When It's Time to Fight

We recently attended an Anzac Day dawn service.  As our pastor spoke (an ex-soldier) he shared a story about how a mate of his, a few years older than him, had been sent off to the Vietnam war.  
Still too young to go himself, he reflected on the moment when his friend threw himself over a land mine to protect his mates.  A sacrifice made and an example of the "Anzac spirit" which has been shown so many times since that First World War so many years ago.

He explained that although war is never wanted, there are times where we all need someone to rise up and protect us... to defend and stand up for what's right.  
There are times when a fight is needed to bring peace and justice.  
I personally don't really like thinking about war.  I don't even like hearing my children argue! I can't imagine what it is like for a mother, wife or sibling who loses their loved one at war.  
To a non-confrontational person like me, I'd rather just pretend that issues aren't there and hope that they go away by themselves.  

I love peace.  I love it when our house is peaceful.  
I love it when everyone is happy and getting along.

But what about when something unjust happens?
What about when I know that children as young as my own are being sold as slaves?
When kids are forced to work or sell their bodies or beg for money?
What then?
What about if something happens to one of my own children?
When these things happen, then… then… there is a battle!  
Then, it's time to fight.  
A fight for what's right!
Recently there's been times when the battles have been raging around me.  Really close.
During these times... when it's time to fight, there's some weapons I've found handy to have close by.

• Firstly my Bible.  It's full of the promises of God.  Its pages guide me, sustain me, encourage me, calm me, reassure me and speak peace into situations.

• Prayer.  My 24 hour hot-line.  Any time, any place.  I call out and He listens.
• Battle songs.  I plug my ear phones in and stomp around.  Claiming victory, peace, healing.  Sometimes when there is nothing else in me left to pray, I just hum or sing the promises of God.  Ultimately the battle is His and it's already been won.     

Here's a few of the "battle songs" playing on my i-pod right now.

If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.  

If it's time for you to fight for a relationship, a child, a resolution, a  financial breakthrough or any other issue you're facing right now then get your weapons out and stand your ground.

Open Up Our Eyes

"Stronger is the one who fights for us.  He will never fail."

"Our God is fighting for us always.  We are not alone."

Whom Shall I Fear?

"I know who goes before me.  I know who stands behind.  The God of Angel Armies is always by my side."

In Jesus' Name

"God is fighting for us, God is on our side"

Victor's Crown

"You are always fighting for us.  Heaven's angles all around."

"You're my help and my defender. You're my Saviour and my friend."

Psalm 62:5-8

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

Be Different

Most of what's on this blog has to do with ZOE's Children's Homes but ZOE also has another very important focus, its Ministry School. 

The 2 year intensive program teaches young adults in business, language, vocation and ministry. 

Today the Class of 2014 graduated! 

After attending the graduation, it got me thinking.

Here are these young men and women who have stepped outside of the 'norm' and spent the last 2 years in a full time, morning till night, live-in, study-work-serve scenario whilst many of their friends must have been out partying, getting paid good money and chillin' with their mates.  

Just "one" of the things these ministry students do during their time at ZOE is read through the entire Bible - twice! 

Not only that but they also become equipped with business skills, study English, go on outreaches to villages, teach children in slum areas {and more} along with developing self confidence, discipline and dedication.

Really, what each of these students represents is being "different".

And that got me thinking that actually… if we want change to come… if we want to make a difference in this world… we all need to do that - be different!

How often do we let the pressures of the world and society dictate to us what we "should" look like, what we "should" be wearing, where we "should' be living or how much money we "should" be earning.

But what if we dared to be different?

I love this quote:

"If you are going to reach your dream in the next decade, if you are going to fulfill your destiny, if you are going to accomplish your goals and see your vision become reality, you are going to have to dare to be different from others.  And until you settle this issue, you will never fulfill your destiny because you cannot make a difference without being different. You cannot be all God wants you to be and fit in with everybody else." {Rick Warren}

How hard it is not to just act in a certain way because we're worried about what others think about us, or just stay in our comfort zone because we fear change and feeling uncomfortable. Sometimes a focus on money or distractions on materialistic attractions around us seem to occupy our minds - how hard it is not to always want the next "thing".

But to make a difference … to really make a difference … if that required you to BE DIFFERENT, would you do it? 

~

While we all ponder that, I just want to say… we had a GREAT day today!  AND it's a long weekend, and for that, I am grateful.

After hearing hysterical laughter coming from the backyard, I stuck my head out the kitchen door to see what all the noise was about.  Then I saw it… my two little ones armed with water and buckets!  Thankfully Songkran is on its way.

Earlier in the day, a certain budding chef made a batch of scones that rivaled Grandmas!  With hardly any help, he was rather proud of his effort and we all agreed they were some of the best scones we'd ever tasted!!

 My biggest boy also had a turn in the kitchen remembering how to make chocolate spiders without the recipe.  Thankfully Eli had given a talk at school earlier in the week on the procedure of making them, so it was fresh in our minds.

