Boyscouting of the Middle East

I attached some photos from the first ever boyscouts of america branch camping trip in our country. They were gracious enough to let Cedar and I come along.

Swimming hole. The water was very cold. I was very proud of Cedar he was fearless and swam all over with his floaties.

A cool arch with a cool kid.

Ancient Zoorastrean tomb. It is about 20' off the ground and we couldn't get in.

Preparing to do some rappelling

Can see the rope for rappelling over the cave.

Camp

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Thank you! To all of you who have sent packages, cards, notes, pictures and fun things through the mail! It continues to make us so happy and encouraged to press on. As we read the notes, which I confess a tendency to hoard, we are so touched and truly engaged in the feeling that the body is truly connected! So amazing, that some of these notes were written months ago yet the scripture and words written by such loving and prayerful hands hit our struggle... spot on! I love seeing the Lord work in this way!
The Olferts sent us a package, and it was full of the most random things, so you would think we would shake our head and wonder, but in truth we pulled out thing after thing and it sounds weird but they were all things we needed! Hilarious! Wes was especially excited about the Farm newspaper!
We continue to be so humbled by all the support that goes into us living so far away from many of you!
One day we came home to find a phone message on the answering machine and it was Cedar's friend Conner leaving Cedar a message! How fun for a 3 year old to have a message just for him!
My mom sent the coolest book. She's the one reading to the children as they flip the pages! Hallmark came up with a recordable book and you can record the person reading the book to the kids! So special, and as Cedar was thanking Grandma he said, "Could you see me reading the book since you are in there?" :) love it!
Sometimes I have the tendency to think that people don't really care about me, at least not in the way I think of them, so I am always humbled and so touched when we get these notes, emails, phone calls, and packages, because I know there was effort put into all that went into doing them! It's not easy to call, or write or go to the post office, and so many of you have young children which makes for an even more interesting adventure! :)
I guess what I am saying is, we all fall short of supporting/encouraging one another at times, but I realize the fullness of love I am surrounded with because of our rather odd circumstances. I just wanted to write and say that I feel the same way about all of you who have been/continue to be part of our lives! I mean it when I say I think of you often, and I remember to pray for you. I'm not the best at staying in touch, but that doesn't lessen the love I have for you in my heart! Since knowing Jesus some of the most extraordinary people have crossed my path and journeyed alongside me. I am so richly blessed to count you friend.

Proverbs 16

Todays' Proverbs reading was really impacting. I have been praying for many years, yes years, that God would take the desire I have for us to live in Idaho near Wes' family. Instead of taking it, it seems to have multiplied in a burning desire to live there. I have often wondered about this 'desire of my heart'. I guess the prosperity gospel would say I should move there since its my desire and it hasn't gone away, but I just knew there was more to it, and I continued to wrestle with what to do about this desire I have surrendered time and again and asked that God would wrestle from my spirit. Today Proverbs 16:1 said, "To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue." Sometimes the heart can be so misleading, and while there are times to trust what God is saying through your heart other times it is hard to weigh the motives because I am so close to the issue at hand. Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." And again in Proverbs 16:2 "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD." So I am finding that God is speaking to me through His Word this morning. I need to not trust this desire of my heart and recognize God's judgement and rational response to my hearts desire.
The other thing I have been struggling with is my words to the kids. I just feel like I don't speak enough into their hearts and I struggle to know how better to respond to them. Especially after that third or fourth reprimand for the same thing! This morning I read in Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." And again in Proverbs 16:13 "Kings take pleasur in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth." So I am learning from God in response to my prayer for wisdom with the children that while I can speak honestly of their sin/disobedience that I must also speak sweetly, so as it will be better for them to accept the instruction. I guess you could say I need to do what the Father God did for me this morning, honesty and sweetness even though it was humbling. Praise God for answered prayers, and for softening a hardened heart.
Some other verses that spoke into this issue;
Proverbs 16:20 "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is hewho trusts in the LORD."
Proverbs 16:21 "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction."
and especially Proverbs 16:25 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

