A Miracle.

We have not done an update on Victoria for a long time now... So I thought it was time to change that. Victoria is 34 inches long and  around 27 pounds. She has around 14 teeth and really knows how to bite! What does Victoria like to do? Well, She loves to be held:), she loves being pushed in the stroller,she like to play with toys hanging over her on her play mat, having baths, going outside when it is warm and sunny, and she loves music. Sometimes she likes to eat applesauce by mouth. Other then a bit of food that we give her by mouth, Victoria gets the rest of it through her g-tube. Health wise she has been doing pretty well. She has been teething an lot, and lately she has had a cold. There are times though when she will cry, and you start wondering" I wonder if she has headaches, or what is she trying to tell me."  It's then that you wish she could talk with you and that she  does the normal things a child does. But wait a moment....If Victoria could do the things normal children do then there are so many opportunities our family would not have had, there are many people that we would not have met, there would have been many lessons from The Lord that we might not have learned as fast. We are so grateful for our miracle from God!!! We are so grateful for all those who have prayed for and thought of us.  It's easy to get self-centered and ungrateful for things you wish had happened differently.  Remember, we serve a God who knows the tomorrow; God has a reason for what he does. I once heard that if you look for the bad in things, that you will find it. Don't you think this works the other way too?!! Look for the good in things, you will find it!

I will praise thee;

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous art thy works;

And that, my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

We love you so much sweet treasure!!

Being a big girl, and sitting up in the brown chair...she only did this for a few seconds:)

Bath time!!

Still rejoicing in the fact that Victoria is alive and well! She is still our little miracle. Looking at her daily we remember the brevity of life. We also remember what a great God that we serve. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his  purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren." Romans 8:28-29
May God bless you all with a great night.
Signing off EJM

Things We Did With Reuben.

Psalm 139 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandeth my thoughts afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall the hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

i will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God: how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

.....Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

We have so enjoyed the six weeks that we have had with Reuben. Cutting corn and beans went so much faster:) It was a normal thing to see Reuben studying his Chinese. The weeks just kept disappearing. Now Reuben is gone. Though we all will miss him, We are glad that Reuben is willing to follow where God leads(Even when it means to another country.). Here are some things that you could pray for
1. Unity in the team.
2. Health.
3. Safety.
4. Opportunities to witness in class.
5. Gift of languages.
6. Wisdom of how to use free time.
7. For former Taiwanese friends to come to a saving knowledge of the gospel
May you all have a blessed summer and fall.
Signing off, EJM
  

July Birthdays Rachel, Dad, Elizabeth,(Me), Esther

Can't believe that Rachel is already 16!!

                                                      Respectful
                                                      Attentive
                                                      Creative
                                                      Helpful
                                                      Eager
                                                      Loving                                                        

It is our tradition to have our grandparents over for a special meal that the birthday person gets to order

                                                      Brave
                                                      Responsible
                                                      Useful
                                                      Caring
                                                      Encouraging

I sure do love you Dad!

I got My drivers license!! I want to thank my parents and my siblings who helped me to learn how to parallel park:)

For Esther's birthday and mine, we went to Zipple Bay with the J. family

Esther is now 5!! Here she is about to have fun with her sister JoAnna on the Dragon roller coaster.

                                                        Energetic
                                                        Sweet
                                                        Thoughtful
                                                        Huggy
                                                        Extraordinary
                                                        Radiant smile

When Esther was younger she used to be scared of grandpa..Now she really loves him!

Everyone that has had a birthday will probably look back on the past year and wonder where and how it has gone so quickly.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Only one life, will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.

Reuben is Home!!!!!

I know that this post is long overdue... but we have been crazy busy:)

 Mom, Dad, Matthew, and Marie went to pick Reuben up on the 11th of July. While they waited they went to the Mall of America. Here Daddy, Marie, and Matthew are in front of the sign.

Waiting in the Minneapolis airport...Anticipation is mounting:)

Reuben's plane is taking a long time!!

He's here!!! Marie, running to greet her brother. They were all a little excited.

First hugs with Dad.

Marie did not want to leave or let go of her brother's hand.

Even though Reuben had stayed up for 48 hours he still wanted to drive home the next day. In Taiwan Reuben did not have any opportunity to drive, so he has been driving a lot since he has been home:)

And here is what we have done since Reuben has been home:)..just kidding. Though we have done a lot of talking, we have served together(Back Home Days, and a Funeral), weeded together, frozen beans together, gone to a wedding together... you get the idea. One thing that I have learned since Reuben has been gone, is to appreciate your family that God has given you. Accept them as they are, love them, forgive them, and learn from them. You never know what God has in store for your siblings, or your parents. Be thankful for your family!!!!

4th of July!

Victoria in her 4th of July dress that Mom made for her.

Victoria, enjoying the warm sunshine and scratchy grass.

Mom and Rachel made all the girls matching skirts...

And hair bows:) Proverbs 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Matthew and Caleb are proud of Ben,(their older brother, who is in the National Guard)!! Their shirts say The Army National Guard, the Shield of Freedom.

Our Aunt and Uncle had a corn maze float in the parade. Matthew was the  Corncob and I, (Elizabeth), was the Cow. It was really really fun!

A highlight of the 4th of July was the pool at our relatives house. What's the matter Joanna?? Going to slip off your inner tube:)?

Before we saw the fireworks the little ones had fun playing at the park. Here Esther is playing peek-a-boo with Mom. Another thing that we did before the fireworks began was to pass out 180's. It's about Abortion, World War II, The Holocaust, Salvation,and more. This Dvd really makes you think! Priscilla, Rachel, Abby, Matthew and I were able to give out around 121 of the Dvds!! We would like prayer that the Dvd's would be used in each of the people's hearts for good, and that people would become more interested in spiritual things through them.

"O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land praise the pow'r that hath made and perserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto:

In God is our trust!

And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

I hope that everyone had as wonderful time during 4th of July as we had. don't forget what is truly the most ultimate reason to celebrate: Jesus!! Whether it is Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or TODAY celebrate Jesus. Thank him for breath, a new life in Him, a home in heaven, freedom to worship, the sun, rain, and the twittering of birds....the list is endless! The happiest of Christians, are those who are thankful and do not forget what Jesus has saved us from. Hope you have a great day today!
Special thanks to the city of Warroad for the amazing display of fireworks on the 4th of July!!