Monday Mission in Progress #5

I have been a part of a ladies prayer group for the Ireland Family for about 6 years now. We meet about once a month to collectively bring this family before the throne of Grace. It is so exciting and amazing to have a part in their ministry, even thought I have never stepped on the soil of Ukraine.
They have been faithful to God on the field for 12 years now, and are seeing amazing things happen there. There are men, nationals, who are beginning to rise up and take the lead in the churches that have been started. Their 7 children have grown to feel like Ukranians in many ways, the most obvious is their love of the people! What a great opportunity to be involved in the most effective and vital part of their ministry- prayer!

The more we are faced with the eventuality of going to Zambia, the more I know we need prayer! It is so humbling to hear people pray for me, and that is where I need to be- humbled, set low, and looking up to God.

About a month ago, my friend and her daughter asked me if I had a prayer group. I said, "yes, that I am in the Irelands"... and she said "No, do YOU have a prayer group for your family?" ... I was floored! WOW!!! God had put in their heart to consider being part of our ministry! At the most important level... right in the very, very beginning! I was so taken back that God was already moving in the hearts of people, my friends, and it made me rest in Him all the more! To know that He is taking care of the details before I even considered them! What a great God I have!~ Psalm 139 is a very familiar chapter, and God proves to me it is true in ways like this.

Some prayer requests!

~ For the Ireland Family!
~ The timing and assembling of our families prayer group
~ For the family that expressed interest in hosting it!

Its October First!!

I love fall and all of the colors, smells, activities... the list is endless! A great friend of mine shares this love of fall with me, and it spoiled her joyous living in Florida for 10 years... because she missed fall! (She lives in Maryland now!! Happy Fall!)

Well, I realize the Fall Equinox already has passed. But for me I don't feel fall-ish until October. Maybe I live in a constant state of "Oh please... not yet", for while I love fall, I still enjoy very much my summer... and it is waning! But, nevertheless, October comes with all of its golden and russet splendor!

October 1st also marks two very memorable events in my family.

First- October 1st, 1988, my niece Sabrina was born. A beautiful baby girl, 8 pounds, gobs of black hair, and an undetected Diaphragmatic Hernia. She had a collapsed right lung, her heart was on the right of her chest, and her left lung had only developed to be the size of a nickel. When she was 5 hours old, the doctors performed emergency surgery and really thought she was not going to make it. They gave her a 5% chance of survival, simply because she had lived through the operation, but figured it was only a matter of hours.

28 days later, my sister brought her home! It was a long road of meds, broviacs, shaving her hair off in patches for IV lines, :( but God was so gracious and even the doctors acknowledged it was only His miracle of giving her life! Today, she is 19 years old! A beautiful girl, with a generous heart, and a passionate love for the same God that spared her life. She is attending Word of Life Bible Institute, and planning a life of dedication to the Lord in whatever capacity He calls her to.

Happy Birthday Beans!

The other event on October 1st, was the death of my grandfather. It is hard to believe that 12 years have already gone by since that day. While he lived in California all of my life, he moved here to NY 1 1/2 years before he died. It was interesting to get to know this man. He had so many stories to tell, and even more crazy phrases for things. He lived a life full with service to our Country, joy in the little things, and a distinguished air that only Southern Gentlemen really possess! He always wore a hat... that is after he got rid of the hideous toupee!

I remember one story of him primping in the morning. He was a fastidious man, and always made sure he was dressed to the nines. He grabbed The Silver Hair Spray to make "the hair" shine, after which he used the Arrid Extra Dry under arm antiperspirant... only to discover too late he had mixed them up. He met the day with hair that wouldn't sweat, and silver arm pits.
I believe it was shortly after that he accepted his baldness!

While I never really knew him in the sense that I had intertwined my life with his, I still miss what could have been. I never really had a "grandfather" in the cozy, generous, unconditional sort of way. He was a bit of an enigma. He had already lived his entire life when I began to know him. We, his grandchildren, were people he had pictures of in his wallet. Had he left in the ones that came with the wallet when he purchased it, he may have never really known the difference. Except we were much better looking, and had written "To Popo, love..." on the back. I still loved him. It may have been more an idea that I loved, but at least I have a picture of him in my mind... even if I don't have "To Jan" written on the back!

October first... life ending, and life beautifully storing up for the Spring...

So Happy Fall! Enjoy all of the beauty, cinnamon smelling pies, and cool, crisp evening walks! I know I will!

Mission InProgress #4- Immutable God.

