Pringles Club

I am trying to get my kids to read more. In school they had a Pizza Hut Book it program. Many of you may know of this. Where if they read so many books by the time required they get a free personal pan pizza, from Pizza Hut. My kids loved that. On a couple of occasions we all got to go out to eat at Pizza Hut. The kids getting a free personal pizza. Mack really enjoyed not having to pay the bill.  So we came up with the “Pringles Club”. If our kids read (we haven’t decided on the number yet) so many books by the date allowed, we will get them their very own can of Pringles potato chips. You say, Pringles? My kids love chips and we do not get isles and isles of potato chips. We get one little section which consists of Pringles, Master Chips (generic Pringles) and occasionally we find snack bags of lays or something. The last time they got Pringles was for Christmas. I know we are terrible parents. However it is something my kids will work towards, to get their own Pringles. Find something to motivate and encourage your kids. Some kids I guess you would have to buy a super duper toy or an expensive gadget. My kids…Pringles. I am thankful that my kids aren’t spoiled and have everything. Then they wouldn’t be satisfied with a dumb can of chips. If we are not careful, we are not satisfied with the little things. We want more, more, more!!  Bigger, better, MORE!! Be thankful for what you have, no matter what it is.

 Pr 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Before returning to Ghana after our furlough, we purchased a Velocity Cruz tablet. So we wouldn’t have trunks full of books to lug to Ghana. I am new to all this technology. It comes already with a Kindle App. We were looking into Nook books before we left and my husband wouldn’t buy a Nook, he said read it from your computer. To make a long story short, I go the PC App for Nook and ordered a few books. The last minute he bought a Cruz. Come to find out we couldn’t get our Nook onto it. Once we arrived in Ghana I ­started finding Kindle books and even got registered with the library. So far I have not bought any books from Kindle, all free!!  Just a side note, buy and figure out your gadget before coming to the field. You can’t just call up somebody and ask, HOW DOES THIS THING WORK? If any of you have some good reading material we can borrow from your Kindle and or good books to purchase for the kids, ages 10-14. We would appreciate any information or a good library that we can get access to, that has Kindle ebooks.

God gives us the best, before we even know we have it. We think we have all the answers. We think we know what is best for us. We may not think it is the best, but later we find out it was. What are you doing with God’s best? Your spouse, kids, ministry, home? Don’t mess up the best. God has given them to you to increase it, not destroy it. 

Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Just like a parent we want the best for our children, so does God.

Do More in 2012

Mack has challenged us as a family and a church to do more in our personal Bible reading. The kids are getting older so they can read more than the did last year. We have been writing down how the Lord speaks to our heart. It amazes me as I read the Bible, how God says the sames things in different books. I have read a book in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament but I guess I never payed much attention to their message and how God shares with you the same theme. I was reading just to read. Getting something out of it, yes, but not looking for the one things in both passages. Anyway it has been exciting. I know I am just 10 days into it. Mack also downloaded Alexander Scourby on my phone, so I can listen to him. When you listen to him it helps me to understand it more. Today's devotion was about the Rich Young Ruler, who didn't want to give up what he had to follow Christ. I have nothing, but with God I have everything. I am so thankful for those who have given up something, so that I could have. Christ being our greatest example.

Will will have the church address this Sunday night. The youth has planned some youth activities for this year. We are going to be busy. Sounds fun! We have a lot happening in the next 5 months.

School! ugh! I didn't like it before, I don't like it now! I am not the one doing school, but overseer. 4 different grades. HELP! I have a blessing though. We had to order 7th grade English because what we did have was outdated. So thanks to the Consfords, his parents came for a visit. We were able to have them bring the new DVDs and some teachers books for that class. Thank you Ginger and Dad? (don't know his name, sorry) Then another missionary had the new teachers edition text book, which we needed and didn't know it, until yesterday. God has the answer before we even ask. AMEN!

Getting back to Tuesday ladies visitation after the 2 week break we had. It was hot today. Priscilla is doing better at the flute! She is making a noise!! Her goal is to play a song by May. Doesn't have to be a long one just a song. She has learned 5 notes so far, she will be working on those this week. Changing fingers is her exercise and playing those smoothly.

