November, 2010

The first event of this month was the baptism of our newest grand-daughter, Eliana Dawn, Wil and Amy's daughter. She was born October 16th. Her name means "the Lord answered" and she is the answer to a six year long prayer. Paul used the baptism ceremony his Dad used and the questions my Dad would ask of the parents and church family. It was a great time of celebration.

We then spent a week with Anna, putting gutters on her/our house in Chattanooga and spending time together. At the end of the week was Mission to the World's Global Missions Conference. Paul lead two seminars on partnering with churches to care for missionaries and we were both on a panel talking about issues unique to missionary life. We saw many old friends and made new ones. Two of my sisters and my brother were also there so that was really special.

Time to go spend some time with Joanna and Sam Ward, two of our grandkids so will continue this later.

Our Oldest Granddaughter Comes to Visit

Our son-in-law, Erik, was asked by Nokia to come to help with some competition and said he'd come if they'd pay for a ticket for his daughter as well. And they did!!!!! So, although we didn't see a lot of him (he stayed on the other side of London) we got to have Lauren with us for three days. It was a ton of fun. Lauren is 8 years old, a great age for doing stuff. We went to the Tower of London (forgot the camera), to Kew Gardens (again, forgot the camera), to The Maids of Honor for "tea" (forgot the camera) to the Shalford Mill and Oakhurst Cottage and remembered the camera. Below are a few pictures from our time together.

With Wil and Amy

Ok, when it rains it pours...another post! After our time at CCMI we made a dash down to Annapolis, MD to see Wil and Amy and Amy's parents. We seldom get to see the Hendricks so that was a real treat. Amy's Mom was having a baby shower for her so it was great to get to be there for that. Amy's Grandmother and Aunt were there so it was nice to see them again since I don't think we have since Wil and Amy's wedding seven years ago. We basically just hung out and talked (did a little shopping), a well worth it quick trip down from NYC. Plus it is always nice to go to my home town and think about past years spent there.

Cross-Cultural Ministy Internship

From the sisters' reunion (Paul was in Chattanooga visiting Anna) we went to New York City. This is our third year to help with CCMI (formerly known as pre-field training). We stayed in the same little apartment in Upper Manhattan (Washington Heights) in a very Dominican neighborhood. I wish so much I knew Spanish since that is what we heard in the grocery stores, laundry mat, on the street, etc. There were 20 participants in the training, going to Australia, Colombia, Japan, India, Mexican Border, Cambodia, Honduas, and Spain and one couple with Enterprise. Paul and I each had a group of new candidates to mentor through the program. We helped in different churches with things like VBS, teaching SS, and other children's programs. The new candidates had some assignments to do that we would read and help them with, all geared towards giving them better eyes and ears for the culture they would be going too.
So we spent the mornings working in our churches when they needed us and the afternoons at another church for training classes. We spent time with the folks we were mentoring, over meals, fun outings, or just hanging out at their apartments. It was such a privilege to get to know these folks and see their heart for missions.

Below are some random shots from our time...Paul leading one of the sessions, Heather and I on the Brooklyn Bridge, Paul and Peter talking, Paul and I in Strawberry Fields...

Margie's Birthday Bash/Sisters' Reunion

The end of June my sister-in-law, Mary Lou, me, my three sisters, Sally, Louise, Margie and our cousin, Ceecy (order of photo) gathered in Quarryville, PA to celebrated Margie's 60th birthday and to see our Mom. It was a really fun time of just being together talking, laughing, remembering, and according to Mahlow tradition, crying. Our brother also came at the beginning and end. I think one of the most special times was reading Mom's letters to her Mom about Margie's birth and the story of her polio. Mom's faith was so strong, despite the challenges of what the polio was doing to Margie. I drove down with Margie from her home in Prospect Park, NJ and her car broke down twice. It was really God's gift to us since it allowed us to stay an extra day and for Margie to have an extra day off work to spend with me! She is my just older sister and we have been dearest friends since birth.

