Friday, August 19, 2011

Trip to the Pet Hospital

This week is very sad because our cats are very sick. As you know we had 5 cats - Mango, Marble, Junior, Tiger and MoMo.

But Junior died so we then had four cats. Then our 4 cats got very, very sick with pneumonia.



We took them to the local vet and we found out that they were bitten by a small tick.  This is one thing that made them sick.


I am sad because of the sin sick world where animals and people die.  

I found this helpful from Bibleinfo.com - Do animals go to heaven? 
 

Questions for my blog readers:
1. Have you had a sick pet?  
2. What happened? 
3. What did you do?

Thanks for sharing your story . . .

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Community Service - Trash pick up on the Centennial Trail

When we were at Upper Columbia Conference campmeeting at UCA, our Junior Class did a community service outreach project by picking up trash. We had a one hour bus ride to the Centennial Trail next to the Spokane River. It was a lot of fun. I hope there is a Pathfinder honor for this, because boy did we pick up a lot of trash!

We picked nearly 20 bags in all. We did not just stay on the bike path, we went everywhere off the trail and in the woods so that's were we found all kinds of trash!

Here is a list of things we found;
  • pipes
  • beer bottles
  • aluminum cans
  • car parts
  • pliers
  • trash
  • and lots more cool looking stuff
After we finished that we went back on the bus.

One difference I learned about is the type of clothes to wear. When you do this you type of community service you have to wear long pants because of ticks, but in Thailand I've not seen any ticks, but instead you have to watch out for the leaches along some of the jungle walking paths!

I saw one kid wearing shorts and I saw a little tiny tick on his leg and I saw it. I told him that he had a "hitch hiker" on his leg. He saw it and flicked the tick off.

Questions for my blog readers:
  1. Are you a liter bug? Do you throw trash on the ground?
  2. How are you helping your community? Tell me your story!

Monday, June 20, 2011

A Sad Day


Today, my brother and I found out that our third cat, Junior had died. He went into the ground - with my other pets. What I mean is that he's dead.

I might be crying, and maybe you are crying too! I'm crying because I'm sad and missing Junior, because he was my Christmas kitten. (See my blog post My Dear Little Christmas Kitten)


I look forward to Jesus coming again. Why? Because death will be history, and I will see my cat again in the Earth made new!

Questions for my blog readers:

  1. Have you ever had a pet die?

  2. How did you feel? Write back and tell me.

Why Promote Missions?

Each year our family comes home to the USA to visit family and friends. We share what God is doing through our church planting work in Thailand.


We go to churches and campmeetings and share. 




Q. Why do we share?

A. Because the church members invest in our mission, and all other overseas missions through their mission offerings.  We say thanks to all those who give!  


A. We also share because more missionaries are needed!

Questions for my blog readers:

  1. How do you support missionaries?
  2. How do you promote missions?
Write back and tell me your ideas!





Saturday, June 18, 2011

UCC Campmeeting Report Day 1

This week our family is attending the campmeeting at Upper Columbia Academy.

We have a booth to promote the work of Adventist Mission - overseas missions, and to give a report of our work and the needs in Thailand.


One of the ways that I helped get ready to promote missions this year is by designing bookmarks. We printed three different styles to give out - 1,200 of each one! Stop by our booth and pick one up!

Questions for my blog readers:
1. How do you promote overseas missions?
2. Have you ever designed a bookmark?

Write back and share!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

On our way to Campmeeting!

Today we are going to Upper Columbia Academy (UCA) to attend the Campmeeting there.

We have traveled 2,604 miles, since arriving in the United States three days ago.  I'm surviving so far - even though we've not gone to Taco Bell, Costco or Panda Express yet!  :-)

This year we are going to Campmeeting to set up a booth there to help promote missions

At the booth, I will give things away to the people who want to learn more about Adventist Mission and overseas missions. I get to help teach the kids attending a new game I learned from Thailand, called "yang" ยาง.  You play this game by making a rope from rubber bands (ยางรัด).

Ask me later how to make the rubber band rope, and how to play this game!

Questions for my blog readers:
  1. Have you been to campmeeting?
  2. Would you like to learn more about missions?
  3. Would you like to learn how to play the game of "yang" ยาง from Thailand?  Yes or No
Write back!




Traveling adventures

Narita, Japan Airport (NRT)

We are going to get on our next airplane now, and I hate sleeping on the airplane!  

I have to take naps, but so far on this first eight hour flight, I've only slept . . . maybe one hour.  

Just before we had to leave to go to the BKK airport, my brother lost a few important things (like the keys!).  So anyway, he retraced his steps and was looking for where these things could be!  One minute before we had to leave, he found them, thanks to the Lord!  :-)

Questions for my blog readers:
  1. How long have you traveled non stop?
    1. in a car
    2. in an airplane
    3. in a bus
    4. on a boat
  2. Do you like sleeping on the airplane?  Yes or No
  3. How long do you think I will travel on this trip from Bangkok, Thailand to San Fransisco, California?  
    1. 15 hours
    2. 20 hours
    3. 25 hours
  4. Have you ever lost something at the last minute?  
  5. How did God help you find these valuable things?
Thanks for sharing your stories . . .



