San Diego Phun

While in SoCal, we went to San Diego to show off some sights to our visiting German (ph)riend. We first went to the beach so that the kids and she could play in the water for a bit. It wasn't the warmest of days, but at least the sun peeked through the haze often. In any case, the kids had fun chasing each other and running away from the waves.

Then we headed out to Cabrillo National Monument to get a more comprehensive view of San Diego and the harbor. I didn't know this, but Cabrillo was the first European to discover the West Coast. Here's a quote from the Cabrillo National Monument website (click to go to the website) - 'Climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.' So that's your bit of trivia for the day.

Then we headed down to Seaport Village to get a more artsy perspective of SD, just walking around and visiting some of the shops. Unfortunately we didn't have much time to visit other sights in SD, but at least we got a full days worth in.

San Diego Phun

While in SoCal, we went to San Diego to show off some sights to our visiting German (ph)riend. We first went to the beach so that the kids and she could play in the water for a bit. It wasn't the warmest of days, but at least the sun peeked through the haze often. In any case, the kids had fun chasing each other and running away from the waves.

Then we headed out to Cabrillo National Monument to get a more comprehensive view of San Diego and the harbor. I didn't know this, but Cabrillo was the first European to discover the West Coast. Here's a quote from the Cabrillo National Monument website (click to go to the website) - 'Climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.' So that's your bit of trivia for the day.

Then we headed down to Seaport Village to get a more artsy perspective of SD, just walking around and visiting some of the shops. Unfortunately we didn't have much time to visit other sights in SD, but at least we got a full days worth in.

Camp Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm

A big thanks to the Nielsens for taking us to Knott's Berry Farm during furlough. And for my parents for watching Dariah all day so we could enjoy the day without a baby (yes, we really had to twist their arms to get them to babysit their youngest grandchild!! ;-) ). It was a great day of fun, fellowship and excitement. The kids loved it - we weren't sure they would last the whole 8 hours that the park was open, but 15 minutes before closing time, they were still asking to go on one last ride! I think we adults were ready to go but they weren't!

PS - thanks to the young Starrs for the Knott's idea. We read it on their blog and thought 'wow, never would have thought of that!'. For those of you with young kids and live in (or will visit) SoCal, Knott's is better than Disneyland for the kids!

Camp Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm

A big thanks to the Nielsens for taking us to Knott's Berry Farm during furlough. And for my parents for watching Dariah all day so we could enjoy the day without a baby (yes, we really had to twist their arms to get them to babysit their youngest grandchild!! ;-) ). It was a great day of fun, fellowship and excitement. The kids loved it - we weren't sure they would last the whole 8 hours that the park was open, but 15 minutes before closing time, they were still asking to go on one last ride! I think we adults were ready to go but they weren't!

PS - thanks to the young Starrs for the Knott's idea. We read it on their blog and thought 'wow, never would have thought of that!'. For those of you with young kids and live in (or will visit) SoCal, Knott's is better than Disneyland for the kids!

Thanks to Calvary Murrieta!

We wanted to take a moment to truly thank our friends and spiritual phamily at Calvary Chapel Murrieta. They really blessed us as they took care of every single need during our furlough. Since having been sent out from CCM 12 years ago, I have talked with many missionaries along the way who have mentioned the lack of support from people back home and even their own churches while on the field. I have to say that CCM has been so faithful, responsive and generous in their support of us in sending us out, while we are on the field and especially during furloughs. And it is always a joy for us to return to CCM and fellowship with them.

So thank you Pastor Brian and everyone at CCM for making our furlough a special treat for us. And once again, thanks to our supporters and prayer warriors in SoCal and all over the world for standing in the gap for us. You guys are the best!

CC Missions Conference 2008

We had a wonderful time at the Missions Conference during the 2nd week of furlough. The weather was perfect - we were able to just sit outside and enjoy the sunny SoCal weather (as the weather in Freiburg stayed just above freezing!). But more importantly, we enjoyed the 'spiritual refreshment' that we received at the conference. There were much that spoke directly to Becks and I - what our roles, duties and calling are, what God desires from us and what God is doing now in other parts of the world. It was also great to catch up with people we haven't seen in years - missionary friends in Mexico, England, Germany and Hungary.

And the kids also enjoyed the conference - especially Jesaiah and Taliah. They were in the same class for Children's Ministry and enjoyed the mini Vacation Bible School that the was put on for their ages. They learned about the fruit of the spirit and even taught us about it!