Christmas, A Nap, Pizza

I hope you all had a good Christmas! We enjoyed our time with our church family. We had a Christmas party at the house on Thursday the 22nd. Prince and Priscilla cooked up some good fried chicken and we had cabbage stew and rice. It was the best I have ever had. Everyone played volleyball and the younger kids played with the bikes. I think they liked the swings the best though. It was so funny listening to them scream as they swung. You know how you get that little tickle in your stomach when going to high. Well the funny part was they were hardly swinging at all. For Sunday we passed out goodie bags to the jr. church kids. They were filled with popcorn, juice box, cookies, and some candy. I got my ss class a little bag with a pen and paper in it, for their bible. Naomi and the some of the girls sang for the morning service. I taught jr. church. It wore me out. I haven't taught in a while, but I wanted to do a Christmas story. They can have it back next week. ha ha

We came home and had lunch. We went to turn on the air conditioner in the living room, but it wasn't working. So we all decided after lunch to hibernate in our room with the air and watch movies and pig out on cookies and junk. Good plan! However, I fell asleep. It was an unusual way to spend Christmas that is for sure. Once I revived, everyone wanted me to make pizza, so off I went. It was good day, all and all.

This week we have been lazy! We have enjoyed our time off of school and just being together. Mack was busy on Monday, so on Tuesday we cooked out and played outside all day. Prince preached last night. We have the best Preachers in the world.

We are going to have a Sat. evening service and pray in the new year. Then we will have Sunday morning service as regular and no evening service, because we will have already had our evening service on Sat. A little mixed up this week.

Have a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Wishing You Where Here!!

Getting ready for Christmas. However this in our hottest time of year. The Harmattan has begun. It is sand storms from the Sahara Desert. It just blows and covers EVERYTHING! You can dust and sweep and 10 min. later it looks like you haven't cleaned in months. It is really fun trying to keep things clean. So lets put up the Christmas tree!! When we take the tree down, we shake the dust out of the tree before we pack it up. JOY!! 'Tis the Season!

For Thanksgiving we went to another missionaries house. We enjoyed the fellowship. However someone sent us pictures of last Thanksgiving with our family." Wishing you were here." Last year all of the Siekbert missionaries where home at the same time. So we all enjoyed our families being together for the Holidays. For my family we had to have Thanksgiving the week before. When you don't get Turkey for 3 years, then you get it twice for the same holiday. GREAT!

We had a great service on Sunday. I had 7 in my teen girls Sunday school class. We usually have about 4 faithful ones. I would rather have a few faithful than 100 who don't really want to learn. I began teaching Priscilla the flute. I will let you know on the progress, practice, practice, practice. I am not so good about practicing either.

Nehemiah turned 5 on November 28th. He learned how to ride a two-wheel bike. He also got a big wheel for his birthday. He is to short for it though. So the big kids have been having fun on it. Poor Nehemiah. GROW! I am thankful for my kids. They are a big help. Naomi helps me a lot in the kitchen. The boys help with the outside work. We have no watchman in the day or night. So the yard has become their job. I never realized how fast it gets dirty. I can't keep up with the inside and outside. It's not just cutting the grass, it's a lot more. We have been trying to get rid of the grass growing in between our brick driveway. We have sprayed it with round up but now we have to scrape up the dead grass, we have 2 driveways and they are long, little by little. We are trying to get it cleaned up for our Church Christmas Party. We are having it at the house. We are going to play, volleyball, basketball, have food, and then watch a movie.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

Growing

Last Sunday I had the privilege to lead Evelyn to the Lord. Evelyn has been coming to church since we have been back from furlough. I believe she came while we were gone also. I started the teen girls Sunday School class and Evelyn never payed attention. I guess it was funny to hear a while lady talk? As each week progressed she started listening. The Holy Spirit led me to ask of the girls salvation experience. Evelyn didn't have one. I began to witness to her so she would understand. Cecelia sat there listening and smiling, because she knew what I was saying. Evelyn prayed the sinners prayer. I did not pray and her repeat after me, I asked her to call upon the Lord. I believe she did. I asked her to make it public during the church service. During the invitation she came forward. I was so happy to see her again this Sunday. The devil would love to stop the seed from growing. God encourages us and let's us know He is still there. He is still working in hearts and lives.

