​I trust that God is in control of every season and every second of my life. I have these promises to hold on to. His word gets me through every day. Even though I’m surrounded by darkness and by the spirits of the unseen world, His light guides me and keeps me close and safe to Him; as long as I stay away from my own thoughts and stay girded in His truths. I have been in Bible studies both online from before I left the states until now; and I am also doing a Bible study here at the church. These verses remind me of our time here and of different things we have or are going through. God has a time for everything and even though we may not enjoy or want to go through some of these times, they help us to appreciate the other times.   

I haven’t been doing a good job of keeping this blog up to date. Partially for two reasons, first, I don’t really think anyone is reading it and second, I really haven’t made it a priority. My husband is encouraging me to write in it more however. He said I should use it more as a journal because it’s a great way to look over and see this journey we are on with God and not think of anyone reading it. Well, here I go.
 
It’s been almost four months since I last posted. Many things have happened; we’ve had good times and bad times, many ups and downs. For details on what we've been up to you can get that from our other blog, Facebook or newsletters. I’m going to just keep it real about being a mom in this update.
 
It’s been rough! I went through a time when I felt very disheartened about being here. My love for the people and places faded away quickly but God restored this love and reminded me of His love for them and their need to know Him. I was reminded that even though some of the people here had hurt me and my family (my children) these people have a much greater hurt than I could ever have. They need Jesus, they need to know His love and God reminded me of this. Since this has taken place in my heart, there’s been a constant battle. Satan has been attacking our family like never before. Eph. 6:12 “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
 
It’s tough watching your children struggle although it’s a sweet reward watching them persevere and come out stronger and closer. We’ve come to get used to things like: having bugs in our food, walking through flood waters and getting completely wet; ordering something and getting something completely different; being invaded by ants and bugs; bug bites; lots of rain; sticky hot weather; power and water outages; noises everywhere; smells that we can’t describe, always ways having to be with someone, sicknesses of every kind; seeing the unexpected; isolotion, but all of this (and I could go on) said it doesn’t make it any easier that we are getting used to it. How do we stay encouraged and continue on in a place that is so very different from where we call home? We laugh, we smile and try to take turns in our breakdown moments.

• His Word - Without accountability I tend to make excuses and then spend more time serving instead of being at the foot of the cross, being a Martha comes natural to me, I have to work at being a Mary. I have been a part of an online Bible study since I left Indy, this has kept me accountable. This group of women have encouraged me and it’s kept me in His word daily. Being in the word daily has allowed God to speak to me personally through His word as I’ve been walking through situations. *Prayer - I am so grateful for our prayer team that lifts up our prayers when we cry out and also goes before us and prays for us before situations arise. I also have a prayer partner who I can test daily and we pray for each other’s families. The group I mentioned before is another special group where I can bring more intimate prayers to. I also have a prayer journal to pray for others, which is good for me to be thinking of others often rather than myself; however I’ve not been constant with this.
  
• Communication - Arron and I spend time talking with each other, about our children, us and being here. We also talk a lot to the children about how they are feeling, what they are experiencing, etc. I have my friends who at times I feel so distant from that it hurts, but I can always reach out and talk to them.
  
• Having Fun - We try to make time (between illnesses) to have family time. This is going to play at an orphanage, going to the grocery store, going to see a movie, play in the rain, eat out at a place that sells American food and exploring tourist sites.
  
• Traditions - Friday nights Movie night, every Friday night starting from about 4pm-11:30pm we watch movies together. Most Friday nights we’ve been going through Little House on the Prairie episodes. Everyone is allowed to get a soda from the store and a treat. The kids have really come to love our movie nights and look forward to them every Friday.
  
• Being Consistent - Trying our best to keep to a schedule in the midst of craziness. Having a schedule but knowing it can change at any second.
  
