24 hours from now we'll be on our way. Its hard to believe we leave tomorrow! I have such mixed feelings. I'm excited to experience something new, see new places, be adventurous. I'm longing to hug my little "daughter" Moni and "son" Robin (our sponsor children). I tear up thinking about the nearly 400 kids that will be celebrating our visit- thinking about the things they will teach me-and things I can share with them. I get nervous thinking about traveling to China and all that it entails. I'm unsure of the food- I'm not a picky eater, but yet, don't like to try new things! I'm curious to what a Bengali wedding will look like (one of the former children from the home who now works there is getting married while we are there!). I'm curious to see what a Chinese urban area looks like with multimillion people all in close proximity. I hold out hope that I'll be able to see a Panda bear. I'm thrilled to learn about the ministries of our missionary friends.
I'm sad to leave Isabelle behind again. My heart aches for all that she will learn that I will miss over the two weeks we're gone. I get choked up thinking about not being with her on Thanksgiving. I'm excited for her to spend 4 whole days with her best buddy Riah and then 10 days with her Lillie family.
And yet I'm impressed that all of our luggage pieces are underweight by like 10 pounds, despite the 16 bags of butterscotch candies I added this afternoon!
I hope all of these emotions are normal- I'm sure they are. I'll let you know in 2 weeks how it all plays out! God bless you friends.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Numbers
Started throwing some numbers around:
Dhaka, Bangladesh is 11 hours ahead. ie: 3 pm Michigan time = 2 am Dhaka time
Kunming, China is 13 hours ahead. ie 3pm Michigan time=4 am Kunming time
Average daily high currently in Dhaka=85-90 degrees
Average daily high currently in Kunming= 60 degrees
Low for Dhaka- 65 degrees
Low for Kunming- 40 degrees
We will travel over 17,000 miles in this journey- possibly closer to 18,000- wow!!!
We leave on the 18th of November but don't arrive in Dhaka until the 20th.
We leave Dahka in the wee early hours of Dec. 1st and arrive in Grand Rapids at 11:30 at night on the 1st. How crazy is that?
Children's home in Dhaka: 400 kids and 50+ staff on a 4 acre parcel
Kunming population: 6.2 Million souls
Just some fun numbers for you to think about!
Dhaka, Bangladesh is 11 hours ahead. ie: 3 pm Michigan time = 2 am Dhaka time
Kunming, China is 13 hours ahead. ie 3pm Michigan time=4 am Kunming time
Average daily high currently in Dhaka=85-90 degrees
Average daily high currently in Kunming= 60 degrees
Low for Dhaka- 65 degrees
Low for Kunming- 40 degrees
We will travel over 17,000 miles in this journey- possibly closer to 18,000- wow!!!
We leave on the 18th of November but don't arrive in Dhaka until the 20th.
We leave Dahka in the wee early hours of Dec. 1st and arrive in Grand Rapids at 11:30 at night on the 1st. How crazy is that?
Children's home in Dhaka: 400 kids and 50+ staff on a 4 acre parcel
Kunming population: 6.2 Million souls
Just some fun numbers for you to think about!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
1 Week!
A week from today we fly out for Bangladesh and China!!!! I can't believe it is almost here. I have so much to do! In one week we'll be seeing these smiling faces!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Profit Making Venture!
I'm so excited about my latest ebay sale!!!
I was in Goodwill the other day and was thrilled to stumble upon a brand new hot.sling! These are great wrap style baby holders that you wear. We've been thinking about a baby #2 coming sometime in the future, and I want a nice sling for the next one. Well hot.slings are a hot item going for like $40 new- for a base model! Yikes! I was so thrilled. It was even brown with polka dots- too cute for worlds.
Well, much to my sadness, I get it home and find out its a size 2- in real world sizes, a small! I was so bummed. I didn't know they had different sizes! I haven't been a size small, since well I don't know when. So, I decided to see what they were going for on ebay!
Well, a week later and my $2.99 investment brought me a $16.75 bid!!! Whohoo!!! I also sold a polo dress I found for .99 cents and sold it for $8. It was a good week in the ebay world!
I was in Goodwill the other day and was thrilled to stumble upon a brand new hot.sling! These are great wrap style baby holders that you wear. We've been thinking about a baby #2 coming sometime in the future, and I want a nice sling for the next one. Well hot.slings are a hot item going for like $40 new- for a base model! Yikes! I was so thrilled. It was even brown with polka dots- too cute for worlds.