We did some fun stuff like go to Longwood Gardens, but also enjoyed a visit with my Mom and got to see our Aunt and Uncle and another cousin as well.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for my Dad

My Dad went to be with the Lord on Valentines Day, 2003. Recently I was looking at an old family video and it was wonderful to see him so vibrant and full of life. I miss him. He was a wonderful father and I thank the Lord often for him.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for my Dad
Malachi 2:5-9 tells us who a true man of God is. My Dad was a model of this man to me as well as to many others. I thank the Lord for the privilege of having him for my Dad.

Who is a true man of God?
--one who reveres God
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving me a Dad who honored you all the time. He taught me, by his example, to see you in everything.
--one who stand in awe of God’s name
Thank you for a father who never took your name in vain but worshipped you in all he did, no matter where he was. He taught me, by his example, to be careful how I spoke of you to others and in my private times because your name is Holy.
--true instruction is in his mouth
Thank you, Lord, for a Dad who desired nothing more then to love my Mom and us kids and to be able to teach and preach your Word from his heart. His life was full of spoken and unspoken lessons about who you are and what you have done for me.
--nothing false is on his lips
Thank you, Father, for a Dad who was honest and full of integrity. He taught me to tell the truth no matter the consequences.
--he walks with God in peace and uprightness
Yes, Lord, my Dad loved peace. He trusted in your sovereignty and taught me to as well. It grieved him to see us kids fight or know he had hurt my Mom. Thank you for the example I have of a man who walked humbly with you and loved righteousness and peace.
--he turns from many sins
Thank you that I didn’t see very much sin in my Dad—only a desire to grow more and more in knowing you and living a life worthy of you. He showed me that sin really isn’t fun but living for you brings joy and satisfaction.
--his lips preserve knowledge and men seek his instruction
Thank you that you chose my Dad to be a teacher of your Word. His desire always was that what he preached or wrote would evidence who you are. Men sought you through him and so did I. How I will miss his emails that always had tid-bits of knowledge and instruction and love in them.

Thank you, dear Heavely Father, for my Dad. He was truly your representative to me and because of his life I understand your love better. As the Apostle Paul said “a father is one who encourages, comforts and urges his children to live lives worthy of God’s kingdom and glory”. How can I begin to express my gratefulness to you that in your sovereign will you gave me my Dad to encourage me, to comfort me, to urge me on in my walk with you. He did all that and so much more. May you be glorified and help me to carry on Dad’s desire to love and serve you in all things. Amen

A Bracelet

I've worn this bracelet for several years now. Someone I love gave it to me. It didn't cost very much, but it represents a memory and a whole lot more. I haven't taken it off since that day. It's looking pretty worn now, scratched up and stretched out, missing some of the beads that were once there but the knots are strong and the color unfaded. If I twist the beads a little there's still some shine left to them. Things are kinda tough between the one who gave me this bracelet and me and so our relationship looks a little like it--kinda worn, scratched, stretched...but I know that underneath some of the hurt that has gone on there is a strength in what has knotted us together in the past and the shine underneath reminds me of what we once looked like and can look again. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it". God is faithfully teaching me much through this.

The English Classes

God has been so kind to me in giving me a place teaching English to ladies as a ministry of our church here in London. There's a wonderful team of involved and I feel privileged to be one of them. We have four levels of classes from the very beginners to an advanced class. I've been teaching the very beginners. It's great to be involved in the lives of these ladies at a time when they are feeling very vulnerable and alone. We desire to represent the Lord well to these ladies, being Jesus's hands and feet as we love them and come alongside of them. Having learned Kikamba when we first went to Kenya, I know how hard it can be to not be able to communicate so I want to be a friend and help as I can. Here's a picture of most of my class. Three aren't in the picture. The ladies come from Iraq, Sri Lanka, India, Poland, Syria. Malaysia, Somolia. We have lots of fun together just learning the basics of English. I do pray God gives me the privilege of seeing some of them come to know Him--some already do!

We're having a BBQ this Friday for the classes and their families and friends and are hoping for about 100 to come. We've been having 39 ladies coming to class each week. A friend will be presenting the Gospel in a very simple way. I'll add some pictures after it is all over. PRAY!