• Fellowship - This one is a new one for us. The Lord gave Arron an opportunity to pastor a church, which was not part of our plan. His plans are always far better than ours. This fellowship has been a huge blessing and has given us a place to go on Sundays to worship in our native tongue. We can sing praises to the Lord and study His word together. We spent the first 6 months of being here not able to sing praises to the Lord on Sundays, not understanding the beautiful voices we heard. We longed for this and to fellowship with others who we could speak with and who understood us as well. The fellowship is new but has been such a blessing.

 
All this being said, it’s been difficult but the Lord has been faithful walking us through this time and preparing us to continue to serve Him as a family. Many family dynamics have changed since coming here. To not let this be a super long blog post. I will follow up on a separate post as far as what these changes have been. Some of the areas of change have been: security, friends, school, and discipline.   

It is getting hotter here it's taking a toll on all of us. We are progressing with the schooling and this is such an answered prayer. The kids were a bit behind from the move and traveling and now they are catching up. My all time favorite thing here is teaching the kids. I love spending time with them and seeing them learn. It's exciting listening to Jenavieve read and her personality makes all of us laugh. Julianna is starting Saxon Math 5/4 and doing well, she loves being in a 'real' math book. Jocelyn is getting caught up in her subjects and her cursive is looking beautiful. We don't do cursive, she just started writing in cursive with all of her work. Arron is also getting caught up which is good since in August he'll be starting High School. His school is pretty independent but it's exciting to me when he gets to a problem that he doesn't know and I do. Most of the time this isn't the case but when it does happen I feel very useful! 
We have been blessed to have found a piano teacher who comes twice a week however the kids still prefer Mr. Rob. The education system is different here and they are big on memory and exams, so far this seams to be the same with piano. This is new for the kids but I believe the challenge will be good for them. 
Language lessons should be starting this month three days a week. 
I defiantly appreciate all of the luxuries we had in the states, even those things I didn't realize were luxuries. Such as hot and cold water at the kitchen sink. Having two sinks or one large one verses one small sink. Silly things like that. 
I pray that this experience will continue to bring our family together, caring for one another and others. I pray this won't be too hard for our children and that they wouldn't be resentful when they are older. 
People have asked what I do to stay 'connected' or 'getting fed' here. I am apart of a daily Bible study Monday - Friday with a group of ladies online. This has been a huge blessing and I'm able to spend alone time with the Lord. I stay connected by my family and friends who text, video and audio call me. I love talking to them and being so close with all of them. Our sending team has been a huge blessing to our family always sending encouraging messages to us. 
Before I go I should mention bugs! I don't like bugs. Any type of bug really, it doesn't matter. If it crawls, flys, makes noise or just sits there and looks at me, I don't like them. I'm thankful to my sweet husband and children for protecting me from seeing roaches. I know they have been here but I've only seen once in the house so far. Thank you Lord! I don't enjoy mosquitos, they bite and it hurts. The Bible talks about ants "Take lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise." Are there so many ants here to teach us lessons?? Why are they everywhere here? All types of ants, little, medium, big, flying, and walking ants. Ants in all different colors, black ones, red, yellow, and transparent. We sprayed poison in a little crack the other day to kill some ants. The wall within seconds looked like a horror film, with thousands of ants covering the wall. I'm not sure where they all come from. I'm all done with my ant 'rant'.    

 We moved into our new home and I absolutely love it! It feels like we are apart of the neighborhood and community and we are! The month of December the Christians in this country are serious about celebrating, they celebrate the entire month! Every night we have had carolers at our front door, one group traveled over 200 miles to go caroling. Christians were under so much persecution in this country, it's only been within the last 5 years that they have been able to do these things. They hand out invitations the day before they come then they only go tot he homes they gave an invitation to. It's sweet to see their excitement for the Lord and to listen to their voices singing their hearts out. The area where we live is mainly a Christian neighborhood. This morning while I was doing the dishes I was listening to the church choir singing, it was so beautiful. I've had some ask me questions about certain things while here so I though I would answer them in this blog.

