Celebrating Caleb's First Year

Earlier this month Caleb turned 1. Here are some pictures from his birthday and a few other our favorites of his first year.

The Beginning of 2012

It has been far too long since we've updated this blog! So, just in case there is someone out there who still checks it from time to time I decided to just post some pictures to show what we've been up to the beginning of this year.

Family day in early January at a place we can order banana splits. Maybe Caleb is pondering why he didn't get any of the ice-cream.

Our helper's daughter LOVES playing with Caleb! (They're in a cardboard house which was made after we purchased a freezer. Thanks to MMBC!)

Our neighbor asked me to make the cake for her daughter's birthday. Her name is pronounced Dee-Fa. But seriously, how often does one get to make a "Happy Birthday Diva" cake?!

Diva, her mom, and baby sister at the birthday party. Later Diva's mom asked me if I thought she'd picked the wrong head covering because it made her look old. I could't help but laugh because I'd have no idea what the "right" one would be!

Abi is maturing so much. This day I just found her bathing her doll completely of her own initiative. She was terribly proud of her new idea.

Abi and Diva playing on the slide in our backyard.

The handsome white guys on the block.

A good photo with the Bates girls! These 4 play together a ton but a picture where they are all looking at the camera is amazingly rare.

Yes, dear teenage girls, you are indeed seeing a cute white baby. And, no, if you touch him your eventual offspring will not be as white as he.

Abi enjoys playing dress up with our helper. This often means she's wearing a make-shift sarong.

These two love to play in the laundry basket together.

A Season of Thanksgiving in the Tropics

Our family is feeling thankful these days. Thanks, in part, to our Thankful Tree. Have you seen one before? We got the idea from some random person's blog last year and fortunately remembered it in time to create it and use it this November. It quickly became something we each look forward to every evening. After dinner we pick a leaf from my attempt at a fall centerpiece and talk about what we are thankful for that day. It has been a really good reminder to each of us to "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus". 

Our Thankful Tree 

(for those of you who wonder how B uses his painting degree... this was one of his rare opportunities)

A doesn't ever want to put the leaves on the branches :o)

Our festive fall centerpiece

(created by the only orange pumpkin I've ever seen in the tropics, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and construction paper leaves)

An up-close shot of a few leaves

(a few of my other favorites: my bear puzzle, working ACs, Emma running, rain and quiet at nap time, salsa, snuggling A on the couch)

...And Facebook will Give You Rest??

Life can often be a real struggle. Lately, for us, life is making us very tired. B is out every day either sharing for a few hours, having meetings, or doing coaching with our partners here. By the end of the day, he's really exhausted from the heat and having to be 'on his game' relationally. For K, she is finding herself at home with an increasingly difficult (but still a joy!) 2 1/2 year old and a growing 16lb 6 month old. She's often falling asleep at 8pm. In addition, there are the unique challenges of living in a different culture (even though, after 5 years, many things have become quite normal) and the spiritual attacks that have increased since we've been back (weariness, unexplainable sickness, and emotional stress). So, it is really easy after the kids are down to think, "Now, its time for ME! I've earned rest and relaxation."

However, God has been working on us lately to really examine that common desire to see if it is really true. We often think that TV, Facebook, or other such things will give us rest. Meaning, after we do those things, we will be re-energized to engage in the hard work of ministry and raising kids - which requires grace, humility, and purity. It didn't take long to realize that those activities were not, and would not, ultimately give us the rest we needed. For instance, on a typical day reading through our Facebook updates, I might read an update that makes me feel sorry for myself or feel envy because I didn't get a brand new gadget or household appliance because I don't have the money or it's not available over here. But depending on the day, that same post might make me feel proud and arrogant, because I've sacrificed so much and that person hasn't. Or, I might read a news article or a political opinion that makes me angry...etc, etc, etc. And then while simply browsing the internet or watching a DVD of a show we brought over here, we might be exposed to all sorts of things haphazardly, like: clothes we want, music we want, kids toys that we want, a music video that has a little too much skin in it, or a scene in a show of people about to have sex (which opens a whole new door or thoughts and struggles).

Whew! Does any of that seem restful? Instead of being re-energized to love our family sacrificially and give our children grace-filled words instead emotional and angry words, we instead have let things into our hearts that will put us on edge and will require some serious prayer to put behind us. You see, we're learning that the spirit of indulgence that we feel when tired, is just another thing that is evidence of being tired (like our body feeling tired, being a little bit more emotional than usual, or losing sight of real perspective). However, it is extremely difficult to teach ourselves how to deal with this.

We are just beginning to see that when we indulge (with internet, food, TV, etc), we are no more well rested than we were before those activities. And we are beginning to learn that when we take that free moment to read the Bible and center our hearts on our deep, deep need for Jesus' Spirit to meet us and guide us, we are much more fun to be around, much more joyful, and much more in control of our actions, our thoughts, and our words. And that is what we really need to be good parents, spouses, and pleasing workers for our King. 

It really is true, when Jesus says, "Come to me all you weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Any thoughts? How do you and your family deal with the indulgence monster?

Caleb is 6 months!

Our little guy has hit the six month mark. He's been a total joy. He's not crawling yet but certainly wants to. We're taking all the cuddles we can get these days because we're pretty sure once he figures out how to be really mobile he won't stop. He's got some hilarious noises. The noises seems to come in two sets: the cute, typical baby noises along the lines of waa waa, baa baa, gu gu and then crazy deep throated growling. He absolutely loves his big sister. He's just generally a happy, smiley, easy baby. We are thankful everyday for little Caleb. Here's a glimpse of the adorable guy at 6 months.

Caleb is 6 mo, a set on Flickr.

Jilbabs Galore

This is our fifth Ramadhan in a Muslim country. It is such an interesting experience! I just felt like sharing some of the things that are catching my attention this year.

-Coconuts!! In the afternoon just before the breaking of the fast there are small stands every where on the side of the road selling fresh coconut juice (the water-like substance on the inside of the coconut, not the milky stuff made from the fruit). The seller hacks open the coconut right there in front of you and pours out the juice and some of the "young" coconut on the inside into a plastic bag with a straw. Around here this is a traditional beverage to drink to break your fast. Turns out, we learned last year from a BBC article, coconut water is one of the most naturally hydrating beverages on the planet- its full of electrolytes and other things drinks like Gatorade have to manufacture.

-Jilbabs on Sale- Every store has their nicest Muslim garb out on sale. Prayer rugs, prayer hats, wooden Quran holders, sarongs used by men during prayers, and jilbabs galore! (FYI- That's the Muslim female head covering around here.) I almost wish I needed some because you can find them in every color of the rainbow, with or without rhinestones, and with the prettiest broach type pins to attach them with.

-3am Tofu Seller- Every day so far I've heard the man walking (or maybe riding his bicycle?) up and down our street at 3am yelling "Tofu... TOFUUUUUUUU". Since most people buy the food they want to cook the day they want to cook it (either for lack of a fridge or just out of cultural habit), it appears to extend to buying tofu at 3am the fry up just before the fast begins at daybreak.

-Quiet Streets at Mid-day- Every week, at least once (if not many more times) we almost hit someone on a motorbike or almost get hit. The traffic is always horrendous!! But, during this month people are tired by the middle of the day (since they haven't eaten since like 4:30am) so the traffic is much lighter and a pleasure to drive in! If I didn't have a baby that naps 3 or 4 times a day I think I'd be making up excuses of errands to run just to drive around.