look into and seek the Lord about, but that it is just something made up by the media. God help us all.
4. Enneagram type and Anger: these articles always get me. And so far, they have always been right.
5. A distant look Back at Missions, part 2: Why (in the past) have missionaries left? So interesting.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Easter Sunday Funday
Our weekly vlog:
Our vlog about Easter will be out soon...it takes me a bit of a turn-around these days to get things posted. But, please check out this video about the Easter the kids at Living Stones had!
Jesus is Risen Indeed! Last Wednesday we had a really great meeting at the Community Church of Greenwood, and had so many questions that later we will be doing a YouTube Live special, answering the rest of the questions about us, Living Stones, and missionary life. We had some dear friends come for the weekend, which was horribly rainy and yucky outside, but fun and warm at the various places we tramped about. Easter was so sunny and special with family and friends and Jesus.
As the girls get older (especially Sofia), they understand more and more of what is going on: we have been coloring a picture for Lent every morning for the past month and a half, and it was so neat to see how Sofia could understand the Easter story so much better when it was given in small bite sized (coloring) pictures. We have also been preparing the girls for returning to Brazil, to which Sofia said "Oh! I will miss Grandma!" and it made my heart sank. But then she added, "And I will miss my mints!" (that Grandma gives her) And I thought that we might get through this heartache just fine:).
Reads from the Interwebs:
1. When you're sharing Jesus as an Outsider: YES! This makes so much sense! Things are changing in the USA, and while to me, as a missionary, it may even make it feel more like home--to many in the USA it is a scary time, because maybe, just maybe, you are being called to be more of a missionary yourself: "But we can no longer assume agreement about these things. Which means that even if you look the same and speak the same language and are living side by side with your middle class, white American neighbors, if you're a Christian, you are now a cross-cultural missionary. Effective evangelism in America requires that you understand a different worldview." (Is it bad that this makes a little happy?)
2. What your pastor's sneakers say about their theology: This is a funny look at an important issue. The church of High End put it well: "I hope I would have the good sense never to take the job as a lead pastor where I am paid more than double the salary of the lowest paid full-time church worker. That means if I make $100,000 a year, the full-time church custodian ought to make at least $50,000. If I have benefits, she should too. Churches should set the bar on living wage for all staff." If we, the church, can't figure out this living wage stuff and make it work in real life, how can we (me, I definitely mean me) complain about the government/companies not doing it???
3. Money and missions: Do you have a plan for retirement? I posted this for me. Because no, no we do not.
4. What it's like to travel when you have a "bad" passport: wow. How have I gone this long without realizing that for "others" the word is "Immigrant" while for me (aka American/European, probably white) the word is "expatriate"? It is important to read articles like this.
5. Stories of Transracial adoptees: Guys! It is so true: I want to hear the good, happy stories where no one is bitter--100%! But we need to give space and listen to all the stories--even the not so happy...and even bitter ones--like about racism (see story #4, or adoptees, or LGBT pain..,) Redemption begins in telling and listening to stories.
6. All the Easter Billboards: I love Easter--and took full advantage of two community Easter egg hunts to let my kids get tons of candy. And to visit churches we have never been to--with tons of people we don't know. I love all the open doors and hospitality of churches all over the city, and think that is how Christianity should always look. But, "It is much easier to welcome blurry, romanticized strangers on Easter Sunday than it is to welcome the darkest parts of each other in the weeks and years afterwards. Or, more succinctly: Relationships are hard. Grace is hard. Love-your-neighbor-as-yourself is so hard, especially when you don’t understand your neighbor, and when you’re not sure you even love yourself."
7. Six R's of successful home assignment: Love this! Our goals, finishing in three weeks, are:
"Rest
Recoup (family time, self care)
Report to our churches
Remember where we came from (enjoy American culture again)
Raise our support team
Return to the field as capable workers ready for another term of service"
8. Best morning routines for Enneagram types: This is fun (and true)
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