Bugs: All of us are sleeping like royalty, the girls are all so excited to have their own 'princess' tent. Even though it does look really pretty to have mosquito nets around our bed it's not fun having mosquitos! Within the last 2 weeks we have mosquito bites, ant bites, spider bites and I'm not sure what else has bit us. I walk around with my mosquito zapper as though it's a new accessory to my wardrobe. For those of you who don't know, a mosquito zapper looks like a tennis racket and it electrocutes the mosquitos. Yes, we have repellent but I really didn't want us to wear it all of the time so I might change my mind on this decision. Ants climbing on everything is normal here. We did find my least favorite bug in the entire world but my hero took care of it and prayerfully cleared the house of them - bug not to mention becasue the name creeps me out. 

Shower: COLD! We have chosen as of yet to not get a water heater so for now the gentlemen take showers in the morning and us ladies shower in the afternoon when the water has heated up a little. It’s funny Arron Jr asked for a water heater for Christmas.

Beds: Foam Mats. Jocelyn asked for an extra foam mat for Christiams. 

Coffee: Instant 3 in 1, which means you get coffee, creamer and sugar all in one packet. They also have instant Myanmar tea which comes from their traditional tea, this is also a 3 in 1. I’ve come to enjoy both. 

Laundry: We had a washer and you hang all of your laundry to dry. After moving into this house the washer broke so we were able to experience washing clothes by hand. Yesterday we received a new washer which was so exciting. It’s a bit different than a regular washer though. Everything is manual. Meaning you turn on the water to fill it, then shut it off. You turn on the washing switch and then you need to drain it manually. After this you then move the laundry over to the spinner where you rinse and spin the clothes before they are ready to hang. This is a blessing to have this machine because it saves a lot of time, you just need to stay be the machine while it is in operation. 

School: We have been blessed to have a home with an area to dedicate to our school. Each child has their own work area and desk. Kids don't play here until 8pm at night, they are in school all day and then some work in one form or another. It is deffinately a differant coulture.  

Cooking: We eat all the local at the local street markets every couple of days. Our neighbor has helped by showing us how to cook traditional foods which has been a huge answered prayer.

Study time: I’m a part of a online Bible study which has kept me in the Word constantly. These women have been such a blessing!

Post any questions below that you might have and I will answer them in my next blog update. 

     The last couple months have been very difficult. I would say if you are looking to stretch yourself and your family to the max, to test your patience, challenge your faith and strengthen your trust in the Lord, than jump in a car with you, your husband and kids. Don't go home for 3 months. Travel across the country, live with other people from house to house, changing environments about once a week. This will draw you nearer to the Lord or to the brink of insanity. 
      Our tradition as we head to the next location is to pray and then put on our theme song, "On the road again". Now that we have unloaded our trailer we are settled at my moms for the next couple of weeks. At least the children are. Arron and I will be going to 2 more churches near Seattle in September and the kids will stay with grandma and grandpa to rest. After that we will return to my moms for a week and then listen to our theme song one last time when we head for the airport in San Fransisco.
      In our ventures we have been through difficult times but we always seem to find joy through them. It is such a blessing to be able to laugh and smile with each other. I know our smiles and laughter are something on the outside and are temporary things on the inside, but we also have a joy that doesn't go away. I believe this joy is what has carried us through. I'm so grateful to the Word of God. When times have been difficult He speaks to me, comforting me and making me smile. He reminds me to see my husband and my children through His eyes. So if I want to kill my husband after being in the car for endless hours with him, Jesus whispers through His word, LOVE him and smile. When my kids are ready to kill each other and are showing anything and everything but Christ's love to each other, Jesus whispers through His word, LOVE them and smile. We've learned how to use many of these moments as teachable moments and together to LOVE more and to endure together. God Bless 