Saturday, May 28, 2011

Finding Snake Skin

One day some of my friends came over after school. We were building a fort, and we needed some logs to make benches and tables for our fort. So I asked my brother to bring some logs over to our fort.

These were huge logs from the tree that fell down in front of our house. 

When he moved one logs, he yelled, "Look! Come and see this!" We ran over and looked and there was a snake skin.

I got to pick up one piece of the skin. It was brown, and dry and about one foot long.

Questions for my blog readers:
1. Have you found a piece of snake skin?
2. Where did you find the snake skin?
Write & tell me your story!
Thanks! :-)


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Kittens, kittens, kittens!

I love animals!   Our mission compound is a very nice place to find animals!  Since there are lots of places that a momma animal can hide!

One day, my mom heard a kitten crying, near our house.  I followed the noise, and guess what I found?  First, I found a small  kitten, and then I found its siblings!  They are so cute!  
 
Now you won't believe how much they have grown! 
I still know where they are hiding, and our family might get two of these cute kittens!  

Just recently, the momma cat of the cute kittens let me hold her!  It was so exciting!  

QUESTIONS FOR MY BLOG READERS
  1. What animals do you like?
  2. Have you found any animals before?
Write me!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Dragon Fruit

One of the fruits in Thailand is dragon fruit. It has another name, pitaya.  It comes in several colors - white and dark plum color.  It has little tiny seeds that you can eat.


The taste is very mild.  It tastes better when it is cold. 
 
Guess how it grows?  It grows on a cactus. 


To learn more about this fruit, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitaya

Questions for my blog readers:
  1. Have you ever tasted dragon fruit?  How would you describe its taste?
  2. What's your favorite fruit?
 Write and tell me!

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Family Favorites Reading List, part 3 - Animal Stories

In this series of posts entitled, Family Favorites Reading List, we share some of the books we've read and enjoyed together as a family.  Here are some of the animal stories that we have enjoyed for this week's post,

"Because of Winn-Dixie," by Kate Di Camillo
Opal acquires her pet dog in the most unlikely place…a grocery store! Make sure you read the book before you watch the movie.  We were inspired by this story, and thus we named our cats - Tesco & Lotus, after a local grocery store here in Bangkok!

"The Summer of Riley," by Eve Bunting
The devotion that a boy has for his dog and what he does to save him from certain death one very special summer.

"Tornado," by Betsy Byars
 


Read Pete's favorite tale of how he got his favorite pet.

 

"Summer of the Sharks," by Sally Streib
The underwater adventure story of Eric and Susan on a remote island paradise in the Bahamas for a coral reef restoration project!
http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/Detail.tpl?sku=0816321264
ISBN: 0816321264

"Lass," by Roland Gebauer, Illustrated by Cheri Bladholm
Lass, a pure-bred Border collie, is rescued from her unhappy life in the city and taken to a sheep ranch. There Lass learns about trust, obedience, and faithfulness under the patient guidance of her new master. A heartwarming true story that illustrates the unconditional love that God has for each one of us.

 
Questions for our blog readers:
  1. Tell us about your favorite animal story book? 
  2. What is it?  Why do you like it? Write back and tell us this book!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Family Favorites Reading List, part 2 Stories From the Under Ground Church

In the last post, Family Favorites Reading List, part 1, we gave a list of some of the books we read and enjoyed together as a family.  In this blog, we want to share stories from the Under Ground Church.  

There are many places around the world that do not have freedom of religion, and so Christians are persecuted by these governments for worshiping God, having a Holy Bible, or sharing their faith.  These are some of their inspiring stories of their faith under persecution. 


The Man Who Couldn't Be Killed: An Incredible Story of Faith and Courage During China's Cultural Revolution by Stanley Maxwell

Order your copy of this great book online at Alibris, or Amazon.


The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun by Paul Hattaway

Order your copy of this great book online at Alibris, or Amazon. 



Singing through the Night: Courageous Stories of Faith from Women in the Persecuted Church by Anneke Companjen


Order your copy of this great book online at Alibris, or Amazon.  
 


God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew


Order your copy of this great book online at Alibris, or Amazon.


Questions for our blog readers:
  1. What is your favorite story book about the underground church? 
  2. What is the story about? 
  3. Why do you like it?  Write back and let us know!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Chopstick Hill


Today we went to Chopstick Hill - เขาตะเกียบ. The road going up the mountain was very steep! And our old missionary car was squeaking all the way up. Finally we got to the top and went to three different viewpoints.
We could see all of Hua-Hin there.
It was beautiful. We saw a tree growing in the rock!
It was a neat reminder of how faith grows!

And while we boys went to the third viewpoint, the girls found many amphibians and insects in the girls bathroom. While we were going to our car we
saw many peacocks. And on our way down it was very steep! Questions for my blog readers:
  1. Have you ever visited a mountain?
  2. Did you like it?