My kids have been busy in the neighborhood. Naomi is selling some of her unused toys to make a little money. I must say the kids love her. She sells them pretty cheap, but she makes a little from it. She has also made some acquaintances with people passing by. The boys play soccer in the afternoon with a couple neighborhood boys. They have invited them to church. I hope they will come, so my kids will be encouraged.

We are planning our Christmas Church party. I can't believe that. It is getting really hot here and Christmas is far from my mind.

Prayer

We just finished up our Revival on "Prayer". The Lord has burdened my heart to pray more. Mack talked about Intercessory prayer, I am so glad people pray for me. Naomi sang 2 songs for the Revival. I know she didn't get her pretty voice from me. Priscilla and I have started going visiting on Tuesday mornings. We are trying to get a Bible study started for some ladies, but right now that doesn't seem to be working out, so we have just been witnessing and talking to some ladies. Trying to get some friendships started. We are trying to plan a teen girls activity for next month and then it's time to make Christmas cookies!!!

My oldest sister and her family need your prayers. She fell and crushed her bones in her legs and in her arm. She has had one surgery to put in medal plates and things into her leg. She will be having another surgery today for her arm. They will have to have a hospital bed at the house and she will be in a wheelchair for 3 months. My dad and step-mom are helping with the kids, getting them off to school, etc. Please pray for their finances with the insurance and things. They also need to have a ramp put in at the house. Being at home, I know for me would be the worse, because you see all the things that need to be done, and you can't get up to do anything. Pray that everyone at home chips in and does their part.

We have been back in Ghana 4 months now. Mack has fixed the kids swings on the swing set. They where wood and they rotted, so the kids have been playing on the swing set this week. Our female dog, we hope is going to have puppies. Naomi is excited about that. She already has names picked out. It won't be until the end of Dec. or 1st of Jan. Next month we have been in Ghana 8 years as missionaries. Trying to get ourselves ready for the holidays. The warmer weather is starting to come. It has been a dry week this week and you can feel the weather changing. As most of you are bundled up for the winter, remember to pray for us as you wish you were warm, and I will pray for you as I wish we where cooler!!

Settling In

We have been back in Ghana for 1 month. It was much easier this time, to get settled in and putting things in order. Well not all is in order, but... I painted 3 of the bedrooms and the bathroom. It needed a fresh coat. It looks nice and clean. The kids had some decorations for their room they wanted to put on the wall, so we got their rooms done first. We moved the guest room and are using that for the kids school room.

I have enjoyed Prince and Koasi's preaching. They are doing a great job. I started last Sunday, teaching the teen girls. Mack wanted me to do a series on The Home. Our roles in the home as wives, children etc. It was raining last week so we only had 3 girls. Some more showed up after the rain. VBS is the last week of July, I am not sure I am ready for that, ready or not here they come!

It is rainy season, so we are enjoying the cooler weather. In the 80's. I was rolling out flour tortillas, and I thought this is easy, then I remembered it's because you are not sweating. That makes it 10x worse. I have ran the washing machine non stop since we arrived, it is not spinning for the spin dry and I opened the washer and all the water dumped out, I quickly shut the door. I did get it to drain, but not spin dry. So the clothes are piling up, until the repair man comes. I hope soon. Me and Naomi did some kitchen towels by hand, because some were a little damp. They will mold real fast.

Some have asked how I am feeling. I am doing good. I started a week after we arrived the diet and cleanse. Is it working? I hope! I am feeling good! I have to continue this regimen until Sept.

Mack has been busy, with immigrations, care repairs and trying to get the land for the church. Please pray for the land situation. We are supposed to be on the property by September? It is good to be back.

P.S. We can put the guest room back together real quick, so come and visit, we would love to have you.

Trip to Iowa

Many people have asked how the trip to Iowa was. In Iowa is a Doctor who does herbs/vitamins and healthy eating. I went to see him, because I don't want to do any shots and medication for my multiple sclerosis. He also has MS himself and works with missionaries. Well the good news is, MS is the last of my worries right now. He was more worried about my liver, colon, cholesterol, digestive system and living in Ghana for 7 years I have some parasites. I have to go on a raw food diet. Which is very hard. Please pray for me. In Ghana it will be easier, because #1 it is to hot to eat, #2 we have access to many fresh fruits and veggies (organic). It will still be hard though, I still have to cook for my family. It would be a lot easier if all I had to do was worry about myself, but that is not the case.