Dave is going well.  Tomorrow he is preaching at the ZOE fellowship.  He has had a few computer troubles this week, so we're hoping that they all get sorted soon.

I had a couple of visits to Immigration this week as well as my first work report due.  I can't believe school finishes at the end of next month!

Well, I know I owe many emails, and this blog is not updated near enough but PLEASE know that we love and miss you our family and friends back home very much and think and pray for you regularly.

This week, let's all go and be a little bit different!

When "love" isn't enough.

My parents recent trip here was arguably one of the most precious family times and most-needed catch ups… ever!
The seven of us bawling our eyes out at the airport was proof  that, even after 4 years of living in different countries, "goodbyes" don't get any easier.
Tobi was trying to explain, after my parents left, "My bucket feels completely empty."
I said, "Maybe it's your heart that's sad because you said goodbye to some people that you love."
He sighed, "Love? I more than just love them." 

Apparently "love" was not a strong enough emotion!
One of the highlights of their visit was going to a new 3D Art Museum.  Below are just a few pictures of the hundreds that we took.  We had such a blast.  The kids just loved posing in front of each painting. 

The lowlight was that 6 out of the 7 of us got food poisoning.  It spanned a three day period of 2-3 people being unwell at any one time.  My dad (who is coeliac) did not eat the same food as us and was spared the pain.  He did a wonderful job, as did Mum, entertaining the children and helping us out whilst Dave and I were out of action.  

I loved the way my parents sat with the kids and played checkers, knitted together, arranged flowers, sang songs, laughed and worked in the backyard.  So precious.

There were many other fun moments spread throughout the 10 days, but the end of the trip was capped off with Dad leading 2 "cup stacking" workshops for the Grade 1-3s at our school.  Tobi, Eli and Spencer were so excited to have their grandparents at school and the other children simply loved learning about cup stacking.  
They have been keen to keep practicing their new skills!

  3D Museum Photos

Cup Stacking

Well Mum and Dad, we all more-than-love you.  And we will cherish each moment we spent together for a very long time.
Happy memories and feeling blessed :)
Andie.

 

The ‘Me’ God Wants Me to Be

Last year Narara Valley Baptist Church developed a 5 week devotional journal.  When asked to consider writing something this year when they started putting another one together, I was thrilled!  NVBC has supported ZOE generously and it was a privilege to be asked to write something for their journal. I really hope it encourages the community at NVBC as well as those of you reading it here.

I often feel like the ‘me’ I want to be doesn’t match up with the ‘me’ I actually am. The ‘me’ I want to be has a month of meals pre-planned, an empty ironing basket, biscuits baking in the oven, a husband who knows how much he's adored, updated family photos framed, waxed legs, children who never argue, friends who feel appreciated, kind words flowing from my mouth, a house that looks like something from a ‘Pinterest’ page, emails replied to … 
You get the picture!
The woman who glanced in the mirror last week, as she rushed out to work reflected: mascara forgotten, hair needing a wash, outfit not thoroughly thought through, hairy legs, tired eyes, grumpy words and a look of disappointment... disappointment at the 'me' I so desperately want to be but continually seem to fall short of.
I catch myself asking, is it even possible to be the loving wife, the mum, the teacher, the friend, the daughter, the sister and the missionary that I strive to be?
These questions lead me to remind myself that it's not about ‘me’. My mission is not about trying to ‘be’ something or someone that I can never really live up to. When it all boils down, when I reflect on what my Heavenly Father has done for me, all I want is to be the ‘me’ God wants me to be.
All through the Gospels I read passages where Jesus is quoted saying, “Follow me.” When I think about it though, to be a “follower” of Jesus means I actually have to follow, or copy, what Jesus did. It sounds so easy, right? Oh, but how hard it can often be! I love how simply John 13: 34-35 lays it out, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
One of my favourite quotes from Mother Teresa is “If you can't do great things, do little things with great love. If you can't do them with great love, do them with a little love. If you can't do them with a little love, do them anyway. Love grows when people serve.”
I personally think that Jesus was the best example of what a loving, servant heart is meant to look like. And that God is the perfect example of what our character should reflect because of the love, mercy, grace, and justice He first showed us.

The ‘me’ I want to be can no longer be measured on how well-groomed or well-organised I am, how ‘perfectly’ I try to present myself in terms of my domestic abilities or my feeble attempts to appear like I have-it-all-together.
When I draw near to God, and let Him fill my heart with His perfect love. When I love and serve as Christ did, is to be the ‘me’ God wants.

God is Good… all the time.