A Trip to Vienna

Paul and I had the opportunity to visit MTW missionaries in Vienna May 13-16. Nancy Deibert teaches at Vienna Christian School and Ursula Spooner has a counseling ministry. Art, her husband, long time MTW missionary is now retired. Vitaliy and Marissa Voytenko (Ukraine) were also there to have their baby, Leo Elijah. I had the privilege of mentoring the Voytenko's at Cross Cultural Internship Training in January/February so it was great to be able to meet Leo who was only 12 days old. We also met MTW associates, Dennis and Cynde Morgan who were there assisting Ursula in her counseling ministry.

We thank the Lord for opportunities like this one to visit MTW folks to encourage and support them in any way we can as they serve the Lord where they are. There's more pictures on facebook if you are interested. Just go to this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=216416&id=624702564&l=3cc8766518

Mother's Day

Yesterday, Paul took me to Syon Garden Centre to buy a lilac bush. My kids asked him what I might like and since lilacs have always been my favorite flower and since I keep stealing the flowers that are hanging over the fense at the front of our flat, he thought, it was time to get our own. A special thank you to my children for this gift of love. I will look at and be thankful for my children who wanted to make me feel special today. You certainly have.


I understand the other part of my gift is to be a new motorcycle jacket!! Yahoo.....sure will be great to have a jacket that fits and maybe looks a little more feminine then wearing one of Paul's :-). Again, thanks to my kids who not only love me but want to keep me safe.

A Praying Life by Paul Miller

My home church, Annapolis EP, gave all the women at the Europe Women's Retreat the book A Praying Life. I've really appreciated it. I'm reading it at a time in my life that I want to understand prayer better. As I put away my journal for 2009, I read my last entry. It talks about things I've been praying for over the year and even years that were still seemingly unanswered. The beginning of the book talks about a "quiet cynicism or spiritual weariness that develops in us when heartfelt prayer goes unanswered." That's kinda where I was as I began this year.

Towards the end of February, after nearly six weeks in Europe, I headed back to the US (Paul was in Dar es Salaam visiting Meg). Wil and Amy along with Anna met me at the airport and we went out to dinner. As we waited for a table to become available, Amy suggested we play a new word game Wil had. He loves games so Anna and I thought nothing of it. Wil put letters out on the bench for us to spell as many words as we could. If we could use all the letters, that would be a winning score. So we were madly putting letters together when Anna suddenly yelled "pregnancy"!. One of those long time, heartfelt prayers had been answered. We all teared up and I just stood amazed at God's kindness. It was so great to write in my journal this wonderful answer to prayer. The baby is due in October. There are still others, waiting to be answered, and as I continue along reading A Praying Life, many quotes are helping me along.

I do long to see answers to my prayers. Of course, I long to see my answers, what I think would be best. These aren't selfish prayers, that aren't about me, but my children, my Mother, a dear friend...Miller says "Don't be embarrassed by how needy your heart is. The point of Christianity isn't to learn a lot of truths so you don't need God anymore." I know I need God. I know I need His answers to my prayers. But I still struggle with defeated weariness. "If Satan can't stop you from praying, then he will try to rob the fruit of praying by dulling your soul. Satan cannot create, but he can corrupt." And I do find my soul dulling as the months and years go by.

But as I continue reading this book I am reminded again that God isn't finished with any of our stories yet. In fact, "I am called to trust that God sees what I see. In fact, he sees beyond what I see. He sees the whole story and is completely trustworthy to be at work on a grand scale, in the minutia, and even in my own life." If God is sovereign, He controls the details, if God is loving He will shape those details for good, if God is wise He will do what I need not what I think I need, if God is patient then He will take the time needed to do all this. Put that all together and we have a "divine story". And in that is my hope, confident expectation as my Dad used to say.

Last Stops on HMA Trail

Tomorrow we head for Colorado Springs. We'll hit the road running as we pick up a rental car and head for Lennox, SC to visit with the church there over the weekend. Then Monday, the 15th, we take a few days to travel to Montrose, CO and the church there. The trip should be beautiful as we cross over the Rockies to the Western part of the State. Then on the 18th we cross back over part of the Rockies to Colorado Springs and two churches there. We are looking forward to seeing several of our supporters along the way that we haven't spent time with in a while. Should be a great way to end this six month long Home Ministry Assignment.