Here are a few photos from the conference...

Coming Home...

We arrived back in Freiburg yesterday and it was good to finally be over with the traveling. It was a very good furlough and we enjoyed it immensely. But it was also good to be back and to get back into a somewhat 'normal' routine and life again - back into the flow again. But it was also weird this time - coming back here we both (Becks and I) felt like we are still traveling, still on the road somehow. But I guess that is really how we should feel, because we are all just sojourners, pilgrims in this world, no matter where we are. And home really isn't here but with Jesus in heaven! Isn't that what the Bible says - that we are sojourners, that our citizenship is in heaven, that Jesus is preparing mansions for us in heaven? Ahh, to be home and never have to leave nor travel again. To finally rest. What a day that will be!

Thanks to Calvary Murrieta!

We wanted to take a moment to truly thank our friends and spiritual phamily at Calvary Chapel Murrieta. They really blessed us as they took care of every single need during our furlough. Since having been sent out from CCM 12 years ago, I have talked with many missionaries along the way who have mentioned the lack of support from people back home and even their own churches while on the field. I have to say that CCM has been so faithful, responsive and generous in their support of us in sending us out, while we are on the field and especially during furloughs. And it is always a joy for us to return to CCM and fellowship with them.

So thank you Pastor Brian and everyone at CCM for making our furlough a special treat for us. And once again, thanks to our supporters and prayer warriors in SoCal and all over the world for standing in the gap for us. You guys are the best!

CC Missions Conference 2008

We had a wonderful time at the Missions Conference during the 2nd week of furlough. The weather was perfect - we were able to just sit outside and enjoy the sunny SoCal weather (as the weather in Freiburg stayed just above freezing!). But more importantly, we enjoyed the 'spiritual refreshment' that we received at the conference. There were much that spoke directly to Becks and I - what our roles, duties and calling are, what God desires from us and what God is doing now in other parts of the world. It was also great to catch up with people we haven't seen in years - missionary friends in Mexico, England, Germany and Hungary.

And the kids also enjoyed the conference - especially Jesaiah and Taliah. They were in the same class for Children's Ministry and enjoyed the mini Vacation Bible School that the was put on for their ages. They learned about the fruit of the spirit and even taught us about it!

Here are a few photos from the conference...

Coming Home...

We arrived back in Freiburg yesterday and it was good to finally be over with the traveling. It was a very good furlough and we enjoyed it immensely. But it was also good to be back and to get back into a somewhat 'normal' routine and life again - back into the flow again. But it was also weird this time - coming back here we both (Becks and I) felt like we are still traveling, still on the road somehow. But I guess that is really how we should feel, because we are all just sojourners, pilgrims in this world, no matter where we are. And home really isn't here but with Jesus in heaven! Isn't that what the Bible says - that we are sojourners, that our citizenship is in heaven, that Jesus is preparing mansions for us in heaven? Ahh, to be home and never have to leave nor travel again. To finally rest. What a day that will be!

Down to the Home Stretch

We are in our last week of furlough here in SoCal and we can't believe it's gone by so quickly! But that is due in part to having a shorter furlough this time - normally we are back for 6 weeks, but this time it's only 4 weeks.

It was great to see you all - and for those we haven't been able to see yet, we will be in the InfoBooth at Calvary Chapel Murrieta this Sunday (20.Jan) for all 3 services. And also at the Wed evening service on the 23rd of Jan at CCM. So come by, say hello, pick up a prayer card, leave your email address to get updates (or just email us through the blog and we'll have your email address). Again, thanks to all for making this a great trip.

Down to the Home Stretch

We are in our last week of furlough here in SoCal and we can't believe it's gone by so quickly! But that is due in part to having a shorter furlough this time - normally we are back for 6 weeks, but this time it's only 4 weeks.

It was great to see you all - and for those we haven't been able to see yet, we will be in the InfoBooth at Calvary Chapel Murrieta this Sunday (20.Jan) for all 3 services. And also at the Wed evening service on the 23rd of Jan at CCM. So come by, say hello, pick up a prayer card, leave your email address to get updates (or just email us through the blog and we'll have your email address). Again, thanks to all for making this a great trip.

Another Year...

Thanks Nielsens and Starrs for a very colorful (pun intended) birthday. Even though the party was for the kids, right Linda? It was fun hanging with the 'older crowd'! ;-) And now I fit right in!

