Masters of our own Destiny...

Tonight I was blessed to have a young lady from the community over who is a new professing believer. We were able to spend a few hours going over some verses relating to the gospel and talking about God's sovereignty, works vs. grace leading to salvation, etc. She had just asked me what people meant when they said "I am the master of my own destiny," when we smelled an overwhelming amount of smoke. We were investigating the house when she finally realized that today was June 23, the day the island celebrates Hogueras de San Juan. She explained that at night, everyone lights big fires and burns anything that brings them bad luck (blankets, sweaters, books, trinkets... anything). Then, under the moon, they bathe themselves in the ocean to rid themselves of bad luck and negative energy. (All of this is also of course accompanied by a lot of drinking and carousing). What an incredible example of people vainly trying to be masters of their own destiny! We talked about where those people are putting their hope... in a sovereign all-powerful God, or in their own efforts to change their luck. In truth, despite burning all of your possessions today, can  you prevent a truck from striking you tomorrow? Can bathing in the sea prevent cancer from spreading invisibly in your body? While it was a great bridge to talk to her about faith in a huge God verses a puny self, it really broke my heart for the people here who live day to day without knowing their sovereign Creator.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:15-17)

Father's Day

I remember when I was young, and I'd day dream about my future husband, one of the things that was high on my priority list was that my future husband would be a wonderful, God-fearing father. I can say, despite all of my other failures, I have by God's grace accomplished that goal! Nathan LOVES being a daddy, and I am constantly in awe of his compassion, gentleness, and faithfulness to the kids. It shouldn't come as a surprise to me that each of them has gone through a severe "daddy's boy (or girl)" stage. If I were a kid, I'd prefer him too!

Cards

Someone suggested I put verses on some of the pictures I've taken and turn them into cards or prints people can order. I haven't decided if I'm going to go that route or not, but I thought I'd put up some samples and ask you to vote on your favorites so I have an idea of which ones people like.

Please leave a comment placing your order of favorites (you can either tell me your favorite, or place them in order of favorite to least favorite...) You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.

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Fun Collage

Here's a collage I made today of the kiddos. I feel like it's a bit premature as soon there will be another one to add... but I guess I have awhile before I have a before and after picture of him :-)

Gafas Fijas

So, according to today's pediatric Ophthalmologist, Elijah is severely far sighted with a significant stigmatism. He said he'll be a glasses for life kind of guy (unless we opt for surgery at some point after 18.) He said when a kid's eyes are as bad as Elijah's the brain reaches a point when it just doesn't know how to tell the eye to focus any more, so the eye begins to cross. That's apparently what happened to Elijah. So, due to the lack of headaches or otherwise weird behavior, we're going to assume he doesn't have a tumor or other bizarre thing causing the crossing. The doc is only going to give him a mild prescription compared to his actual one so that his brain and eyes have a chance to improve. If these glasses correct the crossing, we won't need a patch, if they do not, we'll probably do a patch.

So, glasses should be ready by Tuesday... pray they don't break!

Buns, Onions, and Toilet Bowls...

I am finding it so much more difficult to update my blog since I try to stay on top of my facebook, but I'm thinking of starting to lean the other way. Do any of you other bloggers know how to upload a video onto blogspot now that they've changed things a bit?

This week I had my twenty week ultrasound and was thrilled to see little Lucas again, and learn that he appears to have all of his fingers and toes. As much as I still find it hard to believe we are expecting another little one, I'm growing more and more excited to have another son. Watching the boys play is such a delight. Seeing their excitement at having another brother on the way warms my heart. They talk to him, "tickle" him, share their blankets with him, etc.

Eliana, as the Tinerfenos put it, "tiene pilas." (She has batteries, meaning she NEVER stops). She is a delightful girl who is incredibly social but also is developing a spit fire temper. With her personality and looks, it's probably a very good thing she'll have three brothers looking out for her. She does have a bizarre habit of eating the most disgusting and unmentionable items (ie, dog dropping off the sidewalk, rotten onions from behind the garbage, a clod of dirt, ok- maybe they are mentionable). Has anyone else had to deal with this?

Levi has come down with yet another fever, and has had all the lovely flu symptoms to accompany it. Selfishly, I love how cuddly he becomes when sick, but it's hard to see him so miserable. He's made some progress this week with potty training and officially hates diapers and desperately wants to be big. He was 90% potty trained in January before we flew to WA state for several weeks.  On the trip he lost ground and never regained it. But, we're back on the road now anyway. It's been a week of fishing matchbox cars and stuffed animals out of the toilet that he's inadvertently dropped in while taking care of business. He has loved going to Loro Parque which is like a zoo/sea world combo where we can watch sea lion, dolphin, and killer whale shows.

Elijah is turning into a little man who loves to tell "Once upon a time" stories, talk about Jesus returning one day, and is becoming quite a helper and leader among his siblings. Today after successfully choaking down his dinner of chicken stir fry with onion, broccoli, red peppers, and zucchinni, Elijah proclaimed, "I ate my dinner without needing discipline!" After I praised him, he looked up the ceiling and said, "THANK YOU GOD for helping me eat!" Then he looked at me and said, "Maybe we could go to someone else's house and give them all our onions..." Kids say the darnedest things :-) His eyes continue to cross and seem to be getting worse. Tomorrow he has an appointment with a Pediatric Ophthalmologist to get a second opinion, and then I think we'll move to glasses. Here he is with his pet lizard, Hugo, that he caught in our yard (Hugo has since been let free so he can hunt his own bugs and hopefully not die.)

Nathan and I both celebrated birthdays in the last week or so, and I officially crossed into another decade. While I'm feeling older, here I'm considered to be a VERY young mom- in fact, the OB who did my ultrasound yesterday didn't feel like 30 was old enough to decide to have my tubes tied. With endometriosis, a pituitary tumor, a failed vasectomy, and 4 kids four and under... I think I'm ready to make that decision :-)

Here we are before our bid dinner date last week.

We were super blessed by people from FBC and COHBC who sent some really practical yet hugely appreciated things to us via Claire D. THANK YOU for your kindness! We continue to ask for your prayers as we minister here in Tenerife. Right now we have a big focus of learning language and culture and getting our drivers licenses (which includes going to driving school, doing a minimum of 9 hours of driving with an instructor, and taking a difficult test including the minor mechanics of cars and motorcycle specs). So pray we know how to balance those endeavors with raising our kids and doing ministry. Pray also for wisdom with what to do regarding our kids education- it's a much more complex question than we first realized.

Stay tuned for pics of Elijah with his new glasses- though lately all of our kids have been needing glasses....