Well, much to my sadness, I get it home and find out its a size 2- in real world sizes, a small! I was so bummed. I didn't know they had different sizes! I haven't been a size small, since well I don't know when. So, I decided to see what they were going for on ebay!
Well, a week later and my $2.99 investment brought me a $16.75 bid!!! Whohoo!!! I also sold a polo dress I found for .99 cents and sold it for $8. It was a good week in the ebay world!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Proposals
On Tuesday, I was shocked and disheartened by the fact that both of the proposals in the state of Michigan passed- with flying colors no less.
Proposal 1 legalizes the use of medical marijuana. Not only that- but it also allows for people to GROW THEIR OWN!!!! Hello People! You are opening up a door so wide that anyone is going to prance right through it. If people can make fake ids and passports and who knows what else, certainly they will find a way to abuse this system. I know there are people out there who are suffering with chronic and terminal illnesses, but I believe that with a little research, there would be a way to make at least a pot pill or something like that. Its one thing to help someone in their suffering by having them take this illegal street drug, but to allow them to grow their own and smoke it with their families and children around is just wrong. Our state has literally just gone to pot!
Proposal 2 makes me cry. After seeing all of the "2 goes 2 far" signs I thought for sure it wouldn't pass. What frustrates me is that people though this was a stem cell issue, where in actuality it was a financial issue. Stem cell research is already legal in Michigan. Proposal 2 will now raise our taxes to raise money for research on EMBRYONIC Stem cells ONLY. They are closing the door on other ways of getting stem cells. They are going to raise our taxes for this. They are also in affect going to create a money for embryo's market. I believe this will eventually lead to women having abortions and being paid to do so. Researchers are desperate for babies in embryo form so they can do more research. This research is going to kill thousands of potential lives. I believe life begins at conception/fertilization. Therefore, every embryo that is being used for research is a life that is being taken away. Also, this proposal does not limit the use of embryos for cloning. 2 does go 2 far and I'm so saddened that Michigan has adopted this proposal. Now, just to be clear- The actual ISSUE of stem cell research is a hard one for me. My father in law has Parkinson's disease which is a leading contender to benefit from this research. My great grandmother died of Alzheimer's. My grandfather died of cancer. People I love could (have) benefited from the results of stem cell research. In general, as long as the stem cells are coming from a source other than embryos, I am in favor of it. There are stem cells in teeth, cord blood, and so on. All which would not be taking a life for the sake of research.
I think this will be my last post on the election. I'm already praying for our future leaders. I'm now praying for every unborn chil- that their mothers will choose life. May God also protect all children now who will be forced to live in a situation full of dangerous drugs and temptation.
Proposal 1 legalizes the use of medical marijuana. Not only that- but it also allows for people to GROW THEIR OWN!!!! Hello People! You are opening up a door so wide that anyone is going to prance right through it. If people can make fake ids and passports and who knows what else, certainly they will find a way to abuse this system. I know there are people out there who are suffering with chronic and terminal illnesses, but I believe that with a little research, there would be a way to make at least a pot pill or something like that. Its one thing to help someone in their suffering by having them take this illegal street drug, but to allow them to grow their own and smoke it with their families and children around is just wrong. Our state has literally just gone to pot!
Proposal 2 makes me cry. After seeing all of the "2 goes 2 far" signs I thought for sure it wouldn't pass. What frustrates me is that people though this was a stem cell issue, where in actuality it was a financial issue. Stem cell research is already legal in Michigan. Proposal 2 will now raise our taxes to raise money for research on EMBRYONIC Stem cells ONLY. They are closing the door on other ways of getting stem cells. They are going to raise our taxes for this. They are also in affect going to create a money for embryo's market. I believe this will eventually lead to women having abortions and being paid to do so. Researchers are desperate for babies in embryo form so they can do more research. This research is going to kill thousands of potential lives. I believe life begins at conception/fertilization. Therefore, every embryo that is being used for research is a life that is being taken away. Also, this proposal does not limit the use of embryos for cloning. 2 does go 2 far and I'm so saddened that Michigan has adopted this proposal. Now, just to be clear- The actual ISSUE of stem cell research is a hard one for me. My father in law has Parkinson's disease which is a leading contender to benefit from this research. My great grandmother died of Alzheimer's. My grandfather died of cancer. People I love could (have) benefited from the results of stem cell research. In general, as long as the stem cells are coming from a source other than embryos, I am in favor of it. There are stem cells in teeth, cord blood, and so on. All which would not be taking a life for the sake of research.