Science (Ph)un w/ the Phamily

Here are some (ph)otos from the (ph)irst week of our (ph)urlough. We just took the (ph)irst (ph)our days that we were here to rest and get over jetlag. The kids loved going outside to the playground in the apartment complex here and just climbing, hanging, playing tag - imagine doing that in the middle of winter! And not having to wear jackets at all!

And then we took one morning and went to the Temecula Kids Museum. It was a blast as the kids were able to touch everything and explore and learn natural science, (ph)ysics, biology, etc. And we parents and adults learned patience, endurance and communication as we tried to keep up with the kids and explain everything to them, 6 times, each! But it was a great day.

Another Year...

Thanks Nielsens and Starrs for a very colorful (pun intended) birthday. Even though the party was for the kids, right Linda? It was fun hanging with the 'older crowd'! ;-) And now I fit right in!

Science (Ph)un w/ the Phamily

Here are some (ph)otos from the (ph)irst week of our (ph)urlough. We just took the (ph)irst (ph)our days that we were here to rest and get over jetlag. The kids loved going outside to the playground in the apartment complex here and just climbing, hanging, playing tag - imagine doing that in the middle of winter! And not having to wear jackets at all!

And then we took one morning and went to the Temecula Kids Museum. It was a blast as the kids were able to touch everything and explore and learn natural science, (ph)ysics, biology, etc. And we parents and adults learned patience, endurance and communication as we tried to keep up with the kids and explain everything to them, 6 times, each! But it was a great day.

Schon Wieder Da!! (Back Again!)

Well, we're back in Murrieta again after a few days in Orange County and San Diego. We had lots going on but will try to post a few fotos in the next day or two. We have had something going on almost everyday this week, and it won't stop before we leave! Can't believe we only have another week and a half or so before we get on the plane back to Freiburg! And back to cold weather! It's been between 16-20 degrees here in sunny SoCal and we are enjoying the break from the German winter. I have been wearing shorts almost everyday! Until next time...

Schon Wieder Da!! (Back Again!)

Well, we're back in Murrieta again after a few days in Orange County and San Diego. We had lots going on but will try to post a few fotos in the next day or two. We have had something going on almost everyday this week, and it won't stop before we leave! Can't believe we only have another week and a half or so before we get on the plane back to Freiburg! And back to cold weather! It's been between 16-20 degrees here in sunny SoCal and we are enjoying the break from the German winter. I have been wearing shorts almost everyday! Until next time...

Calvary Chapel Missions Conference 2008

This week we have the privilege of attending the annual Calvary Chapel Missions Conference at the Murrieta Hot Springs Conference Center. This is our first time attending this conference, so we are looking forward to being fed and refreshed. We are also looking forward to meeting up with some missionary friends who will also be attending the conference.

So please pray for God to speak to us, to refresh us and to challenge us as we continue to serve Him as full-time foreign missionaries. Pray also for the kids as they must once again adjust to new environments, new people and new schedules.

Calvary Chapel Missions Conference 2008

This week we have the privilege of attending the annual Calvary Chapel Missions Conference at the Murrieta Hot Springs Conference Center. This is our first time attending this conference, so we are looking forward to being fed and refreshed. We are also looking forward to meeting up with some missionary friends who will also be attending the conference.

So please pray for God to speak to us, to refresh us and to challenge us as we continue to serve Him as full-time foreign missionaries. Pray also for the kids as they must once again adjust to new environments, new people and new schedules.

Wii-ing

Wii (pun intended) got our first experience with the new Wii gaming system this week, and I would have to say that it's pretty addicting! Wii (intended again) visited the Nielsens who just got the system over Christmas and enjoyed a couple nights of Wii-ing. I am not normally into video games, but this is totally different and interesting. And it's social - something that I dislike about most video games (not all) is that it tends to alienate people from one another. But at least with the Wii it was a whole family experience. The older kids enjoyed playing baseball while Becks bowled with Linda and Fiona. Even Zachie got in on the action - I helped him bat a few innings of baseball. And I got to work out my frustrations (j/k) with a few rounds of boxing! Check out the Photos of Phamily Phun while Wii-ing.

Wii-ing

Wii (pun intended) got our first experience with the new Wii gaming system this week, and I would have to say that it's pretty addicting! Wii (intended again) visited the Nielsens who just got the system over Christmas and enjoyed a couple nights of Wii-ing. I am not normally into video games, but this is totally different and interesting. And it's social - something that I dislike about most video games (not all) is that it tends to alienate people from one another. But at least with the Wii it was a whole family experience. The older kids enjoyed playing baseball while Becks bowled with Linda and Fiona. Even Zachie got in on the action - I helped him bat a few innings of baseball. And I got to work out my frustrations (j/k) with a few rounds of boxing! Check out the Photos of Phamily Phun while Wii-ing.

