November 26, 2010
Ben had testing today for Bushido Kai Karate and passed up to his orange belt! YEAH, BEN!!!!!!
He had to work really hard to pass this belt, memorizing ka-da's, moves, stances, blocks, sparring well. We are very proud of him for the determination and effort he puts into karate and see him growing spiritually, emotionally, physically from his karate lessons.
Sensa Nell really stresses the Biblical aspects of reliance on God
in all of life; and being strong in HIM.
Memorizing Bible verses is part of the testing as well!
Romans 8: 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
(Once he gets his belt we will post another picture, but the belts are special made!!!)
Phil 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Psalm144:1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
November 25, 2010
Kurt is 48 today!
My hubby is 48 years old today!
He puts a smile on my face; He makes me laugh; he puts up with my moodiness. He tries to "be there" for me when I'm feeling sad or just need an extra hug. He is a stable, God-fearing, godly man who I am so thankful to be married to. My husband is a blessing from God.
I'm thankful he is my life-partner on this journey God is leading us on!
Happy Birthday, Kurt! Love you lots!!
November 23, 2010
Now that Mikayla is 16 she could date if she wanted to.
Her Daddy took her out on her 'first date' to a very nice restaurant here the other night!
I am thankful she has chosen to adopt the "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" philosophy along with some of her classmates and friends.
I've been leading a weekly Bible Study with some of the high school girls based on this book.
It was written by Josh Harris when he was 21-years old. It's about his story of giving up the dating game in order to focus on serving God. The hope behind it was that other singles would be helped by some of the lessons he was learning. Most people have an opinion about "that book about not dating." Some love it; others despise it. I'd encourage you not to assume you know what it says without having read it. Many readers who start out critics of I Kissed Dating Goodbye are surprised to learn that the core message of the book isn't about "dating," but living your life for God.
November 21, 2010
Today is our 4th year anniversary of arriving in Davao!
While we have had some of the hardest times of our life here, we have also grown deeply in our faith, commitment to Christ and thankfulness for being called to the mission field.
Come visit! We'd love to show you around!!!!
Since it will probably be two more years before we return to the states,
we are really hoping and praying some of our friends and relatives
will come visit us!!!!:)
November 21, 2010
Kurt and I really enjoy going to Bankerohan Market near us. It is a huge market for fruits, vegetables, meat, housewares, etc.
We took some new friends there this weekend to eat puto maya (a sweet sticky rice) at a local eatery in the market.
If you ever come visit us, we will take you there too!
From a great website: http://onefilipinodish.com/blog/2008/06/puto-maya-a-cooking-lesson/
To make puto maya you will need the following ingredients:
1/2 kilo pilit (sticky rice) and tapol (black rice) 3 cups coconut milk 1/4 kilo sugar (this was an approximation... the number seems really big to me but the little plastic bag of sugar did seem like it was about 2 cups worth) 1 tablespoon salt 3 inch piece of ginger sliced thinly sliced
To prepare the coconut milk mixture: boil coconut milk. Add sugar, salt & ginger. Reduce the liquid until it is rich and thick (espiso).
Soak the sticky rice for about 3 hours. In a steamer lined with cheesecloth pour the pre-soaked sticky rice and black rice. Cover until cooked. Once the rice is done sprinkle the coconut milk mixture and folding the rice inside the pot. Continue adding the coconut milk mixture until desired texture is achieved.