The kids stayed home for this trip. My husbands niece came and watched them and took them to school everyday. A big thank you to her.

My mom said to be thankful for the MS because God used the MS to help with the other health needs that I would not have dealt with or found out. In everything give thanks!! It amazes me that the doctors are so quick to diagnose and give drugs, but never get to the real problem. They never checked my sugar, my blood pressure has been on the high side. My liver and colon need help. Never once did they check or look at any of those things. I am not a health fanatic, (not yet) but the more I learn what God has made vs. man made drugs and all the chemicals I just don't understand. Yet I am thankful for the advances on medicine and the life saving techniques available to us today. Then I ask myself what did they did back in the olden days? Died? ha ha I can tell you they didn't have all the processed foods or commercialized items we have today.

It is good to be back home, but I have a lot to do. Getting ready to leave the country is no easy task.

The Question?

This question was asked me recently. They also asked the kids. Where would you rather live? Ghana or Ohio? My kids all said, "Ghana". I said, "Where home is," right now home is in Africa. Our life is there, our belonging are there, our church and our friends are there. Until God moves us our home is Africa, of course there is no place like "Home". We love America and Ohio were we are from. It is great to be here,we still have the greatest country in the world. Nothing can compare to America. We love to see our family, but we don't fit it. I believe God does that so we will go back. (not that we fit in there either, we kind of stand out) God has a place for us to serve Him, and right now that is in Africa. I have always said, we have all eternity to see one another. We hope to bring along a few Ghanaians.

We will be sending in our paperwork for our visas. We are packing and packing and packing. We have been very busy with churches and school activities. I don't think I will be able to take a deep breath and rest until....? The kids finish school on June 3rd and we leave June 14. We will be headed back to our home church for the last two weeks, so we can empty out the house we are staying in. I am so thankful to have this house. It has been so nice.

Well it is official, I have a teenager. Naomi turned 13 on May 4th. She had a great weekend with a slumber party on Friday and family over for cake and ice cream. She also got her hair cut. She has been spoiled to say the least. Naomi hasn't had a birthday in America since she was 5. So this was very special to her, especially the BIG 13.

Winter (I think) Is Over

We headed to NC to return a vehicle that we are renting and missed a tornado by minutes. Had we not stopped to get something to eat we wouldn't have missed the tornado. We arrived at our destination safely. We then headed to TN for our Spring break with the family. Mack's twin brother and older brother are also leaving for the mission field in June. It was our last get together before everyone departs.

Naomi turns 13 on May 4. Tonight she is having a slumber party. (pray for me) The boys have flown the coop. I can't say that I blame them. School is finishing up and I am beginning to pack. How did we accumulate so much in just a short time, knowing we will not be here long? The last time I was running to the plane to get back to my house in Ghana. This time I am not running, slowly walking, dreading it a bit. I guess I know the overwhelming feeling of returning. Everything is dirty, out of order, setting up house again. It takes time to settle back in and remember where you are. Getting used to the customs you've been away from. Learning the price of things again. I know once I see the people from our church again, all that will pass away.

"Lord, you do know I live in Africa?"

Well it is April 8th and it is still cold outside. We even had snow flurries last week. I am definitely ready for warmer weather. I am freezing. We are leaving for Ghana, June 14th. I am dreading the packing up and moving again. At least I can look at it at a positive note, we could be taking a boat and not arrive for months, and get sea sick.

Well I have been diagnosed with having Multiple Sclerosis. I have at this point decided to go with the natural remedies vs. the shots and medicines. I have talked with some people who have it and I feel natural herbs/vitamins etc. are the best right now. They say the heat is bad for those who have MS. I reminded the Lord, "Lord, you do know I live in Africa?" The Lord doesn't make mistakes and His grace is sufficient. I am not saying it will be easy, but I know my God knows and cares for me. As of right now, I am feeling good. My numbness has gone away. I have blurred vision at times, but doing much better.

Well we have every weekend in May booked with meetings. We were supposed to start getting ready for Ghana. I think my husbands works better at the last minute. Me I would have been done packing months ago. ha ha (not really) but I would have started. Actually we have 3 trunks packed full of things to go back. That is not our clothes or anything YET! We are in trouble.

