Good Morning! This morning as I was awoken by a hacking 21 month old, I was able to contemplate certain things about my life. I have been struck lately by the image of a "White Washed Tomb". Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about tings they needed to make marked changes on in Matthew 23. In verse 27 Jesus says exactly this





"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."





I cannot help but think of the ways I am truly a "whitewashed tomb". I appear just fine on the outside, but cleaning from the inside out is really where the eternal struggle lies. I am praying now that I am a witness to all I come in contact with, of Christ's love, grace, forgiveness and redemption.





Am I a hypocrite, yes. Am I a a liar, yes. Am I a gossip, yes. Do I place other things (Idols) in my heart before God, yes. Am I selfish, yes. But, I see now that life in Christ truly takes a lifetime. He is refining me slowly and patiently. The things I once valued hold no value to me as he daily renews my mind. I pray as I go to places far from the U.S. that I am transformed on the inside, as this is truly what matters to God and is eternal. My body may be slowly decaying and dying, but inside I am becoming white as snow. A better analogy would be I am becoming a butterfly. The Chrysalis would be considered pretty normal by most people, commonly even missed by most. When the process of changing from a a Caterpillar to a Butterfly is complete, no one can question what has taken place inside. I pray this is my life for you, Jesus! May you alone be glorified in my life!

Hello All! I'm sorry I have not posted to our blog in over a week. To say that I have been busy would be a huge understatement!! We are working hard to prepare everything first for our move to Washington D.C. Washington is most likely not our first posting, so I have to think ahead to our more permanent destination. It is amazing all the things you must take into account before moving to another country.



Here a just a few thoughts I am currently contemplating today. Where will I get diapers? Can we give away all our coats that are great in Michigan come January, but aren't needed unless we end up in Moscow? What about Christmas presents, do I try to bring some? Can I get good coffee there? Can I have my coffee shipped? What about my coffee maker? How does one dress modestly in a Muslim country? I think I do dress modestly, how much more can one cover in 120 degree heat? Should I bring my treadmill? (It weighs a TON) Can I get to a gym to walk on a treadmill? Does the Embassy compound have a swimming pool? How does someone who's people have been Northerners for generations fair in the Desert? Can I get good coffee? What kind of birds do will they have in _______? Can I get a good coffee maker? Yes, I do think about coffee often!


We have our pack out date. On September 8th a majority of our earthly possessions will go into storage in Washington D.C. Some of it will come out when we are assigned a post and then travel to our new home. We are allowed 7200 pounds of HHE (Household Effects) as the post will be furnished. I have to go pack and organize! I will post again soon~

Hello All! This weekend Rick and Kristin (My baby brother and sweet sister in law) are hosting a going away party for us. I am very excited to get to see a majority of our family before we take off for D.C.

This was the neat invitation that Kristin created for our send off. Great job, Kristin and thanks for thinking of us!!! We love you so much and will miss you all terribly. We appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness!!

It is still somewhat surreal that we are going to be oceans away from our extended families. I wonder who will come to visit and what will happen here in the U.S. while we are away. I wonder what perspective of the world my children will have. What perspective will they have of the United States? They will most likely be hearing another language most of the time while we are going through our normal days. They will become Third Culture Kids (TCK). I have been reading this book and trying to prepare for the unique challenges TCKs face. TCKs are commonly Missionary kids, children of men and women serving in our Armed forces, Diplomat kids and more commonly now with the world becoming a global marketplace, American children who's parents are working for businesses abroad.

Our family is already "different" from our home cultures perspective. Now we will increase the different quotient. I can hear someone asking Luke someday, "Wait, your sisters are obviously white, you speak Spanish and your parents home is currently in Bangladesh?" That would confuse almost anyone, eh? But I feel like if you are going to be "different" you might as well go all the way, right? People stare at us currently in the U.S., imagine the stares in Kuwait! I am up for the challenge, God has truly prepared and groomed me for this. With His help, I feel I am up for this challenge and lifestyle. Will it be hard, yes! Will it be exciting, yes! Will it be tiring, yes! Will it be FUN, YES! Please remember us in your prayers as we tackle this new lifestyle and a major transition, thanks!

In other exciting news I got my Birthday and 10 year Anniversary present today. Here is a picture of my "Mommy Chair", I love it!!!!!! It is a Devonshire chair from Ethan Allen and it is covered in the fabric "Reef Espresso". I have wanted a "Mommy Chair" for many years. My feet rarely touch the ground in big rocker recliners and I can't stand that! It makes me feel like a child when I sit there my legs hanging in the air. I am not a diamond lady, this is my treat, "The Mommy Chair" : ) I am sitting in it no as I type, it is like a little bit of heaven! Thanks, Kelly for the best gift ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to go organize and pack for our trip to Kalamazoo. God Bless your weekend~

Hello All! It is hard to believe our time here in West Michigan is coming so quickly to a close. Our plans changed and now I feel like time is moving in fast forward. When Kelly first accepted the RMO position we had decided I would stay back in our home in Michigan with the kids and let them begin school here. We did not know at that time that the training for Kelly would be much longer than we originally thought. The total time will be about ten weeks! That is too long for us all to be away from Kel. We are soon to be off to Washington D.C. and the beginning of this new chapter in our lives! I am frantically organizing, making lists on paper, making mental lists (that sometimes I just can't find in my mass of little gray cells), buying summer clothes on clearance to outfit the family at our first post, giving away tons of stuff we have no need for anymore and trying to keep the house clean enough just in case it needs to be shown to perspective buyers.

We have been told from Kel's medical director where we are MOST LIKELY going to be spending our next few years. I won't share it, yet. But let's just say we are cashing in big on after summer sales as we are headed to the land of eternal summer heat. That is a big bonus! At Kohls yesterday my receipt said I saved more then I actually spent. I know, I know everything is always "on sale" at Kohls. Still it felt good to know I will be wearing these new summer clothes at Christmas time. I feel like for once I have beaten the system, or at the very least used it to my advantage.

This weekend My brother, Rick and sister in law, Kristin are hosting a going away party for family honoring us (Thank you so much you two, we love you!!!). I am very excited to see everyone, but I don't like to say goodbye. It is easier for me at to think I will see them soon, or to pretend we will be together at Thanksgiving when the snow begins to blanket the state of Michigan. Deep down I know I am lying to myself, but it helps to ease the loss and pain. Who am I trying to kid? I won't be seeing snow for a long time!

Being in transition is hard, painful and exciting all at once. I wish I could pack each one of my special friends and family in my HHE (Household Effects). I would love to have you shipped to our first post! Please remember that we love you all and you will always have a place to stay in .......................... wherever in the world we live. I am off to sort and fold laundry. Blessings to you today~

(The Photo was taken by Amy Carroll swing by here and check out her amazing talent!)

Hello All!

I am sorry I have been away from the blogosphere for some time. I have had many family guests in our home over the last week. Kelly's brother, sister and many of our nieces and nephews have been visiting us in Michigan. We have been blessed with fun family times eating ice cream and smores : ) AHHHHH......... Summertime! I will be back soon with an update as far as all that is happening in our home as we prepare to make the biggest move of our life. This sweet smile is post smore party. Blessings to you all as you enjoy the last beautiful days of summer~