Didn't hear much from that last one

So I haven't heard much reply from that last post. I was really hoping some of you all would give it a go. I think I'll put it in our next update and see if we don't get more bites that way!
We've been doing pretty good here in the Fertile Crescent. It's starting to get HOT and I mean HOT. It went from being rainy and cool to "oh crap I'm living in a desert!" In fact we saw our first scorpion last night. By the way we were told by two different sources that they don't have scorpions here, so must be that one traveled up from the desert oh about 25 miles away! I was pretty freaked out about it, since it came out from underneath the giant blow-up slide Oasis and the other girls had been playing on for over an hour! Thank you God for keeping the kids safe, especially my little monkey girl!
Wes and Cedar are off on a boy scout camp-out. I am pretty excited for them, even though it comes on the tail end of a crazy week. Wes worked 10-12 hour days this week as they are plugging away at the first phase of a project due the beginning of June. He's hoping it will be back to normal after Monday, and I am hoping too!!
Today I was really struck with how blessed I am to be married to such a great guy. Not every guy wakes up early with the crazy children, makes breakfast and even brings it to me to wake me up, or puts up with one obstinate and I mean OBSTINATE wife like he does, or helps her die her hair, or listens to her cry and say "I just want to gooooo HOOOOOOME!!!". Here he is living his dream and I am still complaining! Not to mention the fact that I know in my heart, where I have been studiously avoiding looking, that we are where God desires us to be. He's so patient with me. I really don't like living here. It's beautiful and the people are nice, but it gets hard. And when I say hard just think of a never ending winter of the soul, that's how it has been here for me. Dramatic? Yes, but true to how I have been feeling. We have been here only 4 months so there is room for improvement. But after two days of no electricy or AC I was ready to pack it in because all I could think was "this isn't even the hottest part of the summer yet!" and I am a whuss when it comes to heat.
There's so much that comes from living here that is good. I just have the hardest time battling my heart to be positive and joyful. I am constantly praying, "lord PLEASE give me the strength, PLEASE take away this desire to see our children grow up near our family." I do pretty well for a couple of days, then I slack off and WHAMMO!! I am right back at square one of being sorry for myself. What a whimp! Oh well I am learning that God's grace is so sufficient even for a sinful willful joyless person like me! Praise God that he doesn't judge me on my own merit, but that I have the blood of Jesus to wipe me clean of my sins and make me pure again.
The kids are champs. And we are seeing them starting to show more of their 'normal' selves again. Now to get Oasis to stop eating and licking everything in sight! It's been a miracle that she has not come down REALLY sick, because out of all of us she has the most exposure by far! Cedar is so smart. I have been tracking more of his development and he is performing at a 5 year old level! The only exception being the reading. I haven't been too motivated because he drives me crazy when I try to teach him, but he is recognizing letters and sounds, so I should probably get on the ball! :) Oasis isn't far behind her big brother and tracks everything he does! She's talking in sentences, coloring in the lines, and building some impressive towers with their blocks. Of course her best skill is irritating her brother! I have GOT to stop finding it so funny, so that I can discipline her, but seriously its not like he didn't get his punches in the last 2 years! Crazy to think Cedar is turning 4 and Oasis is 2! It did go so quickly, and as wild and crazy as the two of them are, they are some sensitive and loving kids, which is good cause otherwise I might sell them to the LOWEST bidder, forget the highest! lol!
I have been able to write some more poetry lately, and that continues to be a blessing to my soul. I know when I am near to God because He inspires my heart to overflowing that I have to sit down and write it out once in a while! Thank you God for drawing near as I cry out to hear your voice, and see your face.
I hope as you all read this that where ever you are in the world that you feel this same peace with the Creator God, and that no matter the challenges and trials you are going through that you are able to rest in the Shadow of the Almighty and know even when you doubt, He at least remains constant and true to His character, even if your own is wavering! :)