Faith Like a Child...

Have you ever noticed how simple a child's faith is? That they take everything at face value - like God's Word and what it says? Tonight, I got firsthand evidence of that. I had set up a computer game for the kids to play - an 'I Spy' learning game from Scholastic. The two older kids, Jesaiah and Taliah took turns playing.

Anyways, it was getting close to bedtime so I told Jesaiah that it was his last game. Taliah had finished her last game already and was headed to bed. I went to our bedroom to change Dariah into her PJ's. When I came back I noticed that Jesaiah was on a different game than the one I left him with. So I asked him - 'did you finish the other one and start a new one?' He promptly said 'no'. But the look on his face was kinda weird, I thought. I asked again 'did you start the other game and now changed to this one?' Again 'no'. So I went to help Zachie get into his PJ's.

When I came back to Jesaiah, he said he didn't want to finish the game. And before I could ask him why not, he reached up and touched my elbow and started sobbing. 'What's wrong?' I asked. In between sobs, he got out these words - 'I lied Daddy, I lied to you. I did start a new game!' My heart was touched - I wasn't upset at all, just touched by such innocence, honesty and humility/brokenness. So I took him into our bedroom, talked with him about what it means to lie, that it is a sin. And we talked about what forgiveness means and how you obtain it. Then Jesaiah asked me for forgiveness and asked Jesus to forgive him also. I also told him that God doesn't remember it; it's all over. He confessed and asked for forgiveness and received it; now he doesn't have to worry about that any more. Forgiven and forgotten. That's grace.

And that was our first dealing with lying. Isn't it amazing and refreshing how easily a child will confess that they lied. How quickly it breaks them and causes them to seek repentance and restoration. Why is it that we adults will try to rationalize and justify our lies? Or call it anything except a lie or sin? Why is it that we don't just do what the Bible says and simply confess?

Ahh, to be a child once again. But isn't that what our Lord told us- faith like a child's (Mk 10.15)? Faith that simply takes His Word at face value, that simply desires to do what it says. Faith that simply trusts and depends on Jesus. That's the faith I want. And you?

Faith Like a Child...

Have you ever noticed how simple a child's faith is? That they take everything at face value - like God's Word and what it says? Tonight, I got firsthand evidence of that. I had set up a computer game for the kids to play - an 'I Spy' learning game from Scholastic. The two older kids, Jesaiah and Taliah took turns playing.

Anyways, it was getting close to bedtime so I told Jesaiah that it was his last game. Taliah had finished her last game already and was headed to bed. I went to our bedroom to change Dariah into her PJ's. When I came back I noticed that Jesaiah was on a different game than the one I left him with. So I asked him - 'did you finish the other one and start a new one?' He promptly said 'no'. But the look on his face was kinda weird, I thought. I asked again 'did you start the other game and now changed to this one?' Again 'no'. So I went to help Zachie get into his PJ's.

When I came back to Jesaiah, he said he didn't want to finish the game. And before I could ask him why not, he reached up and touched my elbow and started sobbing. 'What's wrong?' I asked. In between sobs, he got out these words - 'I lied Daddy, I lied to you. I did start a new game!' My heart was touched - I wasn't upset at all, just touched by such innocence, honesty and humility/brokenness. So I took him into our bedroom, talked with him about what it means to lie, that it is a sin. And we talked about what forgiveness means and how you obtain it. Then Jesaiah asked me for forgiveness and asked Jesus to forgive him also. I also told him that God doesn't remember it; it's all over. He confessed and asked for forgiveness and received it; now he doesn't have to worry about that any more. Forgiven and forgotten. That's grace.

And that was our first dealing with lying. Isn't it amazing and refreshing how easily a child will confess that they lied. How quickly it breaks them and causes them to seek repentance and restoration. Why is it that we adults will try to rationalize and justify our lies? Or call it anything except a lie or sin? Why is it that we don't just do what the Bible says and simply confess?

Ahh, to be a child once again. But isn't that what our Lord told us- faith like a child's (Mk 10.15)? Faith that simply takes His Word at face value, that simply desires to do what it says. Faith that simply trusts and depends on Jesus. That's the faith I want. And you?