Friday, January 07, 2011

Sea Creatures


Last night we walked along the beach in Hua Hin, Thailand. The tide was low about 8 or 9 pm so we were out there with our flashlights searching for sea life and admiring God's creations. We were exploring for about 1 hour or so, and guess what I found and caught? I caught some shrimp with my bare hands! 


Me and my Dad also caught some other interesting fish and crabs too! Really cool ones - like this flat fish!

 
They were swimming in a tide pool along the sandbar we were walking on. My mom says I am pretty brave to catch them with my bare hands.

We were sad to see many really big jellyfish that were washed ashore as well. We were sad to find them dead. I love to explore and see all the different sea creatures that God has made. And I know that when we get to heaven, we will enjoy all the creatures and never find any sick or dead.

The night before, my mom found a flying fish that had gotten stranded when the tide went out. It was so interesting and pretty big. I wish I could show you a picture, but we didn't have the camera with us that night. But don't worry, the picture is in our heads. It was still alive so my mom carefully scooped it up with the mound of sand it was laying on and walked out a ways into the waves and set it free. We had a good feeling to watch it swim happily away.

Questions:
-Have you ever found a cool sea animal?
-What was it?
-What is your favorite sea creature?  Write me and tell me about it!

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Family Favorites Reading List, part 1 - How God Protects During Time of War

Many people ask, "What does your missionary family do for fun?"

Our family loves to read!  So this year we wanted to share a few of the books we have read and enjoyed together as a family.  

Many of them we just couldn't put down as we were so eager to hear the story unfold.  Josh and Hannah would often plead to keep reading, "Just one more chapter, please!"

So, we just thought you might like to know about these books of how God protects during time of war we really enjoyed.  "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.Psalm 91:7 NKJV   

"A Thousand Shall Fall," by Susi Hasel Mundy
A 40-year-old pacifist was drafted and assigned to Hitler's elite troops who built bridges at the front lines. Read how God's hedge of protection surrounded this man through the hardships and trials of war. To order your copy go to ABC Book Store or Amazon.

"Escape" by Sandy Zaugg.  
This is thrilling story of a thirteen-year-old boy who had to leave his home suddenly during the World War 2.  It is a testimony to God's protection and guidance through difficult times.  Order a copy of this great book for kids in Grades 4-7 at these online bookstores at ABC Book Store, Alibris, or Amazon.

"The Story of a Hitler Youth Under the Blood Banner," by Eric Kreye and Norma Youngberg
The inspiring story of a boy growing up in Germany during World War 2 as a Christian. Learn more by reading this exciting book by going to these links at Amazon or Albris.

"Behind barbed wire" by Vinnie Ruffo
Read the exciting story of John & Olga Oss who served as missionaries in Shanghai, China during World War 2, when the Japanese forced them into the prison camp. Order your copy of this great book online at Alibris, or Amazon.

Dare to Stand Alone by Bradley Booth
The main character of this book is Ivan who as a teenager lived his Christian faith in the Soviet Army!  Order your copy of this great book online at ABC Book Store, Alibris, or Amazon.

Salvation in the Killing Fields by Aileen Ludington
This is the true story of Chanla Dok, and how God protected he and his family during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge reign of death in Cambodia.  This inspiring story of faith starts with the Chanla, a young teenager & his family being forced from their home in Phnom Phen and then documents their experiences through the horrors labor camps under the Khmer Rouge & Vietnamese Communists.  Get your copy of this book online at Alibris or Amazon.  


Let us know what you think, and maybe you could recommend some books to us as well.

Questions for My Blog Readers:
  1. What's your favorite story book of how God protects during time of war?  
  2. What's it about?  
  3. Why do you like it?  Write back and tell us about the book!

Saturday, January 01, 2011

The Ultimate Cereal Gift

Part of being a missionary kid is that we don't have normal breakfast food. Normal breakfast food to me is Cheerios, pancakes, or waffles with applesauce. It sure goes nice with Stripples or breakfast links too. But these are not common Thai foods. Usually the Thais eat rice and vegetables for breakfast, but we don't. We eat cereal, but it is almost impossible to get Cheerios here in Thailand. And if we see them in the import stores, they are extremely expensive and may even be stale. Sad, huh.

One day Auntie Pat came to visit and she brought us a big bag. In that big bag was boxes of Cheerios! I was surprised and very happy! They were soooo crunchy and soooo sweet and yummy. I loved eating every bite!

Thank you Auntie Pat for the yummy Cheerios. It is amazing how much a box of Cheerios can mean.

Questions:
-Do you like Cheerios?
-What is your favorite breakfast food?
-Have you ever not been able to find something you were really hungry for?

Hay Stacks for Dinner!


Mom surprised us tonight! She made Hay Stacks for Dinner! We have Hay Stacks for Dinner about four times each year. Why? Because we don't have Frito's Corn Chips.
Well thanks to our friends ,"Uncle Rick" and "Andrew" we could have Hay Stacks. Pinto Beans are hard to find here but our grandma sends them to us. It was awesomely yummy!

Questions:
-Whats Hay Stacks?
-Have you ever had Hay Stacks