Friday, October 22, 2010

Feast of Booths




I was in a Bible study where we were discussing the celebrations of the Israelites (Jewish people) and how each one had a purpose. At the time, we were setting our own family traditions and thinking about what God wanted us to teach our children (i was pregnant with Elijah then). The celebration of the Feast of Booths (or Feast of Tabernacles) really stood out to me.

The Feast of Booths is mentioned in the new and old testament. Basically it was (in Bible times)a trip away from home for the Israelite families that lasted seven days. Often they lived in tents that they made. The purpose of the celebration was to remember what God had done for them. During the celebration, daily they would tell stories of the greatness of God and the great things He had done throughout the year. It was a time of joy, dancing, worshiping God and of feasting. A true celebration of God.

We just completed our 3rd Feast of Booths. For us it has been a seven day type of vacation. The first year we did it with Mike and Edith (Jonathan's parents) at the beach. We did some of our remembering with them (which was so sweet - we had a lot of the same praises) and some of it just with our little family. The second time we did it in California with some dear friends who have babies our age . It was such a sweet time. This past time wasn't necessary a vacation (we went to Florida because Jonathan was speaking at a dear friends mission conference), but we made it into our "Feast of Booths". We really enjoyed fellowshipping and feasting with many of our dear friends and family in Florida and taking the time as a family to worship and remember. We ended it in VA with taking of communion during one of God's marvelous sunsets on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Elijah had many random things he was thankful that God had done: "...food....scoops (backhoes), mucks (dump trucks), and dizzy's (cement mixers)"......and my favorite one of Elijah's "the nails on His hands and feet"........
....sheeew.... one day i pray he understands fully what that was all for... for now i am thankful for a child who will remind me what life is all about.

This is a great tool for teaching your children who God is and thankfulness. For those of you who vacation anyway it is real easy to rename and refocus your vacation. We kinda of follow this guide but not as a rule and i am sure it will change as our children grow.

Feast of Tabernacles (Feast of Booths)

The Feast of Tabernacles (referred to Biblically in Leviticus 23:34, Deuteronomy 16:13, Zechariah 14:16-19, John 7:2) is a seven-day Biblical festival also known as the Feast of Booths/Tents (found in Nehemiah 8:14). It is celebrated by a number of Christians who have observed correlations between the Old Testament Festivals and New Testament Scriptural evidence that both Christ and the Apostles observed and taught these Holy Days to Early Christians, Jew and Gentile alike. It is one of the most important holy days as it lasts the longest and normally requires a great deal of preparation and travel to be able to attend. The Feast of Tabernacles includes travel to a place away from home in God’s nature often in tents or booths. Observing daily celebration and storytelling of the greatness of God and the great things He has done throughout that year. Including family worship to God.

Suggested Agenda below: (no need to do it in this order or manner)

Day 1: Remember

“Remember His wonderful deeds, His marvels, and the judgments from His mouth.”1 Chron. 16:12

Take time to remember and right down all of the marvelous deeds he has done throughout the year and then pray and thank Him. Record them in your family Journal.

Day 2: Tell

“I may tell of all your praises, and rejoice in salvation.” Psalm 9:14,Luke 10:20

Tell of all the things He has done and what He has taught you about Him/His character. Share them with other families that have joined the feast.

Day 3: Worship

“You should exult His works, sing about them.”Job 36:24

Corporate singing God’s praises as a family.

Day 4: Past

“Remember His Deeds His miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11

Read through stories stories of things He has done in the past and through records from past Feast of Tabernacles.

Day 5: His Name Praise Walk.

“Remember My name for all generations” Ex. 3:15

While walking outside speak and list names of God. Creating ones or speaking already known ones that He has shown to your personally and as a family throughout the year. And prayer/praise walk together.

Day 6: His Love

“Rejoice in His testimonies and riches.” Psalm 119:14

Read through Psalm 136 together and then speak out loud our own testimonies with each time all saying together out loud “His faithful love endures forever.”

Day 7: Lord’s Supper

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Cor.11:24-25

Remember His mighty grace and salvation by reading the scripture and taking the Lord’s Supper together for family members who have made decisions to follow God. Also take time to right down prayer requests for the next year and pray in faith for them together.







Sunday, October 10, 2010

adoption heros

You know when you get a car you suddenly notice the car everywhere... it's not like it hasn't been there before.... it is just that you notice it now.

Since we have started the adoption process we have found out that so many of our friends are adopting too and have reconnected with many who have adopted. Here are a few blogs and heros in my eyes (that i know personally) that are teaching me and encouraging me along our adoption process.

I encourage you to check them out:

Friends that have adopted 4 precious children from Ethiopia in the last 2 years...

A friend that just adopted from Ethiopia and is very honest and open about all the ups and downs of adoption....

A friend that is our church's Adoption Gurus and the best people to go to for questions about anything having to do with adoption.....