I think this will be my last post on the election. I'm already praying for our future leaders. I'm now praying for every unborn chil- that their mothers will choose life. May God also protect all children now who will be forced to live in a situation full of dangerous drugs and temptation.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Why I voted the way that I did...
First let me say that I am proud to be an American. I am thankful for the freedom we all have as citizens to have a say in who runs our country. We are blessed with so many freedoms that we take for granted. I will always pray for our country's leaders- even if I didn't chose them. I know that God is in control and He will use whoever is in power to fulfill His plan for our world.
That being said, I voted for John McCain in yesterday's election. Both candidates seemed like nice people, with wonderful families. My vote yesterday, however, was more of a vote against Barak Obama. I think it is wonderful how far he is has come in his life. He has a beautiful family and his presence and eloquence are unmatched. However, I feel Barak Obama goes against everything I hold dear. Here are the main reasons I did not vote for him:
1) LIFE: One of my core values is to uphold life. I believe Life is a gift from our Creator and no one should say when it is to be given or taken away. Obama is a strong supporter of abortion. I believe life begins at conception, therefore abortion is taking a life. I know life throws us curve balls and horrific detours that no one could expect (rape, incest, etc). However, I believe that God works through all things- even instances that may be dark. I value life. Obama also supported a measure that allowed mothers who had a failed abortion to starve their children to death at birth. If abortion is not bad enough, this truth made me sick to my stomach. I could not vote for a man who does not value life.
2) WEALTH: I never thought this would be a deciding factor for me in an election. I never paid much attention to taxes. I worked. I paid my dues. I lived. However, as my circumstances have changed and my mind matured to other issues in an election, I found myself fighting for this principle. Obama's "redistribution of wealth" is astounding. It is borderline socialism. I heard the most fantastic word picture of what his plan looks like. John walks past a homeless man on a street corner. This man doesn't work, but could. He chose this life. John walks into the restaurant where he is served lunch by staunch Obama supporters. The young waiter, excited for change, could not explain to John Obama's plan for taxes and wealth. John gives him a hard lesson. "Here is the tip you earned for serving me my lunch. But, because I am the government, I feel as though there are others who need it more, so I am going to take your hard earned money and give it to someone else." John leaves the restaurant and gives the tip to the homeless man on the street corner. I know people are struggling. Jobs are being lost. Times are tough. But enabling people who have the ability and opportunity to provide for themselves is not the answer. Besides, I want control over my own earnings. I believe God has a calling for my income. I will 'pay to Caesar what is Caesar's' but I want a say in where it goes. Money is not the answer for everything. In Obama's plan, he is going to use the wealth of Americans to throw at all the problems. Money will not solve education. Money will not solve healthcare. Higher taxes will not help those who have lost their jobs. Higher taxes will not help the small business grow so they can create new jobs. Give these businesses a chance to succeed and create jobs by not taxing them to the point of breaking!
3) Pursuit of Happiness: I didn't really know what to call this section. Obama has charisma that has been seriously lacking in our national government. I was drawn to him as well. The world is drawn to him. Iran, the PLO, extremist groups, and all of our enemies are drawn to it. Yes, well known world terrorists have ENDORSED OBAMA!!! Call me crazy, but I don't want to be in agreement with a terrorist. To have known enemies of the USA proclaim their happiness with Obama chills me to the core. I have recently read John Hagee's book Jerusalem Countdown. It is hard to read without living in fear, but it makes you see current events in a different light. In this book, Hagee talks about how Iran is going to invade Israel and try and destroy it with the help of Russia ("Ezequiel's War" from Ezequiel 38 and 39). Obama has declared his intent to make peace and friends with Iran, a sworn enemy of Israel, one of our allies. I tend to believe that Barak Obama is going to lead our nation into support of sworn enemies. I believe Obama is going to forget our ally Israel. In fulfillment of scripture, Israel will call out to its allies for help and security, and we will not answer. Iran is months away from having the ability to launch four long distance nuclear warheads to hit Jerusalem, New York, London, and Washington DC all within 8 minutes of each other. I believe that the United States needs to help protect the nation of Israel and protect itself from terrorist attacks. I believe that Obama is going to give an open invitation to do just the opposite.