God is so Faithful and Good. After I came back from Myanmar I made this and placed it at the kitchen sink. I like to have scripture all over the house to remind me to keep my on Jesus. I'm not sure why I wrote this it is funny how sometimes we do things lead by the Spirit without noticing why. Shortly after we returned from Myanmar my back pain intensified to where I was limited to do things. This last week the Lord took away my back pain and I've been trying to walk in His healing. 
This last week there was a song that kept repeating in my head, 'One Touch' by Nicole Mullen. I even bought it on iTunes and played it all week. Well, this week when we were packing up Arron saw the scripture card all worn on the counter ready to throw it away.
He read it and said, "Where has this been?"
My reply, "Right here at the sink for me to read." 
Arron, "Maybe you should read it again."
As I read it we both looked at each other in amazement. He asked when I wrote it and I said after we got back from Myanmar. The next day it dawned on me that the Holy Spirit was leading me to this verse either in my Bible or at the sink. I was so blinded I didn't see it even though it was right infant of me. He put the song on my heart to lead me to it as well. The scripture wasn't in the song but it was the same story in the Bible. God is so good and he loves us so much He was trying to show me and I almost missed it. 
​It is God's love and faithfulness that makes it easy to to go wherever He leads and calls us. 

I know this picture is a little blurry with Jenavieve and we have a photo bomber! Some of you are probably thinking, why would she post this picture?!? This was a special day for our family and this was the only picture taken. We all had our matching commissioned shirts on and I think my kids looked super cute. Arron leaves for Myanmar the day after Christmas so this was our last Sunday together at the church before he departs for his journey. I will follow him in January for a week and a half, then we will return to Indy together. It was a blessing to pray with the church body at the services for our upcoming trip. There are so many families that have etched a place into our hearts that leaves me to wonder two things. 
How will I be able to love more people with my heart already full. Then I think of when I had my first two children and I thought the same thing, how could I possibly share this love I have with more children? God is amazing how He has created us with such tender hearts. These hearts can become hardened by getting hurt or offended or they go to the other extreme and they can be completely mushy. Jesus tells us to love one another and the Holy Spirit helps us to do this when we can't or don't want to . Through Jesus we can have this abounding love that is truly awesome and amazing. 
My prayer is, when God is ready to send us (when it is time to leave Indy long term), Jesus will prepare my heart to have more love to freely give to others, that He will prepare my heart to not break from leaving such wonderful friends. Our friends the Delgado's gave Arron and I a sign that say's "Mis-sion-ary (noun) someone who leaves leaves their Family for a short time, so that others may be with their families for Eternity." I'm not leaving yet, but I know the Lord is preparing me and I know it's going to be so hard for me to leave. It was a blessing to look out before we prayed at church and to see so many loving faces looking back. It was also special to me to not only have Pastor Bill pray for us but also Ron. Ewing's are another family here whom we have come to love and it was sweet knowing their heart for us in his prayer. 

I will not update our site until we return from our trip. Please keep us in your prayers and please keep our children in your prayers as they will be with our friends the Lockerbie's whom we are so grateful for. 
God Bless and thanks for listening to my heart. 
Vicky
 

This morning I asked Julianna, "Do you know what the best thing is to wake up to in the morning?" Her replay, "Coffee?" LOL I said, "No! You!" My children know me too well. 
There is a collection of photos sharing with you our adventures this month. We started the month leaving Indiana, heading to Ohio to visit the creation museum and then continuing to Nashville, TN to visit dear friends. We then returned to Indiana to celebrate Easter and had a couple of parties, a shoe making party and then a birthday party for Arron Jr. The following week we headed to Louisville, KY for Arron World robotics competition. After returning to Indy again my mom arrived to watch the children and Arron and I flew to Ukraine, making a stop in New Jersey and Germany. In New Jersey we hopped on a train and had lunch in New York. 
Ukraine was beautiful. I was truly blessed by the people there and my heart cries out for their country. The missionaries I met are all such a blessing and my new sisters and brothers in Christ are as well. Here are some things I was not aware of in regards to Ukraine:
They bread Super Models! Seriously, I have never seen so many gorgeous women EVER! 
Condiments are something you pay for, i.e.: ketchup, etc. 
Ice ? Not sure if I ever saw it there
No elevators and a lot of stairs
Paying to use a public bathroom and getting your toilet paper before entering
Squat Pots - hummm 
So, Marcia (friend) and I were headed back on a train visiting with a Ukrainian couple and we shared how we weren't used to paying for ketchup and to use the toilet. He said, "You don't have to pay for ketchup or to use the toilet at the train stations in America?" "Nope", we replied. His response,"God Bless America!" lol.  