The Beginning of 2011

2011 is here and it is Valentines Day. January 1st I started having some pain in my neck, then, Jan 3 , my right arm went numb, the next day my torso went numb, the day after that my right leg numb. Until the whole right side was numb. I had trouble walking and doing basic things like combing my hair. I finally went to the ER a week later and they sent me home? I finally made it to my family doctor and he scheduled me with a neurologist. I saw him and to make a long story short, they scheduled a MRI then a spinal tap. I am currently waiting for the results. They did find lesions on my spinal cord from the MRI. I am feeling good as of right now. My right hand is a little numb, just feels like it is asleep, but overall feeling good.

Many people are going through heath problems. I hate hospitals. Everyone in there is sick and hurting. I am thankful that I have a God that cares for me. I can't imagine going through things without him. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for hospitals and I am really thankful I didn't have to do all those test in Ghana. God is good. Thank God for your health.

Well on a lighter note, just 4 more months and we will be back in Ghana. The kids are looking forward to getting back and settling in. The only thing is how are we going to get everything to Ghana? Mack called and talked to Prince and Koasi. They are doing well and continuing the ministry. We are thankful for these two men God has called. I am not ready to get back yet. I am waiting for the Spring weather and one last vacation with the family, then I think I will be ready.

We are busy with meetings and missions conferences until May. Then we will be packing and the kids will be finishing up with school. We are looking at returning around June 14? Please pray for us as we get the results back from my test and as we prepare to return to Ghana in a few months.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

We had a good Thanksgiving, with a lot of Turkey to eat. We had Thanksgiving with my family the week before and then headed down to have Thanksgiving with Mack's parents. Nehemiah turned 4 years old on Nov. 28.

We were able to be a part of a Missions Conference at the beginning of December. What a wonderful church. They are excited and are moving forward with the ministry this coming new year. That is always an encouragement, and we added another church family to our support.

December is here, the kids had their Christmas program at school. Today is their Christmas party. I am so glad they get to be a part of a great school this year. We have learned a lot. Just the routine of things has been good. Your supposed to drop your babies off for their first year of kindergarten, but I dropped mine off for 3rd and 6th grade. Sad to say but June will come fast and we will be back in Ghana. Speaking of Ghana, things are going well at the church. Prince and the church are supposed to call us on Christmas Eve, that should be exciting.

Well don't get caught up in all the hustle and bustle this holiday season. Enjoy the Christ of Christmas, put him first, not the gifts. After all he is the reason for the season. Enjoy the time with your families.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Time Flyies

Well it is the end of October. Time has been flying. The kids started school and they love it. Matthew played soccer this year. Didn't play much, but it was good for him to be on a team and practice. Naomi really wanted to play volleyball, but I have been sick since August and I just couldn't do all that. I feel bad for her. I am doing better but not 100%. The doctor said an inner ear infection, which you do nothing, except wait. Now that I have had it for a while I think it has to do with stress? but what do I know?

The ministry here has been good. We have been to supporting churches, which the people are wonderful. We have seen some missionaries that we used to see on deputation, they are home on furlough as well. Things in Ghana are well, they just had a revival this last week. In fact a missionary is going there with a group and going to be in our church in Ghana, while we are here.

The kids put on a program at school for missions. "Around the World" our kids got a small speaking part and did a great job, they all did. Glad to have my Mom and Jessica along with Macks parents there to watch them.

We carved pumpkins and for the first time did pumpkin seeds this year. Getting ready for the Holidays and all the good food. Please keep us in your prayers. We love you and have a wonderful time enjoying people this holiday season. Even if things don't go your way.

Home Sweet Home

We are back in Ohio. We have not stopped moving since we landed in Ohio. The first week I was not feeling well. I think it took me some time to adjust this time. We were nice and cold the first week home as well. We were able to spend some time with my family. My niece had her graduation party in which time I was able to see many of my family members. For 4th of July after church we had a cookout at my Dads house and my brother and his boys were up from Mississippi. Enjoyed the Chippewa Lake parade, that really made me feel like I was home. The good old, Chippewa Roofing, Bears Towing and Cloverleaf marching band, we can not forget all the candy they throw out to the kids.

Our second day back we had to take Naomi to the doctors. While in Ghana she got a bug bite, it got infected. My sister who works at a doctors office was able to help get us in and the physicians assistant saw Naomi. They were able to take care of it and get her on an antibiotic. The blessing was the physicians assistant did her intern in Zambia, Africa, she attends a Baptist church and did not charge us for the two visits. AMEN!