I hope that this does not come to past. I do not trust the moral compass with which Obama will be making decisions, but I can trust that God will work through all circumstances. He will use the leaders in power to fulfill His good and perfect will. We cannot live in fear. We cannot live in this world. We are aliens of this world- our citizenship is in heaven. May God help our country and our leaders as we face the coming days ahead.
That being said, I voted for John McCain in yesterday's election. Both candidates seemed like nice people, with wonderful families. My vote yesterday, however, was more of a vote against Barak Obama. I think it is wonderful how far he is has come in his life. He has a beautiful family and his presence and eloquence are unmatched. However, I feel Barak Obama goes against everything I hold dear. Here are the main reasons I did not vote for him:
1) LIFE: One of my core values is to uphold life. I believe Life is a gift from our Creator and no one should say when it is to be given or taken away. Obama is a strong supporter of abortion. I believe life begins at conception, therefore abortion is taking a life. I know life throws us curve balls and horrific detours that no one could expect (rape, incest, etc). However, I believe that God works through all things- even instances that may be dark. I value life. Obama also supported a measure that allowed mothers who had a failed abortion to starve their children to death at birth. If abortion is not bad enough, this truth made me sick to my stomach. I could not vote for a man who does not value life.
2) WEALTH: I never thought this would be a deciding factor for me in an election. I never paid much attention to taxes. I worked. I paid my dues. I lived. However, as my circumstances have changed and my mind matured to other issues in an election, I found myself fighting for this principle. Obama's "redistribution of wealth" is astounding. It is borderline socialism. I heard the most fantastic word picture of what his plan looks like. John walks past a homeless man on a street corner. This man doesn't work, but could. He chose this life. John walks into the restaurant where he is served lunch by staunch Obama supporters. The young waiter, excited for change, could not explain to John Obama's plan for taxes and wealth. John gives him a hard lesson. "Here is the tip you earned for serving me my lunch. But, because I am the government, I feel as though there are others who need it more, so I am going to take your hard earned money and give it to someone else." John leaves the restaurant and gives the tip to the homeless man on the street corner. I know people are struggling. Jobs are being lost. Times are tough. But enabling people who have the ability and opportunity to provide for themselves is not the answer. Besides, I want control over my own earnings. I believe God has a calling for my income. I will 'pay to Caesar what is Caesar's' but I want a say in where it goes. Money is not the answer for everything. In Obama's plan, he is going to use the wealth of Americans to throw at all the problems. Money will not solve education. Money will not solve healthcare. Higher taxes will not help those who have lost their jobs. Higher taxes will not help the small business grow so they can create new jobs. Give these businesses a chance to succeed and create jobs by not taxing them to the point of breaking!
3) Pursuit of Happiness: I didn't really know what to call this section. Obama has charisma that has been seriously lacking in our national government. I was drawn to him as well. The world is drawn to him. Iran, the PLO, extremist groups, and all of our enemies are drawn to it. Yes, well known world terrorists have ENDORSED OBAMA!!! Call me crazy, but I don't want to be in agreement with a terrorist. To have known enemies of the USA proclaim their happiness with Obama chills me to the core. I have recently read John Hagee's book Jerusalem Countdown. It is hard to read without living in fear, but it makes you see current events in a different light. In this book, Hagee talks about how Iran is going to invade Israel and try and destroy it with the help of Russia ("Ezequiel's War" from Ezequiel 38 and 39). Obama has declared his intent to make peace and friends with Iran, a sworn enemy of Israel, one of our allies. I tend to believe that Barak Obama is going to lead our nation into support of sworn enemies. I believe Obama is going to forget our ally Israel. In fulfillment of scripture, Israel will call out to its allies for help and security, and we will not answer. Iran is months away from having the ability to launch four long distance nuclear warheads to hit Jerusalem, New York, London, and Washington DC all within 8 minutes of each other. I believe that the United States needs to help protect the nation of Israel and protect itself from terrorist attacks. I believe that Obama is going to give an open invitation to do just the opposite.
I hope that this does not come to past. I do not trust the moral compass with which Obama will be making decisions, but I can trust that God will work through all circumstances. He will use the leaders in power to fulfill His good and perfect will. We cannot live in fear. We cannot live in this world. We are aliens of this world- our citizenship is in heaven. May God help our country and our leaders as we face the coming days ahead.
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