You've heard it said before, 'Bad things happen to good people'.  
And often times 'bad' things happen to the innocent, the vulnerable, the weak, the frail and those who needed protecting the most.  I know that.  I've seen it.
That's why we came.
As parents, we are constantly planning, evaluating, limiting risk, protecting, sheltering, comforting, watching and doing everything in our power to ensure that our kids are safe - that nothing 'bad' happens to them.
But sometimes, no matter how much we do.  
How much we watch.  
How much we eliminate risk. 
Something still happens.
Something that couldn't be foreseen or predicted.
And it knocks you down like the force of a strong wave and leaves you swept up and winded on the beach wondering, what just happened?  
And then more waves come crashing and pounding you with the "surely nots" and "what nexts?".
But before you can stand up and answer those questions you have to deal with the waves of anger and injustice and forgiveness. 
How it must break God's heart when His little children suffer.  
To hear their cries and see their tears…
I can't imagine facing life's challenges without knowing God.  
When nothing makes sense - His truth remains.  
His Word picks us back up, it wraps us in a big warm towel, carries us to a safer place and it sets us back on our feet.  
John 10:10.  How many times have we recited that verse when we have shared about our work at ZOE? I've taught it to my class and our children know it well.
And so I continue to believe that God is good.
When the waves crash around me and I'm thrown down again, I sing Bless the Lord O My Soul, Worship Your Holy Name.  For all Your goodness I will keep on singing… Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
The truth remains, God is good.  Healing comes and the ultimately the victory is His.
Won't it be wonderful when there are no more tears? There are some seasons that remind me just how much sweeter Heaven will be.

Christmas Joy

Wow! What an amazingly fun and busy month December was.  Ours was definitely filled with Christmas joy that's for sure.  

Here are a few highlights of the month just gone.  

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words" so here goes... 

December 5th: A Parade to Celebrate The birthday of HM The King Of Thailand 

December 6th: Spencer begins swimming lessons with his 2 besties.

December 10th: Sweet 7 year old

A wintery, snow globe party. 

December 11th: Dave takes Eli iceskating for her birthday.

Hanging around waiting for the last day of school!

December 18th: Singing at the Elderly People's Home

December 20th: Christmas Chapel

December 23rd: Iceskating- Missionary Christmas fun.

Christmas Eve Potluck at ZOE

Christmas Eve: Singing at ZOE

Christmas Church service: Tobi and Eli dancing

Playing with Eli's new pets... cutest bunnies ever!

New Years Eve at ZOE... 

This team sports day turned out like a cross between 'It's a Knock Out' and a mini Olympics- so much fun!

Waiting at the finish line for the "marathon" runners to finish.

Tobi in the sack race.

Tug-a-war

And there you have it! December all wrapped up.  
But wait, before I go... Could winter be any more perfect? Seriously? I love this weather!

This week's weather forecast.

Happy New Year!

Full of Life

Okay, so you would think that after nearly 4 years here, I would not still be sad about having a fake Christmas tree! Right?  Well... I must admit today as I undressed our plastic tree and started sorting the decorations into piles, it did cross my mind {for a split second} that we could just cover the whole plastic tree with a garbage bag and store it away (still decorated) for next year.  

But then I was totally mad at myself for even entertaining that thought!  I love decorating the tree, what was I thinking?  
I actually felt very reflective this year as I took apart the tree.  I was remembering all the fun Dave and I used to have going to the Christmas tree farm and choosing our tree and chopping it down.  How every year it looked different and the smell... oohh that smell of pine needles.  I do miss that smell.  I also reminisced as I carefully took each decoration off and placed them on the couch, I thought about how before we had children, our tree was all perfect and colour coordinated.  How we had bought some really special decorations when we were first married but now, after like 14 Christmases, they are looking very... worn.  I noticed the decorations we made at ZOE one year and I gazed at the star and the tinsel that some friends had sent us in the mail for our first Christmas here in Thailand.  I admired the beautiful angel ornament a friend just gave me in support of the Kachin people in Burma, the star made by a young lady with HIV which we bought at church, the little grass nest which holds a bird, weaved by a little girl at ZOE and given to Eliana... And, of course, all the wonderful decorations that our three children have made at kindergarten and school over the years.  
I love it that now our tree is so full of 'life'- not in the sense of being a real tree, but as a reflection of the life we have as a family, who we are and the memories we've made together.
As Tobi walked past the couch where all the decorations were placed, I asked him which one he liked the most and why.  He chose a little kangaroo wearing a Santa's hat.  "I like this one" he said very seriously.  "It reminds me about how we used to have Christmas in Australia, but now we don't. But sometimes we have Christmas in July and it reminds me about that too."
And so, with the decorations away for another year, and the tree... folded down, so begins a new year.  

I have so many goals and dreams for 2014.  I am eagerly looking forward to all that unfolds. Thank you for stopping by this blog and showing an interest in the work that we do.  
Whether you had a white Christmas or a scorching hot one, a real pine tree or small plastic one like us, I hope that you found peace and joy this year knowing that Jesus came to this Earth for you.  
His birthday was a gift for us.  It is Him that gives life and we can only experience real acceptance and love because He came.  

...more Chrsitmas updates and photos coming soon!