A friend that is in the process like us...

and finally and one of the coolest stories...

Friends that just recently adopted from Ethiopia and now have just decided to follow God's leading to go and live there and rescue more children (below video is about the work they will be going to help)

to see the powerful video explain what "drawn from the water" is about...

Drawn From Water

Sunday, October 3, 2010

my gift from God

(Jonathan and Lalitha)

The name Jonathan means "Gift from God" and my Jonathan certainly is that. I have never met someone that gets me like he does. God made us for each other and the longer we are married the more ways i see how good my Creator God is at matchmaking.

I remember when i first noticed him. He was speaking at a missions conference at our church and was praying with passion and tears for the people of Afghanistan. It was only a weeks after that did I realize that God had chose this Mighty Man of Valor for me... ohhh how blessed i am.

He is my confidant, my leader, my lover… he is endlessly patient with me and full of grace.

To have someone that really "gets you" is rare. I know he was made for me because no one else could deal with all my whimsical passion (or some may say “drama”). No one else gets how my heart aches for all the people in the world and feels the same way I do and though we are polar opposites in personality and such... we have in common what really matters in life. It is what drew us to each other..... Jesus and Jesus’ love for the world.

So…. Happy Birthday to my gift from God!!!


I made the below video when we had just been married 5 years…..(it has been 7 years now)

Jonathan….. I am glad you still belong to me!!! – always yours…



Saturday, October 2, 2010

teaching your little one to value of the eternal

Here is a great inexpensive little book that will teach your children to value the eternal instead of the things that will pass away.


Max Lucado's Wemmicks: You Are Mine, Board Book   -              By: Max Lucado

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Friday, October 1, 2010

deep and long


This “page” began as an outlet for me to process what God is teaching me, but now that I know people actually read it… I hesitate to share….not because I don’t want anyone to know what I am thinking but because I know even though God is showing me a lot I have yet to listen and do whatever He is revealing. So anyway…this note is a deep one that has been stirring in my heart for a while…

Since May I have been reading the bible and attempting to categorize the whole thing… trying to begin to see the world as God does and trying to get a little study together to teach my babies the way Jesus thinks… and I have cut out t.v. since mid February trying to make sure I am not filling my brain full of perspectives that aren’t God’s. The combo is really helping me to see things from God’s perspective.

Not too many years ago everything I owned could fit in a backpack. I sleep on the floor for a few years inspired by Hudson Taylor (who trained the same way for China) in preparation to live in my mud hut in Africa one day.

I remember when I first traveled to India with Jonathan to visit our Orphan Homes. Everything they owned… all of their life possessions… were in these boxes below….I told Jonathan and few other team members that I was going to get one of these boxes for each one of my kids and that all of their stuff would fit in it…

(in box: chalk board and paper for school, quilt, change of clothes, tooth brush/paste, soap, plate and cup)


(the below is a current pic of all my boy's toys - notice it does not include: clothes, blankets, bed, kitchen utensils…etc. etc.)


I think traveling to the most impoverished places in the world changes your “American” mindset. It helps you to see what really matters in life… what a person really needs.I took this picture of an Indian Kitchen and still have in up in my Kitchen today to remind myself of how truly blessed I am.

Now I have a whole house full of needless stuff and way too much of the things one “needs”. It takes time to take care of all my needless stuff to. I remember when I bought my first car (it was my first real possession) I was shocked about how much time it took to maintain it… time I could be using to do something more eternal… lasting.

Like in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 - “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” – I think the point Jesus was making is that He is the only “thing” worth beginning concerned about, everything else in comparison to God is not.

I remember setting in a hotel room in China with some Chinese friends. Everything they owned fit in their book bag. Each of the ladies on my team had brought them a “gift”. I had stopped at target on the way to the airport before we left and picked up a candle and a necklace I think. As they opened the gifts we noticed the true insignificance of our gift. Not that they weren’t grateful..it just wasn’t practical… we asked them what they “really needed, shoes, clothes, etc.” and how could we meet their physical needs…. they replied….

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” (from Psalm 23, out of the bible) ……after those words I sank in my seat..it was like I was hearing the verse for the first time… it was because I was hearing it from people who knew what it really meant.

And today I was reading this… Luke 12:13-34

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

All of this is an area I struggle with greatly…that I haven’t truly yielded to God. It is hard in the midst of Americia’s wealth and love for the material to truly think like Jesus thinks. Everywhere you go there is something someone tell you that you need this or that.

I know I need to make changes to think and live like He does. I want to live for eternity… invest whatever resources we have into the things that really matter. I am mulling all of this over in my heart and pray that it will change my actions. I am an “all or nothing” kind of girl… so I think I know what i need to start doing. Pray that I will start living my life for the eternal…. every part of it.

See I told you this was going to be deep and long.

(In India -2006 - with Rajaiah - one of the orphans we help to care for through GPPD)