Shopping, shopping, shopping. The boys needed some new clothes. The ones from Ghana are either to short or just plain wore out after 3 years. It hurts the budget when you have to do it all at one time and not over the course of the year. God has blessed in providing for us. We have a great big farm house that is fully furnished. The guy who owns it, is such a blessing and couldn't be nicer.

Looking forward to the many things planned for this summer. Enjoying our time with family before our meetings and school begins.

Saying Goodbye and Hello!!

We have just 3 Sunday's left in Ghana, before we leave for Ohio! It is an emotional time as we say goodbye to those we have come to love here in Ghana. Yet we are excited because we get to say Hello to our family and friends back in the States! It has been hard to stay focused and it crazy around here. The kids got done with school last week. They are helping me (I think) to clean and pack. It is hard to know what to take and what to leave behind. We have been preparing for our return when we first got back in 2007. Training and teaching the nationals to carry on the work in our absence. We feel God has enabled us with two great preachers who have not only been trained in the Bible school, but my husband has spent years and many hours teaching these men. Our church is young and small and excited. We have preachers and teachers and leaders in the church we didn't have 3 years ago. God has blessed! It is His church, we are just a tool being used in His ministry.

We had the graduation of 5 students in the Bible School, two are from our church, Cornerstone Biblical Baptist Church. We have Revival starting Sunday, May 3oth. We will be leaving Ghana on June 15th arriving in Ohio on June 16th.

We are excited to see everyone again. I have nieces and nephews I haven't met yet. Please pray for us not only as we travel but for the church here in Ghana. The church land is still a work in progress. Mack and Pastor Davis met with the lawyer (he is the one who owns it) he says it is for us, we can't back out now...he says just be patient as we are getting paper work done?? We have been working of this since November? He says by the end of June? of course we will be back in the States. It is not what we had planned but we are trusting in the Lord. As you see a lot of ???? Ghana is slow on most things they do. You can see the frustration. Our rent is up on the little room we are meeting in, in November.

God is good! and His blessing are evident! "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Ps 37:4 Are you being a delight to Him?

Time is flying!

Where has the time gone? We have been very busy with church activities. We had a good Easter service at church and baptized 5 in the ocean afterward. The following Sunday our church went over our church constitution for the evening service. We fried up some spring rolls and went over the long constitution. This Sunday April 18th was our church anniversary service. We had our leaders of the church over for lunch after church. We had a wonderful time of fellowship. For the evening service we showed some pictures of them over the past 6 years. We laughed at everyone being so young. We praise God for those who have stuck and are still serving God. Tomorrow is the last day of Bible school then we have 2 from our church graduating in May. We thank God for these two preachers. They have been preaching and teaching since the new year.

We are still waiting on the building? The lawyer who owns the property can not find the paper work saying he owns the land. He has to put an article in the paper saying if any one owns this property to come with the paperwork. If no one claims the land then he can officially get the paper work done. It has to be in the paper for a month. It is frustrating to say the least. We are trying to be patient and wait on the Lord. The Lord's timing is best. So for now all we can do is wait.

Our doors inside our house were being eaten by termites and rotting. So our landlord replaced them all. They had to knock the old frames out of the cement and it was a mess. We have all but 3 doors left to put on.

I have some things washed and ready to be packed but I can't get anything done, with the workers in the way. So I have to put off packing for another week or so. I just pack up things to keep them out of the dirt. I will not pack everything up. I have washed all the kids comforters and they are ready to be put in a Rubbermaid container. The guest room shower curtains and throw rugs etc. things like that I am trying to get out of the way. Then we have to pack up all our books from the book shelf to hep keep the mold and dust off of them.

We have graduation Sunday coming up in May and then a revival is scheduled for the end of May. The kids have 21 days left of school. I will be glad when that is finished. We fly out on June 15th to the great USA!! Please be in prayer for us as we would like to sell our vehicle before leaving. We also have to pay rent for the house here in Ghana for the year we are gone. We have a lot of expenses, but know God will provide. We have already seen His provisions.