Jeremiah 5:22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

I loves this- I always thought the sea had crushed up so many rocks that it had created the sand borders. God makes it clear in this verse that He made the sand as the bound of the sea. So much force to be contained by such small grains of sand. Oh that I would fear Him more!

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God is such a person of order and pattern. His character is immutable, and because of this trait I can rest fully on who I know Him to be from the Bible. He will never change- and I find great comfort in this!

One way I know God works is in His way of "frame work then fill in". It is a "pattern of process" He uses to make things, to do things, and there are many examples of it.

One example is in the six days of creation. Days 1, 2, and 3 were the frame work and were "filled up" in days 4, 5, and 6.

Day 1-created Light and dark ... Day 4- created sun moon and stars

Day 2- created Heavens and waters... Day 5- created birds and fish

Day 3- created Earth and herbs and grasses... Day 6- created living creatures and man

Another example is the Bible itself. The first books are an over view-the frame work- of such a huge span of time, and the ones following are many of details. The minor prophets fill in the events and stories of the books of history and so on.

So how does this apply to me and my family's mission?

God has given us the framework- our Salvation, the Bible, gifts and talents- and He is teaching us and guiding our steps to places and experiences that will equip us for the accomplishing of the vision he has given to my husband. We are by no means even a little ready for it! This journey wasn't even in the back of our minds, let alone something we discussed as a course for our family. We are learning God's plans and putting feet to them. "Plodding the Course" is what this blog is named for this very reason! We are not the plotters of this path- God is! We are the walkers of it.

(I know if you look up the exact definition of "plod", it seems a little depressing, and not quite an accurate depiction of how we are actually making this journey. It just was a good word twist. Instead of "Plotting the Course" implying we are setting the course, we are walking a course the God is setting. Get it?!)


We are continually learning more of God, His word, His character, and love for us. It strengthens our faith, encourages our spirit, and emboldens us for the proclaiming of the Gospel. We are being given opportunities to practice what we preach! This weekend our family will be going to Naples and helping a the Street's evangelize this little town. They are long time mentors in the faith, and we are so blessed to have this opportunity. Potentially 100,000 people will be there for the annual Grape Festival. Perhaps even one will be reached for the Glory of God! Our children will be side by side with us, working in the fields, tilling, watering and maybe even sharing in the harvest!

This is some of our "filling in" process. It is all part of preparing our family for the mission field of Zambia. We are so excited for the journey, and are enjoying the process. I know we can only become prepared as we allow God to move in our lives, to conform us and make of us vessels fit for His purpose. It is also true that until we are ready, God will not relocate our family! We won't do out of Jerusalem what we don't do in!

Some prayer requests!
~ The trip in Naples to be profitable, that God would go before and prepare the hearts of the people
~ This week as ERM is here ministering to our teens at FBBC. Revival!
~ For the Tsoukalas' as they continue their BIG MOVE PREP!
~ For Dan as institute is in full swing! What a huge course load!

A week in the life...

... of a home schooling family of 7! I cannot believe where the time has gone! Working, school, soccer, driving to movie sets :), Greek quizzes, ... the list is endless!

I have posted so many things in my head, just not even a second to type it all down. I am remembering afresh the hectic schedule of the school year, and it is not even through the first month!

O. is now working, and while it is wonderful that she is earning money to cover her ever growing expenses, I already see a new phase of more independence. I look back to my life and see some of the pitfalls I had, and pray we can help her prevent them for herself. She has a much firmer foundation than I had, and that will only help!

J. is doing very well in Pre- algebra. If that is all I said
about him, it is excellent! He is mid 13, and becoming
such a nice young man. He and I always had a communication struggle- and I am so thankful for the lessening of this! It is amazing how one night I said good night to this little boy, and the next morning he was over 5'7", and talking with a man's voice! Well at least my friends don't call him "Jan" when he answers the phone! (they all think they have the wrong number!)

L., as was previously posted, has become a "regular extra" (?!) on the movie set of "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry". It was originally thought to be a one shot thing, and has now become about 6 scenes that he is in! I am already planning the party when the movie is released! He was really reluctant at first, but has warmed up quite well to the whole idea! Oh, and he is doing great in school! :) He is the one in the middle of the picture!

M. , well, he is 9. Need I say more? I know, that can be taken so many ways! He is less than excited about school, and more than ready to find any way to avoid it! He and Dad are spending plenty of time together reading and studying, and this has been a huge blessing. It has encouraged M. and given me a little time off... whatever that is!

