Children, what a blessing?!

Just wanted to relate a short story from yesterday's events. We have now had our time change (too) and so it stays lighter till close to 8:30 now. We also now allow Jonah (almost 11) and Ashlyn (9) to stay up past their brothers 7:45-8:00 pm bedtime. Jonah stays up till 9 and Ashlyn 8:30. I started a Bible study for them on Monday nights to go a little deeper with them than what they are getting at church (nothing, really) and house church (simplified for the younger boys). All that was bonus, ha!

Last evening, after dinner, Jason had to go to a revival service (of sorts) and so I had the kids alone (again!). I let them finish a movie they had started the night before till about 7 and then sent them to get pjs on. We would then clean rooms and put away the clean laundry. I was trying to take care of a few emails in the movie time, but noticed after I sent them downstairs, it was way too quiet. I heard children's voices outside, but knew that they weren't my kids' because they were downstairs changing! I peeked out of my 3rd story window, and didn't see anything. BUT it was too quiet. So I head downstairs to check on their progress and ended up finding them ALL outside in the back garden drawing with chalk! No one had shoes on, all were just wearing socks. And, Caedon had gotten ready for bed, because he was in only his undershirt and underwear!! And, it was pretty cool outside, probably in the 50s at the most. Needless to say, I was a little angry. Everyone was sent to change, brush their teeth and get in bed with a spanking to go with it! No one put up a fuss though, they knew they were caught.

Tough Times

I just got back from a training trip and 2 days later Jason is "gone" on a similar trip. I use " " because he is actually in the city but not at home or where we will see him much. BUT, this evening as I am eating dinner with the group that came in for this trip, I receive a call from the babysitter. I have a fear that I might get a call but I thought it might be that my parents had called. I am scared to hear the phone ring, that my parents are calling to say that my grandfather has died. He suffered a stroke on Tuesday and so we are waiting to make sure that he doesn't have any more hemorrahging or brain swelling. Well, thankfully it is not a call from my parents but the babysitter asking me if I could come home because Caedon had thrown up. I was afraid this might happen, so it didn't surprise me, just saddened me. Yesterday, Caedon's tablemate at Kindergarten threw up on his plate during afternoon snack. Unfortunately, Caedon was a recipient of a little of it and apparently the germs that caused it. So, my wonderful husband is going to come home and stay the night with me to keep vigil. To complicate matters, I have plans for tomorrow night for a craft night. It is going to be my language partner, her mother, and a friend. I want to do it but with all four kids by myself and one not well, I don't know if I should try to do it but with 3 coming I don't want to cancel. Why do things have to be so complicated sometimes. And, Jonah is upset that he doesn't get to stay up and watch cartoons on a school night like Caedon. Agh, children! Sorry this is so random and rambling but have a little time on my hands as Caedon falls asleep.

I haven't had much time to write here recently. Things are rather busy, even though I feel like I sometimes do nothing at all! I just got back from a week long training time in Switzerland. We learned some of the things that our husbands are taking 3 weeks to learn. Amazing that they can shorten the material so much when the one away is the one that runs the house!! Despite the brevity of the time, I felt like I have a better understanding of "our" role here in Dresden. This week Jason is hosting the 2nd week of the training here in Dresden for Jason's group. So, although he is technically not away from home, he will not be here with us. And so it goes...

Could you repeat that please, and in german?

Yesterday as I was leaving the children's event that our church hosts, a kid asked me what time it was. I answered in the Sachsen way, it is half past 5. The child looked at me with a quizzical expression and said, " could you say that in German?" I just laughed and Jason said it another way. Guess he wasn't a Sachsen or my German sounds too much like English! Halb sechs oder? I guess I better start at the beginning again! Hallo, Guten Tag, Ich bin Cheryl. Ich spreche kein Deutsch! O Boy!

Wo ich auch Stehe

Living overseas obviously has its pros and cons. I live in a beautiful and historically significant city in Europe. I also live in a city in which it is very difficult to share your faith and see others come to Christ. My country is a sowing place, not yet ripe for the harvest. The people are friendly in a European sense but not friends. I love my home but can become a little “homesick” for fellowship “American” style. All that to say, attending church is sometimes more of a chore than a desire. It can be very difficult to feel “fed” and I am just getting to the point where I can listen and understand the sermon. But as always, God blesses the time. As we were singing in the “praise” time, we sang a song I have sung only a couple of times before. The song translated says:

Wherever I am, you were already there.

Whenever I run, you are still near

Whatever I think, you already know

Whatever I feel, you understand.

And I thank you that you know me and nevertheless love me, that you know me by name and forgive me

You stand me up right and lift me to you, and I thank you that you know me and nevertheless still love me.

You know my heart, the longing in me

As fully God and Man, you lived here

Just like us but without sin

You are merciful, and full of patience

Chorus

This song always make me almost teary-eyed. I am not sure why but I become overwhelmed with God’s love and sacrifice for me. God’s infinite love, power and mercy are beyond comprehension. For me, the line in the chorus that says that God loves ME even though He knows ME. He loves me nevertheless, despite all of my sin, my faults, my thoughts, everything that is so “ugly” to Him. What an awesome God we serve! Never let me forget how much He loves me and how unworthy I am to receive that love.