Love

Well with Valentine's Day just Sunday, of course our topic is love. On Monday I did the Ladies Bible Study on Love. The title to our lesson is "Love is not a feeling, but a CHOICE" oh the girls were saying Madame Jackie, love is not a feeling? So I got their attention!! To be fair, love is a feeling, when you think of your parents, you love them, a certain thought or feeling that you have towards them. Your spouse, your children, your family. What does God say about Love? What about your enemies? Do you love them???? What about someone who has been unkind to you? Do you love them? God commands us to love our enemies? This is when love becomes a choice. That feeling is not there. We must choice to love, the unlovely people in this world. God loves them and died form them. We must choose to love like Christ loves.

Keep praying for the building in Sekondi for the church. We hope to have the place by our Anniversary Sunday which is in April. Pray!!

The kids are doing well with their piano lessons. They really enjoy their teacher and spending time with the other missionary children. Matthew and Joseph have been learning to play soccer. Which everyone in Ghana plays. They practice with our watchmen and Kendall a neighborhood boy. Joseph is pretty good, he plays hard and really goes for the ball, he is very competitive. I don't know where he gets that from? We will be home in the States for furlough in June. That is not very far away. There is so much to be done here, but we are excited to see God opening doors for the church here in Sekondi.

Fruit of the Spirit

I have started a new Bible study with the ladies after finally finishing the Ladies of the Bible study. We are going over the fruit of the spirit. However before we even get to the fruit of the spirit we have to deal with the works of the flesh and empty ourselves and our desires and our will. Wow! The Lord spoke to my heart. Sometimes you don't realize how selfish you are until God shows you. If you read Gal. 5:19-21 these are the works of the flesh. We are just tilling up our ground getting rid of the rocks (sin) so we can plant the seed so the fruit of the spirit will grow. I have a lot of rocks and in some places my ground is hard. With God I can have the power to overcome the flesh and allow to be led by the spirit. It is a choice I must make, daily, hourly, to do right. Look at Gal. 5:22-23. These are the fruits of the spirit that can grow if we get rid of self. An old missionary said something to Amy Carmichael when she was a young missionary that stayed with her for life. She has spoken of something which was not to her liking. His reply was, 'See in it a chance to die.'

Lord,
I crawled
across the barrenness
to You
with my empty cup,

uncertain
but asking
any small drop
of refreshment.

If only
I had known You better
I'd have come
running with a bucket.

I am only on the third lesson, but God has spoken to my heart. The title of the book is "Be Patient - I'm Not Perfect Yet. Thank God he is patient. I remember as a little girl I had a book mark with the same title on it. I will never be perfect until I meet my Lord, however I can try to be more like Him. The choice is mine and yours.

Computer is WORKIG!!

So much has happened since I was able to write in my journal. Mack has made several trips to Accra this month. (DECEMBER) Our yearly renewal to stay in Ghana is all finished, we have the stamp and everything. PTL. Joseph broke his glasses so they both headed to Accra to get him a new pair. Then he headed back to buy some Christmas gifts. Then he had to return some Christmas gifts. JOY!

Our computer is up and running. On one of those trips to Accra he picked up an Internet security for the computer. I think we had a couple of virus.

Priscilla and Nellie came to the house before Christmas to help me bake some Christmas cookies and banana bread for the Church Christmas Party. I got them a little bracelet as a gift. Lamissy wanted to come but at the last minute her Uncle needed her at the house. Prince and Koasi came over and helped put together the Blessing baskets to hand out during our Christmas Caroling with the church. We had a great time Christmas Caroling. We have never done that before in Ghana. Not sure how it would work? I needed a scarf and gloves or something. We had candles so I guess that made it feel festive. We gave the baskets to four families with someone in that family who already comes to church, to encourage others from the family to attend church. We wanted to be a blessing and show the Love of Christ this Christmas season. Our last visit was to Lamissy's uncle. Lamissy is so excited for the Lord, but her uncle hinders her. He allows her to come Sunday morning but that is all, she would love to come for the other services and extra activities but is not allowed. When we showed up at her house, he was talking very rough, asking her if she knew we where coming. He came out of the house and greeted us, (he was not to happy) after we where done singing we presented our basket. He was surprised. He thanked us and Lamissy sent his thanks again on Sunday morning. We have seen her come even for the Christmas Eve service.

Mack bought some pizza cheese for Christmas. We are planning on having pizza for New Years Day! the kids are excited about that. It is a treat for us. We hope you all have a Happy New Year!!!!!!!