My Sins Were Red Like Scarlet

LIFE AND MINISTRY: As you all know, this has been a year of testing for our family. We have survived and 'we are singing'!!! Praise the Lord...God is good and faithful! We are moving into the 'winter' season in Thailand and, of course, CHRISTMAS. So, celebrating Jesus, family, friends, cool weather and cozy nights around the fire pit= EXCITEMENT!!

Ministry is going good. God is in control, we are continuing to pray and believe God to shake this nation. Lately, we have had the privilege of going deeper into relationships with friends from all over the world! I finally feel like the whole 'culture' difficulties have lifted and now I am living!!! I have been surviving...now I am LIVING! Yeah God. It has been a trying 3 years and I am thankful to have 3 years behind me :). The children are always full of questions concerning Thai language. If they hear a new word, in English, Gabe says, 'Daddy is that Thai or English?' It is so cute to see Moriah as she 'Y's' the Thai people (that is their greeting). Glad to see everyone still growing in the language.

Please continue to lift up the Thai people in your prayers! The floods that have hit have been devastating to so many...(I will post some pics of flood relief efforts). We were able to help some friends move last week. The water line in their apartments was up to their neck!!! Thank God friends were able to move their things as the water rushed in. Clean-up continues around our city...we even received another care package yesterday. Amazing job the gov't has done!

HOMESCHOOLING: Going absolutely wonderful!! Having a blast! Lots of 'outdoor' school days right now. We have an aquarium full of snails and two fish on the picnic table, we had 3 'sea' snakes at the beginning of the week for 2 days (set them free), and an oversize turtle. Needless to say...everyone is in an outdoor mood. So fun! I love seeing the excitement in my children's eyes as they learn. They are taking in all that is around them and asking a gazillion questions :).

The best for last...

HEALING: Isaiah 44:22 says "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,

your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."

Praise God! This has ministered to me so much this week! God redeems us from all of our mess!! I have been carrying with me, STILL, sins from my past...from my childhood on into adulthood. And---NO MORE! God has swept them away like a cloud...they are like the morning mist! Hallelujah!!! I don't have to walk around full of shame, doubt, insecurity, low self-confidence, and all the other mess the enemy likes to see me in. I am a princess of the most HIGH God!! He loves me as I am. So easy for some to wipe the slate and move on, so difficult for others...causing pain, deep- rooted pain, bitterness, and resentment. Let's be free!

God is good- His mercies are new every day-

paraphrase: my sins were red like scarlet, He washed me white in His mercies!!! YAHOO!!!!!

AFFIRMATION: I am forgiven! God thinks I am beautiful! I am strong because Jesus lives in me! I am confident in who I am because I am who God made me to be, I am not walking alone, I am following His every command...so, why lack confidence?

Love you all!!!

coming soon....furlough April-August 2011 :)

Sandy

Life is so Rich...

Last week we found a frog, dried up, and of course, dead in our vehicle!! Gabe had forgotten his 'pet', and we could smell it for a few days. Moriah...she is the cutest little thing, dancing every time she hears music, with her hands in the air, praising the Lord-- priceless! Madaline, her head always in a book, and when it's not, creating a masterpiece from something. Whether it be food, painting, drawing, or pottery. What life she brings to our home! Lake, cracking jokes non-stop, making everyone laugh. Dancing with his legs out like Napoleon Dynamite and playing his recorder as loud as possible throughout the house! Who could live without the never-ending daily joy that these little history-makers are bringing?

I am very thankful for this season we are in. Sensing the peace, joy, and happiness around our home. Life seems so rich, everyone so happy. The children are learning so well right now and always talking of things that matter, I like that. I don't like 'twaddle' talk, makes me feel as if we are wasting time. I love sitting around the family meal table experiencing food, fun, and fellowship together. When no one gets up because the conversation is so fun and enriching! I pray for more of those meals. They mean so much, to see everyone with big smiles and each child bringing their piece of the conversation to the table.

I miss America at times, and think why are we staying so long before taking a furlough. Right now, though, I realize that us staying here longer is allowing our family to settle more and to make this our home. That is the sense of peace I am feeling. It is just so warm and cozy around here now...something I have missed for three years. Yes, it has taken that long to make our house feel like 'home' again.

Blessings to you all as we move into new seasons! Here we are leaving the rainy season and headed to the winter (semi-cool) season. And, we all know it is fall, or football season in America!

Psalm 18:16- somewhere around 30 (The Message)

'God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him.

When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start.

Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted.

Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick.

I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step.

God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.'

I LOVE THIS! May it bless you like it has me!!

Love to you all!!

Sandy