All Silliness aside, I was burdened by the people when we first arrived. No one seamed to look you in the eyes and no one ever smiled. I did a lot of praying and seeking the Lord since I was in a foreign country where I couldn't communicate with anyone nor read their language. We were completely fish out of water and it was challenging. It was through these challenging times  that the Lord used to prepare me for the rawness of this country and their pain. What hope do they have? Their country is at war, their economy with weakening and somewhere along the line they had lost their joy and happiness and even misunderstood the difference between the two. But they do have a love and a passion that burns within them for their country and to seek out hope. We were blessed by visiting with some of the Ukrainians from L'viv and kiev Calvary Chapel that showed us around their country. We felt their burden, their love, their pain, their passion and it was such a blessing to see they had found Hope in Jesus. They had joy and laughter, smiles and love for others. I pray God will use them to reach their people even more and to share their Hope in Jesus with others.

After this trip I'm still not clear as to where God will use our family but one thing is clear. I'm excited to be used and I'm ready to bring my children and myself away from the comforts we have in America and to have hearts for where ever God calls us. Please pray for direction for our family. 

My blessings overwhelm me when I take a minute to STOP and remember what God has done in my life. It is funny how some day's I want to be like the mom from 'Mom's Night Out', hiding in my room, watching a movie, crying and eating chocolates, in hopes the little people in the other room won't find me. Then I remind myself of God's glory and His plan. How the Bible say's, ""For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,"say's the Lord." I am so thankful I don't serve a God who wants to cry and hide! My God knows the beginning and the end, what a blessing this is! So when I have these hard day's which as a homeschooling mom, I have them, I am so grateful I have the word of God to keep me on track. The Holy Spirit reminds me and say's, "Hey! What's important here? Their IQ? Or that they know your Father?" To take the time to stop, look back over what He has done in my life helps me to keep the corse. I have the best job and I think the best life, I am so in love with my family and so proud of each and everyone of my children but most of all I am so proud of their daddy. Below are some photos from the last couple of months. God Bless

I went on a women's retreat this weekend and it was a blessing. I was able to spend time with women whom I am normally not with and God used this time to build our relationships with one another. Candice who was one of my housemates roomed with me at the retreat and it was sweet fellowship which was a perfect way to transition from her moving out of the house and into their our home. I was also able to spend some time with other bible college ladies and visited quite a bit with one in particular. Abbey is a very special lady and we were able to share our hearts with each other. It is funny how God has His plans and we have our own. My plan was to go, spend time getting fed from the Word and not so much to fellowship. He made it to where I had a lot of fellowship. 
Arron ran kids around while I was gone to, football, birthday party and church. He is such a wonderful dad. 
At the retreat one of the biggest things I came away with was to be grateful about things. So I started my grateful journal and I am on page 3 do far. I haven't counted how many things I am grateful for yet, my first goal is to get to 1000 so, I imagine that will be a lot more than 3 pages worth. I also started a page just for my husband and why I am grateful for him. 
I love Jesus with all my heart but sometimes it just doesn't seem like that light of mine is showing that. Weather it be to my kids, husband or others (myself included) I want God's love to beam out of me. I realized today that when I am getting frustrated or having a 'crazy mom' moment I am glorifying the Evil one, the Devil. Jesus says you are either with me or against me. Then another time He told Peter to get behind Him, Satan. I need to be glorifying God in my actions and no one else. So, I have so many things to be grateful for, I love my family.... speaking of which my husband just brought me home a bouquet of flowers and had the girls bring it to me! Thank you Jesus for this life you have given me.