A few sad things happened today. We said good-bye to our 1993 Honda that we have had for over seven years. We bought it in 2002 to have for our son's wedding. Since then our son and wife used it on their honeymoon, we've used it while in the US, several of our daughters have used it while at Covenant College, Meg used it while on HMA last year, and our oldest daughter used it before their move to Kenya last year. It has really served us well and has a ton of memories tied to it but it was time to pass it on to another MTW family whose son is heading off to college.

We also got word today that our five fish we've had for five years disappeared out of the little pond in our back garden. When we bought the fish they were about an inch long and they grew to be around eight inches. We are guessing a a herron may have discovered them and are hoping their demise was as painless as possible, considering... Our granddaughter, Joanna, will be especially sad next time she comes to visit since she has said that feeding the fish is her favorite part of the day.

Since we last posted something, Paul has travel to Tanzania to visit Meg, I've been to Spain for a Europe women's retreat, Paul's been to New Mexico to see his Mom and I've been to Pennsylvania to see mine. We are now in Atlanta and have had good times with both my sisters here as well as nephew and family and my niece. We've had good meetings with the Spiritual Life Department at MTW (which includes another nephew) as well as a celebration dinner welcoming three new members onto a part of our team. Mmmmm, busy times!

We hear the shower in our flat in London isn't working and in fact the whole bathroom needs to be retiled. Please, please, please be done before we arrive on the 27th!!!!! Although that puts a bit of a worry into our arrival, we are so looking forward to getting back on March 27th.

Our Little Trip To Germany

Paul and I left Zaventem, Belgium yesterday, February 10th for a few days in Germany. We've been helping with Mission to the World's Cross-Cultural Ministry Internship (formerly known as pre-field training). At CCMI we don't see a whole lot of each other since we "mentor" different new candidates and attend different churches. It's been a good but long month so we've been looking forward to a few days to be together, going to two towns where our great grand-fathers came from. Monday, the 15th we split for a week and Paul is going to Tanzania to see our daughter, Meg, and I am going to the Europe Women's Retreat in Spain.

So, around 4:00 yesterday we started our journey after renting a car from the Brussel's airport. We'd woken up to snow which continued off and on all day and as we left Belgium and entered Germany, the snow just got worse and worse. It was beautiful and not so dangerous but still we had to be cautious. We had dutifully booked a B & B on line so had put the address in the GPS and didn't think another thing of it....just kept following "Daphne's" instructions. We thought the trip would take about 3 hours so should have wondered when it came up that it would take five hours. But forward and onward. Then we came to a dead stop. The traffic was bumper to bumper, it was dark and we didn't have a clue where we really were--no map. Then suddenly everyone was being directed off the autobaun, onto some narrow little streets, covered in snow and snow still coming down. We had to just trust the GPS and continue on. It was crazy. We got put back on a different highway and still with bumper to bumper, mostly stopped traffic. I decided to look ahead on the GPS and see where in the world we were going. Then we discovered that the B & B we were heading for was still three hours away (would get us in if the traffic was moving, at midnight) and totally far south and east of where we actually wanted to go. So I plugged in "lodging in the area", we took the next exit, found a nice hotel and settled in for the night. Since we had promised to pay on arrivial the original B & B, last night was a very expensive night. Because of our agreement we still need to find a bank to pay at least one nights worth of compensation to them. Sheesh, what a mess!!

Then, this morning Paul woke up with symptoms of food poisening and a terrible cramp in his leg. So it took us a while to get off and get headed in the correct direction and to the right town. We got to Pommern where my great grand-father came from. It is a wonderful little village. We walked around, took some pictures and headed on to Rheda where Paul's great grand-father is from. And so here we are, at another B & B looking forward to a day walking around Rheda tomorrow. Oh, and it has snowed most of today as well. I few times I was pretty nervous as we winded our way through little towns and villages with snow covered streets, but Paul did a great job of driving and we are getting ready for a good nights sleep. He still isn't feeling great, but much better then at 5am this morning. When I can I'll post some pictures. It is beautiful here.