S. What can I say! This child is a whirlwind of energy,
an encourager of her siblings, and a budding genius!
(I may be a little partial!) She is a constant source of chatter, full of questions, comments, and sometimes brilliant observation. We are all taking turns keeping her occupied, trying to teach her her letters and numbers. Her independent nature shines brilliantly through in the way she comes up with unique ways to write the letter "S", or draw a self created "duck". We know it is a duck... because she said it is!

Well, I am off to the store! We are hosting two young ladies from ERM this week. It should be a great time of church, ministry, singing, bonfires, Schallers and Abbotts! I am sure I won't get to the computer much this next week either!!

Sunday Studies...

Exodus 30:23-25 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive a hin:
And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil.

This oil was to be used to anoint the tabernacle of the congregation, the ark of the testimony, vessels, candlesticks, alter, laver, ... you get the picture. A lot of oil everywhere. There was alot of pomp and ceremony around it all. They were to be sanctified-set apart- for the purpose of the service to the Lord. There was a warning to not use it wrongly or to copy it.

So what is the oil? A mixture after the art of apothecary sounds so very medicinal and scientific!

I love google!

First Pure myrrh- A bitter herb which "bleeds" a resin when broken. The plant is very fragrant, and was one of the gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men. I have read that this gift speaks to his office as a prophet, and the verse "man of sorrow" may be significant in relating the bitter trait of this herb. One fact I found interesting is unlike most other resins, myrrh expands and "blooms" when burned instead of melting or liquefying. (see link)

Next, sweet cinnamon- This we know is very fragrant... and tasty! The bark near the roots of this herb is what we use. The branches stand upright and are very strong, and they are stripped and allowed to dry into what we know to be sticks. The shoots are encouraged by cutting the tree very near the ground, and thus causing many little shoots that can be harvested. This (coppicing) actually causes the tree to be more fruitful than if left alone, and the tree will never die of old age. Another interesting thing is it can be harvested only after heavy rains when the bark is soft enough to cut.

Thirdly, sweet calamus- It is a wetland plant that had long, thin, very fragrant leaves. There is a main vein through the entire length of it, with many secondary and even more tertiary veins. It also has been banned in by the USDA for its drug properties. It is quite an effective psychotropic drug.

Last herb, cassia- This is very much like cinnamon, but a little more pungent, and used more for spicy dishes. It comes from a shrub that has little yellow flowers that hang down from the branches, and bark that dries into sticks so hard they are nearly impossible to grind. (It is recommended to only buy it pre ground!)

Finally, olive oil- The ingredient that holds it all together. Olive oil is pressed out, and it allows all the qualities of the ingredients to blend together and become useful. A bunch of dried and gritty spices aren't of much use until compounded after the art of the apothecary. Very neat stuff. Another note, olive oil was the fuel used in the lampstands in the tabernacle.

So, we take the bitter, fragrant, sweet, non-consumed, main vein-fed, upright, humble, tender yet strong, and blend it all together with oil that has been pressed from the fruit.

I found many practically applicable things in this study. I need to be humble like the little yellow flowers, bowing down off the cassia branches. When tried, I need to bloom like myrrh and not be consumed. I need to be willing to be cut down over and over that I will produce more fruit... and never die! I must remain tapped into the main vein, like the leaf of sweet calamus. Jesus Christ, my source of water and nutrients. Above all I need to be immersed in the infusing properties of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling part of the Godhead. That gift from God that is with me always.

My name from around the world!

A cool little toy from Flickr!




Names really mean alot- mine is a derivative of Jane, and means "God is Gracious"!


Go here if you want your own!~

5 Minutes of Fame!

Well, the reasons I love home schooling have just increased!

We had a great day today on the SET OF A MOVIE!!

A great friend called and asked if we would like to be extras on a movie set that was going to be shooting today at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry". How could I resist? My son, the good boy that he is, happily went along with it.

The scene is set in the 70's, so I think the worst part was the "Geeky" cut-off jean shorts that were, well, SHORT! Those little knobby knees haven't seen the light of day since his early diaper wearin' years and he wasn't too sure he wanted them first re-exposed to potentially millions! (OK, maybe hundred thousands!) He was again thrilled at the mustard-yellow-extra-sheer button down shirt and maroon high top sneakers! The hat was, in his words, just tolerable! I thought he looked adorable, but I was 11 in the 70's, so I may have been reliving my childhood a little! I surely would have been twitterpated at the sight of such a cutie! Anyhow!

The coolest thing is... he got mic'd and had to memorize a line!

"Neither do I"

That was the line! It may very well be his first steps on the road to fame!
It for sure won't be because of the wardrobe!